The Scripture's Claim to Divine Inspiration

LESSON 1

THE SCRIPTURE'S CLAIM TO DIVINE INSPIRATION

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Holy Scriptures. The topic for this study is: The Scripture’s Claim to Divine Inspiration. There are several "holy books" among the various religions of the world that claim to be divinely inspired. Among these religious works that claim divine inspiration is the Holy Bible of the Christian. In this study, we will be examining various internal and external evidences that give credence to the divine inspiration of the Holy Bible. The lesson has been divided into three sub-sections as follows:

1) INTERNAL EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE DIVINE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

The Bible makes a general definite claim of divine inspiration. From the second epistle of the apostle Paul to his son Timothy, we come across the following clear words in regard to this point: "3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Capital Emphasis Added) Friends, the text above is very clear on the divine inspiration of the entire Scriptures. The Greek word which is translated as inspiration in this text is 'theopneustos' which literally means "God-breathed". Thus, when Paul says that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, we can understand that to mean that the Scriptures have been breathed-out by God.

In fact, the Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit was the member of the Godhead who actively worked with the prophets to produce the classical work of the entire Scripture. From 2 Peter 1:21, we read the evidence in relation to this point: "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 1:21; see also 2 Samuel 23:2).

Besides the general claim of divine inspiration of Scripture that we see in the texts above, there are several texts in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that also make the bold claim that the Bible is divinely inspired. Let us consider the evidences in the texts below:

A) Evidence of Divine Inspiration in the Old Testament

Spread out among the Old Testament books of the Bible are clear expressions such as "thus saith the Lord", "the word of the Lord came", "the Lord said" or their equivalents. These expressions appear more than 3,800 times in the Old Testament. Together, these marked expressions make the solid point that the writers of the Old Testament Scriptures bore messages that came from a Divine Source. In some cases, the writers wrote exactly what the Lord had communicated to them. However, in several instances, the writers were moved upon by the Holy Spirit to communicate the words of God from their own background, unique experiences and literary ability.

Moreover, within the Old Testament, we also see the trend whereby one book recognises the divine authority of another (see Daniel 9:1, 2, 11, 13; Malachi 4:4; Joshua 1:7, 8; 2 Samuel 23:1, 2; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 8:1; Zechariah 7:12). Instances like these in the Old Testament give credence as to the divine supervision of the Old Testament Scriptures by the Holy Spirit.

B) Evidence of Divine Inspiration in the New Testament

During the time of Christ on earth, the only Scriptures that were considered to be inspired were the writings of the Old Testament Scriptures. Christ endorsed the Old Testament as bearing a divine signature. Outlined below are a few of the Saviour's words in regard to the Old Testament Scriptures:

i) "5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

5:18 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.

5:19 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; see also Luke 24:27, 44) ii) "5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

(John 5:45-47) iii) "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:" (Matthew 13:14; see also Matthew 4:14-16). iv) "12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here."

(Matthew 12:38-41) From the texts above, we see how Christ often quoted from the Old Testament in His teachings, and also in response to certain of the Jews. The numerous remarkable references of Christ to the Old Testament Scriptures only show how our Saviour endorsed the various writings as coming from a Divine Source. It is interesting to learn that after Christ had ascended to heaven, the apostles and leaders of the early church continued to hold as sacred the writings of the Old Testament. In fact, most of the statements the disciples made regarding inspiration was in reference to the Old Testament Scriptures (review 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21). Just like their Master, the leadership of the early church utilised the Old Testament Scriptures as a foundation of their teaching and nurturing of believers in the new Christian religion (see Acts 1:16).

At this point in our study, an important question that begs for an answer is this: What about the writings of the apostles and disciples in the New Testament? In other words, do they also bear a divine signature? Friends, the answer to this question is a big YES. Just as there is enough evidence in the Old Testament regarding its divine origin, so do we find similar evidence in the New Testament concerning the writings of the apostles and other disciples of Christ. Outlined below are some clear texts which confirm the claim that has been made above:

i) "That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (2 Peter 3:2).

Key Explanation: In this text, we see how the apostle Peter places the words of the apostles on an equal pedestal with those of the prophets in the Old Testament. The experienced apostle makes the strong case that just as the early disciples were to obey the words of the Old Testament prophets, so were they to heed the words of the apostles of Christ, even viewing them as sacred commandments.

ii) "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).

