A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Affirming that the Bible is the Word of God By Affirming that the Bible is the Word of God – The Bible (every word of it) is the result of the verbal, plenary inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17) By Acknowledging It Can Be Understood Alike By Acknowledging It Can Be Understood Alike – Understanding the Bible is not only possible, understanding the Bible IS EXPECTED! – Understanding it at all IS TO UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE! That’s the only way to understand it. That’s the only way to understand it. There’s no such thing as understanding differently. There’s no such thing as understanding differently. – We understand it ALIKE UNTIL we get in the way!

A Review: The Bible Can Be Understood Alike: By Distinguishing Between the Old & the New By Distinguishing Between the Old & the New – Designated as Two Different Covenants – Delivered Through Two Different Mediators – Two Very Different Sacrificial Systems – Two Very Different Remedies for Sin – Two Different Covenants for Two Different Peoples – Two Different Purposes – Two Different Durations By Accepting That the Bible Is All-Authoritative, All-Sufficient & All-Delivered By Accepting That the Bible Is All-Authoritative, All-Sufficient & All-Delivered By Making Proper & Necessary Distinctions By Making Proper & Necessary Distinctions

A Key Verse & Key Responsibility in Understanding the Bible 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJV) – Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. (ASV) – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB) – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)

Must Make Proper & Necessary Distinctions Between The Merely Reported & the Authorized The Merely Reported & the Authorized – Acts 16:9-12 (Paul preaching the gospel in Macedonia) The Authorized (Essential) = Preaching the gospel in Macedonia The Authorized (Essential) = Preaching the gospel in Macedonia The Merely Reported (Incidental) = Travelling by ship The Merely Reported (Incidental) = Travelling by ship – Acts 20:7-9 (Brethren worshiping in Troas) The Authorized (Essential) = Worship God, as He directed The Authorized (Essential) = Worship God, as He directed The Merely Reported (Incidental) = Meeting on third floor The Merely Reported (Incidental) = Meeting on third floor

Must Make Proper & Necessary Distinctions Between Circumstance & Condition Circumstance & Condition – Acts 16:13-15 (Conversion of Lydia) Circumstances = Sabbath day, riverside, place of prayer, sitting down, meeting of women Circumstances = Sabbath day, riverside, place of prayer, sitting down, meeting of women Conditions = The preaching, the hearing, the believing, the baptism (essential for her salvation) Conditions = The preaching, the hearing, the believing, the baptism (essential for her salvation) Circumstances vary. Conditions do not. Circumstances vary. Conditions do not. – Acts 16:25-34 (Conversion of Philippian Jailor) Circumstances = in prison, singing and praying at midnight, earthquake, opened doors, loosed chains Circumstances = in prison, singing and praying at midnight, earthquake, opened doors, loosed chains Conditions = The preaching, the hearing, the believing, the baptism (essential for his salvation) Conditions = The preaching, the hearing, the believing, the baptism (essential for his salvation) Circumstances vary. Conditions do not. Common sense can distinguish between the two. Circumstances vary. Conditions do not. Common sense can distinguish between the two.

Must Make Proper & Necessary Distinctions Between The Temporary & the Permanent The Temporary & the Permanent – The early church had: Apostles, possessing a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4; Ac. 2:4) Apostles, possessing a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4; Ac. 2:4) Apostles, endowed with the power and ability to impart miraculous gifts to others (Acts 8:14-20; 19:1-6; 2 Cor. 12:12) Apostles, endowed with the power and ability to impart miraculous gifts to others (Acts 8:14-20; 19:1-6; 2 Cor. 12:12) Spiritual/Miraculous gifts, possessed by Christians upon whom an apostle had laid his hands (1 Cor. 9:2; 2 Tim. 1:6) Spiritual/Miraculous gifts, possessed by Christians upon whom an apostle had laid his hands (1 Cor. 9:2; 2 Tim. 1:6) – Necessary, yet temporary elements in infant church Living apostles (John 21:18-19; Acts 12:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:6-8) Living apostles (John 21:18-19; Acts 12:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:6-8) Miracles (cease when purpose fulfilled, John 20:30-31) Miracles (cease when purpose fulfilled, John 20:30-31) Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:11-13) Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:11-13) Never intended to be a part of permanent Christianity Never intended to be a part of permanent Christianity