Two essential Truths.
When it comes to Studying the Bible, there are two essential truths to understand:
1-The first truth we learn is weighed more heavily than all other teachings.
2- What we already believe is weighted more heavily than all other teachings.
Therefore the danger is;
that if we have been taught incorrectly, or some incorrect teaching we hold dearly to,
then it can be not easy to accept new truths.
So, for example, the teaching that women must not lead men, will result in a struggle to allow women to teach, unless it is to other women.
Another incorrect teaching that some believe is the truth, is that there will only be a remnant through the great tribulation. The first example I will look at in this study. The second example is covered by the series on eschatology summarised in Victorious Eschatology.
Allowing God to Wash Us.
It can be a scary action to momentarily put aside the teachings we have received and allow God to wash us with the word of God. Rethinking everything I have previously taught is precisely what I have done, and I invite you to do the same as you study the scriptures using the guidelines listed below. We will find our effectiveness in the power of God grow as we do this, then following through with studying the teachings on this website with the same study mindset.
Studying the Bible as the Inspired Word of God
2 TIMOTHY 3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
An Extension of His Will.
The greek word for inspiration in this scripture is theopneustos. God-breathed – is the Literal translation. The Greek translation for the root word pneo is – wind, breath, a spirit, the Spirit. So we conclude that in a symbolic sense, the word Paul uses is a model of the Bible itself: an extension of Gods will, formed out of His spirit, in written form.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
God’s Word is Breath to us.
Therefore, bringing us life, and also making us more like Christ. As we read the scriptures, we breathe in the word of God.
2TIMOTHY 3:16 EVERY SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE BREATH OF GOD.. IT WILL EMPOWER YOU BY ITS INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION, GIVING YOU THE STRENGTH TO TAKE THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND LEAD YOU DEEPER INTO THE PATH OF GODLINESS.
In the same way that the Spirit breathed life into Adam and Eve, the Word of God enters us.
This why when we declare the word of God over sickness it must bring life if the Word of God agrees with the words of Jesus. And this is why we use “in the name of Jesus”.
Notice that it says ALL scripture:
We need to consider both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Be very careful not to take one scripture without taking the whole of scripture. An example of this is about men not having long hair because that is what the Bible says:
1 CORINTHIANS 11:14 DOES NOT EVEN NATURE ITSELF TEACH YOU THAT IF A MAN HAS LONG HAIR, IT IS A DISHONOR TO HIM?
But there is a problem with making this an absolute, because we see that God told Samson and those who took the Nazarite vow to never cut their hair!
JUDGES 13:5 FOR BEHOLD, YOU SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON. AND NO RAZOR SHALL COME UPON HIS HEAD, FOR THE CHILD SHALL BE A NAZIRITE TO GOD FROM THE WOMB; AND HE SHALL BEGIN TO DELIVER ISRAEL OUT OF THE HAND OF THE PHILISTINES.”
Studying the Bible Focusing on the Original Intention of God
The original intention of God needs to be THE pivotal point by which we read all scriptures.
Focus on The Vision of God.
If we focus on the vision of God and see everything that He does is to fulfil that vision, then we major on what He majors on.
EPHESIANS 1:4-5 JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE, HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL,
God’s original intention and focus were to have sons and daughters, not just to “save sinners”.
What Fruit we Produce Depends on What we Focus on.
For example, if our focus is on making sons and daughters of God, rather than “saving sinners” then our equipping of the saints will train them how to be rule and reign as confident sons and daughters. They will then develop into sons and daughters who are holy and blameless through the love of the Father, the sanctifying of the Word (Jesus) and the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
But if our focus is a distant God who is angry at sinners, our fruit in those we lead will be fearful of distant God.
Remember what we focus upon is what we become.
If our focus is on overcoming sin, we will often sin more, because we are becoming self-righteous, but we will overcome sin if we commit it to the Lord and walk in the Spirit.
Studying the Bible Through the Lens of the Goodness of God
The character of God towards His children needs to be the pivotal point by which we read the scriptures.
God is Always Good to His Children. Focusing on the goodness of God is far more effective than focusing on an angry God with “Jesus, as the asbestos suit for humanity against the fire of an angry God.
” LUKE 11:13 IF YOU THEN, BEING EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!”
God is Always Looking for Children. God is always looking towards humanity as their Creator, for Him to become their Father. If we preach following the original intention of God to have sons and daughters, rather than “Jesus came to save sinners”, we will be much more effective in our evangelism.
EPHESIANS 1:4-5 JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE, HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL,
Studying the Bible Through the New Covenant
We must study all scripture in the context of the active covenant. In other words, if we are looking at the Old Testament, then we must look at it under the relevant covenant. If it is prophetic, then we need to look at the covenant it is supporting. For example, if we are looking at the curses of the Mosaic law, we cannot apply it today. We cannot put witches to death under the New Covenant.
The Mosaic Covenant was Nailed to the cross. The Old Testament needs to be read in context of the New Testament revelation, as this is what we are living in now that the old has been wiped out .
