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The purpose of studying the Bible is to show ourselves
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).Although studying the word of God is hard work, there are many benefits that can be garnered if we are patient and diligent enough in our effort. Let us consider some of them.
When we take the time to study what God has written in His word, we will discover the truth about many things on such topics as sin, salvation, the church, and judgment. Peter says that He
hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).It is also important to recognize that
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).Furthermore, Jesus said that the word of God is "truth" (John 17:17). Without this understanding, a person would have a difficult time in accepting what the Bible says as absolute truth.
God has provided man with a way out of sin. Although there is nothing that he can do to inherit the free gift of salvation (Acts 2:38), in regards to doing good works, man is required to hear the word (Romans 10:14); believe the word unto righteousness (Romans 10:10,17); repent of his sins (Acts 3:19); confess the name of Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead by His Father (Romans 10:9-10); and be baptized in the name of Christ (Romans 6:4).
Whenever a Christian has either fallen into sin (Romans 3:23) or been tempted to sin (James 1:13-15), God helps him to overcome it. The Scripture says,
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).The Bible teaches that we must not only reconize temptation and flee from it (James 4:7), but also pray to God for forgiveness when we have sinned (1 John 1:9-10).
The Bible is filled with many patterns, both in the Old and New Testaments. We will study the subject of applying Biblical principles in a later article in this series. For the purpose of this article, however, the patterns that we are to follow today can be found in the New Testament. There we can find the pattern, or blueprint, not only for christian living, but also for the worship, fellowship, work, and governmental oversight of the church.
Jesus taught that there are two roads, each one leading to a different place of eternity. In Matthew 7:13-14, we read,
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.The straight and narrow way leads to heaven. It is upon this road that we find Jesus walking, and as long as we follow Him by being in obedience to His commandments (2 John 1:8-9), He will lead us all the way to heaven.
Next week we will study context and how it applies in studying God's word.
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
In the last two weeks, we have examined the history of the "canonization" of the text which we call the New Testament. We determined that the New Testament canon was basically complete from its inception in the second century AD, and that by the end of the fourth century little doubt was left as to what should and should not be a part of it.
An equally important activity that existed at this time and afterward was the transmission of this text: it is good that we agree on what the New Testament should contain, now, let us go and retain this text for prosperity! Let us examine today how we have received this text, with its difficulties and some errors.
First, it must be noted that the process of transmitting a book, or, in other words, copying it, was much more difficult then than it is now. Ever since 1450 AD, the printing press has allowed a level of replication and accuracy beyond comparison; a copy of the New Testament printed by Gutenburg could be replicated exactly today. Before 1450, however, copying was a much more difficult endeavor, especially around the inception of the New Testament text.
The use of paper only came to the Western world after the Crusaders in the twelfth century AD. Before then, if you wanted to write something, you would use either papyrus or vellum (also known as parchment). Papyrus was used in the East more extensively and also earlier; unfortunately, it was not very strong, and the text would wear out quickly. Vellum was a little tougher, but more difficult to write on and find, being the skin of an animal. Scribes would have to often "re-write" the text on the same piece of vellum, and we have many examples of vellum re-used for different texts (discernible by using ultraviolet light).
The paucity and difficulty of locating vellum and papyrus was further complicated by the method of copying: the human hand. Scribes would sit for hours at a time in a small, cramped, and dimly-lit portion of a monastery, copying the New Testament text from a master copy onto another copy. The process was exhausting, and extremely difficult.
Despite all of these hardships, the transmission of the New Testament text is outstanding, and God's providence can be seen within it. We currently have over 4,000 copies of at least portions of the New Testament text dating between 170-1450 AD; the "runner-up" is Homer's Iliad, of which we have about 300 copies dating from the same period. Furthermore, these 4,000+ copies are not limited to one geographic area; they come from all over the European, Mediterranean, and even the Mideastern world. The great number of texts spread out over such a great area and timespan allow us, the modern readers, to ascertain any discrepancies and inconsistancies in these copies, and allow us to determine the correct reading for all but three (3) words in the whole New Testament. There is no inconsistency or discrepancy in any copy relating to doctrine; the kinds of errors can be summed up in some general categories:
"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"In many copies, and as seen in the KJV, the scribes "harmonized" these two by inserting the Matthew prayer as the Lukan prayer. This is also seen in other occasions.
The hand of God can truly be seen in the transmission of the New Testament text. Despite 1,500 years of manual copying done by uninspired scribes, we are able to reconstruct the text down to three discrepancies, all of which just boil down to a different adjective. We can be sure that the text we use is accurate, being that which those inspired men wrote down 1,900 years ago.
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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