The Inspiration of the Bible -- part 2

Internal Evidences of Inspiration - 1


  1. The UNITY of the Bible
    1. Penned by more than 30 writers of various backgrounds: kings (Solomon, Lemuel); shepherds (Moses, David, Amos); fisherman (Peter); doctor (Luke); priest & scribe (Ezra), spanning 1600 years, 3 languages & 7 empires, yet it remains in perfect harmony.


      1. One central THEME = the story of JESUS:
        1. John 5:39
        2. Revelation 19:10
        3. Acts 3:22-24
        4. 1 Peter 1:10-12
        5. Imagine calling together 35 composers, and having them compose individual parts of a symphony without knowing what the others would compose. (Key, time signature, speed, etc)


      2. One basic PURPOSE = the salvation of man through Jesus:
        1. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
        2. Hebrews 9:12-15


      3. The NATURE & CHARACTER of God remain unchanged throughout - Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8


      4. The principle of OBEDIENCE remains the same (Ecc 12:13), with God's PROMISE to bless the faithful & punish the wicked - Deuteronomy 7:6-15; 30:15-20; Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thes 1:7-9


  2. The SIMPLICITY of the Bible


    1. The Plan of Salvation
      1. Elias Smith was only 10 years old when he studied himself out of Methodism and their practice of infant sprinkling (1779).
      2. All man-made doctrines of salvation are easily refuted with the simple teaching of the New Testament:
        1. infant baptism - Mark 16:16; Acts 8:5-8, 12
        2. faith only - James 2:24
        3. universalism - Matthew 7:21-23; 25:31-46


    1. The WORSHIP of the Church:
      1. Lord's Supper observed weekly -- Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:18-20
      2. Singing -- Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
      3. Giving as Prospered -- 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
      4. Bible Study & Prayer -- Acts 2:42


    2. The American Restoration Movement testifies to its simplicity:
      1. The restoration was begun by different men in various parts of America, unknown to one another, yet common in their quest: break the shackles of denominational teaching, and embrace, practice, and teach only those things enjoined in the NT.
      2. Elias Smith rejected all denominational names & ties in 1802.
      3. Barton W Stone - "The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery - 1804.
      4. Thomas Campbell didn't come to America until 1807, and Alexander Campbell didn't arrive until late 1809.
        1. Thomas Campbell did not break from the Seceder-Presbyterians until 1808
        2. Alexander Campbell left the Presbyterians in mid-1809, was not baptized until 1812, joined the Baptists (in name only) in 1813, and did not leave the Baptists until 10 years afterward.


  1. The UNIVERSALITY of the Bible
    1. The Plan of Salvation
      1. Since Pentecost of Acts 2, it applies to all men for all time:
      2. Can be obeyed by anyone, anywhere, anytime
    2. The Organization of the Church
      1. No special priesthood or hierarchy
      2. Elders, deacons, evangelists, teachers
    3. The Worship of the Church
      1. Not confined to a specific place - 2 Kings 18:22; John 4:20
      2. Can be practiced by true worshipers anywhere - John 4:21-24