2 Peter 1:21
The sermon explores the divine origin and authority of Scripture as revealed through the Holy Spirit's inspiration of the prophets.
John Gill emphasizes that the prophecies in Scripture are not the result of human will but are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. He explains that the prophets, including Moses and David, spoke only when moved by God's influence, highlighting the authority and sacredness of the Scriptures. Gill asserts that these holy men of God were set apart for their divine purpose and that their words should be received with reverence as they are the true word of God. He encourages believers to recognize the Scriptures as the ultimate guide for faith and practice until Christ's return.
Text
Ver. 21. For the prophecy,.... The whole Scripture, all the prophetic writings; so the Jews call the Scriptures hawbnh, "the prophecy" {g}, by way of eminence, and from the subject matter of the sacred word:
came not in old time by the will of man; was not brought into the world at first, or in any period of time, as and when man would, according to his pleasure, and as he thought fit: neither Moses, nor David, nor Isaiah, nor Jeremiah, nor Ezekiel, nor Daniel, nor any other of the prophets, prophesied when they pleased, but when it was the will of God they should; they were stirred up to prophesy, not by any human impulse, but by a divine influence: with this agrees what R. Sangari says,
"that the speech of the prophets, when the Holy Spirit clothed them, in all their words was directed by a divine influence, and the prophet could not speak in the choice of his own words,''
or according to his will:
but holy men of God; such as he sanctified by his Spirit, and separated from the rest of men to such peculiar service; and whom he employed as public ministers of his word: for so this phrase "men", or "man of God", often signifies, 1Sa 2:27
spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; who illuminated their minds, gave them a knowledge of divine things, and a foresight of future ones; dictated to them what they should say or write; and moved upon them strongly, and by a secret and powerful impulse stirred them up to deliver what they did, in the name and fear of God: which shows the authority of the Scriptures, that they are the word of God, and not of men; and as such should be attended to, and received with all affection and reverence; and that the Spirit is the best interpreter of them, who first dictated them; and that they are to be the rule of our faith and practice; nor are we to expect any other, until the second coming of Christ.
{g} R. Eliahu in Adderet apud Trigland. de Sect Karaeorum, c. 10. p. 153.
Sermon Outline
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I
- {'A': 'Definition of prophecy in Scripture', 'B': 'Distinction between human and divine origin', 'C': 'Examples of prophets and their divine calling'}
- The Nature of Prophecy
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II
- {'A': 'Inspiration of the prophets', 'B': 'Illumination of divine truths', 'C': 'Authority of the Scriptures'}
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
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III
- {'A': 'Scripture as the word of God', 'B': 'Reception and reverence for Scripture', 'C': 'Scripture as the rule of faith and practice'}
- The Authority of Scripture
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IV
- {'A': 'No new prophecies until Christ's return', 'B': 'The finality of the current Scriptures', 'C': 'Living according to the revealed word'}
- The Expectation of Future Revelation
Key Quotes
“The whole Scripture, all the prophetic writings; so the Jews call the Scriptures hawbnh, 'the prophecy'.” — John Gill
“They were stirred up to prophesy, not by any human impulse, but by a divine influence.” — John Gill
“The Spirit is the best interpreter of them, who first dictated them.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Recognize the divine authority of Scripture in your daily life.
- Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit when interpreting the Bible.
- Live according to the teachings of Scripture as the rule of your faith.