The Inspiration of the Scriptures #2

In last week's article, I pointed out that the Bible is a book which makes many claims.

If these claims are true then the Bible is the most important book that has ever been published. However, we cannot just automatically believe in the truthfulness of these claims. Genuine faith is not that which one blindly accepts but that which he cannot deny because of available undeniable facts.

Without any reservation whatsoever, I believe the Bible is a book of truth. So the purpose of this article and others to follow, will be to present evidence which I believe will convince you to also believe in its authenticity.

Now first allow me to acknowledge my awareness of the fact that the Bible was written by men. However, these men made no claims for themselves. No, they firmly and humbly declared that the things which they penned were revealed unto them by this one and only God of whom they wrote.

It is generally accepted that Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. So let's see what he had to say about his teachings.

In Exodus 24:1-4, Exodus 35:1, and Deuteronomy 4:1-4, we read these statements,"Moses told the people all the words of the Lord". Moses said unto Israel these are the words, which the Lord hath commanded. You are not to add or to take away from what I command you, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Now let's see what some of the other Old Testament writers had to say about their teachings. Samuel in 2 Samuel 23:2 wrote "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my mouth."

Isaiah in speaking of what he was about to write in Isaiah 1:2 said "Hear, O Heaven, and give ear on earth for the Lord hath spoken."

As Jeremiah lifted his pen to write the book of Jeremiah, he declared that what he was about to write would be the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 1:4). Then in Jeremiah 1:9 he said, "The Lord put his words in my mouth."

Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:7 and Ezekiel 3:4, said the Lord said unto him, "Speak with my words unto them."

In Amos 1:3-13 it is said five times that Amos wrote "Thus saith the Lord." This same statement is also found in Amos 3:1 and Amos 4:16. Then in chapter 7:1 he said, "Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me."

Yes, my friends, the men who wrote the Old Testament definitely claimed they were God inspired teachers.

Likewise the writers of the New Testament made this same claim. yes, they said that which we teach is not of ourselves but that which God through Jesus and Jesus through the Holy Spirit reveals unto us. Acts 2:4 says they spake as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:29 says they prayed to God for boldness to speak His word.

The Apostle Paul referred to that which he taught as being the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:15-16), the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:14-37) and the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:1). Galatians 1:11-12 says Paul received all his teaching by revelation. Revelation 1:1 says John was inspired to write the Book of Revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 and Ephesians 3:5 say that the afore unknown New Testament was revealed unto the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 1 Peter 1:12 says that all those who had a part in giving unto us the gospel of Christ or the New Testament, did so by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

I believe those men did (as they said) receive what they wrote from an all knowing God; and I believe evidence presented in future articles will confirm this. You are cordially invited to read them.

By: Tommy Hodge

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