Daily Bible Nugget #221, Deuteronomy 31:11-13

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deuteronomy 31:11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Deuteronomy 31:12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
Deuteronomy 31:13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be read publicly to all. The Bible is suitable for all age groups to hear. In the days of Moses not everyone knew how to read. But everyone could hear and come to understand God’s Word. Today we have a more complete Bible than Moses had because back then not all of the Bible had been written yet. In our day I would suggest people start with the New Testament. If a person is not familiar with the Bible, starting with the shortest Gospel account, the book of Mark, might be a good choice. One could start with the Gospel of John. One could have quite a ministry just reading the Bible to others. Read it to children. Read it to young people. Read it to adults of every age. Read it to senior citizens. I’ve done that in the past. I stopped on the way home from school and read from my pocket testament to the elderly at a rest home I passed daily. I have taken time in the past to read to elderly “shut ins” from our church. I’ve read the Bible to the blind. I’ve read the Bible chapter by chapter to young people. The Psalms make for good material to read to others. In any case, encourage others either to read the Bible for themselves, or read it to them if they wish.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on pages 211-212 for Deuteronomy 31:11-13.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 232 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 31:11-13.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 31:11. When all Israel. Le 9:5. to appear. Dt 16:16, 17. Ex 23:16, 17. 34:24. Ps 84:7. in the place. See on Dt 12:5, 11. 16:2, +Dt 16:6, +Dt 16:16. thou shalt read. Ex 24:7. Jsh 8:34, 35. 2 K 23:2. Ne 8:1-8, 13, 18. 9:3. 13:1. +%Mt 12:3. Lk 4:16, 17. Ac 13:15. 15:21. =Phil 2:16. =2 Tim 4:2. this law. +**Jsh 1:8. 2 K 17:37. +*2 Ch 17:9. before all Israel. Ex 24:7. **Ne 8:2. Ac 5:14.

Deuteronomy 31:12. Gather. ver. Dt 31:28. See on Dt 4:10. 29:10. Ge 49:1. Le 8:3. 20:8. Jsh 8:34, 35. *Ne 8:1-3. 2 K 23:2. men. Dt 6:6, 7. Ezr 10:1. *Ps 19:7-11. **Jn 5:39. Ac 5:14. **2 Tim 3:15-17. women and children. Their presence was not generally required at the three great festivals in the other six years (Young). Ex 10:9. Jsh 8:35. Mk 10:13. Lk 18:16. and thy stranger. Nu 9:14. Jsh 8:33. that they may. Dt 29:29. Ps 34:11-14. 78:6, 7. hear…learn. Since faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Ro 10:17. fear…observe to do. Reverence to God is the basis of obedience. this law. Evidently the Scriptures do not regard ignorance as the mother of devotion (Young).

Deuteronomy 16:13. their children. See on Dt 6:7. 11:2. Ex 10:9. **Ps 78:4-8. +*Pr 22:6. Ep 6:4. as long as ye live. Jsh 24:31.

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Daily Bible Nugget #220, Isaiah 34:16

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be read. This passage, Isaiah 34:16, was printed on the front of the light blue book jacket of The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge I bought with the $5 bill my Aunt Ethel sent me for Christmas. I wrote the date December 24, 1955 as a record of when I bought my copy. That one book has provided me a lifetime of service. It has been the greatest encouragement to Bible study of any resource I have ever owned. We are indeed to follow the words recorded in Isaiah 34:16, “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read.” I was a teenager when I began to seriously and regularly read the Bible. That should let you know that even teenagers can enjoy reading the Bible. Teenagers can also learn to use cross references like those found in The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I developed an expanded edition called The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge which contains many more cross references more accurately keyed to the words for each verse. I added more explanatory notes and seven indexes. I also developed a system of symbols to show which cross references are the clearest, which are the most crucial, which are examples of fulfilled prophecy, and which provide even more cross references to follow. Beyond that, I devised an edition of these references largely without any notes or comments and with only one symbol to indicate where to find more references. That volume, Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible, contains all the references of the New Treasury but consolidated to avoid duplication. That was done to make the book shorter. You can find collections of good references in the center column of the MacArthur Study Bible, The ESV Study Bible, The NLT Study Bible, The NIV Study Bible, and The Lutheran Study Bible. I have been pleasantly surprised in my own Bible study to find out how good the cross references are in The NIV Study Bible, and The Lutheran Study Bible. The most complete cross references are to be found in The New Treasury and in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is available in Bible software. Cross references in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge will greatly enhance the value of other Bible study tools and study Bibles. When studying the Bible using the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, itself one of the very best resources for Bible study, you can discover even more verses on a subject that interests you if you use The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge along with it. For example, if you study Genesis 3:15 using Thompson Chain Reference Bible, you will be lead to much information about Messianic Prophecy. Using The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at the same verse you will find many more references. If you follow the “+” sign and continue studying at Genesis 49:10 you will find many more references on the subject. This can be done for any verse on any subject. I find the Bible to always be an exciting read. God has placed so much food for our spiritual lives in His written Word that you will never run out of material for a tasty meal!

