Introduction
There was a time when the Christian Church did not permit ordinary people to read the Bible. Only the clergy had access to God’s Word. It was believed that only the educated and learned could rightly understand it.
However, this belief is not in harmony with what the Bible itself teaches. The Scriptures declare that all who sincerely seek God’s truth may understand His Word.
1. The First Basic Rule for Knowledge of Truth
Question: What is the first basic rule for knowing truth?
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
John 7:17
Note:
To understand the Bible, one must study the Scriptures diligently and prayerfully.
Read 2 Timothy 2:15 and Psalm 119:18, where David prayed for God to open his eyes to understand His Word.
Rule 1: Study the Bible reverently, with a sincere desire to know and to practice the truth.
2. The Nature of Truth
Question: What is truth?
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17
Truth is not found in human opinion or philosophy but in the written Word of God.
Rule 2: Accept the Bible as God’s personal voice speaking to you.
Read John 10:27–28 and 1 Thessalonians 2:13 to see that God’s true followers hear His voice through His Word.
3. How to Find Truth on Any Subject
Question: How can one find the truth on a particular subject?
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
Isaiah 28:9–10
Also read 1 Corinthians 2:13–14.
The Bible teaches that understanding comes by comparing scripture with scripture. Each verse adds to another until the full picture of truth is revealed.
Note:
Bible study is like assembling a puzzle—each inspired writer contributes a piece of the larger truth. To know what the Bible teaches about any topic, one must gather and compare everything the various authors have written about it.
Rule 3: The Bible explains itself—Scripture is its own best interpreter.
4. Jesus’ Method of Bible Study
Question: What method did Jesus use to reveal truth to His disciples?
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself…
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you,
that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.”
Luke 24:27, 44, 45
Jesus demonstrated that the key to understanding truth is to study all the Scriptures together—Moses, the prophets, and the psalms—allowing the Bible to explain the Bible.
5. The Noble Example of the Bereans
Question: In what way were the Bereans more noble than the people at Thessalonica?
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 17:11
Also read John 5:39.
The Bereans are praised for their eagerness to learn and their daily study of Scripture to confirm truth.
Rule 4: Be diligent and persevering in study. Search the Scriptures daily.
6. Guarding Against Misuse of Scripture
Question: What warning in the Book of Revelation shows the seriousness of altering God’s Word?
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in this book.”
Revelation 22:18–19
Read also Proverbs 30:5–6 and Deuteronomy 4:2.
The Bible is complete and sufficient. We must not add our own ideas or remove what God has spoken.
Rule 5: Do not add to or take away from what the Bible says.
Note:
This warning applies not only to physically altering the text but also to misinterpreting Scripture—making it say what it does not say or denying what it truly affirms.
We must allow the entire Bible to speak, and form conclusions based on the weight of evidence.
Conclusion
The Bible can indeed be understood. God has revealed His truth clearly to those willing to listen and obey.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God:
but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever,
that we may do all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29
While some parts of Scripture may be difficult to grasp (2 Peter 3:16–17), the essential truths of salvation and obedience are clear to all who study with humility and faith.
Summary of Study Rules
- Study reverently with a sincere desire to know and practice truth.
- Accept the Bible as God’s personal voice to you.
- Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
- Study diligently and daily, as the Bereans did.
- Do not add to or take away from God’s Word.