Handling God’s Word Accurately

Lesson 6

Our objective in this study is to learn some principles which will help us to handle God’s word properly or accurately, 2 Timothy 2:15.  To over-emphasize the importance of Bible study is impossible. The Word is our only means of knowing God and His Son, Jesus, John 17:3; 20:30-31.  The Bible is our source of light or direction, Psalm 119:105, 130.  It bolsters faith and hope, Romans 10:17, Romans 15:4.  If we are ignorant of the Bible, then we stand in darkness.  Not only must we know the Bible, but we must understand how to rightly use it.

I.    UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF THE BOOK ITSELF.

A.  The Bible Is The Revealed Mind Of God.

1.   It is not the product of man.  It was not authored and engineered by human genius,
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

2.   Since it is from God, it is excellent, perfect, able to accomplish all that God desires for it to accomplish, Isaiah 55:10-11.  It was given to instruct us in His way, Jeremiah 10:23; 17:9.

B.  The Word Of God Will Endure Forever.

1.   Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25; John l2:48.

2.   God has preserved His word throughout the centuries from corruption.  While some have attempted to make changes to His word, the unaltered truth is available for those who seek.

II.   IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO TESTAMENTS – OLD AND NEW.

A.  The Old Testament Was Given To Israel.

1.   The Mosaic Law was a national covenant between the nation of Israel and God.

2.   The old covenant was designed to bring them to the time of Christ, Galatians 3:23-26.

B.  We Live Under The New Covenant.

1.   Colossians 2:13-16; Ephesians 2:11-16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 10:9; Romans 6:14.

2.   We destroy our relationship with Christ if we live by the old, Galatians 5:4.

III.  COMMON SENSE RULES FOR BIBLE STUDY.

A.  Note Who Is Speaking And To Whom The Message Is Spoken.

1.   The speaker may be the devil or a pagan like Pharaoh whose words are not intended to be followed, Genesis 3:4; Psalm 14:1.

2.   Instructions may only have application to a limited audience, Genesis 6:14; Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Mark 16:15-16.  Social custom may also dictate whether or not we are obligated to follow the entire instruction of a given verse.  Compare 1 Corinthians 11:5; Romans 16:16; John 13:5.

B.  Study Each Passage In Its Proper Setting Or Context.

1.   Look at 1 Corinthians 14:39 with 13:8-10.  When divorced from the context, scriptures could be made to teach something entirely foreign to the truth.  See also Matthew 18:20.

2.   Simply reading other Scriptures in the same context will explain a verse in question.  The Bible does not contradict itself.  A verse should be viewed in light of its immediate context (a few verses and chapter) and in its remote context (a given book of the Bible and the rest of Scripture).

3.   Let the Bible speak fully and freely on a given subject.   Do not read one verse and stop.  Some read John 3:16 and do not investigate any further on the subject of salvation from sin.  John 3:16 must be reconciled with Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27.

4.   The modernist, for example, will accept what the Bible says about Jesus in Mark 15:37, 46, but he closes his mind to what is said in the same context in Mark 16:9.

5.   The Scriptures harmonize or they are not the product of the living God.  We must not establish a particular view and then try to make other Scriptures fit that view, 2 Peter 3:16.

C.  Use Scripture To Explain Scripture.

1.   Notice the following question:  “What constitutes baptism?  Is it sprinkling, pouring or immersion?” Answer:  John 3:23; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 8:38-39.

2.   Bible commentaries may be helpful in providing explanations of certain passages, but remember, they are written by men.  God is the most trustworthy commentator.

D.  The Bible Contains Both The Simple And The Complex.

1.   2 Peter 3:15-18; Hebrews 5:12-14.  The rule is to master the simple before attempting the hard.

2.   For example, one would be wise to study the book of Acts (an historical record of the growth of the early church) before Revelation (a highly symbolic or figurative book).  It would be better to have a grasp of Old and New Testament history before tackling the Old Testament Prophets.

E.  Time And Homework Are Necessary For A Working Knowledge Of The Bible.

1.   Learning the Bible does not happen overnight.  You will gain in direct proportion to the amount of time you are willing to invest in studying, using and applying the word.

2.   Read with a purpose.  Approach it systematically.  For example, a good place to begin is with the book of Luke and then follow with Acts.  This will give a good understanding of the earthly life of Jesus and the nature and function of the early church.

3.   Effort is required to understand more difficult passages and concepts.  Do not blindly accept the word of another about the Bible.  Find the truth for yourself, Acts 17:11.

4.   By meditation, allow God’s word to become the dominant factor in your thinking, Colossians 3:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9.  Memorization will be helpful,
Psalm 119:11.  By making application of Scripture, it will govern everything we think, say and do, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

F.  Respect The Purity Of God’s Word.

1.   Galatians 1:6-9; Matthew 7:15; 15:9; Revelation 22:18-19.

2.   Allow no one to pervert the word, 2 Peter 2:1; Titus 2:1; Romans 16:17-18.

Conclusion:  Your success as a servant of God depends on you. Learn now how to use God’s word properly.  God will keep you by His faithful word.  God has revealed what we need in life and to gain heaven.  The wise person will take action, Matthew 7:24-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Questions:

1.   Which of the following are laws that Christians are to observe:

a.    “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” Exodus 20:7.

b.    “Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children,” Ephesians 5:1.

c.    “Take now your son...and offer him there as a burnt offering,” Genesis 22:3.

d.    “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow,” Deuteronomy 14:22.

e.    “Whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Colossians 3:17.

2.   Which of the following Bible quotations should be heeded:

a.    “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” Acts 19:28.

b.    “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice...,” Exodus 5:2.

c.    “He (Jesus) has lost His senses...He is possessed by Beelzebub,” Mark 3:21-22.

d.    “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die,” 1 Corinthians 15:32.

e.    None of the above.

3.   What would you say to someone who claimed they were obeying John 3:16 although they had not been baptized for the remission of sins?

4.   Look at Acts 1:1-8. To whom does verse 8 apply according to the context?

5.   What are some practical ways in which memorization of Scripture will help you as a Christian?

 

Page last revised January 19, 2008 by Bob Sarrett.