We’re in an age of skepticism & religious We’re in an age of skepticism & religious division b/c people are not studying the Bible!division b/c people are not studying the Bible!

• Man says that the Bible cannot be understood.Man says that the Bible cannot be understood.• But, God says His Word was/is intended for But, God says His Word was/is intended for ALLALL and can and can

be be understoodunderstood by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4) by the common man! (cf. Eph. 3:3-4)– “…“…how that by revelation how that by revelation He made known to me the mysteryHe made known to me the mystery

(as I have briefly (as I have briefly writtenwritten already, by which, already, by which, when when youyou read read, , youyou may understand my knowledge may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” in the mystery of Christ).”

• The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture The OT, Jesus & Paul all unvaryingly affirm that Scripture is understandable and is to be understood.is understandable and is to be understood.

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Man says, “No!”Man says, “No!”– ““You understand one way and I another. Who’s to You understand one way and I another. Who’s to

say who’s right and who’s wrong? Neither of us say who’s right and who’s wrong? Neither of us should condemn the other.”should condemn the other.”

– ““Well, that’s your interpretation and I have mine. Well, that’s your interpretation and I have mine. There’s no way to know who’s right. Perhaps we’re There’s no way to know who’s right. Perhaps we’re both right.”both right.”

– ““You and I are never going to see the Bible alike. So, You and I are never going to see the Bible alike. So, let’s just agree to disagree.”let’s just agree to disagree.”

– ““We cannot all understand the Bible alike!”We cannot all understand the Bible alike!”

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike– Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.Sales ad – store, day, time, items, price, etc.– RecipeRecipe– PrescriptionsPrescriptions– Simple mathSimple math– Road signsRoad signs– Blueprints for homes & buildingsBlueprints for homes & buildings– Final scores of gamesFinal scores of games– Food order at restaurantFood order at restaurant

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

• Man can understand many matters alikeMan can understand many matters alike• Understanding the Bible is not only possible,Understanding the Bible is not only possible,

understanding the Bible understanding the Bible IS EXPECTEDIS EXPECTED!!• If we understand the Bible at all,If we understand the Bible at all,

WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT ALIKE!– That’s the only way to understand it.That’s the only way to understand it.– There’s no such thing as understanding differently.There’s no such thing as understanding differently.– Man can Man can mismisunderstand differently, but not understand understand differently, but not understand

differently. There’s only one way to understand it!differently. There’s only one way to understand it!– We don’t “understand math differently.”We don’t “understand math differently.”

• God created the world, us & the Bible!God created the world, us & the Bible!

Can the Bible Be UnderstoodCan the Bible Be Understood

If the Bible cannot be If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then…understood ALIKE, then…• There can be no unity!There can be no unity!– The unity Jesus prayed for is impossible (Jn 17:20-21).The unity Jesus prayed for is impossible (Jn 17:20-21).– The unity that Paul commanded is only wishful The unity that Paul commanded is only wishful

thinking (1 Cor. 1:10).thinking (1 Cor. 1:10).

• Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!– Either God Either God couldcould have written a book that could be have written a book that could be

understood but He understood but He wouldn’twouldn’t (not willing!)… (not willing!)…– Or God Or God wouldwould have written a book that could be have written a book that could be

understood but He understood but He couldn’tcouldn’t (not able!). (not able!).– Yet He gave us a book & required us to understand it Yet He gave us a book & required us to understand it

in order to be saved.in order to be saved.

If the Bible cannot be If the Bible cannot be understood ALIKE, then…understood ALIKE, then…• There can be no unity!There can be no unity!• Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!Either God’s will or His ability is lacking!• The Bible is reduced to nonsense!The Bible is reduced to nonsense!– Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4– Luke 6:46Luke 6:46– John 8:31-32John 8:31-32– Romans 16:17Romans 16:17– Romans 12:16Romans 12:16– Philippians 2:2Philippians 2:2

– Philippians 3:16Philippians 3:16– Ephesians 4:5Ephesians 4:5– Ephesians 5:17Ephesians 5:17– 1 Corinthians 14:331 Corinthians 14:33– 2 Timothy 3:16-172 Timothy 3:16-17