RTBS: 06/03 | Q&A

1. Why didn't Jesus write any Scripture Himself?

We need to clarify what exactly it means to write scripture.

If I write out a copy of the Declaration of Independence, did I write it? No

Those who wrote down the verses of scripture did not write the Bible, the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible

2 Peter 1:21 “21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

So God wrote the Bible, he inspired it, man penned it.

Now we also see that God used the writing styles, experiences, and language of the penman of scrpture through his inspiration

So Paul didn’t write Galatians, he penned it, under inspiration of God

But scripture also says this...

Hebrews 1:1–2 NKJV

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

So we see the message of the NT is specifically the words of Jesus

The message of the gospel which is the central point of the NT is formulated on the teachigns and life of Jesus

So why didn’t Jesus write Scripture - well they are a few ways of looking at it

1. Jesus wrote all of scripture - he is God and all scripture is given by inspiration of God

2. Jesus wrote all of the NT - the person of Jesus, God in th flesh, wrote the message of the NT through his words, life, and teachings on earth

The real quetion is why didn’t Jesus pen any scripture - and the answer is that isn’t what he came to do, and the apostles did that for him, he taught they wrote

Ephesians 2:20 “20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,”

John 16:13 “13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 14:26 “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 20:31 “31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

2. Could Satan be redeemed if he repented?

The Bible never presents that possibility.

Christ became a man to redeem men.

He did not become an angel to redeem angels.

God's redemptive plan is directed toward humanity.

Scripture speaks of Satan's judgment as certain and final.

Hebrews 2:16 “16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.” Matthew 25:41 “41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” Revelation 20:10 “10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Jude 6 “6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;” 2 Peter 2:4 “4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;” Hebrews 9:27 “27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”

3. Why did God permit polygamy in the Old Testament?

Permit does not equal approve.

God's design was established in Eden:

One man. One woman. One flesh.

Polygamy appears throughout Scripture, but it never appears positively.

Every polygamous family in Scripture carries conflict, jealousy, division, or tragedy.

God tolerated many things because of human hardness.

Jesus points back to Genesis, not cultural practice.

Original Marriage Design

Genesis 2:24 “24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:4–6 “4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Warning and Danger of Multiple Wives Deuteronomy 17:17 “17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.” 1 Kings 11:1–4 “1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—2 from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” 1 Timothy 3:2 “2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;” (I BELIEVE THIS IS A REFERENCE TO ONE WIFE AT A TIME - POLYGAMY)

Just because something is recorded in Scripture doesn't mean it's endorsed by Scripture.

4. Why did Jesus call Judas if He knew Judas would betray Him?

Because Judas was part of God's sovereign plan.

Jesus was never deceived by Judas.

Not for one moment.

Judas fulfilled prophecy and demonstrated Christ's perfect knowledge.

John 6:64 “64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” John 6:70–71 “70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.”

Psalm 41:9 “9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” John 13:18 “18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’”

Acts 1:16 “16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;” Acts 2:23 “23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”

I think the fact that Jesus chose Judas knowing he would betray him is the perfect picture that we need to understand God’s foreknowledge and soverignity in light of our free will.

Judas had free will, just like us

Jesus knew he would sin, just like he knows we will sin

Jesus knew he would never believe, just like he knows many will never believe

But he still offers grace, salvation, and mercy

And we see that personified perfectly in the person of Jesus

5. Why did Elisha curse the youths and bears maul them?

2 Kings 2 — not “little kids,” likely . young men/teens

“Go up, baldhead” = mocking God’s prophet and God’s authority.

This wasn’t about feelings—it was . rebellion against God

Early in prophetic ministry—God establishing authority.