Vineyard Labourer Bible College
Study 2
THE SCRIPTURES AND
HOW TO STUDY THEM
The Bible contains proof in itself of its divine origin. No other book can answer the questions of the mind or satisfy the longings of the heart as does the Bible. It is adapted to every age and condition of life, and is full of that knowledge which enlightens the mind and sanctifies the soul.
After the flood, as men became numerous, and darkness was again settling over the world, holy men wrote as they were moved by the Spirit of God. Thus God spoke to His people, and through them to the world, that a knowledge of God and of His will might not perish from the earth.
For centuries this work went on, until Christ, the promised Seed, came. With Him, and the blessed message of light and salvation proclaimed by Him and by His apostles, the Scripture record closed, and the Word of God was complete.
In the Bible we have a revelation of the living God. Received by faith, it has power to transform the life. During all its history a divine watch-care has been over it, and preserved it for the world.
WHAT SAITH THE LORD
1. By what two names are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known? Matthew 21:42; Luke 8:21.
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matthew 21:42.
"And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Luke 8:21.
2. How were all of the Scriptures given? 2 Timothy 3:16. (Also see 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 1:16; 2 Samuel 23:2.)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16.
Extra -
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.
"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Acts 1:16.
"The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue." 2 Samuel 23:2.
3. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men? Hebrews 1:1.
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," Hebrews 1:1.
4. For what purpose were the Scriptures written? Romans 15:4.
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4.
5. For what is all Scripture profitable? 2 Timothy 3:16.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16.
6. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures? 2 Timothy 3:17.
"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17.
7. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship? Luke 24:27.
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27.
8. What does God's character prevent Him from doing? Titus 1:2.
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" Titus 1:2.
9. What, therefore, must be the character of His Word? John 17:17.
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17.
10. What test should be applied to every professed teacher of truth? Isaiah 8:20.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20.
11. How long will the Word of God endure? Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35.
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40:8
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35.
12. What did Christ say to the Jews concerning the study of the Scriptures? John 5:39.
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39.
13. For what were the Bereans commended? Acts 17:10, 11.
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were 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." Acts 17:10, 11.
14. By what comparison is it indicated that some portions of God's Word are more difficult to understand than others? Hebrews 5:12.
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." Hebrews 5:12.
15. What writings are specifically mentioned as containing some things difficult to understand? 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
Note: Some scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood, while the meaning of others cannot so readily be discerned. To obtain a comprehensive knowledge of any Bible truth, scripture must be compared with scripture, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10. Then there should be "careful research and prayerful reflection." But all such study will be richly rewarded.
16. Who alone comprehends the things of God and searches out the hidden treasures of truth? 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11.
"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11.
17. What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent? John 14:26.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.
18. Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 2:14.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14.
19. Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine things promised? Proverbs 2:3-5.
"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3-5.
20. What beings of a higher order than man desire to study the truths revealed in the gospel of Christ? 1 Peter 1:12.
"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12.
21. What are the scriptures able to do for the one who believes them? 2 Timothy 3:15.
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15.
22. Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed? Luke 11:28.
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28.
23. What did Christ say concerning the book of Daniel? Matthew 24:15.
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)" Matthew 24:15.
24. What other book of the Bible is especially commended for our study? Revelation 1:3.
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3.
Note: In this verse John tells us that we will be blessed if we read or hear the words of his prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. The "words of his prophecy" is the book of Revelation, which means "something revealed". The book of Daniel was "closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9), or was not open for anyone to understand till the time of the end. This is not the case with the book of Revelation.
Commitment:- I plan to study the Scriptures with the aid of the Holy Spirit to find truth.
© S. D. Goeldner, November, 2011. Last updated
July, 2019.
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