C E N I The method of interpreting the Word of God.

Why is there so much confusion? Why can’t we all understand the Bible alike? ▫Answer: We can. ▫What happens is we all MISUNDERSTAND it differently. How can 5 people read the same passage and each arrive at a different conclusion? How can I know what God wants me to do? What makes a statement in the Bible authority?

Hermeneutics This big word just means the method of reading, understanding and interpreting the Bible. Dictionary - the art or science of interpretation, as of literary or religious texts The basic method of interpretation is often abbreviated – CENI ▫C = Commands ▫E = Examples ▫NI = Necessary Inference

C = COMMANDS Think about the 10 Commandments God is Sovereign – Supreme – In Charge God issues Commands. We must obey. Commands are found all through the Bible. OBEY THEM.

C = COMMANDS 28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" 29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the L ORD our God, the L ORD is one. 30 And you shall love the L ORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. Mark 12:28-30

C = COMMANDS 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5:8-9

E = EXAMPLES Examples is a more difficult area because: ▫Some examples are of people doing wrong, sin ▫Some examples of a way people did something, but not required of us ▫Some examples are binding on us as a command ▫Some examples are binding in general, but not in the specifics of the example

E = EXAMPLES Some examples determine doctrine 1.Communion is commanded. 2.In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 1 Corinthians 11:25

E = EXAMPLES Some examples determine doctrine 1.Communion is commanded. 2.Coming together is commanded - 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 1 Corinthians 11: See also Hebrews 10:25

E = EXAMPLES Some examples determine doctrine 1.Communion is commanded. 2.Coming together is commanded 3.1 st day of the week assembly is commanded - On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2

E = EXAMPLES Some examples determine doctrine 1.Communion is commanded. 2.Coming together is commanded 3.1 st day of the week is commanded 4.Acts 20: 7 is an example of the above requirements. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Acts 20:7a

E = EXAMPLES Some examples are not binding as doctrine ▫Communion – 2 examples (Matthew 26; Acts 20) ▫BOTH are in an upper room (2 nd floor) ▫BOTH are at night ▫In Matthew 26:30 – following communion – they “sang a hymn and went out.” These are examples of A WAY to do it, but 2 nd floor and night are not binding on us.

E = EXAMPLES FOR AN EXAMPLE TO BE BINDING – IT MUST ILLUSTRATE A REQUIREMENT.

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE This is the most difficult area to understand and apply. There are many things that we might “infer” from a statement. Inference is not authority. Where there is more than one possible inference – it is not a necessary inference.

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE NECESSARY INFERENCE = There is only one explanation for the fact stated. I saw the man come out of the building. Inferences – Why he was there, how long he stayed, what he was doing there. NI = He went in the building.

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE 6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' Mark 7:6-7

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE 10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 11 But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"--' (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Mark 7:10-13

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE This command is most often applied to children in the home – honoring and obeying their parents. Jesus applies this command to adults who fail to care for their aging parents. Necessary Inference = HONOR FATHER AND MOTHER DOES NOT EXPIRE WHEN YOU TURN 18.

NI = NECESSARY INFERENCE 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Matthew 22:31-32 NI = Abraham is still alive.

CONCLUSION In everything we do – we must have Biblical authority. C = Commands E = Examples are binding when the illustrate a requirement NI = Necessary Inference