Interpreting the Bible: New Testament Interpretation I. Introduction A. Let us consider how we should interpret the New Testament B. This understanding is critical for us (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:18) 1. If we do not have a good understanding of how to interpret, we may fall into many traps 2. The multitude of denominations and differing views on various Scriptures in the New Testament attests to the need to have a good interpretive methodology C. How should we strive to understand the New Testament in particular? D. How can we be sure that we are properly following and applying God's Word? II. Establishing Relevance A. As with any Bible study, we must always first seek to read to understand B. Before we begin applying passages from the NT to our lives, however, we must first establish the level of relevance of the passage to us C. A subjective concept to some 1. Some see many passages as relevant that others do not see as relevant 2. How can we guard against making improper judgments? D. Good guideline: always consider passage relevant unless compelling reason otherwise E. High relevance level: fully applicable to us today, just as in the day of the passage 1. Many passages fit this level 2. Galatians 5:18-23 3. Philippians 2:5-11 4. We could go on and on 5. At this level, it might as well be that Paul speaks to us as he speaks to his audience F. Moderate relevance level: Directed at a particular context, but we can derive lessons 1. This one is a bit more difficult: we can see the NT working with a particular issue, and while not directly relevant to us, we can still derive some lessons 2. Romans 2:17-29, for example 3. Context is firmly established: Paul writes to Jews who would justify themselves by their lineage 4. While not directly relevant, we can still derive lessons on how to not pride oneself on anything but be "inwardly circumcised" 5. Jesus' promises to His disciples in John 14-17 are comparable: many of the promises are only for the disciples, but other promises can help us understand things regarding our relationship with God 6. We should not expect the same dispensation of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17), but we can learn from how Jesus presents Heaven (John 14:1-4) G. Low relevance level: A passage firmly rooted in context without much application 1. Many times parts of the New Testament are not really directly relevant to us at all 2. The conclusions of Paul's letters that involve direct messages to specific persons, for example (Romans 16, Philippians 4:2-3, etc.) 3. It is not as if we can learn nothing from them, but we recognize that such parts of the New Testament are very firmly rooted in its own period and not our own III. Establishing Authority A. Once we have established the level of relevancy, we can move on to see if we can establish authority for our lives and practice from a passage B. Low and moderate relevance passages can reinforce our understanding of authority from the high relevance passages C. We establish authority in the New Testament in three main ways D. Commands 1. Many times statements will be made that demand something be done or not be done; such is a command 2. Romans 12 3. Ephesians 6:1-4 4. Commands are plentiful in the New Testament, instructing us on what we should be doing and what we should not be doing 5. Commands are integral to follow: 1 John 2:3-5 E. Apostolically Approved Examples 1. 1 Corinthians 11:1: we are charged to follow the example of Paul as he imitates Christ 2. Examples that are approved by the Apostles, therefore, establish for us patterns for us to follow that we know are not wrong! 3. Acts 20:7 4. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 5. With these examples, we can see exactly what was done in the first century and know that we can do the same and be pleasing to God F. Necessary Inference 1. The key term here is "necessary": there are times when we can gain authority from inferences, where things are perhaps not explicitly stated but demanded by what is stated 2. Acts 8:34-39: that Philip preached about baptism is necessarily inferred since he "preaches Jesus" to the eunuch and the eunuch appeals to be baptized 3. Matthew 25:31-46: that helping those in need is extremely important is necessarily inferred in that Jesus portrays the Judgment in terms of how one helped those in need 4. Lessons are also gained sometimes through inference, as Jesus shows in Matthew 22:23-32 G. Through these means we can gain an understanding of authority IV. Focusing Authority A. It is not enough, however, to simply see commands, examples, and necessary inferences: we must also look at their scope to properly establish authority B. Scope is either general or specific C. General Scope 1. General scope is also known as generic authority 2. With a general scope, we see a broad outline, and see liberty in certain details 3. with commands, for instance, preaching the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20) a. we are told to preach, but not given specifics on how to go to preach b. we see many examples (walking, boat, chariot) in Acts c. we can conclude then that how we go to preach the Gospel is a liberty under the general scope of the command to preach the Gospel 4. A command with a general scope in some detail leads to liberty in that detail when there is no specific example in the Scriptures for its execution and God is otherwise silent on the detail 5. with examples, for instance, assembling on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) a. the example shows us the first day of the week, but when on the first day? b. the text does not indicate precisely when they assembled c. therefore, we have liberty in precisely when we determine to assemble on the first day of the week 6. Examples also show general scope when the examples presented are inconsistent a. as we saw with how to go and preach the Gospel b. People walked, used chariots, taken by the Spirit, or took a boat c. the inconsistent examples show that God has given us liberty to go with whatever means we have available 7. Examples often present general scopes, either by being silent on some details or having inconsistent examples on some details 8. Inferences often provide authority on a general scope; the inference shows that something may be true, but will not speak on other details surrounding the matter 9. The inference that we must help people from Matthew 25:31-46 in no way specifies how we are to do so: we must look to other passages for this, and see that in many respects we have liberty as individuals in how we help those in need D. Specific scope 1. Also called specific authority 2. When God does speak in specifics, we must follow the specifics without variance 3. Hebrews 7:12-14 demonstrates as much 4. In specific authority, if something is not mentioned, it is not allowed! 5. When God is specific in a command, we must follow precisely what is said 6. Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16: specific command to sing, no command to play instruments; hence, we are to sing without instruments 7. When an example is specific, we should follow the specifics of the example when appropriate a. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: we have unleavened bread and fruit of the vine for the Lord's Supper following the example of the original Passover inauguration b. to require only one cup, however, goes beyond the example of Acts 2 and places a demand that may not be feasible for many E. The scope of authority determines what we should do with the issue of silence 1. generic scope + silence = liberty 2. specific scope + silence = prohibition F. We must always remember with liberties that if some have no faith in that particular means of fulfilling God's will, we ought to respect that and find a mutually agreeable way to obey our Lord (cf. Romans 14:1-15:2) G. When we establish the scope of the authority, we understand when we have liberty and when we have to follow exactly what is written without variance IV. Conclusion A. We have seen the nature of New Testament interpretation B. We must first establish the level of relevance to us C. Then we establish the type of authority present within a passage D. Finally, we must establish the scope of the passage E. Let us strive to handle the New Testament properly, lest we fall into error and apostasy! F. Invitation/songbook