Not So Hidden Author
Not too long ago, I was doing my Bible study and I had a thought come across my mind regarding the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit). I asked myself, who do we hear from the most in the Bible? Some might say it is God the Father, but when you compare the quotes in the Old Testomant to the Christophenies (Preincarnated appearing of Jesus Christ) you quickly realize this is not possible. Yet, some might say it is God the Son, due to Jesus is quoted not only in the Gospels John 21:24-25 “24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” but also in the Old Testament and other New Testament books.
We know that Jesus is the representation of the Trinity to man, John 14:7-11 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own [authority;] but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 “Believe Me that I [am] in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” We know that the entire redemption story is written around Jesus Christ. However, when it comes to Jesus being quoted, we do not have as much as our final choice.
The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit, is the most quoted author of the Bible. You might be wondering or even scratching your head about this, but take a moment and think about the implications of those who did write the Bible. Moses wrote Genesis and yet lived over 400 years after the last events in the book. Is Moses the one writing? Of course he is, but so is the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21 “19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Peter is establishing a monumental truth that was already in practice with the coauthors of the Bible. None of them “willed” what was being written, they were all writing with inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This is a complicated aspect which we will be discussing in greater detail next week, but for now we can summarize that the Holy Spirit is talking. Jesus even recognizes this special role in John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
In the Old Testament we see that it is the Holy Spirit once again that moves people to speak on aspects they did not see. Moses with the book of Job, David with much of Psalms, and many more. So as you go in your own Bible study, take appreciation on what God is doing as the Holy Spirit and His personal interaction daily with us. Next week we will discuss more about how the Holy Spirit does what He does.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL