the bible: inspired of god

[By Ron Halbrook, adapted from Evidences for God and His Creation]

2 Tim. 3:16-17

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• Introduction1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 The Bible: inspired of God

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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“All scripture:” Old & New Testaments 2 Tim. 3:14-15 Young Timothy learned

2 Tim. 3:14-15 Young Timothy learned

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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“All scripture:” Old & New Testaments 2 Tim. 4:1-2 Timothy preached the gospel

2 Tim. 4:1-2 Timothy preached the gospel

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

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“All scripture:” Old & New Testaments 1 Tim. 5:18 Scripture includes Deut. 25:4 & Lk. 10:17

1 Tim. 5:18 Scripture includes Deut. 25:4 & Lk. 10:17

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Deut. 25:4Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out

the corn.

Lk. 10:7 And in the same house remain,

eating and drinking such things as they give:

for the labourer is worthy of his hire.

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“All scripture:” Old & New Testaments Isa. 40:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:24-25 God

protects all scripture

Isa. 40:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:24-25 God protects all scripture

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

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“All scripture:” Old & New Testaments 2 Pet. 3:1-2, 15-16 Scripture includes

writings of O. T. prophets & N. T. Apostles

2 Pet. 3:1-2, 15-16 Scripture includes writings of O. T. prophets & N. T. Apostles

1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

2 Pet. 3:1-2, 15-16 Scripture includes writings of O. T. prophets & N. T. Apostles

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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“Inspiration of God:” given, spoken by God Inspiration: Greek theopneustos from

theos (God) + pneo (breathed) = God-breathed, i.e., God spoke

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• Introduction2. How man knows God

Gen. 2:15-17 God revealed Himself in the beginning

Gen. 2:15-17 God revealed Himself in the beginning

15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

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Rom. 1:20-26 The creation confirms God’s existence & care, but men reject Him & fall into darkness


20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.


22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

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Ps. 19 God’s glory proclaimed in creation & Scripture Vs. 1 Creation: evidence God exists

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

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Ps. 19 God’s glory proclaimed in creation & Scripture Vv. 7-9 Scripture: reveals His will

Vv. 7-9 Scripture: reveals His will

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

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• Introduction3. God inspired & preserved Scripture to reveal Himself fully

False theories VS true inspiration of God God protects & preserves His inspired Word

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I. False Theories VS True Inspiration of God A. “Natural Inspiration,” A False Theory

Talented thinkers & writers are said to be “inspired” & “inspiring”—natural talent

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Poets William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Bard of Avon

wrote Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, Macbeth John Milton (1608-1674): Paradise Lost Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882):

Paul Revere’s Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, Evangeline

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“A divine spark expressed in human genius:” God-given talent, not miraculous guidance 1 Cor. 2:9 True inspiration: not mere talent

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

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I. False Theories VS True Inspiration of God B. “Thought Inspiration,” A False Theory

Noematical (Greek noema: thought, a thought) inspiration God gave an idea, man developed it & chose words to express it as best he could Allows error in memory, concept, & word choice Claim errors in history, geography, science, etc.

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Claim some Bible miracles pious exaggerations, cultural misconceptions, etc. (crossing Red Sea) Ps. 19:9; 119:160 True inspiration: every word true

Ps. 19:9; 119:160 True inspiration: every word true

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

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Jn. 14:26 True inspiration: every word protected from memory lapse

Jn. 14:26 True inspiration: every word protected from memory lapse

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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I. False Theories VS True Inspiration of God C. “Mechanical Inspiration,” A False Theory

Verbal dictation: God dictated every word to each writer Theory eliminates writer’s style, vocabulary, etc. David: sweet psalmist of Israel Luke: physician Paul: educated in Jewish & Greek cultures John: his style & themes in Jn., 1-3 Jn., & Rev.

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I. False Theories VS True Inspiration of God C. “Mechanical Inspiration,” A False Theory

True inspiration: God guarded writers from error, but they wrote things known w/o dictation 1 Cor. 1:1 Paul knew his own name,

his apostleship, & Sosthenes as a brother 1 Cor. 1:11 Paul knew Chloe sent a report 1 Cor. 16:21 Paul knew he signed the letter Rom. 16:22 Paul knew Tertius wrote for him

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I. False Theories VS True Inspiration of God D. Verbal-Plenary Inspiration: True Inspiration

Verbal (words) + plenary (all): God by miracle guided & guarded every word to be true 2 Sam. 23:1-2 David guided by inspiration

2 Sam. 23:1-2 David guided by inspiration

1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

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1 Cor. 2:9-13 Paul guided by inspiration


9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.


12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture inspired of God


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Ps. 19:7 God’s Word: infallible

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

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Gal. 1:8-9 God’s Word: immutable, unchangeable

Gal. 1:8-9 God’s Word: immutable, unchangeable

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

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Matt. 24:35 God’s Word: indestructible

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

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2 Pet. 1:3 God’s Word: all-sufficient

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

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II. God Protects & Preserves His Inspired Word A. God Answers Questions & Doubts

Is our Bible the same as the original Bible? Have books been added or lost? Has the Bible been corrupted through the ages by errors, mistakes, & contradictions? Was the Bible changed by copies & translations?

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II. God Protects & Preserves His Inspired Word A. God Answers Questions & Doubts

Matt. 24:35; 1 Pet. 2:24-25 God promised to protect & preserve His Word

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matt. 24:35; 1 Pet. 2:24-25 God promised to protect & preserve His Word 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

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II. God Protects & Preserves His Inspired Word B. God Fulfilled His Promise to Protect His Word

History of ancient Bible manuscripts Old Testament translated to Greek 250 B.C. Hebrew O.T. copied by Essenes of Masada

200-100 B.C.: Dead Sea Scrolls found 1947

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History of ancient Bible manuscripts Hebrew O.T. copied by Massoretes

with strict rules for accuracy (count verses, words, & letters)

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History of ancient Bible manuscriptsOver 5,000 copies of N.T. Greek manuscripts

(Jn. 18:31-33, 37-38 dated A.D. 120; Siniaticus Ms. A.D. 350)

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History of ancient Bible manuscripts Early versions translated A.D. 150-300:

Latin, Coptic, Syriac N.T. quoted by church fathers A.D. 100-400 Early lists of N.T. books A.D. 100’s-300’s

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II. God Protects & Preserves His Inspired Word C. Scripture Was Preserved & Translated

History of Bible translation Resources: Hebrew & Greek manuscripts,

early versions (Latin, Coptic, Syriaic) English translations: Wycliffe 1380,

Tyndale 1525, King James Version 1611

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History of Bible translation Good English translations:

King James Version, New King James Version, American Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version

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History of Bible translation Use paraphrase Bibles with caution

(The Living Bible, The Message), reject special agenda translations (New World Translation)

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• Invitation1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 The Bible: inspired of God


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• Invitation2. God inspired & preserved Scripture to reveal Himself fully

False theories VS true inspiration of God God protects & preserves His inspired Word

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• Invitation3. God’s Word offers salvation through Christ!

Acts 2:38 Repent & be baptized

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

the bible: inspired of god

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