RULES FOR BIBLE STUDY
Carey Scott, in his recent newspaper article wrote: Most denominations recognize
the Bible as being the word of God given to mankind, for purpose of application
in our lives to serve God as He wants to be served. The Bible is the only document
in the world that reveals the mind of God. Everything else is the doctrine of
man. Since the Bible is so important, we must establish and recognize some rules,
so that we can rightly divide the word of Truth. Following these rules will bring
us closer to the Bible student that God wants us to be.
1. Realize that the Bible must be studied and rightly divided — treating
it honestly and fully, in a straightforward manner: Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth. 2 Timothy 3:15
— rightly divided — accurately handling: Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling
the word of truth – NASB
2. Realize that the Bible contains the mind and will of God: — : Where is
the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God
the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching
to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
Man is able to know the will of God: — if he wants to badly enough: If any
man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
[whether] I speak of myself. John 7:17
3. Approach Bible study reverently and humbly: — know God has not forsaken
us: they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast
not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalms 9:10
David proclaimed — ALL thy commandments – : My tongue shall speak
of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness. Psalms 119:172
4. Have profound faith in ALL the Bible says — One cannot accept only a
part of the Bible as being inspired. We must accept it all or reject it all: All
scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man
of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16
5. Let the Bible speak to you — not you to it: — we may want to believe
a certain doctrine and do all to find it justified in the Bible — Peter
speaks of those who wrest the scriptures — writing of Paul’s epistles:
As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are
some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Pet
3:16
Gill’s Exposition on the Entire Bible on this verse: wrest the word of God,
distort it from its true sense and meaning, and make it speak that which it never
designed; dealing with it as innocent persons are sometimes used, put upon a rack,
and tortured, and so forced to speak what is contrary to their knowledge and consciences.
An example — The scripture quotes Jesus as saying: He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. But Gill
retorts: Baptism has no casual influence upon salvation; it is not essential to
it; the thief on the cross, went to heaven without it
6. Study for profit and with an earnest desire to know more of God's will, and
not just to argue or endeavor to justify yourself, but to obey it — Jesus
said: what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul? Mark 8:36
Even thought He was king — David sought for profit the mercy of God: Be
merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea,
in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge. Psalms 57:1
Example of two men — one acting for profit and show — the other acting
with an earnest desire to stand approved in the Sight of God: — Luke 18:10-14
— Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other
a publican. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that I am not as other men [are]..... (12) I fast twice in the week, I give
tithes of all that I possess. (13) And the publican, standing afar off, would
not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,
God be merciful to me a sinner. (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
7. Be willing to obey with no qualification or question what God commands of you:
Example of one who did what God told him to do without question: Genesis 22:2
(God) said (to Abraham), Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering
upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Abraham obeys without question: Genesis 22:29-10 — And they came to the
place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the
wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
(10) And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
One who asked what he could do — but could not bring himself to do what
was commanded: Luke 18:18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what
shall I do to inherit ETERNAL LIFE?
Jesus commands — but the ruler refused to do what the Savior said: Luke
18:20-23 Thou knowest the commandments, ....... (21) And he said, All these have
I kept from my youth up. (22) Now when Jesus heard and said unto him, Yet lackest
thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (23) And when he heard this,
he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
8. Use common sense in your study of the Bible: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
defines common sense as: beliefs or propositions that most people consider prudent
and of sound judgment, without reliance on esoteric knowledge or study or research,
but based upon what they see as knowledge held by people "in common".
Thus "common sense" (in this view) equates to the knowledge and experience
which most people already have, or which the person using the term believes that
they do or should have. According to Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase is good
sense and sound judgment in practical matters.
The Lord’s invitation to the sinful Children of Israel who did not expect
Him to converse with them: Isaiah 1:18 Come, let us reason together, sayeth the
Lord:
An example -– In Thessalonica Paul reasoned out of the scriptures Acts 17:2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned
with them out of the scriptures.
But there were some in Ephesus who were not reasonable in their discourse with
disciples in the city: Acts 19:33-35 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude,
the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have made his defence unto the people. (34) But when they knew that he was a Jew,
all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great [is] Diana of
the Ephesians. (35) And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting
him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence
unto the people.
Another group who were not reasonable — Paul in Jerusalem giving his defense:
And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices,
and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he
should live. (23) And as they cried out, and cast off [their] clothes, and threw
dust into the air,
9. Observe who is speaking in a scripture: Jesus spoke to Saul (Not to anyone
else – just Saul – we should not await a bright light as in Saul’s
case) in route to Damascus to bring Christians back to Jerusalem to be tried:
Acts 9:3-6 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined
round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a
voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who
art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard
for thee to kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said,
Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Moses by inspiration wrote: — The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a
Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall
hearken. Deut 18:15
Peter quotes Moses and adds — him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever
he shall say unto you — then says — every soul, which will not hear
that prophet, shall be destroyed — effectively saying that we should no
longer hear Moses in anything: Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall
the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall
ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. (23) And it shall come
to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed
from among the people. Acts 3:22-23
Peter — later referring to the teaching that Gentile Christians should obey
the Law of Moses — said: Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon
the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Paul then wrote about those attempting to be justified by the law of Moses: Christ
is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace. Gal 5:4
10. Observe to whom each statement is addressed — many things Paul wrote
is addressed to all who would be servants of Christ — there some things
he wrote that is not for us: The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when
thou comest, bring [with thee], and the books, [but] especially the parchments.
