Understanding the Bible
1. It is a revelation, 'an uncovering or laying bare' which is done by the Spirit - 1 Cor. 2:10ff, 2 Pet. 1:20; Eph. 3:3-5
2. Some things are difficult - 2 Peter 3:15-16
3. A Mystery? Yes, WAS a mystery, but NOW a revelation - Eph. 1:8-9; Eph. 3:3-5; Matt. 3:11; Luke 8:10; 1 Cor. 2; Col. 1:26; Rom. 16:25ff
- Inferred from our studying it at all - why bother if it can not be understood at all.
- Reason for writing - to be understood, Eph. 3:1-5
- Commanded to understand - Eph. 5:17
- Promised that we could - John 7:17; 8:32
- It is a condition for salvation
Matt. 18:3 - must be converted....
Matt. 13:15 - must understand to be converted.
Old Testament saints - Neh. 8:8
New Testament - 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
EXAMPLES FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCES
- Heb. 11:6 - without faith...
- Acts 17:30 - God commands all men everywhere to repent...
- Rom. 10:9-10 - with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...
- Mark 16:16 - he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved....
But yet, there are some who do NOT understand - why?
Why some do NOT understand or back to Contents