Can We Understand The Bible Alike?

Introduction The title of this sermon is a misnomer. It is impossible for two people to understand anything and not understand it alike

We may misunderstand a fact or a command – but our differences arise from our misunderstanding and not from our understanding

I. Speak where the Bible speaks

Deut. 29:29 [29] The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Secret things belong to God – Revealed things belong to us Secret things belong to God – Revealed things belong to us. Too many want to pry into the secret things or they want to speak where the Bible does not speak

2 Tim. 4:1-2 [1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

“Preach the word” Timothy was not to speculate on the word of God We are not to preach/teach opinions, but the word of God

“We had better spend more time preaching the word, and not so much time preaching about the word.” (Fred E. Dennis)

1 Pet. 4:11 [11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;

Rev. 22:18-19 [18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Gal. 1:8-9 [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 John 9 [9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

II. Illustrations from Scripture

Burning bush - Exodus 3:2-4 [2] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. [3] And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

[4] And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Did the angel of the Lord appear to Moses in a burning bush? YES We say yes because that is what is revealed – This is speaking where the Bible speaks

What type of bush was it? We do not know because it is not revealed – no need to speculate To say what type of bush it was is to speak where the Bible is silent

Please note that when we confine our answers to what is revealed we are in agreement When we begin to speak where the Bible is silent we are divided

Nicodemus – Jn. 3:1-2 [1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Did Nicodemus come to Jesus by night? YES The Bible says so Why did he come by night? The Bible is silent

III. Applications of “Speak where the Bible speaks & be silent where the Bible is silent”

1. How should people be baptized Immersion? Sprinkling? Pouring?

Rom. 6:3-5 [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Col. 2:12 [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. BY IMMERSION

2. What name should we wear? Catholic? Methodist? Baptist? Presbyterian? Pentecostal?

Acts 11:26 [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

1 Pet. 4:16 [16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. CHRISTIAN

3. Music in worship All agree that it is right to sing in worship (most who use mechanical instruments still sing) But some want to “play” also – on mechanical instruments of music

We are united on the singing, but divided on the use of instrumental music in the worship One is found in the N.T., but the other is not

Conclusion Let us all speak where the Bible speaks & remain silent where God has not spoken

References – Points taken from an article by Fred E References – Points taken from an article by Fred E. Dennis at the Gospel Preceptor website