SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--2nd Quarter 2020--The Uniqueness of the Bible

[Wally]

How to Interpret Scripture


As Seventh-day Adventists, we are Protestants, which means that we believe in sola Scriptura, the Bible alone as the sole authoritative foundation of our faith and doctrines. This is especially relevant in the last days, when, as Ellen G. White said, God will have “a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms”. — The Great Controversy, p. 595.

Of course, we are not unique among Protestants in claiming “the Bible and the Bible alone” as the foundation of our faith, even though many who make that claim believe in things like Sunday as the New Testament replacement for the seventh-day Sabbath; the immortality of the soul; eternal torment in hell for the lost; and even a secret rapture in which Jesus quietly and surreptitiously returns to the earth and snatches away the saved while everyone else is left wondering how those people could have disappeared.

In other words, just having the Bible, and claiming to believe it, is one thing, as important as that is. But, as the proliferation of false doctrines (all supposedly derived from Scripture) reveals, we need to know how to interpret the Bible correctly as well.

Hence, the subject of the Adult Bible Study Guide for this quarter, “How to Interpret Scripture”. In it, we begin with the assumption that Scripture, as the Word of God, is “the infallible revelation of His will” and “the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history”. — Seventh-day Adventists Believe, … (2nd ed.) (Nampa: Idaho: Pacific Press® Publishing Association, 2005), p. 11. In short, Scripture is the foundational source of the truths that we believe and proclaim to the world. Or, as the Bible itself says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). “All Scripture”, of course, means all Scripture, even the Scripture that we might not like, that might step on our toes, and that, to use contemporary parlance, might not be “politically correct”.

From this starting point, then, we will examine how the Bible teaches us to interpret itself. That is, rather than first going to extra-biblical sources such as science, philosophy, and history (which, if used correctly, can be a blessing), we will seek to uncover from within the biblical texts the tools that reveal the great truths found in its sacred pages. We are told that “prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1:21. And we believe that among the things these “holy men of God spoke” were keys to helping us interpret the Word of God.

For instance, how did Paul or the other gospel writers interpret the Old Testament? If what they wrote was inspired by God, then certainly how they read and interpreted the Scriptures could be central to helping us learn to do the same, as well. And how did Jesus Himself use and interpret Scripture? We won’t find a better example on how to read the Bible than from Jesus.

At the same time, we will explore our own presuppositions, and reasoning about context, language, culture, and history and how they impact how we read and understand the Word of God. How are we to interpret the parables, prophecies, sacred history, admonitions, songs of praise, prophetic visions, and dreams — the whole spectrum of inspired writing found in the Scriptures?

All these questions and more will be explored this quarter because, as doctrines like eternal torment in hell or Sunday sacredness show, believing in the Bible itself isn’t enough. We must learn how to interpret it, as well.

Frank M. Hasel, Ph.D., is an Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute (BRI) at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Michael G. Hasel, Ph.D., is Professor of Religion at Southern Adventist University and Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum.

[Wally]

Lesson 1 March 28-April 3

The Uniqueness of the Bible

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

[Richard Myers]

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Deut. 32:45-47; Gen. 49:8-12; Isa. 53:3-7; 1 Cor. 15:3-5, 51-55; Rom. 12:2.

Memory Text: “Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Composed of 66 books, and written over 1,500 years on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe) by over forty authors, the Bible is unique. There is no other book, sacred or religious, like it. And no wonder. After all, it is the Word of God.

There are over 24,600, extant, New Testament manuscripts from the first four centuries after Christ. Of Plato’s original manuscripts, there are seven, Herodotus eight, and Homer’s Iliad slightly more with 263 surviving copies. Hence, we have powerful confirming evidence of the integrity of the New Testament text.

The Bible was the first book known to be translated, the first book in the West published on the printing press, and the first book to be so widely distributed in so many languages that it can be read by 95 percent of the earth’s population today.

The Bible is also unique in its content and message, which focuses on God’s redemptive acts in history. That history is intertwined with prophecy, as it foretells the future of God’s plans and His eternal kingdom. It is the living Word of God, because the same Spirit of God through which Scripture was inspired (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) is promised to believers today to guide us into all truth as we study the Word (John 14:16, 17; John 15:26; John 16:13).

Amen, amen, and amen!!

[Richard Myers]

Sunday         March 29

The Living Word of God

The most important words spoken are often the last words a person utters. Moses, the writer of the first five foundational books of the Bible, sings a song to the people just before his death (Deut. 31:30-32:43).

