2. Should we? Is it required? The world says NO! Different doctrines Different practices Different organizations

3. The Bible teaches we can understand alike God made man God made the Bible

5. It is the revelation of God’s mind to man, 1 Cor. 2:9-12 Not a private interpretation, 2 Pt. 1:20, 21 Entirely inspired, 2 Tim. 3:16, 17 All encompassing, 2 Pt. 1:3

6. It is the faith once delivered, Jude 3; Titus; 1:13, 14; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:7

7. It is God’s wisdom unto salvation, 2 Tim. 3:15 Sets men free, Jn. 8:31, 32 Power to save, Rom. 1:16

8. It is the truth by which we will be judged, Jn. 17:17; 12:48

9. God appeals to our ability to understand, Isa. 1:18 Appeal to reason: Paralytic, Mk. 2:1-12 Appeal to reason: Possessed, Mt. 12:22-30

10. People in the OT understood God’s Word Sinai, Ex. 20:1-21 Jerusalem, Neh. 8:7-12

11. People are to understand the NT, Eph. 5:17 Can understand, Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 1:13 Know the certainty, Lk. 1:1-4 Know “difficult” things, Mt. 24:15; 2 Pt. 3:16

12. “You understand it YOUR way,… …and I’ll understand it MY way.”

13. God does not author confusion, 1 Cor. 14:33 God commands unity, 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16; 1 Pt. 3:8

14. God’s commands are not burdensome, 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 3:16 Would God command something that cannot be done? What kind of God would do that?

15. Jesus prayed for unity— Including in understanding, Jn. 17:20-23 Would Jesus pray for the impossible?

16. Truth agrees with truth, Gal. 1:6-9 If we both understand God’s Word, …then we must understand it alike -Jesus: Christ -Murder: sinful -Baptism: immersion If one misunderstands, we will disagree If both misunderstand, we might disagree… …or we will agree in error

17. Prejudice, Acts 17:32 Obstinate, Acts 7:51 Jealousy, Acts 13:42-45 Willful ignorance, 2 Pet. 3:5

18. Should we? Is it required? The world says NO! Different doctrines Different practices Different organizations

19. The Bible teaches we can understand alike God made man God made the Bible