HOW YOU CAN KNOW

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

 

A Call to Faith by

Gary Ray Branscome

 

They received the word with all readiness of mind, and daily searched the scriptures to see whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).

 

          Five hundred years ago people were being burned at the stake for the high crime of possessing a Bible. At that time, Satan was doing all he could to keep the Bible out of the hands of the people. However, when he failed, when he could not keep the Bible from being translated and published, he changed his tactics. Today, instead of trying to keep people from having a Bible, he tries to keep people from reading it. And, if they do read it he tries to confuse them with many contradictory opinions and interpretations. So much so, that many today think that what the Bible says is all a matter of opinion. However, the words, “If you continue in my word… you will know the truth,” tell us that they are wrong (John 8:31-32).

          Here are three reasons why many people find the Bible confusing. First, instead of looking at what the words actually say they let their imaginations run wild, looking for something beyond the actual meaning of the words. 2- As a result, they read unscriptural ideas into the text, which lead them to conclusions not warranted by the text. 3- Then they explain away any plain statements of Scripture that contradict those unscriptural conclusions. That is the way of the world (2Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, let me set forth this rule:

 

You can INTERPRET the BIBLE to say ANYTHING, BUT if you want the TRUTH you need to set all interpretation aside and LOOK AT WHAT THE WORDS ACTUALLY SAY.

 

          I realize that many things the Bible says are hard to understand. However, the solution is not to make up interpretations, listen to others who make up explanations, or tolerate all sorts of interpretations. The solution is to eliminate all interpretations, eliminate all doctrines based on interpretation, and LOOK AT WHAT THE WORDS ACTUALLY SAY. And, we only do that when we concentrate on those passages of Scripture that are so clear they need no interpretation, and reject any doctrine that is not clearly and explicitly stated in those passages. Therefore, let me set forth a second rule:

 

God has set forth the entire BODY OF DOCTRINE, everything we need to know for our salvation, in words SO CLEAR that they need NO INTERPRETATION. And, OUR DOCTRINE NEEDS TO CONSIST OF WHAT HE HAS SAID on any topic, NOT what men say.

 

Learning What the Bible Says

 

          The Bible is, first and foremost, a book of HISTORY! If it records poetry, then it gives us an historical record of that poetry. If it records prophesy, then it gives us an historical record of that prophesy. And, the words, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me,” tell us that Bible history testifies of Christ (John 5:39). And, the words, “These are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name,” tell us that its reason for testifying of Christ is to bring us to faith in Him (John 20:31). Therefore, Christ’s work of redemption and our salvation is central to all the Bible says.

          That being the case, if we are to learn what the Bible says, we need to begin with its record of history, and with what it clearly tells us about that history. And, that history begins with the book of Genesis.

 

          Our Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). That is not just my interpretation, it is a fact. It is a fact that anyone can verify simply by reading the first verse of Genesis. The Bible goes on to say, “God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw that the light was good: and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and called the darkness Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day,” (Genesis 1:3-5). Here again, that is not just my interpretation, but a fact that anyone can verify simply by reading those verses. HOWEVER, the point that I want to get across, is that the actual words of Scripture are the Word of God while interpretations are the word of man. And, God wants you to learn and believe what He has said, not what men say. “No truth of Scripture comes from any man-made explanation” of its words, “Because Scripture did not originate of old by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” (2Peter 1:20-21).

          In the Book of Exodus, God summarizes the first chapter of Genesis saying, “In six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, and rested on the seventh day,” (Exodus 20:11). Again, that is not an interpretation it is a fact that can be verified by anyone willing to read the verse. If men challenge what is said, if they try to make the six days into long periods, or invent some unknown literature type or figure of speech to get around what the Bible plainly says, their word is the “word of man”. And, God wants you to believe His Word, not their word. As it is written, “To the law and to the testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,” (Isaiah 8:20).

