How to Study and Interpret the Holy Bible: The “Key” to Interpreting the Bible Is to Define the Bible by the Bible.

By Ivan Lane

Rather than telling you “what” to think, author and expert, Ivan Lane, teaches you how to define biblical words and cross reference scripture to interpret biblical truth for yourself. Mr. Lane helps to make readable sense of the Bible by helping you learn how to understand biblical language and symbolic words. He does this by using a very unique method of interpreting the Bible that he calls, “The Definitive Method.” You will learn what books to use and how to use them in order to interpret any verse in the Bible in the context in which it was written. This book appeals to beginners and advanced students alike because it is written in laymen terms with basic and advanced techniques of interpreting the Bible. Mr. Lane takes you deep into symbolism, so that you can understand the spiritual aspect of the Bible for your edification and spiritual growth. Every technique is shown with easy step-by-step examples for your understanding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664296237

Ivan Lane

In 1966, at the age of three, Ivan was taken to see Rev. R.L. Stiles of Miracle Revival Center, Cleveland, Ohio and he prophesied that Ivan is anointed. The anointing of the Lord has been with Ivan, preserving him until the fulfillment of his calling in 1981, when Ivan’s grandmother took him to see Harlo White’s Revival Crusade in the Downtown Cleveland engineering building. Ivan Lane began studying the Bible in 1981 under the cassette tape teachings of an evangelistic ministry pastored by Rev. Dr. Harlo White. He began studying the subject of how to interpret the Bible in 1985. By 1995 he began working on his book, How to Study and Interpret the Holy Bible, which he completed in 2007. Ivan Lane has been studying the Bible for over 28 years. He has been studying the subject of interpreting the Bible for over 12 years. Mr. Lane has advised ministers, Bible teachers, and people in leadership ministry. Ivan Lane was born to Earlene Taylor and Melvin J. Gonnigan in 1963. He has three siblings: his sister, Annette Garrard, and his brothers, William E. Clark III, and John Clark. He has two children, Antonio L. Hood, and Netanya A. Lane: and four grandchildren, Aliyah Hood, Kayla Marie Hood, Noah Rylan Hood, and Caicee Lamiyah Hood. His grandmother, Phennorris Lane, taught him about the Lord and took him to church, raising Ivan from a babe as her own.

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Copyright © 2023 Ivan Lane.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

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expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9624-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9623-7 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/06/2023

Dedication

To the loving memory of my grandmother, Phennorris Lane, who has raised me in the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. She witnessed my calling and encouraged me to remember it so that I could fulfill it.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

How to Use this Book

CHAPTER 1     The Purpose for Studying Your Bible

CHAPTER 2     How to Interpret the Bible in Two Easy Steps

CHAPTER 3     Understanding Biblical Language

CHAPTER 4     How to Use the Essential Books for Bible Study

CHAPTER 5     Understanding the Spiritual Through Biblical and Symbolic Words

APPENDIX 1   How to Examine Messages for Spiritual Truth

APPENDIX 2   The Purpose of Fasting for Bible Study

APPENDIX 3   How to Become Saved

Questions and Answers

About the Author

My Vision

Recommended Books for Studying the Bible

Bibliography

Preface

The purpose for writing this study manual was based on the problems I have seen Christians experiencing when trying to understand the Bible, such as they read their Bibles instead of studying them, they skip over words in the verses they don’t understand, they define scriptural words in the English definition instead of in Hebrew and Greek from which the Bible was written, they interpret scripture with no supporting verses or use invalid supporting verses when doing so, and finally, they literalize scripture that requires symbolic interpretation.

Through personal study, the gathering of information, fasting, and prayer, the Lord, by divine inspiration, has given me the understanding to put together a book that will teach Christians or anyone, in laymen’s terms, how to study to interpret the Holy Bible King James Version with spiritual insight as God intended.

Introduction

The key to interpreting the Bible is to define the Bible by the Bible, which allows the Bible to interpret itself. This is scripture interpreting scripture ― the way the Bible teaches; therefore, it is the way God intended.

Presumably, every author writing about a well-covered topic on bible study believes he or she has something different to contribute, and I am no exception. There was a niche for a book that might be more understood if less denominational thinking (man’s religious beliefs) was presented than what is already on the shelves. However, I have sought to simplify what can be somewhat of a difficult subject by breaking things down in laymen’s terms with easy-to-follow instructions and techniques. Although academic explanation on how to study scripture is indeed informative, watching an illustration of a verse being interpreted step-by-step is more convincing and entertaining, while learning a message from certain examples.

