THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

By Gary Ray Branscome

What the Bible says about its divine inspiration is not just an opinion, but an essential part of the Gospel message. God uses the passages of Scripture that testify to its inspiration to assure troubled hearts of His love, His mercy, and His promise of forgiveness in Christ. As it is written, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

If you have a Bible program on your computer, and do a search for such phrases as “thus saith the Lord”, “the word of the Lord”, “the Lord said”, or “the word of God” you will find dozens of Bible passages that testify to the divine origin of what the Bible says. Furthermore, we are told that, “The words of the LORD are pure words [i.e. not mixed with man’s word], as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times,” and given the promise, “You shall keep them, O LORD, you will preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6-7). And, the words, “All scripture is inspired by God,” tell us that every word of scripture comes from God (2Timothy 3:16). For, “Prophecy did not originate of old by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21).

The words, “We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. That is what we speak, not in words taught by man’s wisdom, but those taught by the Holy Spirit,” testify to the fact that the Apostles were speaking words given to them by “the Holy Spirit” (1Corinthians 2:12-13). The words, “You want proof that Christ is speaking through me,” testify to the fact that Christ was speaking through the Apostle Paul (2corinthians 13:3). And, the words, “If any man thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord,” testify to the fact that what Paul wrote was the Word of God (1Corinthians 14:37).

When the Bible tells us that, “All scripture is inspired by God,” the phrase translated “inspired by God” means “God breathed” in the original Greek. And, that means that it owes its origin to God even though it was recorded by men (2Timothy 3:16). When the Bible says, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” it is telling us that it was the actual words (not just ideas) that were inspired (2Peter 1:21). Moreover, the phrase, “spoke as they were moved,” is not limited to oral communication. The deaf often speak through sign language, and I am speaking to you through the words you are reading. Furthermore, because the Doctrine of inspiration is an essential part of the Gospel message, those who attack it, deny it, or water it down endanger souls. As it is written, “I do not pray for them alone, but also for those who will believe on me through their word;” (John 17:20).

The words, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead,” tell us that our salvation depends upon believing what the Bible says (Luke 16:31). As it is written, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Moreover, the words, “You are… built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” tell us that our faith is founded on the word of “the apostles and prophets” [i.e. the Bible] (Ephesians 2:19-20). And, the words, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” tell us that the truth that makes us free, the truth of the Gospel, is not to be found outside of God’s Word (John 8:31-32).

King David said, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was in my tongue” (2Samuel 23:2). And, the words, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them,” tell us that the Holy Ghost did not just give those present at Pentecost ideas, but the actual words needed to express them (Acts 2:4). While it is true that God will, in answer to prayer, sometimes help pastors and other believers find the words needed to communicate the truths of Scripture, those who would reduce divine inspiration to mere assistance undermine the work of the Gospel by casting doubt on God’s word, thereby endangering souls. To all of them God’s warning is, “Whoever offends one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Because the Bible is the inspired Word of God we can know that what it says is true. And, that is just what the words, “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life,” tell us (1John 5:13). Furthermore, even though man’s word is often broken, because Scripture is the Word of God, Jesus said, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Because every word of Scripture is inspired by God, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one letter of the law to fail” (Luke 16:17). “For I tell you truly, Until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter or stroke will pass from the law, until everything has been fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). That is why the Apostle Paul could say, “I worship the God of my fathers… believing everything that is written in the law and in the prophets” (Acts 24:14).

The words, “The promises were made to Abraham and his seed. God did not say, and to your seeds, as referring to many; but, And to your seed, referring to one which is Christ,” tell us that not only the words but the form is determined by God (Galatians 3:16). [See Genesis 22:18 and 26:4.] Furthermore, because we know that the promised “seed” of Abraham was Christ, we also know that God’s promise to multiply that one “seed” is fulfilled in all who are the children of Abraham through faith in Christ. As it is written, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). That Includes all in ancient Israel who trusted in Christ (the Messiah).

Lastly, the words, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” tell us that divine inspiration included not only the command to write, but also the divine impulse to write (2Peter 1:21). Because of that divine impulse, “prophecy did not originate of old by the will of man,” but by the will of God (2Peter 1:21). Therefore, “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). “To the law and to the testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).