Scriptures can only be understood when we are in a right relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is He who opens our minds to understand its meaning and gives us the inward witness of its authority. …VB018

Inspiration and Authority
of Scripture 4

[2Tim 1:13-14; 3:16]

2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

The word “inspired” (Gk. theopneustos) comes from two Greek words: theos, meaning “God,” and pneo, meaning “to breathe.” So, “inspired” means “God-breathed.”

I want to encourage you to believe the God-breathed Bible. The Holy Scriptures as the Word of God must be received, believed, and obeyed as the final authority in all things that pertain to life and godliness (Mt. 5:17-19: Jn. 14:21: 15:10; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; 2 Pet. 1:3).

The Bible must be used in the church as the final authority in all matters for teaching, reproof, correction, doctrine, and instruction in righteous living. This makes us completely capable and equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

We cannot submit to the Lordship of Jesus without submitting to God and His Word as absolute and final authority. It is only the truth we know that will make us free (Jn. 8:31-32).

The Holy Scriptures can only be understood when we are in a right relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is He who opens our minds to understand its meaning and gives us the inward witness of its authority. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us (1 Cor. 2:12).

I want to remind you of God’s faithfulness. Take a stand in the things of God. We must use the inspired Word of God to conquer the power of sin, Satan, and the world in our lives (Mt. 4:4; Eph. 6:12,17; James 1:21).

The Scriptures must be loved, treasured, and guarded by all those of the church who see it as God’s only truth for a lost and dying world.

We must safeguard its doctrines by faithfully adhering to its teaching, proclaiming its saving message, entrusting it to faithful men, and defending it against all those who would destroy or distort its eternal truths (Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; 2:2; Jude 3).

2 Timothy 1:13-14 (NKJV) –Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Hold fast… sound words: The “sound words” are the fundamental revelation of Christ and the apostles, and the doctrines taught by Paul to Timothy. Timothy was to hold fast these truths in faith and love in Christ Jesus, never depart from them and never compromise them, even if it means suffering rejection and persecution.

Today it is popular in some churches to focus on experience more than doctrine. This is contrary to Paul’s pastoral letters (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3; 1 Tim. 1:10; 6:3; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1-2, 8).

Keep by the Holy Spirit: A pastor or teacher must guard and defend the gospel committed to him even in a day when many depart from the faith (2 Tim. 3:13-15; 4:2-5; 1 Tim. 4:1).

Timothy’s instructions were to defend the Word of God against attack, and to challenge the church if it was tempted to stray from the truth. This was necessary to guarantee salvation for himself and for those under his charge (2 Tim.3:13-14; 1 Tim. 4:16).

Guarding of the deposit of faith must be done with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is He who inspired the infallible truths of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21) and it is He who is the great guide and defender of the truth (Jn. 16:13). Defending the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) means standing faithfully beside the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:17; 15:26-27; 16:13).

A lack of faith in absolute truth results in fear and insecurity. The world teaches there are no absolutes, but the Bible is full of absolutes. For example, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). God’s absolute truth provides security. Security removes fear, and the absence of fear brings freedom.

An unbeliever could be enslaved to fear in every area of his life, but a believer should not be. God wants His children to be free. But this isn’t always the case. Many believers live in torment and anguish about what they see on the news. They are tormented with fear about what world leaders are going to do, or what is happening in our nation. If we live in the awesome promises of the Bible, we realize that everything is going to be fine, because Jesus keeps His Word.

No one may add anything to the Scriptures or take anything away (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:19).

Listen to the podcast for the entire teaching. Visit the Download page to get your new copy of the Inspiration and Authority of Scripture v1.50, study outline with many more notes than v1.01.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond