The 3 Fundamental Principles of Understanding God’s Word

Why are there so many religions and so many varying beliefs? The answer is more simple than you might think. It is because hardly now one is following the same basic principles established by Jesus and his apostles. How can two who speak different languages be expected to fully understand one another unless one or both share a common language. Unless two are on the same page, how can understanding be accomplished. Two can’t walk together except they be agreed, and what agreement has light with darkness or righteousness with unrighteousness. Amos 3:3 f; 2 Cor 6:14 All of God’s commandments are righteous. Ps 119:172 Therefore, unity comes by all speaking the same things, which things being the oracles of God. 1 Cor 1:10 f; 1 Pet 4:11 So, let us not get on each other’s page, but rather let us get on the same page with God’s Holy Word. This is how it is done:

BELIEVE

Jesus began with an imperative question when he asked, “Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” Lk 6:46 It is one thing to believe in Jesus’ name, but it’s another to believe in Jesus’ Word. Jesus made one thing perfectly clear, and that is that every word which he spoke came directly from God the Father. Jn 12:49,50 Jesus declared that the doctrine he taught was not his own but of God. Jn 7:16,17 Paul, the chief writer of the new testament certified that what he wrote proceeded from Christ. Gal 1:11,12 Peter confirmed that everything the prophets of old spoke proceeded from the Holy Spirit. Pet 1:21 Jesus bore witness that the Holy Spirit revealed all he heard from God the Father. Jn 16:13  Therefore, the first principle of understanding God’s Word is to believe that all scriptures were inspired of God, and none other. 2 Tim 3:16

STUDY

One has to study diligently to rightly divide the Word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 This comes by reading the scriptures which tells us that the old testament was written for our learning. 2 Tim 4:13 f; Rom 15:4 It comes by searching the scriptures to prove what is being taught comes from God’s Word. Acts 17:11 It comes by learning that prophesying, speaking in tongues, and receiving the knowledge of God from on High has ceased since the day the new testament was fully written. 1 Cor 13:8-10 Once we have rightly divided the part of the bible which was written for us today from the parts which were not, then we have applied the second principle of understanding God’s Word.

OBEY

God has made it abundantly clear from the beginning of the bible unto the very end that he does not allow man to add to his Word. God declared through Moses that Israel was not to add to or take from His Word that they might be able to keep His Word. Deut 4:2 This same principle was applied to Joshua who lead Israel out of the wilderness into the land which flowed with milk and honey. Josh 1:7 Solomon commanded the same when he said, “Add not unto His Words unless he correct you and you be found a liar.” Prov 30:6 Such words were revealed by the prophet Isaiah who when Israel had rebelled against God’s Word, commanded that they turn not to the right hand or to the left from the teachers of God. Isa 30:8-21 This principle continued into the new testament when Peter and John said that they spoke only what they heard and saw from the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:19,20 Paul taught that we should learn from the apostles not to go beyond that which was written. 1 Cor 4:6  Peter commanded that we are to speak the oracles or Will of God. 1 Pet 4:11 The beloved John commanded that we are not to add to or take from God’s Word. Rev 22:18,19 When we have obeyed this commandment, then we have ascertained the third principle of understanding God’s Word.

Conclusion: If mankind would but follow the 3 basic principles of the bible: Believing all scriptures emanated directly from God, Studying God’s Word in order that we might rightly divided the Word of truth, and Obeyed God’s universal commandment not to change His Word, then and only then can all mankind serve and worship exactly the same. No denomination in the world follows these 3 basic proven principles of God, and that is the reason why they have deviated from the Word of truth. Most liberal churches of Christ call all those who abide by these 3 principles “legalists”. This means that they have joined forces with evil to conclude that Christ and his apostles were liars! It was Paul who said all scriptures came from God. 2 Tim 3:16 It was Paul who commanded that we study in order to rightly divide the Word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15  It was Moses, Joshua, Solomon, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, and John who commanded that we add not or take from God’s Word. Stand up and be counted you that say that all these are a liar! Peter and the other apostles said it best when they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 Apply these 3 basic biblical principles and you will obey God and will reject the words of men.