Illiterate: not knowing how to read or write; having or showing limited knowledge, experience or culture.  That’s Webster’s definition.

Functionally illiterate: not having the ability to understand what is communicated or not having the ability to communicate what is intended.  That’s the definition that is, in fact, happening daily.

Most people in the U.S. know how to read and write.  But too many people are functionally illiterate.

Have you ever received a letter that required a second letter to explain what the first letter intended?

Are there examples of functionally illiterates in the Bible?

1.)  Acts 8:30-31, So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’  And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

The Ethiopian treasurer recognized that he was illiterate regarding the Scripture that he was reading and asked Philip to assist him in his understanding.

2.)  Acts 18:25-26,  This man [Apollos] had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.  So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Apollos did not know that he was illiterate regarding things about Jesus Christ but he permitted Aquila and Priscilla to assist him in the correct understanding regarding Jesus Christ.

3.)  Acts 10:28, Then he said to them, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.’

The apostle Peter did not understand [was illiterate regarding] that the gospel was also for the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  It took God to correct his understanding.

4.)  Acts 13:45, But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

These Jews were illiterate regarding Jesus Christ and because of envy they chose to remain in their state of illiteracy.

Look at the above examples:  In number 1 the person knew that his understanding was incomplete but was willing to accept help. In number 2 the person did not know that his understanding was incomplete but was willing to accept help. In number 3 Peter did not know that his understanding was incomplete but it took God to give him complete understanding. In number 4 the Jews knew that their understanding was incomplete but were unwilling to receive the help to complete their understanding.

Today many know that they are spiritually illiterate but are willing to accept help.  Many today do not know that they are spiritually illiterate but would be willing to accept help. Many today do not know that they are spiritually illiterate and it would take a miracle to get them to accept help. Some today know that they are spiritually illiterate but would refuse help.

Jesus told us how many are spiritually illiterate: Matthew 7:13-14, Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Do you understand what you are reading? is also a proper question today. Who today knows a subject from a predicate?  Who knows a noun from a verb?  Who knows a present participle from an adverb?  Who knows the difference between tradition and truth?

Literacy brings understanding. Understanding brings agreement.Agreement brings unity. Isn’t this what Jesus prayed for?  John 17:20-21,  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

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