HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE
THE
BIBLE:
Inspired by God
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in
man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
2 Timothy
17 That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
Spoken & Written by Men of God
2 Peter
Numbers
2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my
tongue.
2 Chronicles
Deuteronomy
31:9 And
Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of
Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD,
and unto all the elders of
Deuteronomy
31:24 And
it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this
law in a book, until they were finished,
25 That Moses commanded the Levites,
which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
26 Take this book of the law, and put
it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be
there for a witness against thee.
Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which
said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38 This is he, that
was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the
Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath
the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them
were committed the oracles of God.
Psalms 12:6 The
words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation
for ever.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE?
To reveal the Person of God & His will for mankind
1 Samuel
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience
and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Corinthians
2 Timothy
15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto
you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know
that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe
on the name of the Son of God.
THE BIBLE = OUR FINAL AUTHORITY
How often have you read in various church statement’s of faith or by-laws: “The Bible is our sole source and only rule of faith and practice”, or words very similar? If people really and truly believe this statement then:
Why – All the confusion?
Why – All the conflicting doctrines?
Why – All the differences between Christians?
Why – So many different churches?
What’s the
problem?
1Corinthians
THE BIBLE IS PERFECT!
1 Peter
24
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The
grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the
gospel is preached unto you.
We are not perfect!
Romans
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an
unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not serve sin.
Ephesians
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to
another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Keeping these things in mind
– the very first thing a person must know when they study the Bible is – You
can know about:
Doctrine
Bible
Characters
Bible History
Jewish
History
Church
History
Etc., etc.,
etc.
And not “know” the Bible!!!
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our
glory:
8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would
not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him.
10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God.
11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God.
12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God.
13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but
which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.
15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no
man.
16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have
the mind of Christ.
1 John
21
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know
it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1 John
27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in
you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing
teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you,
ye shall abide in him.
Ephesians
16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of him:
18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his
calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints,
19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at
his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which
is to come:
22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
things to the church,
23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy
to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in
peace of them that make peace.
The First “KEY” To Understanding the Bible then
is: THE HOLY SPIRIT.
If the Holy Spirit doesn’t show you and convict you personally of Bible Truth – It won’t ‘stick’! Without the Holy Spirit’s Guiding and Teaching the Book remains a mystery; or a source and a ‘tool’ to bring men into bondage to a religion, a church, or a man. Without the Holy Spirit’s “unction” and “anointing” the Bible is just a collection of old books or writings that are “quaint” and possibly of some interest, but having no real significance in our modern sophisticated world.
3 Things That Hinder Our Understanding
The World
1 John
16 For all that is in the world, the lust
of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world.
17
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of
God abideth for ever.
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not
redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your
vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot:
20
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you,
21
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from
the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
James
14
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not
against the truth.
15
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.
1 Timothy
21
Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee. Amen.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments
of the world, and not after Christ.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The Flesh
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh
is weak.
Mark
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they
are life.
John
Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh,
the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring
forth fruit unto death.
Romans
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the
things of the Spirit.
Galatians
1 John
The Devil (Satan)
2Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to
them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the
serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle
unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name
was Barjesus:
Acts
Acts
37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from
Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one
from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto
40
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the
grace of God.
41
And he went through
Romans
2 Corinthians
15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16
And what agreement hath the
17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I
may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory,
they may be found even as we.
13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ.
14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren
unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have
in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Ephesians
Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
1 Timothy
15
For some are already turned aside after Satan.
2 Timothy
25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will
not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
In our study of the Bible
there is one word to
always keep in mind: WHO?
Like the “Wise Old Owl” we should be asking:
WHO – Said that?
WHO – Was he speaking to?
WHO – Should follow and obey?
WHO – Does this apply to?
WHO – Is this written to?
This brings us to the second
“KEY” to understanding the Bible: RIGHTLY
DIVIDING.
2 Timothy
SOME EXAMPLES
OF “RIGHTLY DIVIDING”
1 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
Acts
11 These
were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
MORE EXAMPLES
OF “RIGHTLY DIVIDING”
#1. Earth before the fall of man:
No Bible, no rain, no pain,
no sickness, no death -
No Bible, no rain, extreme longevity, the
earth cursed, pain, sickness and death ushered in -
#3. Earth soon after the flood:
No Bible, rain, diversity of tongues, diminishing longevity.
#4. Abraham to Moses:
No Bible, God chooses a people for Himself – The Hebrews.
