The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration
Believing That The Bible Is The Infallible Word of God • Fundamental To All Bible Study • Foundation of all Bible Preaching
? ? ? First Question To Ask • What does the Bible claim for itself? – Does it claim to be from God? – Does it claim that all of it is inspired? – Does it claim to be complete? – Does it claim to be infallible? – Does it claim that every word is divine? • Then we ask what evidence would sustain such a claim
The Authority & Inspiration of the Scriptures Benjamin B. Warfield (1851 -1921) Christianity is often called a book-religion. It would be more exact to say that it is a religion which has a book…. But he has chosen to found his Church not directly by his own hands, speaking the word of God, say for instance, in thunder-tones from heaven; but through the instrumentality of a body of apostles, chosen and trained by himself, endowed with gifts and graces from the Holy Ghost, and sent forth into the world as his authoritative agents for proclaiming a gospel which he placed within their lips and which is none the less his authoritative word, that it is through them that he speaks it. It is because the apostles were Christ's representatives, that what they did and said and wrote as such, comes to us with divine authority. The authority of the Scriptures thus rests on the simple fact that God's authoritative agents in founding the Church gave them as authoritative to the Church which they founded. All the authority of the apostles stands behind the Scriptures, and all the authority of Christ behind the apostles. The Scriptures are simply the law-code which the law -givers of the Church gave it….
Apostolicity thus determines the authority of Scripture; and any book or body of books which were given to the Church by the apostles as law must always remain of divine authority in the Church. … God speaks to us now, in Scripture, not only mediately through his representatives, but directly through the Scriptures themselves as his inspired word. The Scriptures thus become the crystalization of God's authoritative will. …But God has caused his grace to abound to us in that he not only published redemption through Christ in the world, but gave this preachment authoritative expression through the apostles, and fixed it with infallible trustworthiness in his inspired word. Thus in every age God speaks directly to every Christian heart, and gives us abounding safety to our feet and divine security to our souls. And thus, instead of a mere record of a revelation given in the past, we have the ever-living word of God; instead of a mere tradition however guarded, we have what we have all learned to call in a unique sense "the Scriptures. "
“Thus Saith the Lord” This expression or its equivalent is found 2000 times (plus) “God said” 46 “Thus saith the Lord” 414 “Lord said” 221
The Bible’s Claim: It Is Inspired of God
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
The Old Testament Claim • Men of God claimed to speak as God directed them • Law given by Moses was from God • The NT says the OT was inspired
David 2 Sam 23: 1 -2 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. Matt 22: 43 -44 He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord, ' saying: The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '?
Isaiah Isa 1: 1 -2 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; Isaiah’s call to prophetic work: Isaiah 6
Jeremiah Jer 10: 1 -2 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
Jeremiah Jer 1: 4 -9 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. " 6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth. " 7 But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth, ' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, " says the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth His hand touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Ezekiel Ezek 1: 2 -3 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.
Ezekiel’s call to prophetic work: Ezek. 2 -3 2: 1 – “I will speak to you” 2: 2 – Spirit entered me and spoke to me 2: 7 – Speak my words to them 3: 4 – Speak my words to them 3: 10 – Receive into your heart all My words and I speak 3: 22 – I will talk with you 3: 27 – “But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD. ' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. ”
Zechariah Zech 7: 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.
Amos 7: 14 -17 Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: ‘I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel. ' Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac. ' ‘Therefore thus says the LORD: ….
Balaam Numbers 22 -24 Divine Protection of the Message 22: 18 – Cannot go beyond the word of the Lord 22: 38 – Word God puts in my mouth I must speak 23: 5 – Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth 23: 16 – Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth 24: 13 – What the Lord says I must speak – can’t speak of my own mind.
The Old Testament Claim • Men of God claimed to speak as God directed them • Law given by Moses was from God • The NT says the OT was inspired
Ex 20: 1 And God spoke all these words, saying: Neh 8: 1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel.
Neh 10: 29 these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes:
Ezra 7: 6, 12 6. this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 12. Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth.
