UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE 3

 UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF  THE BIBLE 3

Oct 18,  2023

 

 By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

"For this people’s heart is  waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at  any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with  their ears, and should  understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matthew  13:15 

" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be  ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.." 2 Timothy 2:15

     The word 'Study' in 2 Timothy 2;15 is the Greek word  spoudazō it means : use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do diligence, be diligent , endeavour, labour, study. This means we should not delay to investigate the authenticity of words because as soon as a word is spoken it either results in  death or life . 

   The bible in Matthew 13:15  says healing comes from the understanding of scriptures therefore , it is our duty to bring healing to the nations through the proper interpretation of the scriptures. 

  There are four ways employed by preachers in the understanding of scriptures 1) Historical critical technique : this involves the interpretation of the text based on the meaning of a text in a distant period considering the culture and place .This is behind usage of Jewish religious dates and celebrations of Jewish traditions in the modern church. This method does not consider the modern methods of critical analysis and neglects the objective facts of the use of grammar .For instance the old testament Sabbath is a type of the rest from faith in Jesus Christ.  Apostle Paul describes historical Jewish traditions as shadows (Colossians 2:17) ,the substance in Jesus Christ. 

2) The Proof In the Text Technique : this involves the preacher employing a naïve reading of the biblical text with total disregard of the context . The preacher seeks to select words that coincide with the topic . It is like saying medicines with similar colours have the same function. Similar sounding words do not necessarily have same meanings.

3) The reader's response techniques: this involves the preacher determining the meaning of the text mostly in an illogical and new manner each time with conflicting meanings . This results in the lost of all means of authentication of the text resulting in the loss of the authority to the text . Jesus Christ spoke with authority and his  followers are expected to do likewise 

4) The theological syntactical technique : this involves considering the grammatical analysis of the text using the syntax ( the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.) of  phrases , clauses ,contexts and the various paragraphs that makes up a thought or idea in the text . This involves seeking to know the purpose , the scope and reason for the text and their present day relevance and application.

This is the most effective way for the analysis of the scriptures . it requires using the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries and use of grammar when the text was written and how it is applied now. 

 Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in your research . This requires a lot of patience and good listening ability. 

Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as Lord and saviour and receive revelation for innovations and prosperity in Jesus name.

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