HOW TO READ, STUDY, AND INTERPRET THE BIBLE CORRECTLY

READING
The scriptures say that the word of God is food for us and we cannot survive without it:

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word of God." - Luke 4:4
The Bible also says that the word of God is water to wash you clean from the filth that the flesh,
the devil, and the world throw at you everyday:
"[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," - Ephesians
5:25,26
"[9] Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy
word." - Psalms 119:9
"[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." - John 15:3
This means you need to read it every day. Come up with a reading plan. For instance: read 2
chapters of the New Testament in the morning along with one Proverb. Then read 3-4 chapters of
the Old Testament at night. Make sure you pray before reading.
"[13] Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." - I Timothy 4:13

STUDYING
We need to also study the Bible so that we may have sound doctrine:
"[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." - II Timothy 2:15
["2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine.
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - II
Timothy 4:2-4
"[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - II Timothy
3:15-17
"[9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound
doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." - Titus 1:9
What is doctrine?
DOCTRINE, noun [Latin , to teach.]
1. In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever
is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or
truths taught by Christ and his apostles. The doctrines of Plato are the principles which he taught.
Hence a doctrine may be true or false; it may be a mere tenet or opinion.
Doctrine is the teaching of a particular subject. To have SOUND doctrine is to know the truth
about a particular subject. To believe FALSE doctrine is to believe lies and false teaching about a
particular subject. It's that simple. To say doctrine is not important is to say THE TRUTH OF
THE BIBLE IS NOT IMPORTANT.
Let's look at the major areas of doctrine that you should be studying so that you have sound
doctrine on each of this subjects.
BIBLIOLOGY-THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE
THEOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
CHRISTOLOGY-THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST
PNEUMATOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
ANGELOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS
ANTHROPOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF MAN
HAMARTIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF SIN
ESCHATOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS
SOTERIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
ECCLESIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
You should know where you stand on each of these particular subjects. This includes learning all
the verses in context that prove each doctrine.
Studying the word of God takes time, patience, and diligence. You must have a hunger and desire
to know the truth and God's will for your life.
"[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." -
Matthew 5:6
You do not gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding overnight. You must desire it as you
would desire the finest treasure in the world:
"[13] Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
[14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than
fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her." - Proverbs 3:13-15
ATTITUDE ABOUT STUDYING
Besides making time, being diligent and patient, and having a hunger for the truth; what else do
you need to study the word of God?
1. The fear of the Lord: - which is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding
When you study the word of God and begin to really see who God is in all of his awesome
holiness; you should have a sense of reverence, awe, and fear in regard to His unchanging
character and righteous precepts.
"[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding." - Proverbs 9:10
"[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and
instruction." - Proverbs 1:7
2. Love for God
The first and great commandment is to love God and Jesus said that one of the ways it will be
known that someone loves Jesus is if they keep His words.
"[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my
Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
[24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but
the Father's which sent me." - John 14:23,24
3. Humility.
God resists the proud and will not teach you anything as long as pride stands in the way. Pride
prevents you from acknowledging your own sins and faults with repentance and a desire to
change and conform to the word of God.
"[6] But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
unto the humble." - James 4:6
"...but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at
my word." - Isaiah 66:2
The combination of the fear of God and humility will insure that you never doubt God's word nor
will you question the righteousness of God's commandments.
4. Prayer
The Bible says the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. The only way this will happen is if
you ask! Pray for God to guide you into all truth, protect you from deception, to give you
wisdom, to hide the word in your heart, and to build up your faith.
"[7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you:
[8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it
shall be opened." - Matthew 7:7,8
"[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come." - John 16:13
"[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any
man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." - I John 2:27
This doesn't mean you don't need teachers, it means they didn't need to be taught as babes in
Christ, they didn't need Gnostic philosphers teaching them(which is the context), and they were
able to discern between true and false teaching.
If they didn't need any teachers, why was John the Apostle writing to them to teach them???
Why does the Bible say this?
"[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;" - Ephesians 4:11-14
Pastors and teachers are given to HELP other Christians. For the perfecting of the saints(to bring
them to maturity), for the work of the ministry(to serve other people), for the edifying of the
Body of Christ(to build up and strengthen the faith of other saints), and to help protect saints
from being carried about with every wind of doctrine. Teachers are a gift to the saints, not lords
over them trying to control them.
Spurgeon had this to say about those who would not be taught by anyone else:
“Give yourself unto reading. The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes
will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has
no brains of his own. You need to read." - Charles Spurgeon
I also find it funny when people say they will not read commentaries, yet they will watch and
listen to sermons....which are nothing but commentaries on the Bible spoken out loud!
...back to what we should pray for when we study:
"[11] Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalms 119:11
"[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
Also pray for God to help you meditate on His word:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and
night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." - Joshua 1:8
By meditate, God does not mean to empty your mind. Jesus specifically warned against praying
"vain repetitions as the heathen do" which is one technique they use to empty their mind.
What does it mean to meditate?
MED'ITATE, verb intransitive [Latin meditor.]
1. To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in
the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of
the great truths of religion.