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 752 for Isaiah 34:16.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 781 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Isaiah 34:16.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Isaiah 34:16. Seek. Is 1:17. 8:19, +**Is 8:20. 28:13. Dt 31:21. Josh 1:8. 1 Ch 28:8. *Pr 23:12. Da 10:21. Am 3:7. Mt 4:10. +*Mk 12:24. +**Jn 5:39. *Jn 10:35. **Ac 17:3, 11. 2 Tim 3:15. *2 P 1:19. book. roll or scroll. ver. Is 34:4. Is 19:11. 30:8. 65:6. +*Ex 17:14. Dt 32:34. *Ps 56:8. *Da 7:10. 9:2. **Ml 3:16. +*2 Tim 3:16. Re 5:1. of the Lord. This proves there was a book in existence, which could be searched (CB). Is 29:11-13. +Ex 17:14. +Ex 24:4, 7. 34:27. Nu 33:1, 2. Dt 1:5. 4:2, 8. 17:18. 26:16. 27:8. 29:21. 31:9-13, 19, 22, 24-26. +*Jsh 1:8. 8:30-35. 23:6, 7. 24:26. 1 S 10:25. 1 K 2:1-4. 2 K 11:12. 14:6. 17:35, 37. **2 K 22:8, 10. 2 Ch 17:7-9. 23:11. 25:4. 30:2, 5, 18. **2 Ch 34:14n. 35:12. Ezr 3:2. 6:18. 7:6, 10, 14 21, 25. 9:11, 12. 10:3. Ne 1:7-9. *Ne 8:8, 14, 17. 10:28, 29. 13:1. Est 3:8. +*Ps 1:2. +*Je 15:16. Dan 9:11. Mal 4:4. Mt 15:1-9. Mk 7:1-13. +*Lk 24:44. +*Re 1:11. read. lit. “call,” for reading in the east is generally done aloud (Young). T#1063. Is 8:3 (call). Is 12:4mg. Is 29:11, 12. 40:2 (cry), Is 40:6. *Is 55:6. 58:1. Dt 17:19. Ne 13:1. Lk 16:29-31. Re 1:3. no one. Is 55:11. *Mt 5:18. Lk 21:33. shall fail. F/L *Is 40:26. want her mate. Is 14:31. 1 S 20:6. 25:15. my mouth. Is 1:20. 40:5. 46:10. 58:14. Ge 6:17. Nu 23:19. Ps 33:6, 9. spirit. Heb. ruach, Ex 15:8.

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Daily Bible Nugget #219, Deuteronomy 17:19

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deu 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be read (The New Topical Textbook, entry under the topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

This is likely the most important topic, the most important issue, to address. Bible reading, personal Bible reading, is the source of spiritual food to keep spiritual life alive, vital, growing, flourishing. Without taking in spiritual food from the Bible you will die spiritually, just as you would die physically if you no longer ate physical food. We all find time to eat our necessary physical food. We need to take equal care to be sure to get our spiritual food by reading the Bible. You can start with small spiritual meals. Even five minutes a day will get you much further than if you take no time at all. I’ve been thinking that if a person just read what I have been posting here daily, and read the cross references provided for those who wish to dig deeper, that would furnish quite a solid spiritual meal day by day. However you choose to do it, just do it! Read the Bible daily. The Scriptures are meant for us to read.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 197 for Deuteronomy 17:19.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 215 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 17:19.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 17:19. read therein. *Dt 6:6-9. 11:18. **Josh 1:8. **Ps 1:2. +*Ps 119:97-100. +Mt 12:3n. **Jn 5:39. Ac 8:28. *1 Tim 4:13. +*2 Tim 3:15-17. all the days. *Ac 17:11. fear. *Dt 10:12. 1 K 2:2. +Pr 1:7. 2 Cor 5:11. He 10:31. Re 19:5. keep all the words of this law. Dt 1:5. 4:10, 44. 14:23. 2 Ch 34:14, 18. Ezr 7:14. to do. T#1043. +*Dt 26:16, 18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #218, 1 Peter 1:16

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be appealed to. This is reflected by Peter’s statement, “Because it is written.” But to be able to appeal to Scripture, you must first know the Scripture–at least enough of it to be able to appeal to the Scripture to document the correctness of your understanding of what it teaches, or to be able to share with someone an encouraging word from the Bible. Peter appealed to Leviticus 11:44 to emphasize the need for holiness in our daily Christian walk. Holiness is a very important issue in the Christian life (Hebrews 12:14). As people observe how we live, how we work, how we play, there should be an attractive difference in our lives that is not present in the lives of other people in the world that they know. We are to be in the world but not of the world. People flocked to Jesus. He appealed to all classes of people. He was almost notorious because He was known to associate (Luke 15:2) with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners (people with very poor moral reputations, like the woman at the well, John 4:17, 18). But they heard Him gladly, and Jesus said that the harlots and publicans and sinners would get their place in heaven (Matthew 21:31, 32) more than the religious officials and teachers of His day (see Matthew 9:10, 11; 11:19. Mark 2:15, 16. Luke 5:30; 7:34; 15:1). We need to be prepared to appeal to the Scriptures when people are attracted to us and ask us questions about spiritual things.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1456 for 1 Peter 1:16.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1473 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Peter 1:16.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Peter 1:16. Because. T#1062. 1 Sam 9:27. Ac 8:35. 17:2, 3. 18:24-26, 28. 28:23. Ro 3:10. +1 Cor 1:31. it is written. Mt 4:4, 7. Be ye holy. ver. 1 P 1:2. Ex 19:6. 20:26. 22:31. 28:36. Le 6:18. *>Le 11:44. +Le 19:2. 20:7, 8, 26. Nu 15:40. Dt 7:6. 14:21. 26:19. Am 3:3. Ep 5:1. 2 Tim 1:9. He 12:10, +**He 12:14. for I am holy. ver. 1 P 1:15. Ex 15:11. Le 20:26. 1 S 2:2. Ps 99:9. Is 5:16. Hab 1:13. Mt 5:48. +*Mt 6:9. Lk 6:36. 1 J 3:7.

