R.C. Sproul

Suppose we read the Bible for the very first time.

And as we come to the Bible, we're supposed to get our doctrine from the Bible.

We're not supposed to take our doctrine and make the Bible fit our doctrine.

We're supposed to make our doctrine fit the Bible.

But suppose we come to the Scriptures and we draw out of the Scripture our doctrine.

And then when we do that, we create doctrinal meanings to our language.

This is where we need our Bible dictionaries and our Bible handbooks so that we can understand that certain words like salvation, justification, sanctification, even the word Lord.

The word Lord sometimes in the Bible refers to Jesus' kingly position at the right hand of God, the highest title we can give to him.

There are other times when the title Lord is used as a simple form of polite address, just like we use the English word sir or mister.

And so we can't jump to the conclusion anytime somebody comes up to Jesus on the street and says, Lord, that we say, ha, how did that stranger recognize instantly that Jesus was the Messiah?

He may simply have been saying, good afternoon, Mr. Jesus.

And so the context has to help us determine whether the exalted use of a word is in view here or a simpler version of it.

And by the same token, we have to be careful that we don't read back into the Bible full-orbed doctrinal meanings to particular words when the context of Scripture doesn't warrant it.

Again, the principle is context, the immediate context,

not just the immediate context, but the context of the whole, that every particular passage of Scripture must be measured and interpreted against the whole of Scripture so that we don't be guilty of setting one part over against another.

I know sometimes I can lead you to despair by pointing out all the difficulties that are there, but they're not that great.

Really, a simple Bible dictionary can be an enormous help to a lay person who's never had the benefit of studying the original languages.

Instantly, there was beside this single messenger from heaven, this angel, the entire heavenly host, there was with the angel a multitude of that army of angels that inhabit heaven and surround the presence of our eternal God.

And now it's not Zacharias who's singing.

It's not Mary who's singing.