Have you ever found yourself being questioned for sharing the Bible? Or perhaps given funny looks for uplifting Bible truth that “goes against the flow”? Take a moment to reflect on our typical Hutterite culture. What would happen if you were to talk about the Bible or Jesus “more than the average person” where you live? Would it be an issue? If not, then you are truly blessed! For those of you who are struggling with this, I’d like to share with you 15 points to consider going forward.
#1. So, why is it actually important to study the Bible?
(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth NOT TO BE ASHAMED, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(John 5:39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which TESTIFY OF ME.
(Psalm 119:105) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path.
These verses tell us that studying the Word of God is the way that we determine how we stand with God. They also tell us that the scriptures reveal Christ to us. The Bible answers every question we may have about life and what is right and wrong. It also shines light on our path forward.
#2. What exactly is it that the study of the Scriptures will do for us?
(2 Timothy 3:15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee WISE UNTO SALVATION through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
If we read the scriptures with an open mind, willing to be corrected where needed, and with the correct motives, it will show us who Jesus is and who we are. It will cause us to see and feel our great need of Him as our Savior and our need of Him leading our daily lives.
#3. What do insincere people believe too much knowledge does to a person?
(Acts 26:24) Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is DRIVING YOU MAD!” [crazy]
Festus thought what Paul had to say was ridiculous and that Paul had become sick in the head by learning too much truth. There will certainly be a Festus or two in your life as well. More importantly, Let us not be a Festus.
#4. So how do we really know whether a person speaks for God?
(John 3:34) For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
(John 8:47) He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Jesus said that if a person is of God he will both speak and hear the words of God, the Bible. Any teacher or leader who doesn’t use the Bible to determine what is right and wrong is building blindly on a sandy foundation that will eventually fall apart.
#5. Did you realize that to reject the Word of God is to reject Christ?
(Revelation 19:12-13) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
(John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The book of Revelation tells us that Jesus is “The Word of God”. And John tells us that Jesus was the Word “made flesh”. To reject the Word of God is the same as rejecting Jesus. He was the Word of God in the flesh. The same people that forbid Bible studies today would have forbidden their people to attend Jesus’ meetings two thousand years ago. Jesus and His Word are inseparable.
#6. On Whom should we build our faith?
(Ephesians 2:19-20) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF being the chief corner stone ;
(1 Corinthians 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus is our Rock, the law and the prophets (the Word of God) are a solid foundation to build our faith upon. Anything else will eventually cease to exist.
#7. How do we build our faith upon Jesus?
(Matthew 7:24) Therefore whosoever HEARETH these sayings of mine, and DOETH them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD.
There really is a difference in just hearing and actually doing. Its when we actually “do” what the Bible teaches that we are building on Christ.
These following three questions are not directed at anyone in particular but encompasses the idea of “What was good enough for them, is good enough for me.”
#8. Doesn’t the Bible tell us to keep on living and believing in everything we were taught growing up? What if some of it goes against the Bible?
When reading the following two verses, read each one separate, then read them together as they were written…
(2 Timothy 3:14-15) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, [15] and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Who taught Timothy as a child? It was his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). What did they teach him? The verse says it plainly, “the Holy Scriptures.” The apostle Paul is telling Timothy to continue in the things that he had learned, the Scriptures. Did Paul mean to say that from now on everyone should just continue in whatever they were taught growing up without any kind of deeper search? Obviously not! God commands no one to continue in error. On the contrary, God commands all people to walk in truth. The Bible says, “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” (2 John 1:4).
Countless thousands have been deceived and prevented from discovering and embracing Bible truths by this deception which takes this verse out of its intended context and ignores the verse which follows, that the Scriptures, NOT tradition, are to lead us “unto salvation.”
#9. Is it ok to just follow tradition instead of adhering strictly to scripture.
(Mark 7:6-9) He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. [7] And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” [9] He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Jesus said that the Pharisees professed to believe in God, but in reality they were more dedicated to keep what their forefathers had taught than to keep Scripture. Thus they rejected the authority of God.
Today it may not be the washing of pots and cups that we’re concerned with, as was the context of this passage. Nevertheless, many people in many churches around the world are still commanded to obey traditions that are pointless and that take the attention away from God and salvational issues. God doesn’t need our methods to help with the sin problem. He asks for our cooperation as He deals with the sin problem His way.
#10. When man’s ideas and teachings conflict with scripture, what should we do?
(Acts 5:27-29) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, [28] saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” [29] But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
(Matthew 6:24) No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
God is not in the business of sharing His throne with sinful human beings. When it comes to spiritual things we must be humble enough to be His servants and nobody else’s.
#11 How important should studying the Bible be to us as individuals?
(Job 23:11-12) My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. [12] I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth MORE THEN MY NECESSARY FOOD.
#12. What is a good thing to practice after a Bible study or after hearing a sermon?
(Acts 17:11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Even though it was the great apostle Paul teaching them, the Bereans didn’t take his word for it. Instead, they studied the Scriptures daily to test his teachings. Why do you think they used the Scriptures instead of some set of statements from their church?
We must learn to test everything by the authority of the Bible. Everything that comes from man is subject to error. It doesn’t matter how godly or sincere the individual may be. We have no way to know whether someone is a light bearer unless we test everything from the Scriptures. “Thy word is … a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105).
There are many people today that grow up in any number of the different Christian churches out there, especially in the churches that have been around for a long time such as the Catholic Church, Lutheran, Baptist, Hutterite, Amish, etc, etc. Many of us can grow up in the church and not fully grasp the gospel message, not fully grasp the message of salvation. We grow up watching and following those who came before us, trying to grasp a piece of their faith instead of searching for that one-on-one and personal relationship with Christ. Openly studying the Bible has a tendency to remove blinders and let us see a glimpse of Christ, our true Savior.
#13. After hearing the words of Jesus, how did His willing hearers respond?
(Luke 24:33) So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
(John 4:28-30) The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, [29] “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” [30] Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
Those who truly received the words of Jesus went and shared their knowledge with others, and they were excited! It will be the same today.
Now not everyone is excited about the message of Jesus Christ, nor was everyone excited back then when He walked the earth.
#14. After hearing the words of Jesus how did unwilling hearers respond?
(John 7:12-13) And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” [13] However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
(John 8:52-53) Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ [53] Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
The Jewish people were more concerned about the teachings of their forefathers than understanding the truths Christ was trying to share, truths that pointed to Him being the Messiah. Truths they should have known from their knowledge of the scriptures, but because Jesus wasn’t what they envisioned, they called Him a deceiver repeatedly and said He had a devil. They eventually got rid of Him. We too can get rid of the messenger at times, but it will never stop or change the message if it is of God!
In summary…the Bible and the Bible alone needs to be the center of truth in our lives.
“German Bible” Photo courtesy of Krista Waldner