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Daily Bible Nugget #217, 1 Corinthians 1:31

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Corinthians 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be appealed to. Notice that Paul appeals to the Bible to support the statement he makes, using the words “according as it is written.” Paul actually does this in a number of places in his letters. Some of the places are probably not generally known to most readers and interpreters of the Bible. One I find most interesting is 1 Thessalonians 4:15, where he states “for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord.” Paul affirms that he grounds his doctrine of the Rapture upon “the word of the Lord.” There are many who do not believe in the Rapture. It is about time they do some Real Bible Study and learn what the Lord said about it. Paul knew, but he does not cite the “chapter and verse.” But if you make use of a good source of cross references you will be led to the very chapter and verse spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ that Paul is referring to. In another place Paul appeals to the Scripture using the words “as saith also the law” (1 Corinthians 14:34). Once again, Paul does not quote the text he has in mind. He does not provide the “chapter and verse.” So if you want to find out just what Scripture evidence Paul was making reference to, the easiest way to find out is to check out the cross references in a good source of cross references. Sometimes you can find out using the notes in a good study Bible. Jesus also made repeated appeals to the Scripture, as during His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Jesus also expected His hearers to have read the Scripture (Matthew 12:3). I do not recall any examples of Jesus or any other person in the Bible making any appeal to unwritten tradition to support what was being affirmed or taught. That may be what scribes and Pharisees did. But you will recall that the people who heard Jesus teach remarked with surprise saying that Jesus taught as one with authority, and not as the scribes (Matthew 7:29. Mark 1:22). There ought to be a lesson there for people to consider who would place tradition on the same plane of authority as the Bible. The Bible says otherwise. We are to make our appeal in support of our teaching to the Bible.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1304 for 1 Corinthians 1:31.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1324 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Corinthians 1:31.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Corinthians 1:31. according as it is written. Mt 4:4, 7, 10. %Mt 7:29. +Mt 12:3. +Mt 21:42. %Mk 1:22. 1 Cor 14:34. 1 Th 4:15. +1 P 1:16 (T#1062). glorieth. 1 Cor 3:21. 1 Ch 16:10, 35. Ps 34:2. 105:3. Is 41:16. 45:25. Je 4:2. +*Je 9:23, >Je 9:24. 2 Cor 10:17. *Ga 6:13, 14. Phil 3:3g. glory. ver. 1 Cor 1:29. Ex 28:2. 1 Ch 16:10. Ps 4:2. 33:1. 34:2. 62:7. 64:10. 89:17. Is 28:5. 41:16. Lk 1:46. 2:32. James 2:1. in the Lord. Is 45:17. Col 2:10.

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Daily Nugget #216, John 2:22

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

John 2:22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be believed. There is every reason to believe the Bible. I have noticed repeated postings by self-identified atheists and agnostics on secular news sites in the comment section below the news article making utterly uninformed judgments against the Bible. It shows they know nothing about the Bible. I have posted articles on this website under two special categories visible on the right hand side of this page inviting agnostics and atheists to engage in discussion. Few have responded. Instead, atheist groups like the Freedom from Religion Foundation continue their senseless attacks upon any visible sign of our Christian heritage. They need to become Bible-believing Christians themselves, then such things as crosses in veteran cemeteries won’t offend them.

They do not believe in reciprocity. Their support of atheism and the religion of evolution in public schools and colleges in this country offends me. Evolution is not science. Evolution is philosophy. It is the religion of philosophical naturalism. It is the religion of humanism. Most evolutionists don’t know the difference. The atheist attack upon Evangelical Christianity in the military services offends me. Their support of Sodomy offends me. But that does not mean I will disrespect them, or insist that they are not allowed to express their views. My view is better because it is true. My view is based upon my firm and informed belief in and of the Bible.

The Bible has a lot going for it when it comes to the evidence that demonstrates its truthfulness. And just where did modern science originate? A study of the history of science will demonstrate that it was the Christian worldview, specifically the Biblical worldview, that made it possible to have science. Science did not originate historically under the worldviews represented by Greece, Rome, or Islamic countries. Each country and culture certainly made valuable contributions, but did not come up with science in the modern sense.

Why should you believe the Bible? Only the Bible contains predictions that have been documented to have been written sometimes hundreds of years before they were fulfilled. But they were fulfilled to the letter. Only the Bible presents a person, the Lord Jesus Christ, who arose from the dead–bodily came back from the dead–and stayed around long enough to be seen by over 500 people, besides his eleven disciples, for forty days while He taught them in person in detail things concerning the Kingdom of God. No other Book presents a character who displays and teaches a system of morality that has never been surpassed, never been improved upon. The character of Christ all by itself is enough to prove the divinity of our Savior, and enough to warrant belief in the One Book that contains the primary source materials that bear witness to Him.

