Easy keys to understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study
Please always get the latest version of this document, from the Bible Pages web site, at this address: www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/eg02c.htm
Need larger text? Go to your browser's "View" menu and look for "Text size" or "Zoom".
Many churches and their writers have published books and booklets with the title
"How to understand the Bible". The problem with those things is that they do that
for the purpose of causing people to "understand" the Bible the way the church in
question wants it to be "understood". In other words, those things are indoctrination.
How one ever turns this matter, the facts are that true biblical understanding cannot
come from church publications, but only from deep, personal study of the
Scriptures.
The question was, how to understand the Bible? There are certain simple and easy keys to understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. If one is not aware of certain usual errors, mistakes and pitfalls, one is likely to view numerous things in the Bible from a wrong perspective, which then leads to many misunderstandings. But, if one knows those common pitfalls and then consciously and methodically avoids them, things are easier and the meaning of many things in the Bible becomes clearer.
This essay provides a number of basic keys of that kind. They help one to see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective. This is so, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles (the NT) – there are certain mistakes that most people do when they read the New Testament.
A note: The page es01d.htm has more on bible study in general; the page es02c.htm has more on tools and helps for deeper, analytical study of the Scriptures.
One must not merely "read" the Bible; one must carefully check what it actually says, and then consider what that really means. And, here comes the important point: One must do that for the purpose of finding out what the Bible says, instead of trying to find confirmation for some church dogma or some other teaching that has caught one's interest or that one is used to.
Expressing that in another way: The most common way to not understanding the Bible, is avoiding and fearing all that is not familiar to one or not in agreement with the dogmas of some church. In that way, one will never come to know what the Bible says, but only what some church or preacher says, or similar.
This could be re-phrased and said in many different ways, but the point is that when one studies the Bible, one must strive to be objective and open-minded, laying aside all church- or sect-bound thinking and other prejudice and preconceived views.
Many churches and preachers try to stop people doing such objective study. For that, they sometimes quote Jude 3, claiming that the teachings (dogmas) of the church or preacher in question supposedly are "the faith that was once delivered unto the saints". That, of course, is total nonsense.
The world of religion is full of different doctrines, dogmas, tenets, creeds and "statements of faith". If one uses any such thing as a frame or starting point for one's study, that will not lead to good results.
Consider this fact: Doctrines, dogmas, tenets, creeds, statements of faith and so on, always consist of teachings of men. Should one follow men's teachings, or should one instead study the Bible for the purpose of finding out what that Book really says? Of course, it is the Bible one must study, rather than reading and listening to what preachers want people to believe.
The essay es08c.htm has more on the words and concepts "doctrine", "doctrines" and "dogmas", including the title "doctor of theology". The essay ee02b.htm has more on the word and concept "ordination". The essay es07c.htm has more on "professional theologians" (versus "amateur bible students"), and on the actual meaning of the words "clergy", "laity" and "scholar".
Further, it is important to realise and keep in mind that all bible-translations are a work of men and contain bias and error and misleading things, and sometimes even outright deception. That goes even for "biblical" lexicons of Hebrew and Greek, not to mention bible-commentaries and the like.
If one really wants to understand the Bible, one has to be objective. That means that one must not think that all the lofty things that were said and written to and regarding the saints (people of New Testament times), would refer to us who today read about those things. They simply do not. The Bible has a lot to "say" even to us, and believers should diligently study the Scriptures, but again, when one reads any given bible-passage, one must always consider whom that passage actually refers to.
Point: Jesus gave many promises and instructions to his disciples. Many of those things were specific to those he spoke to (such as the apostles), and do not apply to anyone else. For instance, the specific promises given to the apostles, cannot in any way be "claimed" by those who read about those things, today.
More: When the apostle Paul wrote to the saints, he indeed wrote to and concerning them (the saints, people who lived here on Earth in the first century), and not to or regarding us. Much in Paul's letters to the saints can certainly be used as guidelines even in our day, but one must keep in mind that Paul was addressing those people, and not us. Many things in the Gospels and the Epistles and all of the New Testament are specific to those saints and cannot in any way be transferred or applied to us. An example: Those saints were called "First-fruits". It is they who were that. One cannot become "the Elect" or "God's First-fruits", by reading about those who were that.
(Many preachers are well aware of this, but they read to their followers nice and lofty things that were said to and about the saints, and then they cause their followers to think that all those things apply to them – those who follow that preacher. That is an easy way for preachers to make money – tickling people's egos by making them feel that they are "the First-fruits", and much more. The true First-fruits, people of the apostles' day, are handily swept aside as if they never existed. There is more on this, later in this essay.)
