An Inspired Record From God
In the passages quoted previously, the Apostle Paul said that “Every Scripture passage is inspired by God…” Let us first determine what is meant by inspiration. The dictionary tells us that it is “an influence from without, producing effects that are beyond natural powers." When the Apostle Paul was writing the passage above, he was using the Greek language. The Greeks had no word for inspiration, so the Apostle here combined two Greek words - the first theos, (God) and the second, pneuma (spirit or breath). Thus, the word translated into English as inspiration meant “God breathed or spirited." On one occasion Jesus made a statement that would help us understand what is meant by this word. In Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, ‘Scripture says, A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks’” Those words that God speaks are those words that have been inspired by God. The word inspiration could be defined then as “the process by which God uses human beings to communicate His Will to others, God provides the words.
How God Inspires
Let us see a New Testament example of what Jesus said would happen to the disciples when they were inspired. “When they hand you over [to the authorities], don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. When the time comes, you will be given what to say. Indeed, you’re not the ones who will be speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20). When the time came for the disciples to speak forth the will of God, the Holy Spirit gave them the words that they should use, in doing so, the words they used conveyed exactly the thought that the Lord intended for them to convey. This is the same thing that the Apostle Peter said concerning the words of the prophets in the Old Testament. “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction” (2 Peter 1:21). Those men who wrote the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, were guided in their writings by the Spirit of God so that they actually wrote those things that God intended for them to write.
Now, with this definition, how does God provide the words? Let us hear the Apostle Paul again in 1 Corinthians 2:11-13. “After all, who knows everything about a person except that person’s own spirit? In the same way, no one has known everything about God except God’s Spirit. Now, we didn’t receive the spirit that belongs to the world. Instead, we received the Spirit who comes from God so that we could know the things which God has freely given us. We don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit." God gave his Spirit to the Apostles so that they might know the things which God had provided for man, and the Apostles then expressed these things in their teaching and writing in such words as the Spirit instructed them to use. Thus, we have the exact words of the Lord in the original language in which the Apostles spoke and wrote.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 2)
Revelation and Inspiration
Now, let us consider the word revelation. The New Testament word revelation is defined as “a disclosure of truth, instruction concerning divine things before unknown." It is the means through which God imparted truths not previously known. In Ephesians 3:3-5, the Apostle explains revelation when he said, “You have heard that he let me know this mystery through a revelation. I've already written to you about this briefly. When you read this, you’ll see that I understand the mystery about Christ. In the past, this mystery was not known by people as it is now. The Spirit has now revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets." Those men who wrote the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, were guided in their writings by the Spirit of God so that they actually wrote those things that God intended for them to write.
It was not necessary for men to be inspired to receive revelation. The Bible tells us that a number of men received revelation from God that were not inspired. For example, we read when the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, Jehovah came down upon the mountain and spoke to them, and they received revelation but they were not inspired. In the New Testament (Acts 10:3-6), we read that the Lord sent an angel to speak to Cornelius and he revealed things to persons who were not inspired. We can easily see that God revealed some things to persons who were not inspired. Inspiration has reference primarily to the accurate communication of knowledge. The inspired person was kept from error in his teachings. Now it is easily seen that revelation is a revealing of things unknown where inspiration has to do with transmitting information without error. God revealed his Will and then He inspired some men with his Spirit that they might write and teach this Will without error.
We might also note that some Bible writers received no revelation. Many of the books of the Old Testament are historical and the writers experienced many of the things recorded in them. Some of these events were common knowledge in the day they were written but the writer was inspired by God to select and record those facts that would help us to understand God’s Will. All history is not recorded in the Bible but the Lord caused these historical facts that would lead us to a belief in God’s wonderful plan to be recorded therein. In the New Testament, Luke the writer of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts did not receive what he wrote by revelation by his own admission. In the gospel of Luke (1:1-4) he wrote, “Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. I too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus. In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true." It is apparent that Luke did not receive revelation but he was inspired to record facts that were known to be true that we might “will know that what you’ve been told is true” It was possible to receive revelation without inspiration and to receive inspiration without a revelation. Not all of the Bible is revelation but all of it is inspired.