But most important of all, only the Bible reveals the grace of God and the gift of eternal life that has been provided for all people. Only the Bible tells us about the God Who gave His only son, about the God who loved the world. There are some who command respect in Christian circles who blatantly deny John 3:16. NO “five point” Calvinist believes John 3:16 as it is written. No such Calvinist has EVER exegeted (explained step by step directly from the text, from that text as it stands written in its original language, Greek) John 3:16 from the Greek text and proven their doctrine of Limited Atonement.

The doctrine of Limited Atonement is rank heresy. It is a demeaning of the love of God and His gift of His Son who died on behalf of all mankind. Those who hold these mistaken views may not realize that they are involved in stark unbelief with the respect to New Testament teaching regarding the Atonement of Christ, but they are. The provision of God for our salvation is unlimited in its extent–it is for all (1 John 2:1, 2), the whole world (John 1:29) and everyone in it (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; 1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation through belief in Christ is the benefit of the Atonement, and this benefit, though available for all, is received on the condition of belief.

In context, John 2:22 concludes the testimony and story of Christ’s prediction that he would die and then after three days rise again from the dead. His disciples did not understand His words at the time they were given. His words were misrepresented at His trial by false witnesses who twisted them to mean He said He would destroy the Jerusalem Temple and rebuild it in three days (Matthew 26:60, 61; 27:40. Mark 14:58; 15:29). Today, the Jehovah’s Witnesses make nonsense of this verse when they interpret “this Temple” to mean “the Church.” When did the Church die, then three days later raise itself up? Clearly, the Jehovah Witnesses are in unbelief regarding the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. That is fatal unbelief. No one can be saved or have right standing with God or Jehovah who denies the bodily resurrection of Christ. Paul’s statement in Romans 10:9, 10 makes belief in the bodily resurrection of Christ an absolute requirement for salvation.

To impact the culture for God, we must believe the Bible. We must get serious about knowing the Bible. We must let God use us to reach others for Christ when He opens the door of opportunity within our circle of influence. We have lost the Christian underpinning within the culture because we know not the Scriptures and because we are not obeying the Scriptures and the command of Christ in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19, 20 and Mark 16:15. See also Romans 1:16.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1165 for John 2:22.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1186 or in Logos 5 Bible software for John 2:22.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

John 2:22. risen from. or, out from. Jn 20:27. +*Mt 27:52, 53. 28:6. *Lk 24:39. Ac 13:29, 30, 34. *Ro 8:11. **Ro 10:9, 10. *Phil 3:21. the dead. Mt 17:9n. +Phil 3:11n. his disciples. ver. +Jn 2:2, *Jn 2:17. *Jn 12:16. *Jn 14:26. *Jn 16:4. *Lk 24:7, 8, 44. Ac 11:16. remembered. ver. Jn 2:17. *Jn 12:16. Lk 24:8. had said. =Ge 41:54. and they believed. T#1061. ver. Jn 2:11. +Jn 5:47. *Jn 20:8, 9. the scripture. +*Jn 5:39, 46, 47. 7:38, 42. 10:35. 13:18. 17:12. 19:24, 28, 36, 37. 20:9. Ps 16:10. +Mt 21:42. +Lk 4:21. +*Lk 24:27, 44, 45. +*Ac 17:11. +Ro 9:17. and the word. Gr. logos. Mk 9:32n.

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Agnosticism, Apologetics Issues--Atheism, Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #215, 1 Peter 4:11

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV)

1Pe 4:11 Whoever will speak, let him speak as the word of God: and whoever will minister, as of the ability that God hath given him: so that in all ye do, God may be glorified, through Jesus the Messiah; to whom belongeth glory, and honor, for ever and ever. Amen. (Murdock NT)

1Pe 4:11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (NET Bible)

My Comment:

The Scriptures should be the standard of teaching (The New Topical Textbook, entry under “The Scriptures,” page 240). As we teach, we should teach according to what the Bible says. Those who have the blessed privilege to teach are under an extra high responsibility to carry out their task knowledgably and responsibly (James 3:1). As we teach what the Bible says, we should expound or explain it carefully and particularly. When we teach Bible doctrine (and we most certainly should teach Bible doctrine) we should base our teaching upon a careful study of what the Bible says about that doctrine or teaching. There is much in the Bible that we need to know and understand for our spiritual benefit. I have sat under the preaching of a pastor or two who spent more time than I felt was warranted commenting about sports. Sometimes the pastor prefaced his message with a Bible verse then went and talked about something other than that verse, or even other than what the Bible contains. Some preaching ministries seem to me to focus on psychology instead of the Bible. Time is precious, and opportunities to teach God’s Word from either the pulpit or the Sunday school is limited. We ought to redeem the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). People need to be spiritually equipped to defeat the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10, 11). People need to be taught how to feed themselves spiritually. They need to become independent students of the Bible. They need to be taught how to discern whether what is being taught matches up with what the Bible actually says. This is crucial. Much serious error is being taught and widely believed. Jesus instructed us to take heed what we hear (Mark 4:24) and how we hear (Lk 8:18). Dig into the Bible for yourself to check the validity of what you believe and what you have been taught.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1462 for 1 Peter 4:11.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1479 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Peter 4:11.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Peter 4:11. If. FS184A, +1 Cor 15:2. any man speak. +**Is 8:20n. *Je 23:22, 28. Jn 7:18. Ac 10:44. Ro 7:1. 12:6-8. 1 Cor 2:4. *1 Cor 4:1, 2. 12:8, 10, 28-30. 14:3, 6, 24-26. 2 C 2:17. 4:13. *2 Cor 9:1, 7, 8. *Ep 4:11, 29. Phil 1:14. *Col 4:6. *Ja 1:19, 26. 3:1-6. as the oracles. T#1060. 2 S 16:23. **2 Ch 17:9. +**Is 8:20n. *Je 23:28. Mt 7:29. Jn 12:49. 14:10. **Ac 7:38. **Ro 3:2. 12:6. 16:12n. 1 Cor 4:1, 2. 12:28-30. 14:27, 37. 2 Cor 2:17. 5:20. +*1 Th 2:13. *2 Tim 4:1-5. **He 5:12. of God. FS63B1, Ge +25:28. Supply ellipsis, “the oracles of God (require).” Le 8:29. 9:21. Nu 24:4, 16. Ps 12:6. 18:30. 106:11. +*Ps 119:11, 103, 148, 158, 162. 1 Cor 2:7. 12:3n. +*1 Th 2:13. %2 Tim 4:3. Re 11:3-10. if. FS184A, +1 Cor 15:2. See on ver. *1 P 4:10. minister. Gr. diakoneō (S#1247g, Mt 4:11). ver. 1 P 4:10. Dt 15:10. Mt 20:26. 24:45. Ac 1:17. 3:6. 6:2-4. 11:29. Ro 10:1. +*Ro 12:8. 1 Cor 9:19. 12:5, 9, 10, 28-30. 2 Cor 9:12. Ga 5:13. Col 4:17. 1 Th 4:11. 1 Tim 1:12. 3:13. 2 Tim 4:5. 3 J 1:5. the ability. Gr. ischus (S#2479g, Mk 12:30). 1 P 5:10. 1 Ch 26:8. *1 Ch 29:2, 11-16. Mk 12:30. **+Ro 12:3, 6-8. 1 Cor 3:10. 4:7. 12:4. 2 Cor 8:3. Ga 2:9. God giveth. Gr. chorēgeō (S#5524g, only here and 2 Cor 9:10). Dt 26:10. Is 43:7. Jn 3:27. Ac 2:33. 4:32. Ro 12:3. 15:15. 1 Cor 7:17. 12:7. *2 Cor 9:10n. Ga 2:9. +*Phil 2:13n. 2 Tim 1:6. 2 P 1:5, 11. that God in all things. Zc 14:20. *Lk 20:25. **Col 3:17. may be glorified. 1 P 2:5, 12. 5:11. 1 Ch 17:24. *Ps 50:15. Is 24:15. 43:7. 44:23. 55:13. Mal 2:2. +*Mt 5:16. 6:2. Jn 11:4. 13:31. *Jn 15:8. 21:19. *1 Cor 6:20. **1 Cor 10:31. 2 Cor 2:14-16. 4:15. 8:19. 9:13. Ep 1:6. 3:20, 21. *Ep 5:20. He 13:15. through Jesus Christ. 1 P 2:5. Ro 1:8. 6:11. 16:27. *Phil 1:11. *Phil 2:11. 4:20. He 13:21. Jude 1:25. to whom be praise. This is a doxology offered to Jesus Christ. 1 P 2:9. 5:11. +*Ac 7:59n. Ro 9:5n. +Ro 11:36. 16:27. Ga 1:5. Ep 3:21. Phil 4:20. 1 Tim 1:17. 6:16. **2 Tim 4:18. He 13:15, 21. **+2 P 3:18. *Jude 1:25. **Re 1:5, 6. +*Re 5:13. 7:12. 19:4. dominion. 1 P 5:11. *Ps 145:13. Da 4:3, 34. +*Da 7:14. +*Mt 6:13. *1 Tim 6:16. Jude 1:25. Re 1:6. *Re 5:12-14. for ever. Gr. aion, +Mt 6:13. and ever. Gr. aion, +Mt 6:13. lit. unto the ages of the ages, +Ga 1:5. Amen. 1 P 5:11. Ne 8:6. Ps 41:13. Ro 1:25. Ga 1:5. Phil 4:20.

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Daily Bible Nugget #214, Acts 17:11

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Acts 17:11 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.

My Comment:

