Seeing that God is the author of the Bible

(2 Timothy 3:16), and He is a God of truth (Titus 1:2), we must conclude that the Bible never contradicts itself. Supposed contradictions are nothing more than evidence of poor or incomplete study.

Use simple passages

to interpret more difficult passages

(Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 15:29; Psalm 51:5; Ezekiel 18:20).

Seeing the same God who authored the Bible is the same God who created the universe, the Bible and actual scientific truths will never contradict one another. Therefore, when the Bible speaks of the "four corners of the earth", it is using the same figurative language we use today, it is not claiming that the earth is flat (see Isaiah 40:22).

Continue to read

if you are puzzled by a passage, and allow the Bible to interpret itself.

Was Jonah really and literally swallowed by a great fish? How did Jesus interpret this episode? (Matthew 12:40).

Consider the context: Who is speaking? Who is receiving this letter? When was it written? For example, the context of Matthew 24:1-34 makes it clear that Jesus is not talking about signs to look for in reference to His Second Coming (24:34). The context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:3 reveals that Jesus is not talking about "the rapture", that is a secret, silent coming for Christians only.

Seeing that the Bible is the Word of God

Each word is important!

(2 Timothy 3:16) This includes the definition of each word (baptism means immersion), and its tense, and whether it is singular or plural (Matthew 22:32; Galatians 3:16).

Remember

The Old Testament and the New Testament are two distinct covenants and that the Law of Moses was removed at the cross (Colossians 2:14-16).

The truths in the Bible have not evolved

The New Testament is a superior covenant, not because truth is evolving, but because God planned it that way (Hebrews 8:6). The New Testament views the Old Testament as the Word of God (Romans 7:12; Matthew 5:17-18). When Jesus was asked about divorce, Jesus went all the way back to Genesis to answer that question (Matthew 19:3-9). Start in the gospels and then read on through the book of Acts and then into the epistles. Read the Bible through so you can get a good overall idea of the story in the Bible and this also will answer many of your initial questions.

There is also an audio lesson which may be useful on this subject.