Welcome to South Livingston

Open Study Series:THE HOLY SPIRIT

Tonight: Holy Spirit & Revelation

Next Week: Miraculous Action in Bible

Holy Spirit & RevelationHoly Spirit & Revelation

Review of Spirit’s WorkReview of Spirit’s Work

• In last class, established that the work of Holy Spirit is seen in two categories:

(1) INSTRUCTING

(2) BLESSING

Focus on Spirit’s InstructionFocus on Spirit’s Instruction

Scripture Claims InspirationScripture Claims Inspiration• Writings of world religions do not make claim of

divine inspiration• Bible is unique in teaching on inspiration:

– details claims, source, manner & proof

• 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Same inspiration for all• 2 Peter 1:19-21 Message initiated by H.S.• 1 Peter 1:10-12 Not dependent on prophets• Hebrews 1:1-2 God spoke in OT prophets

Hebrew Writer on Source of O.T.Hebrew Writer on Source of O.T.• Attributes ultimate writer as the Holy Spirit• Hebrews 3:7f Attributes Psalm 95 to H.S.• Hebrews 4:7 Attributes Psalm 95 to David• Hebrews 9:6-8 Design of holy place by H.S.

– taught by implication inherent in design & work

• Hebrews 10:15f Jeremiah’s message of H.S.• Though men wrote the words, the message is not the

sole product of those men, but of God

Old Testament Work of Spirit in Revelation

Old Testament Work of Spirit in Revelation

HOLY SPIRIT:Source of Inspiration

HOLY SPIRIT:Source of Inspiration

• God inspired both the original revelation of the Law & subsequent message of prophets

• Exodus 19f God initiated & revealed Law

• 2 Kings 17:13f God corrected by prophets

• How did God (deity) work in inspiration?

• Nehemiah 9:20, 30 Work of Holy Spirit

• Isaiah 63:10f Work continued from Moses

Example of BalaamExample of Balaam• Numbers 22 - 24 Note control of message

• Balaam seeks hire of wrong (2 Pet. 2:15)

• Cannot go beyond word of Jehovah (22:18)

• May speak only word God speaks (22:35)

• To speak word God puts in mouth (22:38)

• God puts 3 blessings in Balaam’s mouth

• “I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah to do either good or bad of my own mind”

Exemplified in Call of ProphetsExemplified in Call of Prophets• Isaiah 6 Mouth of prophet cleansed by God

• Isaiah 51:16 Confirms guidance of words

• Ezekiel 2-3 Spirit entered = Speak for God– all words of God spoken regardless of result

• Ezekiel 33 Watchman spoke word given

• Jeremiah 1:4f God readies mouth & words

• Jeremiah 36:2f All words of God recorded

• Words of God = Spirit’s work = Written OT

Spirit & Messianic RevelationSpirit & Messianic Revelation• Ezekiel 36 - 37 New life of Messianic hope

• Spirit within = Obey message (36:26-27)

• Prophet brought out “in the Spirit” (37:1)

• To prophesy “the word of Jehovah” (37:4)

• “Prophesy unto wind” (breath/spirit - 37:9)

• Words of prophesy brought life to dry bones

• Principle: Spirit’s words bring life (37:14f)

• When Messiah came, Spirit to bring words of life - Gospel (Isaiah 59:20-21)

Concerning Prophesy of Salvation in Old Testament

Concerning Prophesy of Salvation in Old Testament

• 1 Peter 1:10 -12 Explains the Spirit’s work

• Prophets did not always understand words

• Words were result of the Spirit within them

• Message not for present time, but fullness

• Ultimately made known through Gospel

• Holy Spirit was source of messages of prophesy and fulfillment

Holy Spirit Inspiration & New Testament

Promise of Comforter (John 14-16)Promise of Comforter (John 14-16)• Jesus foretold Spirit’s work before betrayal

• Would cause apostles to remember words of Jesus while on earth (14:26)

• Would “bear witness” of Christ (15:26)

• Would convict the world of sin… (16:8-10)

• Would guide apostles to all truth (16:12-13)

• Result: Complete revelation of truth given to apostles & confirmed by Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-131 Corinthians 2:6-13• God’s hidden wisdom revealed by the Spirit

• Spirit was able to know the mind of God

• Apostles received Spirit in order to make known the mind of God to others

• Revelation not made known through words taught by man’s wisdom

• Made known by combining spiritual things with spiritual words

• Spirit’s inspired record is verbal & plenary

Ephesians 3:3-7Ephesians 3:3-7• Gospel was previously a mystery known only to

God• Made known by revelation of the Spirit• May be understood by reading the words written &

perceiving things same as writer• Message of apostles & prophets was result of their

inspiration by the Holy Spirit• Spirit’s inspired message is understandable

Inspired Revelation Is PatternInspired Revelation Is Pattern

All Spoken Constitutes PatternAll Spoken Constitutes Pattern• 1 Chron. 28:11-12 Pattern given for temple

– same as with tabernacle (Exodus 25:9, 40)

• Pattern composed of all instructed by Spirit

• 2 Timothy 1:8-14 Pattern of sound words– right handling of all Scripture (2:15; 3:16f)

• Pattern given OT & NT not to be changed

• Deut. 4:2 & 12:32 Not to add or subtract

• 2 John 9 Not go beyond doctrine of Christ

• Revelation 22:18-19 Same instruction

ConclusionConclusion• God provided for man to know His will

• Holy Spirit revealed will by inspiring man

• One who was inspired spoke the message under the control of the Holy Spirit

• Words chosen were determined by Spirit

• God insured accuracy & content of message

• Product is revelation which says exactly what God meant so we can understand

Remember Next Week’s Class:“Miraculous Action in Bible:

Miracles, Signs & Wonders”