General Principles Bible Interpretation

General Principles on Interpretation

A1 The person

B1 Help of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 2:13

B2 Prayer

B3 Attitude

C1 Bible is God's word

C2 Bible is 100% truth

C3 Faith is taking the Bible in the plain, normal sense

C4 Humility

D1 To accept what it says rather than making/forcing it to say something that we want it to say.

D2 To understand that what God says is correct and perfect, whereas our understanding is corrupted.

D3 To believe and act in such a way that shows we believe that God is the boss, the final authority. What the Scripture says and teaches is final. It is God's teaching.

C5 Understand the concept that the Bible is the final authority. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

A2 The Method

B1 Plain, normal sense

C1 Definitions would be in the plain, normal sense

C2 Definitions need to be understood in their context

C3 Definitions need to take in consideration the Greek or Hebrew word

B2 Setting

C1 History

C2 Geography

C3 Language

C4 Culture

B3 Difference

C1 Between Old Testament and New Testament

C2 Israel and the Church

B4 Context

C1 Vertical

C2 Horizontal

B5 Cross references

B6 We are not to force an interpretation but simply understand it means what it says. 2 Peter 1:20-21. For example, the Apostle John wrote in the Book of Revelation many things had to understand. John did not see something and then hide the meaning in some mysterious terms. What John saw, he wrote, so we should accept that. We may guess at the meaning but must be careful not to force an interpretation. Also this passage refers to the idea that the prophets did not express their opinion, guess, or anything from themselves but were expressing God's words.

C1 The Greek word has been taken in two ways.

D1 A loosening, that is, a prophet gives what God has given him/her. Numbers 16:28, Jeremiah 23:16

D2 An interpretation, that is, what does this mean. 2 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5

C2 It does not mean that only a certain class of people have a special authority to interpret. Many look to the Pope, or the living Prophet of the church, or to headquarters.

B7 The Bible was given in a progressive revelation where God revealed further information in time. Thus the New Testament helps us to understand the Old Testament. This does not mean that what was revealed first is incorrect but incomplete.

B8 Take note of modifiers as adjectives and adverbs that help define the word.

B9 See Principles of Literal Bible Interpretation for further explanation and examples. The original article is here.

A3 The Application

B1 Not what does it mean to me, but what does it mean.

B2 We learn

C1 Things we must do. For example Ephesians 4:25-32 for both some things we must do and some things we must NOT do.

C2 Things we must NOT do.

C3 Principles of what to do or what not to do. Proverbs 16:18-20, Proverbs 19:11

C4 Examples of success or failure. 2 Samuel 11, Matthew 26:75, Luke 10:25-37, Luke 17:11-19

Daily Bible Study--1 John 1:7

Daily Bible Study

1 John 1:7

"But if we are walking in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. " (1 John 1:7, EMTV)

A1 Outline

B1 But

B2 Condition--if

C1 We

C2 Are walking

D1 In the light

D2 As He is in the light

B3 Main clause

C1 We

C2 Have

C3 Fellowship

D1 With one another

C4 The blood

D1 of Jesus

E1 Christ

E2 His Son

C5 Cleanses (purifies)

D1 Us

E1 From all sin

A2 Notes

B1 Remember that 1 John was written so we could know that we are Christians.

B2 Walking is our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds of our daily life. Psalms 86:11, Jeremiah 7:23, Proverbs 2:7, Romans 13:13, Colossians 1:10,

B3 Light is a character trait of truth and purity. John 3:20-21, Romans 13:12

B4 As He is in the light--God is the standard of what is good, pure, and true

B5 We--the Christians

B6 Fellowship is the time and acts together because of and for a common goal. That goal is to do things God's way, to be in the likeness of Jesus Christ by our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 1:9

B7 One another--a bond between believers

B8 The blood of Jesus Christ His Son--Jesus is God's only begotten Son. His blood was shed as the Passover Lamb for ours sins. Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 1:18-19

B9 Cleanses us--this is not pardon for sin but purifying from sin. 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 9:14, James 4:8

A3 Questions

B1 Why is this walk so important and required by God?

