MISTAKES COMMONLY MADE WHEN PEOPLE INTERPRET THE BIBLE
By: Randy Kea
There are three mistakes commonly made when people interpret the Bible. First, there is the failure to distinguish between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Although we should study the Old Testament (Romans 15:4), the details of the Old Law are not binding upon anyone today (Hebrews 9:15-17; 10:9). Secondly, there is a failure to distinguish between information addressed to non-Christians and information addressed to Christians. Acts 2:38 is addressed to a non-Christian; Acts 8:22 is addressed to a Christian. This distinction is critical. Thirdly, there is a failure to distinguish between things temporary and things permanent. The Lord’s Supper is to continue to be observed till Jesus comes again; at which time He will deliver up the kingdom to the Father (I Corinthians 11:26; 15:24). Miracles were temporary.
There are some sections of scripture that have special and limited application. It is vital that Bible students consider the totality of evidence before drawing conclusions about the applications of these verses. One of the most commonly misapplied sections of scripture is found in John Chapters 13-17 where Jesus has a lengthy discussion with His apostles just prior to His crucifixion. Jesus promises the apostles that He will send them the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit or Comforter). The Holy Spirit is the third personality in the Godhead (Matthew 28:18-20). His mission was to reveal (Ephesians 3:3-5) God’s truth (John 16:13) and confirm this revealed truth through the miracles that the apostles and others exercised by His power (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:1-4).
In II Corinthians 12:12, Paul says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” Now it is obvious from this passage to anyone who is not looking the other way, that the apostles could do certain things that others could not. It is clear that others worked miracles besides the apostles, such as Philip the evangelist in Acts 8. However, only the apostles could transmit or transfer these miraculous powers to others (Acts 8:14-18; Romans 1:11). These miracles were called the “signs” of an apostle, not because the apostles were the only ones who could perform them, but that the apostles were the only ones who could transmit them to others.
“All truth” and “all things” in John 14:26 and 16:13 have been revealed and confirmed through the instrumentality of the apostles. If this is not the case, Jesus misinformed the apostles and is unworthy of our obedience and worship. Add to this, that at the end of the apostolic period, the inspired writer Jude stated that “the faith” had been “once and for all” (ASV) delivered (revealed) (Jude 3). The truth, the faith and all things concerning the New Testament revelation were given to the first century for all time and for all people. If I had the promise of John 14:26 and 16:13 today that Jesus gave to the apostles, I would not need a Bible. I could write one. No one today has what the apostles had; no one today can do what the apostles did. We are still waiting for one of these folks to raise someone from the dead. This would certainly end the controversy.