Keys to Understanding the Bible

MEMORY VERSE: “You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” —John 5:39, Revised Standard Version

JOHN 16:12-15

JESUS’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of truth, was fulfilled at Pentecost. The Apostle Peter, in his Pentecostal sermon, makes this statement concerning Jesus and the Holy Spirit; “Being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he bath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”—Acts 2:33

The special point to notice here is that Peter speaks of the Holy Spirit’s being “shed forth.” This language cannot be applied to a personality, for a person is not shed forth. The Holy Spirit is the holy power of God, and the King James translation of John 16:12-15 is therefore in error by its use of personal pronouns with respect to this holy influence which came upon the waiting church at Pentecost, and which has served ever since as a Comforter to the disciples of Jesus.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide his followers into “all truth.” So far as the apostles were concerned the Holy Spirit was a miraculous power of revelation, recalling for them the many things which Jesus had said to them, and enabling them to comprehend their meaning, and the meaning also of the Old Testament Scriptures. Thereafter, through the ministry of these inspired servants, all the faithful followers of the Master have been directed in the ways of truth in proportion to the degree of their dedication to the knowing and doing of the divine will. God’s Spirit has also guided his people through his providences. However, only the apostles were given miraculous revelations of truth.

ACTS 17:10-12

Another “key” to the understanding of the Bible is an earnest searching of its pages; with a sincere desire to know its meaning. Those at Berea are referred to as “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

We are to prove all things, and to hold fast to that which is good. This does not mean that first of all we are to decide that what we believe, or what we have been taught, must be the truth, and then set about to prove it by the Bible. This is not a true searching of the Bible.

Had the Jewish brethren at Berea searched the Scriptures in this manner they would have rejected Paul’s message, for they had been taught that Jesus was not the Messiah, but an impostor. Rather, they listened to Paul with all readiness of mind, and found through a sincere and open-minded study of the Bible, that his message to them was indeed the truth; that Jesus was indeed the Messiah of promise.

JAMES 1:22-25

James stresses the importance of being “doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” A clear understanding of the plan of God for us and for all mankind is obtainable only by those who study the Bible with a desire to be guided by its precepts. To have this proper motive for Bible study is truly one of the important keys to a proper understanding of the sacred Word.

Paul, as well as James, uses a mirror as an illustration, and Paul explains that we should behold in the “mirror”—which is God’s Word—the glory of the Lord. If we are doers of the Word, this vision of divine glory will transform us “from glory to glory” through the power of the Spirit of truth.

Our memory verse reminds us of the central personality of the Bible; namely, Jesus Christ. It is through him and him alone that anyone can obtain eternal life. The scribes and Pharisees sought eternal life through their searching of the Scriptures, but they refused to accept the One whom God had sent to redeem them from death. The faithful followers of Jesus during the present age receive life by faith, and are raised to glory, honor, and immortality in the resurrection. Mankind in general will be restored to perfect human life during the millennial kingdom of Christ.

QUESTIONS

What is the Holy Spirit, and when did it begin to guide Christians?

Are there any authoritative teachings concerning God outside the Bible?

What is the proper motive for Bible study?

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