What the Bible Says About Itself

What the Bible Says About Itself

2005028

Topic # 0065 (inspiration of scripture)

Introduction:

A. Whether the bible arose from men alone or God inspired is perhaps the most crucial question of our time.

1. Battles rage – as to whether the bible is verbally inspired and whether it is inerrant.

B. Some believe the bible to be the inspired word of God – but filled w/flaws & contradictions.

1. These would believe that while the bible is infallible in its essential message pertaining to salvation – it contains mistakes in the details.

C. If the bible is merely human, arising from myths & legends – it has no authority in our lives.

1. It should be granter no greater honor than other ancient literature.

D. But…if scripture is from God, as it claims:

1. Then it possesses unconditional, divine authority over us.

2. Our faith as Christians rests on the inspiration & trustworthiness of the scriptures.

3. 1 Cor. 15:12-19

4. If scripture cannot be trusted to give us truth about life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus – our faith is worthless.

5. We are still lost in our sins.

6. We would be persons most pitiable.

E. So how do we know it is true?

1. Do we approach this topic by looking solely at external evidence?

a) The consistency of authors – over 1500 years by 30-40 different men?

b) The very survivability of the document?

c) It’s backing up secular and scientific facts?

2. Or...can we look w/in the pages of scripture - & know that bible from God?

I. The bible claims inspiration throughout its pages.

A. OT & NT claim inspiration 4000 times.

1. OT: 3808 times we see the synonymous expressions: the Lord says; thus says the Lord; and the Word of God came saying…

B. In the Old Testament:

1. Ex. 17:14; 34:27 – Moses understood he was to write the commandments of the Lord in a book.

2. Psa. 119:9 – the Psalmist called the Law the Word of God.

3. 2 Sam. 23:2 – the words of David.

4. The prophets testified that their words came from God.

a) Isa. 51:16; Jer. 1:7 – these verses say I have put my words in your mouth.

b) Neh. 9:20 – God gave the Spirit to the prophets to instruct them.

c) The clear testimony of the prophets themselves & the writers of NT was that the teaching of the OT came from God.

5. A comparison of passages:

a) Psalm 2:1-2 (by David) REPEATED – Acts 4:25-26 – Peter said these by the HS through David.

b) Psalm 95:7-11 (by David) REPEATED – Heb. 3:7-11 – writer gives credit to the HS.

c) Psalm 45:6 (by sons of Korah) REPEATED – Heb. 1:7 – writer gives credit to God.

d) Psalm 102:25-27 (by sons of Korah) REPEATED – Heb. 1:10-12 – writer gives credit to God.

e) Isa. 6:9-10 (Isaiah) REPEATED Acts 28:25-27 – Paul says the HS spoke through Isaiah.

C. The NT also claims divine inspiration.

1. Jesus – John 7:16-17; 12:49-50

2. Jesus promised the gift of the HS to the apostles.

3. The HS would:

a) Lk. 12:11-12 – inspire their message & defense before the authorities.

b) 1 Cor. 2:12-13 – teach them what to speak.

c) John 14:26 – remind them of what Jesus said.

d) John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3-4 – guide them into all truth.

4. Paul’s words – 1 Thess. 2:13 see also 1 Cor. 2:11-13.

D. If the bible is NOT from God – little use for us to be here today!

E. If the bible is from God & accurately transmitted to us – then we must trust:

1. every letter of every word

2. every word of every sentence

3. every sentence of every verse

4. every verse of every chapter

5. every chapter of every book

F. We must:

1. regard its promises to be true

2. its commands to be binding

3. its approved examples as a light to our path

4. implications to be truth

5. Its warnings/admonitions to be taken from the heart.

II. If the Bible is from God – it will surely make a difference in our lives.

A. Jimmy Jividen comment:

B. Bible contains words that will change our lives.

1. Acts 11:14 – it contains God’s plan of salvation

2. Rom 10:17 – it has the power of God to bring us to faith

3. Rom 1:16 – it contains the gospel – which is God’s power to save.

4. 1 Peter 1:22-25 – responding properly to it – will cause us to be born again w/an imperishable seed.

C. The Bible brings us to wisdom beyond our own.

1. 1 Cor. 1:25 – foolishness of God is wiser than men. Weakness of God is stronger than men.

2. And yet – so many regard God’s wisdom as foolishness.

3. Rom. 11:33-36

D. Because it is truth, bible should have authority in our lives.

1. Those who reject this/fail to apply are not wise. Mt. 7:24-27

2. If God be God & we are men – then we must humble ourselves b/f Him & listen to His word.

3. John 8:31 – want to be a true disciple? Abide in the word of God.

E. If it is the authority in our lives – it must never be changed.

1. Rev. 22:18-19 – what is true here is true for the entire collection of 66 books.

a) God has not needed an editor or corrector of His revealed will in any age.