B2 Why is light so important in the Christian's life? Do most "Christians" show and live this kind of light?

B3 Why does it take walking in the light to have fellowship?

B4 Why do Christians need purifying from sins?

B5 Do good works purify us from sin?

B6 What is the purpose for walking in the light?

B7 Why do most people not want to walk in the light? John 3:19-21

B8 What is the difference between telling the truth and doing the truth?

Daily Bible Study--1 John 1:6

Daily Bible Study

1 John 1:6

"If we claim to have fellowship with Him, and we are walking in darkness, we are lying, and are not practicing the truth. " (1 John 1:6, EMTV)

A1 Outline

B1 If

C1 Claim to have fellowship with Him

C2 We are walking in darkness

B2 Main clause

C1 We are lying

C2 We are not practicing the truth

B3 Remember that one of the main reasons the Apostle John wrote 1 John is for us to know if we are a Christian or not.

 

A2 Notes

B1 This is a conditional sentence

C1 Condition--if part of sentence

C2 Main clause--what will or will not happen

B2 Conditional

C1 We claim to have fellowship with Him (God)

C2 We are walking in darkness

B3 Main clause

C1 We are lying

D1 We can lie by

E1 Words

E2 Actions

D2 God wants reality

E1 Hypocrite--say and do differently

E2 True--say and do the same

D3 God wants truth

C2 We are not practicing the truth

D1 We are lying to ourselves and others.

D2 We can't lie to God, for He knows. We just think we are fooling Him.

 

A3 Questions

B1 How does 1 John 1:6 show we must talk and walk consistently?

B2 How are we to walk and talk?

B3 Why is this important to God?

B4 Why is this important to our fellow humans?

B5 Compare the following verses to our/your life?

C1 1 John 1:8

C2 1 John 1:10

C3 1 John 2:4

C4 1 John 4:20

C5 Matthew 7:22

C6 James 2:4

 

Daily Bible Study—1 John 1:5

1 John 1:5


"And this is the message which we have heard from Him and we announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. " (1 John 1:5, EMTV)





A1 Outline

B1 This is

C1 The message

D1 We have heard

E1 from Him

D2 God is light

D3 God has

E1 No darkness in him at all

B2 We announce

C1 To you

A2 Notes

B1 Message

C1 The Greek word is ἐπαγγελία
epaggelia

D1 Sometimes the word means an announcement. 1 John 1:5

D2 Usually it is used as a special announcement--a promise. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, etc.

D3 A promise is a message about something in the future.

D4 A message, as used here, refers to something in the past.

C2 The message here is something that John and the other Apostles heard.

B2 Heard and announce

C1 John heard this teaching from the Lord Jesus. John 1:9 and John 8:12

C2 He writes about it, so that others will know, too.

C3 This message probably has been spoken of many times.

B3 You--the readers

B4 God--the God of the Bible

B5 Light

C1 Not the physical substance, photons

C2 Speaks

D1 Of His appearance 1 Timothy 6:16, Revelation 22:5

D2 Of His personal characteristics

E1 Truth John 8:12

E2 One that teaches truth Psalm 27:1, James 1:17

E3 Glory Isaiah 4:5, Acts 7:55, 2 Corinthians 3:7

E4 Holiness Ezekiel 28:25, Ephesians 4:24

E5 Perfection (no flaws)

B6 Darkness--the opposite of light

B7 In Him--God, that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

A3 Questions

B1 Are we to announce this message as well?

B2 How complete, perfect, is this light? ("...no darkness, at all").

B3 How should this affect a Christian's life?

B4 When God speaks of history, geography, science, human emotions, etc., is it true? How does this affect Genesis 1?

