It is not enough to just read the Word of God. The question is “Do you understand what you are reading”? Three principles of understanding the Bible are shared in this message.
That was the question the deacon Philip asked the Minister of Finances of the Candice the Queen of Ethiopia. He had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover to worship God. But apparently, he was not aware of the crucifixion that just happened.
How could he explain the Good News to others if he doesn’t understand it himself?
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We see how often God is the engineer of our circumstances. Philip had an appointment with this high-level civil servant and even with all the people of Ethiopia. An angel was sent to tell him exactly on what road he needed to place himself.
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.)
27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet, Isaiah.
29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. (Acts 8.26-31)
Three principles to better understand
So in order to better understand the Scriptures, there are at least 3 principles to grasp :
- All scripture talks about Jesus. Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. (Actes 8.35)
- The events of the Old Testament give light to the teaching of the New Testament. Though our culture has its roots in Greek and Latin, the Old Testament is easy to read and gives you a good basis to understand the New Testament.
With this passage in Isaiah (Old Testament) he was able to explain the Good News of Jesus (New Testament)
The passage he was reading was this: Like a sheep, he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth (Isaiah 53.7)
3) The proof that the Bible is True is the accomplishment of prophecies that were said (and written) 700 years before. (Isaiah lived 745 – 695 before Jésus-Christ). And no prophet made more predictions about the coming of the Messiah than Isaiah (under the inspiration of the Spirit of God). Why not study the Gospels and find how many events were predicted by the prophet Isaiah?
Predictions and accomplishment is proof
God himself declares that predictions and their accomplishment are proof that the Message is true and that we would do well not to ignore it.
‘I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me.
7 Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it;
And, let him confront Me
Beginning with My establishing of the ancient nation.
Then let them declare to them the things that are coming
And the events that are going to take place. (Isaiah 44.6-7)
It is perfectly logical! God is the first and the last (the Alpha and the Omega) and inhabits eternity. So he knows everything that concerns us, the good and the bad. And also how He will answer our prayers. (He can see the effect it will have on us – bring us closer to Him (He who blesses) or attach our hearts to the blessing (which is a form of idolatry).
God will have the last word in this matter
So even if we don’t understand a thing about the road on which He is leading us, we do know that He will have the last word in this matter. Say it out loud!
« My God is the Alpha and the Omega (the First and the Last) and He will have the last word in this matter »
Do you understand what you are reading? Acts 8.31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”
We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in our reading. Jesus promises us in John 16:13 « But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.».
Does this message help you to better understand the Bible?
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(Day 14) Are you at the bottom of a pit?
