Inspired Scripture – Old Testament and New Testament Scripture
(i) Are both Scriptures (from the Old & New Testament) inspired or “only the Torah”?
Both; Explanation:
Inspired writings are only from the Old and New Testament
E.g.
2 Timothy 3:16
Yes, the “Lord” revealed that to apostle Paul
1 Corinthians 14:37
A warning against ignoring it:
1 Corinthians 14:38
And yes, this is the “only” test in Scripture which shows those “spirit led” (be it prophets or spiritual ones)
1 Corinthians 14:37
Nothing outside of Holy Scripture is inspired.
(ii) Doesn’t this verse prove that “we cannot learn from searching the Scriptures”?
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal (age-during) life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:39-40, NKJV)
Nope, it doesn’t mean that one cannot search the Scriptures. What does it mean then?
This verse only disallows searching the Scriptures (or specifically the Torah at that time) without accepting Christ as the Pharisees did.
(iii) Is it okay to search the Scriptures with the condition of having accepted Christ first?
Yes.
Here’s another verse proving that “searching the Scripture attitude” (with the condition of “accepting Christ first”) is ‘highly looked upon in Holy Scripture’, again please consider a “verse” implying that:
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, NASB)
(iv) How about the Spirit of Truth leading us?
He “brings to remembrance all things which are written in Scripture first”:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:26, NASB)
The Spirit of Truth was in apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37 – 38) too & thus He will never teach us to ‘disobey’ His Commands, right?
Can the Spirit of Truth teach against especially New Testament Scripture? Certainly not.
Please notice how “His Spirit” is related to keeping “His Commandments” (plural, 1 John 3:24) inclusive (but not limited to) of the “Great Love one another Command” (singular, 1 John 3:23) in subsequent verses below:
“This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3:23 – 24, NASB)
And apostle John continues next implying that all these (inclusive of the above verses too) help in determining the “spirit of error” vs the “Spirit of Truth” based on whether we ‘listen’ to ‘the apostles’ & ‘those who obey them’ (with “Scripture”).
“We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” – apostle John (1 John 4:6, NASB)
‘The Voice of God NEVER contradicts the Word of God (a direct implication of 1 Corinthians 14:37, please ponder this point ‘deeply’ with this verse to ‘understand this’)’ – Anonymous
P/S:
“If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37, NASB)
Yes, that’s how united the earliest church was speaking the “same” thing and with “no other practice nor custom” (not being ‘contentious or against’ these written Commands in New Testament Scripture, Context):
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV)
“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:16, KJV)
No point in claiming to believe in inspired Scripture and then not obeying It’ – Unknown
