Holy Spirit, inspiration of

The Holy Spirit inspires prophecy and gives knowledge of God, insight and wisdom. Scripture declares itself to have been inspired by God.

The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 See also Matthew 22:43 parallel Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16, Acts 4:25, Acts 28:25; Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 10:15

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

The Holy Spirit inspires believers to honour Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 12:3 See also 1 John 4:2

Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Purposes of the Holy Spirit's inspiration

Ephesians 1:17 See also 2 Timothy 3:16–17

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

The Holy Spirit inspired prophecy

Numbers 24:2–3; 2 Peter 1:21 See also Numbers 11:25–29; 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 19:20, 1 Samuel 19:23; 2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 15:1, 2 Chronicles 20:14, 2 Chronicles 24:20; Acts 11:28, Acts 19:6; 1 Peter 1:11–12

When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

People aware of the Holy Spirit's inspiration

2 Samuel 23:2 See also Isaiah 48:16 Isaiah; Micah 3:8 Micah; Acts 15:28 the Council of Jerusalem1 Corinthians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 7:40

The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

The Holy Spirit gives revelation

God's purposes revealed

1 Corinthians 2:10–13 See also Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 3:3–6; 1 John 2:27

But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The Messiah revealed to Simeon

Luke 2:25–27

Visions given

Acts 7:55 See also Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; Revelation 1:10, Revelation 4:2

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Visions interpreted

Acts 10:19–20

Dreams interpreted

Genesis 41:38–39; Daniel 4:8–9, Daniel 4:18, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 5:14

David's plans for the temple

1 Chronicles 28:12

Wisdom and knowledge are given

1 Corinthians 12:8 See also Isaiah 11:2; Acts 6:10; Ephesians 1:17

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,

God's fatherhood revealed to believers

Romans 8:15–16; Galatians 4:6

Speech is inspired by the Holy Spirit

Testifying to God

Matthew 10:20 parallel Mark 13:11 See also Luke 12:12; Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31, Acts 13:9

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Instruction

Nehemiah 9:20 See also Nehemiah 9:30; Acts 1:2; 1 Timothy 4:1

You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.

Speaking in tongues

Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44–46, Acts 19:6

Prayer

Romans 8:26–27; Ephesians 6:18