TOPIC NO.

4 : THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

LESSON NO. 22 : THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

MEMORY VERSE : 2 Timothy 3:16 - “All Scriptures is given by inspiration of

God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.”

INTRODUCTION:

The English word Bible came from the Greek word BIBLOS used in Matthew 1:1, and
diminutive form BIBLION found in Luke 4: 17. The Greek word BIBLOS came from
ancient customs of writing on the papyrus reed which is called BIBLUS. The word BIBLOS
was finally applied to the sacred books. (Luke 3:4, Luke 20:24, Acts 1:20, Acts 7:42, Mark
12:26)

The uniqueness of the Bible makes it stand out among all books. For this reason, the Bible is
not just one of the books but it is the BOOK. THE ONLY GOD-BREATHED BOOK.

I. THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION

By inspiration we mean the act of God by which He used unexplainable power by which
God controlled the production of the whole Bible making it free from all errors and
inaccuracies.

These thoughts are basically express by two Greek words:

A. II Timothy 3:16 – “All Scriptures is given by inspiration of God…”

The word inspiration is THEOPNEUTOS which literally means “God breathed”.

These indicate that every word of the Scriptures is God-breathed; furthermore, this
also indicates that God breathed unto the author of the Scriptures qualifying them to
give utterance of divine truth.

B. II Peter 1:21 – “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man. But holy
man of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The original Greek word for moved in PHERO which means “being borne or
carried…”

Holy men of God were carried or borne by the Holy Spirit as they write the Scriptures
keeping them committing errors.

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II. VIEWS ON INSPIRATION

A. Dictation theory- This view holds that all the letters of the Bible were dictated by god
to writers word for word.

OBJECTION:

This will educe the matter of inspiration as a mechanical process. Furthermore, close
studies of the style of writing of used in every book of the Bible shows definite
personality of the writer indicating that the Bible in a simple dictated Book.

B. Natural inspiration – The theory hold that the Bible is just a product of man’s super
human genius.

OBJECTION:

This brings down the Bible to the level of the work of Shakespeare, Rizal, Milton and
other writers. This furthermore eliminates mysteries and truths which so definite in
the Scriptures.

C. Partial inspiration – This claims that the Bible is just partially inspire. Some parts are
inspired some parts are not.

OBJECTION:

This lives the judgment of what is inspired and what is not inspired to the fallible
choice of sinful man, furthermore, it contradicts the very claim of the Scriptures in II
Timothy 3:16, when it says, “All Scriptures is given by the inspiration of God…”

D. The true meaning of inspiration

The Bible teaches that all Scriptures all its portions, all its words are equally inspired
by God.

While every writer of the Scriptures are free to write according to their own
personality, education and experience, God guides them to their choice of words and
expression making certain that they don’t make any mistake. Properly the true term
for this idea is PLENARY VERBAL INSPIRATION.

III. PROOFS OF INSPIRATION

A. The Bible claims to be inspired.

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scriptures is given by the inspiration of God…”

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 2 Peter 1:21 – “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

B. The incredible unity of the Scriptures

The Bible was written by over 40 human writers for a period of more or less 1450
years.

Its human authors come from all walks of life. Doctors, lawyers, farmers, fishermen,
kings, shepherd and others but these are not one single claim by any of them that
contradicts each other.

C. The Bible is the only book that could claim that it is completely free from errors.

Its history is accurate and its scientific claims have never been proven wrong.

D. The teaching of the Scriptures is lofty and holy.

The way of life presented by the Bible is still the greatest system of living. Where
even the Bible is preached the standard of morals are uplifted and social life changes
for the good.

CONCLUSION:

The Bible is the word of God. Christians don’t have to depend on human philosophies for
their authority for faith and practice. By having the Bible our guide for living is based on
THUS SAITH THE LORD.

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