The Illumination of Scripture

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Illumination Of Scripture

The doctrine of illumination refers to “the ministry of the Holy Spirit whereby He enlightens those who are in a right relationship with Him to comprehend the written Word of God.”  First, illumination is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus prophesied that the Holy Spirit would teach truth to all believers. 

• 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 that I said to you. - John 14:26

Second, illumination is only available to believers, who are in a right relationship with God. 

• If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. […] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8, 10

Third, the truth, which the Holy Spirit enables the believer to understand, is God’s Word.

• Sanctify them in the truth: Your word is truth. - John 17:17

Illumination is necessary for two reasons.  One, the Bible is a book unlike any other human book, God wrote it.  Human thinking alone is insufficient to perceived spiritual truths.  

• For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:11

Two, human thinking is not only insufficient, but it is also unregenerate.

• But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Unless the Holy Spirit regenerates an individual, he or she may learn Bible facts, but they will never know the truth contained within its pages.