 

          After you learn what the Bible says about the creation of the world, you will find that there are other passages that plainly tell us what significance that record of creation has for you. For example: The words “God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good,” tell us that everything God created was good (Genesis 1:31). The words, “Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us?” tell us that God is our Father (Malachi 2:10). And, the words, “God will bring everything that is done into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil,” tell us that we are accountable to Him (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

 

          The third chapter of Genesis tells us that the first man and the first woman (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God. What is said is an historical record of what happened. However, their sin has a deep spiritual significance that affects every one of us. And, the Bible plainly tells us what that spiritual significance is. For example: God’s words to Eve, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you will bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he will rule over you,” reveal part of it. As do His words to Adam, “cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow you will eat of it all the days of your life; Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return unto the ground,” (Genesis 3:16-19). However, the spiritual significance of their sin is also revealed in the words, “Just as sin entered the world by one man and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, because all have sinned”. Or the words: “through the sin of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation,” (Romans 5:12 and 18). In fact, the entire law of God tells us the spiritual significance of the fall because the Law was given to show us our sin, and need of a Savior (Romans 3:10-23). And, the point that I want to stress is just this. What the Bible says about the fall is not a matter of interpretation. It is a fact that anyone can verify simply by reading the passages that I cited.

 

While the Biblical record of the fall condemns us, the words, “This is a trustworthy statement, worthy of complete acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” tell us that Christ came into the world to save us from that condemnation (1Timothy 1:15). And, the historical record of Christ’s entry into the world is found in the first two chapters of Matthew and the first two chapters of Luke. Those chapters tell us of Christ’s virgin birth, and certain events surrounding that birth. Here again, God wants you to believe the historical account of Christ’s birth that He has given us in Scripture, not man-made fantasying about that birth; and especially not satanic attempts to deny what the Bible says about that birth. In addition, there are other passages that plainly tell us the spiritual significance of Christ’s birth. Passages like, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government will be on his shoulders: and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Or, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses; but one who was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The first of those passages tells us that Christ is God, the second that He was without sin. Here again, what the Bible says is not a matter of interpretation, but a fact that anyone can verify simply by reading the text. Moreover, the fact that Christ was the sinless Son of God lays the groundwork for the next historical event in the Bible’s salvation history, Christ’s death on the cross.

 

          You can read the account of Christ’s death, and the events surrounding it in Matthew chapters 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, and John 18-21. There are also many other verses in the Bible that tell us the spiritual significance of Christ’s death. For example: Colossians 2:13-14 tells us that, “God has made you, who were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh alive together with Christ, having forgiven all of your sins. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross”.  First John 1:7 tells us that, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin”. And, the Gospel itself is the good news that, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1Corinthians 15:1-4). Here again, we are not dealing with interpretation, but with the plain grammatical meaning of the words that anyone can verify simply by reading those verses.

          Furthermore, Christ’s death on the cross goes hand in hand with His resurrection from the dead. That resurrection is described in the same chapters that I cited in the last paragraph as giving the account of His death. And, the spiritual significance His resurrection has for us lies in the fact that He rose from the dead because He had triumphed over sin death and the power of the devil. As it is written, “If Christ did not rise, our preaching is a waste of time, and… your faith is worthless; and you are still in your sins… However, Christ has risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of those who sleep. For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Yet each in his own order: Christ the first fruits; then those who are Christ’s at his coming,” (1Corinthians 15:14-23). And because Christ has triumphed over sin, He is “the resurrection, and the life… And whoever lives and believes in” Him “will never die,” (John 11:25-26). Here again, the message God wants you to believe consists of what the words plainly say, NOT INTERPRETATIONS.

 

          Following Christ’s resurrection from the dead, He ascended into heaven. And, the historical facts surrounding His ascension are recorded in the first chapter of Acts, where we read, “While they watched, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking intently up toward heaven as he ascended, behold, two men in white apparel stood by them; And they asked, Why are you men of Galilee gazing up into heaven? the same Jesus, that has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

          The words, “If I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you,” tell us that because Christ ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent (John 16:7). The words, “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” tell us that because He ascended unto heaven we have Him as our advocate before the throne of God (1John 2:1). And, the words, “The same Jesus, that has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go into heaven” assure us that Christ will return (Acts 1:11). Here again, the message God wants you to believe consists of what His words plainly say.

