HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE?

The following is a synopsis of how one might want to approach the Bible and how one should be expectant of what's found therein. (Unfortunately, the Bible is generally misunderstood because the reader or the student has not taken the time to read the Bible extensively and work out the language even though we may not be Hebrew or Creek scholars. These are greatly enhanced because we have the use of concordances and Bible software that can help us tremendously. Therefore we have no excuse.) The Bible. unlike any other book, is the Word of God. It is given to us by God for the sole purpose to teach us about God's will and His purpose as outlined in 2Timothy 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR?

The Bible is written by God so that we could be aware of the events in history how God created the world and all that therein is in six days. More importantly, it gives us an opportunity to assimilate the mind of God and the greater purpose that He has for His creation. We are given a glimpse at how much deeper God's perspective is than that of ephemeral man. In order to understand this perspective, God has provided a systematic way that we can appreciate the Bible's purpose for our lives. These can be identified in three levels or perspectives, namely historic, moral and spiritual. These perspectives are important for us in order get the full message God intends for our benefit. It is a methodology that God uses to communicate these understandings for our benefit.

1. HISTORIC:
The first dimension is the Historical Dimension where God gives us the actual account as it actually occurred in history. These events are all contained in the Bible as an account of how God dealt with those to whom He interacted with, including but not limited to the nation of Israel. It also talks about how He created the world, how sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, how salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour would come into the world. It also informs us about the coming Judgment Day and the end of the world. Interestingly enough, through these events in history will we find the what God calls the "hidden mystery" of salvation. We read in 1Cointhians 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

This hidden mystery is revealed only to God's elect to whom the kingdom of God is promised that we find in Colossians 1:26

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

The saints are the elect of God whose salvation depends on the Word of God. The Bible is written so that these hidden meanings or the spiritual meanings will come into play when God gives us the understanding to know what He intends to communicate to His elect for their edification and salvation especially for their witness to all the world. Perhaps when we look at the following parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) of the sower in Luke 8:5-18 we will see the Lord Jesus Himself explains what the parable is and how He explains the hidden meanings of the verse as He demonstrates the revealed message to His disciples. In verses 5-8 we are told of the earthly story;

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Verses 11-18 is an example of the Spiritual or the heavenly meaning for the earlier verses. We also refer to this as the Salvation or Gospel meaning. Now the whole Bible is a Spiritual Book or Parabolic Book; we must always look for that Spiritual or Gospel meaning so that we could understand the Gospel or the salvation message from whatever passage we are reading whether we are reading the book of Genesis or Revelation. ( We will see more when in the Spiritual or the third dimension)

2. MORAL:
The second level is the Moral Dimension. This level teaches us about what is right and what is wrong. For instance, the children of Israel were told to keep the ten commandments as other ceremonial and moral laws of God. Morality, however, is highly promoted in society even among the unbelievers. When we were young we can relate to the lessons of youth. Don't do this don't do that etc. These are the moral values that our parents place on us as society deem these acceptable so that we can all coexist with one another in society. Most laws adopted by civilized society is adopted from the Bible. These laws however well we keep them will not get us saved. They are generally misunderstood as the means that contributes in us getting saved. We do not become saved by living a moral life (See the older brother in the study of the prodigal son; he was not saved.) This is far from the truth; living a moral life doesn't get us saved; it is the result or the effect of salvation in our lives. Because it is God that works in our hearts to change us through His indwelling Holy Spirit both to will and to do of His good pleasure; therefore, it is hardly credited to us the believers as having achieved something of great consequence. It is for this reason that I, myself, do not discuss this level when I study the Bible because I personally feel this level is a distraction when we are looking for the Salvation or spiritual message. That is not to say that we should disregard our moral responsibilities to God and to our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that God is more in charge of this aspect of our lives than we do. I would prefer to let God speak to us however He does while mortal men concentrate on the things pertaining to understanding His Word. We must adhere to all that God commands us to do especially his chastisements that helps us grow and be conformed to the holiness and reverence required by God of His children.

3. SPIRITUAL OR GOSPEL OR SALVATION:
The third level is the most important level that we find because it tells us the Gospel message or the salvation message of the Bible. We must always ask the question; What is God saying in this verse or chapter? The Bible was written for a specific reason, and that is to reveal to us the mystery of salvation through its 66 books. In spite of the fact that more than about 40 prophets of old over a period of 1500 years that wrote the original manuscript, we know there is one author of
the Bible and that is God.

