2. The Bible Can Be Understood! God says His Word was/is intended for ALL and can be understood by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4) God says His Word was/is intended for ALL and can be understood by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4) – “…how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture is understandable and is to be understood. The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture is understandable and is to be understood. “And the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37). “And the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37).

3. Can the Bible Be Understood Man can understand many matters alike Man can understand many matters alike – Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc. – Recipe – Prescriptions – Simple math – Road signs & traffic signals – Blueprints for homes & buildings – Final scores of games – Food order at restaurant We trust the source. We trust the reliability of the info. We trust our ability to understand, comprehend & act accordingly. Who do you trust more? Your doctor or God? Your pharmacist or God? Your waitress or God? Your government or God?

4. Can the Bible Be Understood Man can understand many matters alike Man can understand many matters alike Understanding the Bible is not only possible, Understanding the Bible is not only possible, understanding the Bible IS EXPECTED! If we understand the Bible at all, If we understand the Bible at all, WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE! – That’s the only way to understand it. – There’s no such thing as understanding differently. – Man can misunderstand differently, but not understand differently. There’s only one way to understand it! – We don’t “understand math differently.” God created the world, us & the Bible! God created the world, us & the Bible!

5. If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then… There can be no unity! There can be no unity! – The unity Jesus prayed for is impossible (Jn 17:20-21). – The unity that Paul commanded is only wishful thinking (1 Cor. 1:10). Either God’s will or His ability is lacking! Either God’s will or His ability is lacking! – Either God could have written a book that could be understood but He wouldn’t (not willing!)… – Or God would have written a book that could be understood but He couldn’t (not able!). – Yet He gave us a book & required us to understand it in order to be saved.

6. If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then… Was God up to the task of: Was God up to the task of: – Giving us a book that could be understood? – Giving us a book that could be understood alike? – Giving us the ability to understand it? – Giving us the ability to understand it alike? Do you believe God wants us: Do you believe God wants us: – To understand the Bible? – To understand the Bible alike? – To have the ability to understand the Bible? – To have the ability to understand the Bible alike? Did God create: Did God create: – A perfectly understandable book or a deficient book? – A people able to understand or deficient to understand?

7. If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then… There can be no unity! There can be no unity! Either God’s will or His ability is lacking! Either God’s will or His ability is lacking! The Bible is reduced to nonsense! The Bible is reduced to nonsense! – Matthew 4:4 – Luke 6:46 – John 8:31-32 – Romans 16:17 – Romans 12:16 – Philippians 2:2 – Philippians 3:16 – Ephesians 4:5 – Ephesians 5:17 – 1 Corinthians 14:33 – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

8. Just the Facts! Fact #1: The Bible can be understood! Fact #1: The Bible can be understood! – The Bible is understandable whether one knows it, believes it, obeys it, likes it, agrees with it, seeks it or understands it or not. Fact #2: The Bible can be understood alike! Fact #2: The Bible can be understood alike! – Do you suppose it is acceptable to God for 10 men to stand behind 10 pulpits in 10 churches and preach 10 different plans of salvation? – What about 1 preacher who stands behind 1 pulpit in 1 church and preaches 10 different plans? – God gave us His word that can be understood alike and taught alike (cf. Acts 18:24-28).

9. The reality is: We Do Understand the Bible Alike! Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6 Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6 Exodus 16:16-30 Exodus 16:16-30 Exodus 20:12-17 Exodus 20:12-17 Joshua 6:1-5 Joshua 6:1-5 Isaiah 53:3-8 Isaiah 53:3-8 Matthew 22:37-39 Matthew 22:37-39 Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 15:13 Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 15:13 We understand the Bible ALIKE We understand the Bible ALIKE UNTIL we get ourselves in the way! What does Mark 16:16 say? What does Mark 16:16 say? John 3:2 – why? John 3:2 – why? 2 Cor. 12:7-9 – what? 2 Cor. 12:7-9 – what? John 8:6 – what write? John 8:6 – what write? Gen. 3:6 – what kind? Gen. 3:6 – what kind? Ex. 3:2 – what kind? Ex. 3:2 – what kind?