The Inspiration of the Scriptures

BEYOND THE BASICS | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas

Introduction:
This world is full of books. Solomon in ancient days proclaimed, “Of making many books there is no end…” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Many thousands of books are inspirational, but only one small collection of books is “inspired.”

The collection of 66 books that we know as the Bible, is the revelation of the mind of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul said, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God…” It is this divine action of “inspiration” that sets the Bible apart from any other book on the planet.

The Holy Word is not, as so many assume, the various authors’ take on God’s will – it is the divine directed recording of God’s will. The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:20-21, proclaims, “…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.”

One of the Holy Spirit’s Great Works
The first time we are introduced to the Holy Spirit is actually page 1 of our Bibles. The Holy Spirit was involved in the creation of our material universe. Genesis 1:2 tells us the Holy Spirit was present and working at our creation. We are further told the Holy Spirit adorned the heavens (Job 26:13). King David, in Psalm 104:30, declares that the Holy Spirit worked the creation of all things according to the Father’s will.

There are also three great works of the Holy Spirit revealed to us through an ancient prophecy. In Acts 2:17-21, the prophet Joel is quoted by the Apostle Peter and it is there that Peter attributes three great works to the Holy Spirit: Revelation (17-18), Confirmation (19-20), and Salvation (21, see 22-41).

The will of God was revealed to mankind in various ways in the ancient days, according to Hebrews 1:1. However, there is one specific way the information for these “last days” becomes ours – through Jesus Christ, His Son (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus clearly explains that the Holy Spirit was going to lead the writers with the words that He (Jesus) received from the Father and then would give to the Holy Spirit, to give to us (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15). The action of the Holy Spirit communicating the will of God to the writers is called “inspiration.” Through the divinely inspired writers, we have the word of God (John 16:13-16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Power of the Inspired Word
Since the words of the Bible are the inspired words of God, they are powerful. The Hebrew writer, in Hebrews 4:12, states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Yes, the Bible is powerful because it is inspired, but its powers are of influence and education; they are not miraculous in nature. What can the word do? It can produce faith (Romans 10:17). It can guide our feet through life (Psalm 119:105). It can instruct proper understanding (Psalm 119:98-105; Ephesians 5:8-10). It can make one spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:1). It can make one a disciple indeed (John 8:31). It can justify (Romans 2:13). It can comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:18; Romans 15:4).

The Holy Spirit, by the work of inspiration has given us:

all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3);
the knowledge of God’s power to salvation (Romans 1:16; 2 Peter 3:20);
the knowledge of freedom (John 8:31-32);
the right to become children of God (Romans 8:16-17; 1 John 3:1-3);
the hope of everlasting life (Galatians 6:8).

Confident of the word, from God, by God
There are some who see the Bible as a moral guide – one among many, while others see the Bible as the only source of truth about life and hope. Some have claimed the Bible is a myth or a hoax, still others believe the Bible causes more problems than it solves. God tells us plainly that this book is His word. Moses was the first to be told to “write” God’s words in “the book” in Exodus 17:14 and then, in the final revelation, John was also told to “write” (Revelation 1:11).

God tells us to see this book as complete. Jude 3 speaks of “the faith once delivered for all.” “All” includes all times, all people, and all places – this means you and me too. God’s word is a complete, fully sufficient, and functional guide in not only what we could be but also exactly how we can achieve it (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God tells us to see this inspired book as something that must not be tampered with. The Bible clearly warns us three times not to take away from nor to add to what has been revealed (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18). That’s one warning near the beginning of the divine record, one in the midst of it, and another near the end. It is not our role to add our own ideas or to eliminate any of God’s ideas. We must see the Bible as a complete, finished, sealed work that simply requires hearers willing to submit to it (James 1:22-25).

Conclusion:
Why is it that after these many centuries the Bible remains relevant for life? It is because it is from God. God the Father originated the will, he gave it to Jesus, who gave it to the Holy Spirit, who revealed it to the writers.

The Bible’s pages hold the direction we need for every part of our life. The Bible can direct you from youth to death – beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 12). The Bible’s pages instruct us in the way of salvation – in fact, salvation is the keynote of the entire Bible. The Bible prepares us for passing the ultimate test – that is the test of life, and in the end, the Day of Judgment.

The inspired word of God, the Bible, will be the standard of judgment for all souls. Jesus said in John 12:48, “the word which I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

The “secret” to personal fulfillment, ethical and moral guidance, truth and righteousness is right in your hands when you pick up your Bible. The Bible is much more than just an old book – it is the inspired word of God, delivered from heaven for your hope and mine.

19.07.02 | GROW magazine