Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The nature of verbal inspiration

In 1 Corinthians 2:9-13, Paul wrote, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”


Understanding the nature of verbal inspiration is important because it directly affects how well someone can believe in the Bible. Verbal inspiration literally means that God inspired every word of the Bible. From the above passage, Paul said the words were chosen by the Holy Spirit. This is also confirmed in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 18:18 says, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Jesus told His disciples, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Matthew 10:19-21). God directed the apostles in “what” and “how” to speak; He chose every word that was written.


Some have a hard time accepting this truth because they see different styles of writings in the scriptures. But acknowledging this fact does not remove the truth that our God knows man better than man knows himself and it is no problem for the Spirit to dictate His words in the words or styles characteristic of the prophet through whom He spoke.


Kyle Campbell

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