The Bible is inspired by God

In continuing the What We Believe, We believe that God has communicated to us through prophets and evangelist.  God gave them the unction to write according to the Holy Spirit's guidance.  This notion is captured in the following statement of belief:

The Bible is inspired by God:

o   We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind (AG)

 

In this next verse, Peter illustrates that scripture came about by the Holy Spirit. 

 

2 Peter 1:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

These human writings are a product of God through the Holy Spirit.  Man did not originate the thoughts as some would propose as an author writes a mystery novel.  But, as evidenced by the Holy Spirit, the prophecies come true hundreds and thousands of years later.  We are still anticipating some end time prophecies to come true.  We don't always understand the prophecies but surely as I live, they will come true.  How can I say this, you ask?  Because of the prophecies of Jesus Christ that came true all throughout the bible.  The prophets prophesied about Jesus, how He would live, how He would minister, how He would die, how He would live again and how He would become the earth's King and Glory.  And only the last phrase, How He would become the earth's King and Glory, has yet to be fulfilled.  To me this is exciting, because all indications are that we are at those end times prophesied in Daniel and the other prophets, in Revelations and in various other scriptures.

Timothy also states that the Holy Scriptures are inspired by God.  In this passage, Timothy gives purpose to the Scriptures.  These are wisdom for salvation, teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness and being thoroughly equipped for every good work.  One could preach an hour sermon on this passage.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The next verse, Paul tells the Thessalonians that those words Paul and the other disciples preached were really words from God.  Paul states that God's word is in work in the Thessalonians who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

This gives credibility to the prophets.  When they spoke under God's anointing, God was speaking through them.  God honored the prophets too.  What they spoke, God made sure that prophecy came true.  On the other hand, there were those who said they were prophets but God had not given them anything to say.  They prophesied what men wanted to hear, words that they might get paid for saying.  Teasing men to believe a lie of convenience and leading men away from God.  When you hear a prophecy, make sure it "checks out" with the word of God.  The Bible warns us of false prophets and tells us to test these prophetic utterances to make sure they are of God.

In these next verses, Jesus talks about the word surviving until the word of God is completely satisfied or fulfilled.  He states that the words of the law and the words from the prophets are being fulfilled through Him

Matthew 5:17-19 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

¹⁸ For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

¹⁹ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah says the words will go out and fill its purpose.

Isaiah 55:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I think it is clear, God has anointed prophets, apostles, evangelist and teachers to speak His words and to author the Holy Scriptures. 

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

We believe that the Holy Bible is a collection of the written scriptures.  I also believe that the bible is complete in that this is the Holy Book composed of 66 other books to do His specific purpose.  But just as Paul's preaching was inspired by the Holy Spirit and not all his sermons were captured in the scriptures. Not all Holy Ghost inspired passages were captured in the Holy Bible. However, I believe the Bible as written serves an eternal purpose and will endure until that purpose is complete. 

I also believe that some of today's writings are inspired by the Holy Spirit.  For instance, John Bevere discusses writing his books including the Bait of Satan, does not credit himself as the author but God and admits to only being the first person to get to read what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church. Another example of writings is The Spiritual Avalanche that could Kill Millions by Steve Hill.  This is a message to the modern church about how dangerous false doctrines may lead many into damnation because they have believed a lie and have lived life accordingly.  I believe the Holy Spirit gives messages to his prophets today as he did in the 1^st century church.