Reference: Inspiration
American
That supernatural influence exerted on the minds of the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, in virtue of which they unerringly declared his will. Whether what they wrote was previously familiar to their own knowledge, or, as in many cases it must have been, an immediate revelation from heaven; whether his influence in any given case was dictation, suggestion, or superintendence; and however clearly we may trace in their writings the peculiar character, style, mental endowments, and circumstances of each; yet the whole of the Bible was written under the unerring guidance of the Holy Ghost, 2Ti 3:16.
Christ everywhere treats the Old Testament Scripture as infallibly true, and of divine authority-the word of God. To the New Testament writers inspiration was promised, Mt 10:19-20; Joh 14:26; 16:13; and they wrote and prophesied under its direction, 1Co 2:10-13; 14:37; Ga 1:12; 2Pe 1:21; 3:15; Re 1:1,10-19.
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But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you even in that same hour, what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
But God hath opened them unto us by his spirit. For the spirit searcheth all things, yea the bottom of God's secrets. For what man knoweth the things of a man: save the spirit of a man which is within him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God. read more. And we have not received the spirit of the world: but the spirit which cometh of God, for to know the things that are given to us of God, which things also we speak - not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things.
If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.
neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness,
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed by his angel unto his servant John,
I was in the spirit on a Sunday, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet, saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the congregations which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." read more. And I turned back to see the voice that spake to me. And when I was turned: I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the candlesticks, one like unto the son of man clothed with a linen garment down to the ground, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire: and his feet like unto brass, as though they burnt in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword. And his face shone even as the sun in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet, even as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not. I am the first and the last, and am alive, and was dead. And behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of hell and of death. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be fulfilled hereafter;
Easton
that extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2Ti 3:16. This is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and will. The testimony of the sacred writers themselves abundantly demonstrates this truth; and if they are infallible as teachers of doctrine, then the doctrine of plenary inspiration must be accepted. There are no errors in the Bible as it came from God, none have been proved to exist. Difficulties and phenomena we cannot explain are not errors. All these books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired. We do not say that they contain, but that they are, the Word of God. The gift of inspiration rendered the writers the organs of God, for the infallible communication of his mind and will, in the very manner and words in which it was originally given.
As to the nature of inspiration we have no information. This only we know, it rendered the writers infallible. They were all equally inspired, and are all equally infallible. The inspiration of the sacred writers did not change their characters. They retained all their individual peculiarities as thinkers or writers. (See Bible; Word of God.)
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For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness,
Fausets
The supernatural action of the Holy Spirit on the mind of the sacred writers whereby the Scriptures were not merely their own but the word of God. Scripture not merely contains but is the word of God. As the whole Godhead was joined to the whole manhood, and became the Incarnate Word, so the written word is at once perfectly divine and perfectly human; infallibly authoritative because it is the word of God, intelligible because in the language of men. If it were not human we should not understand it; if it were not divine it would not be an unerring guide. The term "scriptures" is attached to them exclusively in the word of God itself, as having an authority no other writings have (Joh 5:39; 10:34-36). They are called "the oracles of God" (Ro 3:2), i.e. divine utterances.
If Scripture were not plenarily and verbally sanctioned by God, its practical utility as a sure guide in all questions directly or indirectly affecting doctrine and practice would be materially impaired, for what means would there be of distinguishing the false in it from the true? Inspiration does not divest the writers of their several individualities of style, just as the inspired teachers in the early church were not passive machines in prophesying (1Co 14:32). "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" (2Co 3:17). Their will became one with God's will; His Spirit acted on their spirit, so that their individuality had free play in the sphere of His inspiration. As to religious truths the collective Scriptures have unity of authorship; as to other matters their authorship is palpably as manifold as the writers. The variety is human, the unity divine. If the four evangelists were mere machines narrating the same events in the same order and words, they would cease to be independent witnesses. Their very discrepancies (only seeming ones) disprove collusion.
