Page 320 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

INSPIRATION

this. Is God not able to do what He desires to do? Does Sodom and Gomorrah (Lk. 17:28-29), Lot’s wife turning
He not have the ability to give a perfect Bible through to salt (Lk. 17:32), Moses and the burning bush (Mk.
imperfect men? Of course He does. Does He not have 12:26), Manna from heaven (Jn. 6:31-32), the brazen
the ability to preserve that Word pure through the serpent (Jn. 3:14-15), Jonah and the whale (Mt.
centuries? Of course He does. (For a defense of Psalm 12:39-41; Lk. 11:29-32), Ninevah repenting at Jonah’s
12:7 against those who claim it does not teach preaching (Lk. 11:32), the queen of Sheba visiting
preservation, see the Bible Version Question-Answer Solomon (Lk. 11:31).
Database, which is available from Way of Life 6. The authors of the O.T. were those claimed by the
Literature.) Scripture. According to Jesus, Moses wrote the books of
How Much of the Bible is Inspired Scripture? the law (Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:45-47); David wrote the
The entire Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 is Psalms bearing his name (Lk. 20:42); Daniel wrote the
Holy Scripture. (1) The entire O.T. is Scripture (Lk. book bearing his name (Mt. 24:15). Jesus often quoted
24:27; Ro. 3:2; 2 Ti. 3:16; 2 Pe. 1:19-21). The following from the book of Isaiah and said it was written by the
O.T. books are specifically called Scripture: Genesis (Ro. historical prophet Isaiah, not by some unknown group
4:3; Ga. 4:30), Exodus (Mt. 22:29-32; Ro. 9:17), of men. In John 12:38-41, Christ quoted from both
Leviticus (Ja. 2:8), Kings (Ro. 11:2-3), Psalms (Mt. major sections of Isaiah and said both were written by
21:42; Jn. 10:34-35; 13:18; 19:24, 36; Ro. 15:3-4), the same Isaiah. This destroys the modern myth that
Isaiah (Mk. 14:28; Lk. 4:17-21; Ac. 8:32-33; Ro. 10:11; Isaiah was the product of more than one author.
1 Pe. 2:6), Zechariah (Jn. 19:37). (2) The Gospels are What Did the Apostles Believe about the Scriptures?
Scripture (compare 1 Ti. 5:18 and Mt. 10:10; He. 2:3). The following study demonstrates the high esteem in
(3) The writings of the Apostles are Scripture (1 Co. which the early Christians held the Old Testament
2:7-13; 1 Pe. 1:12; 2 Pe. 3:1-2,15-16). (4) Revelation is Scriptures. Notice how the Apostolic concept of the O.T.
Scripture; it is called the Word of God (Re. 1:2). [See is directly opposed to the modern critical theories.
Canon.] Surely we should have no difficulty in knowing whose
What Did Christ Believe about the Scriptures? testimony to trust.
1. The O.T. is perfect to the letter. “Think not that I am O.T. Stories Are Literal Historical Accounts.
come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come Creation (Ge. 1-2; Ac. 17:24-26)
to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till Abraham before God’s call (Ge. 11:27-32; Ac. 7:2)
heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no Abraham’s call (Ge. 12:1-5; Ac. 7:2, 3)
wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Mt. 5:17-18). Abraham’s covenant (Ge. 13:14-17; Ac. 7:4)
2. The O.T. cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35). In this verse Abraham’s sojourn (Ge. 13:15; Ac. 7:5)
Christ is speaking of the authority of the Scriptures. He Abraham’s prophecy of Egyptian bondage (Ge. 15;
Ac. 7:6-7)
was saying that absolutely nothing written in the Isaac’s birth (Ge. 21:1-8; Ac. 7:8)
Scriptures can be set aside or ignored. It is authoritative Jacob’s birth (Ge. 25:19-26; Ac. 7:8)
to every detail. The Greek word translated “broken” in Jacob’s 12 sons (Ge. 29:31—30:24; Ac. 7:8)
Jn. 10:35 is elsewhere translated “put off” (Ac. 7:33) Joseph’s birth (Ge. 30:22-24; Ac. 7:8)
and “loose” (Jn. 11:44). Thus no statement in the Bible Joseph’s slavery (Ge. 37; Ac. 7:9)
can be put off or escaped. All will be proven to be true. Joseph’s exaltation in Egypt (Ge. 39-41; Ac. 7:10)
What a Book! Jesus Christ said it is perfect. This is the The famine during Joseph’s reign (Ge. 41:53-57;
doctrine of infallibility. 7:11)
3. The O.T. is a divinely-planned book to prepare for Jacob sends sons to Egypt (Ge. 43:1—45:8; Ac.
7:12-13)
the coming of Christ (Lk. 24:44). Joseph calls his father (Ge. 45:8-28; Ac. 7:14)
4. Every part of the O.T. is inspired of God (Lk. 24:44). Jacob journeys to Egypt (Ge. 46-47; Ac. 7:15)
The law refers to the first five books of the Bible. The Jacob dies (Ge. 49:33; Ac. 7:15)
writings refers to the historical books (Judges to Esther) Jacob buried in Sychem (Ge. 50; Ac. 7:15, 16)
and the prophets. The Psalms refers to the poetical Israel’s bondage in Egypt (Ex. 1:7-14; Ac. 7:17-18)
books from Job to Ecclesiastes. Murder of male babies (Ex. 1:15-22; 7:19)
Moses’ birth (Ex. 2:1-2; Ac. 7:20)
5. The O.T. people, events, and miracles are true and Moses hid in parent’s house (Ac. 2:2; Ac. 7:20)
historical. Some of the O.T. people and events Christ Moses retrieved from river by Pharaoh’s daughter
referred to are as follows: the creation (Mk. 13:19), (Ex. 2:3-9; Ac. 7:21)
Adam and Eve (Mt. 19:4-6; Mk. 10:6-7), Cain and Abel Moses’ education in Pharaoh’s court (Ex. 2:10; Ac.
(Mt. 23:35; Lk. 11:50-51), Noah and the flood (Mt. 7:22)
24:37-39), Abraham (Jn. 8:39-40), the destruction of

320 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity