How Can One Understand the Word of God?
(A Brief Study of Scriptural Authority)
Introduction:
Jesus made clear
and truthful statements concerning the fact the one can know the truth (cf. Jo.
8:32). He said concerning Himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jo. 14:6). He left no other option.
With the “will” on the individual’s part Jesus promised that they could know
that His doctrine was from God (Jo. 7:17). This understanding of His truth
includes the Apostles being guided into “all” truth by the Holy Spirit just as
He promised (John 16:13). Jesus plainly stated that He gave to the apostles the
word that the Father gave to Him and sent them into the world (Jo. 17:8,14,17-18). Just before He ascended He said that “all”
authority had been given to Him in heaven and upon earth (Matt. 28:18-20). Thus
the New Testament is the will of Christ for all of mankind today (cf. Matt.
26:28; Heb. 8:8-13, 9:15). Jude tells us we are to contend earnestly for the
faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
I’ve
confidently stated with the Father’s Word that Jesus is the only way to eternal
life. His law, the New Testament, must be understood and obeyed in order for
man to please God (Rom. 10:17; I Cor. 9:21; Heb. 11:6; Lk. 6:46; James 1:25).
One might wonder, How can I understand the Bible? After all, there are so many
who justify their own interpretation. The answer is simple: You read it just as
you read other documents. To the church at Ephesus Paul said in scripture the
way for all to understand is to read. You may read that here:
Eph 3:1 For
this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the
grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me
the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of
Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto
the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by
the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and
of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to
the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power.
Scripture is
that which is given by the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Don’t ever lose sight of or be neglectful of
this necessity to learning the Word of God, the Bible. You must read it! It is
given to the common man to be read by him and all. And especially the New
Testament which is Christ’s will for all of mankind (cf. Mk. 16:15-16; Rom.
1:16-17).
Notice that
Ephesians 3:6 above states that the apostles and inspired prophets in the first
century had Christ’s Word revealed to them. The New Testament contains books
written by men who were among the apostles, including Paul. And it contains books
written by others who were inspired prophets, but not among the apostles. Jude
for example who wrote the book of Jude was not an apostle. Jude emphasized the
completeness of the New Testament message in Jude 3: “Beloved, when I gave all
diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to
write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints.” Here “the faith” is objective and
refers to Gospel or New Testament. Just as Christ was “once offered” (Heb.
9:28), the New Testament was “once” delivered. Jesus promised to guide the
apostles into “all” truth not just part or some. The New Testament was
completed in written form by the end of the first century. There is no such
thing as continuing revelation of Christ’s will. Those who make that claim are
false teachers. To learn the will of the Father and Christ you must read the
New Testament revealed by the Holy Spirit and completed in the first century.
We have all that
we need in the scriptures:
2Ti
3:16 All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti
3:17 That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
Here is the foundation Paul said we are
built upon:
Eph
2:20 And are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone;
Eph
2:21 In whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph
2:22 In whom ye also are builded
together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Important Parts Enabling One to Understand
As They Read
I was taught, and
rightly so, that the Bible contains “statements” from inspired men, “commands,”
“examples” and “necessary inferences.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to
understand that there are distinct requirements put upon one when they are
given an important document for their instruction, and it says “not to do”
specific things in some places, while stating that one must “do” certain things
for success in other places. “Statements” telling what is required are as good
as commands in order to let one know what is required. The apostles also led by
example as well as by giving inspired instruction (cf. I Cor. 11:1).
Statements
The Lord
commissioned the Apostles to go into all the world and
preach the Gospel (Mk. 16:15). They had the promise that upon His ascension,
and being seated upon His throne, He would send the Holy Spirit to guide them
into all truth (Jo. 16:13). Following His telling them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, Jesus gave this
“declarative” statement:
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Another kind of
statement is in the form of a question (“interrogative”). Notice concerning the
same topic of baptism this statement:
Act 22:16 And now
why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on
the name of the Lord.
In Romans
chapter six Paul is addressing those who have been baptized and he presents
this question:
Rom
6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized
into his death?
Rom
6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
To the Galatians
Paul further explains baptism by this statement:
Gal
3:26 For ye are all the children of God
by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal
3:27 For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Commands
As I read the
New Testament it becomes apparent that it is presented in such a way that
topics are identified easily. Actually you have been reading along the lines
here concerning the topic of scriptural baptism. Here’s a command in Acts 2:38
that answers the listeners’ question in the preceding verse on what to do to be
saved:
Act 2:37 Now when
they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to
the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Both “repent”
and “be baptized” are commands in Acts 2:38. Just as one must repent one must
be baptized for the remission of sins.
