Editorial – Living by Every Word, Part II

Before the Protestant Reformation, there was only one Bible.  Now, there were many manuscripts of the Scriptures, and the manuscripts of the New Testament in Greek (the language in which the New Testament was written) had many variant readings in them.  For example, in mainly those manuscripts of the Byzantine text-type (a major text-type of the New Testament which is the text type from which the “Received Text” was developed in the Sixteenth  and Seventeenth centuries),  John Mill published, in 1707, a Greek New Testament with a listing of about 30,000 variant readings, most of which did not alter the sense of the passages.

In addition to this, the New Testament had been translated into many other languages in the early Christian centuries.  It had been translated into Aramaic, and today we have several different ancient translations of the New Testament into Aramaic, the most famous of which is the Peshitta. We have over 1,000 manuscripts of the Aramaic Scriptures, and these manuscripts agree closely with one another, making us confident that they were copied with great care and accuracy.

The New Testament was also translated early into Latin. People in the Western part of the Roman Empire could read Latin much better than Greek.  Many, of course, could not read Greek, so very early in Christian history the New Testament was translated into Latin.  Relatively few of these old Latin manuscripts survive, and we have very few of the earlier copies.  It was called the Itala.  This Old Latin, or Itala, New Testament was the Bible that the Waldenses had and later translated into the Romaunt language, which was the language of the people in Northern Italy and Southern France several hundred years later. In the fourth century, Jerome gathered the best Greek manuscripts that he could find of the New Testament and revised the Old Latin text to harmonize with these Greek manuscripts. This version (the Old Testament he translated directly from Hebrew) became known as the Vulgate.  The Vulgate was about the only Bible in existence in Europe for most of the Dark Ages.  It was the Bible that Martin Luther studied in the library in the university and later in the convent.  It was the Bible that John Wycliffe used to translate the Scriptures for the first time into English.  We have more copies of the Vulgate than we have even of the Greek New Testament.  Unfortunately, as the Vulgate was copied over and over, it became corrupted so that the later copies were very far from the actual Latin Vulgate that Jerome had translated.

In addition to these two most important ancient versions of the New Testament, we also have several other ancient versions such as the Sahidic (Coptic dialect), the Bohairic (Coptic dialect), the Armenian translation, the Georgian translation (language spoken by a group of people living between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea), the Gothic translation (East Germanic language translation  by Ulfilas), the Ethiopic and a few others.

Although there are thousands of variant readings in the different versions and in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament themselves, any one of them, if studied carefully, will lead the reader to the gospel and salvation.  They are an infallible guide to salvation, even though we do not possess a single autograph of a single verse of the New Testament.  The Protestant Reformation started as a result of men like Martin Luther and John Wycliffe studying from the Latin Vulgate, which was the only Bible available to them at first.

But when the Protestant Reformation began, the future of the papacy was in jeopardy.  If the new teachings were not met and opposed and proved in error, the future of the papacy was at an end.  Because the Roman church was burning people for even printing the Bible, and because the Bible that was being printed before the middle of the Sixteenth century taught a completely different religion than was being taught by Tetzel and the leaders of the Roman church, it was becoming evident that there was an irreconcilable difference between the Church of Rome and the religion of the Bible.  Both could not be right, because their teachings contradicted.  For example, the Bible forbids a person to bow down in front of an image (Exodus 20:4–6) and commands men to keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8–11), but the Roman church teaches men to adore images and to keep Sunday instead of the Sabbath.  The Bible forbids not only adoration or worship of dead images but also of living images; we are forbidden to give the adoration of worship to any man (Acts 10:26), in direct contradiction to Roman practice.

Because of the threat of Protestantism to the papacy, the Council of Trent was called from 1545–1563.  At this council four propositions were made which have affected Bible translations ever since that time.

(to be continued)

Editorial – Living by Every Word, Part III

At the Council of Trent, convened to determine how to stop Protestantism (1545-1563), four propositions were made which have affected Bible translations ever since that time.  These four propositions were four condemnations that first condemned the Protestant doctrine that the Holy Scriptures contained all things necessary for salvation, and that it was impious to place apostolic tradition on a level with Scripture.

This condemnation is two-fold, first condemning the doctrine that the Bible contains all things necessary to salvation.  What do the Scriptures teach in regard to what is necessary for Salvation?  Is there any moral duty required of man that God somehow did not have put in His holy book so that the church had to develop it over the next few thousand years?  (Tradition is still developing, for instance look at the debate over the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the plan of salvation.  Traditions which are totally absent from the New Testament, but have been developing for hundreds of years.  Does the Bible say anything specific in regard to this question?  Indeed it does: “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for discipline [or could be translated “instruction” in the sense of instruction a child receives from his parents, or “upbringing.”] in order that the man of God might be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16, 17.  The word translated “complete” is much more than “perfect.” A blade of wheat first coming up can be perfect, but it is not complete. To be complete means much more than to be perfect—it means to be lacking in nothing, which of course implies full maturity.  This is one of the strongest texts in the Bible teaching that the Protestant position is correct and the position of the Council of Trent is in error.  (For other texts teaching the same see Matthew 4:4; 15:1-9; Ecclesiates 12:13, 14; Matthew 28:19, 20, Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18, 19.)

Ellen White wrote, “The very beginning of the great apostasy was in seeking to supplement the authority of God by that of the church. Rome began by enjoining what God had not forbidden, and she ended by forbidding what He had explicitly enjoined.”  The Great Controversy, 289, 290.  This is always the end-result of any church adding any moral duty to what God has given.  So-called “apostolic tradition” has resulted in doctrines that are contradictions to what the apostles actually wrote.  It was for this reason that the Protestant reformers rejected “apostolic tradition,” and all other tradition, except that found in the inspired Word of God.

A second condemnation by the Council of Trent had to do with what writings should compose, or be a part of, the Bible.  This is a very important subject for any Protestant to understand.  Since the foundation of the Protestant faith is the Bible and the Bible alone, any change that is made, either in the translation of the Bible or in the text of the Bible or in what writings compose the Bible, becomes extremely important.  It was for this very reason that the Protestants had been studying Greek and Hebrew and were publishing the New Testament in Greek from the language in which it was originally written.  And it was for this very reason that the various editions of this Greek New Testament had been edited and corrected, over and over again, to obtain the most accurate New Testament possible.  It was for very similar reasons that the Protestant reformers rejected the apocrypha as being part of the Old Testament.  But the Council of Trent condemned the Protestant doctrine that certain books accepted as canonical (as part of the Scriptures) in the Latin Vulgate were apocryphal and not canonical.  One of the results of this was, and is, a difference in Bibles—before the Protestant Reformation there was only one Bible, but since the Protestant Reformation there have been “Catholic Bibles” and “Protestant Bibles.”  One of the principle differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles is that Protestant Bibles do not contain the apocrypha in the Old Testament, but Catholic Bibles do.

to be continued . . .

Editorial – Living by Every Word, Part IV

In the previous editorial, we briefly reviewed the first two positions on the Bible taken by the Council of Trent, which distinguishes Roman Catholics and Protestants. Now we will look at the last two.

The third position taken by the Council of Trent has even been abandoned by the Roman Catholic Church, at least since 1943, according to the introduction to the New Catholic Bible! Unfortunately, although Catholic scholars recognized the mistake made by their church on this issue, fundamentalist Protestants have not yet learned the lesson that the Catholic Church learned, during which time she lost 100’s of millions of adherents, partly because of this false position. The third position condemned the idea that the Bible needed to be studied in the original languages. The reason this was condemned was because they believed they already had an inerrant or infallible Bible, the Latin Vulgate. Fundamentalist Protestants are in almost the same quandary today. There is the same distrust of scholarship in Biblical study and some feel that only scholars can understand the scriptures, and it is a waste of time and energy for anybody to study Greek and Hebrew. The reason is the same too—just as the papacy felt in the mid-16th century, that they did not need to study the original languages in which the Bible was written because they already had a perfect Bible. So Fundamentalist Protestants feel the same today about the King James Version of the Bible. The same reasoning will result in the same kinds of errors.

Ellen White was not in this group, and neither should we be in this group. She used other versions hundreds of times in her writings and felt free to correct the King James Version in places where it was in error. All other Bible students should have the same freedom which has been delivered to us by the Protestant Reformation.

Notice the practice of Martin Luther (who of course was able to read the Bible in Latin), “I am going through the Bible in Hebrew and Greek. I mean to write a discourse in German touching auricular confession, also to continue the translation of the Psalms, and to compose a collection of sermons.” Signs of the Times, October 11, 1883.

“Nearly every minister in the field, had he exerted his God-given energies, might not only be proficient in reading, writing, and grammar, but even in languages. It is essential for them to set their aim high. But there has been but little ambition to put their powers to the test to reach an elevated standard in knowledge and in religious intelligence. Our ministers will have to render to God an account for the rusting of the talents He has given to improve by exercise. They might have done tenfold more work intelligently, had they cared to become intellectual giants.” Testimonies to Ministers, 194.

The Council of Trent’s fourth condemnation of Protestantism was the Catholic rejection of their claim that the Bible was a book, plain in meaning, that could be understood, without use of commentary, by the help of God’s Spirit. This, until the present day, is one of the key differences between Catholics and Protestants and we will have to devote an entire editorial to that subject.

The Latin Vulgate was a very accurate translation when Jerome translated it, but it had become full of errors as a result of repeated copying. Modern scholars recognize that the Latin Vulgate was the most corrupted of all extant manuscripts of the New Testament. It was apparently copied more than any other Bible, judging from the extant copies, even more than the Byzantine text-type of the Greek New Testament, the Bible of the Greek Orthodox Church. Part of the schism between the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church involves the difference between their Bibles, with each group attempting to prove that theirs is best.

Do You Want Freedom?

Do you feel trapped? Are you weighed down with unwanted habits? Do you want freedom from smoking, overeating, a hot temper, etc.? Have you tried again and again to stop, but do not know how? Do you find yourself doing what you do not want to do, and not being able to do what you want to do? Well you are not alone; Paul expresses the same feelings, in Romans 7:15–18. “That which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Is this how you feel? Do you want to do good but do not know how? Do you feel like you are in bondage, a slave to habits? Paul goes on to say, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:19–23.

Paul is saying there is within us a law or power holding us in bondage to sin. This is terrible. Is there any hope? Can you ever be free from this bondage? In the next verse Paul says, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

Christ is Our Deliverer

Paul goes on to say, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans. 7:25; 8:2. “If the Son therefore shall make you free [from serving sin], ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36.

To bring us freedom is the whole purpose of the life of Christ. When Jesus began His ministry, He announced His mission in the sanctuary, He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Then Christ said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:18, 21.

Christ’s work is a work of deliverance and liberty. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6,7.

Life in Christ is Freedom

“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.

Obedience to Truth (Christ) Makes us Free

“Jesus [said] to those Jews which believed on Him, ‘If ye continue in My word, then . . . ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31, 32. “God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:17, 18. “[How] shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalms 119:9.

Freedom from the Bondage of Sin

“Ye also are become dead to the law by the body [death] of Christ.…” Romans 7:4. “We are buried with Him by baptism into death…our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:3–7.

Buried with Christ — Surrender Thy Will to God

“…if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Romans 6:5. When Christ died, He prayed, saying, “‘O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.’” Matthew 26:42 “‘.…as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father.…’” John 5:30.

Surrender (Death to Self) — To Obey the Spirit

“…when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members.…But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit.” Romans 7:5.

Obedience to the Spirit — Freedom From Sin

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For…if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law [of sin].” Galatians 5:16, 18. “…sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law [of sin], but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

Through the Spirit Put to Death the Deeds of Sin

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13. “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24.

Jesus said “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself [die to self], and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23.

Freedom Applied to Daily Living

Know and Claim Bible Promises

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1.

Remember, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.…” 2 Peter 3:9. And “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Read the Bible Every Day

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” Luke 4:4. “‘Search the scriptures.’” John 5:39. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.

Guard Your Thoughts, Your Eyes and Ears

Temptation is stimulated by what you see and hear. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. Keep your heart and mind stayed upon Christ. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.

Give Yourself to God and Run From the Devil

When temptation comes, give yourself to God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

Resist Temptation with the Word of God

In Matthew 4:3–10 we read of Jesus being tempted of the devil again and again. And every time Jesus resisted, with a ‘thus saith the Lord.’ In verse 4 we read, “He answered and said, ‘It is written . . .’” In verse 7, “Jesus said unto him, ‘It is written again.’” In verse 10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, ‘Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written…’”

Be Prepared, Watch for Temptation Before it Comes

“‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape…’” Luke 21:36. Be prepared, watch for the things that trigger your habits (temptation). If the desire for a cigarette comes right after a meal, be prepared with prayer and Bible verses, and disrupt the habit with a change of routine. “Be sober, be vigilant [watch]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

Total Abstinence

“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11. Put away sinful indulgences (such as cigarettes) completely and immediately.