Some men tell us that the thoughts of the Bible are inspired but the words are not. Jesus himself said, “I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has come true” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus knew that even the most minute portion of the law of Moses were inspired. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, we read, “We don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit." Here the Apostle Paul tells that the Spirit gave them the words to express the will of God that had been revealed unto them. In Genesis 12, Jehovah had promised Abram that “through you [ your descendant]# every family on earth will be blessed." Some may have made the mistake of thinking that the “you” or the word “Seed” used in other translations, at this place may have included the entire nation of Israel, for the word “seed” is both singular and plural. But inspiration has not left us in the dark in this matter for in Galatians 3:16, we read, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendent. Scripture doesn’t say, “descendants,” referring to many, but “your descendent,” referring to one. That descendant is Christ." Thus we have God’s word explained by God himself even to what might be called minor details. We “will know that what you’ve been told is true,” and that we have God’s Word in the Bible.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 3)
Evidence of Bible Inspiration
What are some of the evidences of Bible inspiration? How can we prove that the Bible is really inspired? There is much evidence to the fact of Bible inspiration and space will not permit us to consider all of it. But at this time we want to note some of the evidences with the Bible itself of its inspiration. Let us first consider some evidences from the Old Testament as to its inspiration.
Inspiration of the Old Testament
In the writing of the prophet Jeremiah 1:1-2, we read, “[These are] the words of Jeremiah, son of hilkiah. He was one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah when King Josiah, son of Amon, was in his thirteenth year as king of Judah." Throughout this book the Prophet stated he was speaking those things that Jehovah sent him to speak. In Ezekiel 1:3, the Prophet Ezekiel wrote, “….the Lord spoke his word to the priest Ezekiel, son of Buzi, in Babylon by the Chebar River. The power of the Lord came over Ezekiel." Again in Haggai 1:3, we read, “Then the Lord spoke his word through the prophet Haggai…” These are but three of a great multitude of passages by the Prophets in which they claimed that they were speaking what Jehovah had sent them to speak, and as he had empowered them to do so. David, who was the second king of the nation of Israel, and also a prophet of God (Acts 2:30), said in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The spirit of the Lord spoke through me. his words were on my tongue." When the prophet Zechariah was writing of the nation of Israel he said, “Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets…” We have in these passages and in others the testimony that the prophets in the Old Testament were inspired.
Jesus regarded the Old Testament as inspired. In Matthew 5:17-18, “Don’t ever think that I came to set aside Moses' Teachings or the Prophets. I didn't come to set them aside but to make them come true. I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has com true." By these words Jesus informs us that the law and the writings of the prophets were inspired of God, and it was necessary that all things therein be accomplished. In Luke 24:44, Jesus tells us that the Old Testament was indeed given by God when he said to his disciples, “…These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses’ Teaching, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true." Thus Jesus recognized that the Old Testament was God’s will and that it must be fulfilled.
The New Testament writers claimed inspiration for the Old Testament. The Apostle Peter quoted from Joel 2:28-32 and recognized that what he was quoting was given by God, for he said, “Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone…." (Acts 2:16-17a). Again, the same Apostle wrote in 2 Peter 1:21, “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction." We have then the testimony of the Apostle Peter that the prophets in the Old Testament were guided by the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things." And the New Testament had not been written at that time, we know that he was speaking of the Old Testament.
Let us note that the writers of the New Testament pointed out that specific writers in the Old Testament were inspired. David - Acts 4:24-25; Isaiah - Acts 28:25, all the prophets Acts 3:18. This is but a few of the great number of passages in the New Testament in which these writers state that the Old Testament was given by God to men that He guided with his Spirit to write and to teach.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 4)
Inspiration of the New Testament
Further, the New Testament writers claimed inspiration for themselves as they wrote and taught. Jesus told the disciples in John 14:25-26, “I have told you this while I’m still with you. However, the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. He will remind you of everything that I have ever told you.." In John 16:13, Jesus says, “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth…” Thus Jesus promised that the disciples would have the Holy Spirit to guide them and bring to remembrance all that Jesus had taught them. From the Apostle Peter we read of Paul’s writing, “Think of the Lord’s patience as an opportunity for us to be saved. This is what our dear brother Paul wrote to you about, using the wisdom God gave him. He talks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in his letters are hard to understand. Ignorant people and people who aren't sure of what they believe distort what Paul says in his letters the same way they distort the rest of the Scriptures. These people will be destroyed” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Here we have the Apostle Peter telling us that the writings of the Apostle Paul were considered as a part of the scripture. In 1 Corinthians 11:23, the Apostle Paul wrote, “After all, I passed on to you what I had received from the Lord." Had he received it from the Lord or was he mistaken? Some would tell us that this is not true, but is it reasonable to think that the Apostle Paul would suffer