#1 – Jesus clearly spoke about the continuing ministry of God’s Word, through His disciples, after He departed — John 17:20.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through THEIR word.

#2 – During Bible days, and throughout the first centuries, the culture was overwhelmingly oral.  There was no New Testament Bible as we think of it today.  But there were the “Scriptures” of the Old Testament that we read, taught, and preached before, during, and after the ministry of Jesus.

In Old Testament times, the prophets verbally communicated God’s Word before an Old Testament compendium of Old Testament “books” was ever established.  The culture was oral, and men like Ezra publicly read the Scriptures (Nehemiah 8).

Personally possessing a copy of an Old Testament “book/scroll” was unlikely, and few copies were accessible or attainable to God’s people.

Over time, a compendium of 39 Old Testament “books” was established as the authoritative Word of God by His people.

In the early years, there was no New Testament “Bible,” as we know and think of it today, until decades after the death of the last apostle.  The preaching and teaching of the apostles, disciples, and church leaders was the Word of God to His people.

Paul’s various letters were sent to various churches across Asia and Europe. Those letters and copies of those letters moved from church to church, and from generation to generation.  Centuries later, various church leaders had copies of those letters, quoted them in their original Greek language, translated them into the language of the people, and included them in their writings.  They believed that those copies and words were accurate and authoritative.

As with the Old Testament Scriptures, the New Testament writings, written by the disciples and apostles, were recognized by “the church” as the Word of God within the first centuries.  They were believed to “God-breathed,” and “sufficient to guide one into all godly living” when read or heard.

Inspiration Without Preservation Is Meaningless

√ There is no value in having an inspired, authoritative, and inerrant Word if it has not been preserved.

If the “Bible” never makes it past a century or two, and surely is not preserved for today after 19, 20, or 21 centuries, of what value is it?

√ Likewise, if it was preserved, but it is not the breathed-out Word of God as originally established, what value is it.

Jesus declared that the Old Testament Scriptures were both inspired and preserved. He quoted and cited them as the authoritative Word of God after centuries of producing and handling scribal copies.

Without inspiration, preservation is meaningless.
Inspiration and Preservation must travel together on the road of time!

That is as simple as it gets!