Can We Understand The Bile A Like

Can We See The Bible Alike?

Introduction: In the 1930’s over 250 major denominations in the U.S. subdivided into 1500 faiths. Now there are over 2500 major denominations in the U.S. Major Denominations would be Lutheran, subdivided into different kinds of Lutherans; Methodist subdivided; Baptist subdivided, etc. People say we don’t see the Bible alike. Is this OK with God?

I) Looking at our question

A) Can – is it possible

B) We – you and I

C) See – understand, comprehend

D) The Bible – inspired scriptures, 66 Books, of which 39 in the Old Testament and 27 Books in the New Testament

E) A Like – in the same way

II) Does God Want Us To See The Bible A Like?

A) Jesus prayed for unity among His believers, John 17.20-21

B) Our faith rest upon the teaching of the inspired writers, John 20.30-31

1. For what did Jesus pray? All may be ONE

2. For what did Paul appeal? 1 Corinthians 1.10 "be of the SAME mind

3. People see the Bible as a text Book for what you want to believe

III) Did God Have The Ability To Give Us a Book We Can See A Like?

A) Would God give us a book we can not see alike?

1. The first question refers to God’s ability. Do we really believe God does not have the ability to adequately reveal His will in a way we all can understand it alike?

2. The second question refers to God’s goodness. To have the ability but not do so would be to intentionally cause religious division.

B) The Bible when used properly reveals to us the will of God

IV) The Rule Of The Bible

A) We can guess on the size of a table, but a ruler determines the answer

B) What rule?

1. Not opinions, doctrines of men, feelings

2. The Bible—Deut. 29.29; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 3.16-17; Phil. 3.16

V) Problems Do Not Arise From Our Inability To Understand What The Bible Reveals

A) Nicodemus – John 3.1-8

1. When did Nicodemus come to Jesus? By night

2. Why did Nicodemus come at night? We don’t know

B) Jesus wrote on the ground, John 8.1-11

1. Did Jesus write on the ground? Yet

2. What did Jesus write on the ground? The Bible does not say

C) Paul’s thorn in the flesh, 1 Corinthians 12.2

1. Did Paul have a thorn in the flesh? Yes

2. What was the thorn in the flesh? We don’t know

D) Bible names

1. What were Christians called? Acts 11.26; Acts 26.28, Christians

2. What was the church called? Romans 16.16 churches of Christ, 1 Corinthians 1.2 church of God

E) We could apply to the Lord’s Supper, Matthew 26.26ff

1. What did they have on the Lord’s Supper?

2. When did they partake of the Lord’s Supper? Acts 20.7

F) Baptism

1. Were people told to be baptized? Yes, Mark 16.16; Acts 2.38

2. Why? Shall be saved, for the remission of sins

Conclusion: When we allow the Bible to be the rule of authority we have no problem. It is when we go outside what the Bible says we have religious division and confusion.

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.05.06

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