1. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE
Richard Thetford

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE
Richard Thetford

22. 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

23. 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

24. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga
Sunday Evening July 13, 2008
Richard Thetford