 

          In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul goes over the basic doctrines of the faith, and they all relate to the historical events that we have just looked at. In the third chapter of Romans, verses nine through twenty, he gives us the Doctrine of Universal Condemnation. Because everything that God created was originally good, and sin entered the world through the fall of Adam, that doctrine relates to the fall. In Romans 3:21-28 he gives us the Doctrine of Justification by Faith. Faith in God’s promise of the forgiveness Christ won for us on the cross (1John 1:7). In the fourth chapter of Romans Paul explains the righteousness of faith as an “imputed” righteousness, thus giving us the Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness. In Romans chapter five, verses six through eleven he gives us the doctrine of the atonement. In the rest of that chapter he contrasts the sin of Adam with Christ’s atonement giving us the Doctrine of The Fall and Redemption. In Romans 9:30-33 and 10:1-4, Paul contrasts the Pharisees who sought to make themselves righteous and failed, with the Gentiles who did not seek to make themselves righteous, but found righteousness in Christ: in order to emphasize the fact that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believes”. And, the doctrine that God wants you get from those passages consists of what He has said, not man-made interpretations.

 

In addition to those doctrines, the Bible also tells us many things about God. Bible history clearly reveals God as our Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier and Judge. He has revealed Himself as the God who created the heaven, the earth and all that is in them in six days. Therefore, we worship the God who created all things in just six days. We are also told that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), that He is merciful (Psalm 116:5), and that He is just (Deuteronomy 32:4). And, our Doctrine of God should consist of what those passages and others plainly tell us about God, not interpretations or mental abstractions.

The Bible also clearly sets forth the Doctrine of the Trinity. For example:

1- Through the words, “Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us,” the Bible gives us the doctrine that the Father is God (Malachi 2:10) [See also Matthew 5:16, 45, 48.]

 2- Through the words, “We are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and eternal life,” the Bible gives us the doctrine that the Son is God (1John 5:20).

          3- Through the words, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost… you have not lied to men, but to God,” the Bible gives us the doctrine that the Holy Ghost is God (Acts 5:3-4).

          4- Through the words, “There is one God; and there is none other but He,” the Bible gives us the doctrine that there is only one God (Mark 12:32).

          In stating those four doctrines I in no way want to imply that those are the only passages of Scripture that teach those doctrines. Nor do I wish to imply that those four doctrines are all there is to the doctrine of the Trinity. There is far more. Nevertheless, those four doctrines constitute the heart and core of the doctrine of the Trinity. And, the point I want to make is that each of them is clearly and explicitly stated in Scripture.

 

Conclusion

 

          God has set forth the entire body of doctrine, everything we need to know for our salvation, in words so clear that they need no interpretation. And, the heart and core of that doctrine is Bible history.

There are many other things that could be added. For example: The words, “We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” Tell us that when we die our soul goes to be with Christ (2Corinthians 5:8). The words, “It is appointed unto men to die once, and after that the judgment,” tell us that we will all die and we will all be judged (Hebrews 9:27). And, since death came into the world through the sin of Adam, that judgment relates to the fall. However, the words, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” tell us that those who trust in Christ will not be condemned (Romans 8:1). And, because it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us of sin taking away all condemnation, that doctrine relates to Christ’s death on the cross.

The words, “Every one who looks to the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day,” tell us that Christ will raise us from the dead on the “last day” (John 6:40). The words, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed,” tell us that our resurrection bodies will be free of the corruption of sin (1Corinthians 15:52). And, the words, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,” give us a hint of what God has prepared for all who trust in Christ (Revelation 21:1 and 4).

The point I have been emphasizing is that it is all plainly stated in Scripture in words so clear they need no interpretation.

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