Bible Study Searching the Scriptures

[stovebolts]

Acts 17:10-12 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women who were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

I have noticed that there are some within the Christian community that accept the word readily without question and believe, and there are those who accept the word readily, but wish to validate what they have received by seeking scripture in order to believe.

According to the account of the Berean's, there were many who received the word, yet searched the scriptures to make sure that what they had received was so.

Family Bible Notes has this to say about Acts 17:11

More noble; more noble-minded--candid inquirers after truth. Whether those things were so; whether the things taught by Paul and Silas were true, in accordance with the Scriptures. Readiness of mind to hear the gospel, and daily to search the Scriptures for the purpose of understanding and obeying them, is evidence of true nobleness of spirit, and the means of increasing it, and of leading many to believe in Christ the Saviour of their souls.

Let us allow the Scriptures to speak, and to validate what we receive in the name of Christ.

 

[RND]

Steve, what scriptures do you suppose the Berean's were searching?

Jhn 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

[3rddayuprising]

Acts 17:10-12 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women who were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

I have noticed that there are some within the Christian community that accept the word readily without question and believe, and there are those who accept the word readily, but wish to validate what they have received by seeking scripture in order to believe.

According to the account of the Berean's, there were many who received the word, yet searched the scriptures to make sure that what they had received was so.

Family Bible Notes has this to say about Acts 17:11

More noble; more noble-minded--candid inquirers after truth. Whether those things were so; whether the things taught by Paul and Silas were true, in accordance with the Scriptures. Readiness of mind to hear the gospel, and daily to search the Scriptures for the purpose of understanding and obeying them, is evidence of true nobleness of spirit, and the means of increasing it, and of leading many to believe in Christ the Saviour of their souls.

Let us allow the Scriptures to speak, and to validate what we receive in the name of Christ.

Praise God, Yes. That is what we expect when we share Truths such as Predestination and the Eternal Security of the true believer...that with readiness of mind and nobility of heart they would receive these Truths.

But still, what we need to realize is that what separates understanding and receiving the Truth is the Revelation of the Spirit to the individual. Afterall, it is "not of him who wills, or of them that run, but of God Who showeth mercy"...and grants Revelation to His own. Romans 9:16

It does not matter the method or technigues of man in the task of study, but the bottom line, Scripturally, is that the Holy Spirit has been given to "lead us into all Truth". John 16:13

"They that are the sons of God, are led by the Spirit of God". Romans 8:14

The natural man CANNOT receive the things of the Spirit, because they are spiritually discerned, no matter how "ready" or "noble" the person may be (1 Cor.2:13,14). If the Bereans indeed received the Word UNTO SALVATION it is because God saw fit to REVEAL It unto them and to open their eyes and hearts.

As we see in Matthew 13:14,15 God sovereignly ordained that the eyes of some would be closed and their ears defened lest they would see and hear and He "should convert and heal them". Clearly shown to us in Verse 11 is this Truth, "Because it is GIVEN unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, but to them it is NOT given."

So, just readiness of mind and nobility of heart is not good enough...unless it is actually a heart and mind GIVEN and PREPARED of God for Salvation.

 

[Drew]

[Praise God, Yes. That is what we expect when we share Truths such as Predestination and the Eternal Security of the true believer...that with readiness of mind and nobility of heart they would receive these Truths.

Umm, not quite. You are really effectively saying "you need to receive what I claim to be true doctrines." Well, in all the Bible studies that I have been in, everyone is considered equal and the issues are discussed by appealing to the Scriptures, not to claims of special interpretive authority on the part of one person.

 

[3rddayuprising]

[Praise God, Yes. That is what we expect when we share Truths such as Predestination and the Eternal Security of the true believer...that with readiness of mind and nobility of heart they would receive these Truths.

Umm, not quite. You are really effectively saying "you need to receive what I claim to be true doctrines." Well, in all the Bible studies that I have been in, everyone is considered equal and the issues are discussed by appealing to the Scriptures, not to claims of special interpretive authority on the part of one person.

1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of error.

Indeed, those who receive Revelation from God have "special interpretive authority". Absolutely.

 

[Drew]

[Praise God, Yes. That is what we expect when we share Truths such as Predestination and the Eternal Security of the true believer...that with readiness of mind and nobility of heart they would receive these Truths.

Umm, not quite. You are really effectively saying "you need to receive what I claim to be true doctrines." Well, in all the Bible studies that I have been in, everyone is considered equal and the issues are discussed by appealing to the Scriptures, not to claims of special interpretive authority on the part of one person.

1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of error.

Indeed, those who receive Revelation from God have "special interpretive authority". Absolutely.

Well then, how would you expect the reader to deal with the fact that my interpretation differs from yours in respect to the issue of pre-destination. One of us is wrong, the other is right. Now, can you tell the readers on precisely what basis they are to determine who is right and who is wrong?

My answer is that they read the scriptures in submission to the Holy Spirit (not to drew or 3rdday), try to determine what the Scriptures mean, critically evaluate the opinions of people like 3rdday and drew in support of this, and come to some conclusion.

Now, please, what is your answer?

 

[stovebolts]

Hi RND, and thanks for your questions and choice of posted verses!

I hope it doesn’t appear that I’m trailing off here, and if you can add a point, that would be great! Let me know what you think!

Well, Paul was known for preaching that Christ was Lord to the gentile nations along with the gospel, which in Greek translates as “Good News†or, “Goo d Messageâ€Â.

Berea, which is part of Macedonia was about 45 miles west of Thessalonica, where Paul and Silas where previously teaching from the Hebrew Scriptures at the Jewish synagogue that Jesus was the Messiah, but it is also apparent that Paul was preaching that Jesus was Lord / King, as attested a couple verses up in Acts 17:7.

Now then, let’s think about the statement, “Jesus is Lord / King†and take into consideration exactly what that meant and the consequences of making such a statement. In short, Caesar was Lord, and to claim, or give homage to anyone other than Caesar was an attack against Rome (See Luke 23:1-5).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus

On January 1, 42 BC, the Senate recognised Caesar as a divinity of the Roman state, "Divus Iulius". Octavian was able to further his cause by emphasizing the fact that he was Divi filius, "Son of God"

http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/commen ... _reposted/

Augustus. Born Octavius, adopted son of Julius. Heir to the throne of the great Roman empire. Julius was so proud of his boy, and himself, that he forged a coin in Gaul, distributed across the empire, to honor them both. On one side, the face of Julius. On the other, the face of Octavius. Written across both were the words, “Divine Caesar and the Son of Godâ€Â.

Now then, this “Good News†that Jesus was Lord had to of given the local Jews hope, since they were being oppressed by Roman Rule in addition to the pantheon of Roman Gods that was embedded within the Roman culture. Thus, I believe that Paul’s message was bi-fold, in that he was preaching that Jesus was the awaited Messiah, and that he was King of Kings, Lord of Lords, as scripture stated he would be.

Just to address the two verses you posted within the framework of the above mentioned outline, Paul writes to his beloved Timothy and when Scripture is mentioned in verse 2 Timothy 3:16, would have probably been a reference to theSeptuagint, which was in popular use. Furthermore, what we currently call the New Testament (covenant) was not canonized until much later. Thus, the Bereans would have been studying what we call the Old Testament, although in a different theological order.

As far as the other verse you posted, historical context also plays a crucial role, as the “Teachers†that Jesus is talking to have it pretty cushy with Rome and are even set up as a quasimodo governing authority as long as they give allegiance toward Rome. For them the words, “Jesus is LordÀ places their whole economy at risk…

And, I think that about sums it up from a 50,000 foot view!

 

[stovebolts]

This thread, or any other thread will not turn into a predestination debate. Any more mention of predestination, or reference will be considered off-topic and deleted without notification.

