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Explore the possibility of understanding the Bible alike, as God intended. Discover the nature of the Bible and why unity in understanding is crucial. Overcome obstacles that hinder a unified interpretation.
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Can We Understand The Bible Alike? • Should we? • Is it required? • The world says NO! • Different doctrines • Different practices • Different organizations
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? • The Bible teaches we can understand alike • God made man • God made the Bible
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? What Is The Bible? We Can Understand The Bible We Are To Have Unity In Understanding Why Men Do Not Understand Alike
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? What Is The Bible? • It is the revelation of God’s mind to man, 1 Cor. 2:9-12 • Not a private interpretation, 2 Pt. 1:20, 21 • Entirely inspired, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 • All encompassing, 2 Pt. 1:3
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? What Is The Bible? It is the faith once delivered, Jude 3; Titus; 1:13, 14; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:7
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? What Is The Bible? • It is God’s wisdom unto salvation, • 2 Tim. 3:15 • Sets men free, Jn. 8:31, 32 • Power to save, Rom. 1:16
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? What Is The Bible? It is the truth by which we will be judged, Jn. 17:17; 12:48
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Can Understand The Bible • God appeals to our ability to understand, • Isa. 1:18 • Appeal to reason: Paralytic, Mk. 2:1-12 • Appeal to reason: Possessed, Mt. 12:22-30
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Can Understand The Bible • People in the OT understood God’s Word • Sinai, Ex. 20:1-21 • Jerusalem, Neh. 8:7-12
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Can Understand The Bible • People are to understand the NT, • Eph. 5:17 • Can understand, Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 1:13 • Know the certainty, Lk. 1:1-4 • Know “difficult” things, Mt. 24:15; 2 Pt. 3:16
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Can Understand The Bible “You understand it YOUR way,… …and I’ll understand it MY way.”
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Are To Have Unity In Understanding God does not author confusion, 1 Cor. 14:33 God commands unity, 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16; 1 Pt. 3:8
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Are To Have Unity In Understanding • God’s commands are not burdensome, • 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 3:16 • Would God command something • that cannot be done? • What kind of God would do that?
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Are To Have Unity In Understanding • Jesus prayed for unity— • Including in understanding, Jn. 17:20-23 • Would Jesus pray for the impossible?
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? We Are To Have Unity In Understanding • Truth agrees with truth, Gal. 1:6-9 • If we both understand God’s Word, • …then we must understand it alike • Jesus: Christ • Murder: sinful • Baptism: immersion • If one misunderstands, we will disagree • If both misunderstand, we might disagree… …or we will agree in error
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? Why Men Do Not Understand Alike Prejudice, Acts 17:32 Obstinate, Acts 7:51 Jealousy, Acts 13:42-45 Willful ignorance, 2 Pet. 3:5
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? • Should we? • Is it required? • The world says NO! • Different doctrines • Different practices • Different organizations
Can We Understand The Bible Alike? • The Bible teaches we can understand alike • God made man • God made the Bible