Articles
God's Word (1)
God’s Word?
Greg King
The Bible makes a claim that proves to be the first link in the process of God communicating with man. It is claimed that God is speaking to man or revealing His will to man to be written down. Even to the casual reader, it is clear the Bible proclaims itself to be from God. For example, the Bible’s first chapter, Genesis 1, uses the phrase “God said” 11 times. Literally hundreds of times that phrase, and similar ones, are used in the Bible. Hebrews 1 is interesting in this regard. It begins by saying, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son...” (verses 1-2). Then, in verses 5 through 13 we read several quotations from other Bible books. Although these quotations had human authors they are quoted as God saying them (“He says...”). People wrote them, but it was God who spoke them! Second Peter 1:21 is helpful in understanding this. While speaking specifically of prophecy it explains, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” So, while men (like Moses, David, Ezekiel, Matthew, Paul, Peter and others) were involved in the actual writing, it was God’s Spirit who was moving them to write. In this way God was insuring us an accurate message. The word "inspiration" is used only once in the Bible and is applied to "all Scripture" (2 Tim 3:16), though the concept is seen throughout. Literally the word "inspiration" means "God-breathed". He is the author of Scripture. Do you believe that? Our actions provide evidence of our faith! Are you following God’s word?
