Start with Clear Scriptures

Back to The Bible's Difficult Scriptures Explained!

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The ninth rule of Bible study is: Never attempt to establish doctrine by unclear scriptures—use plain ones. An example of a vague scripture is found in Acts 10:1-48, where the Apostle Peter was being taught a principle from God. It is incredible how the world has twisted and perverted this scripture. At first, the meaning is ambiguous, but later becomes unmistakably clear: “And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not you common” (Ac 10:15).

Many “Christians” presume that this verse permits them to eat unclean animals that are supposedly, now and forever, “cleansed.” Some people specialize in quoting and creatively interpreting vague scriptures. They do this because it gives them room to speculate and invent new doctrines.

Peter did not understand the meaning of this vision until later. Acts 10:28 states, “And he said unto them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

Of and by itself, this vision would not be of value in establishing sound doctrine. Only after reading the full account does its real meaning become apparent—that Peter was speaking of men, not unclean animals.

Rule #10: Use More Than One Translation