You cannot understand the Bible, have sound doctrine, or have any truth unless it is revealed to
you by the Holy Spirit. First, you need to be saved, unsaved people cannot understand the deep
spiritual truths of the scriptures. Second, you need to pray for the Holy Spirit to show you the
truth. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible through men, therefore He alone can guide you through it
and teach you.
"[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we
might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - I Corinthians
2:12-14

5. Faith
When studying, you must not only believe God exists, but you must believe everything in the
word of God without question. You must stand on all the promises of the scriptures by faith.
"[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6
6. Obedience
God's word isn't just to be studied in order to increase your knowledge just for the sake of
increasing knowledge. God's word is to be believed and obeyed out of love and godly fear.
"[22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." - James 1:22-25
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When you study it is very helpful to have a few other tools to help. Some tools I use to study
with are:
1828 Webster's dictionary - KJV simple search - Way of Life Encyclopedia
Also various commentaries like: John Gill, Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, John Wesley, Charles
Spurgeon, Adam Clarke, etc.
I have hard copies of these, but most all of these can be found on the internet. A King James
Bible search program I use for all my studies can be found here:
KJV Simple Search
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/simple.html
It is good for you to study in different ways. You can study topically by searching a particular
word, phrase, or topic all throughout the Bible. You can also study the lives of people in the
scriptures. You can study individual books of the Bible as well. All of these approaches should be
utilized to be balanced and sound in the faith.
***Make sure you study the definitions of words. The definition of a word in the Bible could
mean something different than that same word means today in our culture.
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RULES FOR PROPER INTERPRETATION
"Hermeneutics, broadly, is the art of text interpretation. Biblical hermeneutics may be
understood as the theological principles of exegesis which is often virtually synonymous with
'principles of biblical interpretation'
"Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text.
Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary
usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical
exegesis" is used for greater specificity. In Biblical exegesis, the opposite of exegesis (to draw
out) is eisegesis (to draw in), in the sense of an eisegetic commentator "importing" or "drawing
in" his or her own purely subjective interpretations(private interpretations) in to the text,
unsupported by the text itself."

Eisegesis is how you get most heresy and false doctrine. This is when someone already has
decided before reading what they believe and what they want to justify with scripture. They twist
the scriptures to make them fit a preconceived belief or belief system.
"[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother
Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to
be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction." - II Peter 3:15,16
WREST, verb transitive [G., to wrest to snatch or pull, to burst, to tear.]
1. To twist or extort by violence; to pull or force from by violent wringing or twisting
3. To distort; to turn from truth or twist from its natural meaning by violence; to pervert.

Views of Christian exegesis

"Different Christians have different views on how to perform Biblical Exegesis. The two most
common views are revealed and rational.

· Revealed exegesis considers that the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the scriptural
texts, and so the words of those texts convey a divine revelation. In this view of exegesis,
the principle of sensus plenior applies - that because of its divine authorship, the Bible
has a "fuller meaning" than its human authors intended or could have foreseen.

