The Bible is inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative.
Either believe it all, or don’t believe it at all. It’s not logical to accept the story of Jesus’ resurrection, while rejecting the truth of His virgin birth. It’s not a cafeteria system where we pick and choose. Believe it all or reject it all.
Jesus believed it. He was a teacher who quoted Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. He believed the Bible... all of it.
One of the great proofs of Biblical inspiration and inerrancy can be found in the symbolism woven into the Old Testament. These symbols, sometimes called “types”, point to Jesus like clues in a good “who-done-it” mystery. When you get to the end of the book and look back, it’s clear that the author planned it.
To illustrate, let’s consider the story of Noah, and specifically the symbolism reflected in the Ark.
By the way, Jesus believed the incredible story. Teaching His disciples about the future, Jesus looked back and said, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man: People went on eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah boarded the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26–27, CSB).
Look at the wonderful, mystical symbolism. First of all, God designed the Ark... really big. God told Noah, “This is how you are to make it: The ark will be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high” (Genesis 6:15, CSB). That’s a big boat. It had to be. It was a floating zoo. Heaven is big too. It has to be. “Whosoever” is invited.
And while we’re on that subject, Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), yet only Noah and his family heeded God’s warning, and by faith entered the safety and security of the Ark. They entered by faith, just as we enter into relationship with Jesus by faith.
Another... there was only one door into the Ark (Genesis 6:16), and when everyone was inside, God closed the door (Genesis 7:16). Remember, Jesus said, “I am the door” (John 10:7) and “I am the way... no one comes to the Father except through Me!” (John 14:6).
One last detail hints at the security of our eternal salvation. God instructed Noah to “cover it inside and outside with pitch” (Genesis 6:14). The pitch, probably asphalt, sealed the wooden boat so that it wouldn’t sink. Every born-again believer has been covered with the blood of Jesus. He died so that we could be securely saved.
The story of Noah’s Ark isn’t primarily a story about two ducks, two dogs, two deer and two of every other creature. Rather, it is the story of God’s wrath and justice ... a story of His grace and goodness. He made a way to save and secure. It’s a story that points to Jesus, our Savior.
South Georgia Baptist Church
Amarillo, Texas
Mike Martin, Pastor
mike@southgeorgiabaptistchurch.org