Can We Understand the Bible Alike?
A. RESTORATION PLATFORM: WE CAN – WE MUST.
1. A plea for unity based on doctrinal uniformity. “speak the same thing.”
2. Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-23).
3. One body (1 Cor. 1:13; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-5).
4. Amos 3:3. How can two walk together?
B. WHY DO DIFFERENCES EXIST? PEOPLE DON’T STUDY.
1. People don’t study, they expect others to study for them.
2. No interest. Skim reading thought sufficient.
3. No respect for the Bible as the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13).
4. John 3:19-20. The Bible condemns sin and the lifestyle of many.
5. Some are impressed it can’t be understood.
C. CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE?
E. CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE?
A. 2 Pet. 1:20-21. NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION.
1. A communication of HIS thought. Understood ONLY if that thought is apprehended.
2. Joel 2:28 è Acts 2:16-17; Acts 4:24-26; 1 Pet. 1:10-12.
3. The Catch. 1981 NFC Title game. Montana to Clark Wrong Ball Conspiracy Theory.
4. It is legitimate to ask, “What did God mean”, NOT “What does it mean to you?”
B. Mark 13:14. “LET HIM THAT READETH UNDERSTAND.”
1. Rom. 15:4. Written for our learning.
2. John 20:30-31. That ye may believe … but not understand?
3. 1 Thess. 5:27. Read to all. Why? To bore or confuse?
4. Col. 3:16. The word is to dwell in us richly.
5. 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Profitable for what? The result of our study? We can’t understand?
C. 1 Cor. 2:14-16. SOME ARGUE THAT ONLY A SPECIAL CLASS CAN UNDERSTAND?
1. Clergy, priests, Ellen G. White, Russell, or the Prophet – Smith, Brennam.
2. M. C. in Executable Outlines: Some, only if you have the “indwelling.”
3. Paul speaks of those with a spiritual perspective. Jesus of those who see their need
(Matt. 11:25-30; John 7:16-17).
D. Eph. 5:17. COMMANDED TO UNDERSTAND.
1. Eph. 3:3-5. When ye read.
2. 1 Pet. 1:10-12. Announced his will thru the gospel. The prophets sought diligently.
3. 1 Cor. 1:21. The foolishness of the preaching reveals his will.
E. IF WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND, ONE OF 2 THINGS TRUE.
1. God couldn’t make it understandable.
2. God wouldn’t make it understandable (1 Cor. 14:33). Does God author confusion?
F. 2 Pet. 3:15-16. SOME THINGS ARE HARD, NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO UNDERSTAND.
1. Solution – STUDY! (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:14 – 6:3.
2. Grow up (Eph. 4:13-15).
A. THE OBJECT OF STUDY è TO APPREHEND HIS THOUGHT, TO CATCH HIS
FOOTBALL. HOW MANY DID HE THROW? (1 Cor. 2:16).
1. 1 Cor. 14:33. Is God the author of confusion?
2. Men write books that can be understood alike.
3. Laws that can be understood alike. Tell the officer you don’t understand the stop sign
like he does.
4. 2nd Amendment – Framers intent. What determines our understanding?
5. IF WE DON’T UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE,
AT LEAST ONE OF US DOESN’T UNDERSTAND IT AT ALL!
B. 1 Cor. 1:10. DEMANDS THAT WE UNDERSTAND ALIKE.
1. Eph. 4:5. ONE faith. (Rom. 10:17).
2. 1 Cor. 4:6-7. Given as the solution, not the cause of division (Rom. 16:17-18).
C. John 12:48 JUDGED BY THE SAME WORD (Rom. 2:16, vs. 11). No respecter of persons.
D. 1 Cor. 1:10-13. CHRIST IS NOT DIVIDED.
E. DO OUR DIVISIONS PROVE THAT THE BIBLE CAN’T BE UNDERSTOOD ALIKE,
OR THAT IT CAN’T BE UNDERSTOOD?
F. John 12:8 IF WE FOLLOW HIM WALK IN THE LIGHT. IF WE CAN’T
UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE, WE ARE IN MORE DARKNESS THAN BEFORE.
A. PREJUDICE (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
B. WEIGHT OF HUMAN RELATIONS:
1. Family (Matt. 10:34-37; Luke 9:59-62).
2. Friends (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14, 11-13).
3. Tradition (Col. 2:8; Matt. 15:6 ).
C LACK OF EFFORT (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:10-11).
D. INEXPERIENCE (Heb. 5:12-14).
E. IT CONVICTS US (John 3:20).
A. WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE!
B. WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!
