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Old 05-11-2009, 12:22 PM
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George George is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Posts: 891
Default Re: "Question on John 6"

Aloha all,

In order to study the Bible, in accordance with the principals set down in the Scriptures, in regards to “study”, a Christian must be aware of three “KEYS” for spiritual understanding.

The First KEY To Understanding the Bible is: THE HOLY SPIRIT
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.[1 Corinthians 2:13]

“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” [1 John 2:20]

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” [1 John 2:27]

If the Holy Spirit doesn’t instruct you; guide you; and convince you (personally) of Bible Truth – you will NOT receive spiritual discernment, understanding, or wisdom. IF you do NOT look to the Holy Spirit (instead of men) for guidance, you’ll end up with the “tradition of men” [Colossians 2:8] instead of “the word of truth” [Ephesians 1:13]. Without the Holy Spirit’s Guiding and Teaching, the Book will remain a “mystery”; or a source and a tool to bring men into bondage to a religion, a church, or a man.

Without the Holy Spirit’s “unction” and “anointing” the Bible is just a collection of old books or writings that are quaint and possibly of some interest, but having no real significance in our modern sophisticated world. I cannot emphasize this point enough. Of all the things a person can do to learn the Bible, it is imperative that they receive instruction from God. No school; no college; no church; no man can substitute for the Holy Spirit!

No matter how high your I.Q. may be; no matter how much education & “schooling” you may have received; No matter how much reading & studying you may have done; IF the Holy Spirit does not “instruct” you, you CANNOT “receive spiritual things”!

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 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.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Tell me: WHERE does our “intellect” enter into the equation; WHERE does our “schooling” enter into the equation; WHERE does our “reading” & “studying” enter into the equation? IF we DO NOT seek “instruction” from the Holy Spirit; and if the Holy Spirit IS NOT instructing us; just WHAT exactly are we receiving - if not man’s wisdom and understanding?

HOW are we to study? WHAT are the Scriptural principles for sound Bible study? According to the Scriptures, we MUST COMPARE “spiritual things with spiritual” – NOT the “comments” or “opinions” of men!

We receive spiritual discernment when we compare “spiritual things with spiritual” as illustrated in Isaiah 28:10-13:
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

You see – it’s NOT only about Bible KNOWLEDGE! You can receive “knowledge” from any place or anyone (Schools; Commentators books, tapes, CD’s and DVD’s; etc.; etc.); but the genuine “spiritual things”, i.e. discernment, understanding, and wisdom are another matter. These “spiritual things” cannot be taught by men, and we cannot receive them from men – these are the “things” that ONLY “the Holy Ghost teacheth”, and that is why it is imperative that we look to God for understanding and not men.

The Bible says that we have the mind of Christ [1 Corinthians 2:16] – then we should seek out Christ’s mind on all spiritual issues, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our studies.

When studying the Bible there is one word to always keep in mind: WHO?

Like the “Wise Old Owl” we should be asking:

WHO – Said that?

WHO – Was he speaking to?

WHO – Should follow and obey?

WHO – Does this apply to?

WHO – Is this written to?

You would be surprised how much confusion can be avoided by simply asking - “WHO”? - A Bible study principle that takes us to the second “KEY” in understanding the Bible:

The second KEY to Understanding the Bible is: RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truth
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2 Timothy 2:15]

SOME EXAMPLES OF “RIGHTLY DIVIDING”

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{The Scriptural “Division” of man’s “SUBSTANCE”}

1Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
{The Scriptural “Division” of ALL the people in the world}

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.


{The Scriptural “Division” between Paul’s “Gospel” [Romans 2:16] & ALL other “Gospels”}

MORE EXAMPLES OF “RIGHTLY DIVIDING”

#1. Earth before the fall of man:
No Bible, no rain, no pain, no sickness, no death - Paradise on earth.

#2. Earth after the fall:
No Bible, no rain, extreme longevity, the earth cursed, pain, sickness and death ushered in - Paradise lost.

#3. Earth soon after the flood:
No Bible, rain, diversity of tongues, diminishing longevity.

#4. Abraham to Moses:
No Bible, God chooses a people for Himself – The Hebrews.

