Every church has values. Some are articulated; others are implied by what gets prioritized in budgets, calendars, and teaching time. At Grace Bible Church of Phoenix, the leadership has identified four core values that shape everything the church does. Over the coming weeks, each value will get its moment in the pulpit — and Pastor Josh White kicked things off with the most foundational one: being Bible-centered.
But here’s the question Josh asked at the start: why does this value matter so much? Why put the Bible at the center of everything? And is it really that important?
The answer, he argued, is a clear yes — for three reasons.
1. Only the Bible Shows Us How to Be Saved
Josh started with the most urgent question anyone can ask: how can I be saved? The world offers a hundred different answers — be a good person, do your best, follow your heart, try hard enough. But the Bible cuts through all of that.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Paul is explicit: this is of first importance. The death and resurrection of Christ isn’t one option among many — it’s the single plan of redemption God laid out from the beginning. Acts 4:12 puts it as starkly as possible: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
— Matthew 7:13-14
Josh used an illustration: if you asked ten random people how to be saved, you’d likely get ten different answers. Only the Bible gives a clear, unified answer. That’s why being Bible-centered isn’t optional — it’s the map that shows the way.
2. Only the Bible Is Inspired by God
Beyond salvation, the Bible is unique because it is God’s breath — literally. Every word, down to the original manuscripts, was chosen by God.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Josh pointed out that this means the genealogies in Leviticus aren’t filler — they’re there for a reason. Even the parts we might skim over contain divine purpose. The entire canon was overseen by God; nothing in it is accidental.
“No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 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 1:20-21
He contrasted this with church tradition or personal opinion. If you want someone’s opinion, you can just listen to a podcast. But when the church gathers, it needs to hear from God — not just ideas. That’s why every teaching at GBC starts with: what does the Bible say?
3. Only the Bible Is Our Source of Truth
Josh made a careful distinction: it’s not that the Bible is merely true — it’s that the Bible is truth. There’s a difference. If something is “just true,” it conforms to some external standard. But if something is truth, it becomes the standard itself.
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
— John 17:17
Jesus prayed this to the Father moments before His crucifixion. It’s a stunning claim: God’s word doesn’t just reflect truth — it defines it. Every other claim, every theory, every worldview must be measured against the Bible, not the other way around.
“So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
— Hebrews 6:18
Josh acknowledged that people occasionally claim science has “disproven” the Bible — but nothing ever sticks. Why? Because God cannot lie. The truth doesn’t change, and facts don’t alter the standard of truth. The Bible is that standard.
So What?
Here’s the practical outworking of being Bible-centered: the Bible becomes the first question, not the last. When we face decisions, we don’t ask what feels right or what works for others — we ask what does Scripture say?
Josh closed with a challenge: if someone were to disbelieve part of the Bible, they aren’t just questioning a book — they’re questioning God. The genealogies, the hard commands, the prophetic portions — all of it carries divine authority.
And here’s the encouraging part: this won’t change. GBC is 44 years old as of this message. Josh’s hope is that in another 44 years, the church will still be saying the same thing: the Bible is our final authority.
This value is the foundation. Without it, the other three values — making disciples, faithful service, healthy relationships — have no solid ground to stand on.
Next week, Josh will walk through how being Bible-centered plays out practically in daily life. But for now, the call is simple: trust God’s word. It’s the map. It’s the message. It’s the truth.
Scripture References
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — The Gospel of first importance
- Acts 4:12 — No other name for salvation
- Matthew 7:13-14 — The narrow gate
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is God-breathed
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 — Scripture’s origin in God
- John 17:17 — Your word is truth
- Hebrews 6:18 — God cannot lie
- Deuteronomy 32:45-47 — Words are your very life