In short: When one reads the Bible and sees such words as "you", "your", "we", "our", "us", one must realise and then always keep in mind that those words do not refer to us who read them in the Bible. They refer to people of biblical times. Yes, believers should study the Bible, and yes, many things in it certainly are applicable as guidelines even in our day. But again, many things that were said or promised to the apostles or the other saints (saints: people of the first century), were specific to those people, and do not apply to us.
Likewise, the books of the Old Testament were written to ancient Israel and regarding ancient Israel (and also regarding certain other people who lived here on Earth a long time ago). Yes, the Old Testament contains prophecy as well, including still unfulfilled prophecies, but the point here is that when one reads the Old Testament and sees such words as "you", "your", "we", "our", "us", one must remember that those words refer to people of ancient times.
If one really wants to understand the Bible, one must keep these things firmly in mind. But, of course, believers must make themselves thoroughly familiar with Jesus' and the apostles' teachings. And then, the Bible also contains invaluable historical knowledge, prophecies regarding coming things, in addition to guidelines for life. So, believers should study the Bible, personally, with proper tools and in depth – but again, it is important to remember that when the Bible contains such words as "you", "your", "we", "us" and our", those words refer to people of the past, people of biblical times.
This is especially regarding prophecy. One must be analytic, and check what things are fulfilled prophecy, and what things are still future. There are many preachers who quote and use fulfilled prophecies, in order to deceive and use their followers in different ways. Again, when you read a bible-passage with prophecies, be analytic, and carefully consider each prophecy, whether it has been fulfilled already, or whether it still points to a future time. This applies to both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
A common mistake in bible study has to do with verb tenses, in connection with the timing of things. When one reads the Bible and sees a passage which seemingly says that something is going to happen or will happen, and so on – then one must stop and think and ask the question, is this a future matter, or has this already happened? This is because the Bible contains records of many prophecies and similar things which were once written using the future tense, but which were then fulfilled some time after the prophecy was recorded in written form. There are still unfulfilled prophecies, but many have already been fulfilled.
Here is a small example of that, a prophecy that was fulfilled a long time ago but which certain preachers have wanted people to think to be a still future matter:
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (AKJV)
This prophecy was fulfilled circa 734 BCE to 722 BCE (see 2 Kings 15:29 and 17:6 and so on). In Isaiah 10:6, we see the future tense, "I will send". That tense was correct when that prophecy was spoken and then written down, but then the prophesied thing happened, and the written record of that prophecy became merely an interesting historical document.
Also, Isaiah 10 contains a prophecy regarding how Assyria was to be punished for its violence against Israel. Even that prophecy came to be fulfilled, and is now just a fact of history. And no, there is no indication of any "repetitive fulfilment" of those prophecies. There will be upheavals and wars in what we view as "end time", but those prophecies regarding Assyria were fulfilled for more than 2,000 years ago and are past time. (The page ew08b.htm has some notes regarding the ancient kingdom of Assyria.)
Now, this with Assyria was only a small example. There are, of course, many similar things where it is, for different reasons, all too easy to misunderstand a given bible passage. One must read the Bible with thought and care. One has to study it in depth, analysing things and thinking and finding out facts. Also, one must understand that there simply are no "good translations" of the Bible. All translations contain error and bias and often even consciously twisted things and outright deception. There is also the fact that quite often, bible-translators have used wrong verb tenses; even that can mislead many, regarding timings.
A note especially to those who have been subjected to the Anglo-Israelist dogma: See the "Additional reading" section at the end of this essay, and look for the essays that have to do with the fate of the tribes of Israel. The "tribes" series consists of totally seventeen essays; some of them are mentioned in the "additional reading" section" towards the end of this present document.
Many bible-versions make it seem that the Old Covenant would have been "for ever" (or "everlasting" or "eternal", or whatever). An example:
Leviticus 6:22 And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever to the LORD; it shall be wholly burnt. (AKJV, highlighting added)
The old Hebrew word in question was olam (owlam). It is said to have been related to alam which apparently meant something like "to hide from sight". A number of Old Testament passages make it fully clear that olam meant a long, but still not endless, period of time. The idiomatic meaning of olam perhaps was "of long duration, so that the end of the matter cannot be seen" (on the relatively short, human point of view). A note: Olam could also refer to past time.
Olam simply referred to a long time, a period of time of the past or of the future, where the beginning or end of that period could not readily be seen (was "hid from sight"; alam). But, it did not signify "for ever" in the meaning "for all time to come". The essay eg09b.htm has more details and examples on this.
It is unfortunate that many English bible-versions translate olam with the misleading phrase "for ever". Some translations use such words as "permanent", "perpetual" and "age-enduring", but even that is misleading. It is totally clear that olam only meant "a long time into the future", and, when it was used of past events or past time, the meaning was something like "since ancient days".
Likewise, it is totally clear from both historical and "theological" points of view, that many of the things where the Old Testament Hebrew text has olam, indeed have come to their end – that's right: A long time ago. Knowing and remembering this, is a vital key to better understanding of the Bible.
Again, the essay eg09b.htm sorts out the translation and meaning of the word olam.
Most churches and preachers have severely misleading dogmas regarding the two covenants, old and new. Because of that, the covenants matter is a very difficult subject for many people. And yet, it is a central key to proper biblical understanding.
One very common but also very misleading dogma talks about "the letter of the law" versus a supposed "spirit of the law". But, the facts are that those phrases are not found in the Bible. Neither the phrase "the letter of the law" nor the phrase "the spirit of the law" are found in Scripture.
This is regarding 2 Corinthians 3 and Romans 7 when the apostle Paul wrote about the letter versus the Spirit. With the phrase "the letter", he referred to the Old Covenant and its rules, and with the phrase "the Spirit" referred to the Holy Spirit and the New Covenant. So, it was not a matter of "applying the Old Covenant in a spiritual way" as some have claimed. Instead, the apostle was talking about the Holy Spirit and a totally new covenant. The essay ec13c.htm has more on 2 Corinthians 3:6 and Romans 7:6 and the matter of "the letter" versus "the Spirit".
There is much more to the matter of the two covenants, old and new. Because of the width and complexity of that subject, only links to other essays will be given here. The essays ec01c.htm and ec02d.htm have more on those two covenants in general. The essay ec08c.htm considers Jeremiah 31:31 and shows where the New Covenant's "writing" really is found and what it consists of. The essay ec10c.htm explains Galatians 3 and what "the law that came 430 years later" actually was. The essay ec09b.htm considers "covenant signs" and shows what the New Covenant's sign really is. The essay ec11c.htm shows that the New Covenant is not "a renewal of the Old Covenant" as some preachers have claimed, but a totally new covenant.
A part of the covenants matter is the Decalogue. Many people may not know this, but the facts are that the phrase "the Ten Commandments" was coined in the Middle Ages and is a mistranslation. The Hebrew text talks about "the words of the covenant, the ten words" (Exodus 34:28) and, in a shorter form, "the ten words" (Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:4).
The word "Decalogue" comes from the Greek phrase tous deka logous, "the ten words", in Exodus 34:28 in the Septuagint [1] which has in that verse kai egrapsên ta rêmata tauta api tên plakôn tês diathêkês tous deka logous, "and he wrote those words on the tables, the ten words of the covenant". In Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:4, we find the shorter wordings ta deka rêmata and tous deka logous, both meaning "the ten words". Even the Latin Vulgate has in Exodus 34:28 verba foederis decem, "the ten words of the covenant". The misleading wording "the Ten Commandments" was invented in the Middle Ages; it was introduced in 1560 in the Geneva bible. Earlier English translations such as Wycliffe (1395) and Coverdale (1535) did not have it.
[1] The Septuagint, also called LXX, is an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament.
Here is the passage in question, as the 1917 Jewish translation Society version has it:
Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten words. (JPS-1917, highlighting added)
Consider this: Words – of which covenant? Why, of the one that was made at Sinai, the Old Covenant. Understanding this matter in depth, is a vital key to understanding many other things in the Bible. The essay ec06f.htm has more on that very important subject.
That is, matters and events which from our viewpoint are things of the past. Here is an example of that:
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. (KJV-1769, highlighting added)
Some might be misled to think that that refers to what we view as "end time". But no, that is not so. Partially, this is a translation problem, and partially, a case of different time-perspectives. First, let us take a look at a slightly different translation:
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, and I will tell you what will befall you at the end of days. (DBY, highlighting added)
The Hebrew wording simply meant "at the end of days" – that is, "in days to come", "in the future" – and then, one must realise that that is something Jacob said for more than 3000 years ago. He was speaking to his sons about what was to happen to their descendants, when they came into the Promised Land. Point: The things Jacob was speaking about, certainly were future events from his time-perspective, but from our viewpoint they are events of the ancient past.
Again, the Bible contains many still unfulfilled prophecies, regarding things that are to happen in what from our viewpoint is "end time". But, many prophecies have already been fulfilled. Here, it is important to realise that in the Bible, time-related expressions which at first glance might seem to refer to a still future time, often do not do that at all.
Let us consider a New Testament passage which speaks about "last days". It records something that was written to some Jewish saints ("Hebrews"):
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds (NKJV, highlighting added)
Verse 2, "has in these last days spoken". Was the apostle talking about things that were still in the future? No, but about things that had already happened, when he wrote that letter to those saints. "Has spoken". So, even though verse 2 contains the words "last days", from our viewpoint those things and events took place almost 2000 years ago.
