Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.     

Friday, 12^th April 2024        

THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLED THE WRITING OF THE BIBLE

Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Memory verse: 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We must understand that no prophecy of the scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. What they have to say is not merely from their own limited perspective. They are not the origin of the truth they speak; they are the channel. The truth is God's truth. Their meaning is God's meaning.

Not only is what they spoke from God, but how they spoke it is controlled by the Holy Spirit. "Men, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God." God did not simply reveal truth to the writers of the Scripture and then depart in hopes that they might communicate it accurately. Peter says that in the very communicating of it they were carried by the Holy Spirit. The making of the Bible was not left to merely human skills of communication; the Holy Spirit himself carried the process to completion.

To assure verbal accuracy of God, in communicating his revelation, must be verbally precise, and inspiration must extend to the very words. This does not mean that God dictated every word. Rather his Spirit so infused the mind of the human writer that he chose out of his own vocabulary and experience precisely those words, thoughts and expressions that conveyed God's message with precision. In this sense the words of the human authors of the Scripture can be viewed as the word of God.

Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that when we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. Spiritual truth only comes from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said on the night of His betrayal in John 16:13, When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. After Jesus had risen and ascended into heaven, the Spirit of God would then declare the truth of Jesus Christ to His disciples. They, in turn, would truthfully declare it to the people. The words of the biblical prophets were ultimately the words of the Holy Spirit of God.

Therefore, the ultimate author behind the Scripture is the Holy Spirit. David said in 2 Samuel 23:2 The spirit of the LORD speaks through me, His word is upon my tongue. Therefore, when David spoke as a prophet, he spoke by means of the Holy Spirit.

CGDS HYMN 46: SS & S 585: 

JESUS CHRIST, GROW THOU IN ME

1. Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,

And all things else recede !

My heart be daily nearer Thee,

From sin be daily freed.

2. Each day let Thy supporting might

My weakness still embrace;

My darkness vanish in Thy light,

Thy life my death efface.

3. In Thy bright beams which on me fall

Fade every evil thought ;

That I am nothing, Thou art all,

I would be daily taught.

4. More of Thy glory let me see,

Thou Holy, Wise, and True !

I would Thy living image be,

In joy and sorrow too.

5. Fill me with gladness from above,

Hold me by strength Divine :

Lord, let the glow of Thy great love

Through my whole being shine.

6. Make this poor self grow less and less,

Be Thou my life and aim ;

Oh, make me daily through Thy grace

More meet to bear Thy name !

   Prayers:

1.  Holy Spirit, help me to see what is written concerning me in the scripture.

2.  LORD God Almighty, give me wisdom for all things through Your words inspired by your Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.