APPENDIX A continued from page 8
How to Study the Bible
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15.
This text tells us that their is a preparation of heart, to be sanctify-ed, before teaching others religious things. Our manner is to be "with meekness and fear". This text also tells us that the people have a right to demand the reasons of our faith and hope. We are required to be ready to give an answer for our beliefs. Clearly we need not learn Hebrew or Greek or any "theological system" but such as a common fisherman etc. could undertake. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim. 2:15 (also Acts 17:11; Titus 1:9) God does not ask us to do the impossible. Regular people can rightly divide the word of God as these texts commanded us to do for "they that seek the LORD understand all things" Prov. 28:5. Unfortunately many have trusted another with their salvation and their beliefs. Having trusted these "wise men" to do our study for us people will believe in the most ridiculous doctrines. Why? Because many feel they pay their minister well, with their tithes and offerings, to study it for them. Because we are too lazy to study for ourselves. Therefore we accept the assertions and reasonings of our chosen spiritual lords. This is one reason why we have so many different church denominations. While a minister can be one of the greatest gifts, enriching, strengthening, and educating the church they can also be a great hindrance and a curse. In the past the greatest, most effective opponents of the Old Testament prophets and of Christ Himself as well as the Reformers of the dark ages were the "Ministers" of their day. I am also convinced that this is why most Christians will accept the mark of the beast. This is why you must check it out for yourself, comparing it with scripture as the Berians of Acts 17:11 pg 7.
In Luke 24 the account is given of Jesus giving a Bible study with two of his confused believers. From this example we can learn how God wants us to study his word.
"And, behold, two of them went that same day [the day of the resurrection] to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs [about 7 miles]. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass that, while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not recognize Him."
"And He said unto them, 'What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?' And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said unto Him, 'Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast no known the things which are come to pass there in these days?' And He said unto them, 'What things?' And they said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him. But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel; and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive! And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said; but Him they saw not." Luke 24:13-24
They expected their Messiah to have been a mighty ruler and had become disheartened at his death. Their hopes were dashed. They were confused and bewildered. Jesus had something to say to these persistent followers which may be surprising.
"Then He said unto them, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His Glory?'" Luke 24:25,26
Christ reprimanded them for not discovering the truth for themselves. He did not excuse their misconceptions about His mission, life, and death just because that was what was commonly believed and taught. These followers of Christ were sincere yet what a scathing rebuke they received because they had not studied the scriptures correctly. They were out of line spiritually. We can see that it is vitally important to properly understand the scriptures for ourselves.
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27
Here Christ explains how to study the bible. When Jesus Christ gave a bible study he took one subject and examined all the scriptures relating to it, concluding with a solid understanding that is in harmony with all the texts. He also started at the beginning of the Old Testament which is often helpful in clearing things up. In order to understand what one prophet meant by a doctrine we should look at what he was building on. Theologians call this the rule of first uses. Isn't this the study method that Jesus is using here? Is it not simple and in complete agreement with what the other bible texts are saying on how to study scripture? Jesus never taught with any theological technics or fancy systems of doctrinal interpretations. This is the only method of Bible study used or recommend in the bible, yet most ministers think themselves wiser then the real Master both in their study methods and in their preaching technics. Notice also that Jesus didn't reveal Himself to them to prove that He was the Messiah but used the word, the scriptures, as proof. This is our sure foundation and not any miracle, magic tricks, or emotional feeling. Let me here make a few comments about those that "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools" Rom. 1:22
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." Matt. 23:9,10
Jesus is not saying that we cannot call someone a master woodcutter or father of our country or of our physical birth. But in the context of religion we are not to call any man a Doctor or Ph.D. or Master or Father. Likewise some call ministers Reverend, yet only God is truly reverend, it is His name. "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name" Ps 111:9. Many did not accept John the Baptist because of his lack of education and they did not accept Christ because He did not have "letters" (John 7:15). Today we would say that he had no "letters" after his name such as a degree like a D.D.{Doctor of Divinity}, PHD, or MA.{A Master}. Since Abraham, father of the nation of Israel, Moses, Paul and all of the prophets and great men of God were simply known by their name even by the Angels that spoke to them, why do we insist on referring to lesser men today by fancy titles? A proper education to be a religious instructor is not found in any collage but in humility and the study of the word of God.
Although I have referred a couple of times in this book to Greek and Hebrew words for the sake of those who would wish to argue them. However you can ignore all that "theological" stuff and still have good biblical reasons for every point. You need not trust anyone's opinion for your faith.
Jesus Said: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father hid these things from the wise and prudent " Matt. 11:25 (Luke 10:21) God has "confounded the wise" (1 Cor. 1:27) here I speak of ministers and theologians. Those that think themselves wise in religious matters. The methodology and wisdom of man in interpreting the word of God is largely against-Christ. This double standard and hypocrisy "shut(s) up the kingdom of heaven against many" Matt. 23:13. But God's methodology of adding, not dividing or splitting up the words, is superior in every way. Thus the simple farm boy that takes the book of Daniel as it reads has been proven right while the theologians and archeologists have been eating crow. "..the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth:..." John 16:13-15 (Isa. 44:3) Thus we may never learn the real truth by any of mans wisdom but only by the Spirit of God and the common sense he gave us. For example most ministers and religion professors claim that the Bible is not verbally inspired, that is that God did not choose the words. They believe that their are minor errors throughout the Bible that only a trained professional can detect. The only possible "errors" I have ever found or been shown are of the most insignificant at best. Yet they are the very people that study the individual words. Though God may not have chosen each word used by His prophets God has certainly made sure that their is no error in His word, as was the case with Balaam (Num.24:13 pg.6). As well as these texts: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11,12, "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Pet. 1:21, "as the Spirit gave them utterance" Acts 2:4 "Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth," 1 Cor. 2:10-13. Also see Jer. 1:9, John 6:63, Matt. 10:19-20. We know that the singular or plural is inspired of God according to Gal 3: 16 and John 10:34-6.
Modern Exegesis is how ministers interpret what God "meant" to say. They teach us to analyze the Bible in the very way the Bible tells us not to. That is by dividing it into small pieces. They say that to learn the depth of scripture one should take a small piece of it, a word or a phrase, and go to the utmost limit in analyzing it to its very roots, literally writing a hundred pages on the meaning of a Greek word. But each word is not a true or complete message. Theologians do dissertations, literally writing a book on one or two Greek words. In fact this is how they prove to a university that they are "Masters of Religion". This is how they earn their PHD, "Doctorate" or "Professor of Divinity". This is how they "prove" their doctrines even though they do not all agree. But the truth is learned by adding all scripture together. We are not to concentrate on a word or one fragment dissecting each scripture into every atom to learn the truth. The Bible says that we are to learn by comparing scripture with scripture to learn the truth. That is to say, by itself, a word is meaningless. It is the thought, the harmony, of the scriptures that counts.
Homiletics is the study of how to preach or teach the common people. It is completely different from Exegesis or how ministers figure out the "real" truth. They "dumb it down to sheep level". This double standard is fundamental to the modern ministry. I believe in the truth being both proven and preached to others in the same way and on the same basis using the same standards. This is only fair.
Expository preaching, the most common, is reading a text and then expounding upon it. Although
the preacher may have some good insights on it, his insights are not Bible proof. His opinions, his
interpretation is insufficient in your hour of temptation. They are nothing more than his opinions
and are clearly not worth dying for or staking ones life on. They are not a "Thus saith the Lord"
and are therefore worthless to base my believes on. Our beliefs must be founded upon the
evidence that God has provided. "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of
God." Rom. 10:17. Ministers and Theologians conclusions are not worth dying for, if it is not
soundly based on the word of God it is not worth basing your life on it against all temptation.
William Miller's Rules
If you still have some questions about this maybe the story of how a revivalist came to understand this truth would be enlightening.
"Soon after his renunciation of deism, in conversing with a friend respecting the hope of a glorious eternity through the merits and intercessions of Christ, he was asked how he knew their was such a Savior. He replied, "It is revealed in the Bible.' 'How do you know the Bible is true?' Was the response, with a reiteration of his former arguments on the contradictions and mysticisms in which he had claimed it was shrouded.
"Mr. Miller felt such taunts in their full force. He was at first perplexed; but, on reflection, he considered that if the Bible is a revelation of God, it must be consistent with itself; all its parts must harmonize, must have been given for man's instruction, and, consequently, must be adapted to his understanding. He therefore said, 'Give me time, and I will harmonize all those apparent contradictions to my own satisfaction, or I will be a deist still.'
"He then devoted himself to a prayerful reading of the word. He laid aside all commentaries, and used the marginal references and his concordance as his only helps. He saw that he must distinguish between the Bible and all the peculiar partisan interpretations of it. The Bible was older than them all, must be above them all; and he placed it there. He saw that it must correct all interpretations; and in correcting them, its own pure light would shine without the mists which traditionary belief had involved it in. He resolved to lay aside all preconceived opinions, and to receive with child-like simplicity, the natural and obvious meaning of the Scripture. He pursued the study of the Bible with the most intense interest - whole nights as well as days being devoted to that object. At times delighted with truth, which shone forth from the sacred volume, making clear to his understanding the great plan of God for the redemption of fallen man; and at times puzzled and almost distracted by seemingly inexplicable or contradictory passages, he persevered until the application of his great principle of interpretation was triumphant. He became puzzled only to be delighted, and delighted only to preserve the more in penetrating its beauties and mysteries.
