The Bible – Part One
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:16–17
The extent of inspiration includes “all Scripture.” As an old timer said, I believe it from cover to cover, and what it says on the cover “Holy Bible.”
Another confessed, “I believe it from Genesis to maps.”
Being inspired by God it is therefore authoritative for doctrine, reproof, and correction. It is endowed with clarity regarding how to establish a relationship with God the Father through God the Son, Jesus. Its truths can transform us, making us complete in Christ.
II Peter 1: 21 tells how God did it: “…prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit…”
God used penmen with different intellect, various vocabularies, and writing styles to inspire it.
Jesus Himself confirmed the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures when He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18). Thus, Jesus acclaimed the accuracy of the Scriptures right down to the infinite detail. It represents itself as the very Word of God.
When the word “inspired” is used it means motivated or encouraged. It is that and more, it literally means “breathed out.”
The Bible’s claim to be Holy Scripture has been tested and proven through the centuries. Every generation gives rise to those who really believe they will put the last nails in the coffin that will bury the Bible — yet it never, never works.
Skeptics like Voltaire and Ingersoll have for centuries attacked the validity and genuineness of the book.
Had Scripture not made a claim to being divinely inspired critics would have said not even the Bible itself claims to be divinely inspired. Hence, such an inclusion forms a starting point for validating the inspiration of Scripture.
The Scripture: “All Scripture is God breathed” describes the Bible’s nature as being God’s literal word, given to men by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural work of God the Holy Spirit.
As in the case of Adam and Eve God breathed, that is infused, imbued, the breath of physical life, so now He breathed, that is infused, imbued, the essence of spiritual life in the book, the Bible.