Why Baptists Believe What Baptists Believe - Part 20

Why Baptists Believe What Baptists Believe

Part 20

WHY BAPTISTS BELIEVE WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE, PART 20

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

I want to spend the rest of our time this morning looking at how to understand the Bible and study it.

In 2 Peter Chapter 1 there is this great passage: “… knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

[Question 14]

Who inspired the Bible’s writers? The Holy Spirit. 

Jesus is talking to His disciples: “When the Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).

[Question 15]

Who guides us to understand the Bible? The same One who inspired it in the first place, The Holy Spirit.

This is what Baptist Faith and Message has to say about the Bible under the heading “The Scriptures”: “The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.”

It is interesting that we have all these writers in the Old and New Testament, but God ultimately is the Writer and He is inspiring them to write. They may have been penned by men and women, but God is actually the Author. What I want you to see is that Baptists believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Paul is talking and says, “The natural person [unsaved] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

[Question 16]

Why can we not understand the Word of God by our own natural ability? Because only the Holy Spirit is able to reveal God’s truth. This passage says, “They are spiritually discerned.” So, if you don’t have the Holy Spirit, this next question asks you…

[Question 17]

What are spiritual things to a natural, unsaved person? Paul says in this passage: “They are folly” or foolishness.

We have a great example of this in John Chapter 3 in the meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. He is a highly educated Jewish Pharisee who knows the Old Testament scriptures. He asks Jesus, “What must I do to be saved?” And Jesus tells him. But Nicodemus just isn’t getting it. Jesus then makes this statement: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Of course, Nicodemus doesn’t understand what that means. “Do you mean I have to go back into my mother’s womb?” Jesus is trying to explain to Nicodemus how to be saved. That’s an example of how it was foolishness, even to a really smart guy with the best Bible teacher there was, Jesus. They have to be spiritually discerned. So, Jesus is trying to get through to him.

[Question 18]

What is the prerequisite for understanding the things of God? You need to be “born again.” In other words, you need to be saved. The moment you are saved the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. He teaches you and helps you to understand. How do unsaved people ever get saved? The Holy Spirit convicts them of sin, righteousness and judgment. Otherwise, they never would. That is really important.

The Baptist Faith and Message under the heading “God the Holy Spirit says this: “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.”

So, the Holy Spirit is the One who teaches and helps us to understand.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Before sitting down to study the Bible, consider the following things. These are my suggestions based on what’s worked for me – everybody is different. Hopefully this will be helpful.

[Question 19]

First, a proper attitude for Bible study. We need to approach the Bible with reverence, awe and expectancy; to have an open mind and a willing heart. Listen to what God is going to tell you as you read His Word.

Second, a plan for Bible study. Set aside a time and place – a place that is conducive to studying and concentrating. I would say for starters a minimum of 15 minutes daily reading and studying God’s Word. Have a plan. If you want to read the Bible through in a year, you can get one of those plans. 

Third, begin Bible study with prayer. This is essential. Ask God to help you to understand His Word through the Holy Spirit and apply to your life.

Fourth, have at least two good translations of the Bible. This is a matter of personal preference. Our church uses the ESV (English Standard Version). My personal favorite is the New American Standard Bible (NASB). The NIV (New International Version) is also good. Robin my wife likes the New Living Translation (NLT). Of course, the King James Version (KJV) is good. The only problem I have with KJV is that some of our English words have changed meaning since it was translated back in 1611. Some of the words in the KJV are no longer a part of our language. So that’s why you should also have a good modern translation.

A good study Bible. Take the time to read through the notes in the margins or at the bottom of each page that relate to the verses you’re reading. Also consider some basic Bible study resources: Concordance, Bible Dictionary, Bible Handbook, Commentaries, etc. There are a lot of good online resources such as Blue Letter Bible.

Something to record (write down) what God shows you in His Word, either with a notebook and a pen or on a personal computer. Whatever is convenient for you. If you are expecting God to teach you something, then you will want to remember it!

[Question 20]

There are a number of different ways to study the Bible.

Book Study. This is how the Bible was written – to groups or individuals for a specific purpose. I recommend for beginners studying the Gospel of John. Follow it with 1 John, the Gospel of Mark and the Epistles of Paul from Galatians thru Philemon; then the Gospel of Luke, then Acts. 

Topical Study like this study. It takes a particular theme and applies related scripture passages from the Bible. Let me give you a few examples: doctrines, prophecies, prayers, angels, heaven, salvation, etc.

Character Study. Pick a good Bible character like Abraham, David, Paul, Timothy, and so forth. Learn what you can about their lives. You will find that they were just ordinary people that God used. I don’t suggest picking bad characters like King Ahab or Caiaphas, though I suppose you could learn how NOT to live from them!

Let me show you an example of how the use of two or more translations can help you. Consider the words of 2 Timothy 2:15… “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (ESV). “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV).

[Question 21]

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling accurately or rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Finally, MEMORIZE scripture.

[Question 22]

How will memorizing scripture benefit you personally? Here is why it is important…

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” You memorize scripture to help you have victory over Sin. You can be certain that sin will come creeping at your door. Having scripture memorized when that occurs, will help you.

John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” So, memorize scripture to help you to have Peace. Have peace as you remember what Jesus has told us.

Isaiah 55:11: “So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” You all have heard that expression, “Your word will not return void.” That’s the King James Version of this verse. What I have done is applied it to sharing our Faith. I can have confidence that when I tell somebody God’s word and plant a seed, it will not return void. It will not return empty.

Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Memorizing scripture helps us to Renew our minds. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in our minds, in our thoughts. He does this to us as we consistently read, study and meditate on His word. He renews our thoughts. And the end result will be a life that is pleasing to God. The seed that is planted in our minds is what we live out. It is what we express outwardly in our actions. So then, memorizing the word of God is the best way to plant good seeds in your mind.