03.10 - The Inspiration of the New Testament Scriptures
(10) The Inspiration of tlic New Testament Scriptures The New Testament writers claim for themselves and for their writings a similar authority and inspiration to that claimed for the Old Testament Scriptures.
This, as Prof. Sanday has shown, is the highest possible witness to their inspiration, that they were received and accepted as of the same Divine authority and inspiration as the Old Testament Scriptures.
They were declared to be inspired and authoritative standards of faith and practice when they came to be placed by the Christian Church on the same footing with the Law and the Prophets. It was not that some new attributes or authority were ascribed to them, or that some new conception of inspiration had to be formed: what was needed was that the New Testament Scriptures should conform to the same standard of authority and inspiration, and should rank side by side with the Old Testament Scriptures. And so the inspiration of the Old Testament is presumptive evidence in favour of the inspiration of the New: the second is the complement of the first. They are held to have emanated from the same Source, to embody similar truths and teachings, to contemplate the same gracious ends, and together constitute one organic whole.
There will be no question by Christian believers of the authoritative character of the utterances of Jesus Christ; and if the Gospels be inspired and trust worthy records of those sayings and teachings, there will be no questioning of the Divine inspiration of the teachings of the Gospels. The opponents and enemies of the Lord Jesus in the days of His flesh declared Him to “be true,” and to “teach the way of God in truth”; while Jewish rulers and Rabbis said of Him, “ We know that Thou art a Teacher come from God.”
Speaking of Himself Christ declares, “ He was sent of God, and speaketh the words of God, for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him” (John iii. 34). Again: “My teaching is not Mine, but His that sent Me “ (John 7:16). The Spirit given to Christ in His measureless fulness was the same Spirit that spake by the Prophets, even the “ Spirit of Christ which was in them, and testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow them “ (1 Peter 1:10-11. The Holy Spirit the Spirit of Christ when speaking of the teachings of Christ, speaketh of Himself, and we know that His witness is true. The same witness Christ claims for Himself He also claims for His Apostles. The Lord Jesus makes no difference between Himself and His Apostles in the matter of authority and inspiration, saying, “ He that heareth you heareth Me: and he that rejecteth you rejected! Me: and he that rejected! Me rejecteth Him that sent Me.” 1 This right and power the Apostles claimed, saying “ He that rejecteth, rejecteth not man but God, who giveth His Holy Spirit unto you.” 2 The inspiration and authority Christ promised and fulfilled to His Apostles, they claim was verified in their writings and the truths they taught, which “ was not the word of men, but, in truth, the word of God.” 3 Paul, speaking of the gospel he preached and taught, says “ It is not after men: for neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.” 4 When the Apostles speak of the promises of inspiration given them, and the revelations and visions that came to them, the claim is not made in any arrogant or ostentatious manner, nor used for aggrandisement and display, but is spoken of in such a way and manner as to assure us of its genuineness and reality. When their Lord and Master was removed from them, and they were commissioned to be His representatives and ambassadors, they stood in His room and stead, spake in His name, declared His will, commanded and rebuked with His authority, and ruled and governed the Church in His name, and 1 Luke 10:16; Matthew 10:40.
2 1 Thessalonians 4:8 3 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
4 Galatians 1:1-24. according to His mind and spirit; and their teachings and decisions were accepted as authoritative and final; evidences of their divine inspiration and authority.