The Bible Can Be Understood!The Bible Can Be Understood!

• God says His Word was/is intended for God says His Word was/is intended for ALLALL and can be and can be understoodunderstood by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4) by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4)– “…“…how that by revelation how that by revelation He made known to me the mysteryHe made known to me the mystery

(as I have briefly (as I have briefly writtenwritten already, by which, already, by which, when when youyou read read, , youyou may understand my knowledge may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” in the mystery of Christ).”

• The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture is understandable and is to be understood.is understandable and is to be understood.

• ““And the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark And the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37).12:37).

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike– Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.– RecipeRecipe– PrescriptionsPrescriptions– Simple mathSimple math– Road signs & traffic signalsRoad signs & traffic signals– Blueprints for homes & buildingsBlueprints for homes & buildings– Final scores of gamesFinal scores of games– Food order at restaurantFood order at restaurant

• We trust the source.• We trust the reliability of the info.• We trust our ability to understand,

comprehend & act accordingly.

Who do you trust more?Who do you trust more?• Your doctor or God?• Your pharmacist or God?• Your waitress or God?• Your government or God?

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike• Understanding the Bible is not only possible,Understanding the Bible is not only possible,

understanding the Bible understanding the Bible IS EXPECTEDIS EXPECTED!!• If we understand the Bible at all,If we understand the Bible at all,

WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!WE’LL 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.– Man can Man can mismisunderstand differently, but not understand understand differently, but not understand

differently. There’s only one way to understand it!differently. There’s only one way to understand it!– We don’t “understand math differently.”We don’t “understand math differently.”

• God created the world, us & the Bible!God created the world, us & the Bible!

If the Bible cannot be If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then…understood ALIKE, then…• There can be no unity!There can be no unity!– The unity Jesus prayed for is impossible (Jn 17:20-21).The unity Jesus prayed for is impossible (Jn 17:20-21).– The unity that Paul commanded is only wishful The unity that Paul commanded is only wishful

thinking (1 Cor. 1:10).thinking (1 Cor. 1:10).

• Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!– Either God Either God couldcould have written a book that could be have written a book that could be

understood but He understood but He wouldn’twouldn’t (not willing!)… (not willing!)…– Or God Or God wouldwould have written a book that could be have written a book that could be

understood but He understood but He couldn’tcouldn’t (not able!). (not able!).– Yet He gave us a book & required us to understand it Yet He gave us a book & required us to understand it

in order to be saved.in order to be saved.

If the Bible cannot be If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then…understood ALIKE, then…• Was God up to the task of:Was God up to the task of:– Giving us a book that could be understood?Giving us a book that could be understood?– Giving us a book that could be understood alike?Giving us a book that could be understood alike?– Giving us the ability to understand it?Giving us the ability to understand it?– Giving us the ability to understand it alike?Giving us the ability to understand it alike?

• Do you believe God wants us:Do you believe God wants us:– To understand the Bible?To understand the Bible?– To understand the Bible alike?To understand the Bible alike?– To have the ability to understand the Bible?To have the ability to understand the Bible?– To have the ability to understand the Bible alike?To have the ability to understand the Bible alike?

• Did God create:Did God create:– A perfectly understandable book or a deficient book?A perfectly understandable book or a deficient book?– A people able to understand or deficient to understand?A people able to understand or deficient to understand?

If the Bible cannot be If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then…understood ALIKE, then…• There can be no unity!There can be no unity!• Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!• The Bible is reduced to nonsense!The Bible is reduced to nonsense!– Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4– Luke 6:46Luke 6:46– John 8:31-32John 8:31-32– Romans 16:17Romans 16:17– Romans 12:16Romans 12:16– Philippians 2:2Philippians 2:2

– Philippians 3:16Philippians 3:16– Ephesians 4:5Ephesians 4:5– Ephesians 5:17Ephesians 5:17– 1 Corinthians 14:331 Corinthians 14:33– 2 Timothy 3:16-172 Timothy 3:16-17

Just the Facts!Just the Facts!

• Fact #1: The Bible can be understood!Fact #1: The Bible can be understood!– The Bible is understandable whether one knows it, The Bible is understandable whether one knows it,

believes it, obeys it, likes it, agrees with it, seeks it or believes it, obeys it, likes it, agrees with it, seeks it or understands it or not.understands it or not.

• Fact #2: The Bible can be understood alike!Fact #2: The Bible can be understood alike!– Do you suppose it is acceptable to God for 10 men to Do you suppose it is acceptable to God for 10 men to

stand behind 10 pulpits in 10 churches and preach 10 stand behind 10 pulpits in 10 churches and preach 10 different plans of salvation?different plans of salvation?

– What about 1 preacher who stands behind 1 pulpit in What about 1 preacher who stands behind 1 pulpit in 1 church and preaches 10 different plans?1 church and preaches 10 different plans?

– God gave us His word that can be understood alike God gave us His word that can be understood alike and taught alike (cf. Acts 18:24-28).and taught alike (cf. Acts 18:24-28).

The reality is:The reality is:We We DoDo Understand the Bible Alike! Understand the Bible Alike!• Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6• Exodus 16:16-30Exodus 16:16-30• Exodus 20:12-17Exodus 20:12-17• Joshua 6:1-5Joshua 6:1-5• Isaiah 53:3-8Isaiah 53:3-8• Matthew 22:37-39Matthew 22:37-39• Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 15:13Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 15:13• We understand the Bible ALIKEWe understand the Bible ALIKE

UNTIL we get ourselves in the way!UNTIL we get ourselves in the way!• What does Mark 16:16 say?What does Mark 16:16 say?

• John 3:2 – why?John 3:2 – why?• 2 Cor. 12:7-9 – what?2 Cor. 12:7-9 – what?• John 8:6 – what write?John 8:6 – what write?• Gen. 3:6 – what kind?Gen. 3:6 – what kind?• Ex. 3:2 – what kind?Ex. 3:2 – what kind?