Today’s reading: 1 Chron 24:1–25:31, 2 Tim 3:10–17, Ps 89:1–22

Today’s theme: Inspired, inerrant and infallible

Today one of the most important passages regarding the bible itself is in our reading. It is one of the most important scriptures to me personally and I’m sure to many. God’s word is the objective truth of God which He inspired to be written for our benefit and His glory and which He has preserved as  inerrant and infallible until this day. This is why we trust the books found in the Bible as the actual word of God.

1 Chronicles 24:1–25:31

God’s order in our lives

the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 1 Chronicles 24:18 (ESV)

There are quite specifically 24 divisions of the descendants of Aaron the high priest.

Each division would have their turn to serve in the ministry of the temple each year (with the lunar calendar consisting of only 48 weeks each group would serve twice yearly for a week each time).

This points forward to the 24 elders we see in Revelation 4:4. 24 like 12 speaks of God’s government and order.

We find application in two ways. The first is that we serve a God of order and planning, not mess and spontaneous diversions. We must order our lives according to God’s word and His ways in line with His Spirit.

One way to order our lives is to be faithful in waking each morning at a certain time for prayer and study and even going to bed by a certain time. This sense of order and planning should filter across into every area of our lives.

The other application is that we are not part time servants for the Lord, we serve Him 24 hours a day. See 1 Peter 3:15.

Prophesy through praise

Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 1 Chronicles 25:2 (ESV)

When we read about prophecy in the new testament and its use in everyday life and the church community, we are not speaking about prophecy to be taken on the level of the Cannon of Scripture which is closed.

Prophecy is now the bold declaration of the word and truth of God often done in praise and worship. Colossians 3:16.

Just like these priests were set up by the King to prophesy with guitars, harps and cymbals in thanksgiving and praise, so we should see our times of praise both private and corporate as a time of prophesying the truth and glory of God as expressed in His revealed word. Ephesians 5:19.

Like Asaph we should prophesy under the direction of our King Jesus. It is worth noting that Paul encourages us all to prophesy, he doesn’t mean we should all tell the future, he means we should all boldly declare the truth of God’s word and in faith proclaim that which God lays on our hearts in accordance with His word by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:5, 26.

2 Timothy 3:10–17

Inspired, inerrant and infallible

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

This is one of the most comforting and important scriptures to me personally. It strikes at the very core of our faith. It is this that gives us the firm ground to stand upon when we say the bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God.

The cannon is closed, this means the time of inspiration and writing of the bible is completed and we have God’s complete revealed word in the bible.

When we say the bible is infallible we mean it is not misleading and so safeguards God’s revealed truth. It is the safe and reliable rule and guide in all matters.

When we say the bible is inerrant we mean it is free from all falsehood or mistakes (translation errors withstanding) so is entirely true and trustworthy in all its assertions.

Some today claim that they have new revelations, new prophecies that are on the level of or above scripture. Infamous claimants include Mohammed (Islam) , Joseph Smith (Mormons), Mary Baker Eddy (Scientology), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovahs Witnesses) and Ellen G White (7th Day Adventists).

Psalm 89:1–22

Ruler of the earth

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. Psalm 89:11 (ESV)

There is no one like our God, He is sovereign and rules not just over heaven but also over the earth.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 3