Interpretation, Inductive Study and Individual Revelation

At the outset of this series of articles on doctrine, teaching and assembly history I must say that it is presupposed that it will be accepted by the reader that the Bible is the inerrant (Ps. 12:6,7), infallible (Isa. 55:11) and inspired word of God and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction , for instruction in righteousness ….” (2 Tim. 3:16 KJV) Every Christian is exhorted by the Word of God to be as the Bereans who “…received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11b) “Prove (examine, discern) all things; hold fast that which is good.”(1 Thess. 5:21)

Unless otherwise noted the King James Version (KJV) will be quoted from in all passages from the Bible.

Interpretation of the Word of God is left to you and I and we are accountable before the Lord to discern truth by the indwelling Spirit of God. If we fail to take the right approach to the scriptures to seek the meaning and application we can be subject to error that will put is on no better ground than listening only to a certain teacher or following non biblical teachings of a individual denomination of the Christian faith.

Interpretation of the Bible passages by an initial literal approach will put a person on solid ground to begin, by the Spirit of God, learning what we will call the ‘fundamentals of Biblical Christian faith.’ If a person wants to be contentious by offering another approach to the Word of God they will begin to sink in the deep mire of false conjecture as they settle further into the error of those who willing spiritualize or allegorize away simple Biblical truths. When this takes place we see and understand why so many interpretations are put forward from a Bible passage that has only one meaning.

According to Miles Coverdale, who presented the world with one of the first English translations of the entire Bible, there is a way to begin our study in the scriptures:

“It will greatly helpe ye to understand Scripture if thou mark not only what is spoken or wrythen, but of whom, to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before, and what followeth.”

If we cannot be sure of a consistent means of interpretation we cannot have the assurance of continuing on the Godly path of revealed truth to our soul and will become prey to those “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9b). So, you and I have every right to ask – ‘What teacher(s) of the Bible teach what you just told me and where is this taught in the scriptures.’ The reason for asking for “other teachers” is to gain other sources to follow up or be able to consider if the teaching is held by those that hold to the orthodox fundamentals of Biblical truth.

Inductive study will include a very close look as well as an orderly look at the passage(s) under consideration and we will apply not only our literal approach at the outset until we need prove otherwise (i.e. suggesting the passage is an allegory) but we will apply other proven principles of study.

If our topic for instance is ‘early church practice’ we will begin such a topical study with inclusion of all pertinent passages according to the depth and detail allowed by time or space if it is a written study. If we fail to be as inclusive as possible we will not have the full picture and gain the full truth from this investigation. We also need to accept scripture as always being relevant and must be taken in context to gain the proper understanding and/or application for us today.

Since we have agreed to cover significant passages as much as possible in any given study we must take special notice of the first mention of any words or phrases to gain context for what is next. We then can move into the progressive revelation from the scriptures as the Spirit of God enlightens our understanding with a fuller picture, adding the content (includes key phrases and words in the passage), composition (main thoughts revealed) and component parts (significant grammar, tenses and moods etc.) to complete our study. For example, if you study the ‘deity of Christ’ as revealed by the Word of God and fail to realize and include the mentions of His eternal being as connected with the ‘I AM’ passages in the New Testament you have missed significant revelation from the mouth of Christ Himself. This revelation of the Christ as the “I AM” is directly connected to the Old Testament YHVH and clearly reveals the deity of Christ.

By our sound hermeneutical approach to Biblical interpretation as being the ‘literal approach’ we will come I trust to initial and immediate agreement on the dispensational dealings of God with certain people(s) through the Bible. We will have a Concordance and Bible dictionary at least to aid in our study. We will never begin to argue any points from the ‘silence’ of the scriptures such as we see from those who would teach non biblical doctrines such as infant baptism, purgatory, a clergy/laity church system, universal salvation, or any other teaching that is foreign to the word of God and repulsive to Biblical Christians who desire not to compromise the word of God but follow the full council of God and not add where scripture is silent.

Individual revelation has to be considered as a final point with regard to the results of our Biblical study. We study and learn at different levels. Some retain more and some less. May the Lord allow us to be humble yet firm in what we have learned, accepting of others that are saved and have a different view of any certain passage, yet unmoved in the truths we have. We will meet some on occasion that profess Christianity and are not studying to show themselves approved, remaining babes in Christ, when they should be moving on to the meat department. Some profess and do not posses Christ and only know what they have been taught which may be enough for them but not enough to allow spiritual discernment or progression in learning truth. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, ……” (Heb. 6:9a)

We as Christians need to practice a compassion and patience that comes only from God when confronted not only with unbelief but with those that have not appreciated the simple Biblical truths we have. As Christians called to a ‘study to show ourselves approved’ and to grow ‘in Christ,’ we move into greater truth and grow in maturity thus away from the errant theology of Christendom that continues to pollute the testimony of many churches and change the doctrines of God that are commonly believed among us.

We live in a day where the falling away from the truth is significant and affects us on every side. False teachers are promoting sensational non Biblical ideas. Religion is gaining ground by cultural, political and social bonding which is far removed from the clear evangelical messages of the Gospel, how that you an I as lost sinners have redemption through the blood of Christ alone and His finished work on Calvary’s cross.
He died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification and we have no other plea. (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

With the proper method of interpretation and a willingness to be a student of the Bible with an inductive approach to learning from the word of God we have taken a major step. Wherever we are in our Christian walk we are only on the threshold of the next day of learning and thus the next day of application of this ‘Christlikeness’ be the Lord not come.

