Revelation and Inspiration

What is the difference in “Inspiration” and “Revelation”?

1.    Revelation is the body of truth that God desires men to possess. THE BODY OF TRUTH

a.    God parts the curtain and lets us see into His mind

b.    God has revealed truth for us

2.    Inspiration is the way in which He gave this body of truth to men. THE METHOD OF DELIVERING TRUTH

a.    God directed men to write and preserve the writing

b.    Inspiration is the method of preserving what was revealed

3.    Many men received revelation without inspiration.

4.    The Bible IS inspired of God.

5.    The Bible CONTAINS revelations from God.

The Need for Revelation – so we can learn:

1.    The Character of God

2.    The Origin of Evil

3.    Mankind’s Origin

4.    Mankind’s Purpose

5.    Mankind’s Destiny

The Bible’s Claims for its own Inspiration

1.    2 Timothy 3:16-17

2.    2 Peter 1:20-21

3.    Exodus 20:1

4.    2 Samuel 23:2

5.    Psalm 119:89

6.    Matthew 22:31

7.    There are over 2,700 such statements in the Bible

8.    “Given by inspiration of God” is the translation of one Greek word

9.    “Theopneustos” – Theo = God; Pneo = to breath (literally – God breathed)

Theories of Inspiration

1.    Naturalistic Inspiration – like Shakespeare, Milton or Frost were inspired to write

2.    Dynamic Inspiration – thoughts (concepts) inspired; but the words to express these ideas are from man’s freedom of expression

3.    Mechanical Inspiration – man was just a dictation machine for God

4.    Encounter Inspiration – the words become inspired when the reader is inspired by them

5.    Plenary, Verbal Inspiration – Men wrote exactly what God wanted them to write, without mistakes or errors, yet with their own personalities and vocabulary clearly evidenced in their writings. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

Points to Clarify

1.    There is an important difference between revelation and inspiration.

2.    Uninspired people frequently received revelation in Bible times.

3.    Inspiration does not mean that he was free from personal sin in his life.

4.    Neither inspiration nor revelation assures that the man comprehends the message.

5.    Neither inspiration nor revelation were twenty-four-hour-a-day.

6.    Inspiration extended to a variety of people – king (David), fisherman (Peter), doctor (Luke), tax collector (Matthew), tree trimmer (Amos).

7.    Not only did the Bible writers view each others’ works as inspired, but no Bible writer ever criticized another.