2 Timothy 3 is a similar passage. Even there, Paul used the expression "in the last days" (en eschatais hemarais, 2 Timothy 3:1), of things which had already taken place when he wrote about them. He wrote to Timothy regarding certain men who apparently had been causing trouble in the saints' fellowships, in one way or another. 2 Timothy 3:8 shows that he likened those men to "Jannes and Jambres" (that was a reference to certain Egyptian tricksters). (The essay ea15c.htm has more on the "Jannes and Jambres" type of men of 2 Timothy 3.)
There are other, similar passages where it is easy to misunderstand things, if one does not notice that Paul actually wrote about things and events of his own day, when he used such expressions as "last days" or "latter times".
It is the same with certain things that the apostle John wrote. Let us consider his words about "the last hour" (which some have translated as "the last time" or similar):
1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. (ESV, highlighting added)
What was the time-frame? Did John write, "it will be the last hour, after 2000 years"? No, he wrote, "it is the last hour". That is – it was the "last hour" when John sent that letter to some saints, in the first century.
A note: For many people, this may be hard to understand, partially because of all kinds of misleading dogmas regarding the antichristoi whom John mentioned. The word antichristos occurs only in (the Greek text of) 1 and 2 John, and – this is important – it referred to something that was there, when John wrote those letters. The essay eo02d.htm has more on the pseudochristoi and antichristoi whom Jesus and John mentioned; right here the point here is only that when John wrote "last hour", that was a reference to something that was happening and had already happened, when he wrote that letter. (The essay eg04b.htm explains why Peter, John, Paul and James used such wordings as "these last days" and "the last hour", and so on.)
There are other, similar passages. Here is one of them:
James 5:3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. (NKJV, highlighting added)
"In the last days" – when was that? Well, it was when James wrote that letter. It was not, "in coming days, 2,000 years from now, you will heap up a treasure". No, it was "you have heaped up treasure". And no, James was not writing about people of our day, but to and regarding people of his own day, in the first century.
Thus, even here the expression "last days" refers to something that took place in biblical times. This is important to keep in mind when one studies the Bible, because there are many similar passages.
Likewise, the book of Revelation contains such wordings as "things which must shortly take place", and so on. Now, it is clear that the book of Revelation is a mix, and contains even certain prophecies which have not been fulfilled yet. But, the things regarding which Jesus had John write "which must shortly take place" and so on, were indeed things and events that then took place shortly after that, in the first century.
Again, Peter, John, Paul and James had good reasons for using such wordings as "these last days", "the last hour", and so on. The essay eg04b.htm explains why.
One must read the Bible with care. When one sees such expressions as "last days", "last hour", "the end", and so on, one must realise that one may be reading about something that is past time, something that happened a long, long time ago. Again, there are many prophecies that have not been fulfilled yet, but it is important to remember that in the Bible, such expressions as "the end", "end time", "last days" or similar, often refer to things that from our point of view are events of the ancient past.
Churches and preachers cause people to think that the members of some church supposedly are "saints", and that the things the Bible says about the saints, supposedly apply to those church-members. It would be nice if things were so, but they are not.
Many preachers talk about a supposed "true church". They build a deceiving dogma around a misleading translation of Matthew 16:18 (which in actual fact talks about an assembly consisting of immortals, which Jesus said he would form). But, in short: The immortal assembly of Matthew 16:18 is not an earthly one. The essay ea01d.htm has more on that verse and matter and on the "true church" dogma. The essay eg06b.htm explains the actual origin and meaning of the word "church".
Then, there is a dogma that twists Galatians 4:26 and claims that some church supposedly is "the mother of all saints", and that one supposedly must belong to such a church, in order to be saved. But, the apostle Paul was not talking about a "church" but about the heavenly Jerusalem. He made an allegory where he compared the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The point in his allegory (Galatians 4) was that the heavenly Jerusalem (connected to Sarah, Abraham's freewoman wife and the New Covenant) is free, whereas the earthly Jerusalem (connected to Hagar, Abraham's slave wife and the Old Covenant) was not free. Again, Paul was not talking about a church or churches. He was talking about the two covenants, old and new. The essay ea02d.htm has more on Galatians 4:26 and the old, Catholic "mother church" dogma which many preachers have copied and then used for controlling people.
Then, some preachers have promulgated dogmas regarding supposed "church eras". That is an old Baptist (Millerite) concept which is based on a twisted interpretation of Revelation 2-3. That dogma has then been copied by various churches and preachers. But, the facts are that the Bible does not mention any "eras of the church". The assemblies mentioned in Revelation 2-3 were contemporary, and they existed in the apostle John's day, in the first century. More: A closer study of historical sources shows that the groups (sects) that some preachers have presented as supposed "eras of the church", were in fact gnostic, occult groupings, splits from the Catholic Church. They were not in any way "pure" or "original". The essay ea03d.htm has more on the "church eras" dogma.
