The Inspiration of Scripture

The Inspiration of Scripture

DaVinci Code Series 1

2006024

Topic # 18 (origin of Bible)

Introduction:

A. Lots of talk these days about the formation of the bible.

B. DaVinci Code in particular has raised speculation and discussion.

1. Wall to wall coverage on History Channel/National Geographic Channel.

2. While some may ask about preaching on a movie, we need to take advantage of an opportunity to explain our faith.

3. Da Vinci Code reaction provides us w/a unique opportunity to explain God’s plan and revelation to others who otherwise not listen.

C. DaVinci Code is a fictional book written by Dan Brown. Based on book written in ’03.

1. A major claim of the book & movie is that the Bible, specifically NT, not the inspired word of God.

2. Idea that the bible is a product of human compiling that the Catholic Church put together.

a) Suggestion that the listing of books of the Bible (Canon) was created in 325 AD at the council of Nicea.

D. How did the bible come into being? Specifically the NT? What evidence do we have that the NT books were accepted by NT Christians?

E. Is the Bible the inspired word of God?

I. The need for revelation.

A. The creation of man makes it necessary for God to reveal Himself.

1. Man has been created to learn.

2. Rom. 1:20 – We can know there is a God w/o revelation, but we cannot know who He is.

3. It has been necessary for God to reveal Himself to mankind because of man’s sins and the need for redemption.

B. Since forming the world and placing mankind upon it, God has revealed himself in a number of ways:

1. Psa. 19:1 – through creation itself.

2. 1 Cor. 10:1-11 – through history.

3. John 5:36 – through miracles

4. Num. 12:8; Mt. 1:20; 2:13, 19 – orally: through visions and messages.

5. Ex. 32:16 – written (10 commandments)

6. John 14:9 – Jesus Christ

II. The Bible IS God’s revelation to man.

A. The NT writers testify that the scriptures are God-breathed.

1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21

2. John 10:35 – scriptures are inerrant and infallible.

a) The scriptures cannot be broken.

b) Here…Jesus gives testimony to the divine inspiration of Scripture.

c) In a # of places: Jesus testifies that the scriptures are the word of God: Mt. 15:3, 6; Lk. 18:31

B. So…did God dictate every word of scripture? No.

1. We believe God exercised complete control over the content, while allowing writers to choose their own words.

2. W/in the bible we find:

a) individual style & vocabulary (Peter vs. Paul)

b) 1 Cor. 7:25 – personal feelings

c) Mt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13 – differing perspectives on the same event.

3. The content of God’s word is sanctioned by Almighty God.

III. Examining the Biblical Claims of Inspiration.

A. What evidence is contained w/in the bible itself to demand it the complete word of God?

1. Popular idea: Bible is a “good” book that can be partially accepted as the reader sees fit.

2. But…when we examine what the Bible claims about itself, we must demand that the bible be accepted or rejected as a whole.

3. Either it is ALL the word of God or none of it is the word of God.

B. OT writers claimed to be inspired of God:

1. Deut. 31:19, 22, 24-26 – Moses claimed what he spoke was from God.

2. Deut. 18:18; Amos 3:8 – God told the prophets what to say.

3. 2 Sam. 23:1-2 – David claimed to be inspired of God.

C. NT writers claimed to be inspired of God.

1. 1 Cor. 2:11-13 – Paul’s testimony that he was given knowledge of God’s will.

a) Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Thess. 2:13 – he wrote from revelation

b) Titus 2:15 – His writings were to be taught with authority.

2. Jude 17-18 – Jude believed what Peter wrote was scripture – quoting from 2 Pet. 3:3. Some say Jude also parallels 2 Tim. 4:3.

3. 2 Pet. 3:14-16 – Peter calls writings of Paul “scripture”

D. Heb. 1:1-2; 2:1-4 – God speaks to us today through Jesus. Jesus revealed His will to the apostles through the spirit.

E. Consider how the writers of Scripture recorded their own shortcomings & how bible heroes are fallible.

1. David’s great sin; Peter’s hypocrisy

2. If written by men, what are the chances these accounts would have been “conveniently” left out?

F. When we realize claims bible makes about itself; there is no way to accept it as partially the word of God.

1. It is either completely the inspired word of God or a complete fraud.

2. If it a fraud, we are men most pitiable, lost, and w/o hope.

IV. How did the people of God view the Scripture?

A. Another important way to establish veracity of scripture is to observe how people of God used scripture themselves.

B. OT:

1. Deut. 31:24-26; 1 Sam. 10:25 – law kept in the tabernacle/temple and read on many occasions.

2. 1 Sam. 19:20 – prophecy kept by a “company of prophets” who were to keep track of God’s prophecies and keep people up to date.

3. Psa. 113-118 – psalms were chanted/sung during worship.

4. Pro. 25:1 – proverbs were collected and used.

C. NT:

1. 1 Thess. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:13 – letters of apostles were read before the church.

