2 Biblical exegesis

How can we do justice to the Word of God?
Do you have to be a minister to understand the Bible? No, although knowledge is important. Above all we do need guidance by the Holy Spirit, otherwise we will not be able to comprehend. Therefore a non-believer cannot understand, unless God will give it to him.
How would life be for a preacher who doesn't believe in his own sermons (it happens!) ?

Education is important, as can be read in the New Testament. Elders who teach the word will be worthy of double honor:
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17 KJ21)

Will anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord be able to understand? Of course, are we less than the fishermen who were called by our Saviour?

So, how should we handle the Holy Scripture? Well, we may trust that God, in His Almighty Wisdom, will communicate with us in a way we are able to understand. Wouldn't it be inconceivable to let Christ bring an offer that big (He gave His life for our sins!) and then leave His believers a book no-one understands? Sure, some prophecies still are unclear, but the essentials about the work of our Redeemer Jesus, and the guidelines about ruling the church and how to live our daily life are comprehensable. Ofcourse we must be willing to obey, which unfortunately very often is the problem!

Important for the understanding and practicing of the Word of God are:

- first pray for guidance by God the Holy Spirit

then (in random order):

- try to understand the literal meaning. If it has a symbolic meaning, you'll, most of the time, figure it out by the context
- never pick one verse and perhaps misuse it, always check for more verses about the same issue
- study the Holy Bible with fellow believers
- use different translations, if possible in several languages
- whatever you read: always hate sin but love the sinner, for we were sinners too, so don't exalt yourselves. They too can become children of God by accepting Jesus as their Lord, whom, by the way, told us to even love our enemies....
- speak or act without prejudice

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. For ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, from your vain way of living which ye received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." (1 Peter 1:17-20 KJ21)
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