The greatest essence in investigating the scriptures is so that we can profit from it (Romans 15:4) i.e the hope, comfort, patience, revelation, and edification that searching of scriptures gives, will truly be ours (John 6:63; Psalms 119:162).

The word of God itself is profitable, however, there are principles that helps in maximizing the profit of scriptures (1Timothy 4:15; Mark7:13).

The word of God can be compared to three things: (i) nutrition i.e you eat it (ii) medication - you study it day and night as prescribed in the bible (iii) exercise (1Corinthians 3:1-2; Psalms 1:2).

Ultimately, the Bible is meant for heart consumption; we cannot profit until the scriptures enters our heart (Psalms 119:11). Profit comes by repetitive learning of the scriptures, it must be done consistently (Matthew 4:4; Joshua 1:8).

The three pointers to the scriptures, which will make it profitable unto us, are that:

(1). In order for our heart to be rich in scriptures and be profitable from it, we must ensure that every channel that supplies the soul must be what God's word can penetrate through (Colossians 3:16).

(2) Removing what chokes the word is what brings profit (Matthew 13:18-22).

(3) Being the doer of the word brings profit (James 1:22-25).

What Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16 about all scriptures being given by the inspiration of God, does not mean that all things in the scriptures were said by God (for many other people spoke too), rather the things documented, including the speakings, instructions, rebukes of others are done for our profitable doctrine if scriptures is properly studied.

There is no division in the Body of Christ, rather it is our interpretation of scriptures that lacks uniformity. Hence, we must learn the right interpretation, for people will believe and practise wrongly if they are not taught or learnt correctly. All scriptures, is profitable for godly education.

▪️Basic Guides & Tools To Bible Interpretation:

(1). Be honest

(2). The Bible only means what the author meant (and so, for interpretation, it only has singular meaning) but there is principle of application in Bible e.g 1 Corinthians 9:9; Isaiah 45:11

(3). Language study i.e study the Greek and Hebrew meaning of scriptures to know what is rightly said or written e.g Mark 16:18

(4). Study the context surrounding the scriptures when interpreting e.g John 12:32-34; Romans 8:19; Joel 3:8-12.

One of the reasons we investigate the scriptures is so that we can make defense against people that may want to rubbish our faith, or to give adequate answers to those that do not understand our faith. Before we claim the Bible to be the final authority or free of error, we must know the basis for it i.e. we must thoroughly analyze and scrutinize the scriptures if we truly want to make the basis of our lives on the scriptures, for God's word cannot be separated from His systems, institutions, and reputation (John.17:17; Numbers 23:19).

In a sense, there are seemingly contradictions in the scriptures. However, we must be able to respond well by making an argument case for the scriptures to be true, because every seemingly contradiction can be explained if done thoroughly (1 Chronicles 22:25, 2 Samuel 24:29; John 20:1, Matthew 28:1, Mark.16:1). The seemingly contradictions is as a result of God's expression in His different dimensions e.g. God in the position of a Judge hates iniquities but in His merciful dimension, His love is expressed (Psalms 5:5; 1 John 4:8-11).

In establishing the idea of the infallibility of the scriptures, we must establish that the original manuscript, which 2 Timothy.3:16-17 spoke about, is true because it was inspired by God. However, in the passing down of the documentations about the scriptures, there may have been error because at different times were these books burnt down but it must be noted that the original manuscript is free of error. The Bible is infallible when it is put together.

Until we begin to emphasize certain things about the Christian faith, we may not experience it. We cannot be authentic Christians if we deemphasize the power of God. You cannot live through the scriptures and deny the power of God (Exodus 32:11; Matthew 22:39).

It is known that the Bible is central to Christianity. In the Christian faith, we believe and practise what is found or written in the scriptures (John 6:45; John 8:17; John 10:34); believers must learn and be ready to affirm or apply “It is written” to every situation of life.

Isaiah.61:1

Jesus was enabled by the Holy Ghost to do ministry, even to do good (Matthew 4:15); Jesus preached and taught with anointing, and so, preaching without the anointing is a waste of time.

The first kind of ministry that Jesus did was the preaching and teaching ministry, which was done by the power of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 4:17; Luke.4:31-32). The second ministry of Jesus was the healing ministry (Acts 10:38; Matt.hew 4:23; Matthew 9:34-35; Luke.5:17).