Do Not Put Yourself in a Situation to be Tempted

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14. If you are trying to stop smoking, throw away all cigarettes and do not purchase any. Do not “make provision” to be tempted.

Fellowship and Worship with God’s People

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another.…” Hebrews 10:24, 25. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.…” Romans 15:1.

Continue to Grow — Add to Your Christian Experience

Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;…if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.…give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:5–10.

Victory is Through Faith and Obedience

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him [faith], ‘If ye continue in My word [obedience], then…the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31, 32.

Obedience to Christ Wherever He Leads

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men.…” Revelation 14:4.

Faith in Christ to Keep Us From Sinning

“…and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. “…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 2 John 5:4. “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24, 25.

“…now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22.

Editorial – Living By Every Word, Part V

Among the Jews, in the time of Christ, a large tradition had been built up attempting to explain the Bible (Old Testament). There were laws explaining what it meant to keep the Sabbath—the fourth commandment. There were laws regarding every other aspect of the moral law. There were extensive laws explaining under what conditions a divorce could be procured. As you might expect, the Rabbis disagreed on some of these laws which were to explain the moral law of God and thus regulate human behavior.

One of the most radical of all the teachings brought to the world by Jesus, was that not only were these laws not necessary and not essential, but they actually caused people to break the law of God rather than keep it (see Matthew 15:1–9), and they made the law of God of none effect rather than protecting it.

The world today is in a similar condition, in regard to human traditions claiming to explain the meaning of the Word of God as it was in the days of Christ. This is true not only for Judaism, but also for the vast majority of Christian Churches. Almost every church has formulated at least a few traditions that are not from the Bible at all. Although the Roman Catholic Church probably has the largest stock in tradition, today many Protestant churches are also following traditions saying this is from early Christian times, etc.

A big part of tradition is the idea that the common man must have help in explaining or interpreting the Word of God. This help is supposed to be given him by the church, through tradition purporting to be from either the apostles or from ancient times. Also the church is supposed to approve explanations of scriptures. This was a teaching of the Jews in the time of Christ and also of the Roman Catholic Church through her official catechism today. A few inspired statements on this are as follows:

“And this is the religion which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism.

“The Bible, the Bible, is the foundation of our faith,” was the cry of Protestants in Luther’s time, while the Catholics cried, “The Fathers, custom, tradition.” Now many Protestants find it difficult to prove their doctrines from the Bible, and yet they have not the moral courage to accept the truth which involves a cross; therefore they are fast coming to the ground of Catholics, and, using the best arguments they have to evade the truth, cite the testimony of the Fathers, and the customs and precepts of men. Yes, the Protestants of the nineteenth century are fast approaching the Catholics in their infidelity concerning the Scriptures. But there is just as wide a gulf today between Rome and the Protestantism of Luther, Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, and the noble army of martyrs, as there was when these men made the protest which gave them the name of Protestants.” The Review and Herald, June 1, 1886.

“‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.’ For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power…

“When enemies appealed to custom and tradition, or to the assertions and authority of the pope, Luther met them with the Bible and the Bible only.” The Great Controversy, 132.

“The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering—a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition.” Ibid, 582

Inspiration – The Bible Our Guide

Those who boast of wisdom beyond the teaching of the Word of God, need to drink deeper of the fountain of knowledge, that they may learn their real ignorance. Men boast of their wisdom, when it is foolishness in the sight of God. Let no man deceive himself. “If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” The greatest ignorance that now curses the human race is ignorance of the binding claims of the Law of God; and this ignorance is the result of neglecting the study of the Word of God. It is Satan’s plan to so engage the mind that men shall neglect the great Guide Book, and thus be led into the path of transgression and destruction.

The Bible is not exalted to its rightful place among the books of the world, although its study is of infinite importance to the souls of men. In searching its pages the imagination beholds scenes majestic and eternal. We behold Jesus, the Son of God, coming to our world, and engaging in the mysterious conflict that discomfited the powers of darkness. O how wonderful, how almost incredible it is, that the infinite God would consent to the humiliation of His own Son that we might be elevated to a place with Him upon His throne! Let every student of the Scriptures contemplate this great fact, and he will not come from a study of the Bible without being purified, elevated, and ennobled. The truth will be opened to the mind, and applied to the heart by the Spirit of God. (Through connection with God, the Christian will have clearer and broader views, unbiased by his own preconceived opinions. His discernment will be more penetrating, his faculties better balanced. His mind, exercised in the contemplation of exalted truths, will be expanded, and in obtaining heavenly knowledge he will better understand his own weakness, and will grow in faith and humility.) When there is little attention given to the Word of God, divine counsels are not heeded, admonitions are in vain, grace and heavenly wisdom are not sought that past sins may be avoided and every taint of corruption cleansed from the character. David prayed, “Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts; so shall I talk of Thy wonderful works. . . . Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”

There is a great work to be done by the earnest Bible student; for gems of truth are to be gathered up, and separated from the companionship of error. Though the Bible is a revelation from heaven, yet many do not comprehend its divine teaching. We are to discover new aspects of truth in both the Old and the New Testament, to behold the exceeding breadth and compass of truths which we imagine we understand, but of which we have only a superficial knowledge. He who earnestly searches the Scriptures will see that harmony exists between the various parts of the Bible; he will discover the bearing of one passage upon another, and the reward of his toil will be exceedingly precious.

All over the field of revelation are scattered glad springs of heavenly truth, peace, and joy. These fountains of joy are within the reach of every seeker. The words of Inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as living streams flowing from the river of the water of life. Our Saviour prayed that the mind of His followers might be opened to understand the Scriptures. Whenever we study the Bible with a prayerful heart, the Holy Spirit is near to open to us the meaning of the words we read. (The man whose mind is enlightened by the opening of God’s Word to his understanding, will not only feel that he must more diligently seek to understand that Word, but that he must have a better understanding of the sciences. He will feel that he is called to a high calling in Christ Jesus. The more closely connected man is with the Source of all knowledge and wisdom, the more he will feel that he must advance in intellectual and spiritual attainments. The opening of God’s Word is always followed by a remarkable opening and strengthening of man’s faculties; for the entrance of His words giveth light. By contemplation of great truths, the mind is elevated, the affections purified and refined; for the Spirit of God, through the truth of God, quickens the lifeless, spiritual faculties, and attracts the soul heavenward.)

Then take your Bible and present yourself before your Heavenly Father, saying, “Enlighten me; teach me what is truth.” The Lord will regard your prayer, and the Holy Spirit will impress the truth upon your soul. In searching the Scriptures for yourself, you will become established in the faith. It is of the greatest importance that you continually search the Scriptures, storing the mind with the truths of God. You may be separated from the companionship of Christians, and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God. You need the treasures of God’s Word hidden in your heart, that when opposition comes upon you, you may bring everything to the test of the Scriptures.

Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth as much as we do. Suppose a brother holds a view that differs from yours, and he comes to you, proposing that you sit down with him, and investigate that point in the light of the Scriptures; should you rise up filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas while refusing to give him a hearing? The only right way would be to sit down as Christians and investigate the position presented, in the light of God’s Word, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position, though it were false, or strengthen your position, though it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it; for it is foolish to become set in our ideas, and think that no one should interfere with our opinions. Let everything be brought to the Bible; for it is the only rule of faith and doctrine.

We must study the truth for ourselves; no man should be relied upon to think for us, no matter who he may be or in what position he may be placed. We are not to look upon any man as a perfect guide for us. We are to counsel together, and be subject one to another; but at the same time we are to exercise the ability God has given us to learn what is truth. Each one of us must look to God for divine enlightenment, that we may individually develop a character that will stand the test of the great day.

We are living in the last days, when error of a most deceptive character is accepted and believed, while truth is discarded. Many are drifting into darkness and infidelity, picking flaws with the Bible, bringing up superstitious inventions, unscriptural theories, and speculations of vain philosophy; but it is the duty of every one to seek a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. The importance and benefit of Bible study cannot be overestimated. In searching the Scriptures our minds are led to dwell upon the infinite sacrifice of Christ, on His mediation in our behalf. As we see His love, as we meditate upon His humiliation and sufferings, the same spirit of self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others will be kindled in our hearts. As we behold Jesus by the eye of faith, we shall be “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The Bible Echo, October 15, 1892.

Power, Righteousness, Certainty, and Eternity

We are living in a troubled world. Every time we listen to the news on the radio, pick up a newspaper, or look at the television, there is trouble somewhere, and the trouble seems to continually worsen, just as God said it would.

God tells us the reason we live in perilous times: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:1–4. That is quite a list! Living in the last days, we could expect that godless people, professing nothing of God, would be acting this way. But verse 5 tells us about whom God is talking: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Perilous times will come as a result of those professing to be God’s people acting like the world. These people have a form of godliness, a profession of godliness, but they are lacking the power of godliness in their lives.

Jesus tells us more about these people in Revelation. “Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked . . . .” Revelation 3:17.

Jesus is saying that these people who have a form of godliness but deny the power, believe they have the power. They are totally deceived. They say that they are increased with goods and have need of nothing. Yet Jesus says, You do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, without power. If they believe they have the power with the form of godliness, they must be sensing something that gives them an idea that they have the power.

What are some things that would make them believe that they have the power, when in reality they have no power? We hear about such things in Christianity today. Professed Christianity is boasting of its increased number of members, and when we see those numbers, and the increase of wealth, and the larger-sized church buildings being constructed, what might we think? We might think they have the power of God. What about their influence, the influence they seem to have on the world? Could this lead them to believe that their influence means they have the power of God? What about their good works? There are many good works being done by professed Christian institutions today. Can we rely upon works as evidence that they have the power of God? What about the unity that we see coming into the midst of professed Christendom, do they call that the power of God?

Power of the Word

All, or any one, of these things might lead them to believe that they have the power of God working in their lives. But God says, They have a form of godliness, but they deny the power. What is this power that God says is lacking among His professed people in the last days? Paul describes it: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. The power that is lacking is the power of the Word of God in the lives of His professed people! Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God—God speaks and something happens! The things that we see are not made of things that appear.

“In the creation of the earth, God was not indebted to preexisting matter. ‘He spake, and it was; . . . He commanded, and it stood fast.’ Psalm 33:9. All things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, came into existence by the breath of His mouth.” The Ministry of Healing, 414, 415.

There are many things that we have seen that are very powerful, but there is nothing as powerful as the Word of the living God. God can take nothing and make something out of it! Nothing else that we can think of is that powerful. God says, I brought all things into existence by a word that I spoke. Even though you think you are nothing, God can make you something, if you are willing to receive His Word. God’s Word is the most powerful thing in the entire universe.

How powerful is it? Peter says God’s Word is so powerful it can separate a sinner from his sins: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23. Not only does God’s Word bring inanimate nature into being, it can change animate nature, your nature, my nature, back into the original intention of His mind for our creation.

How powerful does Paul say God’s Word is? “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. The Word of God makes things happen instantaneously. We do not have to wait and wonder, if we choose to receive God’s Word. We can believe that whatever He has promised is happening.

How is God able to separate a sinner from his sins? God says, through the apostle Paul, “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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. If the sinner receives God’s Word, it will correct him. Most of the time we do not like to be corrected, because we think that we are right. But we have been proven wrong. God’s Word is able to help us see the difference between what is right and what is wrong. If we are willing to receive God’s Word, He is able to correct us.

God’s Words are Righteous

Besides being the most powerful thing in the entire universe, there is another quality to God’s Word. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth [in] righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45:22, 23. All of God’s words are righteousness. He says they shall not return. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

God’s words are not empty words. God never speaks empty words—He speaks words of righteousness, and He said His words will accomplish what He intends for them to do. And they will accomplish what He wants today. God wants us to not only hear the words He has spoken but to receive them. He has something in mind to accomplish in us.

All of God’s words are righteousness. He does everything right; He says everything right, and when He says we need Him, He means what He says, and all we have to do is believe and respond in simple faith, taking Him at His Word. Remember, His Word is the most powerful thing in the whole universe. His Word brought this universe into existence. His Word can help separate you from sin and make you fully His. He wants to see His Word prosper in us!

What makes God’s words righteousness? “Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto Thee!” Psalm 71:19. Why does God speak words that are righteousness? Because He is righteous, so the words that He speaks are righteous. We have all at some time spoken words of unrighteousness, because our character is unrighteous, but He wants us to be like Him.

“The righteousness of God is absolute. [You can depend on it.] This righteousness characterizes all His works, all His Laws.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 198. Those ten brief commandments, by which God is going to judge the entire world, have been given in righteousness. It means that the Ten Commandment Laws which God has created are for our benefit. They are laws that are right for you and me, if we will receive them.

John says it well, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. They are not grievous, because they are right for us. His words are all powerful; His words are all righteous!

Words of Certainty

There is another quality, revealed in Proverbs 22:20 and 21, which God’s Word possesses. Solomon says, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, “Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” The only words of truth in this world today, the pure truth, are the words of the living God that come to us from His Holy Book.