Key Explanation: In this text, the apostle Paul makes another strong case in respect to the writings of the apostles. The apostle to the Gentiles classifies the writings he sends to the churches of Christ as commandments of the Lord.

iii) "15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15, 16).

Key Explanation: In this text, the apostle Peter classifies Paul's writings with that of the other Scriptures. This text shows that among members of the early Christian Church, the writings of the apostles were considered as sacred just as the Old Testament Scriptures.

iv) "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 Corinthians 2:13).

Key Explanation: In this text, the apostle Paul makes it clear that the teachings of the apostles were not to be considered as wisdom of men, but rather to be viewed as messages that bore the stamp of the Holy Spirit.

From the texts above, we can see several internal evidences which validate the claim to divine inspiration in relation to the writings of the apostles and other disciples of Christ in the New Testament. It is clear from what we have gone through so far that just as the writings of the prophets were mandated by the Holy Spirit, and viewed as commandments for the people of God, so were God's people to view the writings of those who had specially been called by Christ to present messages to the early church.

2) EVIDENCE BEYOND MERE CLAIM TO DIVINE INSPIRATION

At this point in our study, an important question that begs for an answer is this: "Besides the various claim of divine inspiration by the writers of the Bible, can you provide more concrete evidences that set the Bible apart as a truly divine work?" Friends, in our day where the authors of several literary works (both ancient and modern) do claim that their works are divinely inspired, this question comes through as a very important one. A clear answer to this question will help us to be settled in our minds that the book that many of us refer to as the Word of God is truly divinely inspired, and not just one of those books making a dubious claim to divine inspiration. Now, we will consider below some critical evidences that set the Bible apart as a truly divinely inspired work:

a) Predictive Prophecy

One important factor that sets the Bible apart as a truly divinely inspired work is predictive prophecy. Scattered through the entire Scripture are audacious statements of predictive prophecy. There are predictive prophecies concerning whole nations as well as individuals. Here are few examples of such clear verifiable prophecies in the Word of God:

i) Isaiah prophesied that the Lord was going to raise up the Assyrians to punish the people of Israel because of their numerous transgressions (see Isaiah 10:1-6). After this was accomplished, the kingdom of Assyria was to be destroyed in the end (see Isaiah 10:12, 24, 25). Just as Isaiah predicted, the Assyrians came to attack the people of Israel and took them as captives to Assyria (see 2 Kings 17:22, 23). Moreover, just as Isaiah prophesied, by 609 B.C. the kingdom of Assyria had been completely destroyed by a combined Babylonian-Median coalition.

ii) Jeremiah prophesied that the Lord was going to raise up the Babylonians against the people of Judah because of their idolatry and rebellion, and that the Jewish people were going to serve as captives in the land of Babylon for 70 years (see Jeremiah 11:9-23; Jeremiah 25:1-11). After this was accomplished, God was going to punish the king of Babylon and completely destroy his kingdom (see Jeremiah 25:12). We read the amazing fulfillment of these prophecies from the biblical accounts of 2 Kings 24, 25; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 and Daniel 4, 5.

iii) Daniel prophesied that the kingdom of Babylon will be overthrown by the combined forces of the Medes and Persians (Daniel 2:38, 39). King Nebuchadnezzar called his bluff by making a golden statue to indicate the everlasting rule of Babylon (Daniel 3:1). Interestingly, secular history provides the details of how the combined forces of the Medes and Persians overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C. Moreover, just as Daniel prophesied before king Nebuchadnezzar, Greece overthrew the Medes and Persians in 331 B.C. and Rome overthrew the kingdom of Greece in 168 B.C. After 476 AD, the Roman Empire itself got divided into ten distinct nations just as Daniel had foretold (see Daniel 2:41; for a detailed study on Daniel 2, you can request for our lessons captioned: An Ancient King's Dream: Parts 1 and 2 through any of our WhatsApp numbers at the end of this lesson).

iv) Besides nations, the Bible also prophesied concerning the work of various individuals in relation to God's plan of redemption. These predictive prophecies concerning individuals include people like Josiah, Cyrus and Jesus Christ. For instance, the work of reformation in Israel by the good king Josiah was prophesied by a man of God from Judah more than 300 years before his birth (compare 1 Kings 13:1, 2 with 2 Kings 23:15-18).

Isaiah also prophesied concerning king Cyrus about 150 years before the monarch was born. The prophecy made it clear that through king Cyrus, the Lord was going to deliver His people from their captivity in the land of Babylon (compare Isaiah 45:1-5 with 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23).