Everything should be tried or tested by the Scriptures. Notice that the Berean audience Paul was addressing paid close attention to what Paul was teaching. They did not merely swallow it whole, “hook, line, and sinker.” They took the time and effort daily to search the Scriptures to verify the truth (or check upon the possible falsity) of what Paul taught. Paul the Apostle wrote up to 14 books of the New Testament. He was divinely inspired as he wrote them. Surely he spoke and preached with authority. Were the Berean listeners right or wrong to have the audacity to check up on the message of an Apostle? The answer is that they were right. They are called “more noble than those in Thessalonica” (KJV). Other translations read “much nicer” (CEV, Contemporary English Version); “better disposed” (Williams NT); “more liberal” (Murdock NT); “more open-minded” (NET Bible). The Bereans were praised or commended for checking out the truthfulness of the message of the Apostle Paul. The positive outcome of their searching the Scriptures is expressed in the following verse: “Therefore many of them believed” (Acts 17:12). We should follow their good example and double check on the truthfulness of what we are being taught by comparing the teaching carefully with Scripture. Of course, we should only believe what can be verified in the Bible. Notice particularly that this statement in the Bible proves that the Bible is to be the standard of truth when it comes to verifying the doctrines we believe or are being taught. It also must be the case that it is actually possible for ordinary hearers of preaching and teaching to reliably and definitively determine the truth of what is being taught. And contrary to what some seem to teach today, the original hearers of the Gospel message were literate enough to read the Bible for themselves, and had access to the Bible so they could search it for themselves. The Bereans were not gullible. They did not fall for the religious group that had the slickest propaganda: they carefully checked things out against the Bible. I have no doubt but what we have far easier access to the Bible today than they did. We have Bibles that are divided into chapters and verses for ease of reference. We have concordances to locate words and the verses where they occur quite easily. We have study Bibles with many helpful features. We have access to collections of cross references that make comparing Scripture with Scripture much easier and more fruitful as we study the Bible. We even have Bibles and study tools in digital format. Now with all that firepower, we ought to be able to imitate and surpass the Bereans in our industry to become better acquainted with the teaching of God’s Word.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1250 for Acts 17:11.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on pages 1270-1271 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 17:11.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Acts 17:11. more noble. or, well-born. Gr. eugenēs (S#2104g). High in rank, hence they were more courteous (CB). T#1099. *Ac 13:7. Ge 34:19. 1 Ch 4:9. *Pr 1:5. 9:9. Je 2:21. Lk 19:12g. Jn 1:46-49. 1 Cor 1:26g. Thessalonica. ver. +Ac 17:1. 1 Th 1:1. 2 Tim 4:10. they received. *Ac 2:41. 8:14. 10:33. 11:1. Ne 8:3. +*Jb 23:12. *Pr 2:1-5. **Pr 4:7, 20-22. 8:10. Ec 5:1. Song of Sol 8:2. Je 6:16. *Mt 13:11, 23. Mk 4:8. Lk 10:38, 39. 2 Cor 8:5. 1 Th 1:6. **1 Th 2:13. *2 Th 2:10. **James 1:21. **1 P 2:2. the word. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. +Ac 8:4. 10:36. *Lk 16:29. readiness of mind. Ac 10:33. %Ac 14:2. 16:14. %+*1 S 25:17. **Ps 25:9. Mk 12:37. *S#4288g: Ac 17:11. 2 Cor 8:11, 12 (willing mind), 2 Cor 8:19 (ready mind). 2 Cor 9:2 (forwardness). This word is used in the New Testament (1) of a ready desire to hear God’s word, and (2) of a ready desire to give to God’s work (Thomas Walker). and searched. or, examined. Gr. anakrinō, *S#350g. Rendered (1) examine: Ac 4:9. 12:19. 24:8. 28:18. Lk 23:14. 1 Cor 9:3. (2) judge: 1 Cor 2:15, 15. 4:3, 3, 4. 14:24. (3) ask question: 1 Cor 10:25, 27. (4) search: Ac 17:11. (5) discern: **1 Cor 2:14. Thayer defines this word “By looking through a series (ana) of objects or particulars to distinguish (krino) or search after. Hence, to investigate, examine, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question” (Lexicon, p. 39). Compare “search” at Jn 5:39, the same English but a different Greek word (*S#2045g). T#1069. Le 11:3. 1 Ch 28:8. **Ps 1:2, 3. 119:18, 97-100, *Ps 119:148. Pr 2:2. +*Pr 8:9. *Pr 15:14. +**Is 8:20n. *Is 34:16. *Lk 16:29. *Lk 24:44. *Jn 3:21. +**Jn 5:39n, 40. 1 Cor 2:14g. 1 Tim 4:13. +**2 Tim 3:15-16. *1 P 1:10-12. +*2 P 1:19-21. *1 J 4:5, 6. the scriptures. ver. Ac 17:2. Ac 8:28. 26:22, 23. **Ps 119:105. *Ps 138:2. +*Je 15:16. +*Je 23:18, 22, 28, 29. +Mt 21:42. +*Mk 12:24. +*Ro 15:4. 2 Tim 2:15. daily. Ac 16:5. Ex 16:4. *Dt 17:18-20. +*Jsh 1:8. 2 Ch 8:14. Ezr 3:4. *Ne 8:18. +*Ps 1:2. Pr 8:34. Lk 11:3. +*Lk 21:36. +**Col 1:10. +*He 3:13. *He 11:6. *1 P 2:2. *2 P 3:18. whether. or, if. FS184D1, Lk +22:67. A. T. Robertson notes that the Bereans “were eagerly interested in the new message of Paul and Silas but they wanted to see it for themselves. What a noble attitude. Paul’s preaching made Bible students of them. The duty of private interpretation is thus made plain (Hovey)” (Word Pictures, vol. 3, p. 275). T#1059, T#1121. Ac 8:31n. Dt 13:3. +**Pr 14:15. 15:14. *Pr 18:1n, +*Pr 18:17. +**Is 8:20n. Ezk 14:10n. +*Da 11:30. Ho 6:3. +*Mk 4:24. +*Lk 8:18. Jn 4:42. 7:17. **Ro 14:12. 1 Cor 10:15. +*1 Cor 14:29. *2 Cor 4:2. +*Ga 1:8n, 9. **1 Th 5:21. 1 Tim 4:1. James 1:19. *2 P 3:16, 17. **1 J 4:1.

