The Mediator Revealed in Inspired Scripture
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/16/2016 AM
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Text:
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II Peter 1;
Lord's Day 6
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Psalters: |
124, 38, 191, 334 |
- Inspiration’s fact.
- "Scripture" is literally "writing," words that has been written down.
- Paul referred to the writings of the 39 books of the O.T., recognized by the O.T. Church and by Christ and the apostles.
- By implication this includes the N.T. books because they bear the same marks of sacred Scripture.
- II Tim. 3:15 says that Scripture is “inspired,”: i.e., "God-breathed," "breathed out from God."
- Implications of Scripture’s divine inspiration.
- The result of God’s breathing is the Word of God (just as our words result from our breath).
- The work of the Holy Spirit in writing the Bible is a tremendous miracle received only by faith.
- Thus Scripture possesses absolute authority, before which we must submit.
- To what degree is the Bible God-breathed? To what extent is the Bible inspired?
- It is very common to deny inspiration by speaking of only a partial inspiration.
- II Tim. 3:16 speaks of "all" Scripture being God-breathed!
- This implies that Scripture is in no respect the word of man. Man does not have even the smallest part in its inspiration.
- The singular: "all Scripture" (cf. also 4:2) shows Scripture's total inspiration.
- The maintaining of the God-breathed Bible is "profitable."
- Basic profit of the Bible is “salvation” (vs. 15; Deut. 8:3), not only in salvation’s beginning but through all of salvation.
- Scripture equips each believer for every good work, i.e. to fulfill our calling.
- Let us use this useful book, for that is why God inspired it and gave it to us.