THE KEEPERS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

God had His chosen people write and keep the authenticity of the Old Testament. These were men of God who wrote the words that God gave them to write. The accepted text is called the “Masoretic text.” The Masorites were rabbis who made it their special work to copy the Old Testament. They separated the apocryphal for the canonical books, Several editions exist and vary a lot. The received and authoritative text is that of Jacob ben-chayim ibn Adonijah. Two other important textual evidences bolster the confidence of textual critics that it is accurate. The discoveries of manuscripts at Qumran by the Dead sea in 1947. These portions of manuscripts agree with the Jacob ben-chayim ibn Adonijah Masorete text. There is also the comparison of the Masoretic text to the Greek translation called the Septuagint, which was written around 200-150 B.C. The consistency of agreement between the Masoretic Text and the Sepuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls assure us that God divinely and sovereignly protects His Word through thousands of years of copying and translating. If your version has in the Book of Daniel chapter 3 and verse 25 the last part of that verse saying, “…and the form of the fourth is like the sons of gods.”, you have the wrong version. That verse should say,”..and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Some evil translator has taken that verse from Divine to devilish.

THE BIBLE STANDS.

Century follows century—There it stands. 
Empires rise and fall and are forgotten—There it stands.
Dynasty succeeds dynasty—There it stands.
Kings are crowned and uncrowned—There it stands.

Emperors decree its extermination—There it stands.
Atheists rail against it—There it stands.
Agnostics smile cynically—There it stands.
Profane prayerless punsters caricature it—There it stands.

Unbelief abandons it—There it stands.
Higher critics deny its claim to inspiration—There it stands.
The flames are kindled about it—There it stands.
Time gnaws at it—There it stands.

Infidels predict its abandonment—There it stands.
Modernism tries to explain it away—There it stands. 
—A. Z. Conrad

Understanding the Word

Our understanding should come from the Word of God. Psa_119:169  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. We are told to study the word and not trust our own understanding. Pro_3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Have you heard that God has exalted His Word above His Name? Yes that is true. 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. Do you know what that means? We better get it right.

There are many today that try to destroy God and His Word. A declaration that God does not exist does not cause God to go away or diminish. Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. I see the handy work of God all around me. Where is the proof there is no God? The theories of how earth and animals and men has never been able to prove evolution. When man “thinks” he has it figured out, then a flaw to “rational thinking” shows the impossibility and therefore another “theory” has to be brought into play.

Since there is a God that has created all things, He must have a desire to communicate to man. Leviticus 1:1,2 reveals that God used Moses as His spokesman to the children of Israel. Jeremiah 1:4 tells us that God sent His Word to Jeremiah and Jeremiah 1:5 reveals to us that God said to Jeremiah – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. We find Revelation 1:1 where John makes the undisputed claim that God’s word was given to Him.

God wants to communicate His Words to us and He does not want His Word changed at the whim of man therefore God gave this warning. Moses, the first writer of the Bible gave a warning in Deuteronomy 12:32 – What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. God makes sure that this warning can be misconstrued to only apply to the Old Testament by adding a warning in the book of Revelation chapter 22 verses 18 and 19 – For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  Oh yes, just incase this did not register with some people, he made this statement in Proverbs 30:5,6 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  God didn’t stop there The first book of the New Testament, Matthew records a very important message for those that think God’s Word would be lost with the passage of time.

Mat 5:18  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. What this should mean to us is very simple. Be sure you know what the scripture says. Don’t twist it, change it or take it out f context.

I BELIEVE GOD’S WORD

And Jesus answered Him saying, it is written, That man shall not live by bread alone; but by every Word of God. – Luke 4:4

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away. – Luke 21:33

God has made several statements about His Word. To David, God had made a promise and when Solomon ascended to the throne, He asked God to do something for Him – “1Ki_8:26  And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.” God continues to verify His Word to us. Psalm 119:9 says “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” If God gave an uncertain word, could a young man be cleansed according to God’s Word. An understanding of the responsibility of parents to teach their children the Word of God. Truly to memorize the Word of God. Also we need to understand the place and position and the responsibility of the scribe. These are not illiterate men.

Let us run back to the garden for a moment. When God created Adam, he did not create a baby or infant. He created a mature man. I believe that Adam had the intelligence that we have today. Adam named every animal that God had created. His vocabulary was great enough to name them all. We struggle to think of the names that have already been given to them. The idea of cavemen is dream that man has advanced from a knuckle dragging, illiterate that attempts to make us a superior specimen.

These scribes have rules that guided them in copying the Word of God that we call the Old Testament. They were required to have the same number of letters in each line as the original they were copying from. They were required to have the same number of words in each line. When they were done copying the page, another person came and checked the word and counted letters and words. If mistakes were made, they had to destroy the page.

Notice the interplay of statements in the following passages. Psalm 119:9 “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psa_119:41  VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. Psa_119:58  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. Psa_119:65  TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Psa_119:76  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Here is the problem, if it is “according to thy Word, That Word had to be established and unchanging. Can you imagine someone walking up to God and saying I have done all things according to your word, and God responding, “that is not what I said.” God’s Word has to established and never changing. Oh, wait, it is. It is established and never changes. Psa_119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. If God’s word were not established and never changing, then we would have an uncertain God that would not be trust worthy. We can depend upon the truth of God’s Word. Psa_119:160  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Endureth forever. Not is not the modern day statement. Today the culture dictates that men have to judge which words are God’s and which ones are not God’s. Yet the responsibility does not fall upon scholars to tell us what is God’s Word. The reason is, I will stand before God and give an answer, no scholar will answer for me. I will answer for my self. His Word endureth forever because – Psa_119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Words that are pure and therefore when we find it we should embrace it and hold it close.

