Do I have to believe the Bible is inerrant to be saved?

Answer

We are not saved by believing in the inspiration or inerrancy of the Bible. We are saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10). Simultaneously, it is solely through the Bible that we discover Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8). Believing everything in the Bible is not a prerequisite for salvation, but believing in Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Bible, is essential. Embracing the Bible as the flawless Word of God and accepting all its teachings is crucial, but this may occur after salvation, not before.

Initially, individuals who are saved typically possess limited knowledge of the Bible. Salvation commences with an awareness of our sinful condition, not with an understanding of the inerrancy of the Bible. Our consciences inform us that we cannot approach a holy God based on our own righteousness. Recognizing our inadequacy, we turn to Him and acknowledge the atonement provided by His Son on the cross for our sins. We place complete trust in Him. Subsequently, we experience a complete transformation, becoming pure and free from sin. The Holy Spirit of God dwells within us, securing us for eternity. Moving forward, we progressively love and obey God more each day. Part of this progression involves daily nourishment from His Word to develop and fortify our relationship with Him. Only the Bible possesses the power to bring about this miraculous change in our lives.

By believing in and relying on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, as outlined in the Bible, we attain salvation. However, when we place our trust in Jesus Christ, the Holy SSpirit will work on our hearts and minds—and will convince us that the Bible is true and is to be believed (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If there are doubts in our minds about the inerrancy of Scripture, the best way to handle that is to ask God to give us assurance about His Word and confidence in His Word. He is more than willing to answer those who seek Him honestly and with their whole hearts (Matthew 7:7-8).