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Daily Bible Nugget #213, Isaiah 8:20

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

My Comment:

Everything should be tried or tested by the Scriptures. When you hear a teaching about spiritual things, whether at a meeting, in a class, at a worship service, on the radio or television, or on the Internet, be ready to test what you hear or read by the Bible.

It does no good to compare what is being taught with what you have already learned from your church, unless your church strictly goes by the Bible. Yet many who sincerely believe they go strictly by the Bible are mistaken on some points.

In Isaiah’s time, there were those who in impatience and despair gave up on waiting for God’s answer, and sought to use occult means to learn the answer to their questions. Isaiah firmly warned them that they must go by the “law” and the “testimony.” Those are terms used in the Old Testament that are actually names given to the Bible. You can see this by reading the 119th Psalm, where at least ten different names are given to the Scripture.

The Bible ALONE is God’s constituted authority, the final authority, the exclusive authority, in spiritual things. Anything that contradicts what the Bible teaches is wrong and not to be believed. Anything that is an addition to the Bible in a matter of faith, doctrine, and morals is wrong and not to be believed or followed. God commands us in this passage (Isaiah 8:20) to go by the Bible alone. I like to express it as going by the Bible alone and in its entirety.

Following this principle leads to several solid conclusions. God has not further developed Bible doctrine since the Bible was finished. That is to say, God has not given anyone new revelation since John completed the Book of Revelation about 96 AD that supplants or adds to the truth already in the Bible. Jude 1:3 plainly speaks of the faith once delivered unto the saints. Jude states, therefore, that the complete body of doctrine was delivered not to priests and bishops, prelates and popes, but to the saints, the Bible word for ordinary Christian believers. That body of doctrine was delivered just ONCE, a special word used only a few times in the Greek New Testament, a term which means “once for all.” Jude’s statement means the body of doctrine which was delivered was complete in itself and never to be added to.

Now to step on a few toes. If it is not taught in the Bible, it is not to be believed. For example, marriage is defined by God Himself in the second chapter of Genesis to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24, affirmed in the New Testament by Jesus Christ Himself who cites this very passage, Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7). It is against the institution of marriage as God ordained it to be to suppose two women or two men can be joined in marriage. That is not only nonsense, it is an abomination to God Almighty. He calls it what it is, Sodomy. Sodomy bears its own punishment in this life–a shortened lifespan (Job 36:14). No Bible believing Christian should ever lend any support to practices which are in clear violation of the Bible (2 Chronicles 19:2). If unsaved people wish to do such things, that is their choice. Paul said “What have I to do to judge them also that are without?” (1 Corinthians 5:11, 12). God’s Word makes it very clear that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 11). In plain language, unless they repent and turn to Christ, and forsake their sinful lifestyle, they are eternally lost. Such life styles are the personal choice of those who practice them–they are not born to be that way, and they can choose to change (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Now to step on some more toes. Any church that suggests there is any other basis for Christian doctrine besides the Bible alone is a mistaken church. It may be a false cult. They might argue that Tradition has an equal voice with the Bible when it comes to defining or establishing Christian doctrine. The only traditions God has authorized us to go by are the traditions recorded in the Bible, the teachings written for our learning by the divinely inspired writers of the New Testament.

