Bibliology 12: The Student of the Bible

Because the Bible is a supernatural Book, all men do not readily understand it.

According to the Book of i Corinthians, when it comes to discerning the Word of God there are three classes of people:

The Natural Man - I Corinthians 2:14.
This is the unsaved man, who is spiritually blind, whose understanding is darkened — Ephesians 4:18. The only parts of the Bible he may understand is the light of the Gospel — Il Corinthians 4:3-6.

The Carnal Man - 1 Corinthians 3:1,2.
This is the believer who is being controlled by his old nature — the flesh.
He is only able to receive the milk of the Word

The Spiritual Man — I Corinthians 2:12,15,16.
This is the believer who is being controlled by the Spirit of God, and as such is able to both discern and grow.

This lecture concerns itself with the "Spiritual Man" - the qualification we must have if we are to rightly divide the Word of truth.

1. THE COMMAND TO STUDY

There is only one place in the Bible where the believer is actually commanded to study — Il Timothy 2:15. Nevertheless, the Bible is full of exhortations for people of every age to read, learn, memorize, meditate on, obey, and teach the Book of God. For example:

A. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

God's People Were Commanded To Teach The Scriptures.
See: Deuteronomy 4:1,2,9; 6:6-9.

God's People Were Commanded To Publily Read The Scriptures:
See: Deuteronomy 31:10-13.

God's People Were Commanded To Cherish The Scriptures:
See: Deuteronomy 31:24-26.

Israel's Kings Were Commanded To Read The Scriptures.
See: Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Il Kings 11:12