The solutions proposed in Harmonies, being necessarily conjectural, may or may not be the true ones; but they at least prove that the differences are not irreconcilable and would be cleared up if we knew all the facts. They test our faith, whether on reasonable evidence we will unreservedly believe His word in spite of some difficulties, designedly permitted for our probation. The slight variations in the Decalogue between Exodus 20 and its repetition Deuteronomy 5, and in Psalm 18 compared with 2 Samuel 22, in Psalm 14 compared with Psalm 53, and in New Testament quotations of Old Testament, (sometimes from Septuagint which varies from Hebrew, sometimes from neither in every word), all prove the Spirit-produced independence of the sacred writers who under divine guidance and sanction presented on different occasions the same substantial truths under different aspects, the one complementing the other.
One or two instances occur where the errors of transcribers cause a real discrepancy (2Ki 8:26, compared with 2Ch 22:2). A perpetual miracle alone could have prevented such very exceptional and palpable copyists' mistakes. But in seeming discrepancies, as between the accounts of the same event in different Gospels, each account presents some fresh aspect of divine truth; none containing the whole, but all together presenting the complete exhibition of the truth. Origen profoundly says: "in revelation as in nature we see a self concealing, self revealing God, who makes Himself known only to those who earnestly seek Him; in both we find stimulants to faith and occasions for unbelief." The assaults of adversaries on seemingly weak points have resulted in the eliciting of beautiful and delicate harmonies unperceived before; the gospel defenses have been proved the more impregnable, and the things meant to injure "have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel."
When once it is admitted that the New Testament writers were neither fanatics nor enthusiasts, (and infidelity has never yet produced a satisfactory theory to show them to have been either,) their miracles and their divine commission must also be admitted, for they expressly claim these. Thus, Paul (1Co 14:37), "if any man think himself a prophet, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." And not only the things but the words; (1Co 2:13) "we speak not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth." The "discerning of spirits" was one of the miraculous gifts in the apostolic churches. His appeal on the ground of miracles (1Co 2:4) which are taken for granted as notorious rather than asserted, (the incidental mention being a clear mark of truth because it excludes suspicion of design,) and to persons whose miraculous discernment of spirits enabled them to test such claims, is the strongest proof of the divine authority of his writings.
Peter (2Pe 3:16) classes Paul's epistles with "the other Scriptures"; therefore whatever inspiration is in the latter is in the former also. That inspiration excludes error from Scripture words, so far as these affect doctrine and morals, appears from Ps 12:6, "the words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." As our Lord promised the disciples His Holy Spirit, to teach them how and what they should say before magistrates (Mt 10:19-20), much more did the Spirit "abiding" with the church "for ever" (Joh 14:16) secure for the written word, the only surviving infallible oracle, the inspiration of the manner as well as the matter. So (Joh 16:13) "the Spirit of truth will guide you into all (the) truth," namely, not truth in general but Christian truth.
Also (Joh 14:26) "the Holy Spirit shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." "He shall testify of Me" (Joh 15:26) "He will show you things to come ... He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you" (Joh 16:13-14). Paul (2Ti 3:16) declares that no part of the written word is uninspired, but "ALL" (literally, "every scripture," i.e. every portion) is "profitable" for the ends of a revelation, "doctrine, reproof (conjuting error: the two comprehending speculative divinity; then follows practical), correction (setting one right, 1Co 10:1-10), instruction (disciplinary training: De 13:5; 1Co 5:13) in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works"; as it makes him "perfect" it must be perfect itself.
Some parts were immediately communicated by God, and are called "apocalypse" or "revelation," as that to John, and to Paul (2Co 12:1; Ro 16:25). Others, as the historical parts, are matter of human testimony. But inspiration was as much needed to write known facts authoritatively as to communicate new truths; else why should certain facts be selected and others be passed by? Inspired prohibition is as miraculous as inspired utterance. Had the evangelists been left to themselves, they doubtless would have given many details of Jesus' early life which our curiosity would have desired, but which divine wisdom withheld, in order to concentrate all our attention on Christ's ministry and death. The historical parts are quoted by Paul as God's "law," because they have His sanction and contain covert lessons of God's truth and His principles of governing the world and the church (Ga 4:21).
