1 Thess. 2:13—"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
2 Peter 3:1, 2—"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour."
Matt. 10:20—"For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your
Father which speaketh in you."
Mark 13:11—"But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost."
See also Luke 12:12; 21:14, 15; Acts 2:4.
It is evident from these and many other passages of Scripture that the writers of both the Old and New Testaments were conscious of having received revelations from God, and considered themselves inspired of God to write the Scriptures. They felt while writing that they were giving expression to the infallible truth of God, and were conscious that the Holy Spirit was moving them to the work.
5. WHAT IS THE NATUEE OF THE INSPIRATION THAT CHARACTERIZED THE WRITERS OF THE SCRIPTURES, AND IN WHAT DEGREE WERE THEY UNDER ITS INFLUENCE?
Much has been said and written in answer to this question. Were the thoughts or concepts alone inspired, or were the words also inspired? Were the words dictated by the Holy Spirit, or were the writers left to choose their own words? These are the knotty questions current today regarding the Inspiration of the Bible. We may say with certainty that
a) At least Some of the Words of Scripture are the Identical Words Written or Spoken by God Himself.
Note Exodus 38:16—"The writing was the writing of God"; Exodus 31:18—"Written with the finger of God." Compare also Deuteronomy 10:2, 4; 9:10; Exodus 24:12. See also 1 Chronicles 28:19 (R. V.)—"All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah"; Daniel 5:5—There "came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote."