"When You Read the Scriptures"
Johnie Edwards
Paul said, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4). The Bible can be understood if we will learn how to study. A few simple rules will help us as we study.
Read the Bible knowing that it is inspired of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures are authoritative. Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18).
When you read the Scriptures, ask, "Who is doing the speaking?" In Genesis 3:4 we can read, "Ye shall not surely die." If I know the Devil said this, then I will have no trouble understanding that this is not a true statement.
We need to know to whom the message is spoken when we read the Scriptures. Sometimes the Bible speaks to the Jews as under the Law of Moses, sometimes to the man, sometimes to the woman, sometimes to elders of the church, or the deacons. Some passages have their application in the life of the individual, like in the story of the Good Samaritan, and some to the church as a group.
One must love the truth when he reads the Scriptures. Paul said that some "perished because they received not the love of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Truth cannot be handled carelessly. If one loves the truth, he will study and accept the truth as it is without trying to pervert it.
When you read the Scriptures, read the context. This simply means read the passage before and after the one you are trying to understand.
Read all on a given subject. You will not understand the truth unless you read all that God has said about a given topic. For example, when you study the subject of faith, you should read every passage on the subject of faith. No passage contradicts another, but all Scriptures harmonize one with another.
John said, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:3).
"The Must List"
John Isaac Edwards
"Must" is the strongest word in the English language.
The New Birth. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). The new birth is a spiritual birth - "of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:4-6). This spiritual birth is accomplished by the word of God as one obeys the truth. Peter described it this way: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit...Being born again...by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). The second birth is necessary for kingdom entrance as the Lord said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
Worship God in Spirit and in Truth. The Lord informed a woman of Samaria, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). This statement knocks the props out from under the notion that it doesn't make a difference how one worships. There are two vital elements of acceptable worship: spirit and truth. To worship in spirit is to worship from the heart, in sincerity. To worship in truth is to worship according to the word of God as God's word is truth (John 17:17).
Baptism. Many think being baptized is optional, not really necessary to being saved. The Lord told Saul, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). In the city Saul was told to "arise, and be baptized..." (Acts 22:16). That makes Bible baptism a spiritual must!
The Judgment. Paul wrote the Corinthians, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Are we ready for that day?
Qualifications of Elders and Deacons. All of the abilities and qualities revealed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are imperative, or the word "must" has no meaning! Don't overlook these statements in your study: "A bishop then must be..." (1 Timothy 3:2). "Moreover he must have..." (1 Timothy 3:7). "Likewise must the deacons be..." (1 Timothy 3:8). "Even so must their wives be..." (1 Timothy 3:11). "For a bishop must be..." (Titus 1:7). When a thing is a must, there are no exceptions or options.
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