Are there Mistakes in the Bible?
Yes, absolutely! The Bible is full of mistakes... but wait, how can one agree that the Bible is full of mistakes and yet still claim it to be the Word of God? It is unreservedly true that the Bible is God's written revelation to mankind; it is objective, inspired in every word, and God-breathed.
So what about its reliability with regard to inerrancy and infallibility? It is absolutely and completely infallible (free of any doctrinal error or failure) and inerrant (without error in the original manuscripts)!
So how can it be totally infallible and inerrant, while being full of mistakes? To understand the answer to this question, you must first understand the mistakes:
Mistake #1: Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and allowed their own lust for self exaltation to take priority over their faith and trust in God's Word. (cf. Genesis 3:6-7)
Mistake #2: They would not take responsibility for their actions and did not confess their sins openly to God. (cf. Genesis 3:10-14)
Mistake #3: Cain became angry and jealous of his brother Abel and raised up and killed him. (cf. Genesis 4:5-8)
Mistake #4 ... etc...
Have you made any mistakes in your life? Some may believe that depends on what constitutes a "mistake." Well, in this context, a mistake is a sin, that is the violation or transgression of God's perfect moral standard. Have you violated any of His Laws? Are you guilty of transgression of the Law? Let's see if you are innocent or guilty according to God's standard: Have you ever lied (even once)? Have you ever stolen anything (regardless of value)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying thieving, adulterer at heart; and we've only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. God sees your thought-life; nothing is hidden from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. All who are guilty by God's judgment will go to hell.
It is not God's desire that you go to hell. He provided a way for you to be forgiven by sending His Son to take your punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. The wages for your sin is death, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Therefore, through Christ's perfect righteousness, all who repent and trust in Him may receive the free gift of eternal life; freedom from judgment. Confess your sins to God (name them) and repent (turn from your sin). Pray to God asking for forgiveness and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. Then read the Bible daily and obey what you read (see John 14:21).
If you have any questions, please contact our church office at 408-842-1220 or e-mail me: pastor@trinitybiblechurch.org
Pastor Manuel Pereira
May 23, 2008
