I. OUTLINES ON THE BIBLE

DEFINITION: By inspiration we mean that the Holy Spirit so influenced

and controlled men in the writing of the Bible that it is exactly and entirely

the Word of God.


1. THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION.

II Tim. 3:16 "by inspiration of God" means "God breathed", that is,

God Himself spoke through men. (Heb. 1:1). The inspired Word is the utterance of

God; God-breathed.

II Pet. 1:21 "moved by the Holy Ghost", that is, the prophets were

prompted and guided by the Holy Spirit when giving their message. That is

inspiration.

 

2. THE EXTENT OF INSPIRATION.

(a) Inspiration extends to the very WORDS used, not merely to the

thoughts and ideas expressed. The choice of each word was by inspiration of God.

1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom

teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with

spiritual.

(Observe: Jer. 36:4; John 6:63; Matt. 5:18; Gal. 3:16).

(b) The original work of recording in writing the inspired message was a part of inspiration.

Exo 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the

tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

(Observe: Jer. 30:1.2; Hab. 2:2; I Cor. 14:37; Rev. 21:5.)

 

3. THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN THE WRITING OF THE BIBLE.

The Holy Spirit used the memories, intellects, emotions and abilities of the

writers in transmitting the Word of God.

Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a

declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Luke 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were

eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all

things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent

Theophilus,

Luke 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou

hast been instructed.

(Observe: Rom. 9:1-3.)

Sometimes the writers knew not what they wrote, proving that they were but the

instruments of God.

1 Pet 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched

diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1 Pet 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which

was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,

and the glory that should follow.

1 Pet 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us

they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have

preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which

things the angels desire to look into.

 

4. THE WRITERS OF THE BIBLE CLAIMED TO BE INSPIRED OF GOD.

Old Testament: Exo. 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I

am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy

servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh

the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what

thou shalt say.

Exo 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom

thou wilt send.

Exo 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is

not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also,

behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in

his heart.

Exo 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will

be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

(Observe: Jer. 1:7-9; II Sam. 23:2; Micah 3:8; Ezekiel 3:4.)

New Testament: ----- 1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words

which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing

spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Cor 14:37 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.

(Observe: I Thess. 2:13; II Pet. 3:1-2, II Pet. 3:15-16; Rev. 1:1-3.)

 

5. THE LORD JESUS DECLARED THE BIBLE TO BE INSPIRED OF GOD.

Old Testament: -------- Mark 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost,

The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies

thy footstool.

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,

while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written

in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

His own words: ----- John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father

which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should

speak.

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?

the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that

dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they

have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they

have believed that thou didst send me.

New Testament: He said He would leave the revelation of truth unfinished:

John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

But promised that it would afterward be completed:

John 16:13 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:

He will show you things to come:

He gave the then future words equal authority with His own :

(Observe: John 17:20; 13:20; 14:26).

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