Can we understand the Bible alike?
Introduction. Paul wrote the following to the Ephesians: "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ:" (Eph. 3: 4). The particular mystery which they could understand alike was "that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body..." (vs. 6).
Adam and Eve understood alike. God told Adam (who likely told Eve) not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2: 17). They both understood what God told them (cf. Gen. 3). Their committing the first sin was not because they did not understand, but because they allowed the devil to seduce them (Gen. 3).
Those present on Pentecost understood alike. Peter preached Jesus to them (Acts 2: 14-40). He charged them with murdering their Christ (vss. 23, 36), and urged them to believe, repent, and be baptized for the remission of sin (vss. 36, 38). As evidence of their understanding, their hearts were convicted and they that received his word were baptized (vss. 37, 41).
The Corinthians understood alike. After Paul preached to the Corinthians, "And Crispus believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized (Acts 18: 8).
Why so much religious division today? If we can understand and understand alike the word of God, why is there so much religious division and confusion? Why do so many have their own interpretation. We can understand the Bible alike providing we are not hindered. Human traditions (Matt. 15:3,9), prejudice (John 1:46), family history (1 Pet. 1:18), resentment (Matt. 27:18), and religious rebellion (Ezek. 12:2) often cause people to understand the scriptures differently. In fact, denominationalism with its many different religions is the product of such division (1 Cor. 1: 11-13). But notice in the foregoing examples, the audience all understood what they needed to do to be saved and responded in exactly the same way. Yes, we can understand the Bible alike.
Adam and Eve understood alike. God told Adam (who likely told Eve) not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2: 17). They both understood what God told them (cf. Gen. 3). Their committing the first sin was not because they did not understand, but because they allowed the devil to seduce them (Gen. 3).
Those present on Pentecost understood alike. Peter preached Jesus to them (Acts 2: 14-40). He charged them with murdering their Christ (vss. 23, 36), and urged them to believe, repent, and be baptized for the remission of sin (vss. 36, 38). As evidence of their understanding, their hearts were convicted and they that received his word were baptized (vss. 37, 41).
The Corinthians understood alike. After Paul preached to the Corinthians, "And Crispus believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized (Acts 18: 8).
Why so much religious division today? If we can understand and understand alike the word of God, why is there so much religious division and confusion? Why do so many have their own interpretation. We can understand the Bible alike providing we are not hindered. Human traditions (Matt. 15:3,9), prejudice (John 1:46), family history (1 Pet. 1:18), resentment (Matt. 27:18), and religious rebellion (Ezek. 12:2) often cause people to understand the scriptures differently. In fact, denominationalism with its many different religions is the product of such division (1 Cor. 1: 11-13). But notice in the foregoing examples, the audience all understood what they needed to do to be saved and responded in exactly the same way. Yes, we can understand the Bible alike.