If one allows oneself to be fooled into thinking that some churches or preachers supposedly are "acting for God" and that they supposedly have "authority" in spiritual, biblical and religious matters, or that they are "representatives of God", then that will be the end of one's personal and independent, meaningful bible-study. Then one will be following men, reading their teachings into the Bible, instead of trying to find out what Jesus and the apostles actually taught.
Let us read what Jesus said to his disciples, in regard to things of this nature:
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
In this connection, it is good to know that the word "doctrine" comes from the Latin doctrina which simply means "teaching", and that the Latin word doctor means "teacher", "master". Doctrines (dogmas, tenets, creeds) always consist of teachings of men. The essay es08c.htm takes a closer look at the words and concepts "doctrine", "doctrines" and "dogmas", including the title "doctor of theology".
The essays es06d.htm and es05c.htm have more on "biblical authority". The essay ee03c.htm sorts out the "servant leadership" dogma which a certain American writer invented in 1970.
A note: Some preachers have quoted certain badly translated passages in Paul's epistles, and used them for claiming that people should follow them (follow men and men's teachings). But, that is just a good example of why one must study the Bible, instead of believing what preachers say. For, the Greek text of Paul's letters shows that he did not tell anyone to "follow him as a leader". What he did, was instead that he told the saints to imitate his example, in regard to certain specific matters. And then – the example that Paul and his companions set and told others to imitate, is something that preachers do not want people to know or understand. The essay em03c.htm explains why this is so, and shows what that example really was. That essay also sorts out the dogmas about "following".
Many preachers control their followers, partially through fear, and partially through tickling their egos. The fear-part is often produced by causing people to believe that they have to follow and obey the preacher and give him a lot of money, or else they will be lost, or at least end up in some fiery torture. The other trick, the ego-tickling part, is done, among other things, by causing people to think that if they join the preacher's church, they supposedly become a part of the first-fruits group 144,000 of the book of Revelation.
Many churches and preachers have handily swept aside the true first-fruits, the saints, people of New Testament times. In the real world, it is of course those saints (again, people of the apostles' day) who are the first-fruits. It is they (people who lived here on Earth during the first century) who make up the first-fruits group of 144,000.
Many churches and preachers have also caused people to misunderstand who the great multitude of the book of Revelation really are. (They have to do that, in order to succeed in their ego-tickling deception connected to the 144,000.) There is much more to this, but all the details cannot be included here. However, in short: The great multitude of the book of Revelation is the huge group who in the future will be sealed with the Holy Spirit, when the two witnesses do their work, but the first-fruits group of 144,000 consists of the saints who were sealed by the Holy Spirit in the first century. The essay et03c.htm has more on the 144,000 and the great multitude and the difference between those groups. The essay eb07d.htm has more on the five foolish and five wise virgins of the parable of Matthew 25.
The essay eg03c.htm has some notes regarding the words and concepts "saint" and "sainthood". The essay eg01c.htm takes a closer look at the words "heathen", "gentile" and "pagan", and the way many people use them. The essays eb01c.htm, eb02c.htm and eb03d.htm have more on the distribution of the Holy Spirit and on "calling", "election" and "predestination".
Another key to better biblical understanding is the matter of the Kingdom of God – what, when and where that Kingdom (or Reign) really is.
That subject is too large to be included here, but in short: The Kingdom or Reign of God is not something that is going to be "established in the future"; nor is it "something in the hearts of men". God's Reign or Kingdom exists; it has existed for a time longer than we humans can even understand, and it is based in Heaven.
At this time, our world is not a part of that Kingdom; this is because this planet is still in wicked, rebel hands. It is only in the future when Jesus comes again, that even this world will become a part of God's Reign (Kingdom).
The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Kingdom of God. There is also the matter of the "keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" or "keys of the Reign of Heaven", which Jesus promised to his disciples. That had to do with the fact that those disciples were to reign together with Jesus; the essay eb08c.htm has more on that subject.
To avoid being mislead in bible study, one has to have some means for checking whether the different bible-versions are correct or not.
Consider this: All bible-translations have been produced by men – mostly by churches and churchmen, for the needs and purposes of churches and churchmen. That means that those translations contain bias and error and even purposely twisted things, for the benefit of churches and churchmen (preachers and others).
Many preachers may tell their followers to read the Bible, but for the most part they do not want them to acquire and use modern study tools such as computer bibles. Rather, they want people to leave biblical things to "the professionals" or "the ordained people". And, if they mention bible study, they often tell people that they should study "under the guidance of the church". In such a case, they put brochures, booklets and "correspondence courses" in people's hands. All that means reading church dogmas into the Bible, instead of finding out what the Bible really says.
Those preachers are clever (shrewd) in that. Because, if people really studied the Bible in depth, they would find out, for instance, that the Greek text of the New Testament does not give any support to the concept "ordination". It is only in translations (made by and for churches and churchmen), that such a concept is found. The same goes for many other things. The essay ee02b.htm has more on the concept of "ordaining", and shows that it has no basis in the Greek text of the NT. The essay es03c.htm has some notes regarding problems with bible-translations, including the KJ version and the deceiving, idolatrous cult which has been built around it.
In order to avoid mistakes and errors in bible study, one must also acquire and use proper study tools – modern, effective ones. The page es01d.htm has more on bible study in general. If you want to really "get going" with your study, use a modern, extensive computer bible suite. Rightly used, a computer bible can revolutionise one's bible study. The page es02c.htm has information on computer bible suites.
Why a computer bible, some might say? Is it not enough that one reads a printed bible? No, because all bible-translations have bias, error and often even purposely twisted things. This is where a decent computer bible comes in so handy; it provides a way to checking multiple translations at the same time, and checking what the Hebrew and Greek texts say, compared to what translations say. If one is interested about what the Bible really has to say, then one should, if one at all is able, use a computer bible.
Here, a word of warning: It is important to realise and remember, that the different modules (translations, dictionaries, lexicons, commentaries) in computer bible suites, are just as biased and infested with error, as their printed versions are.
But, with a modern computer bible suite, one can compare several different translations and lexicons with each other, and even endeavour to check what the Hebrew and Greek texts actually say.
Some might say, "I have no time for such things". Well, the thing is that with a computer bible, one can study a given matter in the Bible much, much faster than with printed books. (Provided that one bothers to find out how the computer bible works, learning to use it.) And, as to time – believers must have priorities. That includes their use of time. The essay ew06b.htm provides an easy way to getting much more time for things that are important.
If you already have a computer bible, check for a newer version and for updated and additional modules. Or, perhaps you perhaps should get a better one? For more on this, see the page es02c.htm.
A note regarding "interlinear bibles": Many people have been caused to think that they would somehow be more reliable and objective than translations without a Greek text. But, all those interlinears are, of course, a work of men, where the translators have included their bias and (through a shrewd choice of words) church dogmas and so on. In other words: Interlinear bibles are just as biased and slanted as other translations. (And, as was mentioned earlier, the same goes even for computer bibles, of course.)
One very important key to better understanding of the Bible – let us say the most important one – is prayer. Asking God for understanding. That also includes asking for correction so that one can be freed from old misunderstandings and misleading dogmas.
Always when one studies the Scriptures, one must ask God to guide and inspire one and help one to understand what one reads. And also, one must also ask God to help one to understand what things in the Bible apply to one's own life, and then ask him to help one to wisely put those things into practice in one's daily life.
The essay eb11c.htm has more on prayer in general.
Here, a word of warning. Many preachers tell people who notice that some church dogma lacks biblical support, to "pray about it". Those people then pray about that dogma, and keep on praying, each time mentioning the dogma in question and thinking about it. That works as self-suggestion (as a kind of hypnosis), and makes the dogma in question more and more familiar and acceptable to them, until they finally see it as "truth" – despite the fact that there is no biblical support for it. Point: One must ask God to understand when the Bible says, instead of continually praying about some church dogma.
There may be many other keys to better biblical understanding. The purpose of this essay is not to make a complete list of them, but to give a number basic keys which can serve as a good starting point on the way to better biblical understanding.