Considering the vast amount of Mariolatry and idolatry which subsequently sprang up, the hand of God is marked in the absence from the Gospel histories of aught to countenance these errors. Sacred history is like "a dial in which the shadow, as well as the light, informs us" (Trench). The Spirit was needed to qualify the writers for giving what they have given, a condensed yet full and clear portraiture of Messiah, calculated to affect all hearts in every nation, and to sow in them seeds of faith, hope, and love. The minor details, such as Paul's direction to Timothy to "bring his cloth and parchments," and to" drink a little wine for his stomach's sake and his infirmities," are vivid touches which give life and nature to the picture, making us realize the circumstances and personality of the apostle and his disciple, and have their place in the inspired record, as each leaf has in the
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And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And when Moses turned again in to the host, the lad Joshua, his servant, the son of Nun, departed not out of the tabernacle.
And he said, "Hear my words. If there be a prophet of the LORD's among you, I will show myself unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. But my servant Moses is not so, which is faithful in all mine house. read more. Unto him I speak mouth to mouth and he seeth the sight and the fashion of the LORD, and not through riddles. Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"
And that prophet or dreamer of dreams shall die for it, because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt and delivered you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in: and so thou shalt put evil away from thee.
"The spirit of the LORD spake in me, and his words were on my tongue.
Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and reigned one year in Jerusalem; his mother's name was Athaliah daughter of Omri king of Israel.
Two and forty years old was he when he began to reign, and reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
And many years didst thou forbear them, and testified unto them through thy spirit, even by the office of thy prophets, and yet would they not hear. Therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the nations in the lands.
The words of the LORD are pure words: even as the silver, which from the earth is tried, and purified seven times in the fire.
{A Prayer of Moses the man of God} LORD, thou hast been our refuge, from one generation to another.
The word of the LORD shall be received in Hadrach, and Damascus shall be his offering: for the eyes of all men and of the tribes of Israel shall look up unto the LORD.
The heavy burden which the LORD hath devised for Israel. Thus sayeth the LORD, which spread the heavens abroad, laid the foundation of the earth, and giveth man the breath of life,
The heavy burden, which the LORD showeth against Israel by Malachi.
For truly I say unto you, till heaven and earth perish, one jot or one tittle of the law shall not escape till all be fulfilled.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you even in that same hour, what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law:
Verily I say unto you, Among the children of women arose there not a greater than John the Baptist: Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
He answered, and said unto them, "Have ye not read, how that he which made man at the beginning, made them man and woman?
'I am Abraham's God, and Isaac's God, and the God of Jacob?' God is not the God of the dead: but of the living."
He said unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
Search the scriptures: for in them, ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I have say ye are gods?' If he called them gods unto whom the word of God was spoken - and the scripture cannot be broken -
If he called them gods unto whom the word of God was spoken - and the scripture cannot be broken - say ye then to him, whom the father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, 'Thou blasphemest, because I said I am the son of God?'
nor yet consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and not that all the people perish."
and I will pray the father: and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you ever,
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
"But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, which is the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the father, he shall testify of me.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show unto you.
"Ye men and brethren, this scripture must have needs been fulfilled which the holy ghost, through the mouth of David, spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus:
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sat.
but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,
For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope read more. because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption. Thou hast showed me the ways of life; and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.' "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David: For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre remaineth with us unto his day. Therefore seeing he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins should sit on his seat - in that Christ should rise again in the flesh - He saw before, and spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear.
But those things which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, how that Christ should suffer, he hath thus wise fulfilled it.
that is, to wit, Jesus Christ: which must receive heaven until the time that all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began, be restored again.
which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things?
Surely, very much. First: unto them was committed the word of God.
To him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ, in uttering of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, but now is opened at this time and declared opened by the scriptures of prophecy, at the commandment of the everlasting God, to stir up obedience to the faith published among all nations:
And my words, and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom: but in showing of the spirit and of power,
which things also we speak - not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things.
Withdraw not yourselves one from another except it be with consent for a time, for to give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and afterward come again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency. This I say of favour, not of commandment.
Unto the married command not I, but the Lord: that the wife separate not herself from the man.
