THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
Memory Verse: 2 Tim. 3:16,17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
“If we do not build upon the impregnable rock of infallible Scripture we shall ever be at the mercy of the latest whims and fancies.”–Edward J. Young
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF INSPIRATION.
A. Our Knowledge Of All Other Doctrines Rest On The Scriptures.
There is a reason why that most Confessions of Faith start with the Inspiration of the Scriptures. It is the foundation upon which all our belief rests.
1. Our knowledge of creation, sin, and Biblical history, must rest on the Bible.
2. Our knowledge of prophecy rests on the Bible.
3. Our knowledge of Christ’s Virgin Birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension and Second Coming rest on the Bible.
4. Our knowledge of heaven, hell, salvation and eternal life rest on the Bible. In fact we have no true spiritual knowledge, unless we have an infallible, inerrant Bible.
B. Inspiration Is Important Because The Bible Itself Claims To Be Inspired.
1. If we cannot believe the Bible in this, how can we believe anything else it says?
a. 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Many times in the Old Testament the declarations are prefaced or concluded with “Hear the word of the Lord” or “Thus saith the Lord” or some similar statement. This is found over (1) 500 times in the Pentateuch,
b. 1200 times in the Prophets and (3) 300 times in the other Old Testament books.
2. If we give up this doctrine it will be only a matter of time until we have to give up other precious doctrines.
3. God has magnified His word above His name. Psa. 138:2
II. THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION.
A. The Definition Of Inspiration.
1. “Inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3: 16) is the translation of the Greek “THEOPNEUSTOS”. This word comes from “Theos”, “God”, “Pneo”, “to breath”. In other words the Scriptures were God breathed.
2. This goes with…
a. 2 Pet. 1:21, which says, “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Vine says this word “moved” means that they were “borne along” or “impelled” by the Holy Spirit’s power.
3. The Holy Spirit was the speaker and human beings were guided inerrantly in writing it down by the Spirit’s power. (a)-3 Acts 1:16. Compare Acts 28:25,26 and Isa. 6:8-10. See Heb. 3:7. Compare Heb. 10:15,16 where he is quoting Jer. 31:33 and showing that it is not just Jeremiah, but that it is the Holy Ghost who is speaking. See 2 Sam. 23:2.
B. The Extent Of Inspection.
1. The Scriptures are VERBALLY inspired. This means the very words were given, not just the thoughts.
a. 1 Cor. 2:9-13 refers to “words” given by the Spirit.
b. Jesus declared that the “jot” (smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) would not pass away from the law. Matt. 5:18
c. Every word of God is pure. Prov. 30:5
2. The Scriptures are PLENARILY inspired. “Plenarily inspired” means that it is full and entirely inspired of God and that it is complete.
a. All the Bible is the Word of God and pure. Psa. 12:6
b. It is the complete Word of God and nothing can be taken from it or anything added. Rev. 22:18-19
c. We mean the 66 books of the Bible. The 39 OT books were all included in the Hebrew Bible. We do not accept the apocrypha and other spurious books.
d. The 27 NT books are also the Word of God.
(1) Paul claimed his epistles to be the Word of God. 1 Thess. 2:13
(2) Peter claimed inspiration for Paul’s writings as well as the others. 2 Pet. 3:15,16
C. The Result Of Inspiration.
1. The Bible does not have error mixed with truth. John 17:17
2. The Bible is infallible and inerrant.
a. “Infallible” means “not fallible, not capable of error, never wrong.”
b. “Inerrant” means “not erring, making no mistake.”
3. Therefore the Bible is true on any subject which it deals with including history, geography, science, etc., as well as salvation.