Newton church of Christ 11/19/2018 “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” Hebrews 12:1-3 Class Number 5 – How to Study the Bible First Principles New Convert Class

PURPOSE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” PURPOSE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT The purpose of the entire New Testament is to produce faith in Christ as the Son of God, to teach us how to become Christians, and to show us how to live so that we will be saved eternally. The New Testament is also divided into four major sections. It also shows us that the Kingdom/Church has been established as was foretold by prophets of old. 11/19/2018

How to Study the Bible “You shall know the truth” “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” How to Study the Bible “You shall know the truth” (John 8:32) “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me” (Matthew 11:29)

DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Respect the Bible as the word of God – Psa. 119:124-128 God’s communication, 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1-2 Handle properly, 2 Tim. 2:15 Bible is the final word, Rom. 4:3

DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Devote yourself to learning – 1 Tim. 4:15 Time, 1 Tim. 4:13 Study to use what you learn, 1 Tim. 4:12, 14, 16; 2 Tim. 2:2; Acts 17:11-12 Open mind to know & do God’s will – Jno. 5:39-40

DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DEDICATE YOURSELF 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Devote yourself to learning – 1 Tim. 4:15 Right attitudes include: Reverence – 1 Ths. 2:13 Love & humility – 1 Cor. 13:2 Faith – Rom. 10:17 Desire to know & willingness to obey – Jno. 7:16-17

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DECIDE THE SUBJECT Topic? Text? Character? Period of history? Etc. What is the current need? For yourself? – Jas. 1:22-25 To teach others? – Acts 15:4-6; 1 Cor. 15:12 Be practical with your selection

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” 1 Peter 4:11 DEFINE YOUR SUBJECT Proper definitions are crucial – Isa. 5: 20 (cf. Matt. 22:23, 29-30) Discover the Bible definition(s) & usage(s) – cf. “baptism” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: “a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community” John’s baptism? – Matthew 3:11

DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS Consider context Baptism non-essential? – 1 Cor. 1:17 (1 Cor. 1:14-16, 13, 15; Matt. 28:19) Observe who is speaking cf. John: Matt. 3:11; but, Acts 19:3-5 Purpose of speaker/writer? – Gen. 3:4; Job 2:9

DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS Observe who is addressed Alien sinner? Christian? The unfaithful? The nations? Holy Spirit baptism, Acts 1:4-5, 8 (1-3) Sinner’s prayer, Acts 8:22-23 (12-13); 1 Jno. 1:9 (7-8)

DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCOVER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS Consider all the Bible says “One baptism” or multiple? Eph. 4:5 What is faith: Mental assent? John 3:16 Obedient trust? James 2:17-20

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” How to Study the Bible Consider & understand – 2 Tim. 2:7; Acts 17:11-12 Salvation & spiritual safety depends on it – Hosea 4:6; 2 Peter 3:16-18; John 8:31-32

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” 2 Tim. 2:14-16 DISCERN THE MEANING Know Biblical dispensations of time – Heb. 1:1-2 Patriarchal (Creation to Mt. Sinai) Mosaic (Mt. Sinai to Cross) – Rom. 2:12-15; 7:4, 6 Christian (to end of time) – Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 3:17 Change of law – Acts 15:5; 2 Cor. 3:14 (Heb. 7:12)

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCERN THE MEANING Literal or figurative? Literal unless context forces figurative “All words are to be understood in their literal sense, unless the evident meaning of the context forbids. –Figures are the exception, literal language the rule; hence we are not to regard anything as figurative until we feel compelled to do so by the evident import of the passage.” (D.R. Dungan, Hermeneutics, 184)

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCERN THE MEANING Literal or figurative? Literal unless context forces figurative Great fish, Jonah 1:17; Matt. 12:40 Serpent, Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3 Day, Gen. 1:5; Exo. 20:11 Book of Revelation, Rev. 1:1-3

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DISCERN THE MEANING Plain passages help explain more difficult cf. Baptism for the dead, 1 Cor. 15:29 For living who believe – Mark 16:15-16 Harmony of God’s word – Matt. 4:5-7 “Faith,” Jno. 3:16; Jas. 2:24 Sum of God’s word is truth, Psa. 119:160

DEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITY “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITY Do not study the Bible with an agenda “Proof-texting” cf. “Faith only” (Jas. 2:24); “Sabbath” (Col. 2:14-17) Respect binding nature A lawyer, Lk. 10:25-29 Commands of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

DEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITY “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” DEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITY Respect the silence of the Scriptures – Heb. 7:11-14; 8:5 Respect the boundary of the Scriptures – 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Jno. 9; Rev. 22:18-19

“Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” Jas. 1:22-25 DO THE WILL OF GOD To be saved – Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21 To be blessed & approved by God – Jno. 13:17; Rev. 22:14; 2 Tim. 2:15 To give answers for your hope – 1 Pet. 3:15 To teach others the gospel – 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:16

How to Study…Learn the Bible “Let Us Run With Endurance The Race That Is Set Before Us” How to Study…Learn the Bible Dedicate-Decide-Define- Discover-Discern-Defer-Do What a shame to study in vain What a blessing to understand & obey Matthew 13:13-17