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Some thoughts on Bible Study It is worth studying the Bible! - see here for some reasons why While noting that God has set certain offices in the church "for the perfecting of the saints", we are a church that sees the Bible as the standard for all issues of doctrine. We are thankful to God for the understanding of fundamental and life-changing truths that He has blessed to us through His Word, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit enlightening that Word. The positions set out in these Bible studies show our understanding of the fulfilment and application of these Bible truths today. Of course, we do not claim that these studies themselves are the "last word" - that properly belongs to Scripture. Our church has grown in its understanding on a number of issues as they have presented themselves as requiring further thought and prayer. This process can be seen by reviewing our history and the occasional older doctrinal statement. It may happen that these studies will be updated from time to time. We are not afraid of this, nor do we feel we have "arrived" at some point in the journey that means we no longer need to study the Bible carefully. The Scriptures remind us that such study makes us "wise unto salvation" and that we are shown to be "approved" by careful study. We are called on to "rightly divide the word of truth".
Some Practical Thoughts on Bible Study We believe that the leading of the Holy Spirit is necessary to really understand the Bible. The following practical comments may be helpful to some (these are just from experience, and not put forth as doctrine). The Bible is completely internally consistent and (despite claims made to the contrary) does not contradict itself. If one verse seems to be in contradiction with another, you have missed something. Here, for believers, are some tips on studying the Bible: 1. Study the Bible under the leading of the Holy Spirit Remember that Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. Studying the Bible as an academic exercise may be intellectually stimulating but, as the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day demonstrate, may not help us in seeing what is important. Be prayerful and ask God's blessing on your study.
The people in Bible events were generally not on some kind of higher plane or were spiritual giants distant from people like us. They were normal people with normal human attributes. Some were kings and some were everyday types, but their interactions with God were not because they were above us, but because they were believing and God chose to interact with them. Despite surface cultural differences, there is no reason to believe that Bible characters were essentially any different to the types of people inhabiting the world today. 3. Remain humble While we were all made in the image of God, He is different to us: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Sometimes people attempt this way of looking at Bible events: "If I was God, I would have done this...". Forget this approach - you are not God, you did not create the universe, neither do you have all knowledge of all things past present and future. Read the Bible with a proper humility towards Him who "knows all things". Don't judge God's actions or commands by human standards. While we can often see from other scriptures why God may have done or commanded a certain thing, we should never put ourselves in the position of judging whether or not it was a "good call". That is God's prerogative only. 4. Note that there may be cultural differences Things that happen in the Bible sometimes need to be assessed in light of the fact that different cultural forces were at play. However, be careful that such assessments aren't used to nullify or modify the basic message being taught. As a guide, our basic human nature remains the same despite our cultural differences. The Bible is very insightful into the human condition.
For example, be aware that the bulk of the New Testament is written to people who are already a part of the church - that is, it is addressed to people who follow Jesus and who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes preachers preach "promises" to the unconverted as if they applied to them. You have to be 'in the Church' for the letters to the churches in the New Testament to apply to you. 6. Regard the context A single verse used to justify a position can look pretty lonely once you read the whole chapter or even the whole book. The Bible is not just a collection of "handy quotes" to back up what you think, it is an unfolding message that builds on what has gone before. Our understanding needs to fit in, at the top level, with the whole message of the Bible. Don't be put off starting, though - the more scripture you read the more your understanding of what you read will be in context. That said, a single verse or short passage often gets across a profound point in a succinct manner - and is therefore good to quote or remember in particular situations. There is also no need to allow yourself to be bullied by those who continually cry "context" as if referring to some deeper meaning you couldn't possibly understand. Most Bible truths are readily accessible. As always, though, be ready to be taught - see point 9.
The Bible interprets itself. If you come across something where one interpretation of a scripture seems at odds with the main messages of the Bible, or is unclear, look for an interpretation that fits in with major teachings expounded more clearly elsewhere in the Bible. The Bible does not stick in "left field" comments on their own - there will always be another scripture confirming the correct interpretation of a less-clear scripture.
Jesus spoke of the religious traditions of His day as making "the word of God of none effect". For example, the simple and obvious meanings of words like "baptism" have been manipulated over the centuries by various religious teachers striving to justify the way they now did things. There are also many new teachings that have sprung up since the Bible was written, and some churches undertake practices that are unknown to the Bible revelation. We have found that basing our lives and doctrine on the Bible, rather than these newly introduced practices, to be the most fruitful approach.
Recognise that God has set in the church those who will at various times expound and teach from the Bible. A humble teachable approach will assist us here. Be thankful that God has set in the church those who will teach us. A prayerful, teachable, humble approach to our Bible study, looking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will yield good results.
On Theology The detailed study of the things of God is known generically as "theology". We have tended to move away from such a term, not because it is intrinsically incorrect, but because there are differing views of what theology entails, and different types of theologians. While some have endeavoured to maintain a Bible-based approach, others have placed an equal emphasis on the church tradition that has evolved in the last 19 centuries since the New Testament was written. Unfortunately, this tradition can be a replacement of, and even contrary to, simple Bible truths. An overly academic approach, with little emphasis on the enlivening and enlightening role of the Holy Spirit can lead to dry formalism. So our approach has been "back to the Book". This has uncovered for us many seemingly-ignored scriptures showing that personal experience with God is normal for all members of the church. We have also seen that while the experience noted in Scripture is exciting and different, it is not the "anything goes" religious theatrics sometimes passed off as "revival". We hope these Bible studies (as they start to appear here) will assist in expounding why we preach the things we do. Nevertheless, rest assured that the basics of the gospel are easily understood. Better than that, the Bible promises that the Holy Spirit will "lead you into all truth". Experiencing this for yourself is one of the things you will hear about at a Revival Centre meeting.
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bible studies & articles
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