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Arnie and Fred continue with the discussion of Jesus requiring people to understand the Bible alike. Jesus originally sent His apostles out to teach the gospel in all the world and to every creature or individual according to Mark 16 and Matthew 28. He emphasized that those who did not obey His words would be judged for it. Jesus said this on a number of occasions. This requires people to understand what is said in the same way, that is, alike. We discuss the fact that words have meanings, and the author of those words determines their meanings in the context He uses them. The example of the use of the word "seed" is discussed. If the hearer or reader assigns a meaning to the word different from the author, he will misunderstand the author. The hearer of this podcast is challenged to determine if they understand the use of the word "seed" in the same way the author intended. Ultimately, there is no such thing as understanding the Bible differently. The fact is, we all be judged by the standard of God's word, the New Testament according to the Lord in John 12:48.

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Arnie and Fred continue the discussion of what the Bible says about understanding it and the fact that Jesus expected His listeners to understand what He said. But we also find that Jesus expected His listeners to understand what He said in the same way or alike. We find the apostles teaching the same message, the gospel, to the individuals and churches that they spoke to. The churches in Galatia and the church in Corinth were taught the same requirement to take up a collection on the first day of the week. We find the same decrees were taught in every city Paul and Silas went according to the record in Acts 16:4-5 and that was taught to the Philippian jailer later in the chapter. The gospel that was taught to that jailer was the same that Jesus sent the apostles out to teach and was taught in Acts chapter 2. We discuss the divisions that Paul discovered in the church at Corinth when they departed from teaching the same gospel that Paul had originally taught them. So, all God's people today are to understand the Bible alike and to teach it alike.

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Arnie and Fred continue the discussion of what the Bible says about understanding it. Several passages from last weeks discussion that state the word of God was written to be understood and to be a guide for God's people. Discussed is the need to master some fundamentals in order to properly understand the Bible. A desire to learn what it says is necessary just as a new born baby desires milk. Noted is that the word of God is spiritual food for the new Christian. A common mistake is that people start at the hardest books of the Bible and get frustrated when they see difficulties in them. Starting with New Testament historical books is recommended, then to letters to churches and disciples. Next the Old Testament historical books, then the 17 books of prophets. Save Revelation for later study, for much of the same figurative language used by the Old Testament prophets is also used by John in writing The Revelation. One must not neglect noting God's plan of salvation for Jesus did say that He came to seek and save that which was lost. That is discussed in this lesson. Jesus selecting and sending out His apostles to teach the gospel in all the world is discussed and the requirement for all people everywhere to obey the gospel which they taught. The passages that say Jesus expected people to understand His teaching and that of His apostles is discussed.

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Fred and Arnie discuss what the Bible says about understanding it. We hear people say that they can't understand the Bible and they sometimes refer to what Peter said in 2 Peter 3:15-16. We discuss what these passages actually say. We note that the Bible was written in the common language of the day, to everyday people, not to theologians. We discuss some of the passages that say that God delivered His word to be understood and to enlighten people, to guide them. The fact that Jesus was a carpenter who ;lived in a rural village and was not a sophisticated man who had not attended the schools of higher learning of the day. We talk about what it takes to understand the Bible and note that the same things are true of understanding other things that we are interested in. 

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Fred and Arnie continue the discussion of what the Bible says about being specific. The Bible gives specific details about future events. The Bible names the leader of Persian Empire 176 years in advance. Discussion includes the Bible description of the destruction of Jerusalem before it occurred and Daniels identification of when that would occur. Finally, discussion of some of the details of Jesus' crucifixion which David described in Psalm 22.