· Rational exegesis bases its operation on the idea that the authors have their own
inspiration (in this sense, synonymous with "artistic inspiration"), so their works are
completely and utterly a product of the social environment and human intelligence of
their authors."
Revealed exegesis is how true Bible believers interpret scripture. The "rational" approach is how
an unsaved man reads the Bible.
The Bible clearly says:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." - II Timothy 3:16
INSPIRATION
3. The infusion of ideas into the mind by the Holy Spirit; the conveying into the minds of men,
ideas, notices or monitions by extraordinary or supernatural influence; or the communication of
the divine will to the understanding by suggestions or impressions on the mind, which leave no
room to doubt the reality of their supernatural origin.
---
Now we will look at how to study and interpret the Bible properly so that we have sound
doctrine and not fall into heresy.
Making sure that we have the foundations of fear of the Lord, love for Jesus, humility, prayer,
faith, and willingness to obey the scriptures; we can then proceed to study properly.
1. The Bible is to interpreted literally unless the scriptures clearly show a passage is
symbolic or a parable.
"[16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost." - II Peter 1:16,21
"[13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of
God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word
of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." - I Thessalonians 2:13
God The Holy Ghost wrote the Bible through men. It is the inspired, inerrent, infallible word of
the living God and that is how we should treat it.
(By the way, when I say "the Bible is inspired", I don't just mean the original manuscripts, which
do not exist anywhere on earth now, I mean a real book I can hold in my hand which is the
inspired and preserved word of God. This book is preserved for us in the Authorized Version aka
the King James Bible. Inspiration without preservation is useless and ridiculous.)
If God says something happened, no matter how miraculous: it happened. When Jesus spoke to
the people in parables, He would first say it was a parable and usually give the interpretation of
the parable. When books such as Revelation use symbolic language like the word "horn" they
show the interpretation of the symbol. In Revelation, horns on a beast are explained to represent
kings. When someone takes passages that are to be taken literally and interprets them
symbolically or parabolically, this creates heresy. You cannot just randomly say, "This passage is
symbolic". You need to prove it is symbolic or else you are just making your own interpreation
up out of thin air.

