Monday, December 14, 2009

How To Study The Bible (Conclusion)

Food For Thought
Accept All That
Is Given On Each Subject


My friends, the Bible is not like an encyclopedia with complete information pertaining to a topic given under one heading. Different writers in various books may give pertinent details on the same point. Every passage relating to a matter under consideration must be examined, understood and embraced before one piece of divine testimony is to be omitted.

A Failure to take the total teaching on certain, Bible topics is a frequent source of religious "ERROR". Some read John 3:16, or Acts 16:31 and conclude that Salvation is by "Faith" Only ! Well, if they would read a little bit more, in His Word, they will see in (James 2:24) "That man is not justified by Faith Alone". And too, they fail to even look further in there study. For Other passages give conditions of Pardon. See.. (Mark 16:16; Acts, 2:38; 22:16).

To form an opinion without examining the "Entire" body of evidence is "Foolish" and fallacious as to decide contrary to the evidence. No person has a right to hold any theory which he cannot reconcile to "All" parts of the Bible, or which conflicts with any portion of it.

Accept Only What
Is Given On Each Subject


The bible is a pattern; a rule (Heb 8:5; Phil 3:16). Those under the first covenant or the (Law of Moses) were warned again and again "NOT TO ADD TO OR TAKE AWAY" From What God hath said. (Deut. 4:2; 12:32). The New Testament is just as explicit. We are " NOT to go beyond the things, which are written" (1 Cor. 4:6, 2John: 9; Gal 1:8, Rev: 22:18, 19).

My friends remember that Foolish Man, going back to the first century, thru even today, have chosen to rebell against What God/Christ hath said. Thus over 1500 denominational Man Made Churches have popped up. None, mind you, None, Authorized or Approved by God/Christ in His written Word to Man. Oh Foolish Man.. Good News: Heaven Wont be Crowded, when those that choose to Obey Him, get there! Christ Built One Church: His ! Period"!! In (1 Peter 4:11). We read "Every Man should speak only as the oracles of God!"

A person or Group who presumes to teach and practice that which "Is Not" authorized, simply because it may not be specificly prohibited, is following a dangerous path. Ample examples are recorded in the Bible to show that this is an unsafe course. (cf; Lev: 10:1-ff; 1 Chron. 15:2, 13-15).

King Uzziah sinned when he went into the temple and attempted, to sacrifice upon the altar of incense even though God had not expressly forbidden him ( 2 Chron: 26: 16-21). Moses had spoken nothing concerning priests out of Judah (Heb. 7: 11-14) Where God has not directed, "We Dare Not Go".

Take The Bible For What It Says


The Bible means What It Says, and Says what it Means. This ought to be true of every other book. If any book says not what it means, then how can we know what it does mean? If it does not mean what it says then it means nothing at all.

I am not suggesting that every word and sentence should be taken literally. Figurative speech is often employed in the scriptures. "Judah is a lion's whelp" (Gen. 49:9). "Go and say to that fox" (Luke 13:32). "I am the vine, ye are the branches" (John 15:5). Judah was not literally a lion's cub, Herod was not a fox nor was Jesus a vine or His disciples branches. In such expressions the "Figurative" sense is the True meaning. Yet these same "Literal" characteristics are transferred to the "Figurative". Each was like that which they were called.

All words should be considered "Literal" unless the evident sense of the "Contex" forbids it. If a "Literal" interpretation would involve an impossibility or demand wrong acts, then the word must be taken "Figuratively" (cf: Matt: 8:22, 18: 8-9). Also when an author plainly says that his language is "Figurative" we must accept it as such. (cf John 2:18-22; 7:38-39).

While some words allow for various meanings, only one true sense may be attached to any word in one place. An elder was simply an older person (1 Tim: 5:1) yet at times it referred to any "Overseer" in the church (Titus: 1:5, 1 Tim: 3:1). The "Context" will help determine the author's intended use of a particular word.

Words Do Matter!

Words of definite action can have but one meaning as it relates to action. Walk, run leap, sit, weep, sing, dip, pour, sprinkle, all indicate a definite actions with but one possible meaning. Since the Greek word "Bapitizo" means "to dip.... to immerge, to immerse, submerge" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, p. 94) then the command to "Be Baptized" (Acts 2:38) could Never be Obeyed by pouring or sprinkling short of immersion. (Dont tell the Catholics that)

For there Man Made Church was one of the first, that rebelled against God/Christ and His Word. For they created there own Words, which contradicted that Of the Lord's. There Man Made baptism method, is just another example of that groups rebellion against What Christ had said. In Two ways. First there "Sprinkling" & Pouring" when baptizing, 2. To a Young Child or Infant. Are just two examples where by that foolish group chose to ignore what Christ hath said. A prime example of the "Foolishness" of that Man Made organization.

For young children, and infants, dont need to be Saved, For the Lord tells Man, that they already are, for He does not Hold them accountable for sin, and that If One of those should die, they automatically will be with the Lord, in Heaven. But the Catholics, once again dont believe God, Thus "Making Up" there own Ways, thru Creed Books and so-forth versus, Christ Ways. Thus not saved, or in favor of Christ. So they conduct young children, and infants baptism's.. Ole Foolish Man.

Use Common Sense


The Bible is filled with every-day experiences of ordinary people. It was written in the language which they could easily understand. Good judgement is as important in studying this book, as in any other.

Sound judgment is necessary for one to distinguish, "Truth" from "Error". Little understanding can be gained without the ability to draw reasonable conclusions and make practical applications. Increase common sense and judgment can be ours for the asking. (James 1:5). "Pray without Ceasing" ( 1 Thess. 5:17).


Grow In Understanding


Bible knowledge does not come all at once. Think of a young child. "Baby Steps". As in everything else, one must grow. Newborn babes in Christ are urged to "long for the spiritual milk.. that ye may grow thereby unto salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

One should not continue on milk diet but increase "In the knowledge of God" (Heb: 5:12-14; Col: 1:10; 2 Peter: 3:18). The more one studies the more he is bound to learn. Those passages that once seemed difficult will soon become clearer. (I Promise You) For remember this comes from a "Slow Learner" ME ! In time any sincere diligent student of the Bible will have a much deeper and richer appreciation of its "Sacred" "Truths".

"And now I commend you to God, and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified". (Acts: 20:32)



******Stay Tuned****************

Thanks


Jim

5 comments:

  1. Message rec'd by a reader of these "Food For Thoughts"

    I have a different perspective on life than you do, but that shouldn't stop us from being fans of one another. I look forward to reading your study, thoughts and experience. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A message rec'd by a young college man:

    i like your writings, Jim, that are very informatics, well understand and helpful. Thanks for teaching me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i so agree with how you view the bible, and admire you for voicing your opinion, in this day and age, it will not always be well received. Even the word obey is disliked. I believe everything god asks us to do is for our own good so to obey him is to be fulfilled, thankyou for such a lovely hub...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thee above was from a 40 y/o female

    ReplyDelete
  5. Msg from a 32 y/o man.
    "I am impressed by your apparent knowledge of the Bible. Evidently you practice what you preach by studying the Bible fervently. Keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete