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Creative Bible Study
Portions are directed to the Gentiles (nations other than the Jews). Other portions are directed to the Church (all those who are true believers in Jesus Christ).
In order to find the correct meaning from the Bible you must learn to rightly divide it. Another word for this is "interpretation" which means to give something proper meaning. You must learn how to arrive at the proper meaning for each Scripture. Jesus pointed out to the religious leaders of His time:
. . . Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)
Spiritual error results from not knowing God's Word. There are certain principles you must follow in order to properly interpret the Bible. There are six basic rules for interpreting the Bible which help to "rightly divide" the Word of God.
THE RULE OF DIVINE AUTHORITY
The rule of divine authority means that we accept the Bible as the final authority. We believe that all the Bible is inspired by God, from Genesis through Revelation:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16)
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:19-21)
There are two different types of inspiration: Verbal and plenary inspiration.
By verbal inspiration we mean that every word in the original manuscripts was inspired by God. By plenary inspiration we mean full inspiration of all Scripture as opposed to partial inspiration. Every portion of the Bible is inspired.
When we accept the rule of divine authority, then there is no conflict between the Bible and history or science. If there is an apparent conflict it is because:
1. We have failed to understand science or history.
or else. . .
2. The current scientific knowledge is not accurate. When conflicts are apparent, the Bible is taken as the final authority because it is the divinely inspired Word of God. In the past, when apparent conflicts between the Bible and history or science arose, later investigations always proved the Bible to be correct.