Introduction

We are taught in ch. l: 5 and ch. 1: 6 of our Confession, that the Bible contains all that we need to know concerning this life, and the life to come, and that the Holy Spirit is the only one who can make truth clear and plain to us. And if He does not we are left to wander around in a maze of uncertainty and doubt, and finally perish in our sins. But in order that we might be assured from the Word of God that the scriptures are what they claim to be, the Word of the living God, we need to examine the evidence concerning this matter. And having examined the evidence, we will be in a position to see why the united testimony of the Christian Church down through the ages, has been in favour of their inspiration.

The scriptures claim inspiration for themselves.

2 Tim. 3:16. Here Paul tells us that all scripture is "God breathed". He did not state that some parts were inspired, but all of them. He was sure of that fact, and he wanted us to be sure, too. And then Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1: 21 &quotthat prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of old spoke as they were moved (or "borne along") by the Holy Spirit". From these references we see that the authors of scripture were controlled by God's Spirit in their utterances and writings. We believe that God used individual personalities, that the writers came from different backgrounds and environments. David was a shepherd, Isaiah a statesman, Amos a tender of sycamore trees. The apostles were rough fishermen, unlearned and ignorant men, and yet it was said of them that they had turned the whole world upside-down by their preaching. The apostle Paul was a keen intellectual, having attended the best university of his day. And we see how God took these men who came from such diverse backgrounds and environments and expressed Himself through them, and removed all error from their writings, enabling them to speak and record infallibly His words.

The prophets claim inspiration for themselves.

They were very sure of the fact that they were the mouthpiece of God, and that they were uttering the mind and will of God. This is to be seen in the way in which they expressed themselves. They spoke with a "thus saith the Lord". There was no uncertainty about their message. They declared that God's word had come to them and that they must speak it. Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones, in his work on Authority, has indicated that the phrases "and the Lord said", "the Lord spake", "the word of the Lord came", are used 3,808 times in the Old Testament. "Thus saith Jehovah" is repeated at least 80 times in Isaiah (cf Malachi 1: 1, Jer. 1: 9; Isaiah 51: 16, 59: 21; Hos. 1: 1; Amos 1: 3; Micah 1: 1). It is true that the prophets did not always understand the full significance of their statements. For Peter tells us, in 1 Peter 1:10-11, that they sought to understand the times the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. And yet they uttered the very word of God.

Jesus Christ claimed that the scriptures were inspired.

He directed the attention of the Jews to them (John 5: 39) and proved the resurrection from them, and showed that He believed Moses to be an historic person (Mark 12: 26-27). He emphatically stated that the scripture cannot be broken (John 10: 34-35), that not one jot or title shall pass from the law till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:18); and He revealed to His disciples on the road to Emmaus, that the three parts of the Old Testament scriptures - the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms - all spoke of Him, and all things had to be fulfilled which were written there.

No wonder that men said of Him that He spoke with a power and authority not possessed by the Scribes and Pharisees, even although He had not attended the schools of His day. And as we read the New Testament Christ's constant appeal to the scriptures of truth is to be noted, and this is particularly seen in His temptations. For here He refuted the enemy with His "it is written", putting him to flight, quoting the Old Testament as His final court of appeal (Matt. 4: 4, 7,10).

The Apostles claim inspiration for themselves.

Paul's declaration is noted in 2 Tim. 3:16. And he demands that his word be accepted as authoritative because he is an apostle of Christ (Gal. 1: 8), and he calls upon his hearers to follow him as he follows Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). And in very strong language he says that if the apostles, or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel than that which he has preached, they are to be accursed. And he not only made these claims of infallibility for himself and the other apostles, but these claims were recognised and accepted by the whole of the Christian Church. And the apostles recognised these claims in one another (2 Peter 3:15-16; Ephes. 2: 20).

The Christian Church down through the centuries has acknowledged the inspiration of the scriptures.

From the time of the apostles we find an unbroken line of men and women who have stood for the inspiration of the scriptures. And this truth has been enshrined in the Creeds, and Confessions, and documents of the Christian Church.

The controversy in Reformation times was not on whether the scriptures were the inspired word of God, but as to whether there was an infallible Church that could infallibly interpret the scriptures. Rome claimed to have the sole right and power to do this, and she placed her traditions alongside the scriptures. The Reformers were great lovers of the Word of God, and, to a man, stood for the inspiration of the scriptures. Calvin once called it "the most sacred thing on earth", and Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer, said "The scripture comes from God, not from men, and even that God which enlightens, will give thee to understand that the speech comes from God." Luther called the scriptures "The greatest and most precious treasure either in heaven or earth". In more recent times, the Bible has been attacked by the Higher Critics, who have sought to give us a mutilated Bible, cutting out pieces here and there that did not square with their views. Rationalism, Liberalism and Modernism became firmly entrenched, and men sought to exalt reason above the Word of God. They saw no need of a Divine Revelation and felt that they could competently examine the scriptures, and pronounce judgment on them. But God, who, in past ages has raised up men to refute such error, continues to raise them up today, to defend His most Holy Word.

Conclusion

We can be sure of the fact that we have the Word of God today in all its purity and glory; a word that speaks directly to our hearts, a word that comforts and transforms - a regenerating and sanctifying word. There is a majesty and power and sublimity in the scriptures that is not to be found in any other work no matter what its claim may be. The scriptures alone have the stamp of holiness upon them, and there is a moral grandeur and beauty about them that points to the fact that they were written by the finger of God. They speak to the heart, and command obedience to their rule. Then why not submit to them? Their evidence is so clear and so plain, so definite and so satisfying. They convince of sin, and one's helpless and hopeless condition before God, and they speak of the remedy that God has provided for man in the Person and Work of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us trust ourselves to the testimony of their pages, and listen to the clear testimony of men down through the ages who have witnessed to the truth of their inspiration, and bow and worship and adore at the footstool of the One who is their Divine Author.