SEMESTER 1
104 – The Inspiration of the Bible
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY I LESSON # 4
THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE
Read II Timothy 3:16
INTRODUCTION:
1. The entire scope of the credibility of Scripture, as divine revelation, depends 100% upon the doctrine of inspiration.
2. To depart from this opens the door to simple human philosophy. Explain – Did God write a book? Or did men write the book?
3. It opens the door to obscurity in:
i. Moral credibility – immediate efficiency.
ii. Continuity of wisdom – eternal efficiency.
iii. Finality of revelation – eternal sufficiency.
I. DEFINING INSPIRATION
Greek Theopneustos = Theos” (breathed of God)
1. Thus the Scripture is the “Words of God.”
II. THE HUMAN ELEMENT (II PETER 1:21
)
1. Men were not mere “pens,” they spake. They were prophets, not secretaries.
2. But they spake “as they were moved of God” meaning (what God told them to say)
3. Thus, we have both the divine and human element. One does not forbid the other.
III. INSPIRATION IS MIRACULOUSLY ACCOMPLISHED
1. Since it is absolutely of God, infallibility is sure. God makes no mistakes.
2. God did not select the word for, but through the prophets.
III: Verbal, plenary inspiration.
IV. METHODS IN INSPIRATION
1. Objective revelation – Ex. 20:1, Dan. 9:21-23, Rev. 17:7
2. Supernatural vision – Rev. chapter one
3. Passivity: Writing without any understanding – I Pet. 1:10
4. Divine illumination – Acts 1:16-20, Acts 2:16-21, Rom. 4:1-3, Rom. 10:5-11
5. God’s direction in infallible historical record.
6. Subjective revelation, by quickening their thoughts and teachings.
V. THE EXTENT OF INSPIRATION
1. “All of Read,” though spoken by men, is as accurate as Jesus’ words.
VI. PROOFS OF VERBAL INSPIRATION
1. Scripture = Words. Inspired Scripture = Verbal inspiration.
2. The statement of Paul – I Cor. 2:13.
3. Peter’s statement concerning Paul’s writings and other’s – II Pet. 3:1,2,15,16, and Acts 1:16.
4. New Testament “quotations,” that were expository – Rom. 4:6-7, from Ps. 32:1, and Rom. 10:6-8 from Deut. 30:11-14.
5. Matthew affirms it. – Mat. 1:22, Mat. 2:15
6. Luke affirms it. – Lk. 1:70
7. Writer of Hebrews – Heb. 1:1
8. Peter – Acts 1:16
9. Paul’s emphasis on singular word. – Gal. 3:16
10. Old Testament writers “Thus sayeth the Lord.”
11. Fulfilled prophecy
12. The Lord Jesus’ own statement – Jn. 10:35
III: The impossibility of infallible meaning without infallible words.