The article argues that the Bible is a divinely written book that can be understood by individuals, with or without the help of a minister, contrary to the claims made by groups like the Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Roman Catholic Church. It critiques the INC’s use of the Ethiopian eunuch’s story from Acts 8 as evidence that scripture cannot be comprehended without a minister’s guidance. The article highlights the flaw in using a specific example to create a universal rule, asserting that the eunuch’s lack of understanding was due to his unfamiliarity with the gospel of Jesus, not the inherent obscurity of scripture. Therefore, it concludes that while guidance can be helpful, the Bible remains accessible to all believers.
The Ethiopian eunuch, a highly educated and influential figure, still required the help of Philip, a God-sent messenger, to understand the passage from Isaiah. Despite his education and ability to read, the eunuch struggled to grasp the full meaning of the scripture, which shows that intellectual capacity alone is not always sufficient for understanding divine truths.
This example suggests that interpreting scripture requires more than just literacy or education—it requires spiritual insight and guidance, often provided by those called and equipped to teach the Word. If a man of the eunuch’s stature and education needed assistance in comprehending the scriptures, it stands to reason that the average person, with less formal education and less exposure to religious texts, would likely need similar guidance. The Bible is a profound and complex book, and while it can be understood on a basic level, its deeper meanings often require interpretation by a messenger appointed by God, as supported by passages like Romans 10:14, which asks, “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” The eunuch’s experience reinforces the idea that God often uses ministers to help reveal the meaning of scripture, ensuring that its truths are fully understood and applied.
The argument regarding the Protestant claim of the Holy Spirit’s role in illuminating Scripture, while acknowledging the need for divine intervention, overlooks the critical role of God-appointed messengers in preaching the gospel, as laid out in Romans 10:14-15. The passage in Romans clearly outlines that for anyone to have faith in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, they must first hear the message preached by someone who has been sent by God. This contradicts the idea that personal reading alone is sufficient for understanding Scripture.
While 1 Corinthians 2:14 does indicate that the “natural person” cannot understand spiritual truths on their own, it is important to recognize that Romans 10:14-15 emphasizes the necessity of hearing the gospel preached by a messenger for faith to arise. The sequence is clear: belief and spiritual understanding come through hearing the Word of God from those sent to preach it. Therefore, a person like the Ethiopian eunuch could not have fully understood the Scriptures on his own, not only because he was spiritually blind (as the article claims) but also because he had not yet heard the gospel from a God-appointed preacher.
In fact, Galatians 3:14 and Ephesians 1:13 support this argument, showing that the Holy Spirit is received through faith, which itself is born out of hearing the gospel message. The eunuch did not have the gospel until Philip, a divinely sent preacher, explained it to him. The Holy Spirit’s work in opening his understanding was inseparable from the role of the preacher, Philip, who was necessary for the eunuch’s conversion.
Thus, the article’s claim that the Holy Spirit alone can bring someone to understanding without external preaching undermines the biblical process outlined in Romans 10. God has ordained that faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the preaching of the gospel by a messenger. Therefore, while the Holy Spirit certainly illuminates Scripture, it is through the appointed means of gospel preaching that this illumination is given. This is why the eunuch needed Philip, not just divine illumination, to understand the Scriptures and receive the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the preaching of the gospel to bring about faith and understanding, which the eunuch could not have achieved on his own. Therefore, both divine illumination and the role of ordained messengers are essential in leading someone to faith and receiving the Holy Spirit.
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