MARCH 2, 2016

HOW TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES 4

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

It is important to study scriptures in the light of the testament they were written under.

Now, what is a testament?

A testament is a covenant.

An agreement.

It is also important to know to whom the testaments were binding to. The content and requirements of each testament to be able to understand what’s written under them.

First, there is a difference between the Old testament and the Old testament section of the English bible. The Old Testament did not begin until the law was given in Exodus 20

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord” Hebrews 8:7-9

The Old Testament or covenant was with the fathers in Egypt of which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob weren’t part.

This means that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob weren’t under the old covenant.

God didn’t relate to them according to the law.

Now the Law of Moses is the constitution of earthly Israel before the messiah came.

It was a by-product of the old covenant.

Israel as a Nation was given a constitution to live by. The constitution was for them and not for those who came after the messiah was revealed.

Now when we study any subject, we must study in the light of the testament it was written under.

For example, the Law of Moses is not for the Christian. It was for the Israelite Nation until Christ the messiah came.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:22-25

So, when Paul says Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Galatians 3:13, he was referring to the Jew not the gentiles. Why? The gentiles were never given a law!

So we cannot just teach on tithe, First fruit, free will offerings e.t.c and not study the contract under which it was written!

To do that would be wrong bible interpretation.

Let me give you a very simple classification of the scriptures.

Genesis – Exodus 19 (God dealt according to grace and mercy)

Exodus 20 – Acts 1 (Old testament)

Acts 2 – Revelations (New testament)

There are terminologies also you should know.

When you see the word “scripture” or mystery in reference to the scriptures, it refers to Genesis to Malachi. The scriptures refer to all the prophets wrote.

See here

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward 1Timothy 5:18

Here he was quoting from

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Deuteronomy 25:4

Or here

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Mark 12:10

Jesus was quoting from Psalms 118:22-23

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes

So the scriptures speak of Genesis – Malachi

Now Matthew – John gives us earthly account of Jesus life as proof to us he existed. It’s an account of his humanity and divinity.

Though the gospels are scriptures they are not what the word “scripture” refers to in the bible .

Now from Acts – Revelation is referred to as the “revelation or unveiling of the mystery or scriptures”

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Ephesians 3:3-6

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith Romans 16:25-26

So we see that if the epistles contain the revelation of the mystery spoken of in the scriptures of the prophets, then we must understand it from the epistles what was written in the scriptures.

For in the epistles, the mystery has been decoded!

CONFESSION: I am in the New Testament! I am a new creation. The mystery of the scriptures is now open to me. Hallelujah

FURTHER BIBLE READING: Esther 6, 2 Thessalonians 4

Share with others