“GOD AND HIS WORD” PART I: THE INSPIRATION AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

Presentation Summary  GOD’S REVELATION  THE HOLY SCRIPTURE  ADVANCED RECOMMENDED STUDIES:

A. GOD’S REVELATION Definition: “An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen.” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) God is the one who reveals himself to men (Psalms 103.7; Jn 1.18) 2 Types of Revelation: General & Special

General Revelation Revelation through God’s Creation (His Power, Intelligence, Wisdom, Providence, Love [to a certain degree]) Key Biblical References: Psalm 19.2; Romans 1.20; Acts ; Matthew 5.45

…. General Revelation Revelation through human conscience (Morals, Values, Good & Wrong) Biblical Reference: Romans 2. 15

Special Revelation Revelation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ (God’s Power, God’s Love, God’s Plan of Salvation) Biblical Reference: Psalm 144.5; Isaiah 63.19; Hebrews 1.1-3; Jn 14.9; Jn 1.18; 1Peter 1.7,13

… Special Revelation Revelation through the Holy Spirit (God’s Spiritual & Deep Truths and Mysteries) Biblical Reference: Jn 16.13; 1 Corinthians

… Special Revelation Revelation through the Holy Scripture ( 2 Timothy ) Scriptures are identified with God (John 1.1; Galatians 3.8 vs Genesis ; Romans 9.17 vs Exodus 9.16)

B. THE HOLY SCRIPTURE Commonly called “Bible” and is the equivalent of the Greek word biblia meaning originally “books.” (Cfr. Dan 9.2, Septuagint) [International Standards Bible Encyclopedia] Written by more than 40 authors with different Backgrounds (Fishermen, Businesspersons, Statesmen, Philosophers, Poets, Scholars, etc..), in different places, at different times, during different moods and on 3 continents (Asia, Africa & Europe) Written in Hebrew (OT), Aramaic (Daniel 2-4; Ezra 4-8) & Greek (NT) and translated in as many modern languages as possible Written over a 1,500 year span and over 40 generations;

The Inspiration of the Bible: Definitions & Concepts Inspiration: God’s Action through which his servants were preserved and kept from error in order to perfectly communicate his truth to men (Paraphrased from “Précis de Doctrine Chrétienne”, Prof. J.M. Nicole) 2 Timothy 3: 16-17: Scriptures are “God-breathed” (“Theopneustic” from the grec “theopneustos”) See also God’s instruction in Jeremiah God-breathed but also Human (Luc )

….The Inspiration of the Bible: Definitions & Concepts Dynamic Inspiration (2 Peter )[Grec: Pherõ: moved, driven, carried, etc ] Verbal & literal Inspiration ( Matthew 5.18; 1 Corinthians 15. 2) Plenary Inspiration (Proverbs 30. 5) Inerrancy of Scriptures (Psalms 19.8; Jn 17.17)

The Inspiration of the OT message Moses received his message directly from God (Numbers 12.8; Exodus 17.14; Malachi 3.22 (4.4) [ See also Jesus’ testimony in Mark ] OT Prophets were inspired by God and was instructed to communicate his Truth (Jeremiah 30.2; ; Zechariah ; Micah 3.8;

Jesus Christ’s Testimony Jn 5.43: He declared that he was speaking on God’s behalf Jn 6.63: He declared his words (message) were “spirit” and that it gives “life” Mark : He affirmed the divine nature of Moses Writings and the OT (Luke )

The Inspiration of the Apostolic Message & Writings Jesus declared his Apostles would be divinely inspired by his HOLY SPIRIT (John 14.26; 16.13) Paul declared that his message was given directly from God (1 Thessalonians 2.13, 1 Corinthians 14.37; Gal 1.12) Paul affirmed the unity and the compatibility of the message preached by the early Apostles (1 Corinthians 15.11; Galatians ) Peter affirmed the divine nature of Paul’s writings (2 Peter ; Comp. Romans 2.4)

The Authority of Holy Scriptures The Authority of Scriptures in OT times (Exodus ; Joshua 1.8; Nehemiah 8.1,3,5,8; Daniel 9.2) The Authority of Scriptures in JC’s Life (“It is Written”) Matthew ; 26.24,31; ; John 13.18; John The Authority of Scriptures in JC’s Ministry (Matthew 5.18; John 10.34; Matthew 20.42; Luke ; Luke )

The Authority of Holy Scriptures in the Early Church The Apostles quoted the Scriptures to establish the authority of their message and their writings The Early Church considered the Scriptures to be the Absolute norm for faith, Doctrine and Conduct ( 1 Corinthians 4.6; 1 Corinthians ; Acts )

The Authority of Holy Scriptures in the Early Church The Early Church considered the Apostolic Writings & message to be Divinely Inspired and therefore Authoritative (2 Peter ; Colossians 4.6; Acts 2.42)

2 Important Principles of Interpretation Principle #1 : Capturing the SENSE of the text (if possible the original text) for a good understanding and an appropriate application (Nehemiah 8.8: Reading, Understanding, Applying) Principle #2: Studying a particular text in light of the whole Revelation (Matt 4.7: “The Scriptures also say” )

Suggested advanced Studies Answering Objections against the Original text authenticity (Scriptures preservation, etc..) Answering Objections against Scriptures Inerrancy (History, Archeology, Philosophy, etc..) Studying External Evidences that support Scriptures Inspiration Doctrine

Some Useful Books René Pache, The Inspiration And Authority Of Scripture (1969) La Théologie de Wesley by Matthieu Lelièvre; 1 edition; First published in 1924 A Ready Defense. The Best Of Josh Mcdowell (1992) John Stott, The Foundations of the Christian Faith Eric Gatera, Help me Understand Jesus J.M. Nicole, Précis de Doctrine Chrétienne