by Victor Eskew

The answer to this question by many is: “No.” They believe the Bible is subject to many interpretations by man. They affirm that we all read the Bible differently.

For the most part, however, most people read and understand the Bible alike. It is only in some areas that we disagree. This is easy to prove.

In Matthew 2:1-3, we read the following:

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

1. Who was born in Bethlehem? Jesus

2. Which Bethlehem was Jesus born in? Bethlehem of Judea

3. Which king was reigning? Herod

4. Who came from the east to Jerusalem? wise men

5. What did they ask? “Where is he that is born king of the Jews.”

6. What had they seen in the east? his star

7. Why had they come? to worship Jesus

8. What was Herod’s reaction to their question? He was troubled

9. T – F All Jerusalem was troubled also. True

I could give these nine questions to anyone and 99.9% of the time all of our answers would agree. In other words, we understand what we are reading exactly alike. Isn’t that amazing?

However, if we were to take another text, disagreements would fly all over the place. Let’s look at just one, Acts 22:16

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“

1. What question was asked in the text? “And now why tarriest thou?“

2. What was the person told to do? Arise, and be baptized

3. What was the purpose of the baptism? wash away thy sins

4. T – F When he was baptized, he was calling on the name of the Lord. True

My answers reflect exactly what the text says. As some respond to the questions, however, they would not put down the same answers. Why? It is not because they cannot understand the Bible alike. It is because they have been blinded by the doctrines of men that will not allow them to accept the simple truth.

We all need to remember that God’s word will judge us in the last day (John 12:48), not our thoughts, opinions, feelings, man-made creeds, and commandments of men.