THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 The Inspiration Of the Bible Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21. 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 Pet. 1:20-21 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE What is Inspiration ? Scripture Inspiration Revelation Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Definition of Scripture “A writing or thing written thus the holy scriptures, or the sacred books.” Thayer “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.” II Samuel 23:2 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE “Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”Jer.1:9 Use of O.T. in N.T. shows inspiration N.T. is also scripture: II Pet. 3:15-16 Paul quoted Luke – “Scripture” Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Definition of Inspiration Latin ~ “in” “Spiro” = breathe Greek = God breathed The divine inbreathing of God into man which enables him to receive and communicate divine truth without error. Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Definition of Revelation “To uncover, unveil, reveal” “Revelation literally means an unveiling, the lifting of an obscuring veil, so as to disclose something that was formerly hidden.” Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE “All revelation is inspired but not all inspired material is revelation.” Revelation is the content Inspiration is the method Moses wrote about Creation Moses – wilderness wanderings Not all the Bible is revelation but it is all inspired Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Verbally Inspired = “thus saith the Lord” 3,000 + Inerrant = no errors Plenary inspired = whole Sufficient = 2 Pet. 1:3 Authoritative – Heb. 1:1-2 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE False views of Inspiration 1. Partial inspiration “All scripture” 2 Tim.3:16 2. Natural inspiration Claimed to be from God 3. Mechanical dictation 4. Thought inspiration Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Example of Inspiration “These are the true sayings of God.” Rev. 19:9b True = genuine or authentic Sayings = originated with God Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Do we have an Inspired Bible Today? Some doubt ~ translation Translators not inspired Inspiration – God breathed His will into the scriptures “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” 2 Tim. 3:16 Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Cor. 2:13 God inspired through the words Words reflected message of God Inspiration in message not the translation Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE An accurate translation should portray the same truth as the original. God Greek / Hebrew = “word” Translator = “word” The words reflect same meaning ! Translation is inspired message God Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE 1. εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Translation does not destroy INSPIRATION O.T. Hebrew translated into Greek 3rd Century BC = Septuagint Matt. 22:32 Jesus quoted Ex.3:6 V. 31 “Have you not read what was spoken unto you by God?” Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Get a Good Translation KJV NKJV ASV Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE These words are eternal When the heavens and the earth shall have passed away, the Bible will still be in existence. The Bible is the only book which can be read over and over again with increasing interest. Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE John in Rev. 20:12 Two books by which we will be judged Book of Revelation Book of Life Richard Thetford

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening July 13, 2008 Richard Thetford