B5 What is the natural state of humanity? (See Matthew 6:23, John 3:19, John 12:46

Sunday School Lesson—A general review of the Bible

A general review of the Bible





A1 7 C's of History

B1 Creation

C1 Six, 24-hour literal days.

C2 6-10,000 years ago

C3 Creation was "very good" in God's judgment.

C4 All animals, Adam, and Eve only ate plants.

C5 There was no sickness or other problems, because the curse had not happen yet.

C6 There was only one law. "Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

C7 There was only one punishment for disobedience--death.

B2 Corruption

C1 Disobedience to God

C2 Creation was not perfect any more. It is cursed. ("Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12, NKJV) and "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now."

(Romans 8:20-22, NKJV)

D1 Sickness

D2 Death

D3 Spiritual separation from God.

D4 Hell

C3 Sacrifice, provision, for atonement initiated by God.

C4 The sacrifice was animals only.

C5 God provided for the first clothes--animal skins.

C6 Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden.

C7 God gives a promise of a redeemer. Genesis 3:15

B3 Catastrophe

C1 Adam and Eve had children, who had children, until there were many descendants.

C2 They became incredibly evil. (Genesis 6:5)

C3 The whole world had crossed God's line and now deserved punishment.

C4 This punishment was the flood which would cover the whole world.

C5 Everything that breathed air was to die.

C6 God instructed Noah to build an ark.

C7 All types of air breathing animals and birds were in it as well as Noah, his wife, their 3 sons and their wives.

C8 This flood changed the geography of the world.

C9 The ark is a reminder of God providing salvation.

B4 Confusion

C1 Again there were many descendants from these 8 people.

C2 They were evil.

C3 God had told them to spread over the whole earth.

C4 They stayed put and built a tower.

C5 Approximately 100 years after the flood, God punished humanity again.

C6 Instead of one language, God made many languages that all the people could not communicated with one another in one language.

C7 All people alive today came from the 8 who were on the ark. Acts 17:26

B5 Christ

C1 Jesus is the one and only Christ.

C2 His birth was in fulfillment of many prophecies.

C3 His birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension were miraculous.

B6 Cross

C1 Sin requires punishment.

C2 This punishment is death physically and spiritually.

C3 The final outcome of this sin is Hell, the Lake of Fire.

C4 Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God, sacrificed for our sin. He suffered and died for our sins.

B7 Consummation

C1 Curse is removed, gone, never remembered.

C2 All things are new.

A2 Questions

B1 What is faith? (Believing God)

C1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained witness. By faith we understand that time itself was framed by a command of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:1-3, EMTV) This is "because God said so."

C2 "For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3, NKJV)

C3 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18, NKJV)

B2 How important is faith?

B3 When we read/study the Bible, how do we exercise faith? (By believing what is written).

B4 Are the words of satan and others, say Judas Iscariot, inspired? (No. In the Bible God authenticates those words. This means that what is recorded is 100% accurate. God is witness).

B5 Is the Bible accurate when history and geography are mentioned? (Yes).

B6 What is the danger of false interpretation methods as symbolic or allegorical?

B7 What method did the Lord Jesus use--a. plain, normal sense b. theological based (theology precedes interpretation), c. emotional/feeling (as in "what does this mean to

you/me?"), d. rationalistic (as in science precedes interpretation). For example:

C1 "Jesus consistently interpreted the Old Testament quite literally, including the Creation account of Adam and Eve (Matthew 13:35; 25:34, Mark 10:6), Noah's Ark and the flood (Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-27), Jonah and the great fish (Matthew 12:39-41), Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15), and the account of Lot and his wife (Luke 17:28-29).

Jesus affirmed the Bible's divine inspiration (Matthew 22:43), its indestructibility (Matthew 5:17-18), its infallibility (John 10:35), its final authority (Matthew 4:4,7,10), its historicity (Matthew 12:40; 24:37), its factual inerrancy (Matthew 22:29-32), and its spiritual clarity (Luke 24:25). Moreover, He emphasized the importance of each word of Scripture (Luke 16:17). Indeed, He sometimes based His argumentation on a single expression of the biblical text (Matthew 22:32,43-45; John 10:34)." Quote from The Eight Rules of Bible Interpretation.

