INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

Is the Bible a product of human reason? Is it just a great work of literature, inspired like Shakespeare?

If it is not of divine origin, we cannot be sure of its authority, or lean on its promises. If it is from God, it has unquestionable authority.

I. THE BIBLE CLAIMS INSPIRATION.

Clearly it is a book from God. It is unlike any other book.

Phrases such as “Thus says the Lord, “God spoke,” and “The Lord has spoken” are found some 2500 times in the Old Testament.

The writers claimed to speak as they were moved, born along, by the Holy Spirit.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. New King James Version 2 Timothy 3:16-17

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. New King James Version 2 Peter 1:19-21

“Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” New King James Version Exodus 4:12

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. New King James Version 2 Samuel 23:2

Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. New King James Version Jeremiah 1:9

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” New King James Version Luke 24:44

Jesus endorsed the New Testament, even before it was written.

“But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. New King James Version Matthew 10:19-20

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. New King James Version John 16:13

It is the word of God.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. New King James Version Acts 2:4

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. New King James Version 1 Thessalonians 2:13

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. New King James Version 1 Corinthians 2:13

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’ New King James Version Revelation 2:11

II. THE NATURE OF INSPIRATION.

To say the Bible is inspired can mean many things to people. What does the Bible mean by inspiration?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. New King James Version 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Inspired is from Latin, in and spiro, literally to blow or breathe into.

The Greek is theopneustos, theos, God and pneustos, breathe or blow.

“Inspiration means that influence which God exercises through the Holy Spirit over the minds of Biblical writers to make them infallible in receiving and recording of his will. There is a difference, however, between inspiration and revelation.

Revelation has reference to the communication of knowledge Revelation has reference to the communication of knowledge. It renders the recipient wiser. It is the means through which God imparts facts and truths not previously known.

Inspiration has reference primarily to the accurate communicating of knowledge. It preserves its recipient from error in teaching. It is possible that some of the writers of

the Bible received no revelations the Bible received no revelations. This is possibly true of some of the writers of the historical books of the Old Testament. The writers

were certainly inspired in the selection and recording of facts within the realm of human experience, but this would not require revelation. The account of the wilderness

wandering was not a matter of revelation, but rather a fact of personal observation. Luke does not claim to be the recipient of any revelation. He says he derived his

material from those “which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word.” (Luke 1:2, 3.) He did this by inspiration, but in doing so he was not

primarily the recipient of any revelation primarily the recipient of any revelation. Thus it is possible for one to receive revelation without inspiration, and to receive inspiration without revelation. Not all of the

Bible is revelation, but it is all inspired Bible is revelation, but it is all inspired. It contains revelation; it is wholly inspired.” B. C. Goodpasture, What the Bible Teaches, GA, 1972.

Not just the thoughts, but the words of the penmen were inspired.

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. New King James Version John 16:13

“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. New King James Version Matthew 5:18

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. New King James Version 1 Corinthians 2:13

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. New King James Version Galatians 3:16

III. HOW INSPIRED MEN SPOKE AND WROTE.

Human penmen were free to speak through their own individual background, personality, vocabulary, and style.

Inspiration was not purely mechanical.

The writers were not merely pens.

Matthew wrote from a Jewish background, often quotes the OT, and speaks of the kingdom of Heaven,” where others speak of the “kingdom of God.”

Mark features the mighty works of Jesus, and uses the word “straightway” or immediately often.

Luke was a Gentile and a physician, and uses the phrase “a certain” often.

When Jesus spoke of how it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, Matthew and Mark use the common Greek word raphis, an ordinary needle, while Luke uses belone, a surgeon’s needle.

John records much that other writers did not record, and uses the term “verily, verily,” 25 times, and is the only writer who uses this expression.

IV. LIMITATIONS ON THE INSPIRED WRITERS.

1. It did not impart omniscience.

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. New King James Version 1 Thessalonians 3:5

Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. New King James Version 1 Corinthians 1:16

2. It did not make them incapable of sinning.

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. New King James Version 1 Corinthians 9:27

3. Inspiration vouches for the accurate recording of information, not the truthfulness of what is said by those quoted.

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. New King James Version Genesis 3:4

The battle became fierce against Saul The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse

me. ” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. New King James Version 1 Samuel 31:3-4

“He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’ “So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head

and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.” New King James Version 2 Samuel 1:9-10

Fundamental to understanding the scriptures is to know who is speaking, what are the circumstances, and if the speaker a man of God or not.

The Bible is inspired; therefore, it contains the words of the Master.

“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.47 “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” New King James Version John 5:46-47

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” New King James Version John 8:24

“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. New King James Version Luke 13:3

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. New King James Version Matthew 10:32

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. New King James Version Mark 16:16

John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. New King James Version John 14:15

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. New King James Version Matthew 10:22

Do you believe what the Bible says?