God Tells Us How to Study the Bible
Notice: What is the Apostle Paul’s desire for all believers?
“I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:15-17.
How early in life may the study of the Bible be profitably begun?
“From a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Timothy 3: 15.
Catherine Mumford Booth was born the daughter of a coachbuilder in 1829 at Ashbourne, Derbyshire. When she was a child the family moved to Boston, Lincolnshire and later they lived at Brixton.
Catherine was a devout Christian and by the time she was twelve, she had read the entire Bible eight times. She also had a social conscience. When she was only twelve years old, Catherine Mumford became secretary to a little temperance society. She also raised money for sending the gospel to foreign lands and even denied herself sugar in order to contribute to missions. She was bright and earnest child and wrote articles for publication when she was but a child. Catherine had a good heart and always took up the cause of the weak and unfortunate..
Catherine Booth is often referred to as the "Mother of the Salvation Army".
How constant thereafter should be, our study?
“These [in Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17: 11.
I like what this minister says, and I say the same to you as we study God's Word. “Do not believe me simply unless you receive proof of what I say from Holy Scripture.” - Cyril of Jerusalem, in “Catechumen,” 4, 17, 33 (AD 348).
In what spirit should we approach the Word?
a. As God’s Word to us. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectively works also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2: 13.
b. Ready to obey its precepts. “If any man will to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7: 17.
What attitude is fatal to profitable Bible study?
“You reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7: 9.
T. H. Huxley’s fine statement on studying the book of nature is equally applicable to the study of the written Word. “Sit down before fact [and the Bible] as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever nature [and the Bible] leads, or you shall learn nothing.”
Is lack of education a bar to the understanding of the Word of God?
“I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou has, hid these things from the Wise and prudent, and. has revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Matthew 11:25, 26.
Why is human wisdom no help in comprehending the Word?
“The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14. (See also 1 Corinthians 2:11)
How may we obtain the necessary spiritual discernment?
“We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2: 12. (See also verse 10.)
Is all Scripture equally understandable?
“Our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; in which are some things hard to be understood.” 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
How then should we come to our Bible study?
“Desire the sincere milk of the Word.” 1 Peter 2: 2.
Having mastered the fundamental principles of the gospel, to what should we proceed?
“Strong meat belonged to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14.
How did the Apostle Paul reprove certain believers for lack of progress in study?
“For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Hebrews 5:12.
How many are there today in the same spiritual condition, old in association with the faith and yet babes in understanding! Such is not the Father’s plan for His children. The Christian life should be an Advance, a growing day by day in grace and in the knowledge of God.
What admonition does he give to those who have failed to dig deep into the- mine of truth?
“Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto Perfection.” Hebrews 6:1.
Not forsaking or abandoning them, but leaving them as a child leaves the letters of the alphabet, or as a plant lifts its head above the ground and presses upward toward the sun, yet ever drawing sustenance from its root.
What principles should govern our study of the Word?
a. Associate relevant Scriptures. “Comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13.
b. Synthesize and build up. “Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28:10.
“The infallible rule of ‘interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and, therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.” - Westminster Confession of Faith (1647).
How much of the Bible may we profitably study?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.
“Guard against favorites in the Word of God. Take the Bible as a whole; reverence every part of it. Study every portion of it. You will find none unprofitable. The more your mind is enlarged to grasp and come in contact with revelation as a whole, the more will your tone of piety be healthy, and the more will your principles be fixed, broad, and firm.” - Revelation H. Stowell.
To what portions of Scripture should we give special attention?
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the Present truth.” 2 Peter 1:12.
The message of Noah was urgent “present truth” to the generation before the Flood. Specifically, the books of Daniel and the Revelation together with other prophecies of the 1atter days” and the last time” are equally urgent and important to Christians today. (See Daniel 12:4; Revelation 1:1-3.)
What beneficent results come from a diligent study of the Word?
a. It points the way to personal salvation. “The Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “ 2 Timothy 3:15.
b. It equips for the service of God. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
c. It gives sure hope of future glory. “The hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Colossians 1:5.
