Hermeneutics Study

The lesson on December 27, 2020 was part 7 of the "Hermeneutics" study and the last lesson in the series. Wayne took us through a quick review of what we previously covered before he transitioned to this lesson which was on rightly dividing the Apostle Paul's ministries. It is so important for proper interpretation of scripture to identify Paul's ministry during the Acts period with that of PAul after Acts 28 with his prison ministry. There were seven epistles written during Acts by Paul (Hebrews, Galatians, Romans, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians) and those books contain the perspective of the revealed plan that Paul was referring to in when he said " witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come". Even at the end of Acts Paul says in 28:23 "...And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." Now after Acts, PAul received a new ministry (called The Mystery) while he was in prison and this ministry is covered in his last seven books (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Titus, Philemon, 1 & 2 Timothy). By identifying these separate ministries, you will be able to clearly identify the differences in callings, hopes and doctrine so you may rightly divide the scriptures and correctly handle topics like baptism, the Lord’s super, signed gifts, prayer promises, hopes and related adoptions, covenants and associated promises. The scripture reading was from Acts 26:22-23 KJV "22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

The lesson on November 29, 2020 was part 5 of the "Hermeneutics" study. This weeks focus was on Typology. The typology in scripture are examples for us to learn. There are many types in the testimony of Jesus Christ whereas it says in John 5:39 KJV "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." We see in all of the Old Testament (The Law = Torah; The Prophets = Nebiim; The Psalms = Kethubim) that Jesus is seen in types and shadows. In the New Testament we see other examples: Hebrews 4:11 Israel an example of unbelief; Hebrews 8:4,5; 9:24; 10:1 Tabernacle – example and shadow of heavenly things; Hebrews 7:3,15-17: Melchizedeck; John 3: 14-15: Brazen serpent; and 1 Corinthians 10:14 Spiritual rock. The scripture reading was from Acts 8:17-24 KJV "17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

The lesson on December 6, 2020 was part 6 of the "Hermeneutics" study. The focus for this lesson was "Dispensational Truth". Wayne proceeded to give a light review of what we learned in the previous lesson then proceeded to teach us the definition of the word "dispensation". The Greek word for dispensation is "οἰκονομία". We see it in scripture in these passages: Luke. 16:2-4; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2; and Colossians1:25 KJV. The Friberg Lexicon provides us: 19463 οἰκονομία, ας, ἡ (1) literally, relating to the task of an οἰκονόμος (steward) in household administration stewardship, management (LU 16.2); (2) figuratively; (a) of the apostolic office in God's redemptive work task, responsibility, trusteeship (CO 1.25); (b) of God's arrangements for mankind's redemption plan, arrangement, purpose (EP 3.9); 1T 1.4 may mean (divine) training, but (divine) plan is also possible. Wayne emphasized the Greek word is constructed to mean "house law" which is to say what are the rules of the house. The Apostle PAul was given a body of truth called "The Mystery" while he was in prison and wrote to us in Ephesians to reveal it to us so we may teach others also. Paul's imperative to Timothy is shown in 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." We then went on present the subject of "Kingdom" which Paul mentions to Timothy in chapter 4 verses 1 and 18. We need to be able to understand the various kingdoms in scripture. The Kingdom must first be spiritual and then physical. It will take place on the Earth and in heaven. Today the kingdom is spiritual and will be Heavenly. Wayne closed on this saying it will continue over into the next lesson. The scripture reading was from 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 KJV "1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:"

The lesson on November 22, 2020 was part 4 of the "Hermenuetics" study. The focus this week was on Parables and how it is important to understand why Jesus used them and for what purpose they served. Wayne spent the first ten minutes of this lesson to remind us of the problem we have in America when we have two parties not identifying the real problem, which is a spiritual problem with America. Until we fix that, we will not solve our national problems. We then looked at the word "Parable" and was reminded of the Greek "παραβολή" words that mean "throwing along side". Parables were used when Jesus was teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven and showing Old Testament prophecy being literally fulfilled by Jesus. We looked at Isaiah 35:5 being fulfilled in Matthew 11:4 KJV. Wayne reminded us of when the disciples asked why he was speaking to them in parables in Matthew 13:10-13 KJV. Jesus responded "11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." The scripture reading was from Jeremiah 33:24-26 KJV "24 Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the Lord hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them. 25 Thus saith the Lord; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; 26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them."

The lesson on November 8, 2020 was part 2 of the "Hermeneutics" study. In this lesson we learn about figures of speech used in the Bible. Wayne refers to the book "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible" by E.W. Bullinger. In this book and also in the appendices of the Companion Bible, it explains that figures of speech are used to make speech interesting and they are used true to literary. The Greeks studied figures of speech even before Christianity and used the term "schmema" to describe the form or shape of the words. The Romans also studied it and used the word "figura" to describe the same thing. Finally they are used throughout the bible and if not perceived can result in false notions and be used to bolster incorrect doctrine. Wayne used the rest of the lesson to show us examples of where they are used in scripture. He warned that if they are not interpreted correctly, you will create doctrine that is improper and not rightly divided. The scripture reading was from 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV "15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The lesson on November 15, 2020 was part 3 of the "Hermeneutics" study and focused on using a Lexicon in your studies. A lexicon compares usage of words to help determine it's meanings. A lexicon does not define words for every particular context but gives categorical summaries which are helpful in looking for directions of study and possibilities. Wayne used this lesson to show examples of the synonymous words for "other" and "another". In the Greek, allos = another of the same kind (denoting numerical distinction). Heteros = another of a different kind (usually denoting generic distinction. The example we started with was from Galatians 1:6,7 KJV. "6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." Wayne taught us how to handle the proper interpretation in this and every case. The most important factor in deciding what a word means is its context. We learned of several examples where using a Lexicon would suggest it means one interpretation but the context shows it supports the other meaning. The scripture reading was from 2 Samuel 7:8 KJV "8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:"

The lesson on November 1, 2020 was part 1 of the "Hermeneutics" study. In this opening lesson, Wayne provides us some insights into the word and how the Greeks believed some of the myth of Hermes in that he could quickly deliver the message between the gods having winged sandals. We were introduced to where the Greek word shows up in scripture. There were three Greek words used to describe interpret and we convered some of the scriptures where it was used. We also used this with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. With proper interpretation we receive the proper understanding of scripture just like it was shown in Luke 24:45-47 KJV "45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The scripture reading was from Acts 8:27-31 KJV "27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him."