Understanding the Bible

The Bible is a complex library of books, but it’s basic lessons can be understood by following these seven helpful rules.

Seven Rules 1) SEARCH FOR GOD’S WAY We must desire to know and obey God’s will. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak of My own authority” (John 7:17). In Acts 17:11 the Bereans "searched the Scriptures DAILY" to determine the truth of a matter. We should not expect to understand the Bible if our intentions are not good. Jesus said His parables were not understood by some because they did not have the proper motives and attitude (Matthew 13:13-23).

2) FOLLOW THE BIBLE ONLY Beware of the traditions of various religious groups. There is a tendency to assume these traditions are from the Scriptures. We must search the scriptures (Acts 17:11) and diligently study the Scriptures in the entire Bible (2 Timothy 3:16: 2:15; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14) to discern God's will in a matter. In many instances traditions are contrary to the Scriptures. For example, clergy - laity distinctions are contrary to the instructions of Jesus who said to His disciples, “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.” (Matthew 23:8; 1 Peter 2:9) Careful study is required in order to distinguish between the traditions of men and the instructions from God. To do God's Will we must always "Listen When The Bible Speaks, And Remain Silent When The Bible Is Silent", Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32;1 Corinthians 4:6. The Bible is God's rules about how we should live our lives. God wants us to "study to show ourselves approved unto God", as in 2 Timothy 2:15.

3) AVOID THOUGHT SYSTEMS Systems of thought cause us to interpret the Scriptures to fit the system of thought. Dispensationalism, Premillennialism, and Calvinism all involve systems of thought. For example, Calvinism will lead us to read the idea of inherited sin into Psalm 51:5. David was simple expressing his deeply felt repentance for sin. Sin is something we do, not something we inherit. It is essential that we open our Bibles to learn what God has revealed. We must allow God to speak to us through His Word.

4) NOTE THE TESTAMENTS
Specific instructions for those who follow Christ are found in the New Testament. For example: Christians were instructed to remember Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to observe the Passover (Exodus 12:3-22) which helps us to understand the Lord’s Supper’s instructions and symbolism. Although we learn many lessons from the Old Testament, we follow the instructions found in the New Testament Covenant (John 1:17; Colossians 2:14; Galatians 3:15-16; Hebrews 5:8-9; 7:11-12, 18-22; 8:6-13; 9:13-18; 10:8-10, 15-18; 12:22-24ff) .

5) CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING When we study a passage of Scripture we must define the context, which is very important in understanding what God is saying to us in the Bible: “Who is speaking?” “To whom are they speaking?” “When was it spoken?” “Where was it spoken?” “and “What is the purpose?” In other words in relation to the words around it; the sentences, verses, chapters, and books before and after it. The Bible must be taken as a "whole" to be understood properly, otherwise confusion results. Psalms 119:160 (N.A.S.) says, "The sum of Your Word is Truth". God's Word contains no contradictions! Any apparent contradiction is in our understanding and lack of enough study on the matter under consideration. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

TAKE NOTES: A notebook is a valuable aid to Bible study because we tend to remember what we write down (or at least we can find it). If we forget, a notebook helps us to remember. Write down main thoughts, central characters, word meanings, things alike and unlike, anything that stands out to you.

6) CONSIDER ALL VERSES RELATED TO THAT TOPIC Read every verse on a given subject. Beware of one or two verse answers. The question, “What must I do to be saved?” should not be answered with one or two verse. Romans 10:9 mentions confession and belief; Romans 10:13 mentions calling on the name of the Lord; Romans 10:14 mentions hearing; Romans 6:3-5 mentions baptism; Acts 2:38 mentions repentance and baptism; Romans 6:17 tells of obedience from the heart. There are many more verses that mention the requirements for salvation. ALL ARE NECESSARY!

Look up all references with parallel thoughts, through the use of a complete concordance of the Bible. These list every word in the particular version of the Bible you may have and their locations in the Bible, as well as giving their Greek or Hebrew meanings. (Strong’s Complete Concordances, Nave’s Topical Bible, and Trench Synonyms are good but not exclusive choices). Much of this will come from your experience of reading the Bible though many times. Try and get in the habit of reading the Bible through each year to gain an overall understanding of God’s Word. All of the Bible is His Word, and is necessary for our understanding of His will. (Psalms 119:160).

Define word meanings (An Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words is very valuable here), things alike and unlike, and write down main thoughts, and central characters. It is helpful to read a passage in various translations, making careful comparisons.

Look for approved (by God) Commands, Examples, or Necessary Inferences (can it be taken no other way logically? = “necessary” inference).

Figures of speech should be carefully studied and be understood fully. Word study books give helpful information and a Bible atlas is useful.

7) DO AND TEACH We will want to share the good things we find in the Bible. Our friends may not always accept what we say, but they will believe what we do. Jesus, “... began to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1). As we teach others, we understand more fully the truths of the Scriptures. We are thankful God did not leave us without a guide. The Word of God is “... a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile our differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”


A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

Please contact me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, or 253-396-0290 (cell) to leave comments, suggestions, for more information, or the locations of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you.