To the remnant speak I, and not the Lord: if any brother have a wife that believeth not, if she be content to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath to her husband an infidel, if he consent to dwell with her, let her not put him away. read more. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife: and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Or else were your children unclean: but now are they pure. But and if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not in subjection to such. God hath called us in peace.
As concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet give I counsel as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For it is good for a man so to be. read more. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But and if thou take a wife, thou sinnest not. Likewise if a virgin marry, she sinneth not. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in their flesh: but I saver you. This say I, brethren: the time is short. It remaineth that they which have wives, be as though they had none: and they that weep, be as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, be as though they rejoiced not: And they that buy, be as though they possessed not: And they that use this world, be as though they used it not: For the fashion of this world goeth away. I would have you without care; the single man careth for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that hath married, careth for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference between a virgin and a wife. The single woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit: but she that is married, careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This speak I for your profit, not to tangle you in a snare: but for that which is honest and comely unto you; And that ye may quietly cleave unto the Lord without separation. If any man think that it is uncomely for his virgin if she pass the time of marriage, and if so need require, let him do what he listeth, he sinneth not: let them be coupled in marriage. Nevertheless, he that purposeth surely in his heart, having none need: but hath power over his own will: and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doth well. So then he that joineth his virgin in marriage doth well. But he that joineth not his virgin in marriage doth better.
Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant of this, how that our fathers were all under a cloud, and all passed through the sea, and were all baptised under Moses in the cloud and in the sea: read more. and did all eat of one spiritual meat, and did all drink of one manner of spiritual drink. And they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, Which rock was Christ. But in many of them had God no delight. For they were overthrown in the wilderness. These are examples to us that we should not lust after evil things, as they lusted. Neither be ye worshippers of images as were some of them according as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play." Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed fornication, and were destroyed - in one day, twenty three thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Let the prophets speak two at once, or three at once, and let others judge.
For the spirits of the prophets are in the power of the prophets.
For the spirits of the prophets are in the power of the prophets.
If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.
We write no other things unto you, than that ye read and also know. Yea, and I trust ye shall find us unto the end
For we are not as many are, which chop and change with the word of God: but even out of pureness, and by the power of God and in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.
The Lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
It is not expedient for me, no doubt, to rejoice; Nevertheless I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
seeing that ye seek experience of Christ which speaketh in me, which among you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, was not after the manner of men, neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "in the seeds," as in many: But, "in thy seed," as in one, which is Christ.
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law: have ye not heard of the law?
For by revelation showed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words,
which mystery in times past was not opened unto the sons of men as it is now declared unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit:
For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all rule and power.
For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness,
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." In that he put all things under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.
Forasmuch as he that sanctifieth, and they which are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause's sake he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Let us fear, therefore, lest any of us forsaking the promise of entering into his rest, should seem to come behind. For unto us was it declared, as well as unto them. But it profited not them that they heard the word, because they which heard it coupled it not with faith. read more. But we which have believed, do enter into his rest, as contrariwise he said to the other, "As I have sworn in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" And that spake he verily long after that the works were made, and the foundation of the world laid. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day, on this wise, "And God did rest the seventh day from all his works." And in this place again, "They shall not come into my rest." Seeing therefore it followeth that some must enter thereinto, and they to whom it was first preached, entered not therein for unbelief's sake. Again he appointeth in David a certain present day after so long a time, saying as it is rehearsed, "This day if ye hear his voice, be not hard hearted." For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore yet a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest doth cease from his own works, as God did from his. Let us study therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall, after the same example, into unbelief:
searching when, or at what time, the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify - which spirit testified before - the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after.
So that ye first know this: That no prophecy in the scripture hath any private interpretation. For the scripture came never by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost.
yea, almost in every epistle, speaking of such things: among which are many things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
And if any man shall minish of 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 those things which are written in this book.
Hastings
The subject comprises the doctrine of inspiration in the Bible, and the doctrine of the inspiration of the Bible, together with what forms the transition from the one to the other, the account given of the prophetic consciousness, and the teaching of the NT about the OT.