the punishment and persecutions that were placed on him because of his teachings the last years of his life unless he knew that the things he was teaching were true? Paul said that the Lord had revealed these things to him and each of us must determine for ourselves if he was telling the truth. Paul said further in Galatians 1:11-12, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News I have spread is not a human message. I didn’t receive it from any person. I wasn’t taught it, but Jesus Christ revealed it to me." In these verses the Apostle Paul tells us definitely that the things he taught and wrote were the things that God had given him to teach. Let us now read from the Apostle Peter on this subject in 1 Peter 1:10-12, “The prophets carefully researched and investigated this salvation. Long ago they spoke about God’s kindness that would come to you. So they tried to find out what time or situation the Spirit of Christ kept referring to whenever he predicted Christ’s suffering and the glory that would follow. God revealed to the prophets that the things they had spoken were not for their own benefit but for yours. What the prophets had spoken, the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven, has now made known to you by those who spread the Good News among you. These are things that even the angels want to look into." Here we are told that those who preached the gospel to the first century Christians were directed by the Holy Spirit. There are many other examples in the New Testament which you can study, but for now this is sufficient for all to see that the Apostles and writers of the New Testament were directed by the Holy Spirit as they wrote and taught.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 5)
Miracles and inspiration
Let us observe now that miracles in the New Testament also testify to its inspiration. Observe what happened when one man came to Jesus. “Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council. He came to Jesus one night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.' Jesus replied to Nicodemus, ‘I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” John 3:1-2. Because of the miracles and signs that Jesus did, many of the Jews, and among them this wise man, recognized that Jesus came from God. Thus, these signs proved who He was. In Hebrews 2:3-4 we read, “So how will we escape punishment if we reject the important message, the message that God saved us? First, the Lord told this saving message. Then those who heard him confirmed that message. God verified what they said through miraculous signs, amazing things, other powerful acts, and with other gifts from the Holy Spirit as he wanted." Here we are told the purpose of the miraculous gifts in the New Testament. Jesus, while He was here on earth, taught his Will, and those who heard him (his disciples) went forth and taught it to others; but as they did so, God testified that what they were teaching came from him by giving them the ability to do signs and amazing things (wonders if you will) and to exercise different kinds of other powerful acts that man does not normally do, and could have only through a gift from God. So then the God of Heaven used these miracles to prove to the world that these men were inspired by him. This is clearly stated in Mark 16:19-20, “After talking with the apostles, the Lord was taken to heaven, where God gave him the highest position. The disciples spread [the Good News] everywhere.. The Lord worked with them. He confirmed his word by the miraculous signs that accompanied it." We can be sure that the things taught in the Bible are from God for “No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him." †
How God Inspires
Let us see a New Testament example of what Jesus said would happen to the disciples when they were inspired. “When they hand you over [to the authorities], don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. When the time comes, you will be given what to say. Indeed, you’re not the ones who will be speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20). When the time came for the disciples to speak forth the will of God, the Holy Spirit gave them the words that they should use, in doing so, the words they used conveyed exactly the thought that the Lord intended for them to convey. This is the same thing that the Apostle Peter said concerning the words of the prophets in the Old Testament. “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction” (2 Peter 1:21). Those men who wrote the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, were guided in their writings by the Spirit of God so that they actually wrote those things that God intended for them to write.
Now, with this definition, how does God provide the words? Let us hear the Apostle Paul again in 1 Corinthians 2:11-13. “After all, who knows everything about a person except that person’s own spirit? In the same way, no one has known everything about God except God’s Spirit. Now, we didn’t receive the spirit that belongs to the world. Instead, we received the Spirit who comes from God so that we could know the things which God has freely given us. We don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit." God gave his Spirit to the Apostles so that they might know the things which God had provided for man, and the Apostles then expressed these things in their teaching and writing in such words as the Spirit instructed them to use. Thus, we have the exact words of the Lord in the original language in which the Apostles spoke and wrote.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 2)
Revelation and Inspiration
Now, let us consider the word revelation. The New Testament word revelation is defined as “a disclosure of truth, instruction concerning divine things before unknown." It is the means through which God imparted truths not previously known. In Ephesians 3:3-5, the Apostle explains revelation when he said, “You have heard that he let me know this mystery through a revelation. I've already written to you about this briefly. When you read this, you’ll see that I understand the mystery about Christ. In the past, this mystery was not known by people as it is now. The Spirit has now revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets." Those men who wrote the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, were guided in their writings by the Spirit of God so that they actually wrote those things that God intended for them to write.
