Christian Inspirational Gifts

Issue 8 - February 2005
Is Everyone Right?
Michael A. Verdicchio

How is it that so many, who claim to use the Bible as their authority, differ on a number of points of doctrine? There are even differing viewpoints and opinions coming from the same verse. Who then is right? Is everyone right?

To find the answer, let's first consider how we got the Bible, the Scriptures, the Word of God.

II Peter 1:20 and 21:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the 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.

The Scriptures did not come by the will of man! It was not man's idea to write the Bible. Rather, holy men of God spoke 'as they were moved by the Holy Ghostä. In other words, God told them what to write.

II Timothy 3:16:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The Scriptures, all of them, were given by inspiration of God - that's why the Bible is referred to as 'the Word of Godä - the words came from God! In the book of Galatians, Paul writes that he did not receive it from man, but rather by revelation.

The Scriptures were not the invention of man. God told each of the writers what to write and they wrote it: many writers, but only one author - God. It is His Word. That's why II Peter 1:20 says, 'No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Well if there is to be no private (or personal) interpretation, then there are only two choices left. Either there is no interpretation available, or, God has designed His Word to interpret itself to avoid private interpretation and errors!

II Timothy 2:15:

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The words, 'rightly dividingä in this verse mean a right, or, a straight and accurate cutting, or dividing. If you were to take a sheet of paper and cut it into several equal pieces, but one piece was bigger than the rest, and another piece was smaller than the rest, then that would not be a right dividing of the paper. That would not be a right or straight cutting.

When it comes to God's Word, the Word of truth, we are to rightly divide it. Various and differing opinions about the same subject are certainly not a right straight cutting - no more than the sheet of paper mentioned above. God just cannot contradict Himself. For example, God could not have 4 or 5 different methods of getting saved. He couldn't even have 2 different methods. Why? Because in His Word He declares that He is not a man that He should lie! God cannot contradict Himself!

So who is right? Whoever rightly divides the Word of truth! The only problem is that everyone is convinced that they are right. Perhaps, as II Timothy 2:15 says, we should put more time and effort (study) into working God's Word, and, avoid private interpretations and just let God's Word speak.

Here's a good question to ask yourself. Why do I believe what I believe? The answer to that question should not be, 'Because that's what my group believes.ä It should not be, 'Well, that's what my preacher says.ä It should not be, 'That's the way I've always heard it taught.

The best answer is, 'Because that is what the Word of God says!ä And, then, be able to go to the Scriptures and read it for yourself, rightly divided!

So, is everyone right? No. But God and His Word are always right.

By the way, Romans Chapter 10, verse 9, says:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.