The church is an extension of the works of Jesus, so, we are to do everything and more by the power of the Spirit. The church should be involved in the deliverance ministry (Luke 13:11).

In every normal human being, there is always a desire to step up or to be better than before; if one is not making room for improvement, it means that Satan has convinced such to be less of human.

The way to step up is not in the accumulation of things but in the giving up of things. Man must live according to the standard that the Lord has set for him (Philippians 3:12-15); and because every man desire improvement, all improvements must be inside the frame of God’s work.

Stepping up must be on God, by God, through God, and for God (Luke 12:16-19); if stepping up does not make a man grow in God and improve in his spiritual life, it is not an upgrade. Any promotion or exaltation that God does not give, cannot be sustained (Psalms 75: 6-9). The best step up is one that is done in godliness; you cannot step up in God and not see the effects in every area of your life.

The blood of bulls may clean the external but cannot clean the inward, the soul, which is a part of heaven’s reality in a man, and so, the Blood of Jesus which is also the Blood of God, is the purchasing power needed for cleansing (John 1:13; Hebrews 9:19-23).

Applications Of The Blood Of The Lamb:

(1). We have boldness by the Blood because we have oneness with God (Hebrews 10:19).

(2). The Blood as redemption, communicates the idea of random (Colossians 1:14).

(3). Blood as the purchasing power communicates that anything gotten from the Blood is not because it can be bought, rather, it is solely because of the Lamb.

(4). Blood of the Lamb affirms the speakings of God in the court of heavens (Revelations 12:9-11; Exodus 24:7).

*David Breanerd -

Died at age 29, he was a devout spiritual person and very influential to the course of the gospel; his experience, and his journals were instrumental. He got expelled from Yale University for insulting one of his teachers, thus, prevented him from preaching in some places and resulted into preaching in villages. He fasted alot that his health deteriorated, he eventually died at Jonathan Edward's house. His life had a ripple effect on other missionaries after he died.

*James Hudson Taylor -

He was born into a family that frequently spoke about countries that had not heard the gospel. He decided he was no longer going to be a Christian at age 17 but his sister and mother continued to pray for him, which he later got back on the path of faith. He took interest in Chinese so as to preach to them by identifying with them, eating their food, dressing like them, and eventually found a cultural common ground. He was a man of prayer and faith; he died June 3rd, 1905 and was buried in China.

*William Curey -

He is the father of modern missions. He was a shoemaker at age 14, accepted Jesus at 19, taught himself Greek and Hebrew language, and his favourite book was Isaiah (majorly preached from chapter 45). His major place of missionary was India. He was in India for 40years.

*David Livingstone -

He was inspired by David Breanerd; he was exposed to books from childhood and advocated for abolition of slave trade. He died on his knees praying and wrote death wishes that missionaries should come to Africa.

*Mary Slessor -

She was inspired by David Livingstone’s story after reading his death wish. She arrived at Calabar in Nigeria and called for the abolition of twins. She served for thirty-nine years.

The first great awakening refers to the revival periods of the Wesleys, Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards in the 18th century while the second great awakening was responsible for attracting millions of new members, especially women, African Americans, and young people.

James McGready was granted a minister’s license in Logan County, Kentucky, in January 1797. As the area’s first resident Presbyterian minister, he led three small congregations: the largest was Red River, with about twenty-five members and the other two were at Gasper River, and Muddy River.

Back in New England, there was a lack of interest in Christianity. Places like Yale University had become a graveyard of past Christian heroes. These institutions strayed from their origins to train young men for Christian ministry. The college’s president at that time was Timothy Dwight, grandson of Jonathan Edwards. When Dwight assumed the reigns of leadership at Yale in 1795 the college “was in a most ungodly state,” and only about ten percent of its 125 students publicly professed to be Christians.

Lyman Beecher, who went on to become a famous New England minister, was a junior when Dwight arrived as Yale’s president. Beecher reported of spiritual conditions at the school: “The college church was almost extinct. Most of the students were skeptical, and rowdies were plenty. Wine and liquors were kept in many rooms; intemperance, profanity, gambling and licentiousness were common.