Preaching The Grace Of God
From The King James Bible - Dispensationally Delivered
Berean Bible Church – Edgewater, Florida
Revelation - God To Man - God Has Spoken!
Revelation means the content of God’s communication
to man,
Hebrews 1:1 = God has spoken.
There are three types of revelations:
1. Natural Revelation which is the creation of the world clearly seen,
i.e. man himself and creation, manifested in them, Romans 1:18-20.
2. Special Revelation - different times and different ways God has
revealed himself i.e., Genesis 18, God spoke to Abraham; Exodus 3, God appeared to Moses in a burning
bush; Genesis 32, God wrestled with Jacob. Another example of special revelations is when God spoke through
the prophets and through miracles. God has also manifested His will personally, i.e., Matthew 16:17,
special revelation from God to Peter. Galatians 1:11-12, God communicated to man (Paul), Ephesians 3:3,
revelation of the mystery to Paul.
3. Written Revelation - things written down, John 20:3-9
Revelation, God communicates and reveals Himself to man
Inspiration, Man to paper (write it down), 2 Timothy 3:16 - all scripture given
by inspiration is always concerned with what is written down, from God to man.
The words that the men wrote down were inspired as opposed to the men being inspired.
Illumination - How information comes off of the page of the Bible into the soul of the believer
(what is written down),
1 Corinthians 2:9-13 - revealed by the spirit (teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit).
Preservation - How the things written down go on from generation to generation, Psalms 12:6-7,
preserved throughout history via the Church.
Instead of one manuscript for all times, God has the Church as the pillar of truth. The Holy Spirit
in the believer is illuminated to the truth and is able to identify what is God’s Word or not as he is
instructed.
Revelation & Inspiration are a unit.
- The only way Inspiration is possible is through Revelation.
- These are completed in the form of the Bible.
- There is no more Revelation and Inspiration going on today.
Illumination & Preservation are a unit.
- The only way Preservation is possible is through Illumination.
- This is a continuous process that is on going.. today!
Churches today have one of the following views or Theories of Inspiration
(human viewpoint):
1. Natural View - The Bible is inspired in the same way Shakespeare’s
writings or Homer’s writings were inspired. The Bible is high level of human achievement; smart men,
gifted men, but not God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 rebukes this thinking, "....no private interpretation...!
2. Dynamic View - A living document, the words on the page are not
static.
Thoughts are important. The meaning behind the words are more important than the words. Matthew
5:18 rebukes this thinking; "...every jot and word.."
3. Partial View - Only certain parts of the Bible are inspired, for
example, Love, Brotherhood, etc. 2 Timothy 3:16 rebukes this thinking, "all scripture is
given by inspiration of God....."
4. Spiritual Rule View - The Bible is used for spiritual values, for
example, Ethics, Religion, etc., but not for Scientific things or Historical things. John 17:17, John
3:12 rebukes this thinking, .."God tells you heavenly and earthly things..."
5. Existential View – The only parts of the Bible that are inspired
are the parts that speak to you. In other words, the Bible is true when it speaks to you and builds you
up. John 17:17 rebukes this thinking, "...God’s Word is Truth..."
6. Plenary Verbal View - All of the words are inspired by God.
This is the view of True Bible Believers.
Matthew 24:35, "...God’s Words shall not pass away.....";
1 Corinthians 14:37 "...Words written on a page....".
Plenary Verbal View is a good and true view, however it is not complete in that it does not reveal:
- how to identify the inspired words,
where the inspired words are
Plenary Verbal View must translate literal equivalency, translate every word with some dynamic equivalency.
Dynamic Equivalency is something new, which calls itself Plenary Verbal View, but is in reality the Dynamic
View (where thought are more important than words) and as a result...."The New International Version
Bible or New King James Bible".
The Doctrine Of Inspiration
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - INSPIRA'TION, n. [L. inspiro.]
1. The act of drawing air into the lungs; the inhaling of air; a branch of respiration, and opposed
to expiration.
2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The issue in inspiration is the God breathed - words on the page.
2 Cor 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity,
but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
The inspired word brings life…
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath
of his mouth.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Job 33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Paul's attitude towards the old and new testament… All the Bible is inspired!
1 Tim 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out
the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Deu 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer
is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Peter's viewpoint of the word over experience…
2 Pet 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto
you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received
from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard,
when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the
day star arise in your hearts:
The Holy Spirit uses the WORDS… On the page!
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.
God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with himself… so that when you come to the word
of God you are dealing with God himself
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his
sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,
and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And
he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached
before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
God places his word above his name…
Neh 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah,
and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious
name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness
and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Conclusion
This issue in inspiration is the God breathed words on the page of your Bible
God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with himself, so that when you come to the word
of God you are dealing with God himself
