Principles provided by the Bible itself enable students of the Bible to properly read and grasp the true teachings of God's Word. Seven principles, "internal rules," are these:
1. Rightly Divide the Word of Truth
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
This principle confirms the harmony of the Bible, clarifying that changes made by God are not contradictions but deliberate differences recorded in Scripture that must be distingushed. No one can get far in properly understanding the Bible without recognizing the divisions in Scripture established by God.
John 1:17 - "the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ"
Romans 6:14 - "ye are not under the Law but under Grace"
Ephesians 2:11,13 - "in time past" ... "but now"
Ephesians 3:2 - "the dispensation of the Grace of God which is given me"
Collossians 1:26 - "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations but now is made manifest"
2. Compare Scripture with Scripture
2 Peter. 1:20 - knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any "private" interpretation.
We should never take just one verse by itself, "private" from all else that the Bible says, but compare Scripture with Scripture. We must do this because ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God. In other words, all that the Bible says on any given subject must be taken into account. Comparing Scripture with Scripture enables us discover the true harmony of the Bible. We must not base our understanding on just one isolated verse of Scripture.
John 5:39 - Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures" which necessarily involves finding all the relevant statements of Scripture on any given subject so as to understand what is true.
Acts 17:11 - The people at Berea "searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so."
3. Respect the Authority of Scripture - 2nd Timothy 3:16
"Given by inspiration of God" doesn't mean motivation by God, but rather that God gave the words. The Greek word for "inspiration" is theopneustos [theos God and pneuma breath]. God breathed out the words of Scripture. The Bible is His written Word.
1st Corinthians 14:37 - "commandments of the Lord"
Matthew 15:4 - "God commanded"
1st Thessalions 2:13 - "ye received the Word of God... as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe"
4. Remember that inspiration extends to the words, not merely the gist of the Bible
1st Corinthians 2:13 - "words which the Holy Ghost teacheth"
Matthew 24:35 - "My words shall not pass away"
Galatians 3:16 - "He saith not seeds, as of many,.. but seed"
Considering this, we should choose the translation we use, not merely for simplicity, but accuracy, and should learn to read with care and accuracy.
5. Do not add to or subtract from the Word of God
Deuteronomy 4:2 - "ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish"
Proverbs 30:6 - "add not thou to His words"
Revelations 22:18 - "if any man shall add unto these things God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book"
6. Do not wrest [twist] the Scriptures
2nd Peter 3:15,16 - "Paul hath written unto you...which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures"
Galatians 1:6 - "pervert the gospel of Christ"
2 Corinthians 1:17 - "many who corrupt the Word of God"
We must not be like them but let the words of the Bible have their obviously intended meaning.
7. Be totally honest and sincere with the Bible
2 Corinthians 2:17 - "we are not as many who corrupt the Word of God, but as of sincerity"
Romans 16:18 - "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple"
2 Corinthians 4:2 - "[we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully"
How God Saves
Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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