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Some say the Holy Spirit must enlighten the human mind to understand
the Bible. Whether the Holy Spirit gives aid to understand the
Scriptures is basic doctrine, not opinion. If the Holy Spirit
acts directly upon the human mind for us to understand the will
of God, do we have the firstcentury gift of knowledge (1
Cor. 12:8).
The New Testament teaches that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit
have ceased (1 Cor. 13:113; Eph. 4:714). If one of
these gifts is still in force, why not all of them? If the gift
of knowledge is still available, we should have everything from
speaking in unknown tongues to miraculous healing and punishment.
If the Holy Spirit enlightens the human mind to understand the
Bible, then "study to show thyself approved unto God"
would not be necessary. God commands such study (2 Tim 2:15).
Therefore, we can be sure the Holy Spirit does not give us the
meaning of Scripture in an immediate way.
Paul said in Ephesians 3:34, "How that by revelation
he made known unto me the mystery, (as I wrote before in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery
of Christ)." Paul thought we could read and understand the
words of revelation.
We ask the following questions of those who believe the Spirit
must give them direct help to understand the Scriptures. The questions
are under four headings: communication, confusion, confirmation
and condemnation.
Communication
Name a specific verse of Scripture that you did not previously
understand, but now do understand because the Holy Spirit helped
you. How did the Holy Spirit communicate the meaning of that verse
to you? Did the Holy Spirit reveal the meaning of the passage
visibly or audibly?
Some dodge the question by saying, "I do not know."
Then how does one know there has been a communication, and who
communicated it?
The Bible requires you to give an answer for what you believe
(1 Pet. 3:15).
Confusion
What if two members of the church claim the Spirit helps them
understand a difficult verse, but hold contradictory views on
its meaning? Does that make God the author of confusion? Did the
Holy Spirit give one or both of them a false interpretation? If
so, what will be the criteria for determining which, if either
of them, has the right understanding of the passage?
God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).
Confirmation
Messages from the Spirit in the beginning of the gospel were confirmed
by signs and wonders.
"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord
working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Amen" (Mark 16:20).
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression
and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall
we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them
that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs
and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his own will (Heb. 2:24).
If anyone claims the Holy Spirit helps to understand Scripture,
he should give a demonstration of divine might to prove his claim.
No reasonable person would accept any explanation as a divine
interpretation just because someone said so. Where is the proof?
John wrote, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life
through his name" (John 20:3031).
Condemnation
If one rejects the idea that the Holy Spirit gives direct help
in understanding the Bible, is that one condemned? Paul wrote
"Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess. 5:19). Does one quench
the Spirit if he rejects direct, immediate Holy Spirit enlightenment?
Is he lost?
Many who say the Spirit enlightens their mind to understand the
Bible, claim it is not a matter of salvation. Why not?
The opposite side of this coin is, "Could one lose his salvation
by teaching one does not have or need the direct help of the Spirit
to understand the Bible?"
What is taught concerning the Holy Spirit is a crucial matter.
Much of the strife in the church results from a failure to understand
the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Just two more questions: Does the direct help one supposedly needs
from the Spirit to understand the Bible apply to the Old Testament?
We leave you to ponder the implications of that question as it
affects the Jew before the Spirit was given. And, does the alien
sinner need the same enlightenment of the Spirit as the saint?
If yes, then a failure to understand the plan of salvation is
the fault of the Holy Spirit for not enlightening the lost. If
no, how is it that the alien can understand what God says to him
but the child of God cannot?
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