2. Who is man that says He can improve upon the word of God? Rom 9:20-21

3. Gal. 1:6-9 – anyone who preaches a different gospel will be accursed.

III. Answering the critics.

A. The word has too much baggage.

1. Some now refuse to use the word inerrant in reference to Scripture.

2. While they see scripture as sufficient for God’s purposes – they believe it not to be totally accurate and correct as the details in scripture may be contradictory in nature.

3. We have some who doubt the utter trustworthiness of Scripture.

B. This document is either trustworthy or it is not.

1. If details unreliable – then how can we count on the theological truths contained therein?

2. But what about the supposed contradictions?

a) Most of them are solved by studying deeply into the words, grammar, and circumstances of the events described.

C. Some claim scripture is of human origin.

1. Suggest that stores of Jesus arose from oral & written tradition which grew out of the early life of the church – rather from the life of Jesus Himself.

2. Some believe first Christians adapted their stores from other ancient literature – some supposed to be sacred & the other mythological.

3. In other words – some deny all together that God played a role in the writing of scripture.

D. Jesus placed full confidence in the word.

1. Mt. 4:4, 7, 10 – God’s word had a lasting force in His life.

2. John 14:25-26; 16:13 – look at Jesus’ promises.

a) If this is true – then why shouldn’t we place full confidence in His word?

3. Anyone who goes beyond the teaching of Jesus does not have God.

a) Lk. 9:26

b) 2 Jhn 9 – word of God must never be taken lightly!

4. Because it is a divine revelation – it has lasting force w/in our lives – just as it did w/Jesus.

Conclusion:

A. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – what Paul taught remains true today.

B. The God breathed scriptures serve as the standard of right/wrong.

1. That which rebukes & corrects the wayward.

2. That which trains us in righteousness for every good work.

C. We can never do better than go to God for the teaching & training one needs to live life in peace & righteousness.

D. Jhn 7:17 – a challenge from Jesus:

1. One who practices scripture knows it is indeed the word of God.

2. These can be of no greater solace in our lives than to know there is an unfaltering word of God – filled with truth & promise.

