The believer who desires to know God and his purposes, as we discussed in a previous article, does well by following the Bereans' approach to seeking knowledge and understanding of the Scripture--search the Scripture daily to test the material they were being taught (Acts 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The word for search, anakrino, means to scrutinize and by implication to investigate,interrogate,determine and further: ask, question,examine, judge,discern, search. One of my early Bible Teachers, Oscar M. Baker, said of this verse that the word "search" almost meant that the Bereans "ransacked" the Scriptures daily, in my words they left no leaf unturned in trying to get to the Truth, and the meaning of what Paul was teaching regarding the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why do we need to approach the study of Scripture thusly? In order to believe someone and what they might say, we are told to do exactly what the Bereans were doing in their study of God--investigate and scrutinize. Why? Because the Word of God has been under attack since the very beginning and this attack on the Word is first evidenced in Genesis 3:1 when the Serpent says to Eve, "Yea, hath God said....?"Who was this Serpent? "He is the Devil, Satan and the one who has deceived man from the very beginning."(Rev 12:9) Many say of Scripture that it is confusing. I must remind the reader that the confusion regarding the understanding of Scripture does not come God who is not the "author of confusion", but as we see in Gen 3:1, it is the Devil. He is our hindrance, our adversary, in coming into "a knowledge of the Truth"(1Tim 2:4)which is the desire of our God and Savior. So earnest student and workman, let us consider the topic of this article which will lead us into a better understanding of what God is doing with His creation and us, His creatures.
The Two-fold purpose of God is set forth for us in the first few words of Scripture, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth". What an attention getting opening. The student in reading this opening would be wise to begin to search to see what the purposes regarding these two spheres mentioned here may be. Well, that will be the basis of our future studies. For in the end, we will see that God has been exacting His purpose both in the Heavens and in the Earth from the beginning of Time(Age Times)and will continue to do so until the end of Age Times. (Eph 1:10 KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The word for search, anakrino, means to scrutinize and by implication to investigate,interrogate,determine and further: ask, question,examine, judge,discern, search. One of my early Bible Teachers, Oscar M. Baker, said of this verse that the word "search" almost meant that the Bereans "ransacked" the Scriptures daily, in my words they left no leaf unturned in trying to get to the Truth, and the meaning of what Paul was teaching regarding the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why do we need to approach the study of Scripture thusly? In order to believe someone and what they might say, we are told to do exactly what the Bereans were doing in their study of God--investigate and scrutinize. Why? Because the Word of God has been under attack since the very beginning and this attack on the Word is first evidenced in Genesis 3:1 when the Serpent says to Eve, "Yea, hath God said....?"Who was this Serpent? "He is the Devil, Satan and the one who has deceived man from the very beginning."(Rev 12:9) Many say of Scripture that it is confusing. I must remind the reader that the confusion regarding the understanding of Scripture does not come God who is not the "author of confusion", but as we see in Gen 3:1, it is the Devil. He is our hindrance, our adversary, in coming into "a knowledge of the Truth"(1Tim 2:4)which is the desire of our God and Savior. So earnest student and workman, let us consider the topic of this article which will lead us into a better understanding of what God is doing with His creation and us, His creatures.
The Two-fold purpose of God is set forth for us in the first few words of Scripture, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth". What an attention getting opening. The student in reading this opening would be wise to begin to search to see what the purposes regarding these two spheres mentioned here may be. Well, that will be the basis of our future studies. For in the end, we will see that God has been exacting His purpose both in the Heavens and in the Earth from the beginning of Time(Age Times)and will continue to do so until the end of Age Times. (Eph 1:10 KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
So, from the very beginning of Scripture, we are faced with two spheres to consider and to marvel as God unfolds for us the what, why, how, when, and with whom He will purpose during the Age Times. It is well, as we have noted, to realize that there is a being, Lucifer/Satan, that early on has caused doubt regarding what God is doing and saying, and as much as he is able, Satan has set forth to challenge and hinder the fulfillment of God's plan for the ages. What follows in the pages of Scripture is the account of the challenge by this creature, his strategies to ultimately ascend to the control of creation, and how God has countered this challenge with His purposes or strategies, to achieve the end of his creation, which is God, all and in all 1 Cor 15: 24-28.
As said in a prior article, understanding the Scriptures is a primary purpose that God has set forth in his creation. Understanding God and His purposes can only come through the "approval" of God, 2 Tim 2:15, as when Job had seen "the end of Lord", he had knowledge and understanding of God's plans for His Creation and His Creatures. Remember, understanding and knowledge of God and His purposes do not come from superior intellect, but from an understanding of how God's Righteousness is gained. Paul reminds the Corinthians of these tenents in Chapter One of his first epistle to them. 1 Cor 1:17-31.
With the foundation laid for "approved study" by Paul, let us then move forward into "coming to a knowledge(acknowledgement) of the Truth" of the great purposes that God has for His earth and for His Heavens.
More to come.
DLB
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