Read Deuteronomy 32:45-47.

 32:45   And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: 
 32:46   And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 
 32:47   For it [is] not a vain thing for you; because it [is] your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong [your] days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. 

How does Moses describe the Word of God and its power in the lives of the Hebrews on the verge of entering the Promised Land?

Among the last words of Moses is a strong exhortation. By setting their hearts on the words that God has spoken to them through him, Moses wanted to stress to the people that their focus should remain on God and His will for their lives. By teaching these words to their children, each generation would pass on God’s covenant plan of salvation. Notice that they were not to pick and choose which words, but were to observe or obey “all the words of this law” (Deut. 32:46).

At the end of earth’s history, God will have a people who remain faithful to all of Scripture, which means keeping the commandments of God and having the faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12). These people will remain faithful to the teaching of the Bible, for it not only ensures a richer life on earth but an eternal destiny in the home Jesus prepares for us (John 14:1-3).

Amen! And, God has always had a people who are faithful to Scripture, to the degree they know it. At the end, there will still be Scripture that is not understood. If we understand all that God has said, then that would really be something! What we will know is that the ten commandments mean just what they say and are still binding.

Read John 1:1-5, 14; John 14:6.

 1:1   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
 1:2   The same was in the beginning with God. 
 1:3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
 1:4   In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 
 1:5   And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 
 1:14   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

What do these texts teach us about Jesus and eternal life? How does the Word made flesh relate to the revelation and inspiration of Scripture?

It is Christ who gives to us eternal life. The Word was made flesh means that Christ is a revelation of what is written in the Bible. It speaks to us about the character of God. If we want life then we need to know God. If we read the Bible to understand who God is, we will understand His character and the plan of salvation.

Jesus is the focus and aim of all Scripture. His coming in the flesh as the Messiah was a fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. Because He lived, died, and lives again, we have not only the Scriptures confirmed but, even better, the great promise of eternal life in a whole new existence.

Read again Deuteronomy 32:47. How have you experienced for yourself the truth about how obedience to God’s Word is “not a vain thing” for you? Why is faith in God and obedience to His Word never in vain?

Because God loves us and is faithful to do just what He says He will do for all love Him and keep His commandments. And, what He says will happen to those who do not obey Him, will indeed happen.

[Richard Myers]

Monday         March 30

Who Wrote the Bible, and Where?

The variety of authors, their locations, and backgrounds provide a unique testimony that God works to communicate history and His message to people as culturally diverse as its intended audience.

What do the following texts tell us about the biblical writers and their backgrounds? (Exod. 2:10, Amos 7:14, Jer. 1:1-6, Dan. 6:1-5, Matt. 9:9, Phil. 3:3-6, Rev. 1:9).

The Bible was written by people from many different kinds of backgrounds and in various circumstances. Some were writing from palaces, others from prisons, some in exile, and still others during their missionary journeys to share the gospel. These men had different education and occupations. Some, like Moses, were destined to be kings or, like Daniel, to serve in high positions. Others were simple shepherds. Some were very young and others quite old. Despite these differences, they all had one thing in common: they were called by God and inspired by the Holy Spirit to write messages for His people, no matter when or where they lived.

Also, some of the writers were eyewitnesses to the events they recounted. Others made careful personal investigation of events or careful use of existing documents (Josh. 10:13, Luke 1:1-3). But all parts of the Bible are inspired (2 Tim. 3:16). This is the reason why Paul states that “whatever was written. . . was written for our instruction, so that through. . . the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4, NASB). The God who created human language enables chosen people to communicate inspired thought in a trustworthy and reliable manner in human words.

“God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men and enabled them to do His work. He guided the mind in the selection of what to speak and what to write. The treasure was entrusted to earthen vessels, yet it is, none the less, from Heaven”. — Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 26.

So many different writers, in so many different contexts, and yet the same God is revealed by them all. How does this amazing truth help confirm for us the veracity of God’s Word?

There is consistency from Genesis to Revelation. There is no consistency in a lie. The Bible is not a lie, but God's truth. What a blessing to be able to know God as it is our privilege to know Him.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday         March 31

The Bible as Prophecy

The Bible is unique among other known religious works because up to 30 percent of its content is comprised of prophecies and prophetic literature. The integration of prophecy and its fulfillment in time is central to the biblical worldview, for the God who acts in history also knows the future and has revealed it to His prophets (Amos 3:7). The Bible is not only the living Word, or the historical Word — it is the prophetic Word.

How do the following texts reveal the details of the coming Messiah?