1. The agent of inspiration is the Holy Spirit (see p. 360) or Spirit of God, who is active in Creation (Ge 1:2; Ps 104:30), is imparted to man that the dust may become living soul (Ge 2:7), is the source of exceptional powers of body (Jg 6:34; 14:6,19) or skill (Ex 35:31); but is pre-eminently manifest in prophecy (wh. see). The NT doctrine of the presence and power of the Spirit of God in the renewed life of the believer is anticipated in the OT, inasmuch as to the Spirit's operations are attributed wisdom (Job 32:8; 1Ki 3:28; De 34:9), courage (Jg 13:25; 14:6), penitence, moral strength, and purity (Ne 9:20; Ps 51:11; Isa 63:10; Eze 36:26; Zec 12:10). The promise of the Spirit by Christ to His disciples was fulfilled when He Himself after the Resurrection breathed on them, and said, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost' (Joh 20:22), and after His Ascension the Spirit descended on the Church with the outward signs of the wind and fire (Ac 2:2-3). The Christian life as such is an inspired life, but the operation of the Spirit is represented in the NT in two forms; there are the extraordinary gifts (charisms)
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The Earth was void and empty and darkness was upon the deep, and the spirit of God moved upon the water.
Then the LORD God shope man, even of the mold of the earth, and breathed into his face the breath of life. So man was made a living soul.
and hath filled him with the spirit of God: with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, even in all manner work;
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom: for Moses had put his hand upon him. And all the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
the spirit of the LORD entered into Gideon. And he blew a trumpet, and called Abiezer to follow him;
And the spirit of the LORD began first to be with the house of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
And the spirit of the LORD came upon him. And he tare him, as a man would rent a kid, and yet had nothing in his hand. Nevertheless he told not his father and mother what he had done.
And the spirit of the LORD came upon him. And he tare him, as a man would rent a kid, and yet had nothing in his hand. Nevertheless he told not his father and mother what he had done.
Then the spirit of the LORD came upon him. And he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them and spoiled them, and gave their garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And he was wroth and went up to his father's house.
And thou gavest them thy good spirit to inform them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water when they were thirsty.
Every man, no doubt, hath a mind; but it is the inspiration of the Almighty that giveth understanding.
Every man, no doubt, hath a mind; but it is the inspiration of the Almighty that giveth understanding.
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me.
When thou lettest thy breath go forth, they shall be made; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
But after they provoked him to wrath and vexed his holy mind, he was their enemy, and fought against them himself.
And I will give you a new heart, and will put a new spirit in you. And will take away that stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a fleshly heart.
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
All things are given unto me of my father: And no man knoweth the son, but the father; neither knoweth any man the father, save the son, and he to whom the son will open him.
He said unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
And he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
And when he had said that, he breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive the holy ghost.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sat. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as they had been fire, and it sat upon each of them:
Seeing that we have divers gifts according to the grace that is given unto us: if any man have the gift of prophecy, let him have it that it be agreeing unto the faith; Let him that hath an office, wait on his office; read more. Let him that teacheth take heed to his doctrine; Let him that exhorteth give attendance to his exhortation; If any man give, let him do it with singleness; Let him that ruleth do it with diligence; If any man show mercy let him do it with cheerfulness.
And God hath also ordained in the congregation, first the apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles; after that, the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues.
But the fruit of the spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law.
For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness,
For the scripture came never by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost.
Morish
Though this word occurs in the Bible but once in reference to the scriptures, yet the one statement in which it is found is important and full of deep meaning: "Every scripture is divinely inspired literally, 'God-breathed', and is profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, fully fitted to every good work." 2Ti 3:16-17. This places all scripture on one basis as to inspiration, whether it be historical, doctrinal, or prophetic. We learn by this passage that not simply the persons who wrote were inspired, but the writings themselves are divinely inspired. Cf. 2Pe 1:21.
