Inspiration in the New Testament

[Homer]

Here is something I had never noticed before:

1 Peter 1:10-13 (New King James Version)

10. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

It seems to me that Peter is saying:

1.The prophets spoke of the grace to come.
2.They sought information regarding what (person) and when.
3.The spoke by the Spirit of Christ.
4.They spoke not for their own benefit.
5. The things of which the prophets spoke were announced by those who preached the gospel to the elect.
6.Those who preached the gospel were preaching by the same Spirit by which the prophets spoke, which would seem to put their words on the same level of inspiration as the prophets.

In support of #6 it seems to me that the gospel is not restricted to the general facts about Jesus which might have been known by observation. Paul included certain doctrine as being part of the gospel, doctrine which was received from the Spirit of Christ after His ascension:

Galatians 1:11-12 (New King James Version)

11. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:1-5 (New King James Version)

1. Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5. to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Paul's gospel, which came by revelation, included doctrine concerning the relation of Christians to circumcision and the Law, and not just the facts about Christ. It would also seem to demonstrate that there is some overlap between teaching and preaching.

And this revelation Paul received is, I believe, specifically what Jesus had in mind here:

John 16:12-15 (New King James Version)
12. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

[steve7150]

which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.






I think i've heard Steve G. say that the gospel writers did'nt definitively claim inspiration, they only claim they are reporting the truth but it sounds like Peter is claiming that they were inspired.

[Homer]

Hi Steve7150,

You wrote

it sounds like Peter is claiming that they were inspired.

That is also my impression.

Interestingly, I just noticed the apparent implications of what Peter wrote the other day and then this morning at church a man referred to the passage as support for the same idea.

Blessings, Homer

[kaufmannphillips]

We have the question of whether the phrase "those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" applies to the composition of the canonical gospels.

For what it is worth, I will note that the matter is not articulated explicitly; and it is possible that the writer(s) of I Peter could have regarded the composition of one or more of the canonical gospels in such a way, without holding the same opinion about the composition of all four.

[steve7150]

We have the question of whether the phrase "those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" applies to the composition of the canonical gospels.

For what it is worth, I will note that the matter is not articulated explicitly; and it is possible that the writer(s) of I Peter could have regarded the composition of one or more of the canonical gospels in such a way, without holding the same opinion about the composition of all four.




That's possible and i think Mark was written first in collaberation with Peter yet i think because he does'nt identify an individual gospel implies to me that he may be referring to the synoptics.