We often speak of how important it is to study God’s Word. New Testament Christians must remember some basic rules of Bible study to help us to, “handle aright the Word of truth. (cf. 2 Tim 2:15).
Who Is the Speaker?
A fundamental rule to Bible study is to consider who is speaking. Could you imagine what would happen if we did not consider the speaker? Take for instance Job 2:9. “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die. “ The speaker is certainly important wouldn’t you say?
Who Is It Given To?
We would all agree that certain imperatives and instructions in the Word of God were given to specific people at a specific time. If I were to apply Genesis 6 to myself and start searching for Gophar wood to make an ark, someone would clearly say that this passage is not applicable to you. Let's remember to apply that same reasonable logic to other passages.
What Is The Context?
We must look at how the passage fits into the section of the book, the book itself. We must also consider which dispensation it was given in (Patriarchal, Jewish, Christian). Often brethren apply 1 Cor 3:16-17, and 1 Cor 6:19-20 to the 21st-century church insisting on a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself. A study of the context makes it evident that the church at Corinth had received miraculous gifts from Paul who was an Apostle. He planted the church in Acts 18, taught there for a period of 18 months, and returned multiple times. As an Apostle, he was able to hand down the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (cf 2 Tim:1-6; Acts 8:14-19). First, Corinthians teaches much about those miraculous gifts. They were present and defined (cf. 1 Cor 1:4-7;12:4-11), and those gifts would one day cease. ( 1 Cor 13:8-10). Miraculous gifts were present in Corinth. What did these passages mean to them?
Is The Language Literal or Figurative?
Consider John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.” Is the Lord an actual vine; are we woody branches? Did our brother Paul warn the church at Philippi of Rottweilers and Pitbulls, or was he making reference to the Judaizers who would have Christians return into bondage? Let us use the same logic when we read portions of Ezekiel and Revelation.
Do Not Misapply One Passage to Contradict Other Passages.
Peter commented that this was present in the first century (cf. 2 Peter 3:16). How much more is it today? Some utilize Acts 16:31, (“And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house”) to teach faith only. This clearly contradicts Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38. Romans 6:3-6, et al. The Bible does not contradict itself. Men, however, do a thorough job consistently.
Give Consideration to the Historical Order and Titles.
The order of epistles is certainly valuable (i.e. 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1.2.3 John, 1.2 Kings, etc). Moreover, titles give us keys to the book. The title Genesis gives us the beginning of the earth, life, the Patriarchal age. The Book of Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians who were tempted to go back to the dead Jewish religion. The Acts are the record of the birth of the church and the carrying of the Gospel to Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria, and the furthermost points of the world.
This is not an exhaustive list, but I assure you these principles will certainly help you as you seek to allow the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly (cf. Col 3:16).
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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