Table of contents – What's new here? – Key-word index – Search function – Goal and purpose – Contact, comment, question
If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
How to study the Bible in a deeper way. Some simple guidelines and notes on study methods. Also, advice and information on easily available practical study helps and useful modern-day tools and resources which, on top of many other things, can help one to view and translate the Hebrew OT and Greek NT texts. → es01d.htm
For real and thorough in-depth study and exegesis of the Scriptures, an interlinear bible with Strong's numbers and a concordance with a lexicon and bible commentaries are not good enough; a computer bible is needed. Some facts and recommendations regarding bible study suites for computers, including tools for word search, word study and adding and editing your own electronic marginal notes verse for verse, tools for studying the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek text of the New Testament, and links for download of bible software (both free and commercial). → es02c.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
Gentiles, pagans and heathen or heathens – what do those words mean? This exposition makes it plain and clear what the concepts "gentile", "pagan" and "heathen" actually refer to, in the Bible. → eg01c.htm
The concepts "saint" and "sainthood" analysed. Does the Bible define or clarify who is a saint and what sainthood consists of? Also: Are there saints here on Earth, in our day? What do the Scriptures say concerning these things? Further: What is the etymology of the word "saint", and what does it really mean? → eg03c.htm
What does the English language word and concept "doctrine" literally mean? Likewise, the terms "dogma", "creed" and "tenet", what do they signify? Countless preachers and doctors of theology compile dogmas, creeds, tenets and doctrinal statements of beliefs, and claim them to be "the Truth". But, they do not agree with each other. Their opinions and teachings differ, depending on their denomination and its viewpoints, and there is much confusion. So, the pertinent question is, who has the "true doctrines" or "correct dogmas"? What should one think – do the Scriptures give any guidance regarding this matter? What does the Bible say about "doctrine"? In this essay, those things are clarified. → es08c.htm
What does the Bible say about ordaining and ordination? In other words: How did the saints appoint or choose their elders? And, were those elders "ordained", and did they function as "priests" of some kind? → ee02b.htm
"Amateur bible students" versus "professional theologians". Some preachers have spitefully called people who actively study the Bible on their own, "amateur theologians". Indeed, many a clergyman seems to feel that a layman should not put his or her nose into theological studies but should rather leave those things to "experts". But, is that correct? This treatise sorts out that matter, and clarifies and explains in layman's terms the linguistic and historical background of the concepts "clergymen" and "laymen", and gives the definition and actual meaning of such words as "clergy", "laity", "scholar" and "scholarly". → es07c.htm
A few things regarding certain ancient kingdoms which are mentioned in the Bible. (Assyria, Babylon or Chaldea, Persia and Media.) → ew08b.htm
On the fate of the ten "lost" tribes of Israel. → Look under the heading "Tribes" on the index-page keyw-t4.htm.
Regarding the misleading translations "for ever" and "everlasting" in the Old Testament. The actual meaning of the Hebrew word olam (owlam). → eg09b.htm
Jannes and Jambres of 2 Timothy 3 – who were they? → ea15c.htm
What does the Bible say about the antichrist or antichrists? The meaning of the Greek word antichristos. Also: The apostle John spoke about multiple antichristoi, plural, not a singular one only. → eo02d.htm
What happened to the saints, in the first century? Also, some notes on the "early church". → eg04b.htm
Many talk about "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law" – but those expressions are not found in the Bible. A detailed, down to the core study on 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 and Romans 7:6 and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to when he wrote about the letter as opposed to the Spirit. → ec13c.htm
The New Covenant versus the Old Covenant, or the Old Covenant versus the New Covenant. Also, some notes on Matthew 5:17 and 18. → ec01c.htm
Several important points regarding the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. This essay ties in with its companion ec01c.htm (look above) which is about those two covenants and the difference between them. → ec02d.htm
Where can one find New Covenant's law or rules, in written form? Also, notes on Jeremiah 31:33 and the Holy Spirit. → ec08c.htm
Galatians 3:17-19 – what did Paul mean by the term "added law"? What was the original thing? And, the addition that came 430 years later, was it some "extra rituals", or something else? Further: What did the apostle Paul mean when he in that same epistle wrote, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" (3:2) and, "Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, do you not understand the Law?" (4:21). Those things in the letter to the saints in Galatia might seem confusing, but this essay makes them clearer and more easily understood, and shows what the apostle was talking about. → ec10c.htm
Covenant signs, including the sign of the New Covenant which shows who really are God's people. The Old Covenant's sign was the circumcision of males. What is the New Covenant's sign, seal or token? → ec09b.htm
Is the New Covenant a "renewal" or "modification" of the Old Covenant? → ec11c.htm
The Ten Commandments – that phrase was coined in the Middle Ages and is a mistranslation. The Hebrew text talks about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". On the Decalogue, the "ten words" or eser dabarim as the Hebrew text has it, or tous deka logous as the Greek Septuagint or LXX translated it. → ec06f.htm
Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". What was Jesus talking about? What is the immortal assembly or ekklêsia which he said he would form, and where is it located? Is it an earthly religious organisation in this world – a church – or is it a heavenly assembly that has as its members the saints who have become immortals? → ea01d.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
What does Galatians 4:26 mean? It talks about the heavenly Jerusalem and is a part of an allegory regarding the two covenants. Why have some preachers then claimed that it refers to some church? This essay finds the facts regarding the allegory of Galatians 4:21-31, and shows what the different things named in it pictured and symbolised. → ea02d.htm
