Can We Understand the bible

Can We Understand the Bible?
Acts 23:7-8

Acts 23:7-8
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection — and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
Can we really understand the Bible?
If we study together can we understand it alike?
“Everyone understands the Bible differently”
“You have your interpretation – I have mine”
“You can prove anything by the Bible”
The Bible is just too confusing – we can’t understand it alike. Why even study it?
Can We Understand the Bible?
Acts 23:7-8
People do understand the Bible differently – can’t miss seeing all different religions and denominations, all claiming Jesus and the Bible

Acts 23:7-8
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection — and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
People do disagree …
But is it possible to sit down with people with an open Bible and come to the same conclusions about doctrinal matters?
Eph 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), …

Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Matt 12:3-4 But He said to them,"Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread…?
Matt 19:4-5 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female, … "
Eph 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), …
1 Cor 14:26-28 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
God’s power …
God is powerful enough to create this universe, but He is not capable of making His word understandable and clear, so that He is a God of confusion ???
God preserved His word
God preserved the remnant of His people and unfolded His perfect plan of redemption through Christ … but we cannot understand it?
But aren’t some things more difficult to understand?
2 Peter 3:15-16 as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Bible study takes work …

2 Tim 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But aren’t some things more difficult to understand?
2 Peter 3:15-16 as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

It is possible to distort the Bible …
The Untaught – have heard bits of truth, some distorted – they have never questioned it …
The Unstable (unprincipled) – people who are in sin and want to stay in sin, they want to place some human explanation or practice above the word of God

Third group - those who are learning …

2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.



God rewards those who seek..


Matt 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.


Can We Understand the Bible?
Acts 23:7-8