TOOLS TO INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE

Acts chapter 17
















Today we are walking in: Tools To Interpreting Scripture










Today we look to the word-SEEK-H1245 baqash--to seek, require, desire, exact, request, to find, to seek to secure, to seek the face, to desire, demand














The Torah testifies...............




Genesis 37:15




And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest H1245 thou?










The prophets proclaim..................




Zephaniah 2:3




Seek H1245 ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek H1245 righteousness, seek H1245 meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.









The writings bear witness..........................




Ruth 3:1




Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek H1245 rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?






Seven Biblical Guidelines for Studying the Bible How to Use Scripture to Interpret the Scriptures




"...So how can we avoid deception, even from sincere, but misguided Bible Teachers? ...The Bible itself gives us some built-in guidelines to follow, that when used, will help us to study for ourselves, and to correctly understand, the true Bible message!"




Many today are being awakened from their spiritual slumber, and are surprised to find that some of the 'Bible' teachings they have been given are not according to the Scriptures!




Today there are multitudes of Bible teachers, Pastors, Ministers, religious Leaders, and would-be Prophets, all clamoring to put forth a 'Bible message.' Some of these teachings are genuine and valid. But as Yahushua warned His Disciples, deception would be widespread immediately prior to His return, and multitudes of Citizens will become deceived.




Because of the great importance of the Bible message, we must make sure we are receiving the correct message, and not a counterfeit; the pure message, and not one mixed with man-made ideas; the full message, not only a small part.

So how can we avoid deception, even from sincere, but misguided Bible Teachers? How can we begin to understand the Bible for ourselves, so that we may obtain the True Bible message?




The answer is not found within man-made doctrines, nor in man's 'own understanding' of how to study the Bible. The answer is found only in what the Bible actually says about how to study and interpret the Scriptures, and how to understand its content!




And so in this writing, we will look at what the Bible itself says about how to properly study its contents, and how to correctly understand its message. The Bible itself gives us some built-in guidelines to follow, that when used, will help us to study for ourselves, and to correctly understand, the true Bible message!
Introduction

The Bible itself actually tells us, in great detail, how we are to properly interpret and understand the Scriptures. The Bible reveals how Scripture itself can interpret the Scriptures for us!




According to the very words of the Bible, it is the Scriptures themselves that define the Bible's own content, and they also tell us exactly how the Scriptures are to be understood. The Scripture Guidelines presented in this writing are certain Scripture passages that tell us exactly how the written Scriptures alone are able to correctly interpret Scripture, through the leading and enlightenment of the Ruach HaQadesh.




In this study we will observe the direct, primary principles found in Scripture, as well as some modern-day examples that illustrate common violations of these Biblical principles. We will then look at some important considerations as illustrated by Scripture examples.




In the first section of this study, we will see in detail the Biblical method of Bible study that the Bereans used. We recall that the Bereans (Acts 17:11) were considered to be more noble, because with readiness of mind, they searched the Scriptures daily, to see if what the apostle Paul said was true. And because of their use of the Biblical principles of study, the Bereans became an example for us to follow.




When we follow the Biblical study principles, coupled with a softness of heart and readiness of mind, we too will see the same results.




We will finish this study by echoing a few New Testament caveats or warnings, that we as Citizens would be well to follow, in view of the great degree of deception today.
A Few Common-Sense Basics

Before we look at the Biblical principles, we must first mention a few common-sense, basic rules of reading comprehension that must be applied.




First and foremost, reading the Bible is not like reading a novel! The Scriptures are not to be read speedily, but slowly, in order to study each word and its meaning!




The true 'seekers' are those who will read the Scriptures slowly and deliberately, to draw out the nourishment.




The hurried and impatient Readers, in contrast, are those who read the Scriptures rapidly, skimming over the surface. Those in a hurry will not find the nourishment they need to overcome, and will likely end up being deceived!




The complete sentence must be understood, not only in relation to its immediate context, but in its global context of all of Scripture. Only within its proper context, can a Scripture passage be applied correctly. The subject of Bible context is so significant, and is of such great importance to proper application, that it will appear in a separate writing.




Along with context, the proper understanding of a Scripture passage is then found when it is in full agreement with all the Biblical Guidelines given within the Scriptures themselves.




And finally, we must keep in mind our goal of reading and studying the Scriptures for ourselves: to become cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word, by becoming "DO-ers" of what we read. Only in this way can our lives become adjusted and conformed to Messiah's image; and only in this way are we able to truly love one another (Eph 5:26; James 1:22; Romans 8:29; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22).




Here are two of these passages showing the goal of studying the Scriptures for ourselves:




"...that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." (Ephesians 5:26)




Seeing ye have purified ['cleansed'] your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure ['cleansed'] heart fervently: (1 Peter 1:22)




Notice in the passage that we do not become purified [cleansed] by knowing the Truth, but by obeying the Truth — by becoming "DO-ers" of Truth.




We become "DO-ers" of Truth, when we obey the sayings, the Words of Scripture spoken by Him who is the Truth!




But in order to obey the truth, we must study the Scriptures diligently, to find how we are to apply the Truth to us personally.




Only in this way can we live our lives as He calls us to do, in a manner that is pleasing to our heavenly Father (John 8:29; Col 1:9-10; 2 Tim 2:4; 1 John 3:22).




Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? (Ezekiel 33:10)




Fiveamprayer, the Scriptures ask us, "How should we then live?"




We are called to understand the Scriptures, so that we may then understand how we should then live!

But in order to understand the Scriptures, we must study the Scriptures for ourselves!




And so we begin our study with a look at the great importance of studying and interpreting the Scriptures for ourselves.