Conditional Statements
A statement
containing a conclusion following a premise introduced by “if” states a
consequence. Look at the consequences presented in these statements:
1Co
15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose
from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the
dead?
1Co
15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
1Co
15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith
is also vain.
1Co
15:15 Yea, and we are found false
witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:
whom he raised not up, if so be that
the dead rise not.
1Co
15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co
15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your
sins.
1Co
15:18 Then they also which are fallen
asleep in Christ are perished.
1Co
15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable.
Hopefully you
will come to believe that Christ is raised as I do in order that you might be
saved (cf. Rom. 10:9-10). The consequences of Him not having risen are
understood. He rose, ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Peter preached this on the day of Pentecost as recorded by Luke in Acts 2. On
that day Christ fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit to guide the
apostles in their preaching (Jo. 14:26, 15:26; Acts 2:33).
My desire is
that you will come to believe in the deity of Christ as the Son of God which
required for your salvation (Mk. 16:15-16). I hope that as you read the New
Testament that you will desire to obey Christ in baptism for the remission of
your sins (cf. Acts 2:38).
One thing is
certain. Those who preached the Gospel as recorded in the New Testament did so
with a sense of urgency and intenseness:
Act 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Sometimes you
find exclamatory statements expressing strong feelings.
Examples
As one reads to
understand, the “examples” often express things specified (either by command or
statement) that one must do to be pleasing to God. Of course you have the wrong
kind of examples from those who did not believe, and even resisted and
persecuted the apostles, as well. You will notice just above in Acts 2:41,
following Peter’s command it says those who gladly received his word were baptized.
The church was yet in the future when Jesus said, “I will build My church”
(Matt. 16:18). Thus the “adding” here in Acts 2:41 is the fulfillment of Jesus’
promise that He would “build” His church. This is the beginning of the church
of Christ. He is the savior of the body, the church (Eph. 5:23, 1:18-23). True
Christians don’t have to spend the time and money the denominations and
multiple other churches do to show the beginning of their churches. We have the
beginning of the church Christ promised to build recorded here for us by Luke
in the book of Acts. Do you see how easy it is to identify the beginning of
Christ’s church? One purpose for the book of Acts is to record the beginning of
the church in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost, as given in Acts 2. It has
been approximately 2,000 years since the beginning of the church of Christ. A
detailed examination of the “beginning” of the church can be found on our
website at:
Series: "Fundamental Lessons on the Church."
Lesson Four, Part One:
God's Divine Organization ~ The Local
Church, Part One of Two
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchfour1.htm
Additionally the
purpose of the book of Acts is that we might read examples of conversion to
Christ. The first converts are recorded in Acts 2. Another example one one being converted is that of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts
8:26-39). A detailed examination of the cases of conversion recorded in Acts
can be found on our website at:
Series: "Fundamental Lessons on the Church."
Lesson Three:
Membership Requirements
According to the First Century Revelation
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchthree.htm
Necessary Inferences
A necessary inference
is a conclusion derived from facts and unavoidable. The conversion of the
Jailor at Philippi and his family is recorded in Acts 16. Reading the context
there were no infant baptisms here. The New Testament does not teach infant
baptism (cf. Acts 2:37-38, 41). When the
jailor brought Paul and Silas out of prison that night he asked them what to do
to be saved:
Act
16:30 And brought them out, and said,
Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act
16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act
16:32 And they spake unto him the word
of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Act
16:33 And he took them the same hour of
the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Act
16:34 And when he had brought them into
his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his
house.
Jesus said to become a Christian one must be
able to “believe” and obey in “baptism”
upon “hearing” the word preached (Mark 16:15-16). At the beginning of
the church Peter’s answer to their question was a command to repent and be
baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts2:37-38). An infant is not
capable of hearing, believing, repenting (there is nothing to repent of) and
obeying the command to be baptized! In the account before you in Acts 16 they
spoke the word to “all” that were in his house. Then, upon hearing what to do
he and all his were baptized, straightway. Some erringly call this a household
baptism where infants were baptized. There was no “proxy” there confessing
faith in Christ for infants. Each member heard the word and obeyed from their
own heart (Rom. 6:17). In a context where all who were baptized were capable of
having the Word spoken to them, some falsely claim they’ve found infant baptism
This method also is applied to understand
why the Eunuch is baptized as recorded in Acts 8. Philip the evangelist began
at the scripture the eunuch was reading, and from this Scripture he preached
Christ to him (Acts 8:35). Prior to this Philip had preached Christ in the city
of Samaria (Acts 8:5-13). The pattern in Samaria, as at the beginning of the
church in Acts 2, is that they heard Christ preached, they believed Philip’s
preaching and they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12). We already
know from the account of the “beginning” of the church that baptism is for the
remission of sins (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38).
