Writers of Bible Claim Inspiration

The Bible is a book written by men, who recorded words in times past pertaining to God’s will. None of these men claimed the words or thoughts to be their own; in fact, they firmly and humbly declared that the things which they penned were revealed unto them by the one and only God of whom they wrote. To this end the Bible is a book of truth, God’s truth, written by inspiration granted unto its authors. As shown by the following examples, the Old Testament writers gave all credit of their teachings to God, making no claims for themselves.

It is generally accepted that Moses authored the first five books of the Old Testament. Interestingly enough, Moses had much to say about his teachings in these books. For example, one learns that Moses wrote and told the people all the words of the Lord (Exodus 24:1-4; Exodus 35:1); that he referred to these words as those commanded of the Lord; and that the people were not to add or take away from them. (Deuteronomy 4:1-4)

Other Old Testament writers also commented about their teachings. Samuel stated, "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (II Samuel 23:2). Isaiah said, "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken" (Isaiah 1:2). When Jeremiah lifted his pen to write the book of Jeremiah, he declared what he was about to write would be the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 1:4) and then stated, "Then the Lord put his hand, and touched my mouth" (Jeremiah 1:9).

Several other Old Testament writers declared similar thoughts. Ezekiel said, "…Speak with my words unto them" (Ezekiel 2:7; Ezekiel 3:4). The statement, "Thus saith the Lord" is recorded several times by Amos in reference to the words he wrote (Amos 1:3; Amos 3:1; Amos 6; Amos 8-9; Amos 11; and Amos 13). The same writer wrote, "Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you…" (Amos 3:1) and "Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me" (Amos 7:1).

New Testament writers made the same claim, saying that they were not teaching of themselves, but that which God through Jesus and Jesus through the Holy Spirit revealed unto them. One reads, "…they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). The Apostle Paul referred to that which he taught as being the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:15-16), the commandments of God (I Corinthians 14:37) and the gospel of God (I Thessalonians 2:2). Other scriptures relate that Paul received his teachings by revelation (Galatians 1:11-12) and that John was inspired to write the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1).

Other claims that the previously "unknown New Testament" was revealed unto the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit may be found in the scriptures (I Corinthians 2:6-13; Ephesians 3:5). All those that had a part in writing the gospel of Christ, found recorded in the New Testament, did so by the Holy Ghost, which was sent from Heaven.

Throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testament, the writers consistently make no claims of their own regarding the teachings they recorded. Each and every one gave credit through inspiration to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. The conclusion to be drawn becomes apparent; the Bible is a book penned by men and inspired of Heaven.