Our understanding should come from the Word of God. Psa_119:169  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. We are told to study the word and not trust our own understanding. Pro_3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Have you heard that God has exalted His Word above His Name? Yes that is true. 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. Do you know what that means? We better get it right.

GOD’S INSPIRED WORD HAS SEVEN DISTINCT FACTS.

II. GOD’S INSPIRED WORD HAS SEVEN DISTINCT FACTS.

Because the Bible is inspired of God, we can affirm that:

1. It Is Infallible.

Without error – Psalm 119:160

2. It Is Invariable.

Without change – Numbers 23:19; Psalm 119:89; James 1:17b.

3. It Is Inexorable.

Without yielding – John 10:35b

4. It Is Invincible.

Without conquest – Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12

5. It Is Inevitable.

Without failure – Psalm 126:5,6; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; I Peter 1:23-25

6. It is Incomparable.

Without equal – Psalm 119:72

7. It is Invaluble.

1. It convicts – Hebrews 4:12
2. It Converts – Romans 10:17; James 1:18, 21; I Peter 1:23
3. It Corrects – II Timothy 3:16
4. It Cleans – Psalm 119:9,11; John 15:3; 17:17; Ephesians 5:26
5. It Conceives – Matthew 4:4; John 6:63
6. It Conquers – Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
7. It Comforts – I Thessalonians 4:18

What the Bible says about Inspiration

I. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT INSPIRATION.

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

This Scripture is very clear how it addresses inspiration.

1. Human Penmanship – “…holy men of God spoke…”
2. Divine Authorship – “…moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The active source of the Scripture is God. The Greek word “pheomenoi” means “borne along.” God did not correct any mistakes because no mistakes were made. God gave the words and allowed the men to use their own choice of words that corresponded to their natural way of speaking. By Inspiration we mean the Holy Spirit moved the human writers of the Bible in such a way that they recorded the very words and sense of God, though couched in their own literary style.

1. ALL

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

1. I Peter 1:25 – “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

2. Peter agrees with the endurance of the Word of God.

3. Paul refers to all which would include the Old Testament. Surely no one would claim that the Old Testament Manuscripts that Paul had were the originals.

4. Paul makes a request in II Timothy 4:13 “The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

5. The previous chapter recorded that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.

6. There is very little doubt that Paul here called the copies of the Old Testament Manuscripts inspired.

7. Inspired in the original manuscripts is no where in God’s Word.

8. It was inspired by Satan and made up by man to attempt to allow what man wanted to do to God’s Word.

9. When we claim that the Word was inspired in the original manuscripts then we are equating the ink, the papyrus and the pen to be inspired. That is not what Paul or Peter said.

2. INSPIRED BY GOD

The Word was inspired, man was not inspired.

The phrase that carries so much importance is “…Inspiration of God….” The Greek word translated “inspired” is “theopneustos,” which means “God-breathed.”

There are several theories as to inspiration. I believe in the “Superintendence or Verbal Plenary Theory.”

We shall examine this theory:

3. Verbal inspiration.

We mean that the very words of Scripture are God’s words. Inspiration goes beyond the concepts and message to actual words.

1Co 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.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Jer 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

According to Matthew 5:18, Inspiration extends to even the letter “jot” and “tittle.” Luke 16:17.

God places emphasis upon His Words.

Consider these verses: Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 6:6; 12:28; 17:19; 18:18; 27:3; 31:12; 32:1,45,46; Joshua 8:34,35; 24:26; I Samuel 8:10; II Samuel 23:2; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5,6; Jeremiah 7:27; 23:36; 26:2; 30:2; Ezekiel 3:10; Daniel 10:9-11; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; John 8:47; 17:8; I Timothy 4:6; II Peter 3:2; Jude 17; Revelation 1:3; 22:18,19.

Every Word of God is important to Him. To ridicule, change or laugh at the Word of God, I believe is a serious infraction against God. To change the force, power or meaning of His word would be to diminish God and His utterances.

4. Plenary Inspiration

This means “extending to all parts alike,” this leads us to the belief that all of the Bible is inspired and every part of the Bible is equally inspired.

II Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

5. Inerrant Inspiration

Inerrant means “not liable to error.” This means there is no mistake or anything false, therefore the Bible was written down correct in every detail.

Hebrews 6:18b; Titus 1:2c; Numbers 23:19; John 10;35

This kind of inspiration provides that the exact divine message be given. Both God’s truth and Satan’s lies are reported and recorded exactly. Inspiration does not change truth into lies.

6. Infallible Inspiration

This means the Bible is without error in its teaching. It is incapable of teaching deception.

Psalm 119:160; John 17:17. The terms “infallible” and “inerrant” are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference:

• Inerrant means without error in its recording.
• Infallible means without error in its teaching.

“Infallibility is obviously restricted to the intended assertions of Scripture understood in an ordinary grammatical exegesis of the text.”

In other words, infallibility takes into account such things as the use of poetic or figurative language, the use of simile, hyperbole, allegory, parable and symbolism, etc.

In most cases, what is inspired is authoritative, but not all cases. Some things in the Bible, though accurately recorded through inspiration, do not have the authority of God.

e.g. The Book of Job accurately records the words of God, Job, Satan, Job’s wife, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu. Some of the statements in the Book are consequently ungodly or in direct contradiction to other statements of Scripture. They are inspired, but not authoritative.