Church eras – do they exist? Are there seven "eras of the Church", as some have claimed – "Sardis era", "Philadelphian era", "Laodicean era" and so on? Is there any biblical basis for that dogma? The question in a nutshell: The seven assemblies mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 – were they contemporary assemblies of saints in the days of John (as the book of Revelation describes them), or are they, as some have claimed, successive "eras of the Church of God" that exist in later times and continue to our day? → ea03d.htm
Whom should one listen to in biblical matters, and whom not? → es05c.htm
Is "servant leadership" a biblical concept? Did elders in the saints' fellowships act as "servant leaders"? What the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples. → ee03c.htm
On the example the apostle Paul set, for others to imitate. Paul did not tell people to "follow him as a leader"; what he did was that he told the saints to imitate him, to copy his example. It is important for believers to know what kind of example Paul referred to and meant, and in what connection. → em03c.htm
The identity and timing of the 144,000 and the great multitude of Revelation 7, and the first-fruits or virgins of Revelation 14:1-4 – who those groups really are, and when they came or come into existence. → et03c.htm
Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins. The five wise virgins, the five foolish ones, the lamps and the oil. → eb07d.htm
Predestination. The destiny of humans: Is it already fixed and decided, as some have claimed? Are all people, or some individuals, "predestined"? → eb03d.htm
The two witnesses of the book of Revelation. Also: Similarities between their work and that of Moses, Elijah, and John the Baptist. → et01e.htm
A challenge for all believers, regarding something very important. → ew06b.htm
What does the Bible say about calling, election, sanctification and justification? → eb02c.htm
The Holy Spirit – an outline and a no-nonsense synopsis of the matter of the distribution of God's Spirit, in the past, today, and in the coming days of the future. Also: Whose baptism is valid? Churches and preachers baptise people, but they are not notably changed and no obvious signs or fruit of the Spirit are seen in their lives. Why is that? Is the Spirit of God at all given to humans, at this present time? → eb01c.htm
The King James bible, the Authorised Version – is it somehow "the inspired Word of God", better than other translations, or a particularly "holy" bible-version, or the best or most exact or accurate one as some have claimed? Also: In what way or sense is it authoritative, or, who "authorised" it? This essay has some details of the story behind the King James translation or KJV, including the men who were involved in producing it. Two examples of pages in KJV-1611 are included as well; one is an image showing the page with Hebrews 1, the other is a PDF-file containing a facsimile, picture format copy of the book of Matthew in the year 1611 edition of the King James version. There are also some brief remarks on the so-called "Received Text" or Textus Receptus, the Greek NT text compilation produced by the Catholic priest Gerrit Gerritszoon ("Erasmus"). → es03c.htm
What does the Bible say about authority? Who has biblical, spiritual or religious authority on the mundane, human level? Who can speak for God? Knowing the answers to those questions is a vital key to understanding the Bible in a better and deeper way. → es06d.htm
How should one pray? A study on prayer, prayers and praying. → eb11c.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
On Jesus' teaching regarding "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" or "the keys of the Reign of Heaven". Bible study notes on Matthew 16 verse 19, with context. What did the word "keys" depict or symbolise? What is the interpretation of that passage – what was it that Jesus was saying to his disciples? Also, a general overview and comments on the subject of "binding and loosing". → eb08c.htm
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
→
purpose.htm
Table of contents for this site, including a synopsis or a short, summary description
of each essay or article. →
filename.htm
Search for specific words, phrases or bible passages at this site. →
search.htm
An alphabetical bible topic keyword index of the essays and articles at this site:
1-9
– A
– B
– C
– D
– E
– F
– G
– H
– I
– J
– K
– L
– M
– N
– O
– P
– Q
– R
– S
– T
– U
– V
– W
– X
– Y – Z –
Detailed index overview
If you find any of the essays or treatises at this site interesting and helpful, please provide a copy to other people as well. But before printing or distributing anything, make sure to get the very latest version, exactly as it is, directly from this web site. In regard to printable copies of these pages, for example as PDF-format papers, booklets or brochures or so – there are no specially printer friendly variants (except some bible puzzles), nor is there a need for that – simply, when you print an essay, set the margins and the text size to fit your needs and the paper you use, in the program you use for viewing these pages, and then send it to your printer. (This varies in different browsers and word processing programs. In web browsers, for setting the margin size and headers and footers, look for "Print Format" in the File menu; to set the text size for print-out, look under "Preview" or "View" in the same menu.)
Important: You are welcome to quote the documents at this site – the Bible Pages – provided that you mention the source, by giving the full web address to the page in question. Please link to these essays and give copies to friends. However, you may not re-publish any part of the contents of this site, as a booklet, brochure or on the Internet or in other ways, without a permission from the author; he retains the copyright. For more on copying and quoting, and a few words about the author and his religious education and credentials, see the page purpose.htm.
The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. And then, the essay that you are reading now (above) supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to understanding the Bible better by avoiding certain common errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
The address to this page is www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/eg02c.htm
Please send or mention the address to this site to others, and link to these pages.
This page was created or modified 2010-02-28.