Cornerstone Ministries - Eugene, OR

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Anointed Profit for March 2016

How to Study the Bible

1. The first rule for studying the Scriptures is to determine who is speaking, to whom is He speaking, in what dispensation or for what time period is He speaking, and for what purpose is He speaking.

2. You must interpret a passage of Scripture in the light of all other passages. This means we must know something of that which precedes and that which follows what is read. For example: In the New Testament there are conversions found with different answers as to what to do to be saved.

Jesus tells one to believe, another is told to repent, another is told to be baptized, and another is told to sell all that he has and give it to the poor.

There might appear to be confusion. However, when all these and other passages are taken collectively into consideration, the explanation is apparent. Today, there is only one way to be saved, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). The Book of Romans spells this out with specifics (Romans 10:9-10).

3. Knowledge of the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament is necessary to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is because we live today under the New Testament of Grace and not under the Old Testament Law. This does not do away with the Old Testament for it is a book from God as much as is the New Testament; it represents the background of the New Testament, it contains the history of the preparation of the New Testament. The Old helps to prove the divine inspiration of the New and it contains invaluable lessons in righteousness and helps to understand the New Testament.

4. Consider the five natural divisions of the books of the Bible when studying the Scriptures in this Christian age of Grace:

A. - Old Testament
B. - Gospels
C. - Acts of the Apostles
D. - Letters
E. - Revelation

5. Keep in mind the subject matter of the Scriptures falls into four classification.

A. - Facts to be believed
B. - Commands to be obeyed
C. - Promises to be received who believe the facts and obey the commands
D. - Warnings to be heeded by all


4 Pearls of Wisdom when studying the Bible

1. - (Joshua 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2. - (I Timothy 4:15) Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

3. - (II Timothy 2:15) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

4. - (Proverbs 4:20-23) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all (I Timothy 4:15).

Marinating in His Love - George Dillon
Cornerstone Ministries