“I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:15-17.
How early in life may the study of the Bible be profitably begun?
“From a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Timothy 3: 15.
Catherine Mumford Booth was born the daughter of a coachbuilder in 1829 at Ashbourne, Derbyshire. When she was a child the family moved to Boston, Lincolnshire and later they lived at Brixton.
Catherine was a devout Christian and by the time she was twelve, she had read the entire Bible eight times. She also had a social conscience. When she was only twelve years old, Catherine Mumford became secretary to a little temperance society. She also raised money for sending the gospel to foreign lands and even denied herself sugar in order to contribute to missions. She was bright and earnest child and wrote articles for publication when she was but a child. Catherine had a good heart and always took up the cause of the weak and unfortunate..
Catherine Booth is often referred to as the "Mother of the Salvation Army".
How constant thereafter should be, our study?
“These [in Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17: 11.
I like what this minister says, and I say the same to you as we study God's Word. “Do not believe me simply unless you receive proof of what I say from Holy Scripture.” - Cyril of Jerusalem, in “Catechumen,” 4, 17, 33 (AD 348).
In what spirit should we approach the Word?
a. As God’s Word to us. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectively works also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2: 13.
b. Ready to obey its precepts. “If any man will to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7: 17.
What attitude is fatal to profitable Bible study?
“You reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7: 9.
T. H. Huxley’s fine statement on studying the book of nature is equally applicable to the study of the written Word. “Sit down before fact [and the Bible] as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever nature [and the Bible] leads, or you shall learn nothing.”
Is lack of education a bar to the understanding of the Word of God?
“I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou has, hid these things from the Wise and prudent, and. has revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Matthew 11:25, 26.
Why is human wisdom no help in comprehending the Word?
“The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14. (See also 1 Corinthians 2:11)
How may we obtain the necessary spiritual discernment?
“We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2: 12. (See also verse 10.)
Is all Scripture equally understandable?
“Our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; in which are some things hard to be understood.” 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
How then should we come to our Bible study?
“Desire the sincere milk of the Word.” 1 Peter 2: 2.
Having mastered the fundamental principles of the gospel, to what should we proceed?
“Strong meat belonged to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14.
How did the Apostle Paul reprove certain believers for lack of progress in study?
“For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Hebrews 5:12.
How many are there today in the same spiritual condition, old in association with the faith and yet babes in understanding! Such is not the Father’s plan for His children. The Christian life should be an Advance, a growing day by day in grace and in the knowledge of God.
What admonition does he give to those who have failed to dig deep into the- mine of truth?
“Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto Perfection.” Hebrews 6:1.
Not forsaking or abandoning them, but leaving them as a child leaves the letters of the alphabet, or as a plant lifts its head above the ground and presses upward toward the sun, yet ever drawing sustenance from its root.
What principles should govern our study of the Word?
a. Associate relevant Scriptures. “Comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13.
b. Synthesize and build up. “Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28:10.
“The infallible rule of ‘interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and, therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.” - Westminster Confession of Faith (1647).
How much of the Bible may we profitably study?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.
“Guard against favorites in the Word of God. Take the Bible as a whole; reverence every part of it. Study every portion of it. You will find none unprofitable. The more your mind is enlarged to grasp and come in contact with revelation as a whole, the more will your tone of piety be healthy, and the more will your principles be fixed, broad, and firm.” - Revelation H. Stowell.
To what portions of Scripture should we give special attention?
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the Present truth.” 2 Peter 1:12.
The message of Noah was urgent “present truth” to the generation before the Flood. Specifically, the books of Daniel and the Revelation together with other prophecies of the 1atter days” and the last time” are equally urgent and important to Christians today. (See Daniel 12:4; Revelation 1:1-3.)
What beneficent results come from a diligent study of the Word?
a. It points the way to personal salvation. “The Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “ 2 Timothy 3:15.
b. It equips for the service of God. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
c. It gives sure hope of future glory. “The hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Colossians 1:5.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Monday, September 19, 2005
<< Home