Do you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God? Your answer probably affects how you use the Bible and its teachings in your life.

The Bible teaches that scripture is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is not the product of man. It is the result of "holy men of God" being "moved by the Holy Spirit" to speak God's will to other men (2 Peter 1:21).

 The claim of inspiration.

John 14:26; 16:13; 14:37; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 1:1-2

Bible writers claimed to be speaking the word of God. "Thus saith the Lord" or equivalent occurs over 2,000 times in the Old Testament. Isaiah 1:1-2; Jeremiah 10:1-2; Ezekiel 1:3

 The Bible is verbally inspired.

God directed men to speak His will using words. He revealed to them the very words He wanted them to speak. God did not merely inspire men with "concepts" or "ideas" and then leave them to their own creative abilities to speak for God.

• 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - The apostles spoke the things of God using words which the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) taught them to use.
• 2 Samuel 23:2 - David said that "the Spirit of the Lord spake by me...."
• Jeremiah 1:9 - When God appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet He put His words in Jeremiah's mouth (not merely His ideas into Jeremiah's mind).
• Jeremiah 36:4 - Jeremiah dictated "all the words of Jehovah" which were then written upon a roll of a book.
• Acts 1:16 - Scripture was spoken by the Holy Spirit by the mouth of God's prophets (such as David, in this instance, cf. Matthew 22:43).

 The process of inspiration is summed up in Zechariah 7:12:

 God sent His word > By His Spirit > By His prophets > To His people

 God's inspired scriptures are incorruptible - 1 Peter 1:22-25.

 Inspired scripture completely equips a person to do God's will - 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

 Scripture is the authoritative word of God - John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 14:37

 Bible inspiration is supported by its unity and fulfilled prophecy - Isaiah 42:8-9; Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Luke 24:44-45.

 THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD!

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