All writings are composed of words, and if these writings are inspired, the words are inspired. This is what is commonly called 'verbal inspiration.' Other passages speak of the importance of 'words:' Peter said, "To whom shall we go? thou hast the words (??????) of eternal life," Joh 6:68: and we find those words in the Gospels. When it was a question of Gentiles being brought into blessing without being circumcised, James in his address appealed to the 'words' of the prophets. Ac 15:15. Paul in writing to the Corinthian saints said, "Which things also we speak, not in the 'words' (?????) which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth." 1Co 2:13. The Holy Spirit taught Paul what words to use. The whole of scripture forms the word of God, and both in the O.T. and in the N.T. we read of 'the words of God.' 1Ch 25:5; Ezr 9:4; Ps 107:11; Joh 3:34; 8:47; Re 17:17. Neither must His word be added to, or taken from. De 4:2; 12:32; Re 22:18-19.
The above passages should carry conviction to simple souls that every scripture is God-inspired. As nothing less than this is worthy of God, so nothing less than this would meet the need of man. Amid the many uncertain things around him he needs words upon which his faith can be based, and in the inspired scriptures he has them. The Lord Jesus said, "The words (??????) that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." Joh 6:63. He had the words of eternal life; and, through the grace of God, many a soul has found them to be such, and has no more doubt of the plenary inspiration of scripture than of the existence of God Himself.
It may be noted that scripture records the sayings of wicked men, and of Satan himself. It need scarcely be said that it is not the sayings but the records of them that are inspired. Paul also, when writing on the question of marriage, makes a distinction between what he wrote as his judgement, and what he wrote as commandments of the Lord. "I speak this by permission," he says; and again, "I give my judgement." 1Co 7:6,10,12,25. He was inspired to record his spiritual judgement and to point out that it was not a command.
Some have a difficulty as to what has been called the human element in inspiration. If the words of scripture are inspired, it has been asked, how is it that the style of the writer is so manifest? John's style, for instance, being clearly distinguishable from that of Paul. The simple answer is that it is as if one used, so to speak, different kinds of pens to write with. God made the mind of man as well as his body, and was surely able to use the mind of each of the writers He employed, and yet cause him to write exactly what He wished. God took possession of the mind of man to declare His own purposes with regard to man.
Further, it has been asserted that the doctrine of verbal inspiration is valueless, because of diversities in the Greek manuscripts, which in some places prevent any one from determining what are the words God caused to be written. But this does not in any way touch the question of inspiration, which is, that the words written were inspired by God. Whether we have a correct copy is quite another question. The variations in the Greek manuscripts do not affect any one of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and only in a few places are the words doubtful.
Another objection to the value of verbal inspiration is that most persons read scripture in a translation, the words of which cannot, it is alleged, be said to be inspired. But if the translation conveys exactly the same meaning as in the original, the words can be said to be inspired: for instance, the words 'God is love,' may surely be said to be the same as ? ???? ????? ?????, or Deus caritas est, Dieu est amour, or Dio ? carit?, to those who can read them. It may be that the translations from which the above are taken cannot in all places be said to be the same as the Greek; but this only shows the great importance of each having a correct translation in his vernacular tongue. And it must not be forgotten that the Lord Himself and those who wrote the New Testament often quoted the Septuagint, which is a translation from the Hebrew; and they quoted it as scripture.
Nothing can exceed the importance of having true thoughts of the inspiration of scripture. As no human author would allow his amanuensis to write what he did not mean, so surely what is called the word of God is God's own production, though given through the instrumentality of man. Though there were many writers, separated by thousands of years, there is a divine unity in the whole, showing plainly that one and only one could have been its Author. That One can only have been the Almighty
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Ye shall put nothing unto the word which I command you, neither do ought therefrom, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
But whatsoever I command you, that take heed ye do: and put nought thereto, nor take ought therefrom.
All these were of the sons of Heman the king's seer of visions with the word of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
And there resorted unto me all such as feared the word of the LORD God of Israel, because of the great transgression. And I sat mourning until the evening sacrifice.
because they were not obedient to the commandments of God, but lightly regarded the counsel of the most highest - he also brought down their hearts through heaviness.
For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God. For God giveth not the spirit by measure.
It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life.
Then Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life;
He that is of God, heareth God's words. Ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."
And to this agreeth the words of the prophets, as it is written,
which things also we speak - not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things.
Unto the married command not I, but the Lord: that the wife separate not herself from the man.
