Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Part 1

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Many people are convinced that they cannot understand the Bible, especially understand it alike Three dangerous consequences result: 1) people will remain ignorant of God’s word and will be lost (2 Thess. 1:7-8); 2) people who know some of God’s word will be vulnerable to false teaching (1 Jn. 2:26; 4:1-3; 2 Jn. 7); and 3) division will be promoted Can we understand the Bible, or not?

Can We Understand? nature of God Yes, because the nature of God “As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30) “for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33)

Can We Understand? nature of scripture Yes, because the nature of scripture “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16) “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7)

Can We Understand? nature of mankind Yes, because the nature of mankind “And God created man in his own image (Gen. 1:27) … And Jehovah God commanded the man (2:16) … And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? (3:1) … God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it (3:3) “that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him” (Acts 17:27)

Can We Understand? nature of mankind Yes, because the nature of mankind “And the common people heard him gladly” (Mk. 12:37) … “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15) “And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea” (Col. 4:16)

Yes, Can We Understand! “And he read therein … in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law” (Neh. 8:3) “Give me understanding according to thy word” (Psa. 119:105, 130, 169) “And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Mt. 13:23)

Yes, Can We Understand! “Hear, and understand” (Mt. 15:10) … “let him that readeth understand” (Mt. 24:15) “that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed” (Luke 1:4) “Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32)

Yes, Can We Understand! “For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read and understand, and I hope ye will understand unto the end” (2 Cor. 1:13) “how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:3-4) “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17)

Essentials to Understanding Will to do (Jn. 7:17) Hear all things (Acts 3:22) Guide me (Acts 8:30-31) Readiness of mind (Acts 17:11) Diligent attention (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15) Experience / add knowledge (Heb. 5:14; 2 Pet. 1:5)

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Yes, we can understand God’s word and understand it alike (Judges 7:3; Acts 2:41)! God expects us to understand his word alike in order to be saved and united in Christ

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Part 2

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Many people are convinced that they cannot understand the Bible, especially understand it alike Some attempt to justify ignorance, false teachings, or division this way If two people properly understand what God says on a matter, they will agree; if one or both misunderstand what God says, they will disagree

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Why is it that we cannot understand the Bible alike, but we can understand a parent, a teacher, a boss, a police officer, etc.? If we can understand the Bible at all, we can understand it alike. We may misunderstand the Bible differently, but we do not understand the Bible differently. Why do many not understand the Bible alike? Different attitudes and approaches toward the Bible.

Why We Do Not See the Bible Alike Hard heart, dull ears, closed eyes (Mt. 13:14-15) Follow men, blind guides (Mt. 15:3,9,13-14) – Influence of parents – Religious creeds of men – Personal feelings and emotions

Why We Do Not See the Bible Alike Blatant infidelity (Jn. 5:39-47; Acts 7:51) Accepting division (Jn. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10) No love for truth (2 Thess. 2:10-12)

Why We Do Not See the Bible Alike Arguing outside of revealed truth (1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:14) – Fruit (Gen. 3), bush (Ex. 3), by night (Jn. 3), etc. – Mode / person of baptism, name of the church, instrumental music, etc.

Why We Do Not See the Bible Alike Unlearned and unstable twist the scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16-18) – Different Bible study rules – No distinction is made between various parts and persons of the Bible Unwillingness to stay within God’s revelation (2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19)

Can We Understand the Bible Alike? Yes, we can understand God’s word and understand it alike (Judges 7:3; Acts 2:41)! God expects us to understand his word alike in order to be saved and united in Christ