Hi everyone. So, I want to study and understand the bible. What are some tips that will help me get the right interpretation?
There're so many disagreement over what scripture says, how does one find the truth?
Thanks.
The primary way to understand the scriptures is to "lean not upon your own understanding but trust in the Lord" Who was promised "to lead us into all truth"
Whether in and by your own studies or through the ministry and teaching of a minister of God .
If a man cannot be heard or understood unless he gives his life or breath to the words he speaks .
How much less then can God be heard or understood unless the letter is quickened by the Holy Spirit ?
That there are so many disagreements among Gods people .Can only mean that He has not come?
He has .
He not only has come but shall not only be with you but in you and he shall abide with you forever .
That he no longer leads ?
"He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a knowledge of the truth "
No one can arrive at the truth or come to a knowledge of the truth unless he is willing to be led by the good shepherd of our souls who leads us to it .
If then there are great contentions and disagreement then I would suggest that there is and must be too much carnality and people are relying more upon their own understanding than "leaning on the arm of the beloved."
For clearly in Ephesians we are by them called of God to "all come to a unity of THE faith...."
Now if faith comes by hearing and understanding the Word of God" Then to have a unity of the faith there clearly needs must be a unity of understanding.
That is to say as Pauls says " to be of the same mind " think the same thing " all come to the same conclusions or arrive at the truth .
What mind then is this? Yours or mine?
No.
The mind of Christ . "Let this mind be in you as it was in Christ ...."
Who then "knoweth the mind of God" ? If not the Holy Spirit .
If then all scriptures was inspired by Him .Then all scripture needs Him to understand what si written.
For what are words? If not expressions of thought .
if then "HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts"
How then can we understand anything? as to what he says .Unless the Holy Spirit helps us.
Knowing Greek and Hebrew by some think that will ensure you understand the scriptures.
While it is good if you can.
Those who can should also understand this .
Saul of Tarsus knew Hebrew, It was his mother tounge . Yet did he understand the scriptures?
He so did not understand the scriptures that he persecuted the church and was in agreement with Stephens death and though it was GODS WILL!
What then of the high priest and others who opposed Christ . Did they not understand Hebrew? Did they not have the original texts more than any? Yet they so did not understand the scriptures that they said of Jesus "we KNOW this man is a sinner"! and handed him over to be crucified .
Jesus said of them "ye know the scriptures but know not Him of whom they speak "
When jesus met the two on the road to Emaus he "started at Moses ........" Thus they had no excuse .
Those then who have been able to study Greek and Hebrew ,need all the ore if possible to lean not upon their understanding of them(alone) but lean still all the more upon Him who leads us into all truth .
The primary purpose of scripture is to come to know Him whom to know is life eternal.
Our lives to be transformed by the renewal of our minds .By our meditations on scripture and the quickening of the Holy ghost.
How do we know if we know the truth?
Our faith in God will increase . Our love for God and the people of God and the souls of men will also increase and we will become more zealous and more effective in the work and the kingdom of God .
If we but collect knowledge "forever learning........" and get bogged down in needless and vain debates then something is wrong .
"Little children ye know the father and your sins are forgiven."
"Young men the Word of God dwells in you richly and ye have overcome the wicked one "
What would you prefer ? To be prosperous as the world counts it ? Or be rich in the Word of God and to be able to overcome the wicked one ?
"Ye fathers ye know Him who is from the beginning "
It is my contention that the church does not know God much . and certainly not He who is from the beginning.
In part and a large part at that because many do not know Him who leads us into all truth as much as they think they do .
in Christ
gerald