2. Scripture is not to be given private interpretations.

"[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." - II
Peter 1:20
The word "prophecy" does not just refer to foretelling future events, but is also defined as:
PROPHECY - "Preaching; public interpretation of Scripture; exhortation or instruction" - 1828
Webster's
Some people say, "Well this verse means this to me..." and someone else has a different
interpretation and on and on it goes down the line. Some of the main reasons for these private
interpretations are:
a. The person is not saved
b. The person just repeats what their pastor, denomination, family, or some teacher says without
studying themselves
c. They do not have the Biblical attitude to studying
d. They do not use the proper Biblical rules of interpretation
e. They have itching ears for false teaching that makes them feel good and justifies their sin
Most private interpretations today come from these sources and fall into the categories of
doctrines of men, traditions of men, and doctrines of devils. There is only one interpretation of
any passage: THE TRUE ONE.
There is always only one true interpretation of a passage, but there may be multiple applications
of that passage.
Some verses can be both literal and prophetic, but they will all fall under the proper rules of
interpretation and never break them. If there is a symbol used in the Bible, the symbol is almost
always defined by the Bible. For instance, in the book of Daniel, Daniel had a dream about four
beasts. Instead of wondering and thinking, "Hmmm, what could this beast be??" we just need to
read the whole chapter and let the Bible define the Bible:
"[23] Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be
diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break
it in pieces." - Daniel 7:23
The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom. So we see a beast in the Bible can represent a kingdom.
Stick with the Bible's definition of a symbol and not your own to keep you away from false
teaching.
In order to keep with the proper literal interpretation or proper symbolic and parabolic
interpretations while avoiding private interpretations, the following rules need to be followed:
3. Scripture must be interpreted in context.
When the devil tempted Jesus he quoted scripture word for word without changing it. The
method of deception he used though was quoting passages out of context:
"[6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall
give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any
time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." - Matthew
4:6,7
Since Jesus knows the word of God perfectly(and IS the Word of God incarnate), He knew that
Satan's application of scripture was false and out of context. In context means, a verse cannot just
be randomly selected in the Bible and interpreted according to your own desires. It must fit into
the context of a passage, or a chapter, or a book, or even the whole Bible. The Bible does not
contradict itself. Here is the definition of context for further understanding:
CONTEXT - 1. the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word
or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect: You have misinterpreted my remark
because you took it out of context.
2. the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.
To avoid interpreting out of context, these rules must be followed:
a. An interpretation can never contradict another.
God does not contradict Himself. An interpretation of a particular verse, chapter, or book cannot
contradict the whole of scripture.
To avoid contradiction, see the next point:
b. Scripture must be compared with scripture
"[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." - I Corinthians 2:13
"[9] Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them
that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
[10] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little:" - Isaiah 28:9,10
In order to get the proper interpretation of a passage, you must compare it with other scripture.
Ask yourself about your interpretation: Does it contradict this chapter? Does it contradict this
book? Does it contradict the whole Bible?
The Bible defines itself and gives you the true meaning of words and verses. Study diligently and
you will see this very clearly.
4. Interpretation should be compared with church history
New doctrines are usually false doctrines.
"[9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall
be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
[10] Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time,
which was before us." - Ecclesiastes 1:9,10
First and foremost we look to what Jesus, the apostles, and the early church taught. After that we
should also look to the history of the church to see if what we believe lines up with what Bible
believing Christians have believed throughout history. New doctrines that no one has ever heard
of before are almost certainly false ones. The word of God has been studied and preached for
almost 2,000 years. It is highly unlikely no one saw your special doctrines for all this time and
God was just waiting for you to be born to discover it and show the world. Look to the martyrs
of history and study to see what doctrines they held so dearly that they were willing to burnt at
the stake for them.
5. Doctrinal truth does not change with time and culture
"[6] For I am the LORD, I change not..." - Malachi 3:6
"[7] Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
[9] Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines..." - Hebrews 13:7-9
Many truths of the Bible have been offensive in the past and they will continue to offend even
more people as we get closer to the return of Jesus. This should in no way, shape, or form make
us change the intepretation of a passage of scripture in order to avoid offending someone. We are
not to fear men and we are not to be conformed to this world.
"[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are
saved it is the power of God.
[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent.
[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world?
[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by
the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
[22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
[23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks
foolishness;
[24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the
wisdom of God.
[25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger
than men.
[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called:
[27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
[28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and
things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence." - I Corinthians 1:18-29
"[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so
the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we
might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - I Corinthians
2:11-14
"[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2
"[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." -
Proverbs 29:25
"[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have
no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power
to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." - Luke 12:4,5
Unfortunately the truth does offend many people, but we must still preach it. After you study the
word of God, you must preach it. If you refuse to compromise, you will make enemies. The
Bible is clear about this and so remember this passage and hold it dear unto you:
"[16] Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" - Galatians 4:16
6. If a passage is hard to understand, always interpret the unclear through the clear
If there is a verse or series of verse you are struggling to understand, the worst thing you can do
is give your own interpretation to the verse and then make all the other clear verses on that
doctrine to fit your interpretation.
Always start with the plainest and easiest to understand scriptures as your foundation and know
that whatever interpretation you come up with for another verse cannot contradict these plain as
day scriptures.
This is how a lot of false doctrine gets created as well.
7. You need to rightly divide
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth." - II Timothy 2:15
I am not a dispensationalist in the sense of following a system like the ones taught by Peter
Ruckman, C.I. Scofield, Clarence Larkin, etc.
I also do not believe people are saved in different ways in different dispensations. They may not
have known the name of Jesus in the Old Testament, but they were saved by grace through faith
in God's promise of the coming Messiah(Christ) as it shows in Romans 4 and Hebrews 11. To
teach that anyone can be saved by faith plus works or be saved by works AT ANYTIME in
history is heresy.
"[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory(boast); but not before
God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness." - Romans 4:2,3
GLO'RY, verb intransitive [Latin glorior, from gloria.]
1. To boast; to be proud of.
"Not of works, lest any man should boast(glory)." - Ephesians 2:9
I am only a dispensationalist in the sense of making sure we rightly divide between the old and
new covenants.
The New Testament clearly teaches us in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews especially what
applies to us today from the Old Testament and what does not. If you start trying to apply Old
Testament ceremonial laws to New Testament Christians, you are not rightly dividing. Not
understanding the difference between the Old and New Testament creates much false doctrine.
At the same time, the Bible says "All scripture is...profitable for doctrine" and the fact of the
matter is the moral commandments in the Old Testament still apply to Christians today. That is
why all of the ten commandments, except the sabbath, are repeated multiple times in the New
Testament. Sin is still sin.
"1] Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were
under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
[2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
[3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
[4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them: and that Rock was Christ.
[5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the
wilderness.
[6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as
they also lusted.
[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play.
[8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and
twenty thousand.
[9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
[10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
[11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." - I Corinthians 10:1-11