The Bible contains more predictive prophecies concerning Jesus Christ than any other person. These prophecies are usually referred to as messianic prophecies. From the books of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms are chronicled the prophecies that detail the birth, ministry, sacrifice and high priestly work of the Redeemer of the human race. Outlined below are just 10 of the predictive prophecies concerning Jesus Christ in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament:

*) The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Prophecy: Micah 5:2 — Fulfillment: Luke 2:4-7).

*) The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14 — Fulfillment: Luke 1:26-31).

*) The Messiah would be persecuted from birth (Prophecy: Jeremiah 31:15 — Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16-18).

*) The Messiah would be betrayed by a close friend (Prophecy: Psalm 41:9 — Fulfillment: Luke 22:47, 48).

*) The Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12 — Fulfillment: Matthew 26:14, 15).

*) The Messiah would be crucified with malefactors (Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12 — Fulfillment: Mark 15:27, 28).

*) Soldiers would gamble for the clothing of the Messiah (Prophecy: Psalm 22:18 — Fulfillment: Matthew 27:35).

*) None of the bones of the Messiah would be broken (Prophecy: Psalm 34:20 — Fulfillment: John 19:32, 33, 36).

*) The Messiah would be buried with the rich (Prophecy: Isaiah 53:9 — Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60).

*) The Messiah would be resurrected (Prophecy: Psalm 16:10 — Fulfillment: Mark 16:6, 7).

(For a detailed account on the predictive prophecies of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament and how they were fulfilled in the New Testament, request for our lesson captioned: The Prophecies of the Messiah's First Advent through any of our WhatsApp numbers at the end of this lesson).

Friends, the precise fulfillment of various predictive prophecies that we find in the Bible is an indication that the Bible is not an ordinary book. There is no book like the Bible that calls its critics to test its divine validity in such a grand way (see Isaiah 41:21-23). Truly, the Bible is the Word of God; the God who is able to proclaim the following audacious words: "46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"

(Isaiah 46:9, 10) b) Perfect Accuracy

Wherever no clear external evidence could be obtained, critics of the Bible had always made a case against the accuracy of various historical and geographical details in the Bible. But it is amazing how in recent times, evidence after evidence have come through archeology to support the historical and geographical information that is contained in the Bible.

For instance, critics have for a long time scoffed at the mention of the Hittites in the biblical narratives (see Genesis 23:10; Genesis 26:34). However in 1834, the French archeologist Charles Texier discovered ruins of the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa at Boghazkoy in Turkey. This archaeological exploration dug up evidence that clearly showed the existence of the Hittites; and thus authenticated the historical accuracy of this ancient nation in the biblical narratives.

Sir William Ramsey, we are told was an archeologist and biblical sceptic. Ramsey believed that Bible writers made facts and stories up. He contended that the book of Acts, for instance, was full of errors. To prove this point, Ramsey travelled all the way from England to Asia Minor in May 1880 to verify the information provided by Luke in the biblical account of the early church. In this archeological expedition of determined fact verification, Ramsey was surprised to find out that Luke was a highly reliable historian; for he found archeological proof that confirmed several of the facts that Luke had tabled in Acts (such as the existence of proconsuls in senatorial provinces, asiarchs in Ephesus and politarchs in Thessalonica), just as the biblical narratives have expressed (see Acts 13:6-12; Acts 19:31; Acts 17:6, 8).

With regard to geographical information, the Bible narratives have been verified to be perfectly precise and accurate. In the book "Lands of the Bible", J. W. McGarvey points out that there are usually marked errors when writers try to capture the geography of local areas for which they are not familiar. He however notes that this flaw that is commonly seen in the various works of literature is ironically not seen in regard to the biblical narratives. McGarvey illustrates this argument with the following verifiable biblical facts: "In all the books, from Genesis to Acts, the invariable expressions for a journey between Egypt and Canaan are "down into Egypt" and "up out of Egypt;" the angel of the Lord who talked with Abraham went "down" from Hebron to Sodom; Jacob was commanded to "go up" from the plain near Shechem to Bethel; Joshua and his army "went up" against Ai; Samson always went "down" when he went among the Philistines; the men of Kirjath-jearim were requested to "come down" to Beth-shemesh and take the ark "up" to their city; Adonijah, with his conspirators, went "down" to En-rogel; Ahab and his army "went up to Ramoth-gilead;" the man who fell among thieves "went down from Jerusalem to Jericho;" Peter "came down" to the saints who dwelt at Lydda; the brethren brought Paul "down to Caesarea;" and everywhere, in both the Old Testament and the New, the people went "up" to Jerusalem, every road leading thither running upward except the one from Bethlehem. In all these and a multitude of other instances, the relative elevation of places is correctly recognized, and in not a single instance of this kind has any of the Bible writers been found at fault" (Lands of the Bible, pp. 377-378). McGarvey concludes his argument with this rhetorical question: "How could they (the Bible writers) have done what learned and careful men of their own age and of subsequent ages have failed to do, unless they were guided, as they claim to have been, by wisdom from on high?" (Lands of the Bible, p. 386). c) Amazing Unity

