The Seventh Day Adventists Believe The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.) (1)
The Importance of studying the Bible
The Bible reveals to us God and His quest for a union with us Humans(2). It exposes our need for a Savior and reveals a solution through Jesus Christ. Every book, either through symbol or reality reveals the life of Jesus Christ and depicts the theme of God’s love particularly as seen in Christ’s sacrificial death. A sacrifice that was offered once and for all for our redemption. Since the Bible brings us the revelation of God and shows us His will, its study is of supreme importance.
The most indispensable factors that aid in the study of the Bible are Spiritual. The Book of 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 says, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”(Verse 14) In the New Defender’s Study Bible, Dr. Henry Morris comments, “The ‘natural’ man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ’s atoning sacrifice for him, but even that is ‘foolishness’ to him (1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality (John 16:7-11).” In essence, the “natural” man is one who does not have the Holy Spirit residing within him.
It is therefore critically important to start off your Bible study with a word of prayer. Inviting the Holy Spirit to be your guide and show you the much-needed light. I make my own the words of Ellen G. White: “Those who profess to believe in Jesus, should ever press to the light. They should daily pray for the light of the Holy Spirit to shine upon the pages of the sacred book, that they may be enabled to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God.”—(Fundamentals of Christian Education, 188, 189.) We are to have a reverent attitude (Psalms 89:6-7), a humble mind (Isaiah 57:15), a receptive heart (Jeremiah 15:16), and an obedient will (Psalm 119:11, John 14:15)
Guiding Principles in Bible Study
Though written ages apart, the truths in both the New and Old Testaments of the Bible are inseparable. We can therefore comfortably compare all passages on the same topic for better understanding. (Luke 24:27,44) Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” We are to compare Scripture with Scripture, Spiritual things with Spiritual things. In reality, a Bible student should give special attention to these factors in order to obtain a proper understanding of the Scripture.
- The correct reading of the text
- The grammatical construction of the text,
- The meaning of words
- The context
- And the historical setting.
The Benefits of a Bible Study
- Gives us victory over sin. (Psalm 119:11)
- Produces spiritual growth in us (1 Peter 2:2)
- Equips us for the work of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Helps us know the difference between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
- Gives us the wisdom of salvation. (2 Timothy 3:15)
- Acquaints us with Christ. (John 5:39)
- Sanctifies our life. (John 17:17)
- Makes us strong in the battle with sin. (Ephesians 6: 12-17)
Conclusion
You probably have more than one copy of the Bible in your house, also, you’ve probably read the Bible back to back more than once. However, how much of the daily and annual Bible reading that you do is really being well understood, explained, and applied in life? How much of that reading is actually bringing transformation of thoughts, feelings, and will? God graciously calls us to become acquainted with Him by searching His word. In it, we can find the rich blessing of the assurance of our salvation. Discover for yourself God’s deep love for you in His word.
Strive to know God and make Him known.