Gen. 49:8-12__________________________________________


Ps. 22:12-18___________________________________________


Isa. 53:3-7__________________________________________


Dan. 9:24__________________________________________


Mic. 5:2__________________________________________


Mal. 3:1__________________________________________


Zech. 9:9__________________________________________

There are at least sixty-five direct, Messianic predictions of the Messiah in the Old Testament, many more if we add typology as well (typology is the study of how Old Testament rituals, such as the sacrifices, were mini-prophecies of Jesus). These prophecies relate to such specific details as “the sceptre shall not depart from Judah” (Gen. 49:10); that He would be born in Bethlehem in Judah (Mic. 5:2); that He would be “despised and rejected of men”; beaten, falsely accused, yet not open His mouth to defend Himself (Isa. 53:3-7); that His hands and feet would be pierced; and that they would divide His clothes among them (Ps. 22:12-18).

The fact that these prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled with such precision in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus testifies to their divine inspiration and revelation. It also indicates that Jesus was who He and others claimed Him to be. Jesus followed the prophets of old in predicting His death and resurrection (Luke 9:21, 22; Matt. 17:22, 23), the fall of Jerusalem (Matt. 24:1, 2), and His Second Coming (John 14:1-3). Thus, the incarnation, death, and resurrection are predicted by the Bible, and their fulfillment ensures its reliability.

What are all the reasons you can think of for your belief in Jesus and His death for us? Share them in class on Sabbath and, in class, ask the question: Why is the evidence so compelling?

It is sad that few will be in a Sabbath School class this Sabbath. Let us share our thoughts online and influence those who will be reading. As the lesson has pointed out, the truth is seen in Scripture including the life, suffering, and death of our Savior. The Bible is a record of history and what is going to happen so very soon. The Bible is consistent from Genesis to Revelation.

What has impressed you most about what is written?

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday         April 1

The Bible as History

The Bible is unique when compared to other “holy” books because it is constituted in history. This means that the Bible is not merely the philosophical thoughts of a human being (like Confucius or Buddha), but it records God’s acts in history as they progress toward a specific goal. In the case of the Bible, those goals are 1. the promise of a Messiah and 2., the second coming of Jesus. This progression is unique to the Judeo-Christian faith, in contrast to the cyclical view of many other world religions from ancient Egypt to modern eastern religions.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 51-55; Romans 8:11; and 1 Thessalonians 4:14. What do these passages teach us about not only the historical truth of Christ’s resurrection but what it means for us personally?

The testimony of the four Gospels and Paul is that Jesus died, was buried, bodily rose from the dead, and appeared to various human beings. This is corroborated by eyewitnesses who laid Him in the tomb and later saw it empty. Witnesses touched Jesus, and He ate with them. Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and other women saw Him as the resurrected Christ. The disciples spoke with Him on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to them for the great Gospel Commission. Paul writes that if the witness of Scripture is rejected, then our preaching and faith are in “vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). Other translations say “null and void” (REB) or “useless” (NIV). The disciples state, “It is true! The Lord has risen” (Luke 24:34, NIV). The Greek term ontos refers to something that actually took place. It is translated, “really”, “surely”, or “indeed”. The disciples testify that “The Lord is risen indeed” (NKJV).

Christ is also represented as the “firstfruits” (1 Cor. 15:20) of all those who died. The historical fact that Christ bodily rose from the dead and lives today is the guarantee that they too will be raised as He was raised. All the righteous “will be made alive in Christ” (1 Cor. 15:22, NRSV). The term here implies a future act of creation, when those “who belong to Christ”, or remain loyal to Him will be raised “at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:23, NKJV) “at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:52, NKJV).

Why is the promise of the resurrection so central to our faith, especially since we understand that the dead are asleep? Without it, why is our faith indeed in “vain”?

If Christ  did not come forth from the grave, then how could we be saved? If He sinned then what? If we do not come forth from the grave, then it would be like saying you might as well enjoy eating, drinking, and marrying because there is nothing after death. On the other hand, even if there is no heaven for sinners, we have peace, love, and joy in this world when we given our hearts fully to Christ. He is worthy of worship even if we do not come forth from the grave.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday         April 2

The Transforming Power of the Word

Read 2 Kings 22:3-20. What causes King Josiah to tear his clothes? How does his discovery change not only him, but the entire nation of Judah?