COLOSSIANS 2:14 HAVING WIPED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF REQUIREMENTS THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US. AND HE HAS TAKEN IT OUT OF THE WAY, HAVING NAILED IT TO THE CROSS. HEBREWS 8:13 IN THAT HE SAYS, “A NEW COVENANT,” HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. NOW WHAT IS BECOMING OBSOLETE AND GROWING OLD IS READY TO VANISH AWAY.
Therefore, instead of focusing on the blessings and curses of the Old Covenant found in Deuteronomy 27 and 28, we need to realise these are no longer active because we now live according to the blessings found in the beatitudes which have replaced them.
The curses are no longer active, because Jesus became the curse for us.
The New Covenant is Now the Active Covenant.
Therefore all study must be through this lens
Jew and Gentile are now one.
Our minds and hearts will know the correct thing to do and think.
Believers will know the Lord individually.
He will teach believers personally.
Sins are no more.
Believers are now the people of God (sons and daughters).
We rule and reign as king.
Studying the Bible, We Do Not Make Absolutes Relative.
An example of an Absolute:
It would be that homosexual marriage is not marriage in the sight of God.
An example of making them relative would be saying marriage between people of the same sex is acceptable because the ban on homosexual marriages doesn’t apply now, only back in the time of the first disciples. This teaching is incorrect because all unrepentant sexual immorality will result in eternal separation from God.
REVELATION 21:8 BUT THE COWARDLY, UNBELIEVING, ABOMINABLE, MURDERERS, SEXUALLY IMMORAL, SORCERERS, IDOLATERS, AND ALL LIARS SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.”
We know that homosexuality is not acceptable because:
There is no scripture that contradicts this.
It goes against the concept of matrimony between man and wife – being the first covenant God made.
GENESIS 2:24 THEREFORE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
Studying the Bible, We Do Not Make Relative Cultural Truths an Absolute.
Making a relative scriptural reference into an absolute biblical principle is a sure way to introduce legalism.
An Example of Relative Scriptural Reference:
An example of wrong teaching on a cultural truth and making it an absolute for all christian women- is that women cannot teach men In his epistle to Timothy, Paul makes a cultural statement relative to the churches at that time
1 TIMOTHY 2:12 AND I DO NOT PERMIT A WOMAN TO TEACH OR TO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER A MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE.
The reason why Paul taught this was because of the culture of the Ephesian church. If it was an absolute then we have the following problems:
Mary had Authority over Jesus.
Firstly, Mary taught the son of God – Jesus! She even did it when Jesus started His ministry, and she was correct in her foresight!
JOHN 2:4-5 JESUS SAID TO HER, “WOMAN, WHAT DOES YOUR CONCERN HAVE TO DO WITH ME? MY HOUR HAS NOT YET COME.” HIS MOTHER SAID TO THE SERVANTS, “WHATEVER HE SAYS TO YOU, DO IT.”
The Bible is Full of Women Teaching Men.
There are over 800 verses in the bible where teaching is by a woman. Are we therefore going to say that those 800 verses cannot be taught to men?
Women Apostle.
Another example is Junia was a woman apostle mentioned in the Bible.
ROMANS 16:7 GREET ANDRONICUS AND JUNIA, MY COUNTRYMEN AND MY FELLOW PRISONERS, WHO ARE OF NOTE AMONG THE APOSTLES, WHO ALSO WERE IN CHRIST BEFORE ME.
She was such an excellent apostle that she was considered outstanding amongst the apostles.
Studying Remembering Context
Although it is critical that we keep making the scripture relevant to us today, there is a risk that by doing this we forget who it was written to.
Jewish Religion
In the early church, it was predominantly a Jewish audience that the letters (now called epistles) were written to. Their lens was through Judaism in Roman culture. Although the Romans had defeated the Greeks, the Romans were heavily influenced by Greek culture.
Who Was it Written to
Although completely relevant today, the epistles were written to the church that was in persecution. It is very easy for us to develop a negative attitude until we realize that they had a much harder time than we do now.
When It Was Written
Much of the New Testament was written at the greatest time of suffering for the Jewish people, and things were about to get worse for both the Jews and the Gentile believers who were about to go through the promised Great Tribulation that Jesus prophesied would happen within one generation and never be repeated. Therefore we need to read about suffering in the context of the coming Great Tribulation. To be faithful to God and His Word we must not catastrophise the current situation (for example Covid) because Jesus was clear that the Great Tribulation was the day of vengeance that would finish in 70 or 130CE depending on how you interpret the word generation.
We Need to Receive the Word of Life Four Ways.
1 JOHN 1:1 THAT WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING, WHICH WE HAVE HEARD, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR EYES, WHICH WE HAVE LOOKED UPON, AND OUR HANDS HAVE HANDLED, CONCERNING THE WORD OF LIFE—
Hear – receive teaching from others
Seen – daily reading, read through the Bible once every year
Looked upon – study the Word of God diligently
Hands have handled – meditate upon. To meditate on the word of God means “to chew the cud” In the same way that a cow chews on grass, swallows it to digest it for a while, then regurgitates it up to chew some more, then swallows it again, until it is properly ready to receive all the nutrition.