1.      Interpret Literally

It has been said, “If plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense.”

We use idioms, symbols, and poetic expressions every day – not to convey secret meanings but to add colour to our speech.

A person must keep in mind that when interpreting the Bible literally we make obvious allowances for figures of speech.

2.      Interpret Culturally/Historically 

For an intelligent understanding of some parts of the Bible we need to know something about the following:

-               Geography

-               Climate                     

-               Country                

-               Customs 

-               History                         

Someone once said “There can be no doubt that knowledge of Bible geography helps shed some light and realism to our understanding of the Book.”

 3.      Interpret Dispensationally 

 

Dispensationalism has two main distinctive; a consistently literal interpretation of Scripture, especially with Bible prophecy, and in making a distinction between Israel and the church in God's plan.

 

4.      Interpret Grammatically

 

Bible students need to know exactly which word they are dealing with and in what sense the word is used in the passage being studied.

 

5.      Interpret Contextually

 

An injustice may take place towards the Scriptures when a person does not take the time to study the context of the book, chapter, or passage.

 

6.      Comparing Scripture with Scripture

 

When comparing the four Gospels you will find that they harmonize. As you study each Gospel, it is good to seek a parallel in the other Gospels; however not every passage is mentioned in each account of the Gospels.

 

It is also a blessing to compare the Old and New Testament; discovering wonderful fulfilments of Scripture.

 

Some people believe in “Salvation by Works,” and quote James chapter 2 as their supporting Scripture. If a person will take the time to apply the golden rules of interpretation, and compare James 2 with Ephesians 2:8-9 and  Titus 3:5, they will find out that their interpretation on the passage is not correct.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; vs 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”

 

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

 

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some things in the Bible that can be easily understood, even by a child, but on the other hand there are passages that are hard to understand.  Nicodemus was a scribe, a ruler of the Jews, well educated, yet he struggled to understand what it meant to be born again. 

John 3:9-12 “Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Vs10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Vs11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” Notice what Jesus mentions to Nicodemus in verse Vs12 “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”

Matthew Henry once said, “If the regeneration of the soul of man is such a mystery, what then is the incarnation of the Son of God? These are divine and heavenly things indeed.”

John 3:13 “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

Why Some Passages are Hard to Understand?

1.         It is God’s Word

The Bible is the revelation of God to man; for God is all-knowing, and all-powerful, and His ways differ from ours.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Vs 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

2.    Vast Culture Difference

“We are separated from Bible events by thousands of years... God gave the Scriptures for all people of all centuries and He was in control of the time and context of its giving; but at the same time, it is not reasonable to expect there will be no problems in understanding the Scriptures.” ~ David Cloud

3.    Some things are Hidden

God would speak in parables to conceal truth from those who did not have a heart for the truth.

  Matthew 13:13 “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”

4.    A Need for Spiritual Growth

Peter exhorts Christians to “...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18.

Prior to these word he explains in verse 16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”  1 Cor 2:12-16, Heb 5:11-14

5.    A Need to Study the Scriptures

Studying God’s Word takes time, hard work, patience, passion, and prayer.  God wants each Bible student to rightly divide His truth.  (Next week we will take a look at the golden rules for Bible interpretation)

Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services

God is the God of the Impossible. There is not a thing that God cannot do. Generally, the impossible is something beyond our control or human ability.

When God said to Abraham that his wife would be with child, Sarah laughed because she was old and well above the age of conceiving. However, notice how God replied to Sarah...

Genesis18:14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?”

The Lord asked the question not expecting an answer but rather as stating the obvious. In this case God promised Abraham that from his seed would come a great and mighty nation, and that God would show Himself strong, and demonstrate His power through feeble people.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

There are some reasons why God will not Work the impossible.

  1.    Not the right time

There are times a person may doubt if their prayer will ever be heard. Christians can mistake the silence of God to be unanswered prayer. However, it could be that God has already answered but it is not the right time; or it could be that the answer was not as you expected and God’s desire was to do a mighty work in you and work patience in your life; which leads us to the next point.

  2.    Asking amiss

James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Not everything we ask God to do He is going to do. If we do come before the Lord in prayer, what we ask God must be in-line with His will. He knows best! Next point is:

  3.    Lack of Fasting 

  Mark 9:28-9 “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? vs. 9 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”

Fasting with good motives demonstrates dependence on God. It helps a person be God-dependant, and not self-dependant. Anna was a widow who “...served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:35-37

  4.    Lack of Faith

Matthew 13:58 “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

A person’s Faith is strengthened by hearing the Word of God. However a person can be exposed to God’s powerful Word and still choose not to trust it.

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services

Finally, seeking “the will of God” is submitting to God to do a work in your life and character far and above what you are capable of.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

People are in the business of conforming to the image of others or the world, but God is in the business of transforming lives into the image of His dear Son - Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

The Will of God is:

1.    God Working in You!

As you submit to God and yield to the Holy Spirit, it is God that works in you to give you the will and the doing of it.

If you ever desire to seek God’s will for your life, pray that God will work on your character to look more like Christ so that you bring glory to God the Father!

There is no greater fulfilment in life than to know that God Almighty is working His purpose in you for His glory!


Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

The Will of God is:

2.    God Working through You

What a joy it is not only to know that God is working in you, but also that He desires to work through you; as His vessel you can be used by Him.

1 Corinthians 12:4, 25 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…. Verse 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

God has enabled His people with different talents and gifts so that He may use them in the life of others; reaching the unsaved and building up the saved.

Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; vs 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

A person cannot be used of God if he does not allow God to do a work in him first. So let God continue to work in your life that He may use you for His glory and for the sake of the Gospel.

Fulfill God’s will in your life by allowing Him to Work in you and through you!

In Christ Alone,

C Haddad - Galatians 2:20

W: www.gbbc.org.au I E: [email protected] I W: www.eternal.org.au

M: Po Box 318 Kotara, NSW, 2289 I P: 0401 955 955 I P: (02) 4023 4889
Meeting: 135 Ambleside Cct, Lakelands I 10:30am & 5:30pm Sunday services