C2 Compare the Free Will Baptist Treatise--"Since the Bible is the Word of God, it is without error in all matters upon which it speaks, whether history, geography, matters relating to science or any other subject."

B8 Why couldn't/didn't Adam obey even just one law?

B9 When Adam willfully and deliberately disobeyed God, did he show faith? (No). In whom did Eve show faith? (the serpent, instead of God).

B10 Why didn't God provide a redeemer at that time?

B11 After the flood was pronounced by God, what provision did God make to save any one?

B12 Was this offer to any human or only 8 elected individuals? (The offer was open to all). How do we know that? (Noah preached for at least 120 years, and it is the teaching of many Bible verses. John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 22:17).

B13 Why did the people after the flood build a tower? (It has been suggested that they thought if there was another flood it would be high enough to prevent them from drowning).

B14 What is sin?

B15 How do we know what sin is? (Summarized by the 10 Commandments)

B16 What does Christ mean?

B17 Who is this Christ, this Messiah?

B18 Has Jesus always been the Christ, or did He become the Christ?

B19 What is the importance of Jesus's cross?

B20 Could someone else have died to provide salvation?

B21 Did Jesus really die?

B22 Did Jesus really rise from death?

B23 What is the importance of the resurrection? It is

C1 Fulfilled prophecy. Psalm 16:10

C2 Proof that the penalty for sins was met. 1 Corinthians 15:57

C3 For our justification. Romans 4:25

C4 Hope for our resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:49 and Philippians 3:21

B24 Why is it possible for the curse on the universe to be removed?

B25 Who will enjoy this life of no curse?

B26 Is their any hope for humanity?

Daily Bible Study—1 John 1:5-7

God is light





1 John 1:5-7


A1 Outline

B1 This is the message

C1 We

D1 Have heard from Him

D2 Declare to you

C2 God

D1 Is light

D2 There is no darkness in Him

B2 This is our statement

C1 If

D1 We claim--we have fellowship with Him

D2 While we walk in darkness

C2 Then

D1 We are lying

D2 We are not living the truth

B3 This is our action

C1 If

D1 We walk in the light

D2 Just as He is in the light

C2 Then

D1 We have fellowship with one another

D2 The blood

E1 Of Jesus Christ, His Son

E2 Cleanses us from all sin

A2 Notes

B1 From Him=Jesus

B2 Declare=preaching the Gospel

B3 Light

C1 God is the source James 1:17

C2 God created physical light Genesis 1:3

C3 Light is associated with truth and darkness with evil. John 3:20-21, Ephesians 5:13

C4 Light has no darkness, and darkness has no light.

C5 The fullest, most complete, light is God's glory. Psalm 104:2 and 1 Timothy 6:16

C6 Light is a symbol of purity. 1 John 1:5

C7 God's light is so complete that He can see in the darkness. Daniel 2:22

C8 Humans have no light whatever; God has complete light. Jesus came as a light, and to those who believe and trust Him, Jesus gives light. Light is associated with life. John 1:4

C9 What God says (the Scriptures) are described as light, because they are pure truth. Psalm 119:105

C10 Since Jesus gives us light, we are to shine, that is, live our lives according to God's truth as written in the Scriptures. Matthew 5:14

B4 1 John 1:6 deals with hypocrisy.

B5 1 John 1:7 explains what blessings we have if we live a Christian life as Jesus and His Apostles (the 12) taught us.

A3 Questions

B1 Does satan have any light? Why or why not?

B2 If God is pure and true, why don't people believe Him?

B3 If God's word is pure and true, why do people twist, redefine words, and misinterpret the Scriptures?

B4 In reference to 1 John 1:6, how can we not be hypocrites? What standard do we follow?