#5. Moses to the Lord Jesus Christ:
Old
Testament, God makes a nation out of His chosen people -
#6. Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ to the present:
New Testament, God
temporarily sets aside the nation of
#7. The future of the
world and mankind
Notice Anything Strange or Peculiar? – The Bible is a Jewish Book!
Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto
them were committed the oracles
of God.
God’s written revelation to man, His thoughts, His truth, His words were given to the Jews first!
Which
brings us to the third “KEY” to
understanding the Bible: THE JEW.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (
A FACT = An Undeniable Truth.
False Teaching
Almost all: Perverted Doctrine
Heresy
Comes From: COMMANDMENTS – Given to the Jews.
A church
Expropriated by: A cult
An
individual
OR: PROMISES – Given to the Jews
A church
Stolen by: A cult
An individual
OR: PROPHECIES – Concerning the Jews
A church
Applied to: A cult
An individual
The Bible = A Timeless
Book!
In the past: It filled the needs of the Jews and the nation of
Today: It serves our needs and will continue to do so until the Rapture.
Future: It will be sufficient for the tribulation saints and will be used in the millenium and throughout eternity.
We should remember:
All Scripture has 3 applications:
#1.
Historical
#2. Spiritual
#3. Doctrinal
All Scripture must be taken
literally – unless it is impossible to do so.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink
his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my
blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Scriptures are not to be privately “interpreted”.
2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation.
21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
All Doctrines derived from the Scriptures must be drawn from and built upon Scripture.
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from
the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10
For precept must be upon
precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little,
and there a little:
Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon
precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little,
and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and
snared, and taken.
In addition to the word “Who” there are 2 more words which we must be aware of which can help us to understand the Bible: AS & LIKE. God uses these words to clarify: a teaching, or a doctrine, or a Bible truth that He wants to teach us.
Another and important point and exclusive to the King James Bible is
the use of the pronouns ye, you [plural] and thee, thou,
thy, thine [singular]. The King James Bible
translators never used the
word ye in the singular case. Every time the word ye show’s up in the King James Bible, it is always used to denote a plural pronoun.
“YE, pronoun. The nominative plural of the second person, of which thou is the singular. But the two words have no radical connection. Ye is now used only in the sacred and solemn style. In common discourse and writing, you is exclusively used. But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified. 1 Corinthians 6.” YOU, pronoun Yu. You has been considered as in the plural only, and is so treated in the Saxon grammar. But from the Belgic dialect, it appears to be in the singular as well as the plural, and our universal popular usage, in applying it to a single person with a verb in the singular number, is correct. Yourself is in the singular number. 1. The pronoun of the second person, in the nominative or objective case. In familiar language, it is applied to an individual, as thou is in the solemn style. In the plural, it is used in the solemn style in the objective case. He that despiseth you, despiseth me. Luke 10. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
SOME THINGS TO BEWARE OF:
A “New” Doctrine
An “Exclusive Revelation”
An “Intellectual” Approach
A “
A “Jealous” or “Envious” Spirit
A “Pharisaical” Character
A “Mystery” Religion
I am always suspicious of any man, or church, or religion that practices or teaches any of the things mentioned above
1 Corinthians
19 For there must be also heresies among you,
that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
I wonder about pastors and teachers who won’t openly share Bible knowledge; who claim “special privilege”; and keep God’s people in the dark! Men who are jealous of their learning and who always want people to continue to come to them and them only for instruction and “enlightenment”.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the
word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with
you:
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received
of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as
it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Acts
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.
Two items that can be “helpful” in your study of the Bible as “study aids” only:
#1. Concordance
#2. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
These 2 books make Bible study easier. However, they are not substitutes for what has been presented in this study.
Being aware of and using the 3 “KEYS” and observing the ground rules presented here, any honest and sincere child of God can learn anything that God chooses to teach him or her.
John
John
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without
ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,
which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come,
and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we
are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God,
and eternal life.
Now this doesn’t mean that studying the Bible is “Easy”! Or that we can know everything there is to know in the Bible. Remember:
You must have an honest heart, mind, soul, and spirit.
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they,
which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth
fruit with patience.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among
you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
You can stumble at the word if you’re not careful.
1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders
disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to
them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they
were appointed.
You can twist and wrest the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of
our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto
their own destruction.
God’s word can cut 2 ways!
Hebrews
Remember the importance of embracing and espousing Uncorrupt
Doctrine.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern
of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be
condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil
thing to say of you.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is
charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have
turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what
they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a
man use it lawfully;
9
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless
and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for
murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there
be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which
was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ
Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting
me into the ministry;
13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained
mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is
in Christ Jesus.
15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on him to life everlasting.
17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour
and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy
13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself
wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.