Searching the Scriptures

Among Bible believing Christians there are those who believe the Bible is so simple that there is no need for anyone to explain the Scriptures to us. They claim ‘we have the Holy Spirit to instruct us.’ They claim they have been in the church for many years, they know all the stories of the Bible, and there is no further need for any Bible study.

Let’s face facts. The Bible was written so many years ago on so many different subjects. People lived in cultures very different from ours. We do need the help of commentaries and people who have spent time prayerfully searching and studying the Bible.

We attend church not just to worship but to hear the word of God explained to us. What an awesome responsibility is placed upon our preachers and teachers of the word. In this church we have Bible classes for children, youth and more mature adults. Those who take the time and make the effort to attend Bible classes can testify of the blessings received. We study systematically through the Bible – both Old and New Testaments.

No one should stop learning. In life we keep pursuing knowledge. There is so much to learn about our Christian faith and it is important that we know the word of God as revealed in the Bible.

Study the Bible to be wise; believe it to be safe; practise it to be holy. Search the Scriptures and you will be richly rewarded.

God has given us the Holy Spirit to illumine our minds (1 John 2: 20, 27). He has also appointed ‘pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4: 11, cf Acts 20: 28, 1 Pet. 5: 2) God works through means for the salvation and sanctification of His saints (meaning Christians) He uses pastors, teachers and in Salvation Army terminology, officers and local officers who are held accountable by God for the spiritual well being of people in the church.

I count it a privilege to be responsible for the Adult Bible class held every Sunday in our church. For the last few weeks, we have been studying the book of Judges, probably a closed book to many. It is often looked upon as too long and uninteresting. Some consider this book as irrelevant to warrant our time and effort studying it. This is a serious mistake for the Old Testament is alive with interest and highly relevant for our day an generation.

Look at the world today, confused and chaotic. I believe in democracy, but not the kind as found in Judges and in some countries. "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." Judges 21:25 (NIV) There was no king in Israel, no supreme magistrate, Joshua being dead, Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes; there being none to restrain him from it, or punish him for it.

Call it democracy? I call it twisted and skewered democracy!