Comparative
Bible Study Guidelines
I.
Explaining spiritual truths with spiritual words
How did
the Apostles explain the Spiritual truths written in the
Bible?
In I
Corinthian 2:13: Apostle Paul cite this unique
characteristic of a Holy Spirit inspired Preacher—like
the apostles—with a unique method of teaching.
"This is
what we speak, not in words taught us by human
wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing
spiritual truths in spiritual words." (New English
Bible)
The same
verse in other versions of the Bible:
When
we tell you this, we do not use words of
human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the
Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain
spiritual truths. (New Living Translation)
These are the things we are saying. We are
not using human ideas of wisdom which man taught
us. Instead, we are using words which the Spirit
teaches. We explain Spiritual things with
Spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:13,
International English NT)
The
Apostle Paul tell us that . . . . .
- they
express spiritual truths in spiritual words, or
- they
use Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths, or
- they
explain spiritual things with spiritual words.
In
explaining spiritual truths the Apostles never used
words taught to them by human wisdom.
What should
we do if an explanation of a biblical verse is needed?
-
Like
the Apostles, if an explanation of a biblical verse
is needed, we must refer back to the Bible and look
for the verse that explains it. By doing this,
we let the words of God explain the words of God.
Why should
we let the Bible explain itself or let the words of God
explain the words of God?
-
By
using the verses of the Bible to explain the
Spiritual truth written in other verses of the Holy
Bible, we will be using the words given or taught by
the Spirit of God.
-
Thus,
if we use the words given by the Spirit to explain
the truth taught by the Spirit, then we are sure
that no contradiction will result because the words
of God will never contradict the words of God.
How then
should we know the incorrect or wrong explanation of a
verse?
How
then should we know the correct explanation of the
verse?
Thus, we
should be looking for explanations that is in conformity
with other verses and with the biblical truth written in
the scriptures.
Determining the
correct
explanation of a verse:
-
First -
is to compare the questionable verse to clear passages
or verses dealing on the same subject.
If the questionable verse contradicts the clear verse or
verses dealing on the same subject, then you will know
that the questionable verse is wrong.
-
Second
- is to
compare the questionable verse to the Biblical Truth-
which is the teaching of the Bible as a whole.
If the questionable verse or teaching contradicts the
teaching of the Bible as a whole, then you will know
that the questionable verse or teaching is wrong.
This is the unique way the Holy Spirit teaches, we "use
Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths"
(I Cor. 2:13, NLT)
II.
No prophecy in scripture is a matter of personal interpretation:
Why should
"spiritual truths be explained in spiritual words" and not
in words taught us by human wisdom?
Apostle
Peter made this explanation in II Peter1:20-21:
First
of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in
Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
because no prophecy ever originated through a human
decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they
were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ISV)
The same
verse in other versions of the bible:
Know
this first of all, that there is no prophecy
of scripture that is a matter of personal
interpretation, for no prophecy ever came
through human will; but rather human beings
moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the
influence of God. (NAB)
"Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of scripture is of any private
interpretation, for prophecy never came by
the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
(NKJV)
First of
all, everyone must understand that. . . . .
Thus, the
scriptures which are the words of God can only be
explained by the words of God and not in words taught by
human wisdom.
How did the
"prophecy of scripture" come to be written in the Bible
if not through the will of man?
How
did God reveal His words to man?
In the
following verses these are written:
"God, who at various times and in different ways
spoke in times past to the fathers by the
prophets," "has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son, whom He has
appointed heir of all things, through whom also
He made the worlds." (Hebrews
1:1-2,
NKJV)
"'Thus speaks the Lord God
of Israel, saying: 'Write in a book for
yourself all the words that I have spoken to
you.'" (Jer.30:2 NKJV)
In times
past, God spoke to His people at various times and in
different ways to the Fathers through the Prophets. And
in these last days spoken to us by His Son.
God also
commanded His servants to write all His words in a book.
Thus, the words of God in times past came to be written
in many books and now compiled as one - the Holy Bible.
III. No contradiction
in the Holy Scriptures
What would be the result if spiritual
truths or spiritual things written in the verses of the
Bible are explained using spiritual words (verses) also
written in the Bible?
When
Spiritual words are used to explain Spiritual truths or
Spiritual things.
- It will
not result in contradiction,
- It will
not result in inconsistency
- It will
not result in disagreement with the Biblical Truth.
This is the
unique way the Holy Spirit teaches (I Cor. 2:13). In
this unique method of teaching, nothing is added to or
taken away from the word of God.
Why does the Bible
contain no contradiction?
In the
following verses it is explained:
and that from childhood
you have known the Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work. II
Timothy 3:15-17 (NKJV)
for prophecy never came
by the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II
Peter1:21 (NKJV)
In
it's original form the Bible contains no
contradiction because. . . .
-
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (
II Timothy 3:15-17).
-
for prophecy never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit." (II Peter1:21)
The Bible
contain "No Contradiction" because God is the ultimate
author of all the books and letters in the Bible though
it was spoken and/or written by the Prophets, the Lord
Jesus Christ and the Apostles as they were inspired and
moved by the Holy Spirit.
IV.
