The Anchor of Authority: Why We Trust the Bible
- Boundless Team
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
Have you ever felt like you’re standing on shifting sand?
One day, the world tells you that success looks like a specific bank balance. The next day, it’s about your social media following. One year, a certain lifestyle is celebrated; the next, it’s criticized. It’s exhausting to keep up with the "truth" of the week.
If you’re a skeptic looking in, or a new Christian trying to find your footing, you’ve probably asked the big question: Why the Bible?
Out of all the books ever written, why do we treat this one like it’s the final word? In the Assemblies of God, our very first fundamental truth is that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We call it our "infallible rule of faith and conduct."
But what does that actually mean for you on a Tuesday morning when life feels chaotic?
It means we have an anchor.
The Problem with "My Truth"
We live in an era of "living your truth." It sounds liberating at first. You do you, I’ll do me.
But there’s a problem. If everyone has their own version of the truth, then no one actually has the truth. It’s like trying to navigate the ocean by looking at the waves instead of the stars. The waves change every second. If you tie your boat to a wave, you’re going to end up lost.
We need something outside of ourselves. Something that doesn't change based on how we feel or what’s trending on X (Twitter).
That’s where the Bible comes in. It isn't just a collection of nice stories or ancient advice. It is the "Anchor of Authority."
What Do We Mean by "Inspired"?
When we say the Bible is "inspired," we aren't saying the writers felt a little spark of creativity, like a poet watching a sunset.
The Greek word used in the New Testament is theopneustos, which literally means "God-breathed."
Think about that for a second. When you speak, your breath carries your words. The Bible is the result of God’s own "breath" working through human authors. It’s a divine-human partnership.
God used the personalities, the languages, and the backgrounds of about 40 different men: kings, fishermen, doctors, and shepherds: over a span of 1,500 years. Yet, through all those different voices, there is one consistent, unfolding story of God’s love and His plan to rescue humanity.
That kind of consistency doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design.
Why Skeptics Can Take a Second Look
If you’re skeptical, we get it. We welcome those questions here at Boundless Online Church.
Maybe you’re thinking, "It’s just an old book written by men."
But consider this: The Bible is historically unique. We have thousands more ancient manuscripts for the New Testament than we do for the works of Plato or Aristotle. If we trust the history of ancient Rome, we have even more reason to trust the historical reliability of the Gospels.
More importantly, the Bible is the only book that accurately diagnoses the human condition. It doesn't sugarcoat things. it shows the flaws of its heroes and the reality of suffering. It tells us why the world is broken and, more importantly, how it’s being fixed.
The Bible as Our "Supreme Court"
In any organized society, there has to be a final authority. If two people disagree on a law, they go to a judge. If it’s a big enough deal, it goes to the Supreme Court.
In the life of a believer, the Bible is our Supreme Court.
When we face a moral dilemma, a relationship crisis, or a deep spiritual question, we don’t just ask, "How do I feel about this?" Our feelings are notoriously unreliable. They change with the weather or how much sleep we got last night.
Instead, we ask, "What does the Word say?"
As we highlight in our faith and discipleship resources, trusting the Bible means we have a stable reference point. It is the "rule" (the standard) by which we measure everything else.
Does this new philosophy align with Scripture?
Does this lifestyle choice honor what God has breathed out?
Does this path lead toward the Jesus revealed in these pages?
When we submit to the authority of the Bible, we aren't losing our freedom. We’re finding the guardrails that keep us from driving off a cliff.
An Anchor for Every Season
An anchor isn't very useful when the water is glass-calm. You don't really think about it then. You notice the anchor when the wind starts howling and the waves start crashing against the hull.
Life has a way of bringing those storms.
Maybe you’re a shift worker feeling isolated, or a caregiver exhausted by the daily grind. Maybe you’re living in a place where it isn't safe to talk about Jesus openly.
When the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, the Bible remains still.
It provides security: You don't have to wonder if God still loves you. He said it, and His Word stands forever.
It provides guidance: You don't have to guess how to treat your enemies or how to find peace. The map is already drawn.
It provides hope: The Bible tells us how the story ends. It tells us that pain is temporary and that Jesus is making all things new.
How to Start Trusting the Word
If you’re new to this, don’t feel like you have to understand every single verse today. Nobody does! The Bible is a lifelong journey.
Here are a few simple steps to begin leaning on this anchor:
Read with an open heart. Ask God, "If this is Your Word, show me who You are."
Start with Jesus. Read the Gospel of John. See how the "Word made flesh" lived and loved.
Connect with others. You don't have to figure this out alone. Join a community like our online groups to discuss what you're reading.
Apply what you learn. The Bible isn't just for information; it's for transformation. Try doing one thing the Bible suggests: like forgiving someone or praying for a neighbor: and see what happens.
We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. Whether you are a long-time believer or just starting to kick the tires on Christianity, we invite you to explore the Bible studies available on our site.
The world will keep changing. The "truths" of culture will keep shifting. But you don't have to be tossed around by the waves.
You can drop the anchor. You can trust the Bible.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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