To the remnant speak I, and not the Lord: if any brother have a wife that believeth not, if she be content to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
As concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet give I counsel as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.
For the scripture came never by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost.
For God hath put in their hearts, to fulfil his will, and to do with one consent, for to give her kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God be fulfilled.
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of 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 minish of 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 those things which are written in this book.
Smith
Inspiration.
Dr. Knapp given as the definition of inspiration, "an extra-ordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught what and how they should write or speak." Without deciding on any of the various theories of inspiration, the general doctrine of Christians is that the Bible is so inspired by God that it is the infallible guide of men, and is perfectly trustworthy in all its parts, as given by God.
Watsons
INSPIRATION, the conveying of certain extraordinary and supernatural notices or thoughts into the soul; or it denotes any supernatural influence of God upon the mind of a rational creature, whereby he is formed to a degree of intellectual improvement, to which he could not have attained in his present circumstances in a natural way. In the first and highest sense, the prophets, evangelists, and Apostles are said to have spoken and written by divine inspiration. This inspiration of the Old Testament Scriptures is so expressly attested by our Lord and his Apostles, that among those who receive them as a divine revelation the only question relates to the inspiration of the New Testament. On this subject it has been well observed:
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But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you even in that same hour, what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you.
Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy ghost;
Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy ghost; teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you. And lo, I am with you always even until the end of the world."
And he ordained the twelve that they should be with him, and that he might send them to preach.
He that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved: But he that believeth not, shall be damned.
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to compile a treatise of those things, which are surely known among us, even as they declared them unto us, which from the beginning saw their selves, and were ministers at the doing: read more. I determined also, as soon as I had searched out diligently all things from the beginning, that then I would write unto thee, good Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, whereof thou art informed.
He that heareth you, heareth me: And he that despiseth you, despiseth me. And he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, where against all your adversaries shall not be able to speak nor resist.
and I will pray the father: and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you ever, which is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive; because the world seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you.
I have yet many things to say unto you, But ye cannot bear them away now. Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
I pray not for them alone: but for them also which shall believe on me through their preaching, that they all may be one, as thou father art in me, and I in thee; that they may be also one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And many other signs did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ the son of God. And that ye in believing ye might have life through his name.
The same disciple is he, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things. And we know, that his testimony is true.
"Ye men and brethren, this scripture must have needs been fulfilled which the holy ghost, through the mouth of David, spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus:
which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things?
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. read more. When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick.' And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.'
When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, "Well spake the holy ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
But God hath opened them unto us by his spirit. For the spirit searcheth all things, yea the bottom of God's secrets.
And we have not received the spirit of the world: but the spirit which cometh of God, for to know the things that are given to us of God, which things also we speak - not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things.
If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.
Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death,
neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But when it pleased God, which separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, for to declare his son by me, that I should preach him among the heathen: Immediately I commended not of the matter with flesh and blood, read more. neither returned to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto Damascus.
and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets - Jesus Christ being the head cornerstone -
Dear Luke the physician greeteth you, and Demas.
And when the epistle is read of you, make that it be read in the congregation of the Laodiceans also: and that ye likewise read the epistle of Laodicea.
For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was, indeed, the word of God; which worketh in you that believe.
For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness,
searching when, or at what time, the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify - which spirit testified before - the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after.
For the scripture came never by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost.
to call to remembrance the words which were told before of the holy prophets, and also the commandment of us; the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.
And suppose that the long suffering of the Lord is salvation, even as our dearly beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, wrote to you,
We be of God, and he that knoweth God heareth us: and he that is not of God, heareth us not. And hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed by his angel unto his servant John,
I was in the spirit on a Sunday, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet, saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou seest, write in a book and send it unto the congregations which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." read more. And I turned back to see the voice that spake to me. And when I was turned: I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the candlesticks, one like unto the son of man clothed with a linen garment down to the ground, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire: and his feet like unto brass, as though they burnt in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword. And his face shone even as the sun in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet, even as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not. I am the first and the last, and am alive, and was dead. And behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of hell and of death. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be fulfilled hereafter;
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.