"His manner of studying the Bible is thus described by Himself: 'I determined to lay aside all my prepossessions, to thoroughly compare Scripture with Scripture, and to pursue its study in a regular, methodical manner. I commenced with Genesis, and read verse by verse, proceeding no faster than the meaning of the several passages should be so unfolded as to leave me free from embarrassment respecting any mysticism or contradictions. Whenever I found anything obscure, my practice was to compare it with all collateral passages; and, by the help of Gruden, [a concordance] I examined all the texts of scripture in which were found any of the prominent words contained in any obscure portion. Then, by letting every word have its proper bearing on the subject of the text, if my view of it harmonized with every collateral passage in the Bible, it ceased to be a difficulty. In this way I pursued the study of the Bible, in my fist perusal of it, for about two years, and was fully satisfied that it is its own interpreter. I found that by a comparison of Scripture with history, all the prophecies, as far as they have been fulfilled, has been fulfilled literally; that all the various figures, metaphors, parables, similitudes, etc. of the Bible, where either explained in their immediate connection, or the terms in which they were expressed were defined in other portions of the word; and when thus explained, are to be literally understood in accordance with such explanation. I was thus satisfied that the Bible is a system of revealed truths so clearly and simply given, that the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.' In pursuing his study of the Holy Scriptures, Mr. Miller adopted the following rules of interpretation:
1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible. For Proof See: Matt. 5:18
2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by a diligent application and study. See: 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
3. Nothing revealed in the Scriptures can or will be hid from those who asks in faith, not wavering. See Deut. 29:29; Matt. 10:6,27; 1 Cor. 11, 10; Phil. 3:15; Isa. 45:11; Matt. 21:22; John 14:13,14; 15:7; James 1,5,6; 1 John 5:15-15.
4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error. See: Isa. 28:7-29; 35:8; Prov. 19:27; Luke 24:28, 44, 45; Rom. 16:26; James 5:19; 2 Peter 1, 19, 20.
5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom, is my rule, and not the Bible. See: Ps. 19:7-11; Ex. 9:97-105; Matt. 23:8-10; 1 Cor. 11:12-16; Eze. 34:18,19; Luke 11:52; Matt. 11:7,8
6. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables; and in this way the same things are oftentime revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures and parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. See: Ps. 89:19; Hos. 12:10; Hab. 2:2; Acts 2:17; 1 Cor. 10:61; Heb. 9:9,24; Ps. 78:2; Matt. 13:13,34; Gen. 41:1-32; Dan. 2 & 7 & 8; Acts 10:9-16.
7. Visions are always mentioned as such. See: 2 Cor. 12:1
8. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy to represent future things, times and events - such as mountains, meaning governments, See: Dan. 2:35,44; beasts, meaning kingdoms, Dan. 7:8,17; waters, meaning people, Rev. 17:1,15; day, meaning year, etc. Eze 4:6.
9. Parables are used as comparisons, to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same way as figures, by the subject and Bible. See: Mark 4:13.
10. Figures sometimes have two or more different significations, as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three different periods of time, namely: first, indefinite, See: Eccl. 7:14; second, definite, a day for a year, Eze. 4:6; and third, a day for a thousand years, 2 Pet. 3:8. The right construction will harmonize with the Bible, and make good sense; other constructions will not.
11. If a word makes good sense as it stands, and does not violence to the simple laws of nature, it is to be understood literally; if not, figuratively. See: Rev 12:1,2; 17:3-7.
12. To learn the meaning of a figure, trace the word through your Bible, and when you find it explained, substitute the explanation for the word used; and if it makes good sense, you need not look further; if not, look again. (Thus it is so simple. Just as a child knows that when you say "It's raining Cats and Dogs" that it must be symbolic of something that you have previously explained.)
13. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of prophecy; If you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event; but if one word lacks a fulfillment, they you must look for another event, or wait its future development; for God takes care that history and prophecy shall agree, so that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed. See: Ps. 22:5; Isa. 45:17-19; 1 Peter 11:6; Rev. 17:17; Acts 3:18.
14. The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried, would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires - character, living, occupation, friends, home, comforts, and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our believing any part of God's word, it would show our faith to be vain. Nor can we ever believe so long as one of these motives lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will never forfeit his word; and we can have confidence that He who takes notice of the sparrow's fall, and numbers the hairs of our head, will guard the translation of his own word, and throw a barrier around it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in God, and put implicit confidence in his word, from erring far from the truth.
"I need not speak of the joy that filled my heart in view of the delightful prospect [ of Christ's soon return to the earth], nor of the ardent longings of my soul for a participation in the joys of the redeemed. The Bible was now to me a new book. It was indeed a feast of reason; all that was dark, mystical or obscure, to me, in its teachings, had been dissipated from my mind before the clear light that now downed from its sacred pages; and oh, how bright and glorious the truth appeared! All the contradictions and inconsistencies I had before found in the word were gone; and, although there were many portions of which I was not satisfied I had a full understanding, yet so much light had emanated from it to the illumination of my before darkened mind, that I felt a delight in studying the Scriptures which I had not before supposed could be derived from its teachings."
William Miller - Revivalist of the 1830's and '40's
