The Holy Spirit Inspires New Testament Letters

Galatians 1:11, 12; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 3:14-16; Jude 3

GOLDEN TEXT: “Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.”—II Timothy 3:16

OUR lesson for today was chosen to emphasize the fact that the New Testament messages were given under inspiration of the holy Spirit and were not merely the thoughts and principles of noble and wise men. Recognition of this great fact is of the utmost importance to the Christian. Lack of this confidence is destroying the faith of many. In fact, it is well known that the teachings of many of the chosen representatives of the churches and colleges are such as to destroy the faith of the student who enters and accepts the instructions given them therein.

This loss of faith in the Bible, as a message from God, is no doubt responsible for much of the trouble in the world today. Our Lord seems to refer to this when He says that in the end of the age men’s hearts would be failing them for fear looking at the things that are coming on the earth, because the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. Real faith in the Bible is scarce today, and as a result the restraining power of the nominal churches has been and is being shaken, and in its place the respect for military power is rapidly developing.

On the other hand, it is well for us to constantly remind ourselves of the fact that we have received a message which is not of men, as St. Paul says, but one that has been sent to us from the great Creator, our Heavenly Father. If we are properly impressed with the grandeur of this thought, we will also be impressed with the responsibility we have to study that Word, and to acquire a thorough knowledge of it and to be guided by its principles in all of our conduct and relationships.

In the quotation in our lesson from the 1st chapter of Galatians, the apostle is emphasizing the fact that his message was received not from men but directly from God. In the quotation from 1st Thessalonians 2:13, the apostle is emphasizing another thought, namely, that the ones to whom he wrote the epistle had likewise received his message, not as a message from Paul, but as from God. We appreciate the apostle’s attitude that he was not desiring or seeking recognition, but merely was a servant, a messenger. He expresses the same thought in writing to the Corinthian brethren when he says that both they who plant and they who water could accomplish nothing except God gives the increase.

The quotation from St. Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, is an especially comprehensive statement of the inspiration of the Scriptures and the great value which they are intended to be to the Christian. In the fourteenth verse the apostle is pointing out that it is not only necessary to have a knowledge of the Scriptures, but is urging Timothy to continue in the things which he had learned, to continue in the study of them, and also in practicing them, realizing that the author of these truths is God. Then he calls attention to the various uses to which the Scriptures are to be put. He mentions four principal functions, namely, that they are useful for doctrine, for the fundamental teachings of God’s character and plan. Second, that they are valuable for reproof. His third statement is that they are valuable for correction, and finally for instruction in righteousness; and all in order that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work.

In the section of the lesson from St. Peter’s second epistle we find him emphasizing the importance of humbly, honestly, and consistently applying God’s Word to the intent that the Christian may be found in Christ, indeed, without spot and blemish. In this section we have a very beautiful reference to St. Paul’s writings, and of the depth of meaning which Peter recognized them to contain.

On one occasion at least St. Paul and St. Peter had not seen eye to eye and St. Paul says that he withstood Peter to his face and rebuked him because his conduct was not “upright, according to the truth of the Gospel.” (Gal. 2:14) In view of this, how glad we are for this brief statement of St. Peter’s appreciation of Paul and the helpful and deep truths God had sent to the church through him.

In the verse from the Epistle of Jude, is emphasized the importance of the faith which was once delivered to the saints. This is the same faith which St. Peter speaks about in the first chapter of his second epistle, the first verse, where he says, that as a servant of Jesus Christ, he is addressing those who have attained a like precious faith with him through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. This is indeed the fundamental basis of our faith—the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Jesus’ perfect offering on our behalf which gives us a standing before God and makes our sacrifice acceptable. It gives us confidence in the exceeding great and precious promises of God’s Word, and is the inspiration and joy of our life.

QUESTIONS:

Does the loss of faith in the Bible as being inspired by God have any hearing on the trouble that exists in the world today?

What is necessary for the Christian in addition to believing in the inspiration of the scriptures?

What is the “faith once delivered unto the saints”?

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