The origin of the apostles’ words was no mystery to those who honestly listened to them and sought truth. There were many “religious messages” that were being taught, but the message of “the Word of God” stood out and stood far above anything else that man was hearing.
Paul affirmed, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance” (1 Thess. 1:5). Many “words” were being spoken by many religious groups, but only one “set of words” was being delivered with any power and assurance to the hearers, as only one “set of words” originated in the mind of the Almighty God.
The receptive hearts in Thessalonica recognized this power and assurance, thus Paul was able to rejoice with them—“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13).
Paul and Peter both denied any human origin of the words that they spoke and wrote. Consider these passages:
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12).
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual…” (1 Cor. 2:12-14).
“If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37).
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
The original recipients and readers of the books of the Bible were able to have the highest confidence in the divine origin of the words they read. And, so can you! “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God!” (2 Tim. 3:16). We can know that, trust that and hold on to that with all assurance!