To read Part One, click here.

Let's look at some guidelines for rightly dividing the Word of truth.

So, how do we determine the correct approach to any Bible passage? How can we avoid, traditional, religious thinking that makes the Word of God ineffective? One of the most important rules of rightly dividing the Word of God and obtaining revelation knowledge is simply this: let the Word divide itself! Let the Word answer and define itself.

For instance, the Bible establishes a principle. Where the truth of a matter is being determined, the Word says that there should be at least two or three witnesses to establish that truth or verdict. For example, if someone is accused of sin or breaking the law and brought before judge or jury, if two or three witnesses testify of the same thing, the matter is established and the verdict is rendered. In the same way, we can use this principle in rightly dividing the Word of truth—in establishing the truth or delivering a verdict, we must have a Bible truth established in the mouth of two or three witnesses—or in the mouth of two or three other verses of Scripture in their context. We see this truth in these verses.

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Matthew 18:15-16)

"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1)

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Where Scriptures, and properly interpreting them, are concerned, we must establish a truth on the testimony of two or three other verses of Scripture that are congruent with one another. We can't pull out one isolated verse of scripture and build a doctrine anymore than we can pull several verses out of context to build a case. We need to compare Scripture with Scripture in it's context to rightly divide the Word.

To read Part Three, click here.

For further study, I recommend my book, "Getting a Grip on the Basics of Health and Healing."

Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.