2. Col. 4:16 – letters were circulated from church to church.

3. 2 Pet. 3:15-16 – Peter was familiar w/Paul’s letters and recognized them as “scripture”

4. After the apostolic age, church fathers referred to and endorsed the NT books.

D. The FC Christians viewed & treated scripture with reverence because it is the word of God.

Conclusion:

A. 1 Thess. 2:13 – what will we do w/the word of God?

B. Will we accept it for what it is and conform our lives to its expectations?

C. Will you accept its testimony concerning Jesus?

1. Rom. 10:17

2. W/o faith, not saved.

3. Believe & obey today!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



The Inspiration of Scripture *DaVinci Code Series 1* 2006024 Topic # 18 (origin of Bible) Introduction: A. Lots of talk these days about the formation of the bible. B. DaVinci Code in particular has raised speculation and discussion. 1. Wall to wall coverage on History Channel/National Geographic Channel. 2. While some may ask about preaching on a movie, we need to take advantage of an opportunity to explain our faith. 3. Da Vinci Code reaction provides us w/a unique opportunity to explain God’s plan and revelation to others who otherwise not listen. C. DaVinci Code is a fictional book written by Dan Brown. Based on book written in ’03. 1. A major claim of the book & movie is that the Bible, specifically NT, not the inspired word of God. 2. Idea that the bible is a product of human compiling that the Catholic Church put together. a) Suggestion that the listing of books of the Bible (Canon) was created in 325 AD at the council of Nicea. D. How did the bible come into being? Specifically the NT? What evidence do we have that the NT books were accepted by NT Christians? E. Is the Bible the inspired word of God? I. The need for revelation. A. The creation of man makes it necessary for God to reveal Himself. 1. Man has been created to learn. 2. Rom. 1:20 – We can know there is a God w/o revelation, but we cannot know who He is. 3. It has been necessary for God to reveal Himself to mankind because of man’s sins and the need for redemption. B. Since forming the world and placing mankind upon it, God has revealed himself in a number of ways: 1. Psa. 19:1 – through creation itself. 2. 1 Cor. 10:1-11 – through history. 3. John 5:36 – through miracles 4. Num. 12:8; Mt. 1:20; 2:13, 19 – orally: through visions and messages. 5. Ex. 32:16 – written (10 commandments) 6. John 14:9 – Jesus Christ II. The Bible IS God’s revelation to man. A. The NT writers testify that the scriptures are God-breathed. 1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21 2. John 10:35 – scriptures are inerrant and infallible. a) The scriptures cannot be broken. b) Here…Jesus gives testimony to the divine inspiration of Scripture. c) In a # of places: Jesus testifies that the scriptures are the word of God: Mt. 15:3, 6; Lk. 18:31 B. So…did God dictate every word of scripture? No. 1. We believe God exercised complete control over the content, while allowing writers to choose their own words. 2. W/in the bible we find: a) individual style & vocabulary (Peter vs. Paul) b) 1 Cor. 7:25 – personal feelings c) Mt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13 – differing perspectives on the same event. 3. The content of God’s word is sanctioned by Almighty God. III. Examining the Biblical Claims of Inspiration. A. What evidence is contained w/in the bible itself to demand it the complete word of God? 1. Popular idea: Bible is a “good” book that can be partially accepted as the reader sees fit. 2. But…when we examine what the Bible claims about itself, we must demand that the bible be accepted or rejected as a whole. 3. Either it is ALL the word of God or none of it is the word of God. B. OT writers claimed to be inspired of God: 1. Deut. 31:19, 22, 24-26 – Moses claimed what he spoke was from God. 2. Deut. 18:18; Amos 3:8 – God told the prophets what to say. 3. 2 Sam. 23:1-2 – David claimed to be inspired of God. C. NT writers claimed to be inspired of God. 1. 1 Cor. 2:11-13 – Paul’s testimony that he was given knowledge of God’s will. a) Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Thess. 2:13 – he wrote from revelation b) Titus 2:15 – His writings were to be taught with authority. 2. Jude 17-18 – Jude believed what Peter wrote was scripture – quoting from 2 Pet. 3:3. Some say Jude also parallels 2 Tim. 4:3. 3. 2 Pet. 3:14-16 – Peter calls writings of Paul “scripture” D. Heb. 1:1-2; 2:1-4 – God speaks to us today through Jesus. Jesus revealed His will to the apostles through the spirit. E. Consider how the writers of Scripture recorded their own shortcomings & how bible heroes are fallible. 1. David’s great sin; Peter’s hypocrisy 2. If written by men, what are the chances these accounts would have been “conveniently” left out? F. When we realize claims bible makes about itself; there is no way to accept it as partially the word of God. 1. It is either completely the inspired word of God or a complete fraud. 2. If it a fraud, we are men most pitiable, lost, and w/o hope. IV. How did the people of God view the Scripture? A. Another important way to establish veracity of scripture is to observe how people of God used scripture themselves. B. OT: 1. Deut. 31:24-26; 1 Sam. 10:25 – law kept in the tabernacle/temple and read on many occasions. 2. 1 Sam. 19:20 – prophecy kept by a “company of prophets” who were to keep track of God’s prophecies and keep people up to date. 3. Psa. 113-118 – psalms were chanted/sung during worship. 4. Pro. 25:1 – proverbs were collected and used. C. NT: 1. 1 Thess. 5:27; 1 Tim. 4:13 – letters of apostles were read before the church. 2. Col. 4:16 – letters were circulated from church to church. 3. 2 Pet. 3:15-16 – Peter was familiar w/Paul’s letters and recognized them as “scripture” 4. After the apostolic age, church fathers referred to and endorsed the NT books. D. The FC Christians viewed & treated scripture with reverence because it is the word of God. Conclusion: A. 1 Thess. 2:13 – what will we do w/the word of God? B. Will we accept it for what it is and conform our lives to its expectations? C. Will you accept its testimony concerning Jesus? 1. Rom. 10:17 2. W/o faith, not saved. 3. Believe & obey today! D. I N V I T A T I O N