Gospel of Mark

中文 CHI

This book is a transcription of the speaker’s oral studies on the Gospel of Mark, conducted every Sunday afternoon in 1973 in Manila, Philippines, together with a group of young brothers and sisters who loved the Lord and were devoted to pursuing Him.

The recorded notes have now been lightly edited and compiled into this volume as a reference for those who desire to witness and study the Scriptures. May the Lord grant the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that as readers diligently read the Bible, they may receive richer light and instruction from the Lord, and be enlightened, cleansed, and nourished—so that their spiritual lives may become ever more pure and abundant.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I. Introduction to Testimony Bible Reading

1. Over generations, books on biblical interpretation have accumulated, becoming a precious spiritual heritage for the church. Whether for foundational faith or the edification of truth, they provide rich nourishment and guidance to believers.

   
   

2. 2 Timothy 3:16 states: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the person belonging to God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This verse tells us that Scripture originates from God's inspiration and serves to teach, correct, and guide believers into righteousness, enabling them to grow in spiritual maturity and be prepared for good works—this is the fundamental understanding of the verse.

   
   

3. However, if we delve deeper, we discover that the phrase "All Scripture is inspired (revealed) by God" carries a profound and elevated meaning. It speaks of God’s eternal plan, His will, and His purpose, which He desires all believers to pursue, understand, and ultimately fulfill.

   
   

4. To accomplish God's eternal plan and fulfill His heart’s desire, believers need to advance in spiritual growth through Bible reading. The maturity of a Christian’s inner life, the increase of Christ's stature in the church, and the victorious testimony of individuals and congregations all require further strengthening. Thus, learning how to read the Bible in a way that daily provides spiritual nourishment and enables spiritual growth is a pressing priority for believers today.

   
   

5. John 6:63 records: "Jesus said, 'The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.'" This verse clearly explains that the Lord’s words are meant to supply spiritual life. Just as the Israelites were sustained for forty years in the wilderness by manna, believers grow and live spiritually through God’s Word.

   The prophet Jeremiah once said: "Lord God of Hosts, when Your words came, I ate them; Your words were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name." (Jeremiah 15:16) Again, this shows that Scripture is God’s Word—it is spiritual food, life, and strength, allowing believers to grow spiritually, live powerfully, and have the strength to overcome.

   
   

6. John 5:39 records Jesus Himself saying: "You study the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me." This reveals that the Bible is a testimony to Christ’s divine and supreme authority.

   • First, through the Word of God in the Bible, we receive eternal life. As 1 Peter 1:23 states: "You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

   • Second, through the word of God in the Bible, we live out the testimony of Christ. When God's Word enters the believer, it becomes life—this life is the life of the Son of God, which grows within and manifests Christ, and be a testimony of Christ.

     This way of reading the Bible—where believers are transformed to live out Christ's testimony—is called "Testimony Bible Reading".

7. In other words, Testimony Bible Reading means reading Scripture to receive divine illumination and apply spiritual principles to a believer’s daily life, work and service, knowing Christ, experiencing Christ, and ultimately living out Christ.

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II. Basic Principles of Bible Reading

A. Understanding the eternal nature of the Bible

1. God is the eternal God (Psalms 90:2)

2. An eternal plan as blueprint

3. Revealing the Bible through the eternal Spirit

4. The Bible transcends time and space and is applicable in every era and place

B. Understanding the present nature of the Bible

1. God is the eternal God, yet He is also the God of the present.

2. With God, there are no time limitations—everything is "now". (Hebrews 13:8)

3. Every part of the Bible is applicable to present-day spiritual experiences.

C. Understanding that the content of the Bible is Christ

1. The Bible is the manual that reveals God's Son, Christ (Luke 24:44-45).

2. The central figure of the Bible is Christ.

3. Through explicit texts, prophecies, symbolic representations, historical narratives, and poetry, the Bible expresses Christ.

D. Understanding the infinite spiritual meaning of the Bible (Ephesians 3:8)

1. The Bible contains literal facts.

2. Spiritual meaning is revealed through these literal facts.

3. Because Christ is spiritual, heavenly, eternal, and infinitely rich, the Bible’s spiritual significance is also limitless

E. Understanding that the interpretation of the Bible depends on the revelation of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; Ephesians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11)

1. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit; therefore, only the Holy Spirit can interpret it.

2. Knowing Christ requires revelation, so interpreting the Bible also requires the revelation of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26).

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III. The Spiritual Principles and Application of Testimony Bible Reading

A. Clearly understand the literal meaning of the Bible

1. Understand the literal meaning of the Bible

2. Comprehend the spiritual significance of Biblical text

B. See illumination and spiritual principles with the revelation of the Holy Spirit

1. Receive the illumination given by the Holy Spirit through the literal text of the Bible.

2. Gain revelation from the Holy Spirit through biblical facts to understand spiritual principles.

C. Apply the illumination and spiritual principles in life, work and ministry

1. Apply the literal meaning of the Bible in daily life, work, and service.

2. Practice the spiritual significance of biblical texts in life, work, and service.

3. Apply the illumination revealed by the Holy Spirit in life, work, and service.

4. Apply the spiritual principles received through the revelation of the Holy Spirit in life, work, and service.