Do not go beyond what is
written
What is Apostles
Paul counsel to those who might be tempted to use
their human wisdom instead of the words taught by the
Spirit?
In I
Corinthians 4:6, Apostle
Paul warns us not to go beyond what is written:
"Now, brothers, I have applied
these things to myself and Apollos for your
benefit, so that you may learn from us the
meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond
what is written." Then you will not take pride
in one man over against another. (New International
Version)
The same
verse in other versions of the Bible:
Brothers, I have applied all this to Apollos and
myself for your benefit, so that you may learn
from us not to go beyond what is written.
Then you will stop boasting about one person at
the expense of another. (International Standard
Version)
My
brothers, it is because of you that I have taken
Apollos and myself as examples of these things,
so that in us you might see that it is not
wise to go farther than what is in the holy
Writings, so that no one of you may be
lifted up against his brother. (The Bible in
Basic English)
Apostle
Paul admonish the early Christians "Not to go beyond
what is written in the Holy Scriptures". , in other
words, "We should simply follow what is written in the
Bible". This is to avoid difficulties in
understanding the words of God.
What does "do not go beyond what is written" mean?
"Whatever I command you, be careful to
observe it; you shall not add to it nor
take away from it.
(Deuteronomy 12:32, NKJV)
You shall not add
to it nor take away from it.
How
does God consider this transgression?
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these
commandments and teaches others to do the same
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
but whoever practices and teaches these commands
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Mathew 5: 19. NIV)
Anyone who breaks
one of the least of these commandments and teaches
others to do the same will be called least in the
kingdom of heaven.
V.
No speculations about God and Jesus Christ
Why people
should not use their limited human wisdom and intellect to
speculate or study speculations, things that are not written
in the Bible, about the Lord God and the Jesus Christ?
In the
following verses, these are written:
The
secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the
revealed things belong to us and to our children
forever, to observe all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy
29:29,
NRSV)
Jesus
answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine,
but His who sent Me. (John
7:16,
NKJV)
but
these have been written so that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing you may have life in His name. (John
20:31, NASB)
Let us be
satisfied with what is written in the Bible for these
are the revealed things that belong to us, and not worry
about the secret things that belong to the Lord our God.
Let us also be satisfied with what is written about the
Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings (doctrines of God),
for these are the things we need to attain salvation and
eternal life. Let us concentrate on studying what is
only written in the Bible because these are the things
that are revealed to us by the Spirit.
What will result if we simply follow
what is written in the Holy Bible?
- No
difficulties would arise because all our biblical
questions will be answered by the verses of the
Bible.
- The biblical
truth or teachings will be made clear and meaningful
to us by the verses of the Bible.
What will result
if we unwittingly come to subscribe (adopt
as a belief) unscriptural doctrines or teachings that are not written in the
Bible?
If we
unwittingly subscribe to unscriptural doctrines or
teachings, say for example
things about God and Jesus Christ that cannot be read in
the Bible, then. . . . .
- we
will encounter so many questions that cannot be
answered or explained by the verses of the Bible.
- we
will come to believe unscriptural doctrines or
teachings that are considered by some people as mysteries because
. . . . .
-
no one will be able to understand it
-
it cannot be fathomed by the finite mind
-
it is an
absurdity―a contradiction in terms
Then, we will never
come to the knowledge of the truth written in the Bible.
What
is the basic reason why people who unwittingly come to
believe unscriptural doctrines will never come to the knowledge
of
the truth about God?
In Romans 1:21-22, this
is written,
21Because
when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did
not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks.
But instead they became futile and
godless
in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish
reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their
senseless minds were darkened. 22. Claiming to be
wise, they became fools [professing to be
smart, they made simpletons of themselves] (Romans 1:21-22,
Amplified Bible)
The same verses in
another version of the Bible:
21.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as
God or even give him thanks. And they began
to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The
result was that their minds became dark and
confused.
22. Claiming
to be wise, they became utter fools instead. (NLT)
Because such
unscriptural doctrines or teachings are product of vain
imaginings, foolish reasoning and stupid speculation
done by people whose senseless mind are darkened and
confused; people who claim to be wise but are utter fools in
the sight of God.
Surely, such unscriptural doctrines or teachings about
God will lead people to believe what is false, because
such beliefs are contrary to the truth written in the
Bible. These false beliefs will surely lead people to
damnation and not to salvation on the Day of Judgment.
How could
anyone know that false beliefs are being taught even if they
tell you it is the truth?
In Isaiah 5:20, this is
written:
Woe
to those who call evil good, and good evil; who
put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
(NKJV)
The same verse in
another version of the Bible:
Destruction is certain for those who say that
evil is good and good is evil; that dark is
light and light is dark; that bitter is
sweet and sweet is bitter. (NLT)
When the teachings
being taught are contrary to the truth written in the
Bible, then, you will know that these are false teachings.
These false teachings are simply speculations or ideas
about God and Jesus Christ that are not written in the
Bible. As always, false teachers will call their teachings
the truth when in fact it is false because it is not
written in the Bible. Thus, false teachers will call
their teachings good and light when in fact it is
basically evil and dark. Also false teachers will call
their teachings sweet when in truth it is bitter. Certainly these false teachers will lead people to destruction and
not to salvation.
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