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| Volume 25 Number 10 October 2023 |
Page 11 |
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| Volume 25 Number 10 October 2023 |
Page 11 |
Brian R. Kenyon
One of the biggest detriments to spreading the Gospel is the fact there are so many denominations dotting the landscape that claim to follow Jesus and the Bible. It is no wonder, then, that Paul wrote in conjunction with Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17:20-21), “…You all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV). The only way to discern between true and false religion or doctrine is to allow the Bible to be our sole guide. For this to happen, we must approach God’s Word in the right way. “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).
Begin with the Right Attitude
In studying the Bible, we must want to know what God teaches rather than “confirm” what we already believe. This is part of what Jesus meant when He said to “…Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33; cf., Matthew 5:6). This attitude is displayed perfectly twice in the book of Acts. First, when Philip joined the chariot carrying the Ethiopian eunuch, he asked, “…Do you understand what you are reading?” to which the nobleman answered, “…How can I, unless someone guides me? …” (Acts 8:30-31). With that attitude, the outcome is predictable, which was, “…What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
Second, when Peter finally came to Cornelius and his household, the centurion declared that “…We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (Acts 10:33). Again, with an attitude like that, the outcome is predictable, which was, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” (Acts 10:48). In having the right attitude, we must know and be confident that the Bible contains all the answers we need (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Additionally, we must not be afraid of truth (John 8:31-32; 17:17). People sometimes try explaining away truth that contradicts what they already believe. However, in order for us to be the people God wants us to be, we must base our conclusions on evidence! “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). There is no other way to be a faithful disciple of Christ than “to observe all things that I [Jesus] have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20), whether we are “newborn babes” in Christ or mature Christians (Hebrews 5:12-6:2; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).
Know the Difference Between
“Exegesis” and “Eisegesis”
These fancy words are easy to understand. The prefix “ex-” means “out of” (like exit) and “-gesis” means to draw out. Thus, “exegesis” means to draw out. When dealing with studying God’s Word, it means to draw out what is already in the Bible. The prefix “eis-” means “into.” Thus, “eisegesis” means to put something into the Bible that is not already there. We can easily see that “exegesis” is the only God-approved way of studying the Bible (Matthew 18:18; 2 Timothy 2:15).
There are three major ways that “eisegesis” (reading into the Bible what is not there) reveals itself. First, using language not in the Bible is a dead-give-away. For example, “the rapture” is spoken of throughout the denominational world as if it were a settled fact, and yet, the term nowhere occurs in major English translations. Yes, there is a word translated “caught up” (from the same word from which “harpoon” comes), but the term “rapture” is foreign to the Bible. It has been “read into” it! The slogan, “Call Bible things by Bible names,” is biblical. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11).
Second, finding doctrines not in the Bible is a dead-give-away of eisegesis. The doctrine of “original sin,” while very popular among denominationalism, is completely foreign to the Bible. This doctrine teaches that all humans after Adam inherit the spiritual guilt of Adam’s sin. Romans 5:12 is often used by proponents, but they leave off the final clause in the verse. Yes, death passed to all people as a result of Adam’s sin, but not because of Adam’s sin. Rather, it was “because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). If original sin were true, how could Abel be good being a direct descendant of Adam (Genesis 4:1-4)? The truth is we do not inherit Adam’s sin (Genesis 1:26-27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Ezekiel 18:20). Infant baptism is another example of “eisegesis.” It is built from the false premise that because humans inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin, babies must be “baptized” to wash away “Adamic sin.” Such cannot be true. Biblical baptism requires faith and repentance (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), which are impossible for infants who cannot even sin (1 John 3:4; 5:17; James 4:17).
Third, seeing current events as fulfillment of specific prophecies is a dead-give-away of eisegesis. Throughout the centuries, it seems the latest bad guy has been the one, according to some, who fulfills John’s teaching as the person having the “mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:18; 16:2; 19:20). My earliest memory of this supposed person was Henry Kissinger, but others all the way up to Vladimir Putin have been assumed to be that one! However, the book of Revelation was written to a specific people (Revelation 1:4, 9-11) who were instructed in figurative language (i.e., apocalyptic) to recognize those who were following Satan as having the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-17; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20), and those who were following God as having been sealed or marked by Him (Revelation 7:3-4; 9:4; 20:4). Applying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the fulfillment of prophecy is also an example of eisegesis. The final manifestation of God’s kingdom this side of eternity is already here in the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19, 28; Mark 9:1; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:41, 47; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:9). There are no signs of the times by which to measure the arrival of Christ (Matthew 24:36-39).
Here are four ways to make sure we are doing “exegesis” (drawing out of the Bible what is already there). First, read and study the text as best we can beforeconsulting outside sources (1 Timothy 4:13, 15; 2 Timothy 2:15; Revelation 1:3). Too often, we see what others have said before getting a handle on the text ourselves. Second, let the context within the context speak for itself. For example, in response to his question, “…What must I do to be saved?” the Philippian jailor was told to “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:30-31). The context, however, includes baptism in believing. After he was baptized (Acts 16:33), the jailor “…rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:34). Third, let the Bible speak for itself on any given theme. For example, when the Bible is allowed to speak for itself, baptism with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11-12) is clearly indicated to have happened only on the apostles (Acts 1:5) [those to whom exclusively it was promised, John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13]; the household of Cornelius also received miraculous power directly from Heaven by the Spirit – for a different purpose, to a lesser degree and which did not make them apostles (10:44-48; 11:15-17). “The entirety of Your word is truth…” (Psalm 119:160). We must consider “…every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; cf., 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3).
Conclusion
The Bible is the mind of God revealed (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). In order to draw from God’s mind what He intended, we must seriously study and allow His Word – the Bible – to speak for itself and instruct us (Psalm 19:7-11). Let us not be afraid of learning truth and applying it to our lives so that we, like Jesus, may “…always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).
