God And Scripture: The Inspiration And Authority Of Scripture
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
As we consider the authority of Scripture, we must understand that we are building on the foregone article which shows us that Scripture alone provides us the grounds for rational thinking. Scripture shows us the one source of knowledge and truth, which is the Triune God of Scripture. This being so, we have every reason to believe that the Scriptures are reliable, truthful, and authoritative. Because of this we can also believe what Scripture says about Scripture without arguing in a circular fashion. We are not saying that Scripture is true because Scripture says it is true. We will argue that Scripture is true because it shows our only source of truth and is our only grounds for rational thinking, therefore we believe Scripture is true in all that it says.
The Inspiration Of The Bible
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
What do we mean by the word inspiration? Some think of inspiration is a feeling that comes over a person or perhaps something or someone who provokes a person to excellence in some fashion. The word in the above passage, however, speaks of Scripture being breathed out by God. The Bible in both testaments is God exhaling, which is what we do when we speak. There are multiplied hundreds of times in which the Old Testament testifies that it is the Word of God, God speaking, or that God commanded that the words be written down because He was speaking to His prophets.
We must notice that inspiration is how God’s Word was given to us. Inspiration does not continue today because God’s Word is completed. We also can read further to understand the process of inspiration and the writing of the Scriptures. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:19–21) Notice that Peter tells us that the Holy Spirit carried men along. Men did not speak of themselves. Scripture did not come to us by private interpretation, which means that it was not loosed by men and given to us. Another way to say this is to say that Scripture was not translated from God to man by men who simply decided to declare their writings God’s Word. The words the Jewish people accepted as God’s Word in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament, were given because the Holy Spirit directed the prophets who both spoke and wrote. Thus, the product was God’s Word in written form.
We can also understand that same of the New Testament Scriptures. Jesus said the Holy Ghost would guide us into all truth, even telling us things to come, and that it would happen in the lifetime of the apostles. “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:12–15) This speaks of God’s Word being given in the apostolic age through the apostolic ministry. Notice that Paul said the work of inspiration was how God gave us all Scripture. Paul was confident of his own writing being given by the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1;1 Corinthians 2:10-14;7:40;1 Timothy 4:1). Peter also spoke of Paul’s writings as Scripture (2 Peter 3:14-15). Paul also called the gospel writings Scripture, putting them on the same level as the Old Testament (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Peter also understood that the writings of the apostles was of the same authority and source as the Old Testament Scriptures, declaring that the people should remember the words of the holy prophets of old as well as the commandments of the apostles (2 Peter 3:1-2). Notice that John also realized that his writings were the very testimony of God (1 John 5:9). The Revelation also indicates that John was writing under Divine authority and guidance (Revelation 1:1-3;22:16-21) and that the words written were of the same authority and source as the Old Testament Scriptures (Compare Deuteronomy 4:1-2;Proverbs 30:5-6;Revelation 22:18-19.).
The Authority Of Scripture
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Because the result of inspiration is God’s Word in written form Scripture is authoritative. Our text above tells us that Scripture is both authoritative and sufficient for the saints of God. Not only so, but Scripture is also authoritative in showing us the way of salvation (Romans 1:16;2 Timothy 3:14-15). Whenever God speaks, we are to listen and obey. Every time God speaks, He speaks with authority.
There are hundreds of places where the Old Testament says, “Thus saith the LORD,” and each time is an authoritative declaration that we are obligated to believe and obey. The words of the law were both to be heard and obeyed: “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:6–14) We find a similar statement in Isaiah the prophet: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, Ye shall be devoured with the sword: For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:18–20) This is but a small sampling of the places where the Old Testament Scriptures are declared to be authoritative.
The New Testament speaks with the same voice concerning the authority of the Scriptures. There are dozens of instances in which the New Testament declares, “It is written,” referring to the Old Testament. Jesus also said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17–19) Over and over again the New Testament writers refer to the Old Testament Scriptures, submitting to their authority and declaring either their commands or their fulfillment in Christ. It is especially interesting to notice the Hebrews as the letter declares numerous times that what Scripture says is what God says (See Hebrews 1:5-14;3:7-11).
The New Testament Scriptures also bear witness to their own authority. Paul stated concerning his commandments about marriage and divorce that he had the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 7:10). He also said, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37) Paul also said, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6) “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14) Peter spoke of the writings of the apostles as being authoritative commandments (2 Peter 3:1-2). John gave commandments (1 John 2:8;2 John 1:5), thus showing his writings were authoritative also. Finally, let us consider the Revelation as it says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3) And again, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18–19) Knowing that the Bible is true and reliable, we must also acknowledge its words concerning itself that it is authoritative for us.
The Authoritative Sufficiency Of Scripture
Finally, we must recognize that the Bible is sufficient for us. Notice how Scripture commands us to neither add to nor take away from what it says (Deuteronomy 4:1-3;Proverbs 30:5-6;Revelation 22:18-20). Isaiah also spoke concerning the idolaters: “To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20) Jesus also said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) Again, Jesus said that we are to obey all the commandments of the law (Matthew 5:17-19). This shows us that Scripture is not only authoritative but sufficient.
Notice that Peter points us exclusively to the Old and New Testaments in 2 Peter 3:1-2. His direction to us is that we must be mindful of these words. We need look nowhere other than the Holy Scriptures for guidance because they are sufficient.
In closing, we return to our text and read, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:14–17) The Holy Scriptures are in every way sufficient for the saints of God. It shows us the way of salvation, convicts us, corrects us, directs us, and perfects us. This is why Paul commanded Timothy to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5). God has spoken to us and given us an understandable and reliable guide for all of God’s people. The Scripture is all we need for our faith and practice, being God’s gift to us and God’s authoritative guide for us.
The Baptist Sentinel 