Welcome to South Livingston Open Study Series: THE HOLY SPIRIT Tonight: Holy Spirit & Revelation Next Week: Miraculous Action in Bible

Holy Spirit & Revelation

Review of Spirit’s Work In last class, established that the work of Holy Spirit is seen in two categories: (1) INSTRUCTING (2) BLESSING

Focus on Spirit’s Instruction

Scripture Claims Inspiration Writings of world religions do not make claim of divine inspiration Bible is unique in teaching on inspiration: –details claims, source, manner & proof 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Same inspiration for all 2 Peter 1:19-21 Message initiated by H.S. 1 Peter 1:10-12 Not dependent on prophets Hebrews 1:1-2 God spoke in OT prophets

Hebrew Writer on Source of O.T. Attributes ultimate writer as the Holy Spirit Hebrews 3:7f Attributes Psalm 95 to H.S. Hebrews 4:7 Attributes Psalm 95 to David Hebrews 9:6-8 Design of holy place by H.S. –taught by implication inherent in design & work Hebrews 10:15f Jeremiah’s message of H.S. Though men wrote the words, the message is not the sole product of those men, but of God

Old Testament Work of Spirit in Revelation

HOLY SPIRIT: Source of Inspiration God inspired both the original revelation of the Law & subsequent message of prophets Exodus 19f God initiated & revealed Law 2 Kings 17:13f God corrected by prophets How did God (deity) work in inspiration? Nehemiah 9:20, 30 Work of Holy Spirit Isaiah 63:10f Work continued from Moses

Example of Balaam Numbers Note control of message Balaam seeks hire of wrong (2 Pet. 2:15) Cannot go beyond word of Jehovah (22:18) May speak only word God speaks (22:35) To speak word God puts in mouth (22:38) God puts 3 blessings in Balaam’s mouth “I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah to do either good or bad of my own mind”

Exemplified in Call of Prophets Isaiah 6 Mouth of prophet cleansed by God Isaiah 51:16 Confirms guidance of words Ezekiel 2-3 Spirit entered = Speak for God –all words of God spoken regardless of result Ezekiel 33 Watchman spoke word given Jeremiah 1:4f God readies mouth & words Jeremiah 36:2f All words of God recorded Words of God = Spirit’s work = Written OT

Spirit & Messianic Revelation Ezekiel New life of Messianic hope Spirit within = Obey message (36:26-27) Prophet brought out “in the Spirit” (37:1) To prophesy “the word of Jehovah” (37:4) “Prophesy unto wind” (breath/spirit - 37:9) Words of prophesy brought life to dry bones Principle: Spirit’s words bring life (37:14f) When Messiah came, Spirit to bring words of life - Gospel (Isaiah 59:20-21)

Concerning Prophesy of Salvation in Old Testament 1 Peter 1: Explains the Spirit’s work Prophets did not always understand words Words were result of the Spirit within them Message not for present time, but fullness Ultimately made known through Gospel Holy Spirit was source of messages of prophesy and fulfillment

Holy Spirit Inspiration & New Testament

Promise of Comforter (John 14-16) Jesus foretold Spirit’s work before betrayal Would cause apostles to remember words of Jesus while on earth (14:26) Would “bear witness” of Christ (15:26) Would convict the world of sin… (16:8-10) Would guide apostles to all truth (16:12-13) Result: Complete revelation of truth given to apostles & confirmed by Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-13 God’s hidden wisdom revealed by the Spirit Spirit was able to know the mind of God Apostles received Spirit in order to make known the mind of God to others Revelation not made known through words taught by man’s wisdom Made known by combining spiritual things with spiritual words Spirit’s inspired record is verbal & plenary

Ephesians 3:3-7 Gospel was previously a mystery known only to God Made known by revelation of the Spirit May be understood by reading the words written & perceiving things same as writer Message of apostles & prophets was result of their inspiration by the Holy Spirit Spirit’s inspired message is understandable

Inspired Revelation Is Pattern

All Spoken Constitutes Pattern 1 Chron. 28:11-12 Pattern given for temple –same as with tabernacle (Exodus 25:9, 40) Pattern composed of all instructed by Spirit 2 Timothy 1:8-14 Pattern of sound words –right handling of all Scripture (2:15; 3:16f) Pattern given OT & NT not to be changed Deut. 4:2 & 12:32 Not to add or subtract 2 John 9 Not go beyond doctrine of Christ Revelation 22:18-19 Same instruction

Conclusion God provided for man to know His will Holy Spirit revealed will by inspiring man One who was inspired spoke the message under the control of the Holy Spirit Words chosen were determined by Spirit God insured accuracy & content of message Product is revelation which says exactly what God meant so we can understand

Remember Next Week’s Class: “Miraculous Action in Bible: Miracles, Signs & Wonders”