There are clear statements in the Bible indicating that Scripture is inspired.  These are as follows:

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (ESV)

This statement says that all Scripture is inspired, and that it contains all we need for this life.  The Bible again claims inspiration in the following passage:

19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21 (ESV)

This statement clearly says that no prophecy was produced by the will of the prophet, but rather it was superintended by the Holy Spirit.

These two Scriptures clearly portray the Bible as the Word of God, not the word of men.  God is the ultimate and final author of the Bible.  This is what biblical Christianity has believed for the last two millenniums.

The inspiration of the Scriptures was clearly perceived by the Old Testament prophets.  In the Old Testament, statements such as, "thus says the Lord," as well as other wordings indicating that the source of the prophecies were from God, number more that 3800 occurrences.1  Note that David's view of Scripture was very high:

7  The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8  the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalms 19:7-11 (ESV) (underlining is mine)

These words, "perfect," "sure," "right," "pure," "clean," and "true" are words that describe the nature of that which is inspired by God.  Jesus also had an extraordinary high view of Scripture, for he said,

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 (ESV)

Jesus insisted on this high view of Scripture (Matt 5:18; Luke 16:17).  Jesus also claimed that Old Testament prophecies concerning himself had to be completely fulfilled (Luke 24:25-27; 44-45).

In addition, Stewart2 shows that Jesus referred to the following Old Testament miracles as part of God's Inspired Word, thus confirming them as factual truth:

  1. Creation of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Mark 13:19).
  2. Creation of all living creatures (Genesis 1:20-31; Matt 10:29-30).
  3. Creation of man (male and female) in His own image (Genesis 1:26-31; Matt 19:4-6).
  4. The Flood, Noah and the Ark (Genesis chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; Matt 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27).
  5. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning sulphur (Genesis 18:16-19:29; Luke 17:28-30).
  6. Lot's wife turning to salt (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32).
  7. God speaking to Moses out of the burning bush (Exo 3:1-4:17; Luke 20:37).
  8. God's provision of manna from heaven (Exo 16:1-5; John 6:49-51).
  9. Elijah's miraculous support of the widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16; Luke 4:24-26).
  10. Elisha's miraculous cleansing of the leprosy of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 4:27).
  11. Jonah's deliverance from the belly of the big fish (Jonah 1:7-2:10; Matt 12:40).3

Jesus promised his apostles that the Holy Spirit would remind them of all he had taught (John 14:26), and that this same Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.  So these apostles of Christ continued to learn "all truth" from the Holy Spirit sent to them by Christ (John 16:12-13), even concerning matters that Jesus had not taught them during his earthly ministry.  Indeed, these same apostles preached the good news "...by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven." (1 Pet 1:12 ESV)  Before the end of the first century, this faith had been completely revealed, and Jude urged the Christians to "...contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 3, (ESV).  The apostle Paul strongly condemned any modification in the Gospel of Christ in Gal 1:8-9.  We are expected to obey all that Christ has commanded (Matt 28:18-20; John 8:51), and we are expected to obey everything Christ commanded through his apostles (John 15:20).  We must accept the word of the apostles as God's Word (1 Thess 2:13), for it is the Spirit of God speaking through the apostles (Matt 10:20; John 15:26).  We are not at liberty to set aside any commandment from them.  There are no approved biblical phenomena such as serving Christ but paying no mind to the commands of Christ through His apostles.

Thus we see that the Bible claims to be inspired, and it summons our attention to learn and apply all that Christ commanded.



ENDNOTES:
  1. Stewart, Ted. Apologetics II: New Discoveries that Confirm the Bible. Sunset International Bible Institute, Lubbock, TX, ©2001, p. 54
  2. Stewart, ibid, p 55.
  3. I added the Old Testament Scriptures referenced by the gospel writers in this list for those who may not be acquainted with them.