BIBLE
WHY SOME DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE STANDARD OF AUTHORITY
(BIBLE) PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER
"It can't be understood"
We seen that it was written to be understood
To say that man cannot understand is to impugn God's ability to provide a revelation
"Only 'Spirit-filled' people can understand it"
This belief actually contributes to much misunderstanding and division over the Bible
Everyone claims the Spirit is leading them to their own understanding
Others are wrong because they don't have the Spirit's leading
It is based upon a misreading and misapplication of 1Co 2:14
That one cannot understand spiritual things without the help of the Spirit
Including understanding the Bible, that it requires the Spirit's aid
But note the context - 1Co 2:6-13
Paul is contrasting God's wisdom with the wisdom of this world
The world with its wisdom cannot know what God has prepared
What is known in the mind of God comes only through divine revelation
Note carefully the process:
God has prepared things which man cannot perceive on his own - 1Co 2:9
God has revealed them to the apostles through His Spirit who alone knows the mind of God - 1Co 2:10-11
The apostles received that which the Spirit revealed, that we might know the things given to us by God - 1Co 2:12
The apostles speak that which they received, using words of the Spirit, not words of human wisdom - 1Co 2:13
Here, then, is the proper meaning of 1Co 2:14-16
The 'natural man' is one who depends upon human wisdom (such as the 'rulers of the age')
Without the benefit of divine revelation
Who therefore is unable to receive the things of the Spirit of God
Who depending only on human wisdom considers the things of God foolishness
The 'spiritual man' is one who has the Spirit (such as the apostles)
Who has been given divine revelation of God's will
Who is therefore able to judge all things, and is judged by no one
For such has been given the mind of the Lord (Christ)
Paul is therefore contrasting himself (and the apostles) with uninspired men
Remember now what Paul wrote in Ep 3:3-5
God has revealed what was unknown (the mystery) to the apostles and prophets by His Spirit
Who in turn have written what they received
Whereby when we read, we can now understand their knowledge!
-- We don't need some special guidance of the Spirit to understand the Word; the Word of God itself is the Spirit's own revelation of God's will!
THE REAL REASONS...
Many make little or no effort
They rarely read and study the Bible
They therefore remain ignorant
They remain babes in their knowledge and understanding
Many study for the wrong reasons
They may spend a lot of time studying, but with improper motives
To prove themselves right (reading only to justify their conduct or beliefs)
To prove others wrong (reading only to find arguments to support their position)
Many fail to apply their God-given common sense
Such as looking up words they don't understand
Such as defining words in their context
Such as taking into consideration all that God's word says on a subject
Such as studying the Bible the way it was written
Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse
Starting at the beginning, reading through to the end
-- The problem is not with God's Word; the problem is slothful, sloppy handling of God's word - 2Ti 2:15
CONCLUSION
The Bible can be understood...
By children
By truth seekers
By babes in Christ
-- Though parts of it will always challenge even the mature Christian
God desires that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth - 1Ti 2:4
He gave His Son as a ransom - 1Ti 2:5-6
He sent His Spirit to guide us into all the truth - Jn 16:13
-- Through His apostles and prophets His truth and salvation can be known!
The question is not whether God's word can be understood, but whether we will make an honest and sincere effort to understand and obey it!
HEAR
BELIEVE
REPENT
CONFESS
BE BAPTIZED
LIVE FAITHFULLY