SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES by Wm. Penniman

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 4, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 23

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

By Wm. Penniman

JOHN 5:39.

To search is to “look over or through for the purpose of finding something; to search out, to seek till found, or to find by seeking; as, to search out truth.” From this definition it will be seen that to search the Scriptures implies very much more than a careless, thoughtless reading. The words of the wise man (Prov. 2:3, 4), “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures,” very forcibly illustrate what is meant by the word search. He says first, “If thou criest after knowledge,” and again to make it still stronger, “If thou seekest her as silver,” and yet more emphatically, “And searchest for her as for hid treasures.” How earnestly, carefully, and perseveringly men search for gold in the mines, or for hid treasures. How much more thoroughly and deeply should they search for the truths of God’s word.

Perhaps the reader will better understand what is meant by searching the Scriptures, if he thinks what searching them does not consist in. 1. It does not consist in letting your Bible lie upon the shelf till the dust accumulates so that you can write your name upon it. 2. In never reading it through. 3. In going to Bible-class without looking at your lesson. 4. If when you are asked how many chapters the book of “Januaryah” contains, you say you cannot tell, it is good evidence that you have not read your Bible. 5. If, after hearing a sermon, you are asked where the text is found, and you answer, “In Probables,” as an old lady once answered me, the probability is that you have not searched the Scriptures.

We might extend this list, but will only add one more specification. When a Bible-class gets to the 11th chapter of Revelation, where the command is given to “rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein; and they request the teacher to put them into some easier book, it is a sign that the class has not searched very much. In “Thoughts on Revelation,” page 188, first edition, it is said: “To measure any object requires that we give especial attention to that object. So, doubtless, the call to rise and measure the temple of God is a prophetic command to the church to give the subject of the temple, or sanctuary, a special examination.” The fulfillment of this prophetic command proves that we are now in the time of which Daniel speaks (Dan. 12:4): “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Knowledge of the Scriptures has wonderfully

increased within a few years, or within a quarter of a century. But how has this knowledge been gained? Not by skimming over the surface of the Scriptures, but by a deep, prayerful searching, or, as said above, by a “special examination.”

If a student would become proficient in mathematics or in any intricate science, he must study it thoroughly. So it is with the Bible; it must be studied with an earnest determination to be successful in understanding it. And doubtless if we had the same earnest desire that Daniel had, “skill and understanding” would be given to us as well as to him. Prayer alone will not make one wise in the word of God; it must be united with work. The student should, if possible, study the original; that is, he should be able to read Hebrew and Greek; he should consult commentaries, Bible and theological dictionaries, and the Concordance, in short, everything that will increase his knowledge of the Scriptures.

Again, we should avail ourselves of the knowledge which is given us, as a people, through the spirit of prophecy. This is certainly a very important aid in the investigation of the Scriptures. We are commanded to “prove all things,” and to “despise not prophesyings.”

The following are excellent rules for the study of the Bible: 1. Let the Bible be its own interpreter; 2. Take the literal meaning, when no other interpretation will give the true sense. It is best to take the first rule in a general sense, as aids outside of the Bible are necessary. All our institutions, the Publishing Association, the T. and M. society, the College, the Sanitarium, the temperance organization, and especially the Sabbath-school Association, are forwarding the work of Bible education, and working out the great problem of eternal life.

In connection with the command to “search the Scriptures,” our Saviour gives the reason: “For in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.” We here learn that the Old-Testament Scriptures should be searched, as they are evidently referred to, and they do abundantly testify of Christ. Paul also referred to them when he said to Timothy: “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Tim. 3:15. How well this language, “Wise unto salvation,” accords with the words of Christ, “In them ye think ye have eternal life.” These Scriptures are given by inspiration of God, and are “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 Tim. 3:16, 17. We have another reason for searching them in Paul’s charge to Timothy, where he says: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Then study is required, and for what purpose? That he might be “approved unto God,” a workman “rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Another reason for searching the Scriptures is, that the Christian may be able to give a reason of his hope, and here is the proof: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15. Read the commendation which a class of early Christians received, and follow their example: “These [the Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. We here have the example of a daily work, and so it should be. If we would gain knowledge, a constant, life-long work is before us.

We might quote many more texts which have a bearing on this subject, but they would make this article too lengthy. We entreat all who read this not to despise the Old Testament or the law of God; “for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Rom. 15:4); and also to take heed to the “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet. 1:19), not forgetting that “blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3.

Wm. Penniman.