Deut 5: 1 -6 1 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. 4 The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. 5 I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said: 6'I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
2 Chron 34: 14 Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses.
The Old Testament Claim • Men of God claimed to speak as God directed them • Law given by Moses was from God • The NT says the OT was inspired
od f. G o New Testament Old sp In Testament ed ir 2 Peter 1: 20 -21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1: 10 -12 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.
od f. G o New Testament Old sp In Testament ed ir Luke 2: 22 -23 22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"),
Word of God = Scripture God Said Scripture Said Gen. 12: 3 Gal. 3: 8 Exo. 9: 16 Rom. 9: 17
Scripture = Word of God Scripture Said God Said Gen. 2: 24 Matt. 19: 4 -5 Psa. 94: 7 Heb. 3: 7 Psa. 2: 1 Acts 4: 24 -25 Isa. 55: 3 Acts 13: 34 Psa. 16: 10 Acts 13: 35 Deut 32: 43 Heb. 1: 5 -6 Psa. 104: 4 Heb. 1: 5 -6 Psa. 95: 7 Heb. 1: 5 -6 Psa. 102: 26 Heb. 1: 5
The Old Testament Claim • Men of God claimed to speak as God directed them • Law given by Moses was from God • The NT says the OT was inspired
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
The New Testament Claim • Jesus spoke of the authority of the Scriptures • Apostles & NT writers claimed to speak from God • Some main passages
John 10: 35 “If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken). ” • Jesus quotes from Psa. 82: 6 • Called it “law” (v. 34) and “Scripture” (v. 35) • “Cannot be broken” = cannot be loosed, undone • Affirmation of the authority of Scripture • If this most “casual” statement in the OT is authoritative, so is all the rest! (Warfield)
Matt. 5: 18 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. • “Jot” – smallest letter of Hebrew alphabet • “Tittle” – a projection from a letter to distinguish it … • Like our dot of the “i” and cross of a “t” • Point: Scriptures are true / reliable down to the smallest detail!
Fulfillment of Scripture Jesus spoke of the need for the Scriptures to be fulfilled • Mark 14: 49 – “the Scriptures must be fulfilled” • John 13: 18 – “that the Scriptures may be fulfilled” • John 17: 12 – “that the Scriptures might be fulfilled” • Matt. 26: 31 – announces all will stumble for it is written • Matt. 26: 54 – had power to escape – but how would the Scriptures be fulfilled? • John 15: 25 – “that the word might be fulfilled…” • John 17: 12 – “that the Scriptures might be fulfilled”
Endorsed OT Stories Jesus believed what was recorded in the OT to be FACT and not FICTION q Creation (Matt. 19: 4) q Noah & Flood (Matt. 24: 37 -38) q Sodom’s Judgment (Matt. 11: 24) q Lot’s Wife (Luke 17: 32) q Jonah & the Whale (Matt. 12: 40)
The New Testament Claim • Jesus spoke of the authority of the Scriptures • Apostles & NT writers claimed to speak from God • Some main passages
Apostles & NT Writers Claimed To Speak By the Inspiration of God • 1 Tim. 4: 1 – “Now the Spirit expressly says…” • 2 Pet. 3: 15 -16 - Paul’s writings called “Scripture” • Eph. 3: 3 -5 – Apostles & prophets guided by Spirit ü We can read and understand it! ü Can have the same understanding as the writer! • 1 Thess. 2: 13 – not word of men, but God • John 16: 13 – Spirit would guide apostles into all truth • Gal. 1: 11 -12 – Not receive gospel from man, but God • 1 Cor. 14: 37 – I write the commandments of Lord
The New Testament Claim • Jesus spoke of the authority of the Scriptures • Apostles & NT writers claimed to speak from God • Some main passages
2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 • Scripture: Ø From graphe – writings or oracles Ø Includes OT & NT (1 Tim. 5: 18).
1 Timothy 5: 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, " and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages. " Deut. 25: 4 Luke 10: 7
2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 • Scripture: Ø From graphe – writings or oracles Ø Includes OT & NT (1 Tim. 5: 18). • All: Ø Includes all – leaves none out Ø Both OT & NT • Inspired of God: Ø “God breathed” (A. T. Robertson) Ø Not the effect it has on one who reads it.
1 Cor. 2: 9 -14 v. 9 – Man did not know the mind of God until it was revealed v. 10 – God has revealed them by the Spirit v. 11 – Illustration: no one knows your mind unless you reveal it vv. 12 -13 – Speak words, not ofman’s wisdom, but what the Holy Spirit teaches 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.