In 621 B.C., when Josiah was about 25 years old, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered “the book of the law”, which may have been the first five books of Moses or, specifically, the book of Deuteronomy. During the reign of his father Amon, and his most wicked grandfather Manasseh, this scroll had been lost in the midst of the worship of Baal, Asherah, and “all the host of heaven” (2 Kings 21:3-9). As Josiah hears the conditions of the covenant, he tears his clothes in utter distress, for he realizes how far he and his people have come from worshiping the true God. He immediately begins a reformation throughout the land, tearing down the high places and destroying images to foreign gods. When he is finished, there is only one place left to worship in Judah: the temple of God in Jerusalem. The discovery of the Word of God leads to conviction, repentance, and the power to change. This change begins with Josiah and eventually spreads to the rest of Judah.

How does the Bible assure us that it has the power to change our life and show us the way to salvation? Read John 16:13, John 17:17, Hebrews 4:12, and Romans 12:2.

One of the most powerful testimonies of the power of the Bible is the changed life of a person. It is the Word that cuts through human sin and depravity and reveals our true human nature and our need for a Savior.

Amen!!

A unique book like the Bible, constituted in history, imbued with prophecy, and with the power to transform the life, must also be interpreted in a unique way. It cannot be interpreted like any other book, for the living Word of God must be understood in the light of a living Christ who promised to send His Spirit to lead us “into all truth” (John 16:13). The Bible, then, as a revelation of God’s truth, must contain its own internal principles of interpretation. These principles can be found in studying how the writers of Scripture used Scripture and were guided by it as they allowed Scripture to interpret itself.

Amen!

[Richard Myers]

Friday        April 3

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Scriptures a Safeguard”, pp. 593-602 in The Great Controversy; “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, pp. 662-680 in The Desire of Ages.

Many have died for upholding and remaining faithful to the Word of God. One such man was Dr. Rowland Taylor, an English Parish minister, who resisted the imposition of the Catholic mass during the reign of Bloody Mary in his Hadley, England parish. After being cast out of the church and derided for his adherence to Scripture, he appealed in person to the bishop of Winchester, the Lord Chancellor of England, but he had him cast into prison and eventually sent him to the stake. Just before his death in 1555, he spoke these words:

“Good people! I have taught you nothing but God’s holy Word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God’s blessed book, the holy Bible. I have come here this day to seal it with my blood.” — John Foxe, The New Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, rewritten and updated by Harold J. Chadwick (North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1997), p. 193. Dr. Taylor was heard repeating Psalm 51 just before the fire was lit and he gave up his life.

The question we need to ask ourselves now is: Would we remain as faithful to upholding the truths in God’s Word? Sooner or later, in the final conflict, that test will come. The time to prepare for it, of course, is now.

Amen!!   Here is a quote shared by Brother Glenn in another topic that addresses this truth:

Hi Richard, when I saw the title of this thread, I originally thought you were referring to spiritual preparation.  The discussion of gardens and seeds is perfectly fine, but perhaps another thread could be created, focused on the spiritual angle.

Here's a classic SOP quote that comes to mind in this context.

It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied.  {COL 412.1}

Discussion Questions:

    In what way does prophecy confirm the Bible’s divine origin? How can these fulfilled prophecies affirm us in our faith?

Which one of us can tell us what will happen tomorrow without knowing Scripture? Only God knows the future. He proves this in the Bible. We can tell others what is going to happen in the future because the Bible tells us in advance. I can say today that San Francisco is going to destroyed. I am not a prophet, but prophecy tells us that like Sodom of old was destroyed, so will the Sodoms of today be destroyed. We are told that God is preparing to loose the winds and withdraw His Spirit from this world. We are seeing the beginning of this today.

    In reference to the question at the end of Tuesday’s study, why is the evidence for Jesus as the Messiah so powerful?

    Jesus and the apostles demonstrated unwavering faith in the trustworthiness and divine authority of Holy Scripture. For example, how many times did Jesus Himself refer to the Scriptures and that (often in reference to Himself) the Scriptures must be “fulfilled”? (See, for instance, Matt. 26:54, 56; Mark 14:49; Luke 4:21; John 13:18; John 17:12). Thus, if Jesus Himself took Scripture (in His case the Old Testament) so seriously, especially in terms of prophecy being fulfilled, what then should our attitude be, as well toward the Bible?

There is a God in heaven who rules the universe. He allowed His innocent Son to come to this dark spot in the universe a helpless baby subject the weakness of humanity to fight the battle of life as we must fight it at the risk of failure and eternal loss. He speaks to us through His Word. As Jesus learned from Scripture, so ought we. Why not? Who would not want to know what God has said?