Life Capsule for Today Date: 28th November, 2023
Theme: The Ministry of the word (3)
Memory Verse: 2 Tim 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: KJV
Topic: All scripture is given by inspiration of God
Text: 2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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 Ghost. KJV
Words of the Ministry:
We have been considering the ministry of the word and we started the week by stating that the word is God’s means of transformation. Emphasis was made that without the word, our spiritual growth would the stunted and that is the reason why many even after several years of being a Christian are still ruled by the flesh. Yesterday, we learnt the kind of attitude we must have towards the word. We contrasted two of Jesus’ disciple, Peter and Judas. We saw how Peter was made a mighty apostle by his humility to the word regardless of how harsh it came be it in public or secret. We also saw Judas, how he lost all by his attitude towards the word, how his disregard for correction led him to an early grave and eventual destruction. Today we would be looking at the entirety of scripture as an inspiration from God.
The author of Timothy must have referred to the Hebrew scriptures 2 Thim 3.16 especially because most likely only the Hebrew scriptures (old testament) existed then. Like our memory verse said both the Hebrew Scriptures and the new testaments are by the inspiration of God and equally authoritative as holy men wrote in the old testament Hebrew scriptures through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the new testament apostles and prophets also wrote to the Church to edify the saint (Eph 3.4-6, 4.11-13). Peter emphasizing on this said in 2 Peter 3:1-2 ‘Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. “NIV.
As Christians, we come across different categories of text in the bible some are more like biographies, poetry, psalms, teachings on salvation, marriage, love etc Some stories even appear embarrassing to the characters involved yet we say it is inspired. The term “inspiration” is an unfortunate term to use when talking about the Bible’s authority. The modern meaning of the word does not convey the idea of God’s divine authority. But because the word “inspiration” has been used for a long time to refer to the authority of Scripture we will still employ it, when necessary. It is much more proper to speak of the Bible’s divine authority the Bible being authoritative, the Bible being “God-breathed, or the Bible being, “God’s Words.”
Many saints argue against some writing in the old testament saying we are not under the law so they wouldn’t obey them, to that, I like us to be careful because while some things like ceremonial laws of feast and moral laws have been done away with, some teachings still hold, for instance the 10 commandment of Moses still hold while we have a new law of love, when we look into it we see it’s the old testament law elevated and fulfilled. When we come across a type in the old testament which has been fulfilled, we are meant to do away with them. Another good guide in this area is to look at the practices of the New Testament Church as outlined for the book of Acts to Revelation, this would help us avoid some certain practices that are alien to the biblical Church of God.
Our attitude when we come across such passages that contradicts the new testament Church life is to pick the new testament teaching as it is the fulfilment and the original intention of God, an example is on marriage, while in the old, polygamy was allowed, so was divorce at every instance under mosaic law but when we look at it in the new testament we noticed it was never God’s original plan and Moses allowed it because they had hardened hearts. We must never import such in the name of some prophet did so in the old testament. When the word clashes with our culture, denomination practices and private preferences, we must like Jesus bow to the word and say they will be done. We must not insist on the practices of our culture, traditions or denominations. Obedience to God’s word as our ultimate guide is a true test of our love and real sign of humility and maturity, John 14:15”15 “If you love me, you will obey what I Command.
Bible in One Year: 2 Cor 1-4
For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.com or visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.