About the Author

Thomas Ray Floyd was born in 1953 in Simpson County, Mississippi, the son of Roy Thomas Floyd and Lina Sue Shows Floyd. Thomas Ray's mother was a member of a Primitive Baptist church, and he cut his teeth on the doctrines of distinguishing grace.

When he was a small boy, his father was converted to Christ and became a member of a Missionary Baptist Church. Thomas Ray joined the church of his father when he was 13 years old, and thought of himself as a Christian. The doctrines of grace that he had heard as a child continued to be precious to him and when he became an adult, he joined a Primitive Baptist Church. When he was 27, Thomas Ray made his first effort to preach the gospel in public and was ordained to the full functions of the ministry in 1985. In 1986 he was convinced under the preaching of Rolfe Barnard (by tapes from Mt. Olive Tape Library), the written sermons of Spurgeon, and the ministry of Elder Zack Guess that he had been a false professor and cried out in agony of soul to the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy and truly save him. And He did! Floyd then began to preach the gospel as he had been taught of the Lord.

Floyd has pastored churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee and until recently was pastor of a church plant known as "Particular Baptist Fellowship." He and his wife Brenda presently attend Zion Baptist Church at Polkville, Mississippi, pastored by Elder Glen Hopkins. The pulpit ministry of Zion Baptist Church can be heard at Sermonaudio.com.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

The Inerrancy of Scripture

(Article for publication week of 11-4-2009 AD)

"...the scripture cannot be broken." (John 10:35).

In our study of the doctrine of scripture, we now come to the subject of inerrancy. By inerrancy we mean that there are no errors in the Bible. There can be no errors in the word of God, because there are no errors in their Divine Author. The scriptures are the production of the Triune God Who is thrice holy and perfect in all His ways. He is of such purity that he will not look with favour on sin. He is unchangeably good and will do right. To question the inerrancy of scripture is to question God Himself. If we believe in God, we must believe in His word, for it is written by the One Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

One of Satan's subtle attacks on the inerrancy of the scripture is in the notes found in certain modern translations of the Bible. Most of these newer translations have notes or comments on certain verses, which question their authenticity. Such "notes" by "learned" men have done much to undermine people's confidence and faith in the word of God. This is Satan's old trick of asking, "hath God said?" Such seeds of doubt have grown into plants of infidelity and produced unholy fruits.

I want to encourage the Lord's people to have confidence in your Bible. Our Lord and Saviour has said, "the scripture cannot be broken." Our Lord Jesus Christ believed in the inerrancy of scripture. He quoted it as a book with no errors. As you have believed in Christ for your salvation, so believe His inspired word. Don't ever let anyone put any seeds of doubt into your mind.

The Bible must be inerrant. If it could be proven (and it can't), that there were errors in the Bible, then we could have no confidence in any of it. And of course this is the reason the faith of some have been overthrown. Some who once professed faith in Christ no longer walk with Him because they believed the lies of some "higher critic". Of course this proves they were never genuinely converted, for a faith that can be overthrown was not genuine saving faith, but the danger is real that temporary faith can be and is overthrown. The seed of doubt was sown that perhaps there was an historical error here, or a "scientific" error there, and the poor temporary believer began to think, "well if there are some errors in this book, I can't believe any of it", and so they renounced their profession. I know some in this very condition.

Those who are truly saved know the Bible is inerrant, because they are experimentally acquainted with the Divine Author. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent." For those of us who truly know the Lord, we will believe the Bible, and every word of the Bible. We know the author of the Bible and know Him to be One Who cannot lie.

The scriptures cannot be broken. Every word in the Bible is true. There are no mistakes in the Word of God. "The words (notice the plural) of the Lord are pure words.." (Psalms 12:6). The scriptures are inspired of God, and they are inerrant. May the Lord strengthen the faith of His people, and may He bless you all, my dear readers.
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