Private interpretation carries the responsibility for it《2Ti 2:14; Ps119:18, 97; Eph4:11-13》

1. The importance of returning to the bible - the scriptures never err.

1) Objective and subjective approaches to interpretation might still make authority of interpreters equal or even greater than authority of the bible

Read <2Ti 2:14> <Ps 119:18, 97>

2) It is important to meet and serve the living God in His Word. Therefore, studies about God is most important, not secondary to experiencing God.

3) Only two roads.

(1) Only Bible is special revelation.

(2) Bible is special revelation, but there can be others.

2. Private interpretation: There is only one correct meaning of any biblical text.

1) The great danger of private interpretation is subjectivism.

2) However, there may be a multitude of applications.

Read <Jas 1:19-20>

3) Truth is not contradictory.

4) Satan used the “principle of contradiction” in the Garden.

Read <Ge 3:1-5>

3. The right of private interpretation carries with it the responsibility of correct interpretation.

1) It is necessary to distinguish between Exegesis and Eisegesis.

* Exegesis: drawing out from a passage what is contained within.

* Eisegesis: reading into the passage something that is not there.

* Examples

Read <Mat> <Lk 10:37ii> <Jn 13:27ii> <Isa 53:8> <Heb 12:2,11>

2) Churches with responsibility: governance for clergy and life-long christian education.

Read <Eph 4:11-13>