“WE AFFIRM that the Holy Spirit’s intended meaning in any particular passage of Scripture can be truly discerned by means of the normal conventions of grammar with respect to the genre of the text under consideration. We further affirm that any passage’s meaning adheres to the context in which it is placed, both literary and biblical-theological. We affirm, also, that proper interpretations of Scriptures ought to be more or less consonant with the way in which the true church has understood them throughout the ages.“
“WE DENY that Scripture should be interpreted in an arbitrary fashion based on subjective impressions or direct allegories to today. We deny that there are hidden revelations within the Scriptures that only certain ‘anointed’ ones can know and teach. We deny that the use of our intellect to understand the meaning of Scripture negates the work of the Spirit in illumination.“
The Holy Scriptures were written by ordinary men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20–21). Their first audiences were also ordinary people — the Old Testament was originally given to the nation of Israel, and the New Testament was written to various groups of Christians across different places.
Why is this important? Because it highlights the wonder of God’s condescension (coming down to us): the Almighty chose to reveal Himself in words ordinary people could understand. When Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, he was not trying to obscure, mystify, or codify God’s truth in inaccessible ways. Rather, he sought to plainly communicate God’s Word as it was revealed to him. The same is true of Paul, Peter, Jeremiah, and every other biblical author.
Therefore, it is TRUE that using the simple rules of grammar and context we are able to faithfully understand the true intended meaning of the Scriptures. The Bereans in Acts 17:10-15 are noted as being noble for the very fact that they confirmed the truthfulness of Paul’s teaching by carefully investigating the Scriptures. Ordinary believers, using their minds, understood God’s Word. The use of their intellect did not negate the power and work of the Spirit in them. It is actually recorded that many of them believed as a result of their research into the Scriptures (v.12).
It is FALSE, then, to imagine that the understanding of Scripture is reserved for a spiritual elite or select few. Anyone who diligently searches the Word with a humble and attentive mind can discern its true message. This exercise will not be in contradiction to the Spirit who is at work in us as we undertake such a task.
It is also FALSE to think that there is some “extra” revelation about God and His salvation to be found outside the Bible — whether through personal visions, mystical encounters, or secret knowledge. All that is necessary for salvation and godly living has fully and finally been made known to us in the 66 books of the Bible. The maturity of your Christian faith does NOT need any additional insight outside these books.
So, dear Christian, have you left your Bible shut out of fear that you will misunderstand it? Have you thought yourself unqualified because you lack some “special” anointing? Take up and read your copy of the Scriptures today in the language you best understand. With prayerful dependence on the Spirit, God will use your ordinary reading and simple skills of grammar and context to show you more of His salvation in Christ.
