Comparing Scripture with Scripture — Letting the Word Confirm the Word

How to Read the Bible Series

God’s Word speaks with one voice because it has one Author.
Across 66 books, written over centuries, by prophets, shepherds, kings, fishermen, and apostles—there is perfect harmony. Why? Because the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writing, does not contradict Himself. And this is why Scripture must be used to interpret Scripture.

The early Church, especially the Bereans and the Ante-Nicene believers, knew this instinctively. They didn’t build doctrines on isolated verses or clever analogies. They let the Word confirm the Word. When they tested Paul’s teaching, they didn’t reach for tradition or speculation—they searched the scrolls. If he preached Christ, they would find Him in Moses and the Prophets.

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Scripture Focus:

“But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:14, NASB1995

“On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed.”
— Deuteronomy 19:15b, NASB1995

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The Word is Its Own Witness

The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to explain Scripture. A truth is never established by a single verse taken out of context. Just as God required two or three witnesses in legal matters, He often confirms doctrine through multiple voices in His Word.

When Jesus spoke of Himself, He showed how the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms all testified to Him (Luke 24:44). The early Church followed this same pattern, checking that every teaching aligned with the totality of God’s revealed truth.

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Don’t Build a Doctrine on One Verse

It is dangerous to establish beliefs from isolated texts:

• A single verse on baptism does not teach the full meaning of baptism.
• A poetic phrase in Psalms isn’t a license for doctrine if it contradicts apostolic teaching.
• A vision in Revelation must be interpreted in light of clear prophetic Scripture.

When we let Scripture interpret Scripture, the Spirit brings balance, clarity, and unity to our understanding.

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How the Early Church Applied This

The Bereans didn’t have systematic theology textbooks. They had the Hebrew Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. When Paul taught salvation through Christ, they searched for those threads in Genesis, Isaiah, and the Psalms. Their faith was not blind—it was grounded in revealed truth.

The Ante-Nicene believers quoted Scripture often and widely, drawing connections across books to test false teaching. They didn’t elevate clever analogies or speculative ideas. They let the Word speak for itself.

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Practical Ways to Let the Word Interpret the Word

• Cross-reference similar passages to see the full picture.
• Look for patterns: does this principle appear consistently?
• Consider the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), not just selected parts.
• Let clear passages interpret unclear ones—not the reverse.

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Return to the Word. Let It Speak for Itself.