The Truth In Print Vol. 18 Issue 5, June 2012
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
How Can One Understand the Bible?
Important Parts Enabling One to Understand As They Read
I was taught by Gospel preachers 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, just before His ascension into
heaven, 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: “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned” (Mk. 16:16).
Another kind of statement is in the form of
a question (“interrogative”). In Romans chapter six Paul is addressing those
who have been baptized and he presents this question:
“Know ye not, that
so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
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” (Rom. 6:3-4).
To the Galatians Paul further explains baptism
by this statement: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”
(Gal. 3:26-27).
Notice concerning the same topic of baptism
as Paul relates what Ananias said to him: “And now why tarriest
thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
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. In Acts 2:37 the listeners asked what to do to be saved. Here is
Peter’s command that answers the listeners’ question on what to do to be saved:
“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” (Acts 2:38). 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 this: “For if
the dead rise not,
then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your
faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (I Cor. 15:16-17).
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).
He rose, ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Peter preached
this on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. On that day Christ fulfilled
His promise to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles (Jo. 14:26, 15:26).
Sometimes you find exclamatory statements
expressing strong feelings. One thing is certain. Those who preached the Gospel
as recorded in the New Testament
did so with a sense of urgency and intenseness: “And with many other words did
he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:40-41).
Examples
As one studies to understand, the “examples”
often express things specified (either by command or statement) that one must
do to be pleasing to God. You will notice just above in Acts 2:41, following
Peter’s command and strong exhortation, those who gladly received his word were
baptized. The “adding” here in Acts 2:41 is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise
in Matt. 16:18 that He would “build” His church. This is the beginning of the
church of Christ. 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. Additionally the purpose of the book of Acts
is that we might have written examples of conversion to Christ.
Necessary Inferences
A necessary inference is a conclusion
derived from facts and unavoidable. For example, in the case of conversion of the
Jailor and his family there was no infant baptism! When the jailor brought Paul
and Silas out of prison that night he asked them what to do to be saved (Acts
16:30). Their reply: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Then
they spoke the Word to “all” that were in his house (Acts 16:32). Upon hearing
the Word the jailor and all his household were baptized, straightway (Acts
16:33).
Think back now. An infant is not capable of
hearing the Word, believing in the deity of Christ, repenting (there is nothing
to repent of) and obeying the command to be baptized for the remission of sins.
In the account of Jailor and his household 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. The context for the scriptures being studied is very important. In a context where all who were baptized were capable of having
the Word spoken to them some claim infant baptism! Wrong!
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.” On Pentecost Peter did not tell them to say the so
called Sinner’s Prayer! Look back now at the question at the beginning of the
church in Acts 2:37, along with the answer Peter gave in Acts 2:38 followed by
the example of obedience in Acts 2:41. Recall the Lord’s statements in Mark
16:15-16.
Conclusion
As you read and
study the New Testament always bear in mind that the approach will be similar
to any important document, or 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 or adds to God’s
Word. 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 truly 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 (cf. Matt. 15:8-9). 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. By contrast Christ promised during His
ministry that He would build His church (Matt. 16:18). The beginning of the
church 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).
NOTE: A fuller explanation and additional information on
these important points may be found in an expanded article at: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/scripturalauthority.htm
NOTE: For an associated article on Scriptural Authority see
“Aids & Additions (Expediencies Reviewed)” - click
here .
By
Bob Lovelace
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learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com