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How Can We Understand This Holy Book?. Ever felt like the eunuch? Acts 8:26-31 Must come to know and live by its teachings. James 1:21-25 Abide by the new covenant. Heb. 8:8-13 “Hermeneutics” are not really that complicated. Two Fundamental Concepts.
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Ever felt like the eunuch? Acts 8:26-31 • Must come to know and live by its teachings. James 1:21-25 • Abide by the new covenant. Heb. 8:8-13 • “Hermeneutics” are not really that complicated.
Two Fundamental Concepts • Approach it as God’s word. 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thes. 2:13; Rev. 1:1a • Come with a commitment to obedience. • 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Thes. 1:8; Matt. 7:21-27
Being Inspired Means… • Every part is important. • 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Psalm 119:160 • It will not contradict itself. • Not so in men’s writings. • Romans 4:5; James 2:21 • Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:33
Being Inspired Means… • Every part is important. • It will not contradict itself. • Scripture will interpret Scripture. • “This is what….” Acts 2:16 • Do comparative studies. Eph. 5:18, 19; Col. 3:16 • Cf. John 13:14 to remainder of Scripture.
It Is to Be Obeyed • Read seeking God’s will. • Matthew 7:24, 25, 21 • You can find it. John 7:16, 17 • Ephesians 3:3-5 • He communicates in a simple way. • “Clean your room.” • Show them how to clean.
It Is to Be Obeyed • Read seeking God’s will. • He communicates in a simple way. • “Clean your room.” • Show them how to clean. • “If this room is not clean….” • That’s command, example, and necessary inference (inescapable conclusion).
It Is to Be Obeyed • Read seeking God’s will. • He communicates in a simple way. • “That’s command, example, and necessary inference (inescapable conclusion). • God “issues orders.” 1 Cor. 14:37, 34, 35; Acts 17:30, 31; Col. 3:9 • Study the approved examples. 1 Cor. 11:1 • Watch for implications. Matt. 19:3-6 • Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 18:8; Rom. 6:4
Use Common Sense • Define the words. • Pay attention to context. • “The parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning.” “The interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs.” • What does “baby” mean?
Use Common Sense • Pay attention to context. • Who said it? • To whom was it said? • Under what circumstances? • Subject under discussion? • Knowing the context.
Use Common Sense • Pay attention to context. • Knowing the context. • Read the surrounding material in the Bible. • Commentaries, encyclopedias, etc. can be helpful, especially with historical and political settings. • But Bible study is the key.
Conclusion • With effort the Bible can be read and understood. 2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 3:4; John 7:17 • Know that it is inspired and to be obeyed. • Allow God to teach you by command, example, and inference. • Approach context as you would in everyday life. • Do you understand your need to be baptized?