WORDS OF FAITH
“… nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine …”
1 Tim. 4:6
Central Church of Christ
January 29, 2012
Number 74
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The Holy Spirit and Revelation
A. Introductory remarks.
1. We are concerned in this study with the role of the Holy Spirit
in the revelation of the Word of God. We will consider
how the Word came in both the Old and New Testaments!
2. 2 Peter 1:20-21.
B. [Inspiration of God.]
1. All Scripture came from God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). theopneustos
– “inspired of God.” Thayer. Literally, “God breathed.”
2. God spake and men copied God’s Word (Heb. 1:1).
3. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ASV) (This is inspiration’s own explanation
of how revelation came about.)
C. God spake in times past by the prophets.
1. The prophets were borne or moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet.
1:21). “Moved” “To be converted or borne, of persons
borne in a ship over the sea (Acts 27:17) to be moved
inwardly, prompted.” “The word literally means to pick
up or bear along to a goal of the bearer’s own choosing.”
2. God’s standard of a true prophet (Deu. 18:18-19) – “I will put
MY WORDS in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them
all that I shall command him.” God was the originator of
the Words which He would speak through His servants,
the prophets.
3. A scriptural definition of the word prophet.
a. Exodus 7:1 – Aaron is called the prophet of Moses.
b. Exodus 4:16 – Aaron is called the spokesman and
mouth of Moses.
c. We conclude: A prophet is God’s mouth or spokesman.
One who spoke as God directed.
4. The prophet was a FORETELLER and a FORTHTELLER.
a. Foreteller – Tell of things to happen in the future.
b. Forthteller – A preacher or herald. One who speaks.
Primary mission was a forthteller. A preacher or spokesman
for God.
5. The Spirit of Christ was in the prophets as they spoke (1 Pet.
1:10-12).
a. They claimed God spake what they delivered.
(1) David (2 Sam. 23:1-2).
(2) Isaiah (Isa. 1:1-2).
(3) Jeremiah (Jer. 10:1-2).
(4) Ezekiel (Eze. 1:3).
b. A most important message (Zec. 7:12).
D. God speaks now through His Son (Heb. 1:1-3).
1. Jesus is the revelation of the Father.
2. He revealed the Father (John 1:1-3, 14, 18).
3. He is the very image of His substance (Heb. 1:3).
4. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:6-11).
E. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus from the Father. He gave the completed
revelation.
1. He was sent by Jesus to guide the apostles (John 14:16-17).
a. Not speak of Himself (John 16:13).
b. He glorified Jesus (John 16:14-15). His out-pouring on
Pentecost proved Jesus was glorified and seated
on David’s throne (Acts 2:33-35).
2. The work of the Holy Spirit.
a. Teach you all things (John 14:26).
b. Bring to remembrance all things (John 14:26).
c. Guide in all truth (John 16:12-14).
d. Declare things to come (John 16:13).
e. Bear witness of Christ (John 15:26-27).
f. Convict the world of sin (John 16:8-11).
F. The apostles were given the Words of the Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit combined spiritual things with spiritual words
and taught them to the apostles (1 Cor. 2:9-13; v. 10 –
“God…revealed…us [apostles]… Spirit.”
2. Paul received the Gospel by revelation (Gal. 1:11-12).
3. That which is revealed is plain enough to be understood by
those who read (Eph. 3:1-7).
G. Concluding remarks.
1. The Bible is verbally inspired. It is perfect and complete (Jam.
1:25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. It has been delivered (Jude 3) once, for all time.
3. ITS MESSAGE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED (Heb. 2:3-4).