Understanding The Scriptures Series

Biblical Authority has been the sermon series for the last two weeks. We had discussed that the Bible is the Word of God and as such it is God’s revelation of Himself to man. The Bible is without error, or we could use the word “inerrant” or “infallible.” Because it is God’s word and without error, it has authority over all our faith and practice of that faith. All we know of God and how he desires for us to live are contained in His word.

Last week we discussed the “Sufficiency of the Scriptures” meaning the God’s word is enough, we do not need to add or take away or change the Word, it is sufficient. We do not need to go looking for truth elsewhere, and all matters of life and belief must be judged against the words of the Bible.

But to live a godly life under the authority of God’s word, one must know and understand the word of God. The Gospel contained in God’s word is meant for the world.

Warren Wiersbe states: Yes, the message of the Gospel is simple enough for an illiterate pagan to understand, believe, and be saved. But it is also so profound that the most brilliant theologian cannot fathom its depths. [1]

It is in the Scriptures we learn about the depth of our salvation and how we are to live. But to the rest of the world, the Bible is so much foolishness. I do not expect the world to fully understand and comprehend the message of the bible.

Anselm of Canterbury, noted theologian who lived in the 11th century said this about scripture: “For I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand. For I believe this: unless I believe, I will not understand.” [2]

Why is belief so important to understanding? Today’s message we will look at "Understanding the Scriptures."

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 (NKJV)

R.A.Torrey, an evangelist and noted Bible scholar who died about a century ago, who worked with D.L. Moody, has written many books and commentaries on the Bible, still being used today, had this to say about understanding the Bible:

A person who understands the language of the Holy Spirit, but who does not understand a word of Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic, will get more out of the Bible, than one, who knows all about Greek and Hebrew and cognate languages, but is not born again, and, consequently, does not understand the language of the Holy Spirit.

It is a well demonstrated fact that many plain men and women who are entirely innocent of any knowledge of the original tongues in which the Bible was written, have a knowledge of the real contents of the Bible, its actual teaching, in its depth and fullness and beauty, that surpasses that of many learned professors in theological faculties. [3]

If you get nothing else out of today’s message, don’t miss this this: You must have to Holy Spirit to understand Scripture. You do not have to have a seminary degree and training in Biblical languages, but an openness to the Holy Spirit and desire to study the Word. That doesn’t mean the Spirit will give you understanding on everything immediately, but the Spirit will:

John 16:13a (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;

This requires you do your part, you must read and study the Scripture. You do not need to know Greek and Hebrew so that you can read from the original languages (and that is wonderful if you can) but we have reputable translations which are more than enough for the Holy Spirit to work in you to give understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:6 (NKJV) However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

The wisdom Paul speaks of is God’s wisdom – not the wisdom of this age or of the world. The Corinthians were seeking the worldly wisdom from men that the Greeks value so highly. But there is a big difference between the wisdom of the world and God’s wisdom. Earlier in chapter one, Paul just got through saying the foolishness of God is wiser than men (1 Cor 1:25). This wisdom is for those for those who are mature in the faith. No babes in Christ, those who have immersed themselves in the word.

Hebrews 5:12–14 (NKJV) 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.