Nevertheless, I attempt to write the single most explanatory book on this subject, covering only the necessary topics in sufficient detail. Other books on this subject are either a discussion, an introduction, or too academic (complex), which creates a boring or dry read.

Those books also provide no practical method for interpreting the Bible, leaving the readers confused or dissatisfied. However, readers may wish to know how to understand verses they read, interpret them, and recognize when the interpretation is true, without having it explained through intimidating terminology or scholarly rules.

This is the premise on which I have based my book to a considerable extent. All one needs is a basic education to apply these techniques.

The world is filled with articulate people who have no aspirations to be biblical scholars, but simply want to learn how to study the Bible correctly, convey the knowledge properly to others, and live it.

With this type of reader in mind, I have put together a book that circumvents the complexities or vagueness of bible study and focuses instead on practical techniques from the Bible with simple explanations. The manual is designed to assist the reader in comprehending the inspired scripture of the King James Version, Holy Bible.

Although this book is not as exhaustive as some of the others, I have chosen to concentrate on specific areas of study where God’s people are most likely to need help. So, without further ado, I present my God-inspired book — "How to Study and Interpret the Holy Bible.

How to Use this Book

How to use this book is summarized and organized so you can understand the essential use of each chapter to make your study workable, efficient, and thorough.

Preparation:

• The first thing you want to do is make sure you are saved and have received the Holy Spirit. — See Appendix Three.

The Holy Spirit is essential in understanding the Bible because he will reveal to you the understanding of scripture as you study.

• Just before each study session always pray for understanding. Nothing extravagant, just sincerely ask the Holy Spirit for understanding. — See Appendix Three.

• During your Christian experience you should be practicing the Eight Steps to Total Dedication every day as outlined in this book. It will open your mind spiritually through your dedication to God, so He can continuously speak to you as you study. – See Chapter One.

• You will need Three Essential Bible study books as follows: –see Chapter Four.

• Scofield Study Bible, King James Version

• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

• Webster’s Dictionary

• You must always look to understand the spiritual (symbolic) in scripture. This guideline is necessary to keep your bible study interpretation accurate. – See Chapters Three and Five.

• You must never break the five rules of interpretation because it will also help keep your interpretation accurate. – See Chapter Three.

Step One - Correct Biblical Grammar

• Read your Bible by cross-reference to avoid any seeming contradictions. – See Chapter Three.

• Check scripture for improper grammar – Chapter Three.

• Visually change pronouns into Modern English for an easy read – Chapter Three.

• Visually change compound words into simple English, if necessary – Chapter Three.

• Visually change biblical words with suffixes into Modern English – Chapter Three.

• Check for words in italics – Chapter Three.

• Check for words in parenthesis – Chapter Three.

• Check for words in brackets – Chapter Three.

Step Two – Interpret the Bible

• Question the verse to understand it – Chapter Three.

• Cross-reference the verse or subject with the Old Testament to see if it needs to be fulfilled in the New Testament ─ Chapter Three.

• Interpret the verse using word definition and cross-reference – Chapter Two and Chapter Four.

• If you have any problems receiving revelation from God, fast and pray, even if it is just one meal. God will honor it. – See Appendix 2.

CHAPTER ONE

The Purpose for Studying Your Bible

The purpose of studying the Bible is so that God’s people can take personal responsibility for their Christian walk — by knowing how to study the Bible for themselves. There are several reasons why God wants us to study the Bible. For instance, for personal divine direction of your life, for revelation truth, and edification of the body of Christ: the church. Other reasons are faithfulness and obedience to God, continuous divine communication, spiritual growth, and perfection in Christ. In addition, several verses specifically illustrate our purpose for studying the Bible. For instance, 2Timothy 2:15, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a teacher that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. In this verse, Paul is commanding us with the authority of God, that we should study the Bible to show ourselves approved of God, with him as our teacher, with no shame, because we correctly define God’s word of truth.

In other words, God sees us as acceptable vessels worthy of honor, because we possess his word of truth. You can only receive God’s word of truth into your spirit through diligence in studying the Bible, versus receiving it through someone teaching it to you. When someone teaches you God’s word, it is only mental knowledge, but you have not received the spiritual understanding into your spirit yet until you sit down and diligently study it and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you individually.