“4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:4-8)

WCB

At the outset of this series of articles on doctrine, teaching and assembly history I must say that it is presupposed that it will be accepted by the reader that the Bible is the inerrant (Ps. 12:6,7), infallible (Isa. 55:11) and inspired word of God and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction , for instruction in righteousness ….” (2 Tim. 3:16 KJV) Every Christian is exhorted by the Word of God to be as the Bereans who “…received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11b) “Prove (examine, discern) all things; hold fast that which is good.”(1 Thess. 5:21)

Unless otherwise noted the King James Version (KJV) will be quoted from in all passages from the Bible.

Interpretation, Inductive Study and Individual Revelation

Interpretation of the Word of God is left to you and I and we are accountable before the Lord to discern truth by the indwelling Spirit of God. If we fail to take the right approach to the scriptures to seek the meaning and application we can be subject to error that will put is on no better ground than listening only to a certain teacher or following non biblical teachings of a individual denomination of the Christian faith.

Interpretation of the Bible passages by an initial literal approach will put a person on solid ground to begin, by the Spirit of God, learning what we will call the ‘fundamentals of Biblical Christian faith.’ If a person wants to be contentious by offering another approach to the Word of God they will begin to sink in the deep mire of false conjecture as they settle further into the error of those who willing spiritualize or allegorize away simple Biblical truths. When this takes place we see and understand why so many interpretations are put forward from a Bible passage that has only one meaning.

According to Miles Coverdale, who presented the world with one of the first English translations of the entire Bible, there is a way to begin our study in the scriptures:

“It will greatly helpe ye to understand Scripture if thou mark not only what is spoken or wrythen, but of whom, to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before, and what followeth.”

If we cannot be sure of a consistent means of interpretation we cannot have the assurance of continuing on the Godly path of revealed truth to our soul and will become prey to those “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9b). So, you and I have every right to ask – ‘What teacher(s) of the Bible teach what you just told me and where is this taught in the scriptures.’ The reason for asking for “other teachers” is to gain other sources to follow up or be able to consider if the teaching is held by those that hold to the orthodox fundamentals of Biblical truth.

Inductive study will include a very close look as well as an orderly look at the passage(s) under consideration and we will apply not only our literal approach at the outset until we need prove otherwise (i.e. suggesting the passage is an allegory) but we will apply other proven principles of study.

If our topic for instance is ‘early church practice’ we will begin such a topical study with inclusion of all pertinent passages according to the depth and detail allowed by time or space if it is a written study. If we fail to be as inclusive as possible we will not have the full picture and gain the full truth from this investigation. We also need to accept scripture as always being relevant and must be taken in context to gain the proper understanding and/or application for us today.

Since we have agreed to cover significant passages as much as possible in any given study we must take special notice of the first mention of any words or phrases to gain context for what is next. We then can move into the progressive revelation from the scriptures as the Spirit of God enlightens our understanding with a fuller picture, adding the content (includes key phrases and words in the passage), composition (main thoughts revealed) and component parts (significant grammar, tenses and moods etc.) to complete our study. For example, if you study the ‘deity of Christ’ as revealed by the Word of God and fail to realize and include the mentions of His eternal being as connected with the ‘I AM’ passages in the New Testament you have missed significant revelation from the mouth of Christ Himself. This revelation of the Christ as the “I AM” is directly connected to the Old Testament YHVH and clearly reveals the deity of Christ.

By our sound hermeneutical approach to Biblical interpretation as being the ‘literal approach’ we will come I trust to initial and immediate agreement on the dispensational dealings of God with certain people(s) through the Bible. We will have a Concordance and Bible dictionary at least to aid in our study. We will never begin to argue any points from the ‘silence’ of the scriptures such as we see from those who would teach non biblical doctrines such as infant baptism, purgatory, a clergy/laity church system, universal salvation, or any other teaching that is foreign to the word of God and repulsive to Biblical Christians who desire not to compromise the word of God but follow the full council of God and not add where scripture is silent.

Individual revelation has to be considered as a final point with regard to the results of our Biblical study. We study and learn at different levels. Some retain more and some less. May the Lord allow us to be humble yet firm in what we have learned, accepting of others that are saved and have a different view of any certain passage, yet unmoved in the truths we have. We will meet some on occasion that profess Christianity and are not studying to show themselves approved, remaining babes in Christ, when they should be moving on to the meat department. Some profess and do not posses Christ and only know what they have been taught which may be enough for them but not enough to allow spiritual discernment or progression in learning truth. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, ……” (Heb. 6:9a)

We as Christians need to practice a compassion and patience that comes only from God when confronted not only with unbelief but with those that have not appreciated the simple Biblical truths we have. As Christians called to a ‘study to show ourselves approved’ and to grow ‘in Christ,’ we move into greater truth and grow in maturity thus away from the errant theology of Christendom that continues to pollute the testimony of many churches and change the doctrines of God that are commonly believed among us.

We live in a day where the falling away from the truth is significant and affects us on every side. False teachers are promoting sensational non Biblical ideas. Religion is gaining ground by cultural, political and social bonding which is far removed from the clear evangelical messages of the Gospel, how that you an I as lost sinners have redemption through the blood of Christ alone and His finished work on Calvary’s cross.
He died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification and we have no other plea. (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

With the proper method of interpretation and a willingness to be a student of the Bible with an inductive approach to learning from the word of God we have taken a major step. Wherever we are in our Christian walk we are only on the threshold of the next day of learning and thus the next day of application of this ‘Christlikeness’ be the Lord not come.

“4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:4-8)

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