Not Just A Book For Preachers
Some seem to have the idea that the Bible is only a
book for preachers to find a text in. I have known
some preachers whose sermons showed that is what they
thought. They selected a text and never got back to
it or else paid no attention to it's context.
Preachers have no monopoly on understanding the Bible.
Preachers gain a knowledge of the Bible in the same
way as anyone else, through study. It is a mistake
to think of preachers as apostles. The apostles were
inspired by the Holy Spirit to receive revelation.
Since revelation has been completed we have no living
inspired men today. We have an inspired book. The inspired
prophets and apostles still function through the Word.
"How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when
ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery
of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto
the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians
3:35).
Paul received it by revelation and wrote what he received
to the Ephesians. He told them that when they read
the epistle they would know as much as he knew. If
the Ephesians, by reading, could know as much as Paul
then may we not by the same means know as much as any
preacher. The preacher learns what he knows by reading
and others may read and know the same thing. All any
preacher knows is what he can read in the Bible. I
know there are some that claim to know things they
cannot read in the Bible but this is a false claim.
My father had about a fifth grade formal education.
The president of a Bible college preached in a meeting
and stayed in our home. He later said to me, "Your
father knows more Bible than any teacher I have."
After I began preaching I often discussed difficult
passages with him. I cannot remember a single occasion
that I brought up some verse that it was necessary
for him to open his Bible to discuss it. His independent
study of the Bible and his wonderful knowledge of it
has been a source of inspiration to me. It has confirmed
my faith in my ability to understand the scriptures
if I will apply myself. His diligent and careful study
of the Bible convinced me that I could know as much
about the Bible as anyone if I would work at it hard
enough and long enough.
Study The Bible
If one studies math he needs a math book. If one studies
language he needs a language book. We seem to have
forgotten this when we come to the study of the Bible.
Instead of studying the Bible we start looking for
a book or books about the Bible. There is nothing wrong
in using other material to aid one's study of the Scriptures
but books should never become a substitute for the
Scriptures. The Bible is right. What is written by
men may be right but it may also be wrong.
The Bible should be studied first and let it speak,
then read what others say. I often find that when one
is faced with some question the first thing he does
is to start looking for some book on the subject. It
appears that it is forgotten that the Bible is a good
book to consult first about any question.
The Bible is its best interpreter. Take some time and
read the quotations in the New Testament from the Old
Testament and notice how the quotes interpret the Old
Testament passages. If inspired men used Scripture
to interpret Scripture why do we think we can improve
on God s method? What is often made difficult and confusing
by some commentary is made simple when one lets the
Bible do the interpreting. As I have already pointed
out the Bible is inspired and all books of men are
uninspired. When one reads the Bible and lets the Bible
unfold its message his faith is built on the rock of
divine truth and not human wisdom. What men say may
be right but it may also be wrong. Make the Bible your
book. You make it your book only by personal study.
No one can take your place in this work. Do not depend
on anyone else.
Return to TheBible.net