Thank you.

 

[RND]

Steve thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. Often times people have a difficulty understanding that the NT is really based on the OT. It means to me that if the Berean's found the OT useful for learning about Jesus we can too!

 

[stovebolts]

Absolutely RND!

I'm a fan of the Old Testament, though I'll admit I need more study, but the truth is, the more I understand the OT, the clearer the New Covenant (NT) becomes.

 

[RND]

Absolutely RND!

I'm a fan of the Old Testament, though I'll admit I need more study, but the truth is, the more I understand the OT, the clearer the New Covenant (NT) becomes.

I'm right there with you. I find it very odd that many Christians will claim that they are under the new covenant but don't understand that the new covenant was only given to the houses of Israel and Judah.

Leaves me wondering if they know which house they belong to.

 

[3rddayuprising]

1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of error.

Indeed, those who receive Revelation from God have "special interpretive authority". Absolutely. [/quote]
Well then, how would you expect the reader to deal with the fact that my interpretation differs from yours in respect to the issue of pre-destination. One of us is wrong, the other is right. Now, can you tell the readers on precisely what basis they are to determine who is right and who is wrong?

My answer is that they read the scriptures in submission to the Holy Spirit (not to drew or 3rdday), try to determine what the Scriptures mean, critically evaluate the opinions of people like 3rdday and drew in support of this, and come to some conclusion.

Now, please, what is your answer?[/quote]

Drew;

Everyones "conclusion" and "interpretation" is between them and God...ultimately. God has "leveled the playing field" in that each person has access to the Bible and to Him...in whatever way they believe is effective.

The Bible says in Romans 14:5."...Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind". Yes, LET them be convinced in whatever they believe. It doesn't mean they are right. That is for them to "diligently seek God" for: to come to the place of KNOWING.

Now, whether they REALLY know, is dependant upon whether they are really God's. And that is between every individual and God. What I like to say sometimes is, "go ahead and take your chances that you are right", we will see for sure in the end.

My main point is that REVELATION from God to the individual is the only SURE Foundation of God's Kingdom. "Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but My Father which is in heaven." Matthew 16:1718

 

[duval]

How is the "revelation from God to the individual" made known to the "individual"?--Duval

 

[3rddayuprising]

How is the "revelation from God to the individual" made known to the "individual"?--Duval

This is a good question, Duval. I remember years ago when we used to go out together from Church to witness on the streets. People we witnessed to used to ask us sometimes, "how do you know you are saved, and how do you know if you are right about Christianity?"

Well, besides anawers like, "Because I was born-again and I know how much it changed my life", or "I know because I was there when it happened". Which are all true. But I used to quote from Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God..."

This may sound evasive, but it is the simple truth of the matter. There is an "inner Witness" that tells and confirms to the individual that what they are believing IS the Truth. This is an "inner knowing" that is experienced by the individual which can not necessaritly be explained or proven in a tangible, comprehensible way to someone else. This is FAITH.

It's like the little boy or girl asking their Mom, "how will I know when I fall in love?" Their Mom usually says, "You'll just KNOW when it happens." And this is true. It is true with Revelation as well.

Mind you, we need to grow, mature and season in this "inner knowing". We must become sensitive and very familiar with the inner Witness of the Holy Spirit.

Christianity is a personal relationship with God, with the indwelling of God by His Spirit our only real living "proof". This Life will eventually be manifested in outward signs and evidence, but for the individual himself, the Spirit is our "knowing".

When we receive Revelation from God, the Spirit bears witness to our spirit that It is Truth.

1 John 5:6..."And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is Truth."

 

[duval]

3rdday: I understand Rom.8:16 to mean the Spirit (Who inspired the Word of God in its writing)tells us what to do bo be saved, become children of God etc. When we DO that, then our spirits can bear witness with Him that we have obeyed, and His Spirit bears witness to us (thru the scripture) that we have obeyed and are thus the children of God.
God bless, Duval