2 Tim 4:13
But the command given by Peter on Pentecost is for everyone: Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38
11. Do not interpret one passage of scripture so as to contradict the teaching
of another — recognize God cannot lie — all His Word is truth and
affords no contridactions: Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which
is after godliness; (2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised
before the world began; (3) But hath in due times manifested his word through
preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our
Saviour;
Paul wrote three times of his speech and writings — I lie not — lying
would be a contradiction: Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience
also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.
Again: 2 Cor 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed
for evermore, knoweth that I lie not
Finally: Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I
lie not.
12. Determine if the language is literal or figurative. Take all passages as literal
unless the context forces a figurative interpretation — the Jehovah Wittinesses
are famous for not recognizing Parables – the rich man and Lazarus in Luke
16 — they say is a parable — therefor there is no hell as described:
Wikipedia Dictionary Online describes a parable as a story — referring to
something that might naturally occur, by which spiritual and moral matters might
be conveyed.
Now is Jesus telling of the rich man and Lazarus was something that might naturally
occur — Jehovah Wittinesses claim it is a parable defeats itself. If hell
as described by Jesus naturally occurs then it really exists.
13. Don't read something into the text which is not there: The story is told of
Martin Luther — as shown in a movie about him — when reading Rom 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ: — he added the Latin word Sola after being justified by faith —
making the passage read Therefore being justified by faith Sola – or faith
only thus giving rise to all of denominationalism that teaches we may be saved
by faith only without baptism.
An example of denominational writing on the subject: Gill’s Exposition of
the Entire Bible — A denominational bible commentator on Mk 16:16: baptism
... has no casual influence upon salvation; it is not essential to it; the thief
on the cross, went to heaven without it.
The Jews tried to read into the OT that they could have eternal life: Ye Search
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
But eternal life is not found in the Old Testament scriptures — it is found
only in Jesus — this is life eternal – know the only true God, and
Jesus Christ: John 17:2-3 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he
should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (3) And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent.
14. Harmonize the Scriptures, taking ALL God says on any subject: Example –
Regarding the Lord’s Supper that Jesus had just established: Acts 26:19
I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink
it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
The church and the kingdom is used interchangeable by Jesus: Mat 16:18-19 I say
also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto
thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven.
The church — built by Jesus on the day of Pentecost continued stedfastly
in breaking of bread — partaking of the Lord’s Supper: Acts 2:42 continued
stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
There is an appointed day to partake of the Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:7 upon
the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech
until midnight.
Concerning coming together to break bread on the appointed day: Heb 10:24-25 let
us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting
[one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Paul relays a commandment about the Lord’s Super he received of the Lord:
1 Cor 11:23 I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a memorial commanded by Jesus: 1 Cor 11:24
when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body,
which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of the Lord’s Death:
1 Cor 11:26 as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the
Lord's death till he come.
A proper attitude is necessary to obey the commands of the Lord’s Supper:
1 Cor 11:28-29 let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread,
and drink of [that] cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
15. Have the proper attitude toward the Bible and how it teaches: If you don’t
understand a passage – be a Nicodemus – inquire further — don’t
just go away saying – ‘no one can understand the Bible’: Nicodemus
came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher
come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be
with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into
his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into
the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit.
16. Produce the Scripture for ALL you do in religion — there is no good
work that the Bible doesn’t teach: 2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture [is] given
by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.
Peter also declared: 1 Pet 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto
us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge
of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
We must not pervert the revealed Gospel: Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon
removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
(7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert
the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any
other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Do not add to (as Martin Luther did) nor take from (as the commentator Gill
did when he took Baptism for salvation out of what Jesus commanded in Mk 16:16)
the scriptures: Rev 22:18-19 every man that heareth the words of the prophecy
of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him
the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out
of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are
written in this book.
17. Don't appeal to the SILENCE of the Bible for authority for anything: Examples
of obeying the silence we sing — singing is the only thing commanded in
church music: Eph 5:18 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
An Argument from the silence of the scriptures: The Bible Doesn’t Say
Not to Use Mechanical Instruments of Music in Worship.
Answer: True! — But Consider What the Bible Says about the Lord’s
Supper: as Jesus Introduces the Unleaven Bread & Wine to be Used in Worship.
— Jesus Took Bread, and Said, Take, Eat; this Is My Body. He Took the
Cup (Juice of the Grape), Saying, Drink Ye All of It; For this Is My Blood Shed
for the Remission of Sins. I Will Not Drink of this Fruit of the Vine, until
That Day When I Drink it New with You in My Father's Kingdom. Mat 26:26-29
The Bible Doesn’t Say Not to Use to Use Corn Bread & Buttermilk in
the Lord’s Supper! Does This Make Corn Bread & Buttermilk in the Lord’s
Supper All Right to Use??????
Carey Scott
By Dwight W King 6/5/2011
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