The Evidence of Like-Referenced Verses
See also post: Compelling evidence for biblical inerrancy - Like referenced verses 1:14One of the many ways you can confirm for yourself the inerrancy of Scripture is to examine any set of like referenced verses in the Bible looking for a similar theme running through them. I find most often that about 33% have a very clear related theme, another 33% have a somewhat clear theme and then the remaining ones have a common theme that's a bit more difficult to discern.
FINDING THE COMMON THEME
When looking at a set of like referenced verses, very often there are two to three that are strikingly similar in theme that will get you started in determining the common theme for the set. Sometimes you have to look at surrounding verses to understand the context of a of any single verse you're looking at. Once you become confident like referenced verse pattern exist, you will worry less about a couple of verses that don't seem to fit the pattern. Like any other scripture study, God always leaves us with lots of room to dig for deeper truths in his word.HOW COMMON THEMES CONFIRM BIBLICAL INERRANCY
Here's some of the ways that like referenced verse similarities help confirm the inerrancy of the Bible:- VERY CLEAR THEMES: 100% of the time there is a similar theme in more than half the verses.
- LITTLE POSSIBILITY OF COINCIDENCE: You will notice how the themes are very specific and not likely to be a product of chance. Since the numbering of the verse set relates to the contents of the theme, it removes doubt that the theme is just a product of your imagination or chance. These are God defined themes and numbering.
- CONSISTENT ACROSS OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS: The themes run across the old and new Testaments declaring that this pattern exists across the entire volume of the Bible. The Old and New Testaments are two parts of a single word of God.
- CHAPTER/VERSE NUMBER SYMBOLISM RELATES TO THEME: The numbering of the chapter and verse fits with the theme that runs through the set. In the following set of "1:44" verses we can see the number 14 which relates to Kings and Jesus the King.
- THEME UNDERSTANDING HELPS VERSE INTERPRETATION: We find that by understanding the theme, it helps us to more clearly see how it applies to other verses with the same chapter and verse.
Note: In any of God's patterns there is both a negative and positive meaning to every theme. For example, in the following sets of verses, some are about being in the presence of the king while others are about not being in the presence of the king. Numbers and patterns have both positive and negative associations.
THE BIBLES LIKE-REFERENCED 1:44 VERSES
Following are explanations for the Bible's 1:44 like referenced verses. These are all 7 of the Bible's "1:44" verses.- Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation
sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. (John the Baptist reacting to the presence of Jesus)
- 1Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest,
and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites,
and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: (Riding in announcing Solomon as the new king)
- John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew
and Peter. (Jesus finding Philip saying "follow me")
- Mark 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (The healed leper being told not to announce what Jesus did, but he did so anyway)
- 1Chronicles 1:44 And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
- Numbers 1:44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and
Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for
the house of his fathers. (stating that Moses and Aaron were then God's chosen leaders of Israel)
- Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. (The LORD telling them how he had told them not to go - "I am not among you")
For further Study - The count of like referenced verses has meaning
It is worth mentioning, I am convinced even the count of verses with the same chapter and verse reference has meaning. There is a total of seven 1:44 verses in the Bible. I don't believe this is an accident but it's not now obvious to me how it fits the patterns. One of the best evidences of this is the count of the Bible's 22:22 like-referenced verses - There are 22 of them. Number 22 is symbolic of Jesus, the suffering servant. An example is Ezekiel 22:22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you. Another is -- Luke 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!Concluding
If you study the Bible's like referenced verses you will become more convinced than ever that the Bible is the God-Breathed word of God. Start by studying the Bible's 3:16 verses for some great surprises:- John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- 1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
- Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
- 2Cor 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
- 1Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
- 2The 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
