The only God sanctioned method of Bible interpretation

Never underestimate the influence doctrines of devils can exert on those who are simple (babes in Christ) concerning truth. When a person realizes that God leaves nothing to chance, and that includes the study of His word, it revolutionizes how they approach and study His book. In 2 Timothy 2:15, God gives the only command found in Scripture to: 1. Study the word, and 2. The method for that study.

The most diabolical of Satan's tactics is not outright opposition to truth (lies), but rather lies shrouded or adorned in truth. It's a lie that comes almost up to the truth, then backs off. Many are led into false doctrine, not because false doctrines contain no truth, but quite the opposite. As Dr. Ruckman has often said, "Every heresy in the church today is a Bible truth taken out of context."

When "babes in Christ" are led to view the Scriptures through the allegorical or spiritualizing methods of interpretation rather than doctrinally, there is no end to the heresy it can produce, and every cult is a living testimony to that truth.

And this is why the Scriptures state in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”.

Now notice that according to this verse (2 Timothy 3:16), that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for four things: 1. Doctrine; 2. Reproof; 3. Correction; 4. Instruction in righteousness. And notice which falls first in the pecking order: doctrine does. So, then, according to the Scriptures, and not according to what we think or what we have been led to believe, what should we be looking for when we approach any verse in the Scripture record? Its doctrinal meaning. That means, the primary thing we should be asking ourselves is: what is the primary doctrinal application of that verse? And this is the basis of all biblical hermeneutics, "Rightly Divided".

When you come to any verse in Scripture, you should immediately ask yourself these questions, which, if applied correctly, will keep the student of the word of God from the vast majority of errors.

1. To whom is this verse directed doctrinally?

2. Is there anything in the verses' immediate context that sheds light as to the proper interpretation?

3. Are there other verses that confirm the interpretation arrived at?

4. (For us in the dispensation of grace) Is it consistent with known Pauline doctrine? In other words, does the interpretation arrived at conflict with the instructions of the Apostle Paul?

Now, I would quickly like to dispel the erroneous notion that by following the instructions of the Apostle Paul, we are somehow following a man and not God. The primary argument of many who scoff at those of us who place the appropriate amount of emphasis on Pauline doctrine is that by doing so, we are somehow not obeying the precepts or commandments of God. But nothing can be farther from the truth. As Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 14:37, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." That means that anyone who is not following the Apostle Paul and giving him and the things he writes in this "dispensation of the grace of God" is clearly in open disobedience to the commandments of God. And this is the reason so many are so shallow in the things pertaining unto God. Because if you reject the light in which God gives, He is no longer obligated to give you any more light.

In John 14:26, Jesus states, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Notice the emphasis given to the phrase "all things".

And this is the reason Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, instructs his beloved Timothy in the second epistle which bears his name to "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." In how many things does he state the Lord will give him understanding? All things.

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

Notice again here what Paul writes to Timothy. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Did you catch that? Look closely here at what Paul says. Paul declares in this verse that he is: 1. A pattern, and 2. that he is a pattern "to them which should hereafter believe on him [Jesus Christ] to life everlasting." Notice to whom that is directed. "...to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." That's the church (the body of Christ). And this is the reason that you find throughout the Pauline epistles (Romans-Philemon) Paul stating over and over again things like: 1. "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1). 2. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” (Romans 11:13). 3. “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:16).

Now notice the exhortations of Paul again: "Be ye followers of me"; "I am the apostle of the Gentiles"; "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles..." Now, folks, it would seem to me that the Holy Spirit by the Apostle Paul is clearly telling the body of Christ that it is Paul we ought to be following. Notice the use of the singular (me, mine, I, the) in every one of these statements by Paul. The Holy Spirit is leaving no doubt in anyone's mind where the emphasis is. It doesn't get any plainer than that.

Now I know from experience that many are going to walk away after reading this post and continue to do their own thing. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." It is why, as Stephen was being stoned to death, he said to those Jews they were "stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears...". And is the reason Jesus said in Mark 7:9, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." And is the reason He says of those same Jews, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." (Matthew 22:29).

Now, Paul gives us instruction in Titus 1:9 that we'd do well to give heed. For we know that in these last days, many will stop their ears from receiving the truth. And such was the case during our Lord's first advent. The primary thing for us to remember is that God does not hold us liable for how the message is received. That, as the Bible says, is left only to God. (1 Corinthians 3:7). Imagine how discouraging it must have been for Noah to preach for 120 years to only have a meager seven people to ultimately receive that message. This is why we find Paul exhorts Titus to hold "fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

May the grace of our Lord be with you all!