The Authority of the New Testament

Let us now consider the authority claimed for the New Testament.

We must first observe the remarkable fact that, so far as we know, Christ Himself never set down a single word in writing – with the exception of one occasion when He wrote on the ground in the presence of a woman taken in adultery.

Nevertheless, He explicitly commanded His disciples to transmit the record of His ministry and His teaching to all nations on earth.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

Previously He had said:

“Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes.” (Matt. 23:34)

The word scribes means “writers,” that is, those who set down religious teaching in written form. It is therefore clear that Jesus intended the record of His ministry and teaching to be set down by His disciples in permanent form.

Furthermore, Jesus made all necessary provisions for the absolute accuracy of all that He intended His disciples to put down in writing, for He promised to send the Holy Spirit to them for this purpose.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

A further, similar promise is contained in John 16:13-15. Notice that in these words Christ made provision both for past and for future; that is, both for the accurate recording of those things which the disciples had already seen and heard and also for the accurate imparting of the new truths which the Holy Spirit would thereafter reveal to them. The past is provided for in the phrase “He will... bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). The future is provided for in the phrase “He will teach you all things” (v. 26) and again, in John 16:13, “He will guide you into all truth.”

We see, therefore, that the accuracy and authority of the New Testament, like that of the Old Testament, depend not upon human observation, memory or understanding, but upon the teaching, guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, the apostle Paul says, “All scripture [Old Testament and New Testament alike] is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16).