The Analytical Method of Bible Study
By William S. Sadler
HOW TO ENJOY YOUR BIBLE. No. 3.
The Analytical Method of Bible Study.
THIS is a method of Bible study that is especially enjoyable to a certain class of minds; and if you will but take the time to apply this method to a few verses of scripture that you thought you were thoroughly familiar with, you will be greatly surprised to find out how little, after all, you had ever discerned of the real truth and instruction contained in a single verse of the Bible. Let us open our Bibles, and engage in the study of a verse of scripture along the lines of the analytical method, and see what suggestions we can get. My Bible opens at the First Epistle of Peter. Suppose we analyze the first two verses of the first chapter and see what we can find. In this analytical method, there are a number of rules we must follow if we would get started right. First, read the verse carefully, slowly, and prayerfully, making sure that you understand the meaning of the words used, and that you understand the construction of the language. Second, examine the first sentence, carefully, even the first word, if it is one of importance, and crystallize in your mind the first thought or truth you learn from it. Third, in the analytical study of the Bible, always work with paper and pencil at hand, and the first thought you secure, from the study of your verse, write down, in as few words as possible, well crystallized, and call it Number One. Then proceed to get the next thought, etc. Fourth, make sure that you get every important thought and truth out of your verse, writing them down systematically, but also be careful not to write down anything, however true it may be, altho it may even be suggested by the verse you are studying, unless you find it plainly and clearly stated in the verse you are analyzing. Now, with these suggestions before us, let us proceed to find out and write down what we can learn from 1 Peter 1:1, 2:
1. This passage teaches us that Peter is the author of the epistle.
2. That the Peter who wrote it was an apostle of Jesus Christ.
3. We find the name Jesus Christ in these two verses twice; Jesus being the human name of the Son of God, and Christ the divine name or office, we are reminded that our Saviour was both human and divine.
4. Peter writes this epistle to "strangers;" thus reminding us that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world, looking and longing for a better.
5. These "strangers" were scattered abroad throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (Here let the student refer to his Bible maps, and learn the location of these different countries and in this way this passage of scripture will always be more interesting to him.)
6. These "strangers" to whom Peter wrote are called "elect."
7. These "strangers" were elected according to the foreknowledge of God.
8. This election was to be carried out or effected "through sanctification;" that is, while God foreknows the elect, they are to make their calling and election sure through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is a progressive work. God foreknows the election, but their election is made sure by the sanctifying and purifying work of the Spirit of God.
9. The result of this work of sanctification in behalf of the elect is:
(a) Obedience; "through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience."
(b) Sprinkling of the blood of Christ; which denotes the forgiveness of sin (see sprinkling of the blood in the service of the Aaronic priesthood), and which implies that those who are saved and obedient are those who have accepted the atoning work of Christ in behalf of sin.
10. That the object of God's choosing us is that we may obey His Word and will.
11. That the ground of our election, or the basis from which God chooses us, is the sprinkling of the blood of Christ; that is, through His cleansing work in our behalf.
12. That sanctification, or daily growth in grace, is God's foreordained way of preparing His chosen ones for the high and holy position for which they are candidates.
13. God is our Father, hence those who are obedient and who have accepted the blood of Christ are His children.
14. The mention of the three persons of the Godhead: (1) God, (2) Jesus Christ, (3) the Spirit.
15. "Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied"—indicating again, the progressive work of sanctification.
Thus we have found lying right on the9surface of these two opening verses of Peter's first epistle, fifteen great truths. And we could analyze these verses much more closely, but this is sufficient to illustrate the method of pursuing analytical study of the Bible. Many Bible students read the good Book very superficially. We would seriously recommend to all, that they study one of the smaller books of the Bible—one of Paul's epistles, say—after this analytical fashion. You will not only find a world of good in it directly, but it will cultivate careful and thorough habits in the study of the Bible, which will help you in all your future perusal of the sacred Word. Such methods of Bible study will also develop the mind, strengthen the memory, and make one more observant and thorough in all his reading and study.