The Need for Help

by Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.

 

Back in the first century an Ethiopian court official was in Gaza near Jerusalem doing business for the queen of Ethiopia. He was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah but wasn’t having much luck understanding what it meant. Under the direction of God, the apostle Phillip went up to the Ethiopian and asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian responded by saying, “Well, how could I unless someone guides me?” Phillip then explained what the Book of Isaiah was saying and how the passage they were looking at referred to Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian, now understanding the passage, believed in Jesus and was baptized.

 

Two points from this account in Acts 8:25–35 are worthy of notice. First, as the Ethiopian could testify to, seeing the words of the Bible does not mean that one understands the words of the Bible. It is possible to read the Bible but have no clue as to what it is talking about.

 

And second, proper guidance can help people understand the Bible. Phillip “opened his mouth” and explained what the passage meant so that the Ethiopian could know what it meant and then apply it to his life. Without Phillip’s guidance, the Ethiopian official would have remained in the dark about the Bible’s meaning.

 

Can you relate to the Ethiopian? How many times have you read the Bible only to wonder, “Now what does that mean?” If you have, don’t be too hard on yourself. Many people, myself included, have had the same experience.

 

What we want to do in these series of articles on How to Study the Bible, is offer principles and a plan for understanding and applying the Bible. Understanding the Bible is not rocket science but it still takes work. So in these series of articles we will discuss the things you need to be aware of and do to properly interpret and apply God’s Word.