Tips to Understand Your Bible - Tip 5: CHRIST

The Bible is one continuous story, and it is imperative that we keep in mind that all Scripture revolves around Christ and the redemption of mankind. This is where the unity of Scripture is found, and is sometimes referred to as the “Christo-Centric Principle”. 

THE THEME OF BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT IS CHRIST AND HIS REDEMPTION OF MANKIND. 

Ephesians 1:9-10 NLT“God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill His own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.”

The presence of Christ is not always fully clear in the Old Testament. It is even difficult to interpret in some places, but types and shadows of Christ are found in every Old Testament book. In the same way, we in the New Testament look towards Christ's second Coming, so the Old Testament looks towards Christ's first appearance. As we saw in Principle #4, that revelation is progressive. 

I Corinthians 13:12 NKJV“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

3 THINGS TO REMEMBER:

• The Old Testament looks forward to Christ at Calvary. 

• The New Testament looks back to Christ at Calvary. 

• The New Testament also looks forward to Christ's Second Coming. 

We must realize that the ultimate purpose for the written Word is to introduce mankind to Christ, and we should gather our principles for Christian living from the New Testament. We can also use Old Testament scriptures if they contain the same principles as in the New Testament. 

As you endeavor to grow in your understanding of the Scripture and how the whole Bible is centered around Christ, here are 5 points of reference when studying about the life and ministry of Jesus.

1. The Incarnation is located in the Gospels. 

2. The life of Christ is located in the Gospels. 

3. The saving events of the Cross are located in the Gospels. 

4. The resurrection of Christ is located in the Gospels. 

5. The interpretation of the person and work of Christ is found in the Epistles.

Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

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These 5 tips of Bible Interpretation help equip us to better understand God’s Word: 

1. Context - The primary rule of Bible interpretation is to take into consideration the context of a passage.

2. Comparison - In order to arrive at a balanced view and understanding of a particular scripture, it’s important to compare scripture with other scripture.

3. First Mention - Looking at the first place a subject is mentioned in Scripture is a key to understanding that subject. That first mention becomes like an anchor or reference point for further interpretation on the subject. 

4. Progressive Revelation - As time unfolds, God's purposes become more clear and understandable. 

5. Christ - The Bible is one continuous story, and it is imperative that we keep in mind that all Scripture revolves around Christ and the redemption of mankind.