If there was ever a book that should have produced a lot of flaws in respect to its unity or harmony, that should have been the Bible. With about 40 different authors of diverse backgrounds, spread out on 3 continents, utilising 3 different languages, and writing over a period of 1,600 years; the probability that the biblical account would have been anything but harmonious was one. Yet the Bible has come down through the ages unto us with such a beautiful harmony in its various themes, passages and texts that has marvelled every astute student of the sacred Book. Even in our day where we have several translations of the Bible, the various doctrines of Scripture are still preserved through the broad spread out of several themes, passages and texts that fit like a jigsaw puzzle. The fact that many of the Bible writers had no chance to collaborate nor review each other’s work, yet could present the same information on diverse religious subjects can only strengthen the case for the divine inspiration of the Bible.

3) From the internal and external evidences we have gone through so far, it is clear that the Bible is a divinely inspired work. However, in the inspiration of the Bible, we see a blending of the divine and the human. It is important for us to note that in as much as the Holy Spirit actively moved upon the prophets; the prophets were not used mechanically. That is to say, the Holy Spirit did not dictate the word of the Lord to the prophets. Rather, the Holy Spirit guided their thoughts, and enabled them to write down the words that had been communicated to them. Of course, the prophets sometimes chronicled the exact words from the Lord (see Exodus 20:1-17; Isaiah 38:4-6; Revelation 1:10, 11; Revelation 2; Revelation 3). However, in many instances, the messages were written in the prophets' own words, drawing from their own experiences, background, available sources of information and literary abilities. In this way, the various Bible writers made use of a style of writing that was uniquely their own, and thus brought rich variety to the broad composition of God's Holy Word.

Beloved, the Holy Bible is in a unique way God's Holy Word. It is the main channel through which God has communicated His will to mankind through various generations. From Genesis to Revelation is beautifully traced out the origin of man, his fall, the plan of his redemption, the atoning death of the Redeemer, and the promise of restoration of man to his former sinless estate. This chronology that runs throughout the Bible is like a compass that provides vivid answers to the three basic questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Beloved, the clear convincing answers that the Bible provides on these three important questions of life show clearly that the book is stamped with a divine signature. It is my prayer that this lesson will inspire you to revere the Bible as God's Holy Word, and lead you to spend more time with it than you have ever done before. I know from experience that as you contemplate on the grand themes of the Holy Scriptures, your life will never be the same, and you will find peace, joy and hope that surpasses all understanding. May the Lord richly bless you as you make the commitment today to daily explore the rich volume of the Sacred Scriptures.

Exhortation: From the pen of inspiration, we read the following in relation to the Holy Scriptures: i) "The Bible is our guide in the safe paths that lead to eternal life. God has inspired men to write that which will present the truth to us, which will attract, and which, if practiced, will enable the receiver to obtain moral power to rank among the most highly educated minds. The minds of all who make the Word of God their study will enlarge. Far more than any other study its influence is calculated to increase the powers of comprehension and endow every faculty with a new power. It brings the mind in contact with broad, ennobling principles of truth. It brings all heaven into close connection with human minds, imparting wisdom and knowledge and understanding." - (1MCP 98.1) ii) "Through all time this Book is to stand as a revelation of Jehovah. To human beings the divine oracles have been committed to be the power of God. The truths of the Word of God are not mere sentiment, but the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of his life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness that through ignorance and sin have clouded the understanding is removed." -- (1MCP 98.2) In our next study, we will consider the topic: Characteristics and Organisation of the Scriptures. The Bible Study reference for this study is Luke 24:44. Please do well to go through this text before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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