We’re in an age of skepticism & religious division b/c people are not studying the Bible! Why are...

We’re in an age of skepticism & religious We’re in an age of skepticism & religious division b/c people are not studying the Bible!division b/c people are not studying the Bible!

• Why are people not studying the Bible?Why are people not studying the Bible?– They are indifferent to the Bible, uninterested in it, could care They are indifferent to the Bible, uninterested in it, could care

less if it is true or not, and therefore utterly reject its teaching less if it is true or not, and therefore utterly reject its teaching (cf. Matt. 13:15).(cf. Matt. 13:15).

– They do not realize its importance and see other things as They do not realize its importance and see other things as more important (cf. Matt. 5:6).more important (cf. Matt. 5:6).

– They know the Bible condemns their spiritual condition and, They know the Bible condemns their spiritual condition and, rather than changing, they satisfy their conscience by avoiding rather than changing, they satisfy their conscience by avoiding Scripture (cf. Jas. 1:25; Prov. 5:12).Scripture (cf. Jas. 1:25; Prov. 5:12).

– They have been told that the Bible cannot be understood.They have been told that the Bible cannot be understood.

Can the Bible Be Can the Bible Be UnderstoodUnderstood??

• Some say “No!”Some say “No!”– For centuries, it has been pressed on the minds of For centuries, it has been pressed on the minds of

man that “Scriptures are not intended for the man that “Scriptures are not intended for the common people, and man must come to the church common people, and man must come to the church for an official interpretation and understanding.”for an official interpretation and understanding.”• What a disservice to mankind! Rendering people helpless!What a disservice to mankind! Rendering people helpless!

– Some have found some Scriptures to be hard to Some have found some Scriptures to be hard to understand and thereby lump every Scripture into understand and thereby lump every Scripture into the “cannot understand the Bible” mindset.the “cannot understand the Bible” mindset.• Peter says, “…our beloved brother Paul…has written to Peter says, “…our beloved brother Paul…has written to

you…in which are you…in which are somesome things things hardhard to understand, which to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist…” (2 Pet. 3:15-16).untaught and unstable people twist…” (2 Pet. 3:15-16).


• But, God says His Word was/is intended for But, God says His Word was/is intended for ALLALL and can be and can be understoodunderstood by the common man! by the common man!– “…“…how that by revelation how that by revelation He made known to me the He made known to me the

mysterymystery (as I have briefly (as I have briefly writtenwritten already, by which, already, by which, when when youyou read read, , youyou may understand my knowledge may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph. 3:3-4).in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph. 3:3-4).


• What does the Old Testament teach?What does the Old Testament teach?– Josiah heard the Book of the Law read and Josiah heard the Book of the Law read and

understood that Judah had not been obeying the understood that Judah had not been obeying the Lord (2 Kings 22-23, esp. 22:8-13; 23:1-3, 21-23).Lord (2 Kings 22-23, esp. 22:8-13; 23:1-3, 21-23).

– The law was read by Ezra and understood by men, The law was read by Ezra and understood by men, women & children (Neh. 8:1-3, 8, 12).women & children (Neh. 8:1-3, 8, 12).

– Ezra read the law and they understood Ezra read the law and they understood (then restored) (then restored) the Feast of Tabernacles (Neh. 8:13-18; cf. 10:28).the Feast of Tabernacles (Neh. 8:13-18; cf. 10:28).

– ““The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple” (Psa. 119:130).understanding to the simple” (Psa. 119:130).

– Proverbs uses word “understand -s -ing” 65 times.Proverbs uses word “understand -s -ing” 65 times.


• What does Jesus teach?What does Jesus teach?– Jesus questioned numerous times, “Have you not Jesus questioned numerous times, “Have you not

read…” – indicating that if they had read, they would read…” – indicating that if they had read, they would have known and understood already (see Matt. 12:1-have known and understood already (see Matt. 12:1-5; 19:3-4; 21:15-16; 21:41-45; 22:23-33).5; 19:3-4; 21:15-16; 21:41-45; 22:23-33).

– Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for not knowing the Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures (Matt. 22:29).Scriptures (Matt. 22:29).

– Jesus said the good soil “hears the word and Jesus said the good soil “hears the word and understands it” (Matt. 13:23).understands it” (Matt. 13:23).

– Jesus said that “anyone who wills to do His will…shall Jesus said that “anyone who wills to do His will…shall know…the doctrine” (John 7:17).know…the doctrine” (John 7:17).

– Jesus said that Scriptures (His words) would judge all Jesus said that Scriptures (His words) would judge all men in the last day (John 12:48).men in the last day (John 12:48).


• What does the apostle Paul teach?What does the apostle Paul teach?– Timothy understood the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy understood the Scriptures from childhood (2

Tim. 3:15).Tim. 3:15).– Whole books were to be read to all the brethren (Col. Whole books were to be read to all the brethren (Col.

4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27).4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27).– When Christians read the Scriptures, they would When Christians read the Scriptures, they would

understand them (Eph. 3:4).understand them (Eph. 3:4).– Parts of books were addressed to husbands, wives, Parts of books were addressed to husbands, wives,

children, slaves, etc. (Eph. 5:22-6:9).children, slaves, etc. (Eph. 5:22-6:9).– Readers were expected to understand the will of God Readers were expected to understand the will of God

(Eph. 5:17).(Eph. 5:17).

??

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Again, man says, “No!”Again, man says, “No!”– ““You understand one way and I another. Who’s to You understand one way and I another. Who’s to

say who’s right and who’s wrong? Neither of us say who’s right and who’s wrong? Neither of us should condemn the other.”should condemn the other.”

– ““Well, that’s your interpretation and I have mine. Well, that’s your interpretation and I have mine. There’s no way to know who’s right. Perhaps we’re There’s no way to know who’s right. Perhaps we’re both right.”both right.”

– ““You and I are never going to see the Bible alike. So, You and I are never going to see the Bible alike. So, let’s just agree to disagree.”let’s just agree to disagree.”

– ““We cannot all understand the Bible alike!”We cannot all understand the Bible alike!”

??


• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike– Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.– RecipeRecipe– PrescriptionsPrescriptions– Simple mathSimple math– Road signsRoad signs– Blueprints for homes & buildingsBlueprints for homes & buildings– Final scores of gamesFinal scores of games– Food order at restaurantFood order at restaurant


• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike• Understanding the Bible is not only possible,Understanding the Bible is not only possible,

understanding the Bible understanding the Bible IS EXPECTEDIS EXPECTED!!• If we understand the Bible at all,If we understand the Bible at all,

WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!– That’s the only way to understand it.That’s the only way to understand it.– There’s no such thing as understanding differently.There’s no such thing as understanding differently.– Man can Man can mismisunderstand differently, but not understand understand differently, but not understand

differently. There’s only one way to understand it!differently. There’s only one way to understand it!– We don’t “understand math differently.”We don’t “understand math differently.”

• God created the world, us & the Bible!God created the world, us & the Bible!

We’re in an age of skepticism & religious division b/c people are not studying the Bible! Why are...

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