There is certainty in God’s Word. We just saw that God’s righteousness is absolute; we see now that God’s Word is certain. We can trust what it says about us; we can trust what it promises to us, because the God of righteousness stands behind it. The reception of God’s Word is the most powerful thing that can happen to us in our lives. It can change us! That is the expected end that God has in mind for His Word. That is what He wants it to accomplish in us. It can do what God intended for it to do, if we are willing to receive it. It is certain! Its warnings are certain, and its promises are just as certain. We can rely fully upon God’s Word. It can correct us; it can reprove us; it can instruct us in righteousness; it can make us perfect in character, like Him.

God’s Word Eternal

There is one more quality to consider in regards to God’s Word: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8. The Word of God is not only powerful, not only filled with righteousness, not only certain, but it will last through eternity!

Word Became Flesh

Man’s condition in this world, without God’s Word, is one of hopelessness. The Word of God is the only hope for man, but God saw that man was going to need more than the written Word, so He devised a plan: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1–3. Who is the Word? The Word is Jesus Christ. He proclaims Himself to be the Word. Now notice what the Word became: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Verse 14. The Word became flesh! God became man! Why? to reach man where he is with the Word, the most powerful thing in God’s entire universe.

“Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour’s life on earth, we see ‘God with us.’ ” The Desire of Ages, 24.

Jesus not only came into this world to be our substitute, to pay the penalty for our transgressing God’s Law, which penalty is death (see Romans 6:23), but He came to be something more. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21. Jesus is not only our substitute, but He is our example. This is where nominal Christianity parts ways with true Christianity. The majority of the professed Christian world wants nothing to do with following the steps of Jesus. They are satisfied with speaking His name; they are satisfied with singing His songs; they are satisfied with praying to Him, but they do not want to go further.

Christ our Example

“By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey.” The Desire of Ages, 24. How did Jesus, in the flesh, realize the power of His own Word? How did He recognize the righteousness of His own Word in His life? How did He recognize the certainty of His own Word? “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. Jesus met every temptation with the Word of God—the Words that He had spoken. His own Words were the power of His life. He not only listened to His Word, but He received it; He acted upon it; He met every temptation with “It is written.” (See Matthew 4:4.)

How is it with us? Are we following the example that He has left us? Do we believe that His Word has power in it to separate us from our sins, to make us like He was regarding every temptation? There is only one thing that can produce such an experience as that of Jesus, an experience that we have been called to receive. Only one thing can produce such a life. As Christians, we are called to be like Him. The secret to becoming like Jesus is found in Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

You see, God’s Word was hidden in the heart of Jesus. He met every temptation with a “Thus saith the Lord.” He recognized where temptation would lead, and He said, No! He did not go beyond the temptation, and He wants to give us that kind of power, that kind of righteousness, that kind of certainty in our lives. We can have it, if we are willing to receive His Word, not merely believe it.

His Law in our Hearts

The only thing that can produce such a life is having the Word of God in our hearts. What else is going to be in the heart of such a life? “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Psalm 37:30, 31.

God wants to help us make progress in the Christian life. We do not have to be backslidden, and if we recognize that we are, then God is calling us to the power of His Word, because God wants us to experience eternity with Him. If we are to receive God’s Word in our hearts, His Law will be in our hearts.

“The word of God must be interwoven with the living character of those who believe it. The only vital faith is that faith which receives and assimilates the truth till it is a part of the being and the motive power of the life and action.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 576.

Until the Word of God is received, we are left destitute of the very power of that Word.

Believing and Receiving

You may ask, How can I know if I am believing and receiving, or just believing? I would ask you, How did you meet the temptations of yesterday? Do you sense and see that you were defeated? Then you are merely a believer, not a receiver. If you sense victory, you are a believer and a receiver; you are allowing the Word of God to do what God intended it to do in your life. You are becoming like Him.

There are four essential areas in which we need to cooperate with God’s Spirit to allow Him to produce a believing, receiving experience. The first three are found in one text of Scripture: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

The motivating factor of a believing, receiving Christian is found in the last phrase of that text. Paul recognized that Jesus loved him enough to die for him, to become his substitute. This was the motivating factor in the apostle’s life. Our love to God can never be the motivating factor in our Christian experience. It must always be His love for us—never, our love for Him. We are not to estimate our experience by what we are doing for God. We are to estimate our experience by what God has done, and is doing, for us.

This realization led the apostle Paul to declare the second essential: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.” He further states: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14. When we recognize the tremendous love that God has for us personally, and that He was willing to demonstrate that love by becoming our substitute and dying in our place, we are going to be willing to die, to our sins, for Him.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.” Is that not a paradox? We die, but we live? The Word of God is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. It may look like we are going to lose our lives if we give ourselves over to Him, but in fact, we gain everything—we have won.

Paul recognized the love God had for him, personally, and he was willing to, with the help of God’s Spirit and His Word, to separate from his sins. But then he makes plain the third essential: “the life which I now live in the flesh [this fallen, sinful flesh] I live by the faith of the Son of God.” He was living the faith; he was exercising the faith that Jesus exercised. What kind of faith did Jesus have that Paul said he was also exercising?

We can get a glimpse of Jesus’ faith: “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1–3.

Jesus had the faith of a child—the faith of a child who knew that His parent loved Him, and He chose to love that parent. That is the kind of faith we must have.

The fourth and final essential that we need if we are going to have a believing, receiving experience is found in Luke 11:28: “He said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Jesus said, the words that I speak unto you are Spirit and life. And to those who hear them and keep them, they will have the power of God, the righteousness of God, the certainty of God, and they will have an eternity with God.

Such an experience that we have studied is answered by the good ground hearer in Matthew 13; it is answered by the wise virgins in Matthew 25; it is answered by the man who built his house on a rock versus the man who built his house on the sand in Luke 6. What we have just studied from the Word of God, is the truth of God to our hearts if we are willing to receive it.

Are we allowing God’s Word to do its work? If we are, we shall have the power that we need; we will have the righteousness, the certainty, and we will have an eternity with God.

Craig Meeker directs the Bible correspondence school for Steps to Life Ministry.

Bible Study Guides – How to Understand the Bible

January 23, 2005 – January 29, 2005

Memory Verse:

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26, RSV.

Suggested Reading: Selected Messages, Book 1, 15–23.

1 What claim does the Bible make about itself? 11 Timothy 3:16. See also 11 Peter 1:20, 21.

note: “God committed the preparation of His divinely inspired Word to finite man. This Word arranged into books, the Old and New Testaments, is the guidebook to the inhabitants of a fallen world; bequeathed to them, that by studying and obeying the directions, not one soul would lose its way to heaven.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 16.

