Articles
Search the Scriptures
Why do we encourage folks to search the Scriptures?
First of all, because of the ORIGIN of the Bible. The Bible is not just any old book - it is THE BOOK from God. The apostle Paul says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16-17). Holy men of God were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit to write down the words of God. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:20-21). Some 36 men over a period of 1500 years, by the verbal inspiration of the Holy Spirit, completed the 66 books of the Bible by about 96 A.D. No other book can make such claims as does the Bible, the Word of God.
Secondly, we encourage folks to search the Scriptures because of the Bible's PURPOSE. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11). The Bible is the necessary light that we need in a world of darkness. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). The Bible gives us the instruction we need to please and honor God Almighty (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Also, the Bible gives us the Words of God that are able to purify our souls (I Peter 1:22); "truth" that "shall make you free" from our sins (John 8:32); and "to save your souls" (James 1:21).
Thirdly, we encourage folks to search the Scriptures because the Bible is ALL TRUTH. That is, the Bible is the only book you will ever need to learn what God would have each of us to do in order to go to heaven one day. The apostle Peter said, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3). Jesus promised the apostles they would receive all truth from the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The apostle Paul claimed to have preached "the whole counsel of God" to the Ephesians (Acts 20:27). That "whole counsel" was once in the man (the apostles and prophets), but now is in the Bible. So then, when you search the Scriptures, you have access to all the truth, knowledge, counsel that any of us will ever need to live as God would have us live.
Finally, we encourage folks to search the Scriptures because the Truth is INDESTRUCTIBLE. "How do you know that preacher?" Because Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). "Do you really believe that we have all the Bible today that the Christians had in the first century?" Yes! If you believe the Lord, you believe in the complete Word of God today!
Friend, the Bible is God's Word to man on how to live and go to heaven one day. Why not search the Scriptures every day and be one of the "few" (Matthew 7:14) that will make it to heaven?
