If God simply gave His thoughts and ideas to the writers of the Bible, then we have no assurance that the words they used are actually approved of God. If on the other hand, God actually guided the penmen in choosing every single word, then we have the assurance the Bible is the inspired WORD of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Numerous Scriptures show the Bible is inspired in its words. King David said, "The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2). Paul made the distinction between a word being plural or singular. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Gal. 3:16). Jesus said that even the smallest part of a letter of the alphabet is important. "...Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matt. 5:18). This is like saying every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted.

Since God's Word is true from the beginning and is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89,160), we have strict warning not to change it. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God..." (Deut. 4:2). Similar warnings are given in Prov. 30:6 and Rev. 22:18-19.

Why would one seek to deny the fact of verbal inspiration? There has to be an agenda, a reason, for denying that every word in the Bible is inspired. Is it to avoid certain passages of Scripture that one may not like? Appears so!

"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25).

--Garland M. Robinson

Every now and then you'll hear some denominational preacher claim he has received a revelation from God of some new truth. Charles Taze Russell and Judge Rutherford, both prominent in the early history of Jehovah's Witnesses, made such claims. Joseph Smith claimed to have been led by an angel to dig up some plates out of a hill. He then allegedly translated the message on those plates and gave the world the "new truth" contained in the Book of Mormon. Just about every major cult claims special revelations from God. The vast majority of charismatic groups also regularly boast of the latest thing God has allegedly told them.

Several passages of Scripture mitigate against these claims and demonstrate their absurdity. Shortly before His death, Jesus said unto His disciples, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:12-13). This passage designates the apostles as the divinely appointed receptacles of all truth. It is not possible to overemphasize the significance of the word "all" in verse 13. Since Jesus promised to reveal all truth to His apostles, that leaves not one particle of truth to be revealed to anyone else. If any truth needs to be revealed today, then the apostles didn't receive what Jesus promised. By the time the last apostle died, all truth must have been revealed or else Jesus would be found guilty of lying.

I'm reminded of the story of a man who was spending the night at someone's home. The next morning at breakfast, the woman of the house told her guest that God had told her something personally the night before. The guest replied, "Well, God told me that he didn't tell you that." She looked at him with a startled expression and waited for his explanation. He proceeded to show her John 16:12-13 and said, "This is where God told me that he didn't tell you what you allege."

God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The faith has once for all been delivered (Jude 3). Paul wrote, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God gave us a book which completely furnishes the child of God with the information needed to be pleasing in God's sight.

Those who assert they are receiving modern-day revelations ought to confirm their words with signs following as the apostles did in the first century (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4). Paul told the Thessalonians, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance" (1 Thess. 1:5). The so-called revelations received by men today come to us in word only and not in demonstration of the Spirit's power. Why doesn't the Holy Spirit confirm the authenticity of the message of these preachers as he did on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2? The answer is that the miracles of the first century have vanished away as Paul said they would when the perfect law of liberty, God's written revelation was completed (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:8-16). The plain fact of the matter is that the only signs we need today are those recorded in Scripture for the purpose of producing faith in Christ (John 20:30-31). All truth has been revealed!

[Power, September 1994]

2. Destroying a letter written in anger. Eph. 4:26,31, "Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath; Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice; ... and be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you." Prov. 15:18, "A wrathful man stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."

3. Offering the apology that saved a friendship. Prov. 15:1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." Matt. 5:23-25, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy was; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou are in the way with him."

4. Stopping a scandal that would wreck a reputation. Prov. 12:23 "A prudent man concealth knowledge; but the hearts of fools proclaimeth foolishness." Prov. 17:9, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeat a matter separateth very friends." Prov. 11:9, "A hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor."

5. Taking time to show loved ones consideration. Prov. 1:8-9, "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." I Tim. 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, ha hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Eph. 6:2-3, "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

6. Feeling reverence for your maker. Prov. 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Prov. 3:5-7, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Eccl. 12:13, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."

--J. A. McNutt

S.T.O.P. LECTURESHIP: July 22-26, Tradition of Men - Vain Religion.

KID'S DAY OUT: Sat., June 23^rd, at Booneville Park. Everyone come and enjoy the fun!

FOOD ITEM: Cream Soups

r SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Lucille Leatherwood, Dorothy Johnson, Harry Prater.

June 24	AM	PM
Announce Singing O.Prayer L. Table C.Prayer Usher	Rheuben Bobby Johnny TommyS / Harold TommyW / Paul Tommy C Jim R	Rheuben Orlander Jimmy N Tom Joseph J. P. Jim R
Cam: Colt Close: Earl Sing: Chuck

FREE VIDEO TAPES of sermons by Garland Robinson. Send for a complete listing of the 77 tapes available.

Mail a card to the sick... Visit those who are ill and shut-in... Invite friends to the services of the church... Welcome our visitors with a smile and a hearty handshake... Make them feel at home... If you drive a car, bring someone with you who might not otherwise have a way... Read and study your Bible daily... Avoid harmful criticism and gossip... Attend all services possible... Be a diligent and faithful personal worker.