Non-thinking, Part 5: Let the Bible Speak

When interpreting scripture, it must be understood that the interpreter is interpreting the words of God. This should not be done without using the word of God to interpret itself. (2Pe 1:20, 21 ^_[pa|in]) Looking outside the Scriptures to interpret scripture, forcing an interpretation without scriptural evidence of that interpretation is not only ill-advised but is unscriptural. (Ge 40:8 ^_[pa|in]) Unscriptural interpretation puts the narrative in Satan's hands. (1Ti 4:1 ^_[pa|in])

There is no denying that the Bible is used to attempt to support the doctrine of the Trinity, but it has also been used to support racism, sexism, wars, and many patently false doctrines clearly not supported in the Scriptures. The situation is so bad that even people who have never read the Bible believe the Bible can be interpreted any way one wants to. Even many claiming to read the Bible and love God believe that way. However, just because someone can choose to forcefully interpret a scripture does not mean that is what the scripture means.

Let the Scriptures Interpret Themselves

The scriptures were certainly written with specific ideas in mind, so interpreting scripture is all about understanding what the writer — Jehovah God — intended to write. The internet has taught us all that written words are easily misinterpreted by taking them out of context, thus it is vitally important to understand what the writer of a message actually meant and not what others say they meant. That understanding is based upon knowledge of the writer and past experience with him, the subject under discussion, and immediate context of the words, before jumping to conclusions about words wrenched from their context, or putting words into his mouth based upon "reading between the lines". Jehovah God, just like any honest and forthright individual, speaks clearly about himself and his purposes.

So the most important thing in research is to rely upon the Bible, not "scholars". The Jews in Jesus day relied upon their "scholars", the scribes and Pharisees, and yet Jesus called those men "blind guides". (Mt 15:14 ^_[pa|in]; 23:15, 16 ^_[pa|in]) Those "scholars" called Jesus' diciples: "uneducated and ordinary men". (Ac 4:13 ^_[pa|in]) Indeed, speaking of those "scholars", Paul wrote:

For Christ sent me . . . to declare the good news; and not with wisdom of speech . . . For it is written: "I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and the intelligence of the intellectuals I will reject." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this system of things? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not get to know God through its wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing. . . . Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men.

For you see his calling of you, brothers, that there are not many wise in a fleshly way, not many powerful, not many of noble birth, but God chose the foolish things of the world to put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world to put the strong things to shame; and God chose the insignificant things of the world and the things looked down on, the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, so that no one might boast in the sight of God. But it is due to him that you are in union with Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, also righteousness and sanctification and release by ransom, so that it may be just as it is written: "The one who boasts, let him boast in Jehovah."

So when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with extravagant speech or wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him executed on the stake. . . . and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might be, not in men’s wisdom, but in God’s power.

Now we speak wisdom among those who are mature, but not the wisdom of this system of things nor that of the rulers of this system of things, who are to come to nothing. But we speak God’s wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory. It is this wisdom that none of the rulers of this system of things came to know, for if they had known it, they would not have executed the glorious Lord. But just as it is written: "Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, nor have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him." (1Co 1:17-2:9 ^_[pa|in])

Seminary-trained scholars do not speak from holy spirit, but they speak the wisdom of men as they learned from their schools. (Mt 15:9 ^_[pa|in]; 1Ti 6:20-21 ^_[pa|in]) Jesus himself said; "I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children." (Mt 11:25 ^_[pa|in])

The Bible itself instructs us on how to interpret it. Paul continued:

For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God.

For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God except the spirit of God. Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit that is from God, so that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit, as we explain spiritual matters with spiritual words.

But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. For "who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, so that he may instruct him?" But we do have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:10-16 ^_[pa|in])

So it does not take a genius to interpret the scriptures. It takes holy spirit, faithfulness to the word of God and listening to Jesus. (Luke 6:46 ^_[pa|in] 6:46) Jesus himself said, "Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth." (Joh 17:17 ^_[pa|in])  What is "God's word"? It is the good news about Jesus Christ that we received from those who were appointed by God to deliver it to us in the Scriptures. Thus, it is the entirety of the Scriptures. God's word is described as "the sword of the spirit" (Eph 6:17 ^_[pa|in]) because it "is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12 ^_[pa|in])

At 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ^_[pa|in], Paul left no room for any other documents as the source of truth when he said, "All [Holy] Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." At Romans 15:4 ^_[pa|in], Paul said, "For all the [Holy Scriptures] that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope."

The apostle John wrote:

Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is how you know that the inspired statement is from God: Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God. But every inspired statement that does not acknowledge Jesus does not originate with God. . . .

They originate with the world; that is why they speak what originates with the world and the world listens to them. We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us [the apostles]; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error.

Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1Jo 4:1-8 ^_[pa|in])

Peter confirmed all these things when he wrote:

"No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we [the apostles] were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: 'This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved; Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.

"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar rises) in your hearts. For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit." (2Pe 1:16-21 ^_[pa|in])

Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth, not because they understand the interpretation of everything in the Bible, but because they are willing to improve in their understanding of the Scriptures and not cling to unscriptural ideas, just as the above scripture highlights. Something which other nominal Christian groups are unwilling to do.

To check the Scriptures, we need these things:

1. Spiritually connect with holy spirit through prayer to the only true God, Jehovah in Jesus' name. (Ezr 7:10 ^_[pa|in]; Joh 16:23 ^_[pa|in])
2. Humility to understand that the reason for checking the Scriptures is not to draw away others after ourselves, but to "make sure of all things". (Ac 20:29, 30 ^_[pa|in]; 1Th 5:21 ^_[pa|in])
3. Accept the accurate knowledge about Jesus Christ as the Son of the only true God, Jehovah. (Joh 17:3 ^_[pa|in]; 1Jo 4:15 ^_[pa|in])
4. Use the Scriptures as your only source of interpretation. (2Ti 3:16, 17 ^_[pa|in]; 1Jo 4:6 ^_[pa|in]) As Joseph said, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Ge 40:8 ^_[pa|in])

If you find differences between your understanding and that of your religion, that does not mean just up and leave it or go start a new one just because you found one little thing you disagree with. Paul identified the formation of sects as being a work of the flesh. (Ga 5:19, 20 ^_[pa|in]) Apostasy is not far from self-righteous ones. (2Ti 3:5-7 ^_[pa|in]; Jude 16 ^_[pa|in]) Humility is what allows one to find truth. (Ps 138:6 ^_[pa|in]) Paul urged true Christians to "speak in agreement". (1Co 1:10 ^_[pa|in]) But if we cannot speak in agreement with the salvation message preached by one religion then we must find the one with the correct salvation message, and that is what this series is meant to demonstrate.

Of course, you do not need to explore every little thing in minute detail before you have enough proof of which organization has the truth; if you already recognize which one consistently proves right while all the others are clearly wrong, then that is the organization with the truth.

We are confident that in studying this way, one can only be lead further toward Jehovah's Witnesses, not away, because one will see their integrity in holding to the Scriptures, integrity that no one else has.

Do you think the Scriptures are the only documents needed to interpret scripture? If not, state your disagreement in a comment below.


Return to the beginning of the Salvation vs. series

Go back to: Part 4: Deep Research Takes Effort

Go to: Part 6 (1): Testing the "Proofs"