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Scripture Reading:  Nehemiah 8:1-12

 

Hermeneutics (Part 1)

 

Come to the Knowledge of the Truth

 

Intro.

1.  This lesson begins a brief series on understanding the Bible.

2.  God made man in His image w/ an intelligent/rational mind, capable of communicating & understanding by means of words (Gen. 1:26-28).

3.  God has always spoken to men in the words of men so as to be understood by men:

  a.  Adam & Eve understood from the beginning (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-3).

  b.  Israel understood both the spoken & written word from the time God gave it to them - (Exo. 20-23) Exo. 24:3-4, 7, 12; 25:8-9.

  c.  “The book of the law of Moses” could be plainly understood 1,000 years after it was given to man by God – Neh. 8:1-3, 7-8.

4.  God’s determined wish is that we come to know truth – 1 Tim. 2:3-4.

5.  Men who sincerely try to understand God’s word can understand – Jno. 8:31-32; Acts 8:30-31; 17:11; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:15.

 

I.  HERMENEUTICS:  WHAT IS IT?

  A.  The Science (principles) of Interpretation.  (Acts 14:12)

    1.  Hermes – Greek messenger of the gods & interpreter of Jupiter.

    2.  How to go about interpreting the Bible to understanding it.

  B.  God Expects us to Use His Book to Know His Character & to Know His Will - Psa. 119:11-16.

    1.  Go about understanding the Bible like we would other books.

      a.  The true principles of understanding the Bible are the common principles of human language & understanding (who is speaking, to whom; when; context; literal; figurative; poetry, prose, history, biography, letter; statement, example, implication).

      b.  Used unconsciously every day.  Should be conscious of these principles in our study & understanding of God’s word.

    2.  God does not inspire our interpretation (2 Tim. 3:16).

      a.  God chose the word-method of revelation & communication (Heb. 1:2; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:21).  (This method brings its own particular strengths & weaknesses re. interpretation.)

      b.  Cf. Jno. 14:26 (remembrance) w/ Eph. 3:3-4 (read to know).

 

II.  THOSE IN ANCIENT TIMES BELIEVED THEY COULD GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL.

  A.  “To the Law & to the Testimony” – Isa. 8:19-20.

    1.  By applying the same methods of interpretation used in any other branch of knowledge, knowledge of God’s word obtained.

      a.  Ezra 7:10Set heart:  Seek…obey…teach (cf. Jno. 7:17).

      b.  Deut. 29:29 – Things revealed belonged to them to do!

    2.  Neh. 8:1-8 – Law of God read – taught – understood (8:12).

  B.  Like Them, We Must Read, Study, Meditate in order to Understand & Obey God’s Word – Psa. 1:1-2 (cf. Lk. 16:29-31; 1 Tim. 4:13, 15).

 

III.  WHY MUST WE BE CONCERNED WITH USING CORRECT HERMENEUTICS (principles of interpretation) IN BIBLE STUDY?

  A.  It Shows Respect for God’s Word – 2 Tim. 2:15.

  B.  To Not Be Led Away into Error & Lose our Soul – 2 Pet. 3:16-18.

  C.  To Help Promote Unity & Heal Division Among Believers – Eph. 4:3; Jno. 17:20-21.

    1.  Jesus prayed for unity, his apostles condemned division.

    2.  Only truth of Christ can unite us with God & with each other!

    3.  Improper interpretation accelerates division!  (2 Pet. 2:1-2)

  D.  To Correctly Answer Truth Seekers &/or Skeptics (1 Pet. 3:15).

    1.  Acts 8:30-31, 35 – Philip accurately preached Jesus because he accurately understood the word of God!

    2.  Acts 17:2-3 – From the scriptures Paul showed the purpose & work  of the Christ – His hearers could understand them!  The answers we must give so people can understand God’s will for them!

  E.   To Know the Way to Heaven.

    1.  Acts 16:30 – Bible answers the question of how to be saved!

    2.  Answers to man’s pardon from sin, life of righteousness & hope of eternal life found in God’s word! – cf. Psa. 19:7-11

    3.  If we misinterpret scripture, we lose our way!  (Jno. 14:6; Matt. 7:21, 24)

    4.  God does not want us to be ignorant!  (1 Ths. 4:13)

 

Conclusion

1.  We are under obligation to understand God’s will – Eph 5:17.

2.  How we obtain our understanding of the Bible will determine whether we are approved & received or rejected by God! – 2 Tim. 2:15; Jno. 8:31-32