The Spirit & the Word Bruce R. Booker

The Spirit Inspired the Word 20 “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16

What Scripture was Shaul (Paul Referring to? Only Scripture they had: the TANAKH (Hebrew Scriptures)! There were no “New Testament” Scriptures at this time.

What kind of Spirit inspired the Word? The Holy Spirit God’s Spirit. He shares the nature of God. He is God.

Does God Change? "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6 "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." 1 Samuel 15:29

Does His holy nature change? If it does, we’re in trouble! Won’t be able to trust what He says! It is because of the consistency of God’s nature that we can know His Word will always be consistent!

He is the Same Eternally “Jesus Christ {is} the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Like the Lord, God’s Word is Eternal!

His Word is the Same Eternally 17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18

What about those who say: “The Lord has set us free from the Law?” 6 “But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6

“Letter of the Law” vs. “Spirit of the Law”

Is serving “in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter” less demanding (fleshly speaking) than serving in the oldness of the Letter?

Letter of the Law / Spirit of the Law “Letter of the Law” is the minimum. “Spirit of the Law” is a higher standard.

Letter of the Law Spirit of the Law “Thou Shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 Spirit of the Law “You shall not look upon a woman to lust after her...” Matthew 5:28

Letter of the Law Spirit of the Law “Thou Shalt not murder.” Exodus 20:13 Spirit of the Law “You shall not be angry at your brother.” Matthew 5:22

Letter of the Law Spirit of the Law “Thou shalt not make false vows…” Leviticus 19:12 Spirit of the Law “Make no oath at all…” Matthew 5:34

Does the Spirit lead us to do anything contrary to the already written Word? If He does, then God is acting contrary to Himself! He inspired the Word! He would not contradict Himself or change His mind! "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." 1 Samuel 15:29

Instead, God’s Spirit Causes us to Keep God’s Laws "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:27

Law Written on our Hearts "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people" Hebrews 8:10

Ezekiel 11 19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.”

Nature of the Law = Nature of God “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Romans 7:12 "Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” Deuteronomy 4:8

Just as God is holy… “For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy." Leviticus 11:45

…and righteous… "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4

…and good. “O give thanks to the LORD, for {He is} good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 17 “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18 And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.’” Mark 10

Imitating God By His giving us His Spirit and writing the Law in our hearts, He is giving us the ability to imitate Him. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children…” Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

21 “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” 1 Peter 2

Walking Like Yeshua 5 “…but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” 1 John 2

Law is not a Burden Walking according to the Spirit is walking as Yeshua walked. It is not a burden! It is joy! “For This Is the Love of God, That We Keep His Commandments: and His Commandments Are Not Grievous” 1 John 5:3   “Thy Testimonies Are Wonderful: Therefore Doth My Soul Keep Them... I Longed for Thy Commandments. Order My Steps in Thy Word; and Teach Me Thy Statutes.”   Psalm 119:129-136

It is not bondage! It is liberty! “And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

The Reality of the Law "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward" Psalm 19:7-11