Inspiration of Scripture

Where did the Bible come from?

(ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

(ESV) — 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

How does God communicate to mankind?

General Revelation - God’s witness of himself through the creation to his creatures.

God has communicated through creation and man’s conscience.

God’s witness of himself through the creation to his creatures.

(ESV) — 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

(ESV) — 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(ESV) — 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them

There are limits to General Revelation

It only gives a knowledge of God.

It doesn’t give us specifics about God.

You won’t learn about Jesus by looking at the sun.

You won’t learn about forgiveness by looking at a sunflower or a cloud.

It’s clear and visible.

It is something that all men know about.

(ESV) — 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

We know that there is more to us.

Science doesn’t reveal it.

If you have to have a microscope to learn about it, it’s not general revelation.

It’s not enough to save.

As I said earlier, it doesn’t teach us about Jesus.

It only condemns.

Look again at :14-15

Men’s consciences condemn us.

God has placed His law upon our heart.

We know right and wrong.

And we know that we have broken His law.

If we have broken God’s law, then explains that we understand that we deserve His wrath.

Special Revelation - When God reveals Himself directly and in greater detail.

Directly

This is like when God speaks directly to a person.

It’s unmistakable.

Can you think of any examples of this?

The Garden of Eden

Moses

Dreams

Sometimes God revealed Himself in a dream or in a vision.

Any examples of this in the Bible?

Joseph

Pharaoh

Daniel

J

Christ

(ESV) — 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

He is the clearest representation of God.

This is God entering into His creation.

He may not have been understood to be God, nevertheless this is who He was.

(ESV) — 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Scripture

As good as general revelation is, God’s written word is better.

(ESV) — 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The benefits of Scripture

It’s fixed

It’s unchanging.

Condemns

Redeems

Gives great detail

Has no peer

None like it.

Do not add or subtract

Self-authenticating

Admits that it is the Word of God

How did God communicate His Word?

(ESV) — 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

That tells us how it happened.

Men were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

(ESV) — 2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.

The words of the Bible are not:

Men’s opinions

Ideas

Personal interpretations

Or empty messages.

The Holy Spirit was behind their words.

There is some mystery in this process.

The writers maintained:

Their language

Hebrew

Greek

Aramaic

Their style

Their own word choice

Poetry

Narrative

Proverb

Letter

Direct discourse

Their unique perspectives

Luke was Greek

Paul was a Pharisee

Their historical context

You can learn about their settings.

Daniel was in exile

John was on Patmos

Luke was an evangelist

And yet, it’s all true.

(ESV) — 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Every stray mark is accurate.

What does all of this mean?

It’s to be trusted.

It’s to be read.

Table Talk - In your tables, discuss your either your current reading plan, or what your Bible reading goals for the next year are.