B5 Does God have fellowship with just anybody?

B6 What is the importance of Jesus's blood?

Ingredients for Revival

Ingredients for revival

A1 Definition of Revival

B1 Nebulous

C1 Stephen Olford says, "Revival is an invasion from heaven that brings a conscious awareness of God."

C2 Vance Havner once said that, "Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again."

B2 Emotional

C1 A moving of the person to tears; "I love Jesus more".

C2 Short lasting. When the emotions die down, so does the "revival".

B3 Scriptural

C1 (Return to Life) Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalms 85:6)

D1 Revive has the idea of make alive again

D2 It can be compared to a spring died up from drought, now having water again

D3 It can also be compared to spring when the dead, brown grass becomes green

D4 It carries the idea that we are dried up, brown and only have a potential for living, but with good weather and water come to life again.

E1 Water can be equated to the Holy Spirit

E2 The food and fertilizer can be equated with the Bible

D5 It is the work of God

E1 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Psalms 80:18-19)

E2 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!(Psalms 119:25)

C2 (Refreshing, literally "recovering of breath") Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

D1 Being out of breath for any reason, you can breath again

D2 Conditional

E1 Repent (change your thoughts, desires, words, and deeds)

E2 Be converted (Barnes writes: "The word means properly to "turn; to return to a path from which one has gone astray; and then to turn away from sins, or to forsake them." It is a word used in a general sense to denote "the whole turning to God."

D3 Blessings if conditions met

E1 Sins blotted out

F1 We must confess and forsake our sins

F2 Bible tells us what is right and wrong

E2 Times of refreshing, that is, revival will come

A2 Revival Happens

B1 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

C1 Contrite

D1 An Attitude

D2 Webster 1828 states: Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.

D3 This is the opposite of being proud. It is seeking God instead of seeking science, counselors, or ourselves.

D4 It is praying for help, for strength, for guidance, for obedience to God's rules.

D5 It is used in the Old Testament 3 times including: At your command we die and turn back to dust, (Psalms 90:3) [You turn man to destruction, And say, "Return, O children of men." (Psalms 90:3)]

E1 It is translated "destruction" and "dust"

E2 It is an attitude of abasing ourselves, that we do NOT have all the answers.

D6 Barnes comments: The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, "Thou turnest man to "humiliation;" which, though not the sense of the original, is a true idea, for there is nothing more humiliating than that a human body, once so beautiful, should turn back to dust; nothing more humbling than the grave.

C2 Lowly spirit

D1 An humble attitude and action

D2 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. (Proverbs 3:34)

E1 Two positions

F1 Scorner: not a believer, but a mocker

F2 Humble: a believer,

E2 Reward in accordance with attitude

F1 Scorner gets scorned

F2 Humble gets favor

D3 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

D4 Wikionary

E1 Near the ground; not high or lofty; not pretentious or magnificent; unpretending; unassuming; as, a humble cottage.

E2 Thinking lowly of one's self; claiming little for one's self; not proud, arrogant, or assuming; lowly; weak; modest.

B2 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

C1 God's people

D1 Those who are saved in the Biblical sense

D2 Those who worship the true God

C2 Conditional

D1 Humble themselves

E1 Turn to God for answers instead of themselves

E2 Realize who is King (Jesus Christ) and submit to Him

D2 Pray

E1 Plead to God for His mercy and blessing

E2 Persistent in prayer

D3 Seek my face

E1 You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalms 27:8)

E2 Seek is to diligently look for

E3 I want to find you, Lord.

E4 I want your blessing, Lord.

E5 I want to worship you, Lord.

E6 He seeks us first, then we seek Him.

D4 Stop sinning

E1 Obedient

E2 Obeys God's laws, rules

E3 God sets the standard of right and wrong

E4 The New Testament is for the Christian

F1 There are over 1,000 rules for us

F2 We need

G1 want to obey

G2 pray for help to obey

G3 and obey His rules