In the example that we looked at in Luke 8:5-18 Jesus points to the seed as the Gospel that is sowed which when the elect hear they will be saved. This word refers also to a progenitor as Christ is to David as we read in Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

This however is a different Creek word; which is (4690 sperma sperma sper'-mah ) and used elsewhere in the New Testament as ( AV - seed 43, issue 1; 44 ) The word seed of Luke 8 is (4703 sporoj sporos spro'-os ) and translated elsewhere as ( AV - seed 4, seed sown 1; 5 )

Even though the translators use this same word "seed for these
two different Greek words, we the reader must be aware of the difference otherwise we could never resolve or be able to differentiate between similar words in English. This is a must especially if we are to preach or teach the word of God. (This is perhaps one reason that some may fall short of their calling because they may be lackadaisical and do not want to spend the time in the Word, or don't have the necessary tools like a good concordance for research, or have never been taught how to or just plain don't care This is the reason why we must check out every teacher; we shouldn't take anybody's word as the truth. God will help us as He leads us.) Unless we can arrive at this level I feel we haven't really hit pay dirt in understanding the Bible It may also mean that God has not imparted that particular understanding to us. We are aware in our own lives that unless we are saved and unless we spend time in the Word we would not understand this level. Ephesians 3:3-4

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

The believer is given the mandate to spread the Gospel, but how can he do that if he does not understand? Well, God did not leave us nor forsake us as the Lord Jesus assured us in Hebrews 13:5. That is why God equips us with the understanding necessary to do that work. God will not send us out there without giving us the understanding. as we read in Mark 4:11

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

The clarity of this verse cannot be overlooked. That is certain people, called of God, are given to know the mystery of the Bible. Others will not. This is God's divine economy that we must adhere to. Such mystery is reserved for His elect when they become saved; Ephesians 1:9

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Nevertheless, this level or spiritual level is most important because it tells us the great story of God's salvation or the Gospel message for his people. This is the message whereby we are saved. The salvation of God is by and through His Word. As we read before and it's worth repeating Colossians 1:26-27

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Other great example of this spiritual level from the Old Testament. We all know about Noah's ark, and about Moses and the Exodus, and of Jesus healing the sick when he lived on the earth. Each one of these Bible stories is an illustration, a picture, or a story of some part of God's salvation plan. The story of the flood is a picture of the judgment day. Each element of the flood teaches us about salvation; Eight people were saved. This is a picture of the elects of God whom God will save. The ark is a picture of Christ when the elect's lives will depend on Him. The water is a picture of the Word of God that all men will be judged from. Moses is a picture of the law of God that lead the elects, (the children of Israel) into the promised land (heaven) but not save them (as we saw Moses never made it to Canaan)

Likewise in the New Testament in the miracles that Christ performed points to the spiritual healing that His atonement brings. That our souls will be healed by Christ the Saviour and thereby becoming saved. All this will become clear if God bring us there. Once we have spend some time studying the Bible, assuming we are saved, there is a great opening of our understanding about new revelations that God will give us. This may not be true with everyone but as God calls us, He will also equip us with the necessary repertoire to serve Him. It is extremely important for us to look at the Bible and discover the purpose or the meaning of what God is saying. The stories (parables) of the Bible are not just incidental or isolated historical events; they are stories that have a spiritual meaning where God illustrates how He saves His elect. God has written it so that we could understand and through it completes our salvation. We are comfortable in saying this that if we do not understand the Bible we are not saved. The Bible precisely, is and owner's manual for the life of the believer where he gets his understanding. In conjunction with this, is the underlying principle of Bible study; Whenever we see or find a principle, we must be able to pass the scrutiny of the Bible. In other words, it must be in conformity with any and all other truths of the Bible. If we find that what we conclude in a study, in some ways, contradicts with some other part of the Bible, then we must conclude that we have not come to the meaning as God intended. We must never force an idea or concept that will not conform with this premise. If we do, then we will never be quite satisfied because our conclusion does not harmonize with the rest of the Bible so we must study some more. There is one absolute truth that we must accept and that is because the Bible is written by one Author who is God, there are no contradictions found therein. Our final conclusion must be in harmony with the whole Bible.

As I view questions or attempts to look at various parables in the Bible this will be my focus as we try and lay out these spiritual meanings whenever possible. This also should be the mandate for anyone who truly wants to study the Bible for himself/herself. I hope that this also may help others who are interested in studying the Bible for themselves. Of course our understanding, after all must come from God in order for us resolve any issue we encounter. We must be faithful and trusting in His leading as He will only allow us to see only that which we are able to understand. We hope this will explain how we approach the Bible in our search for the true wisdom of God.

E-mail

Questions or Comment

All Rights Reserved*TOGODBETHEGLORY.com