E. We can know:

1. our sins are forgiven

2. we have a home in heaven

3. that God hears our prayers

4. Why? Because God says so.

5. We can know who & what God is.

6. We can have confidence in the future – because God has revealed his will in the Bible.

F. Jhn. 15:8-10

1. Are you keeping His commandments?

G. I N V I T A T I O N



What the Bible Says About Itself 2005028 Topic # 0065 (inspiration of scripture) Introduction: A. Whether the bible arose from men alone or God inspired is perhaps the most crucial question of our time. 1. Battles rage – as to whether the bible is verbally inspired and whether it is inerrant. B. Some believe the bible to be the inspired word of God – but filled w/flaws & contradictions. 1. These would believe that while the bible is infallible in its essential message pertaining to salvation – it contains mistakes in the details. C. If the bible is merely human, arising from myths & legends – it has no authority in our lives. 1. It should be granter no greater honor than other ancient literature. D. But…if scripture is from God, as it claims: 1. Then it possesses unconditional, divine authority over us. 2. Our faith as Christians rests on the inspiration & trustworthiness of the scriptures. 3. 1 Cor. 15:12-19 4. If scripture cannot be trusted to give us truth about life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus – our faith is worthless. 5. We are still lost in our sins. 6. We would be persons most pitiable. E. So how do we know it is true? 1. Do we approach this topic by looking solely at external evidence? a) The consistency of authors – over 1500 years by 30-40 different men? b) The very survivability of the document? c) It’s backing up secular and scientific facts? 2. Or...can we look w/in the pages of scripture - & know that bible from God? I. The bible claims inspiration throughout its pages. A. OT & NT claim inspiration 4000 times. 1. OT: 3808 times we see the synonymous expressions: the Lord says; thus says the Lord; and the Word of God came saying… B. In the Old Testament: 1. Ex. 17:14; 34:27 – Moses understood he was to write the commandments of the Lord in a book. 2. Psa. 119:9 – the Psalmist called the Law the Word of God. 3. 2 Sam. 23:2 – the words of David. 4. The prophets testified that their words came from God. a) Isa. 51:16; Jer. 1:7 – these verses say I have put my words in your mouth. b) Neh. 9:20 – God gave the Spirit to the prophets to instruct them. c) The clear testimony of the prophets themselves & the writers of NT was that the teaching of the OT came from God. 5. A comparison of passages: a) Psalm 2:1-2 (by David) REPEATED – Acts 4:25-26 – Peter said these by the HS through David. b) Psalm 95:7-11 (by David) REPEATED – Heb. 3:7-11 – writer gives credit to the HS. c) Psalm 45:6 (by sons of Korah) REPEATED – Heb. 1:7 – writer gives credit to God. d) Psalm 102:25-27 (by sons of Korah) REPEATED – Heb. 1:10-12 – writer gives credit to God. e) Isa. 6:9-10 (Isaiah) REPEATED Acts 28:25-27 – Paul says the HS spoke through Isaiah. C. The NT also claims divine inspiration. 1. Jesus – John 7:16-17; 12:49-50 2. Jesus promised the gift of the HS to the apostles. 3. The HS would: a) Lk. 12:11-12 – inspire their message & defense before the authorities. b) 1 Cor. 2:12-13 – teach them what to speak. c) John 14:26 – remind them of what Jesus said. d) John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3-4 – guide them into all truth. 4. Paul’s words – 1 Thess. 2:13 see also 1 Cor. 2:11-13. D. If the bible is NOT from God – little use for us to be here today! E. If the bible is from God & accurately transmitted to us – then we must trust: 1. every letter of every word 2. every word of every sentence 3. every sentence of every verse 4. every verse of every chapter 5. every chapter of every book F. We must: 1. regard its promises to be true 2. its commands to be binding 3. its approved examples as a light to our path 4. implications to be truth 5. Its warnings/admonitions to be taken from the heart. II. If the Bible is from God – it will surely make a difference in our lives. A. Jimmy Jividen comment: B. Bible contains words that will change our lives. 1. Acts 11:14 – it contains God’s plan of salvation 2. Rom 10:17 – it has the power of God to bring us to faith 3. Rom 1:16 – it contains the gospel – which is God’s power to save. 4. 1 Peter 1:22-25 – responding properly to it – will cause us to be born again w/an imperishable seed. C. The Bible brings us to wisdom beyond our own. 1. 1 Cor. 1:25 – foolishness of God is wiser than men. Weakness of God is stronger than men. 2. And yet – so many regard God’s wisdom as foolishness. 3. Rom. 11:33-36 D. Because it is truth, bible should have authority in our lives. 1. Those who reject this/fail to apply are not wise. Mt. 7:24-27 2. If God be God & we are men – then we must humble ourselves b/f Him & listen to His word. 3. John 8:31 – want to be a true disciple? Abide in the word of God. E. If it is the authority in our lives – it must never be changed. 1. Rev. 22:18-19 – what is true here is true for the entire collection of 66 books. a) God has not needed an editor or corrector of His revealed will in any age. 2. Who is man that says He can improve upon the word of God? Rom 9:20-21 3. Gal. 1:6-9 – anyone who preaches a different gospel will be accursed. III. Answering the critics. A. The word has too much baggage. 1. Some now refuse to use the word inerrant in reference to Scripture. 2. While they see scripture as sufficient for God’s purposes – they believe it not to be totally accurate and correct as the details in scripture may be contradictory in nature. 3. We have some who doubt the utter trustworthiness of Scripture. B. This document is either trustworthy or it is not. 1. If details unreliable – then how can we count on the theological truths contained therein? 2. But what about the supposed contradictions? a) Most of them are solved by studying deeply into the words, grammar, and circumstances of the events described. C. Some claim scripture is of human origin. 1. Suggest that stores of Jesus arose from oral & written tradition which grew out of the early life of the church – rather from the life of Jesus Himself. 2. Some believe first Christians adapted their stores from other ancient literature – some supposed to be sacred & the other mythological. 3. In other words – some deny all together that God played a role in the writing of scripture. D. Jesus placed full confidence in the word. 1. Mt. 4:4, 7, 10 – God’s word had a lasting force in His life. 2. John 14:25-26; 16:13 – look at Jesus’ promises. a) If this is true – then why shouldn’t we place full confidence in His word? 3. Anyone who goes beyond the teaching of Jesus does not have God. a) Lk. 9:26 b) 2 Jhn 9 – word of God must never be taken lightly! 4. Because it is a divine revelation – it has lasting force w/in our lives – just as it did w/Jesus. Conclusion: A. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – what Paul taught remains true today. B. The God breathed scriptures serve as the standard of right/wrong. 1. That which rebukes & corrects the wayward. 2. That which trains us in righteousness for every good work. C. We can never do better than go to God for the teaching & training one needs to live life in peace & righteousness. D. Jhn 7:17 – a challenge from Jesus: 1. One who practices scripture knows it is indeed the word of God. 2. These can be of no greater solace in our lives than to know there is an unfaltering word of God – filled with truth & promise. E. We can know: 1. our sins are forgiven 2. we have a home in heaven 3. that God hears our prayers 4. Why? Because God says so. 5. We can know who & what God is. 6. We can have confidence in the future – because God has revealed his will in the Bible. F. Jhn. 15:8-10 1. Are you keeping His commandments? G. I N V I T A T I O N