Moreover, notice
in the example of the eunuch’s conversion that having been taught the student
asks for baptism. The eunuch asked if he was a worthy subject of baptism. Thus
to preach Christ as evangelists did in the first century is to preach that one
must repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Here is the account:
Act
8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and
began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Act
8:36 And as they went on their way, they
came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth
hinder me to be baptized?
Act
8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest
with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Act
8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand
still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and
he baptized him.
Act
8:39 And when they were come up out of
the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him
no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The “context” in which the scriptures appear
is always very important. Philip is an evangelist. His work is presented in
Acts 8 along with the response of those who have had Christ preached to them in
Samaria. Those in the city of Samaria had obeyed in baptism in the name of the
Lord (Acts 8:16). Philip is directed to go and preach to the eunuch in Acts
8:26 in order that he might hear the word. The eunuch hears and obeys just as
Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
By way of
learning to contrast what one reads in the New Testament with what religious teachers often say that proves them
wrong ---- notice that nowhere in the cases of conversion do you find them
being told to say the so called “Sinner’s Prayer.” Saying the “Sinner’s Prayer”
is not what they were told to do to be saved! Look back now at the question at
the beginning “Men and brethren what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Consider again
the answer Peter gave: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Above all recall the Lord’s statements as He
commissioned the apostles: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned” (Mk. 16:15-16).
Consider
carefully now the eunuch’s question based upon their having come to some water
along the road to Gaza.
A man who had been visiting heard a sermon
on the Sinner’s Prayer. I asked the visitors that day to take the New Testament
and search and see if what I had told them was true. The following Sunday as he
was leaving he said, “You’re right, I looked and the Sinner’s Prayer is not in
there!”
While studying with another individual I
asked him to consider this question asked by the eunuch. He replied, “I asked a
pastor about that one time and he told me that there wasn’t much water where
the eunuch was going. He said the eunuch wanted to be baptized, not for the
remission of sins, but in order to tell about it when he got back home.” What kind of answer is that?
Conclusion:
As you study the New Testament always bear
in mind that the approach will be similar to any important set of instructions
that you are given to read and understand. But this document is different for
it is the revealed Word of God. In it you will find commands and statements.
Along with these there will be examples of fulfilling specifics found in the
statements and commands. You will see inferences derived from those statements
and commands.
Never let anyone, regardless of their human
credentials, replace the authority of the Scriptures with an accepted human
tradition that contradicts them. There is no such thing in the New Testament as
the Sinner’s Prayer in order for one to receive the remission of sins. Instead
of being told to pray what were they truthfully told to do?
The problem is
often not the ability to understand but the lack of desire. And that along with
the prejudices that have developed through the teaching of human traditions not
found in God’s word. Each individual is confronted with the task of seeking the
approval of God as set forth in the Scriptures, over the approval of men. Nor
must one allow their feelings or
emotions to take precedent over the requirements of God’s word (cf. Pr. 14:12).
Your parents and family tradition are not the standard of religious authority
(cf. Matt. 10:34-37). One’s conscience is not the standard for there are
examples where one believed they were right when wrong (cf. Acts 26:9). The
preacher is not the standard for the preacher must be preaching the Word (cf. 2
Tim. 4:1-5; Gal. 1:8-9). The elders are not the standard for the elders must be
upholding the Word (Titus 1:9). Human creeds and confessions of faith written
by men are most often found among false standards used today, yet held in high
esteem by men and institutions built by men.
Christ promised
during His ministry that He would build His church (Matt. 16:18). The beginning
of the church, after His ascension, is recorded by Luke in Acts 2. The New
Testament is His will for all of mankind (cf. Matt. 26:28; Jo. 14:6, 12:48;
Heb. 7:22, Heb. 8:8-13; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rom. 7:6; Col. 2:14-17). It will remain
God’s will for all men until Christ comes again (Jude 3, Heb. 9:24-28).
By Bob Lovelace
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For an associated article on Scriptural Authority see “Aids
& Additions (Expediencies Reviewed)” - click
here .