It was not necessary for men to be inspired to receive revelation. The Bible tells us that a number of men received revelation from God that were not inspired. For example, we read when the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, Jehovah came down upon the mountain and spoke to them, and they received revelation but they were not inspired. In the New Testament (Acts 10:3-6), we read that the Lord sent an angel to speak to Cornelius and he revealed things to persons who were not inspired. We can easily see that God revealed some things to persons who were not inspired. Inspiration has reference primarily to the accurate communication of knowledge. The inspired person was kept from error in his teachings. Now it is easily seen that revelation is a revealing of things unknown where inspiration has to do with transmitting information without error. God revealed his Will and then He inspired some men with his Spirit that they might write and teach this Will without error.
We might also note that some Bible writers received no revelation. Many of the books of the Old Testament are historical and the writers experienced many of the things recorded in them. Some of these events were common knowledge in the day they were written but the writer was inspired by God to select and record those facts that would help us to understand God’s Will. All history is not recorded in the Bible but the Lord caused these historical facts that would lead us to a belief in God’s wonderful plan to be recorded therein. In the New Testament, Luke the writer of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts did not receive what he wrote by revelation by his own admission. In the gospel of Luke (1:1-4) he wrote, “Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. I too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus. In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true." It is apparent that Luke did not receive revelation but he was inspired to record facts that were known to be true that we might “will know that what you’ve been told is true” It was possible to receive revelation without inspiration and to receive inspiration without a revelation. Not all of the Bible is revelation but all of it is inspired.
Some men tell us that the thoughts of the Bible are inspired but the words are not. Jesus himself said, “I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has come true” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus knew that even the most minute portion of the law of Moses were inspired. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, we read, “We don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit." Here the Apostle Paul tells that the Spirit gave them the words to express the will of God that had been revealed unto them. In Genesis 12, Jehovah had promised Abram that “through you [ your descendant]# every family on earth will be blessed." Some may have made the mistake of thinking that the “you” or the word “Seed” used in other translations, at this place may have included the entire nation of Israel, for the word “seed” is both singular and plural. But inspiration has not left us in the dark in this matter for in Galatians 3:16, we read, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendent. Scripture doesn’t say, “descendants,” referring to many, but “your descendent,” referring to one. That descendant is Christ." Thus we have God’s word explained by God himself even to what might be called minor details. We “will know that what you’ve been told is true,” and that we have God’s Word in the Bible.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 3)
Evidence of Bible Inspiration
What are some of the evidences of Bible inspiration? How can we prove that the Bible is really inspired? There is much evidence to the fact of Bible inspiration and space will not permit us to consider all of it. But at this time we want to note some of the evidences with the Bible itself of its inspiration. Let us first consider some evidences from the Old Testament as to its inspiration.
Inspiration of the Old Testament
In the writing of the prophet Jeremiah 1:1-2, we read, “[These are] the words of Jeremiah, son of hilkiah. He was one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah when King Josiah, son of Amon, was in his thirteenth year as king of Judah." Throughout this book the Prophet stated he was speaking those things that Jehovah sent him to speak. In Ezekiel 1:3, the Prophet Ezekiel wrote, “….the Lord spoke his word to the priest Ezekiel, son of Buzi, in Babylon by the Chebar River. The power of the Lord came over Ezekiel." Again in Haggai 1:3, we read, “Then the Lord spoke his word through the prophet Haggai…” These are but three of a great multitude of passages by the Prophets in which they claimed that they were speaking what Jehovah had sent them to speak, and as he had empowered them to do so. David, who was the second king of the nation of Israel, and also a prophet of God (Acts 2:30), said in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The spirit of the Lord spoke through me. his words were on my tongue." When the prophet Zechariah was writing of the nation of Israel he said, “Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets…” We have in these passages and in others the testimony that the prophets in the Old Testament were inspired.
Jesus regarded the Old Testament as inspired. In Matthew 5:17-18, “Don’t ever think that I came to set aside Moses' Teachings or the Prophets. I didn't come to set them aside but to make them come true. I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from Moses' Teachings before everything has com true." By these words Jesus informs us that the law and the writings of the prophets were inspired of God, and it was necessary that all things therein be accomplished. In Luke 24:44, Jesus tells us that the Old Testament was indeed given by God when he said to his disciples, “…These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses’ Teaching, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true." Thus Jesus recognized that the Old Testament was God’s will and that it must be fulfilled.