2 Pet. 1: 20 -21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. • Prophecy did not owe it origin to man • Prophecy had it origin from God • Use the instrumentality of human authors • “Moved” = borne along as a ship moved by the wind. • Moved by the power of the Holy Spirit
The New Testament Claim • Jesus spoke of the authority of the Scriptures • Apostles & NT writers claimed to speak from God • Some main passages
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined “The supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given Divine trustworthiness” - Benjamin Warfield (ISBE, III: 1473)
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined • Plenary Inspiration
Plenary Inspiration Plenary: “Complete in all aspects or essentials; full. ” (AHD) All of The Bible • 2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 – all Scripture • Psa. 119: 128 – all precepts are right • 2 Pet. 1: 20 -21 – What was true of one prophet was true of all • Both OT & NT • One writer is just as inspired as another
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined • Plenary Inspiration • Verbal Inspiration
Verbal Inspiration Verbal: “Of, pertaining to words…. ” (AHD) Every word of The Bible • 1 Cor. 2: 13 – Words chosen by the Holy Spirit
1 Cor. 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.
Verbal Inspiration Verbal: “Of, pertaining to words…. ” (AHD) Every word of The Bible • 1 Cor. 2: 13 – Words chosen by the Holy Spirit • Deut. 18: 18 - put words in… • Matt. 10: 19 -20 – God directed the apostles in “what” & “how” to speak • God chose every word that the writer wrote.
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined • Plenary Inspiration • Verbal Inspiration • Misconceptions
Misconceptions about Inspiration • Thought Inspiration – ü God gave the idea or thought – but left the writer to choose his words ü Means the writings are subject to error
Misconceptions about Inspiration • Thought Inspiration – • Dictation – ü God dictated to each writer. ü Writers were mere stenographers ü Their writings are void of personal background and vocabulary • Inspiration is Lost in Translation – ü The Septuagint (LXX) was a translation of the OT (Hebrew) into Greek (about 285 BC) üJesus used & quoted from the LXX ü Yet attributed the quotes to writers & God
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined • Plenary Inspiration • Verbal Inspiration • Misconceptions • Use of the writers’ background & vocabulary
Use of Writer’s Background & Vocabulary Matt 19: 24 Luke 18: 25 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. " For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. " rhaphis NT: 4476 belone NT: 956
Use of Writer’s Background & Vocabulary • Matthew & Luke use different terms for “needle” • Luke’s medical terms (480) ü Luke 4: 38 – Peter’s mother-in-law had high fever (Matthew & Mark – “fever”) ü Luke 5: 12 – full of leprosy (Matthew & Mark – “leper”) • Use of personal experiences: ü 1 Cor. 15: 32 ü Phil. 1: 12 -14
The Nature of Inspiration • Defined • Plenary Inspiration • Verbal Inspiration • Misconceptions • Use of the writers’ background & vocabulary
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
What Difference Does It Make? If we accept Plenary & Verbal Inspiration
If we accept Plenary & Verbal Inspiration 1. Every part is equal • James is equal with Matthew or Romans. • Words in black are as important as those in red. 2. Bible in inerrant / infallible • Is without error – trustworthy • cf. John 17: 17 – “thy word is truth” • If not, throw whole Bible out – what part is right? 3. Careful translation is important • Paraphrase, loose & free translation does not respect inspiration.
What Difference Does It Make? If we accept Plenary & Verbal Inspiration If we reject Plenary or Verbal Inspiration
If we reject Plenary or Verbal Inspiration 1. Deny the literal interpretation of the Bible • Creation • Flood • Serpent 2. Explain words of the text as culturally derived
? Where Does It End? Creation Flood Serpent How Long Until… ? Virgin Birth Jonah & Whale All Miracles Homosexuality Eternal Hell Salvation Worship
If we reject Plenary or Verbal Inspiration 1. Deny the literal interpretation of the Bible • Creation • Flood • Serpent 2. Explain words of the text as culturally derived 3. An attack on the nature of God • If His word is not infallible – then neither is He!
The Bible’s Claim of Inspiration I. The Old Testament Claim II. The New Testament Claim III. The Nature of Inspiration IV. What Difference Does It Make?
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