The Bible: A Divine Manual
Do you pick up the Bible daily and are at loss on how to go about the study of this book. are you overwhelmed by the structure and volume of this scripture? God has encouragement for you. You can understand the Bible.
The Bible as the inspired word of God is to be studied carefully because it is not our own word(s) or human intuition and because spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1cor 2:14).
God the creator of man and the redeemer of humanity has inspired, revealed the manual in which man may be saved through Christ ( the Bible).
The Bible as the word of God and manual to man was written by different individuals, some prophets, patriarchs, Disciples of Christ at different times but amazingly none contradicts the other showing that indeed there is a sweet spirit behind the writing and compilation of the bible.
The bible is segmented into two, the old and New testaments, none of these testaments is independent of the other. The old testament tells us of the origin of man as created by God, the cause and implication of sin and a promise by God to redeem the fallen race while the new testament is the fulfilment of the promise of redemption through Christ, its emphasis on a new life in Christ, a communication with God not requiring the killing of bulls and lamb for the atonement of sin.
The new testament also dwells on the work of Christ while he was on earth, his ultimate sacrifice for sinners and the promise of his second coming to redeem the Saints (Rev 3:21) *those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus*(Rev 14:12).
Even Jesus acknowledged the relevance of the old testament (John 6:45) therefore, the old and New testaments are in agreement with each other.
Benefits of Bible Study
The bible is the guide for the human race, it gives us hope even in our hopeless situation as human beings in a sinful world.it helps us to understand the requirements of living a holy and acceptable life before God.
The study of the word of God pierces the soul and spirit ( Hebrew 3:12). Therefore, it has a transforming power to help a sinner become a saint through Christ.
Principles of Bible Study
The bible does not contradict itself and so scripture must be compared with scripture, all that is necessary for our salvation has been revealed and some are only known by God himself and they are not necessary for our salvation in this world ( Deu 29:29). The scripture should be taken line upon line, precept upon precept ( Isaiah 28:10-13). The scripture should be compared with scripture so as to get the exact meaning ( context) of what the bible is saying, the word of God has the ability to explain itself and so should be compared with each other for clearer understanding.
All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and its profits for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work(2 Timothy 3:16).
The scripture should be memorized so as to be always ready to meet the devil with it is written especially when he comes to play with our minds, thought, feelings and imaginations.
Christ our ultimate example was able to meet the devil with it is written ( Matt 4:10) so,we too when we memorize the scripture can successfully conquer the enemy and overcome his wiles and suggestions.
The bible should be studied with a clear and unbiased and guarded mindset, it should not be studied with a preconceived option but rather the heart should be open-minded so as to ensure that the study of the scriptures is guarded by the spirit of God. The scripture should not be hurried rather it should be taken line upon line, here a little, there a little.