In our study of this vital subject we have noticed in previous segments some objective evidences of the Bible’s divine inspiration. In this article we give attention to what the Scriptures say about their inspiration. The Bible claims to be inspired. One is impressed with this claim just by casually reading it. Like no other book that has ever been produced, it emphasizes repetitiously that what is spoken and written is the inspired word of God. Both Testaments make this claim.
The Old Testament was inspired by God. More than 3,800 times the Old Testament writers use such expressions as, “Thus says the Lord…,” “The Lord has spoken it…,” or “The Lord testified saying….” When Moses was called to go to Egypt, one of his excuses for being unqualified was, “I am not eloquent…. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Then God told him, “Go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you should say.” (Ex. 4:10-12) David, “the sweet psalmist of Israel,” said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” (2 Sam. 23:2) Also, David, “in the Spirit called Christ ‘Lord.’” (Matt. 22:41-45) The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “…and the Lord said to me; ’Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” (Jer. 1:9) Speaking of the Old Testament prophets, Peter wrote, “…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21) The honest student of the Bible cannot ignore such claims of inspiration. And it should be no surprise that such claims are made when the various evidences of inspiration are considered.
The New Testament was inspired by God. Jesus promised inspiration to the apostles. “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake…. but when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matt. 10:18-20) Furthermore, speaking to the apostles, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit saying, “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26) Just as the Lord had promised, the New Testament writers claimed their message to be the word of God. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, saying, “…the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 14:37) To the Galatian churches, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man; for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Gal. 1:11-12) Other passages to consider include Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:3-7; 1 Thess. 2:13.
In Paul’s last epistle we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God….” (2 Tim. 3:16) The inspiration of all Scripture is affirmed. Which ones? The word “scripture” meant originally, “a writing, a manuscript, a document.” In the context (v. 15) the “all Scripture” would refer to the “Holy Scriptures,” which would include all Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures. All were inspired by God.
The Bible could not be plainer in emphatically stating its inspiration. And any theory that takes away from the complete inspiration of the Bible is contradictory to the word of God that has been considered.
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