The New Testament writers claimed inspiration for the Old Testament. The Apostle Peter quoted from Joel 2:28-32 and recognized that what he was quoting was given by God, for he said, “Rather, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone…." (Acts 2:16-17a). Again, the same Apostle wrote in 2 Peter 1:21, “No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God’s direction." We have then the testimony of the Apostle Peter that the prophets in the Old Testament were guided by the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things." And the New Testament had not been written at that time, we know that he was speaking of the Old Testament.
Let us note that the writers of the New Testament pointed out that specific writers in the Old Testament were inspired. David - Acts 4:24-25; Isaiah - Acts 28:25, all the prophets Acts 3:18. This is but a few of the great number of passages in the New Testament in which these writers state that the Old Testament was given by God to men that He guided with his Spirit to write and to teach.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 4)
Inspiration of the New Testament
Further, the New Testament writers claimed inspiration for themselves as they wrote and taught. Jesus told the disciples in John 14:25-26, “I have told you this while I’m still with you. However, the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. He will remind you of everything that I have ever told you.." In John 16:13, Jesus says, “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth…” Thus Jesus promised that the disciples would have the Holy Spirit to guide them and bring to remembrance all that Jesus had taught them. From the Apostle Peter we read of Paul’s writing, “Think of the Lord’s patience as an opportunity for us to be saved. This is what our dear brother Paul wrote to you about, using the wisdom God gave him. He talks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in his letters are hard to understand. Ignorant people and people who aren't sure of what they believe distort what Paul says in his letters the same way they distort the rest of the Scriptures. These people will be destroyed” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Here we have the Apostle Peter telling us that the writings of the Apostle Paul were considered as a part of the scripture. In 1 Corinthians 11:23, the Apostle Paul wrote, “After all, I passed on to you what I had received from the Lord." Had he received it from the Lord or was he mistaken? Some would tell us that this is not true, but is it reasonable to think that the Apostle Paul would suffer the punishment and persecutions that were placed on him because of his teachings the last years of his life unless he knew that the things he was teaching were true? Paul said that the Lord had revealed these things to him and each of us must determine for ourselves if he was telling the truth. Paul said further in Galatians 1:11-12, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News I have spread is not a human message. I didn’t receive it from any person. I wasn’t taught it, but Jesus Christ revealed it to me." In these verses the Apostle Paul tells us definitely that the things he taught and wrote were the things that God had given him to teach. Let us now read from the Apostle Peter on this subject in 1 Peter 1:10-12, “The prophets carefully researched and investigated this salvation. Long ago they spoke about God’s kindness that would come to you. So they tried to find out what time or situation the Spirit of Christ kept referring to whenever he predicted Christ’s suffering and the glory that would follow. God revealed to the prophets that the things they had spoken were not for their own benefit but for yours. What the prophets had spoken, the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven, has now made known to you by those who spread the Good News among you. These are things that even the angels want to look into." Here we are told that those who preached the gospel to the first century Christians were directed by the Holy Spirit. There are many other examples in the New Testament which you can study, but for now this is sufficient for all to see that the Apostles and writers of the New Testament were directed by the Holy Spirit as they wrote and taught.
An Inspired Record From God (Part 5)
Miracles and inspiration
Let us observe now that miracles in the New Testament also testify to its inspiration. Observe what happened when one man came to Jesus. “Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council. He came to Jesus one night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.' Jesus replied to Nicodemus, ‘I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” John 3:1-2. Because of the miracles and signs that Jesus did, many of the Jews, and among them this wise man, recognized that Jesus came from God. Thus, these signs proved who He was. In Hebrews 2:3-4 we read, “So how will we escape punishment if we reject the important message, the message that God saved us? First, the Lord told this saving message. Then those who heard him confirmed that message. God verified what they said through miraculous signs, amazing things, other powerful acts, and with other gifts from the Holy Spirit as he wanted." Here we are told the purpose of the miraculous gifts in the New Testament. Jesus, while He was here on earth, taught his Will, and those who heard him (his disciples) went forth and taught it to others; but as they did so, God testified that what they were teaching came from him by giving them the ability to do signs and amazing things (wonders if you will) and to exercise different kinds of other powerful acts that man does not normally do, and could have only through a gift from God. So then the God of Heaven used these miracles to prove to the world that these men were inspired by him. This is clearly stated in Mark 16:19-20, “After talking with the apostles, the Lord was taken to heaven, where God gave him the highest position. The disciples spread [the Good News] everywhere.. The Lord worked with them. He confirmed his word by the miraculous signs that accompanied it." We can be sure that the things taught in the Bible are from God for “No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him." †