![]() |
- Consider the immediate and wider context
- Take the Bible literally according to its genre
- Let Scripture interpret Scripture
- Ask, “How does God get the glory?”
- Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Therefore, faith is something you need to do.
- Revelation 20:4 talks about believers reigning with Jesus for one thousand years, so we know millennialism is correct.
- Revelation 7:4 talks about 144,000 going to heaven—the number is fixed.
- Matthew 25:35 says that Jesus will look at our good works to determine whether we will be in heaven or not. Therefore, we are saved by good works.
- 1 Peter 3:21 is simply saying that Baptism, like the flood, are symbols. Symbols don’t actually “do” anything.
- Genesis 1 is just a story to help us understand our world. It didn’t happen in six days. It took billions of years.
- Jesus was merely using a figure of speech when he said, “This is my body/blood” in the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).
Some possible answers:
- Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Therefore, faith is something you need to do!
Consider the context. The jailor asked, “What must I do?” Paul and Silas’ answer was to say that you don’t need to “do” anything, simply cling to what has already been done by Jesus! Scripture interprets Scripture. Ephesians 2:8,9 rules out works for salvation and calls it a gift. Even faith is a gift. 1 Corinthians 12:3 says that faith is the work of the Holy Spirit. Finally, God is robbed of the glory of giving us the gift of faith.
- Revelation 20:4 talks about believers reigning with Jesus for one thousand years, so we know millennialism is correct.
The genre is apocalyptic literature and full of figures of speech. This teaching would contradict Scripture. The clear sections on the Last Day (Matthew 24 & 25 and 1 Thessalonians 4) rule out this interpretation. The immediate context is important here as well. Read Revelation 20:1-6. Watch for a more complete discussion of this chapter next month.
- Revelation 7:4 talks about 144,000 going to heaven—the number is fixed.
Look at verse 9. Suddenly John couldn’t count this number (immediate context). In addition, this is apocalyptic literature and is figurative, including the numbers, as is evidenced from the listing of the 12 tribes (which is unlike any listing in the Old Testament) in verses 5-8.
- Matthew 25:35 says that Jesus will look at our good works to determine whether we will be in heaven or not. Therefore, we are saved by good works.
Romans 3:28 (and many others) make it clear we are not justified by our works. The immediate context is important here. Notice what Jesus doesn’t list in the believer’s list: no mention of sin. Why? Because we are cleansed in the blood of Jesus. When I wake up and get my kid something to drink, half of me does it because I love Jesus and my child, but the other half does it so I can go to sleep. That “good work” was tainted with sin, but Jesus washed that sin away so that all that remains is the good work. This is simply evidence of faith as James says. I can’t “see” faith except by what I do. Notice the unbelievers never did a good work. It’s not that they didn’t feed and give water to their kids. It’s only the sin that remains, making the work evil. “I was hungry and you didn’t give me something to eat.” Plus, God gets robbed of the glory of accomplishing our salvation from start to finish.
- 1 Peter 3:21 is simply saying that Baptism, like the flood, are symbols. Symbols don’t actually ”do” anything.”
Titus 3:5 shows clearly that Baptism saves. This passage, too, shows the power of Baptism. The symbol is not Baptism, rather the flood is a symbol of the cleansing of Baptism that saves us! Plus, God gets robbed of the glory he wants to give in Baptism.
- Genesis 1 is just a story to help us understand our world. It didn’t happen in six days. It took billions of years.
The genre is clearly narrative and should be read as history. Where does the history start if this is figurative? What is the marker? Jesus accepted the six-day creation (context of Scripture). Finally, why couldn’t God have done it in six days? To say he couldn’t robs him of glory.
- Jesus was merely using a figure of speech when he said, “This is my body/blood” in the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).
1 Corinthians 11 speaks of the Lord’s Supper as Jesus true body and blood (context). This was Jesus’ last will and testament as he was about to give his life the next day. The whole point of a will is to speak clearly. A lawyer wouldn’t let you put figures of speech in your will! Again, God gets robbed of the glory of giving us himself for our forgiveness in this sacrament.
Author: David Scharf
Volume 108, Number 8
Issue: August 2021
- Psalm 103: When you count your blessings
- Psalm 91: When God lifts you up on his lap
- Psalm 4: When you draw nearer to the end
- Psalm 42: When you ask, “Where is God when I’m hurting?”
- Psalm 32: When you need forgiveness
- Psalm 130: When rocks fall
- Bible study: Freedom in service
- What does this mean for me? Article 6
- Bible study: Spiritual gifts
- What does this mean for me? Article 5
- What does this mean for me? Article 4
- Bible study: Rejoice in your status!
- Bible study: Baptismal blessings
- What does this mean for me? Article 3
- What does this mean for me? Article 2
- Bible study: Gifts of tongues and miraculous healing
- What does this mean for me? Article 1
- Bible study: Jesus is everyone’s Savior
- Bible study: Love one another
- Bible study: Above all things!
- Bible study: The comfort of God’s providence
- The book of James: Waiting for Christ’s return
- Bible study: Precious grace
- The book of James: Active in using prayer
- Bible study: Rewards of grace
- The book of James: Active in showing love
- The book of James: Correctly evaluating riches
- Bible study: What’s going to happen on the Last Day?
- The book of James: Avoiding loveless judging
- Bible study: Interpretation practice
- The book of James: Taming the tongue
- Bible study: The Bible’s attributes
- Bible study: The importance of the family altar
- Bible study: God’s attitude is grace
- Bible study: The Bible’s account of Easter morning
- Bible study: Different types of sin
- Bible study: God’s inspiration
- Bible study: Giving God glory
- Bible study: Judge for yourself
- The book of James: Using the Word of Truth
- Bible study: The need for the Bible and worship
- Bible study: Citizens of two kingdoms
- The book of James: Active in good works
- The book of James: When battling temptation
- Bible study: God cares
- Bible study: God made the world
- The book of James: When facing trials
- Bible study: A loving God saved people from hell
- The book of James: A blueprint for living out our life of faith
- A Bible story just for me: Guilt
- Bible study: God provides victory over death!
- A Bible story just for me: Anxiety
- Bible study: God forgives and refuses to remember our sins
- A Bible story just for me: Grief
- Bible study: God helps those who cannot help themselves
- A Bible story just for me: Depression
- Bible study: God has not grown soft on sin
- Bible study: Only one path leads to God’s presence
- A Bible story just for me: Trauma
- A Bible story just for me
- Bible study: God wants me in heaven
- Bible study: The incarnation of our Lord