The Bible itself asserts that it has been written to be understandable to the ordinary person who reads it.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130
Jesus Christ Himself clearly assumed and asserted that even the most difficult texts of Scripture were understandable to the ordinary reader.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth let him understand:) Matthew 24:15
Bible study must be independent. Independent of what? Independent of what any author, teacher, religious leader, or human institution says about the Bible.
Only by studying the Bible itself by yourself can you be sure to learn what the Bible teaches, unswayed and uninfluenced by sources outside the Bible. Only this way can you be sure to get at the heart of the truth the Bible was written to convey.
The Bible is an understandable book. It was written to be understood. The first step in real Bible study is to read a plain text edition of the Bible to learn from the Bible alone what it teaches.
Where did you learn about this? Can you give me the reference?
Sent from my iPad 4G
Dear svt dreamer,
I started reading the Bible independently for myself in August of 1953. I began by reading the New Testament. I gradually learned about Bible study tools like Strong’s Concordance and The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, a book of cross references to just about every verse in the Bible.
The Bible itself declares that what it has to say is completely sufficient to give us the true knowledge of salvation and eternal life. No other source, and surely no institution, is required. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God in the Bible (see Romans 10:17). Of course, we can “hear” the written Word of God by reading it for ourselves, which is exactly what the Bible recommends, and what Jesus clearly stated he expects of his hearers (Matthew 12:3). Isaiah 8:20 is a particularly clear verse which tells us we must go by the Bible alone.
If I have not answered your question completely enough, just let me know!
Thank you for asking such a good question!
Thanks so much for writing all of the great info! Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, Sarah, for visiting here at http://www.realbiblestudy.com.
I appreciate your kind comment.
Do return, and read some more.
I suggest reading my blog posts in the order they were written, starting with the oldest post, and moving up to the most recent.
They will make even more sense when read in that order.
Just got home and went right to the site! Thanks so much for taking time to talk with me.
Dear Jacki,
It was a real joy to fellowship with you over the written Word of God!
I hope you’ll come back to this site, make comments, and raise questions.
i would like to do your bible study
thank your charles davis
Dear Charles,
I appreciate your stopping by this site and leaving a comment. If you have any questions about Bible study, about the Bible, or about how to study the Bible independently for yourself, post your question or questions here and I will be pleased to answer them!
I have both the NTSK & TSK on Logos. I came to the affirmative conclusion about the subject of this post years ago. I believe with all my new heart 1 John 2:27 telling us the only understanding comes from God Himself. Even if pastors, teachers, or scholars have and teach with understanding the Holy Spirit still must impart His understanding into your own heart. Otherwise what you have heard is just words on a page. God desires all of His word be understood, personally, by the individual believer.
Dear Brad,
Thank you for visiting my site. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment. 1 John 2:27 is a favorite verse of mine. The Holy Spirit must grant us a hearing ear in order to understand God’s written word.
If you compare the NTSK with the original TSK you will notice I have placed many more cross references in the NTSK that were not in the TSK.
As the Lord leads and enables, I trust you will find much to explore here on this site. There are even examples of many passages where I have done further study since creating the NTSK which contain an enhanced set of cross references that are more complete than in the NTSK here.
Jerry I am trying to put together a study in the New Creation that we are when saved. Do I use every keyword in 2 Corinthians 5:17 or just ‘a new’ and ‘creature’? I am stumped. I’d also like to do an exhaustive study on the subject. I believe it is one of the most important topics concerning being in Christ.
Dear Brad,
For a full study of 2 Corinthians 5:17, such as you are undertaking, I think you would do well to study all the material given for all the key words listed for that verse in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
I trust you were able to read the step by step directions I wrote for you yesterday about how to study 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If you follow the steps I outlined, you should reach your goal nicely.
The subject of being “in Christ” is a topic of major importance. As you study the references given for 2 Corinthians 5:17 you will encounter the reference I make to the note I placed at Romans 8:1. From Romans 8:1 you should be able to dig deeper into what the Bible itself teaches about being “in Christ.”
Huh? Personally, I find it TOTALLY contradictory for one corner of a mouth to saith “Bible study must be independent. Independent of what? Independent of what any author, teacher, religious leader, or human institution says about the Bible”.
Then from the other corner of a mouth it saith’ “I trust you were able to read the step by step directions I wrote for you yesterday about how to study 2 Corinthians 5:17.“
Dear Ric,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment here!
Now, as for any step-by-step directions about how to study 2 Corinthians 5:17, I don’t recall giving those!
Therefore, I don’t see the contradiction!
But that is surely a good verse to latch on to:
Checking further into my writing directions for how to study 2 Corinthians 5:17, I was called upon to assist a BLIND PERSON, Brad, who visited this site and asked for specific help on how to study 2 Corinthians 5:17 on his computer, since he cannot read physical books. He has the Logos 4 program which contains my work, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, which I understand he can hear on his computer, or else magnify it to such a size on screen that he can read it. So from this clarification, I trust you can see I do answer the questions submitted by visitors who leave comments on this site.
You are most welcome to add further clarification to your comment.