As a result, you will possess God’s word and be approved of God. Consequently, the word that you possess will begin living the life of Christ within you, molding your personality to be like Christ, thus exemplifying the meaning of being a Christian. Equally important is the purpose of the Holy Scriptures, because how can you fulfill the purpose of studying the Bible without fulfilling the purpose of the Holy Scriptures that you are studying? To understand this purpose, we must study the verse by 2Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible tells us that all scripture in the Bible is given and inspired by God. It is profitable for instruction in every aspect of our lives and is spiritually beneficial for our growth in Christ to be faithful and obedient to God. Scripture in the Bible is also evidence, indicating proof that your interpretation of another scripture is true. This is scripture supporting scripture, which is also for correction; because the victory that comes with the truth will destroy the workings of the devil in our lives, thus removing everything in us that will not permit us to be like Christ. The study of the scriptures gives us instruction in righteousness so we can learn to be righteous, which is your education and training in righteousness. As a result, you may be fully equipped with God’s personality and spiritual knowledge, thus a completed vessel in Christ that is perfect unto all good works.

However, the way to fulfill the purpose of studying the Bible is through faithfulness in God, which will open your mind to continuous divine communication with God by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you can receive personal divine direction or the revelation of truth through faithfulness in God. Here is how to be faithful through the eight steps to total dedication.

The Eight Steps to Total Dedication to God

1. Believe in your heart and mind that nothing should be more important than fulfilling God’s perfect plan for your life.

2. Serve God by studying the word of God ― 2Timothy 2:15. Studying the Bible is part of your dedication to God, so study your Bible daily or at least three times a week.

3. Serve God because you love him, and not because you are afraid of going to hell ― 1John 5:3 & 1John 4:18. Certain people are serving God because they are afraid of going to hell. If fear of hell brings you to God, then it is Okay. However, it should not be the way you continue to serve God. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit and allow him to develop within you a love for God through study, fasting, and prayer.

4. Serve God by forgiving and loving everyone that trespasses against you, including your enemies. Matt.5: 44 & 1John 3:18 & Eph.4: 32. To love God is to serve God. What God is trying to do is develop within you his undefiled love, which is a perfect love that is pure with no hatred, envy, or animosity towards your human brother.

5. Serve God by keeping your mind with a continuous and quiet attitude of prayer and praise. Do not neglect special praises out loud in private. Matt.6:5-8 and Heb.13:15.

6. Serve Christ in others by ministering to their needs and physically helping them. Acts 20: 34-35 and Luke 9: 60 and Matt.24: 14. When you are helping others — physically, financially, or emotionally, you are ministering to their needs and serving Christ in them by ministering the love of God to them, through healing their emotional wounds or blessing them by supplying their monetary needs as directed by the Holy Spirit.

7. Serve Christ by helping others financially or by paying your tithes ― Mal.3: 8 and 2Corinthians 9:6-7. When you help someone financially, you are serving Christ in them by ministering to that person’s needs as a messenger for Christ. Tithes in the Hebrew code 4643 of the Old Testament, it means a tenth, which means ten percent. In the New Testament Greek code 586, it means debtor and creditor. No percentage at all. Therefore, you pay your tithe according to your heart — by how much faith you have and how much you can afford. If you pay less, you will receive little in blessings from God. If you pay more, you’ll receive much in blessings.

8. Recognize and believe all truth: God reveals unto you. Acts 24: 14. This book will help you recognize and believe all truth that God reveals to you through personal study of the Bible. When God gives you a truth that you believe, then study to confirm its truth by the Bible. If you do not believe it, study it, and find the truth in the Bible. Either way, the Holy Spirit will lead you while you study and direct you to the truth.

These eight steps to total dedication will develop faithfulness and dedication to God within you, which will open a channel to receive personal divine direction or revelation truth for spiritual growth. These principles give you total continuous access to divine direction, and as a result, God will honor your dedication, faithfulness, and relationship with Him. You will become closer to God than ever before, and you can ask whatever you desire, and he will honor it.

The secret to getting what you want from God is to want what God wants for your life. Once you are faithful in your service to God through the eight steps of total dedication, then can you be faithful in your living for God by resisting sin through the strength and power of God.

Personal Divine Direction

Personal divine direction is for guidance, which comes through a particular need in your life, and you are seeking God for an answer to that need. It also opens your mind