Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
February 8, 1971
NUMBER 38, PAGE 1-3

How To Study The Bible

Robert H. Farish

Why are you reading these words? Will you continue to read? The answer to the second question depends largely upon your answer to the first. The need of adequate motivation for Bible study must be taken into account. You may begin reading the Bible in a casual purposeless way, but you will not long continue to read unless your interest is raised to a higher level than that which stems from "nothing else to do." An incentive, strong enough to justify the effort of Bible study, is necessary before you will concern yourself with "How to Study the Bible."

Why Study The Bible

The writers of the Bible make the claim that their writings are inspired of God, that they "are the commandment of the Lord." (I Cor. 14:37); that the testimony is the testimony of eye witnesses. (2 Pet. 1:16, 20; I Cor. 15:5-8) Study also I Cor. 2:9-13; I Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. The claim of divine origin is presented in a reasonable manner. Millions of people have accepted this claim for thousands of years. Thoughtful people find strong reason to study the Bible from this consideration alone. To dismiss the Bible without investigation is not a mark of intelligence. "Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:17) The Bible is on the required reading list; it is a "must." (Col. 3:16; Acts 2:42)

Some have sought to find the answers, to the most significant question of human existence, in worldly wisdom, failing to realize that these answers cannot be gained through human observation and experimentation. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jer. 10:23)

Man can learn his origin, purpose and history from the Bible. The Bible answers the why of suffering and sorrow experienced by mankind — it reveals the source of real job, happiness and peace — it sets forth the superiority of truth, righteousness, love and obedience. By diligent study you can learn the basis for hope of life. Diligent reading of the words written by the inspired writers will enable you to perceive the understanding of the mystery of Christ which was "revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit." (Eph. 3:4, 5) These considerations adequately motivate Bible Study.

Gross Hearts

In the parable of the sower none of the four types of soil yielded fruit, except that representing the honest and good hearts. (Luke 8:15) Jesus explained that gross hearts prevent people from "hearing, perceiving and understanding." (Matt. 13:15) The English word "gross" is from a word that means "thick, signifies to thicken." These meanings are reflected in modern slang terms such as "fathead" or "thick head." The heart that is fattened or calloused by prejudice, sensuality, secularism, will close the eyes, stop the ears to avoid receiving anything contrary to its own will or desires.

True understanding will never bless the life of one who does not approach the Bible with meekness. "Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls." (Jas. 1:21) The example of meekness set by our Lord is vividly expressed in his words to the Father: "Not as I will, but as thou wilt... thy will be done." (Matt. 26:39, 42)

The Old And The New Testament

The student needs to distinguish between the Old and the New Testament. The writers of Hebrews states that, "God having of olden times spoken unto the fathers in the prophets, by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son. . ." (Heb. 1:1, 2). The New Testament is what God speaks through his Son. It is spoken unto us.

The Old Testament is not binding upon "us" to whom God has spoken in his Son, for "having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. . ." In view of this, God said, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day." (Col. 2:14-16)

Many people fail to understand what the will of the Lord is to "us," due to their determination to bind the Old Testament upon people today. This error was held by some false teachers early in the history of the church. "But there arose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, it is needful to circumcise them, to keep the law of Moses." (Acts 15:5) The Lord answered this error, "Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear." (Acts 15:10) The Old Testament — that which was spoken unto the fathers — is not binding on men today.

What then is the use of the Old Testament for "us"? The answer is, "For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Rom. 15:4) "Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." (I Cor. 10:11) The Old Testament contributes to our learning, encouraging patience and giving comfort; we can be admonished to obey God and not fall after the example of unbelief of Israel, but the New Testament is the truth by which man is freed from sin. The New Testament is the word of God, spoken to "us" through God's Son.

"These Things Are Written That"

In order to study the New Testament with the greatest profit, the student needs to know the design of the various books of the New Testament.

The Four Gospel Accounts

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John relate the miraculous birth of Jesus, his baptism, temptation, teaching, miracles, death, burial, resurrection and ascension back to God. Why did they relate these things? Luke stated that it seemed good "to write. . . that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou was instructed." (Luke 1:3, 4) John wrote, "Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life in His name." (John 20:30, 31)

Do you need to know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed? Study the accounts of "all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up." (Acts 1:1, 2) Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God? If you do not so believe, you do not have life in his name. Study the things written in these first four books for they "are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." (John 20:30)

The Book Of Acts

The closing statement of Mark's book is, "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word by the signs that followed." (Mark 16:20) This is a highly condensed summary of the book of Acts. The book of Acts relates some of the preaching done in obedience to the Lord's command to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." It gives greater details of their actions as "they went forth and preached everywhere."

The book of Acts contains the answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" If you do not know the answer, then go to Acts and learn from both the precepts and examples recorded in the book.

The Epistles

The letters following the book of Acts are addressed to churches and individual Christians. They were written "that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. . ." (I Tim. 3:14, 15) When you have come to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (John 20:31) and have repented and been baptized by the authority of Christ (Acts 2:38), the Lord adds you to the church. You are of the saved body, but have not received the "inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (I Pet. 1:4) You therefore need to know how to behave as a member of God's family in order that you may have entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The epistles were written to instruct you in making your "calling and election sure." (2 Pet. 1:10)

The epistles were written to prevent the child of God from sinning and to tell him what to do to be forgiven when he does sin. (I John 2:1) Christian, study the epistles that you may know how you ought to behave as a child of God — lay up their truths in your heart that you might not sin against your heavenly Father. Study them that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins; and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)