The Holy Spirit in the 21st Century



Lesson 4

The Holy Scriptures

(All Scripture Quoted are from NIV unless noted)

Have you ever purchased a new appliance ore gadget and discovered that it came with an instruction manual nearly the size of a paperback book? If manufactures are so careful to give us detailed instructions on the proper use of their products, it would make sense that our Creator would give us a comprehensive Manual for Life, and He has.

God’s Word to us, the Bible, is a library of 66 books divided into two sections. The Old Testament containing 39 books and the New Testament with its 27 books. The primary function of the Bible is to teach us God’s laws, principles and precepts for life. But this library is also rich with history, law, poetry, and stories of adventure and intrigue. It contains wisdom, comfort and hope. The Bible is the only ancient book that is eternally accurate and relevant, containing examples and answers applicable to our every modern problem.

1. The First Scriptures were Written by God Himself.

• The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the laws and commands I have written for their instruction. Exodus 24:12

• When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18 (See also Deuteronomy 9:19 and 10:1-2)

• The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. Exodus 32:16

Moses had just spent 40 days and nights on the mountain without bread or water (Deuteronomy 9:9), carefully listening to all the instructions God had spoken to him. Moses must have been in awestruck being in the presence of God knowing that he was alone responsible for remembering and teaching everything that God had told him. God knows that humans are forgetful so He wrote down His commands to his people by his own finger.

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2. The Verbal, Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

a. Verbal: spoken words.

• ….the Sovereign Lord has spoken – who can but prophesy? Amos 3:8

• This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2 (See Jeremiah 51:60)

• The Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered…” Exodus 17:14

• Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” Exodus 34:27

• …I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see…” Revelation 1:10-11 (See Revelation 14:13; 19:19; 21:5)

• Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

God spoke to writers, impressing into their minds and hearts the concepts He wanted written, and the Holy Spirit inspired them to write according to their levels of education, abilities, personalities, backgrounds, and the cultural climate in which they lived.

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b. Plenary: in entirety

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God…2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV

• This is what we speak, not in words taught to us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:13

• The Teacher (Solomon) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. Ecclesiastes 12:10

Plenary mans “complete, whole entire”. We believe in the full and complete inspiration of the canonized scripture. No one more part of the bible is inspired more than the other, but all of it has equal and total dependence on the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.

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3. The Divine Inspiration of the Bible.

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV

• …no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along (or moved) by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

• When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God…1 Thessalonians 2:13

• …. “All this, David said, I have in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan (for the temple).” 1 Corinthians 28:19.

The Bible claims to be divinely inspired at least 3,000 times in the Old Testament along with such phrases as , “and God said”, “thus saith the Lord,” and “The word of the Lord came to…” “It says”, “it is written,” and “The Scripture says.”

The Bible is not a book a book of private, human inspiration. Neither does it contain some of God’s words, sprinkled among men’s personal writings. The Bible is God-motivated, God-initiated, and God-inspired. God has given us His written revelation and nothing must be removed from, or added to it to distort that which He has already given us.

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4. The Inerrancy of the Bible.

• He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does not wrong, upright and just is He. Deuteronomy 32:4

• …You are God, and Your words are true…2 Samuel 7:28 NKJV

• For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. Psalms 33:4 NKJV

• Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. Psalm 119:142 NKJV

• …all Our commandments are truth. Psalm 119:151 NKJV

• …I will direct their work in truth, an will make them an everlasting covenant. Isaiah 61:8 NKJV

• Then He said to me, “These words are faithful and true…”Revelation 22:6 NKJV

• And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 NKJV

The original scriptures were written in three languages: Aramaic: Daniel 2:46-7:28, Ezra 4:16-18, 7:12-26 and Jeremiah 10:11; Hebrew: the remainder of the Old Testament; and Greek: the entire New Testament. The original writings are inerrant, containing no mistakes at all.

The word inerrant means “exempt from error”. A closely related word, infallible, means “incapable of error, certain”. Inerrancy focuses on the truthfulness of the Scriptures, and infallibility emphasizes their trustworthiness. Both the Old and New Testament are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. Jesus made the following statement in regards to the Scriptures: “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one title will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18

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5. The Absolute Authority of the Bible.

• Sanctify them by the truth; you word is truth. John 17:17 (See Psalm 119.160)

• …All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and righteousness. Psalms 111.7-8 NKJV

• For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit and joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

• …the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:37 NKJV

The biblical record takes precedence over any traditions or differences of man. The Bible is the first source of correction, teaching, and guidance concerning salvation and the will of God, as well as how we should live our lives.

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6. The Bible is Eternal

• Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 25:35

• Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. Isaiah 30:8

• All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. Psalm 119:160

• ….and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5 NKJV (See also Psalm 117:2)

• Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord. Psalm 102.18

• …I have not come to abolish (the Law or the prophets) but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:17-18

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CONCLUSION:

The Bible is not simply an old book of rules. It is dynamic and alive; the most powerful source of divine revelation known to mankind. The Bible is the revelation of God, Himself. It clearly declares His nature and His abundant love for humanity. Those who love His Word and partake of it actually reveal that they love God and are partakers of His nature.

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WE BELIEVE in the verbal, Plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, namely the Old and New Testaments in their original writings. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is infallible, revealing the will of God concerning us all, in all things, necessary for our salvation, and is the absolutely supreme and sufficient authority in all matters of faith, and conduct. The Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and the very Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that whatever is not contained therein in s not to be enjoined as an article of faith.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCESA: Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

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