Applying The Bible

by Michael R. Bagget

A few years ago, I explained to a lady that not everything Jesus said to the apostles has a direct application to us. The lady replied, “Well, I try to apply the Bible to me.” I admire the willingness of one applying what the Bible says because it shows their willingness to obey God. However, when studying the Bible, we must use a little common sense just like we do when reading a newspaper or company manual. In short, every single sentence or comment written in the Bible does not directly apply to you and me.

When studying the Bible, we need to ask, “Who is speaking?” “Who is being addressed?” “How does this apply to me?”

For example, God told Noah to build an ark (Genesis 6:13ff). Now, who is speaking? God. Who is being spoken to here? Is God telling you or me to build an ark? Only Noah is being told to build an ark. You see, no matter how hard I try to apply this direct command to me, it just does not apply. Since I am not personally picked out to build an ark, how can it apply to me?

We can, however, learn from the example of Noah: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Like Noah, we will be commended by God if we “move with fear” by taking seriously what God tells us to do and do it with urgency. While we have not been told to build an ark, we are told many things in the New Testament such as the need to repent of sins (Luke 13:3, 5); be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16); worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23, 24); and obey all things Christ has commanded whether in the gospel or through the writings of His apostles (Matthew 28:20; I Corinthians 11:2; 14:37; II Thessalonians 2:14-15; II Peter 3:1-2).

Further, Jesus spoke and made certain comments or statements to the apostles He had personally chosen which were only intended for them. No matter how much we want to apply them to ourselves, it just does not apply to us. It will not work. For example, the apostles were promised miraculous measures of power from the Holy Spirit which were not promised to you and me. Two examples are as follows:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Who did Jesus say something to personally? Who must Jesus be speaking to in the context? The apostles are the only ones who are present with Jesus in this context who were told something, and the Holy Spirit will teach them and bring all things to their remembrance, whatever Jesus has already said to them. The second promise follows:

“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

Without meaning to sound offensive, reader, who is speaking? The context shows us this is Jesus. Now, who is Jesus speaking to directly in the context? It is the apostles. Jesus told these apostles that the comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, would teach them all truth and bring back to their remembrance what Jesus had already taught them. Has Jesus told you anything outside of the word of God? The apostles would need inspiration to begin carrying out the Great Commission and to write the New Testament which is our inspired message from Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 2:37).

Paul, an apostle, wrote: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (I Corinthians 14:37). Paul says that his writings are the commandments of the Lord. Paul is informing all people reading this that the words of the apostles are the words of Christ. The reader needs to let this fact sink deep down into his or her ears.

Jesus told the apostles that the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, would guide them into all truth and show them things to come. Not one person today is being guided into any kind of new truth because Jesus told the apostles that would be accomplished with them (see Jude 3). We are warned not to add to nor to take away from the Holy Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19).

When people try to apply every statement Jesus made to the apostles to themselves, they end up building doctrines Christ did not make and creating religious division.

Please, study the Bible to see how its great truths apply to your life, but remember to study the Bible, “… rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).

From “Think On These Things” (May 28, 2023) a work of the Washington Street Church of Christ, Lodi, CA