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Today's Little Lift

    by Jim Bullington

It Is Not You Who Speak (Matthew 10:20)
Date Posted: September 19, 2020

The Bible is often called The Word of God. This designation sets it apart from all other books and writings. It is not generally called A Word of God, again setting it apart as unique and unlike all human productions. If this book consisting of 66 books and 1189 chapters merits this descriptor, i.e. The Word Of God, there must have been some very special processes involved in its production and its preservation. Today's message will deal with one of the important processes that make the Bible totally unique.

Speaking specifically to the twelve apostles as they were being sent out, Jesus spoke the following words to them: “But when they [the enemies of truth] deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10.19-20 NKJV). The same passage is now quoted from the New International Version: “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10.19-20 NIV).

Notice that the highlighted promise in this passage only applied under certain circumstances. This is not to say that it could not apply at other times, but the current passage deals only with a specific circumstance, i.e. “when they arrest you [deliver you up].” The point of focus here is the words that came from the apostles' mouths under these circumstances. The words that came from their lips were to be words put there by the Spirit of the Father; they were to be words spoken by God. The men involved were just “mouth pieces” through whom God's word was passed.

An example of how this worked can be seen in Acts chapters four and five. Acts four begins with the arrest of Peter and John as they were preaching the gospel to an intently interested crowd gathered at the temple in Jerusalem. As Peter and John were being questioned by the High Court, Luke records that Peter was “...filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4.8). Under this guidance, he proceeded to address the Sanhedrin with a powerful discourse. Among the things he said was the following: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.12). Today we frequently quote Acts 4.12 as being the “gospel truth” about the possible sources of forgiveness. These words are not merely Peter's words; they are words which God spoke through Peter under the specific conditions of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 10.19-20.

Continuing this same story line, Peter and John were apprehended a second time after their miraculous release from prison. Again they were hauled before the high court where they were reminded that they had been charged not to speak or teach anymore in the name of Jesus. To that charge, Luke records the following: “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5.29). This time it was not just Peter speaking; other apostles said the same thing. Note that they said “...we [plural] ought to obey God rather that men.” Once again Jesus' promise was fulfilled in that the apostles under examination by enemies of the cross spoke Divine truth even as they were enabled to do so by the Holy Spirit!

What we have seen though our brief examination of today's focus text is an example of God's word being spoken by a few men under select circumstances. If it is true that God could speak in these circumstances through men, one must admit the possibility of His speaking at other times and places through other men. We have seen that the concept of Verbal Inspiration is a biblical concept and that the Bible being The Word of God is supported by its claims!

Questions:

1. To whom was Jesus speaking in Acts 10? Is it significant to know to whom He was speaking? Why or why not?

2. What were the special circumstances under which the promise He made to them would apply?

3. What evidence is there in the immediate context of Acts 4 that Peter was speaking under the influence of God or the Holy Spirit?

4. Did God say that we “ought to obey God rather than men”? If not, who did? Support your answer.

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Biography Information:
Jim Bullington - A Christian writer whose insight into the scriptures is reflected in practical application lessons in every article. The reader will find that the Bible speaks directly to him/her through these articles. God is always exalted and His word is treated with the utmost respect in this column.
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