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Where In The Bible Will I Find... We Are To Understand The Bible Alike?
Gary Colley |
There are many verses that teach all men are to understand the Bible alike. Jesus certainly made it clear that He intended for all men to see His teaching alike. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (Jn. 17:20-21) Unity in understanding brings the unity for which Jesus prayed. But such unity is impossible if we cannot understand the Bible alike. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). To emphasize his point that we can all understand the Bible alike, Paul said, "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:13). Paul's plea for no divisions should be our prayer and plea also. Shame on the men who, in their prayers, thank God for religious division! Paul also exhorted the Ephesian church of Christ that they should be, "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:3-6). We not only can understand the Bible alike, but we also must understand it alike in order to please God here and go to heaven at last. The apostle John wrote, "Whosoever transgresseth (goes beyond what is written — GC), and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds" (2 Jn. 9-11). |