#5. Moses to the Lord Jesus Christ:
Old Testament {The Law}, God makes a nation out of His chosen people - Israel.

#6. Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to the present:
New Testament, God temporarily sets aside the nation of Israel – [His chosen people], and takes out a people from among the gentiles for His Son – (the church - the Body & Bride of Christ).

#7. The future of the world and mankind
Israel will be reinstated, Christ will rule and reign with his Bride - Paradise will be restored.

Have you Notice Anything Strange or Peculiar? – The Bible is a Jewish Book!

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

God’s written revelation to man, His thoughts, His truth, His wordswere given to the Jews first! - Which brings us to the third “KEY” in understanding the Bible:

The third KEYto Understanding the Bible: THE JEW {Hebrew - Israelite}
{Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Moses, Joshua, the Judges, David, Solomon, the Kings, and the Prophets, etc. - All Jews i.e. Hebrews, Israelites.}

Please keep in mind this simple Scriptural FACT = an Undeniable Truth

Almost all: False Teaching or Perverted Doctrine or Heresy

Comes from: GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – Given to the Jews {Hebrews/Israelites}

That have been EXPROPRIATED by - A church
That have been EXPROPRIATED by - A cult
That have been EXPROPRIATED by - An individual


Or from: GOD’S PROMISES – Given to the Jews {Hebrews/Israelites}

That have been STOLEN by - A church
That have been STOLEN by -A cult
That have been STOLEN by -An individual

Or from: GOD’S PROPHECIES – Concerning the Jews {Hebrews/Israelites}

That have been APPLIED to - A church
That have been APPLIED to -A cult
That have been APPLIED to -An individual

Try to remember - All Scripture has 3 applications:

#1. Historical {The historical setting in which events took place}

#2. Spiritual {“Spiritual” application can be made of nearly all Scripture – within “reason”}

#3. Doctrinal {The most difficult to determine (in certain instances) - what we all “fuss” over}

All Scripture must be taken literally – unless it is impossible to do so.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Scriptures are not to be privately “interpreted”.
2Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 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.

All Doctrines derived from the Scriptures must be drawn from and built upon Scripture ONLY.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weanedfrom the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.


Remember: there are three (3) “kinds” of LEAVEN {Doctrine, Hypocrisy, & People}
Matthew 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of
thedoctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. {Doctrine}

Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. {Doctrine}

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. {Hypocrisy - WHY I am sometimes so "hard" on certain "types" of "Christians"}

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? {People - WHY I am sometimes so "hard" on certain "kinds" of "Christians"}

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. {Doctrine- WHY I am sometimes so "hard" on certain "types" of "Christians"}

The principles and precepts that I have presented here are some of the very basic “things” that ALL Christians should know – a “starting point”, so to speak, from which to begin the study of God’s Holy word. These are the “things” that it took me years to learn, and sad to say, no one (no pastor, asst. pastor, or any other church leader), in any church that I have attended ever taught me any of these “things”; {I had to “dig” them out on my own} which is a sad commentary on today’s churches and “pastors”.

A “pastor” is supposed to be “apt to teach”. The “aptitude” to teach is a GIFT from God [Romans 12: 6-8;1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4: 11-12 – God doesn’t “give” teachers that are not “apt” to teach!], it CANNOT be learned in a SCHOOL – and that is the main “problem” with today’s Christianity.

According to “secular standards” – if a man goes to College and earns a “degree”, he is supposed to be able to DO the work in the area of his study. And the assumption is made that the same holds true when it comes to Bible School or College. The problem is (according to the Bible) “spiritual things” are taught by the Holy Ghost and NOT by man, and so, although students who attend Bible schools may acquire a lot of KNOWLEDGE about the Bible; church history; etc.; - they CANNOT acquire spiritual DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, or WISDOM, from a school (or those who teach) since these “spiritual things” CANNOT be taught by men!

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:11 These things command and teach.

1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Finally, we must beware of false brethren; false teachers (hereticks); and false doctrine. Today’s churches are full of all three and so are the “Christian” Forums and “Blogs” on the net.

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.


Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
inamong you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.