Some have asked, “Where in the Bible is there even a single verse that tells us we must go by the Bible alone?” The answer is right in Isaiah 8:20, though there are many more, which can be found by means of the cross references furnished for that verse.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 720 for Isaiah 8:20.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 753 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Isaiah 8:20.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Isaiah 8:20. To the law. ver. +Is 8:16. +*Is 1:10n. **Dt 17:14-20. **Dt 30:11-14. **Josh 1:8. **2 Ch 17:9. Ezr 7:10. 10:3. Ne 8:1. +Ps 119:1. Ec 8:1. Je 6:16. +*Je 15:16. Ezk 40:3. *Hag 2:11. Mal 4:4. Mt 4:7. 14:4. 15:4. +*Mt 23:2, 3. Mk 4:24. **Mk 7:7, 13. 10:3, 19. **Mk 12:24. **Lk 4:4. *Lk 10:26. *Lk 16:29 31. 18:20. **Jn 5:39, 46, 47. Ac 2:38n. **Ac 17:11. Ro 4:3. +*Ro 15:4. 1 Cor 9:8. Ga 3:8, etc. Ga 4:21, 22. **2 Tim 3:15 17. James 1:25. +*1 P 2:2. **2 P 1:19. testimony. ver. +Is 8:16. Dt 17:14, 18-20. Ru 4:7. 2 K 11:12. 2 Ch 23:11. Ps 78:5. 93:5. +Ps 119:2, 24. Ro 3:2. 1 Cor 2:1. 2 Tim 1:8. 1 P 4:11. if they speak not. Dt 13:3. +**Ps 119:63. +*Pr 19:27. Mt 24:4. +Mk 4:24. +Lk 8:18. *Ac 20:28 32. **1 Cor 14:29. 2 Cor 2:17. 4:2. Ga 1:6, 7. 3:1. Ep 4:14. +2 Tim 3:5. 2 P 2:1. 3:16. **1 J 2:27. 2 J 9, 10. according. Here we learn the absolute importance of basing every doctrine, every belief, on the written word of God. No error is more fundamental, nor more disastrous, than depending upon some external source of authority, whether extra Biblical writings, or an organization claiming to dispense God’s truth. The only source of authority is the written word of God. This word is declared in many ways to be perspicuous—that is, understandable (Dt 30:11n; +Ps 102:18, T#49; +*Pr 8:9) to the ordinary person, who, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, together with careful study, may be trusted to come to just and sound conclusions as to the meaning of Scripture. Otherwise how could spiritual truth be made known to “babes and sucklings” (Ps 8:2. Mt 11:25), and how could ordinary listeners be commended for checking the accuracy and truthfulness of an apostle (**Ac 17:11), and be charged with the responsibility of judging the message of an apostle, to determine that it was the true gospel (Ga 1:8)? Note that the great doctrinal epistles are specifically addressed to the “saints,” that is, the ordinary believers, not to the pastors, bishops, theologians, or authorities of the church (Ro 1:6, 8; 1 Cor 1:2; Ep 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:2). We shall be judged on the basis of our belief or disbelief in the written word of God (Jn 5:24 47. 12:48); in that day we will not be able to excuse our wrong belief, if such it should prove to be, by an appeal claiming “But I believed what my church, pastor, organization, etc., taught me” (**Ezk 14:10. Mt 7:21 23; **Mk 12:24, 27. **Ro 14:12). T#46. Is 29:11 13. Ex 35:29. *Ex 40:16. Dt 29:29. *2 K 23:24. Ezr 7:14. 10:3. Ps 26:3. Pr 22:21. Mt 7:21-23. 15:3 6, 9. *Mk 7:7-9. Lk 3:14n. Jn 8:6. *Jn 12:48. 16:13n. +*Ac 8:31. Ro 2:16, 18. 3:2, 10. 4:3. 12:6. +*Ro 15:4. +1 Cor 1:2. 3:13. 2 Cor 10:12. 11:4. +*Ga 1:8n. Ep 1:1. Col 1:2. *Col 2:8. +*1 Th 5:21. 2 Tim 2:15. 1 P 4:11. 1 J 4:6. to this word. Is 65:5n. +*Dt 4:2. 1 K 13:9n (point 1). 1 Ch 28:19. *Ps 102:18. *Pr 30:5, 6. **Je 23:28, 29. Mi 3:5. **Mk 12:24. Lk 12:57. *Jn 8:31, 32. +**2 Tim 3:15, 16. *1 J 4:1. Re 4:1n. 22:18. it is. Is 30:8 11. **Ps 19:7, 8. **Ps 119:130. *Je 8:9. Mic 3:6. **Mt 6:23. **Mt 22:29. *Mk 7:7-9. *Lk 8:11. Ro 1:22. *2 P 1:9. +*Jude 1:3n. no light. Heb. morning. lit. “darkness,” either of morning or of evening (Young). +*Is 17:14. 47:11. Ge 32:25, 27. Ex 25:37. Le 24:2. Nu 8:2. Jsh 6:15. 1 S 9:26. Jb 24:16. 38:12, 15. Ps 49:20. *Ps 101:8. **Ps 119:105, 130. 139:9. Pr 2:6. +*Pr 4:18, 19. 6:23. **Pr 8:9. 14:6. 18:1n. 20:20. *Je 8:9. 14:14n (point 1). **Je 23:28n. **Ezk 14:10n. Da 11:33n. Ho 6:3. *Mal 4:2. *Mt 6:23. *Mt 8:12. **Mt 11:25. Lk 11:36. Jn 1:9. 3:19, 21. 8:12. *2 Cor 4:3, 4. *2 P 1:19. 1 J 1:5, 7. 2:11. *Jude 1:13. +Re 2:28.

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Daily Bible Nugget #212, 2 Peter 1:20

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of its own solution. (Sawyer NT)

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (ESV)

2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, (NET Bible)

No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation (see The New Topical Textbook, page 240, under “The Scriptures”). I have posted above a range of translations for this passage. Most translations I looked at follow the mistaken lead of the King James Version by utilizing the word “private.” That is a bad translation. The Greek word underlying that translation occurs well over 100 times in the NT. Only here is it translated “private.” The Greek word means either “his own” or “its own” in most contexts where it appears in the New Testament.

A careful reading of the context where this verse appears will demonstrate that Peter is not talking about the response of readers as they read Bible prophecy, but the source of the prophecies as they were penned by the human authors (see the very next verse, 2 Peter 1:21). The authors God used to write the Bible did not make use of their own ideas, but wrote as God directed and moved them to write by the Holy Spirit. The issue is not “private interpretation” but “divine inspiration” in this context.

There are those among us who would usurp authority and make the claim that they are the only source of authoritative teaching when it comes to the Bible. Don’t fall for this false claim based upon a faulty translation of this verse! I suspect that any supposed authorized “teaching authority” would be condemned today by our Lord Jesus Christ with words similar to those he used in His day at Luke 11:52.

The purpose of Peter is to assure the readers of his letter that God’s Word as it is written in the Bible is absolutely sure; it can be depended upon! It is true, and there is no reason to doubt its accuracy (2 Peter 1:19).

I have expounded and explained this passage in depth several times before on this site. See my February 14, 2010 post (https://realbiblestudy.com/?p=13). I have since then developed additional material to help understand this verse, but it is likely too long to post here. Some of what I now include in the notes for 2 Peter 1:20 can be found in the October, 2010 archives where I provide 23 rules of interpretation.

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