2 Why were God’s people in ancient times destroyed? Hosea 4:6. See also Isaiah 5:13.

note: “The words of God to ancient Israel have a solemn warning to the church and its leaders today. Of Israel the Lord said, ‘I have written to him the great things of My law; but they were counted as a strange thing.’ Hosea 8:12. And to the priests and teachers He declared, ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; . . . seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.’ Hosea 4:6. . . .

“Will they [God’s people today] reject God’s word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel’s sin is before us. Will the church of today take warning?” Christ’s Object Lessons, 306.

3 How much of God’s Word is needed for real spiritual growth? Matthew 4:4. See also Deuteronomy 8:3.

note: “The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the word. When His visible presence should be withdrawn, the word must be their source of power. Like their Master, they were to live ‘by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4. . . .

“We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His word. We should take one verse, and concentrate the mind on the task of ascertaining the thought which God has put in that verse for us. We should dwell upon the thought until it becomes our own, and we know ‘what saith the Lord.’ ” The Desire of Ages, 390.

4 What did Jesus say was the basic theme of the Scriptures? John 5:39. See also Luke 24:44.

note: “In every page, whether history, or precept, or prophecy, the Old Testament Scriptures are irradiated with the glory of the Son of God. So far as it was of divine institution, the entire system of Judaism was a compacted prophecy of the gospel. To Christ ‘give all the prophets witness.’ Acts 10:43. From the promise given to Adam, down through the patriarchal line and the legal economy, heaven’s glorious light made plain the footsteps of the Redeemer. Seers beheld the Star of Bethlehem, the Shiloh to come, as future things swept before them in mysterious procession. In every sacrifice Christ’s death was shown. In every cloud of incense His righteousness ascended. By every jubilee trumpet His name was sounded. In the awful mystery of the holy of holies His glory dwelt.” The Desire of Ages, 211, 212.

5 What did Jesus call those who did not believe all that the Bible says? Luke 24:25. See also Matthew 22:29.

note: “The great themes of the Old Testament were misapprehended and misinterpreted, and Christ’s work was to expound the truth which had not been understood by those to whom they had been given. The prophets had made the statements, but the spiritual import of what they had written, was undiscovered by them. They did not see the meaning of the truth. Jesus reproved His disciples for their slowness of comprehension. Many of His precious lessons were lost to them, because they did not understand the spiritual grandeur of His words.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 404.

6 On what two points did Paul commend the Bereans? Acts 17:10, 11. See also 11 Timothy 2:15; 11 Chronicles 20:20; Isaiah 8:20.

note: “The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice. They were willing to investigate the truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles. They studied the Bible, not from curiosity, but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah. Daily they searched the inspired records, and as they compared scripture with scripture, heavenly angels were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their hearts.

“Wherever the truths of the gospel are proclaimed, those who honestly desire to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures. If, in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, those to whom testing truths are proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily, and comparing with God’s word the messages brought them, there would today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God’s law, where now there are comparatively few.” The Acts of the Apostles, 231, 232.

7 What is one condition that God sets forth for understanding the Bible? Matthew 11:25; Psalm 25:9. See also Isaiah 57:15; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 26–31.

note: “It was the experience gained during the years of toil and waiting in Midian—the spirit of humility and long-suffering there developed—that prepared Moses to meet with patience the unbelief and murmuring of the people and the pride and envy of those who should have been his unswerving helpers. Moses ‘was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth’ [Numbers 12:3], and this is why he was granted divine wisdom and guidance above all others. Says the Scripture, ‘The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.’ Psalm 25:9. The meek are guided by the Lord, because they are teachable, willing to be instructed. They have a sincere desire to know and to do the will of God. The Saviour’s promise is, ‘If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ John 7:17.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 384.

8 What is a second condition that God gives for understanding the Bible? 11 Timothy 2:15. See also Isaiah 28:9, 10; Luke 24:25–27, 44.

note: “The Holy Spirit is ever at work, seeking to purify, refine, and discipline the souls of men, in order that they may become fitted for the society of saints and angels. . . . As children of God, we should make earnest efforts to be overcomers; and as students who seek to honor and glorify God, we should study to show ourselves approved of Him, workmen that need not to be ashamed.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 238.

9 What is a third condition for understanding the Bible? 1 Corinthians 2:10–14; John 16:13.

note: “The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: ‘When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.’ John 16:8. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements.” The Acts of the Apostles, 52.

10 What is the fourth condition God sets forth for understanding the Bible? 11 Thessalonians 2:9–12. See also Romans 1:28; Hebrews 4:12.

note: “Those who are unwilling to accept the plain, cutting truths of the Bible are continually seeking for pleasing fables that will quiet the conscience. The less spiritual, self-denying, and humiliating the doctrines presented, the greater the favor with which they are received. These persons degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires. Too wise in their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready to supply the heart’s desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth. It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men; and by rejection of the truth because it involves a cross, Protestants are following the same path.” The Great Controversy, 523.

11 What is a fifth condition God gives for understanding the Bible? Jeremiah 29:13. See also Matthew 5:6; 13:45, 46.

note: “We are not at liberty to teach that which will reach the world’s standard, or the standard of the church, because it is the custom to do so! We are safe only when following the lessons of Jesus Christ. That which was safe for Him to teach, is safe for our children to study. Eternal life is before us, and do we not want our children to win the precious boon? But all who win eternal life, old or young, must put aside their likes and dislikes, and with simplicity of heart and profound humility they must search God’s Word. Those who are bold and domineering and full of self-sufficiency, will not search the Scriptures with an eye single to the glory of God; for they will seek to find something with which to vindicate their own ideas and sustain their own theories. There is a great deal of insubordination in the heart that is not fully sanctified.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 75, 76.

12 What is a sixth condition for understanding the Bible? John 8:31, 32. See also John 7:17; Matthew 13:12; 7:24–27.

note: “When we are truly Christ’s, our hearts will be full of meekness, gentleness, and kindness, because Jesus has forgiven our sins. As obedient children we shall receive and cherish the precepts he has given, and shall attend to the ordinances he has instituted. We shall be seeking constantly to obtain a knowledge of him. His example will be our rule of life.” Review and Herald, August 4, 1891.

Answer key available upon request.

Bible Study Guides – How to Study the Bible

January 16, 2005 – January 22, 2005

Memory Verse:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 11 Timothy 2:15.

Suggested Reading: The Great Controversy, 593–602.

