Can We All See the Bible Alike? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All See the Bible Alike? John 8:32 “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” Jn. 8:32 1. Aim: To show that all people can and must understand the Bible alike! 2. According to God, we have the "words of life" which bring eternal life a. That is The Bible, or the Word of God b. This lesson concerns all religious people 3. Jesus said in Jn. 8:32: "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – in other words, you can know the truth, and it can set you free from sin a. Jesus says that we can see the Bible alike. – “you can know the truth b. We can understand it, and we can see it alike. c. Jesus tells us why we can all see the Bible alike, Jn. 17:17 “Thy word is truth”

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Some say No ! Excuse for all religions Overlook error God has preserved His perfect Word for all 1. So the question this morning is, can we all see the Bible alike? a. Many say NO ! b. This is the excuse for all the different religions and beliefs c. Most people overlook religious error because they think that we cannot all see the Bible alike. 2. We live in an educated and modern world. a. We have gained more knowledge than has ever been attained about the original manuscripts of the Bible and the archeological discoveries that provide evidence concerning the word of God b. This has helped the position of the Bible today i. More discoveries of the texts ii. Scriptures have been accurately translated, God has preserved His perfect word down through the ages iii. More people have access to the Bible in their own language today than any other time in human history c. Any person of average ability can know God's will better and more completely than in any previous age. 3. Can we all see the Bible alike? Yes we can. Let me explain how and why we can.

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS REVELATION OF GOD “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 I. YES – BECAUSE THE BIBLE IS GOD'S REVELATION A. God's Word is the revelation of His will to man. In other words, the Bible is God’s message of what he wants man to know. Wouldn't you think that God wants us to all understand His message to us alike? 1. II Pet. 1:20-21 "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”

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS REVELATION OF GOD "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

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS REVELATION OF GOD "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim 3:16 God has spoken: by men to men for men II Tim. 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” A. And so the Bible is God’s message to humans. Surely God wants us to all understand His message to us in a like manner. (click) B. God has spoken by men, to men for men! C. The Bible is God reaching down to man to enable man to reach back to God!

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS COMPLETE “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 III. THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE – God’s message to us thru His word, has everything that God intended for us to know in order to please Him and glorify Him, lacking nothing A. II Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 1. The Bible, God’s Word, is all we need -- nothing needs to be added, or taken away or changed. 2. It is God's will just as He wanted us to have it.

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS COMPLETE “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.“ Jude 3

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE 1. Intelligent person can understand the Bible Mk. 12:37 – common people Jn. 7:17 – If any man Rom. 15:4 - “our learning” IV. THE BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE A. An intelligent person can understand the Bible 1. Intelligent a. Does not mean we must have a college degree b. Anyone with a sound or stable mind can understand the Bible c. Any mature, sane individual can understand the Bible d. Mk. 12:37 "...And the common people heard him gladly." e. Jn. 7:17 "If any man wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine." 2. If it is not possible for us to understand the Bible then why was it given? a. There would be no reason for God giving it if it cannot be understood b. It would be an insult to God’s intelligence and wisdom to give something to man that man cannot understand c. But God expects us to learn from what He has written down d. Rm. 15:4 "whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." e. If the Bible cannot be understood then it is a cruel hoax because the Bible itself claims that we can understand it.

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE 2. Honest man can understand the Bible Jn. 8:32 “know the truth” Truth is same today B. An HONEST man can understand the Bible 1. We are made in the image of God - Gen. 1:26 a. Man has the ability to think, reason, and reach conclusions - because we are made in the image of God. b. Jesus appeals to us to learn in order to know the truth - Jn. 8:32 “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 2. We can know the truth a. Jesus said we could b. The people in the 1st century learned and obeyed the truth c. We are just as smart as they were and we can learn the truth today. 3. The truth of God today is the same as it was then. a. The Bible is the complete final will of God b. The church today must teach and practice religion as the church did in the 1st century. c. It is the same today as it was 1900 years ago. Truth has not changed.

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE 3. God expects us to reason Rom. 10:17 Eph. 3:4 “by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” C. God expects us to reason to reach conclusions 1. Rm. 10:17 "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." 2. Eph. 3:4 "by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." (click) Understand = comprehend a. The Bible is the revealing of a mystery b. Understanding what was not known before = mystery. God has made known to us salvation thru Christ c. If we could not understand the Bible why did God give it to us? To comprehend

Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All see the Bible Alike ? Yes BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:17

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I 1 IGNORANCE Some have not studied We are commanded to study 2 Tim. 2:15 V. WHY DON'T WE ALL SEE THE BIBLE ALIKE? 3 reasons... A. Ignorance 1. Some do not know what the Bible teaches because they have not studied it, and simply uninformed 2. Some are ignorant and want to remain that way 3. But we are commanded to study - 2 Tim. 2:15 – “Study to show yourself approved before God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 2 PREJUDICE Preconceived idea – opinion Mind made up before they look at the evidence B. Prejudice 1. Prejudice - a preconceived idea, or preconceived opinion 2. Some have their minds made up before they look at the evidence found in the Bible about subjects such as how a gain salvation, worship, organization and work of church 3. There is no way to understand the Bible properly when we bring prejudicial bais’ to the table, that goes for us too. a. When we bring prejudices to the table when we study God’s Word, that makes us bend the Bible to our beliefs and preconceived notions b. When people bring their preconceived ideas to their Bible study, instead of us bowing to what the Bible teaches, we will make the Bible to suit us and our lifestyle

Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Man A Man B Man C 1. Ill. of 3 men with glasses a. Man "A" reads with Green glasses and the paper appears green b. Man "b" reads with red glasses and the paper appears red c. Man "c" reads with blue glasses and the paper appears blue. 2. Well, the paper is actually white. There is no way to convince these three that the color is not as they see it. They have a pre-conceived idea of what they are going to see.

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 2 PREJUDICE Man A - Green Man B - Red Man C - Blue Calvin Wesley 1. Application - If a man reads the Bible: a. (CLICK) With John Calvin - then he gets the ideas of Calvin b. (CLICK) With John Wesley - then he gets the teachings of Wesley c. (CLICK) With Joseph Smith - then he something different altogether d. The creeds of men are the pre-conceived teachings of men. e. You and I have to be very careful of this, that we don’t read the Bible through the glasses of any man, but study it as God’s letter to you, because that is exactly what it is Smith

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 3 FOOLISH REASONING 1. If there is disagreement then no one is right 2. There is disagreement 3. Therefore no one can be right. C. Foolish Reasoning 1. Here is the silly or unreasonable way some people reason (1) If there is disagreement among religious people then no one is right (2) There is disagreement among religious people (3) Therefore they conclude that no one can be right! 2. This is neither reasonable nor correct a. It is not true that just because there is disagreement then no one can be right b. If 10 mathematicians give different answers to a math problem, it does not prove that no one has the correct answer or that no one can arrive at the correct answer!

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 3 FOOLISH REASONING c. If 4 witnesses give differing testimony about what they saw at the scene of a crime, it does not mean that no one has given the correct account.

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 3 FOOLISH REASONING d. If 4 physicians give different diagnoses for someone who has an illness, it does not mean that one of them is not correct. e. Many have concluded, falsely, that since there is differences in religion then no one is right and no one can know the truth. f. Some have concluded that it is impossible to find out what is the truth. But Jesus said the exact opposite, that we can and must no the truth g. The fact that men differ does not alter the fact that the Bible is the absolute truth of God and that man can understand it.

Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Why Do We Not All see The Bible Alike ? 3 FOOLISH REASONING 1. If we don’t know everything about the Bible then we don’t know anything. 2. We don’t know everything about the Bible. 3. Therefore we don’t know anything. 3. Other people foolishly reason that we Must Know all to know anything. a. Here is the way some people reason; (1) If we don't know everything about the Bible then we don't know anything. (2) We don't know everything about the Bible. (3) Therefore we don't know anything. b. That is foolish and ridiculous

Can We Understand the Bible? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We Understand the Bible? Timothy understood “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15 VI. CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE OVERALL BIBLE? YES ! A. Timothy understood 1. 2 Tim. 3:15 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2. This was from his childhood 3. This was the Old Testament, but is certainly applicable to the NT as well

Can We Understand the Bible? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We Understand the Bible? Whole books were to be read to congregations. “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.” 1 Thess. 5:27 B. Whole books were to be read to congregations in the 1st century 1. 1 Thess. 5:27 “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.”

Can We Understand the Bible? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We Understand the Bible? Whole books were to be read to congregations. “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Col 4:16

Can We Understand the Bible? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We Understand the Bible? Paul said that when they read, they would understand. “by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” Eph 3:4

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I YES!! That is the only way we can understand it. It offers truth on every subject. D. But, can we understand it alike? YES!! 1. That is the only way we can understand it. 2. God’s word offers truth on every subject. – How to be saved, how we should live, how we should worship, and every other question that deals with what God wants us to be doing during our short time on this earth.

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We Understand the Bible Alike? YES!! Not only can we understand it alike, we must understand it alike!! or, someone has misunderstood it. E. Can We understand the Bible? Yes 1. Not only can we understand it alike, we must understand it alike!! 2. … or, someone has misunderstood it.

Can We All See the Bible Alike? Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part I Can We All See the Bible Alike? 1. Can we all see the Bible alike? Yes!!! If we understand the Bible we will understand it alike. 2. God is not responsible for all the religious errors and confusion, man is responsible. God is an all powerful loving God and He gave us a Book called the Bible and He expects us to read it and understand it and obey it. 3. Jn. 8:32 “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” YES!

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION Rev. 2:10 1 PET. 3:21 baptism JN. 12:42 confess LK. 13:3 UNTIL DEATH OBEDIENT repent JN. 6:29 believe ACTS 3:22 hear

What If I Sin ? Err from the Truth – Jas. 5:19 Repent - Acts 8:14-24 Confess – 1 Jn. 1:9 Pray