Religious Herald Editor Backs Inerrancy

by Rev. J. B. Jeter, D.D.                                                                                                                             Vol. VI, No. 8, October 1993

Let us now examine the testimony of the apostles on the inspiration of the Old Testament. ... Peter... said, "Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas." Acts i. 16. The apostle had reference to Psa. xii. 9. The text had not a very clear reference to Judas; but Peter, himself inspired, declared that it was inspired by the Holy Ghost, that the mouth of David was merely the organ for uttering the prophecy, and that its fulfillment was a matter of necessity. No advocate of plenary, verbal inspiration has ever expressed it more clearly or strongly than did Peter on this occasion. To the same effect was the language of all the disciples, when Peter and John, released from imprisonment and the power of their enemies, "reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them." "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord," saying, "Thou art God,... who by the mouth of thy servant David hath said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?" Acts iv. 25. These words were not David's but God's. David uttered, but God indited them; and filled them with a meaning of which probably the Psalmist had but little conception. 1 Pet. i.11,12. On this subject the teaching of Paul is explicit and full: "All Scripture is given of God; and is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii. 16,17. The apostle affirms, not only that Scripture, but "all Scripture" is Divinely inspired. The language clearly means, not merely that every book of Scripture, but that all the contents of every book, historical, geographic, and scientific, as well as doctrinal, is inspired of God; and therefore infallible, and fitted to make the man of God perfect. As Paul teaches the measure, so Peter states the manner of Divine inspiration. He says, "Prophecy came not in old time (at any time. Mar.) by the will of man; but holy men of God spake (and doubtless also wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." God employed holy men to reveal his truth to the world. They did not speak or write by their own will; but as they were enlightened, guided, and influenced by the Holy Spirit. Their messages were instructive, threatening, encouraging or consolatory, according to the Divine will. We think it an error to say that the Scriptures do not teach the manner of Divine inspiration. We do not see how the manner of Divine inspiration could be more clearly taught than in this language of the apostle Peter. The manner, too, is such as to preclude the possibility of error in the Scriptures. Surely the Holy Spirit, infinitely wise and good, can move holy men to teach only what is true, and pure, and adapted to subserve the ends of Divine revelation.

[Dr. J. B. Jeter was editor of the Religious Herald from 1865 until 1880. The above passage is excerpted from an article written by Jeter titled "Inspiration of Scriptures" published in Baptist Doctrines, edited by C.A. Jenkens and published by Chancy R. Barns, St. Louis, 1880. Emphases added. Baptist Doctrines consists of 23 chapters, each by a different well known Baptist of that day, including J.B. Gambrell and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.]