Introduction

“The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.” The Great Controversy, 593.

1 What example has been left to us by the early followers of Jesus? Acts 18:24.

note: “We all need and must have pure religion, not borrowed from another, but from Christ Jesus, the source of all heavenly grace. Then we are to honor God by looking to God, trusting in God, and keeping the truth in the heart pure and undefiled, having that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The truth, when practiced, is a guide. Christ is truth. We must yield to him who alone is truth, and who alone can give to the troubled heart assurance and peace.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 29.

2 How often are we to study the Scriptures? Acts 17:11.

note: “It is of little advantage to skim over the surface of the Scriptures. If we would understand fully the words of Christ, thought must be brought into the searching of the Scriptures. We should open the Scriptures with great reverence, and not in a slothful, lazy manner. The word of Christ is spirit and life to the receiver.” The Upward Look, 368.

3 How are we to study the Scriptures? Isaiah 28:10.

note: “The Bible is a divine communication, and is as verily a message to the soul as though a voice from heaven were heard speaking to us. With what awe and reverence and humiliation should we come to the searching of the Scriptures, that we may learn of eternal realities. When the spell of Satan is broken, and the Bible becomes to us the living word of God, we shall be safe in following our convictions of duty; for if we watch unto prayer, they will be inspired by the Spirit of God. Let everyone study the Bible, knowing that the word of God is as enduring as the eternal throne. If you come to the study of the Scriptures in humility, with earnest prayer for guidance, angels of God will open to you its living realities; and if you cherish the precepts of truth, they will be to you as a wall of fire against the temptations, delusions, and enchantments of Satan.” The Signs of the Times, September 18, 1893.

4 How important is the study of the Scriptures? 11 Timothy 3:16, 17.

note: “The first place in our thoughts and affections should be given to the Book of books; for it contains knowledge that we need above all other. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ [Proverbs 9:10.] Let us seek to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Let us draw near to God, that his angels may protect and bless us. Thus may we gain the victory over the powers of darkness, and finally receive the crown of glory, honor, and immortal life in the kingdom of God.” The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1887.

5 What will be the experience of those who study the Scriptures? Romans 15:4.

note: “If there was ever a time when a knowledge of the Scriptures was more important than at any other, that time is the present. I appeal to old and young, Make the Bible your text-book. Here you will find the true standard of character. Here you will learn what is required of you in order to become a child of God.” The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1887.

6 To what is the Word of God compared? 11 Peter 1:19.

note: “No one is left in darkness as to that which God approves or disapproves. In studying the Scriptures we become acquainted with God, and are led to understand our relation to Christ, who is the sin-bearer, the surety, the substitute, for our fallen race. These truths concern our present and eternal interests. The Bible stands the highest among books, and its study is valuable above the study of other literature in giving strength and expansion to the mind.” Review and Herald, February 25, 1896.

7 How early in life should a person begin to learn and study the Scriptures? 11 Timothy 3:14, 15. See also Luke 2:40.

note: “In childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus studied the Scriptures. As a little child, He was daily, at His mother’s knee, taught from the scrolls of the prophets. In His youth the early morning and evening twilight often found Him alone on the mountainside or among the trees of the forest, spending a quiet hour in prayer and in the study of God’s Word. During His ministry His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures testified to His diligence in their study. And since He gained knowledge as we may gain it, His wonderful power, both mental and spiritual, is a testimony to the value of the Bible as a means of education.” The Signs of the Times, September 19, 1906.

8 What did Peter hope to accomplish by encouraging people to study the Bible? 11 Peter 3:1, 2.

note: “The Bible should be a book for study. The precious pearls of truth do not lie upon the surface, to be found by a careless, uninterested reader. Christ knew what was best for us, of whatever age, when he commanded us, ‘Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.’ [John 5:39.] Jesus, the greatest teacher the world ever knew, would have men and women and children and youth reach the highest standard of excellence of character. He would have them become fully developed mentally, morally, and physically.” Review and Herald, November 9, 1886.

9 If we study the Word of God, how will we deal with sin? Psalm 119:11.

note: “If the Bible had been made the book of study in the schools, what a different showing there would be in society today! It is for our present and our eternal good to inquire at every step, Is this the way of the Lord? Since the fall of Adam, it has been the fashion of the world to sin, and it is for our interest to know what sin is. John declares: ‘Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.’ [1 John 3:4, 5.] The information is plainly given that sin is the transgression of the law.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 20, 1898.

10 What will happen to our mind if we will study the Word of God? Jeremiah 15:16.

note: “Those who are conversant with the Scriptures will be men and women who exert an elevating influence. In searching for Heaven-revealed truths, the Spirit of God is brought into close connection with the heart. An understanding of the revealed will of God enlarges the mind, expands, elevates, and endows it with new vigor, by bringing its faculties into contact with stupendous truth. No study is better to give energy to the mind, to strengthen the intellect, than the study of the Word of God. No other book is so potent in elevating the thoughts, in giving vigor to the faculties, as is the Bible, which contains the most ennobling truths. If God’s Word were studied as it should be, we should see greater breadth of mind, stability of purpose, and nobility of character.” Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, October 1, 1892.

11 What is another name given to Jesus Christ? John 1:1–3, 14.

note: “We are to feed upon Christ, the living bread from heaven. Our souls are to thirst for the waters of salvation, and we are to study the Scriptures, and practice the truths they teach in our daily life. Those who do this will reveal the fact that they are feasting upon the bread of life, eating the flesh of the Son of God, and drinking daily of the waters of salvation. If we closely study the words of Christ, and take heed to his lessons, we shall feed upon his flesh; for the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Christ says: ‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ [John 6:63.]” The Youth’s Instructor, June 27, 1895.

12 What does God desire as the end product through the study of the Word? John 15:1–3.

note: “The Word specifies the gifts and graces that are essential for every soul who receives the truth. But especially does the Lord require His messengers, who carry His Word to others, to live the truth, to reveal that they are sanctified through the truth. If they do not show their love of the truth by meeting the infallible standard, let them step out from the ministry and no longer dishonor God by their disorderly course of action. Let close, critical examination be made of the tenor of their life and action. Have they the marks that testify that they are children of God, that they apply the Word of God as a test of their own qualification to do service that will properly represent Christ? Have they shown a clear understanding, a right judgment in the things of God? Have they a sweet, pure, clean spirit in the sight of God, in the home and in the church? Do they give evidence that they are undefiled, that they can labor to help others out of Satan’s power, or do they show a want of sincere piety and conscientious scruples in willing toil, failing to lift burdens for Christ? Do they give evidence that day by day they are learning the meekness and lowliness of Christ?” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 29.

