If we remember how these writers viewed the Old Testament writings, it will help us as we consider what the New Testament says about itself,. Knowing what authority they claimed the Old Testament possessed, they would have been very evil men if they falsely claimed or only pretended to have that kind of authority.
A. New Testament Writers Claimed Their Writings Are an Inspired Revelation of God's Will Just as the Old Testament Was.
1 Corinthians 14:37 - Paul claimed his writings are the commandments of the Lord.
Ephesians 3:3-5 - Paul received his message from the Holy Spirit, then wrote it so others might understand. Therefore, what he wrote was not his own human ideas. [cf. Galatians 1:11,12]
1 Thessalonians 4:8 - The message was originated by God, not by the men who penned it (v2). So, those who reject it are rejecting, not the men, but God.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is inspired by God: not just the Old Testament, but all of it. It is profitable for teaching, reproof, instruction in righteousness and to provide us to all good works. In short, Scripture is what we claim it to be: a revelation of God's will to teach us how to live our lives. But is the New Testament "Scripture"?
1 Timothy 5:18 - The same writer quotes two passages that he calls "Scripture." One is from the Old Testament, and the other is from Luke 10:7. So, the New Testament is "Scripture" just like the Old Testament, and both are cited as authority that proves what we ought to practice.
2 Peter 3:15,16 - Peter referred to Paul's epistles as "Scripture," right along with other Scripture. We can appreciate the significance of this only when we understand what Peter and other inspired men mean by "Scripture." This same apostle, in 1:19-21, said Scriptures come from God, not man.
[2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 3:14; Revelation 1:11,19,9; 22:18,19; chap. 2,3; 14:13; 19:9; 21:5; Acts 15:22-29; 16:4,5; 1 Peter 5:12; 1 John 2:7-17,21,26; 2 John 5]
B. New Testament Writings Are a Pattern People Must Follow to Be Saved.
1 Corinthians 14:37 - They are the commands of the Lord.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 - They teach and instruct us and provide us to all good works.
John 20:30,31 - They provide evidence on which to base our faith so we can have eternal life through Jesus. Clearly we must believe what they say to be saved.
1 John 1:1-4 - They were written so we might have fellowship with Jesus and the Father.
[Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1ff; John 21:24,25; 19:35; 1 Timothy 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:13ff; 1 John 2:1-6; 5:13; 1 Corinthians 4:14; Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 2:3,4,9; 7:12; 13:10; Philippians 3:1; Galatians 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6]
C. New Testament Writings Were Intended to Benefit Future Generations, Even after the Deaths of the Writers.
Apostles knew their letters would be circulated among churches and wanted it to be so.
2 Peter 3:15,16 - Peter and his readers were familiar with Paul's epistles. Even though those epistles had not been addressed to him personally, yet he respected them as "Scripture" and expected other Christians to understand and respect them too.
Colossians 4:16 - Paul said the letter he wrote to the church at Colosse should be read also to the church in Laodicea.
Revelation 1:4,11 - The Revelation was addressed to seven different churches.
2 Peter 1:1 - Many epistles were addressed to Christians in general, not to any specific Christian, let alone a local congregation. [Jude 1; Galatians 1:2; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1,2]
2 Peter 1:12-15 - Peter wrote to remind people of the truths they had been taught, so they would have these things in writing and could be reminded of them after his death. [Cf. 3:1,2; Romans 15:15; Hebrews 12:25-28; 13:20]
So the New Testament was not intended just for the use of a very limited group of people. The writers knew their writings would be used as authority by many people in many places for many years, even after their death.
This is what they would expect knowing that their writings would be classed as "Scripture." They knew how the Old Testament Scriptures were circulated and respected, so they would know the same would be done with their "Scriptures."
Conclusion
Contrary to what some people believe, Bible writers in both the Old and New Testaments knew they were writing by the direct guidance of God, so that what they wrote constituted a revelation of the mind of God, an authoritative standard of divine authority. Further, God intended for these writings to serve as religious authority for all people, including future generations.
Jesus and His apostles quoted the Scriptures they had as authority to settle issues of religious right and wrong, and their example shows us how we ought to treat the Scriptures we have today.
The claims the Bible writers made leave us no room for a middle ground position. We must either accept them as the Divine authority they claim to be, or we must reject them entirely as a fake and a fraud. There can be no middle ground. Folks who claim to accept the Bible as a good book, but do not respect its authority to guide their lives and determine their conduct, in reality simply do not believe what the Bible itself says and they certainly do not follow the example of Jesus Christ.
What is your view of Scripture? Do you believe it to be God's inspired word? Do you study and obey it as the standard for your life?
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