Through the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit we have received many good things; but the greatest
of all things is the New Testament. Holy men of old spoke
as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit. "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." 2 Pet.1:21. "For at NO TIME was it by
the pleasure of man, that the prophecy came; but holy men
of God spake, as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit."—Syriac. "All scripture that was
written by the Spirit, is profitable for instruction, and
for confutation, and for correction, and for erudition in
righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16.—Syriac.
Not only did holy men of old time
speak by the inspiration of the Spirit; but the writers of
the New Testament were inspired by the Spirit in a special
manner, as they had received the Spirit as an indwelling
guide and comforter. The Bible is inspired; and it was
written by inspired men, who spoke and wrote as the Spirit
gave them utterance. Any man who speaks under the
influence of the Holy Spirit, whether preaching,
prophesying, or writing, may be said to be inspired.
INSPIRATION DOES NOT MAKE US
INFALLIBLE.—These terms are so often confounded that we
deem it necessary to give a short explanation of them
here. There may be inspiration without infallibility, and
there may be infallibility without inspiration. God is
infallible, but not inspired; Christ was both infallible
and inspired; the apostles and prophets were inspired, but
not infallible. Inspiration primarily means to breathe in,
which is the opposite of expiration. In theology it is
defined as a supernatural or divine influence.
INSPIRATION IN PREACHING.—We
sometimes say that God is anointing us to deliver a
discourse or write an article. This virtually means God is
inspiring us. He breathes into our souls the divine word
and we feel the glowing fire burning in our hearts, and
cannot rest till we have delivered the God breathed
message. Every minister of God has felt this divine
influence and knows what it means to speak under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There is also a vast
difference in listening to a sermon from a man inspired
and anointed by the Holy Spirit, and listening to a dry
man made sermon preached by human effort.
INSPIRATION IN PRAYER.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but
the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered." Rom. 8:26. Paul
says in another place, "I will pray with the
Spirit." As in preaching so in prayer; there is a
difference in that performed under the influence of the
Spirit and that done in our own strength. We are not to
use "vain repetitions as the heather do"; but we
should pour out our hearts to God in simple supplication
as directed by the Spirit, and not frame our words to be
heard of men.
INSPIRATION IN SINGING. "What
is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray
with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit,
and I will sing with the understanding also." 1 Cor.
14:15.
Sacred music is often disgraced and
rendered almost worth less by cold, heartless choirs and
singers. To sing in the Spirit we must know and
understand. Many fashionable churches are served by choirs
almost entirely made up of unbelievers, and often sneering
skeptics and scoffing infidels are found there. What is
more heavenly or illustrative of inspiration than to hear
a song of praise to God rendered by one who feels that
every chord originates in his or her heart? The only way
to sing correctly is to allow the heart to speak through
the mouth; then how can those who have never known the
glad song of truth be expected to effectually sing the
praises of God? Singing, like preaching, if it comes from
the heart it goes to the heart, and accomplishes the
design of God. Inspiration in singing, praying, and
preaching has been characteristic of the church of God in
all ages. Singing in the Spirit has characterized God's
last reformation and brought many souls home to Christ.
