In this lesson I will deal briefly with the work of
the Holy Spirit under the Old Testament dispensation. In lesson number one I
pointed out that the entire Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of
God, both in thought and in word. Under the Old Testament dispensation
"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 Spirit." 2 Peter 1: 21)
"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently,
who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or of
what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it
testified beforehand the suffering of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did
minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached
the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which
things the angels desire t o look into." (1Peter 1:10-12) In 2Timothy
3: 14-17 Paul told Timothy, "But continue thou in the things which thou
hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." In John 5: 39
Christ said, "Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them
ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear (testify) witness of
me." The above passages could be multiplied, but these will be
sufficient to show that all scripture (both in the Old and New Testaments) came
to us from God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, thus the entire
Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Holy Spirit revealed it and inspired
men, chosen of God, to write it. The prophecy of which Peter speaks was that
contained in the Old Testament and the scripture which Timothy had known from
his childhood is that contained in the Old Testament. This was also the
scripture that witnessed or testified of Christ. After telling Timothy that the
"holy scriptures" were "able to make thee wise unto
salvation" Paul added that "ALL scripture is inspired of
God", which of course also includes the New Testament scriptures. We
are sometimes accused of not believing the Old Testament. This is a
misunderstanding of those who thus charge. We do believe every word of it, but
we understand that we are under the law of Christ as revealed in the New
Testament. The Old Testament can bring us "unto the salvation which is in
Christ, but it takes the New Testament scriptures to put us "INTO"
this salvation.
Just because we are not under the Old Testament law,
does not mean that we reject the Old Testament as being inspired by the Holy
Spirit. Peter said, "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
Spirit". (2Peter 1: 21)
That covers the full scope of the Bible, the Word of
God--That is inspiration. Now, remember that REVELATION plus INSPIRATION equals
the Word of God.
Go to lesson three Holy Spirit Baptism