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--- How do I interpret the Bible?
Since the Bible came about through the revelation of the Holy Spirit of God, then it is through the Holy Spirit of God that we are to interpret and understand the Bible. Any one can come to the Bible to seek for themselves it’s truths. We do not need a pastor, a Rabbi,a self-acclaimed holy man or woman, a priest, a scholar, or a theologian to interpret the Bible for us.
“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. 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.”
“And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.”
It is wonderful to know that we do not have to be versed in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek to understand what the Bible really teaches. Looking up specific words in the original language is helpful and fascinating to gain a deeper understanding of the text. However, it is not necessary to understand the basic principles of truth. If a word is unclear in its meaning, the student can look up the word in the Strong Concordance (use the blueletterbible.org)
When studying the Bible, it is important to remember to use the Bible to interpret itself. Bring together all the Bible verses on the particular subject you wish to know. Consider the context of the verse and word(s) as they are used within the verse.
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
People, pastors, teachers, and religious leaders say all sorts of things and make various claims. It is important to take whatever someone says to God in prayer and ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. Jesus is the truth and only He has the words of eternal truth (John 14:6, John 6:68).
If we have a true desire to know the Bible and seek God's truth He will show it to us. When we seek God’s truth we must also be willing to follow God’s truth. Remember, accepting Biblical truth and following Jesus often requires that we make changes in our lives. Let’s be willing to let the Bible guide our lives, even if that means giving up a cherished belief that turns out to be false. This can be difficult, especially if we have believed it our whole life! But God will comfort us and guide us into all truth as we seek Him (John 16:14; Ephesians 4:15).
Quick review on how to interpret/study the Bible:
The Bible was written by God Himself.
The Holy Spirit of God will give you discernment of understanding of His Word.
Before opening the Bible, begin with prayer. Believe that God will give you understanding as you study and be willing to humbly accept His truth.
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Bring every Bible verse together on the subject you wish to know.
Let every word have its proper bearing on the subject (it needs to relate).
Humbly be aware of any contradiction between your theory and the Word of God.
Let the Bible explain itself.
Be prepared to accept truth from the Holy Scriptures
Ask Questions about the subject and verses you are studying. Search for the answers in the Bible.
It is a wonderful thought to know that God provides rules for interpreting His own Word. The Bible itself teaches this particular set of Bible study principles to help us grow in understanding so that we may have a foundation of truth and not fall into false interpretation.
--- Where in the Bible do I begin studying?
The Bible can be studied in different ways. You can study through a particular book in the Bible or choose a subject to study. If you decide to pick a subject to study, follow the list above on how to interpret the Bible.
The book of John is always a great place to start. Studying the Bible is more than just reading it. Here is a list to follow as you study a book of the Bible.
Pick a good Bible translation, not a paraphrase Bible. Some good translations are KJV, NKJV, and AMP. It is okay to use more than one translation. A good study Bible will have text references and sometimes asks questions to help generate thought.
Have a notebook handy to write questions and answers. Feel free to highlight and make notes and other Bible text references in your Bible, in an attractive manner.
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Always begin with prayer.
Ask God to teach you and show you who He is through the study of the book you have chosen. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.
Read a few verses or a whole chapter of the book. Some Bibles have headings that separate different events or parables. Take these one at a time and spend time in each one.
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Questions facilitate study.
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For example, read the first chapter in John, then go back to the beginning and look at the first verse in John, verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
What happened in the beginning? Go to Genesis 1-2, 3:1-3.
Who is the Word? Does John describe more about the Word in this chapter? Make a list of characteristics.
What does it mean that God describes Himself as the Word?
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Apply the things you learn to you and your daily life.
Study every morning and for as long as you can! Sometimes you may only have ten minutes to study and sometimes you will have half an hour. Be diligent to set aside time for study every morning.
Jesus is alive and real. He wants to establish a personal relationship with you. Take the time in these studies to seek to know Him as your Friend, Lord, and Savior.
Finally, end in prayer. Take the things that you have learned to God and ask them to be real and relevant to you. If you were convicted and feel the need to change your life according to the Word of God, ask for the power to do so in Jesus name.