Bible Study Guides – The Difference Between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant View of the Bible

January 9, 2005 – January 15, 2005

Memory Verse:

“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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 11 Timothy 3:16, 17.

Suggested Reading: The Great Controversy, 197–210.

FIRST DIFFERENCE: The Basic Attitude Toward the Scriptures

1 Does the Bible contain all things necessary for salvation and can the Scriptures alone enable the Christian to reach spiritual perfection? 11 Timothy 3:16, 17.

note: The Protestant Position. “I see plainly and with my own eyes, that there are popes against popes, councils against councils, some fathers against others, the same fathers against themselves, a consent of fathers of one age against a consent of fathers of another age, the church of one age against the church of another age. . . . In a word, there is no sufficient certainty but of Scripture only for any considering man to build upon.” William Chillingworth, M.A., The Religion of Protestants, London, 1866, 463.

“He who receives a single doctrine upon the mere authority of tradition, let him be called by what name he will, by so doing steps down from the Protestant rock, passes over the line which separates Protestantism from Popery, and can give no valid reason why he should not receive all the earlier doctrines and ceremonies of Romanism, upon the same authority.” John Dowling, D.D., History of Romanism, New York, 1871, 67, 68.

See also The Great Controversy, 81, 102, 126, 166.

The Catholic Position. “The church . . . does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paulist Press, Mahwah, New Jersey, 1994, Paragraph 82, 26.

“Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God.” Ibid., 29.

“Liturgy is a constitutive element of the holy and living Tradition. For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community.” Ibid., 291.

“The Bible was actually placed on the ‘Index of Forbidden Books’ by the Council of Valencia in the year 1229.” Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Philadelphia, 1962, 97.

SECOND DIFFERENCE: What Books Should Be Included in the Bible?

2 What books did Jesus include in the Bible or Scriptures? Luke 24:44.

comment: The Hebrew Bible used by the Jews in the days of Christ consisted of three parts. Those three parts are, first of all, the Law. This first part was Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The second part of the Bible was the prophets. The prophets consisted of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 11 Samuel, 1 and 11 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The third part of the Bible was the Writings. The first book of this third part of the Bible was the Psalms and this third part of the Bible was often referred to as the Psalms as in Luke 24:44. This third section consisted of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and 1 and 11 Chronicles, in that order.

3 What does the Bible warn about either adding or omitting any of the sacred writings? Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18, 19.

note: See The Great Controversy, 289, 290.

4 How many books are in the Catholic Bible? (See any official Catholic Bible in your public library.)

note: “It was by apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books. This complete list is called the canon of Scripture. It includes 46 books for the Old Testament . . . and 27 for the New.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paulist Press, Mahwah, New Jersey, 1994, 34.

comment: Notice in the above statement that if it is tradition that determines which books should be in the Bible, then tradition is above the Bible as a source of divine revelation. The Bible student who is a Protestant must have a different method of determining what should be included in the Bible than this, or he is on his way to becoming a Roman Catholic.

5 How many books are in the Protestant Bible? (See any Bible that has been translated by people who are Protestants, such as the NASB, the NIV, the fourth revision of the KJV, the NKJV, the RSV, etc.)

comment: Although the apocryphal books as they are called were included in the original 1611 King James Version, Protestants in general, from the time of the sixteenth century Protestant reformers, only have 39 books in their Old Testament (exactly the same as the Hebrew Bible used by the Jews) and 27 books in their New Testament.

6 Does the church have authority to add anything to the teachings of Christ? Matthew 28:18–20.

note: “The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man’s theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ’s servants to teach. ‘The law and the prophets,’ with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world.” The Desire of Ages, 826.

7 As in Bible times are there any popular beliefs and church practices today that cannot be found in the Protestant Bible? 1 Peter 1:18; Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 15:8, 9.

note: “When the common people started reading the scriptures they [as the Waldenses and the Paulicians and the Albigenses hundreds of years before] were ‘struck with the strange discrepancy between the teaching of the Sacred Volume and that of the church of Rome.’ ” Eugene Lawrence, Historical Studies, Harper Brothers, New York, 1876, 255.

“In the Book of God there were found no purgatory, no infallible pope, no masses for the dead, no sale of indulgences, no relics working miracles, no prayers for the dead, no worship of the Virgin Mary or of saints!” Christian Edwardson, Facts of Faith, Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tennessee, 1943, 14.

THIRD DIFFERENCE: Attitude Toward Bible Translations

8 What was the Roman Catholic attitude toward the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures and Bible Translations at the time of the Protestant Reformation? What is the Protestant position on this subject? Acts 22:2; 11 Timothy 4:13; 1 Corinthians 14:19.

comment: The Roman Catholic Attitude. The Roman Church at the Council of Trent condemned the idea that the Scriptures must be studied in the original languages. The theory that there were errors in the Vulgate was also condemned by the Council of Trent. In other words, they believed that they had an infallible Bible in terms of faith and doctrine.

The Protestant Position. For any person whose faith is based on a sacred book, it is very important to know exactly what that book teaches as originally written, that is, in the language in which it was originally written. This is why there was an increased interest in the study of Greek and Hebrew among the Protestants during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Protestant position was then, and still is today, that the Scriptures should be studied in the original languages, and that there were errors in the Vulgate. Protestants have never believed that there was an infallible or inerrant translation of the Scriptures. This was not claimed for any of the Protestant Bibles in the sixteenth century or for the King James Version or for any Protestant Bibles since that time.

9 In what language does the Holy Spirit want the people of the human race to receive the Word of God? Acts 2:4–11; 1 Corinthians 14:27, 28.

FOURTH DIFFERENCE: How Can An Understanding of the Bible Be Acquired?

10 What is the Protestant position about understanding the Bible? 11 Timothy 3:13–15.

comment: The Protestant reformers all taught that the Bible was plain, and its meaning could be discovered by anybody with the help of the Holy Spirit even without the aid of commentaries, clergy, or the church. See The Great Controversy, 251.

The Roman Catholic position condemned the idea that the meaning of the Scriptures was plain, and that it could be understood, without commentary, with the help of Christ’s Spirit.

11 What method was used by William Miller to acquire an understanding of the Bible? Isaiah 28:9, 10.

note: “Endeavoring to lay aside all preconceived opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with scripture by the aid of the marginal references and the concordance.” The Great Controversy, 320.

12 What is the result of allowing either the church or theologians to interpret the Bible for us? 11 Timothy 4:3.

note: “The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord’ in its support.

“Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to his will.” The Great Controversy, 595.