The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

Steps in Searching the Word of God

Let us meditate on some of the steps that might be taken in our approach to the study of the word of our God. BSPC 40.12

The First Step

First, we are urged to hear or to read. In the Apocalypse the divine blessing is pronounced upon him “that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy.” Revelation 1:1 In one place the Savior mentioned that “they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” Luke 16:29. In another place He refers to those “that hears my word.” In other references to the word of God emphasis is laid upon reading the Scriptures of truth. Isaiah earnestly counseled the children of Israel to “seek you out the book of the Lord, and read” (Isaiah 34:16); whereas Ezra himself read in the book of Moses to the people. (Nehemiah 8:13). BSPC 42.1

Both hearing and reading the good tidings from heaven are good, but there is something of greater importance—that as a result of our hearing or our reading we understand the truth of God. This is what Jesus stressed in His ministry. After outlining the prophecy of Daniel to the people He said, “Who so reads, let him understand.” Matthew 24:15. We learn about the eunuch of Ethiopia, who was returning from Jerusalem to his native land, reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The words, however, were unintelligible to him. Over and over again he pondered on their meaning. Then came the servant of the Lord, and as Philip explained the meaning of what was written in the Book, light from heaven dawned upon the mind of this emissary of the Ethiopian queen. Now he understood, and could rejoice in the message that brought such blessing to his heart. BSPC 42.2

This is the purpose of God, for He declared that those who bear fruit to His glory are those “that hears the word, and understands it.” Matthew 13:23. The first thing, then, is to listen, to keep an open ear, or maybe to read the word of God; but we need ever to bear in mind that whether we are listening or reading, God looks to us to understand His word. BSPC 42.3

The Second Step

The second step is to meditate on, to give consideration to, [and] to ponder on the Divine Word. We may hear, but unless there is a keen interest we may very soon forget; we may read, but even this may pass from our remembrance, just as sand falls through the sieve. It is vital that we meditate upon the words of life. The apostle Paul counseled Timothy, his son in the faith, to “meditate upon these things.” 1 Timothy 4:15. We are urged to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.” Hebrews M. David “considered” God’s testimonies. Psalm 119:95. Job “considered the works of God.” Job 37:14. So we are to consider for ourselves—we are to meditate—we are to seek to discover new beauties in the Holy Scriptures, and so be built up in the knowledge of God and in the most holy faith. BSPC 42.4

The Lord has told us in the Spirit of prophecy: BSPC 43.1

“Let the student keep his Bible always with him, and as he has opportunity, read a text and meditate upon it. While walking in the streets, waiting at a railway station, waiting to meet an engagement, let him improve the opportunity to gain some precious thought from the treasure house of truth.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 463. BSPC 43.2

“He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures, must meditate upon the truth.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, 59, 60. BSPC 43.3

The Third Step

The third step is to search prayerfully and to study diligently God’s Holy Book. This will call for the application of the mind and for earnest thought in the perusal of the Divine Writings. Searching will mean a critical examination, a diligent and faithful comparison of scripture with scripture, with collateral reading from the Spirit of prophecy and works of history, Bible geography, also the manners and customs of ancient times. It will call for fervent prayer and consecration of heart and mind, so that the Spirit of God may lead and guide us into all truth. BSPC 43.4

This was the experience of the noble Bereans of ancient days. We read: BSPC 43.5

“At Berea Paul found Jews who were willing to investigate the truths he taught.... 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.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 231. BSPC 43.6

The Savior Himself gave to the Jews of His day admonition to which we do well to take heed. BSPC 43.7

“Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. BSPC 44.1

As we study diligently the Sacred Scriptures we are in good company, for the prophets of old did the same thing. We read that they “inquired and searched diligently, searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11. BSPC 44.2

Let us follow their noble example and the example also of the little church at Berea, and we too shall find that the word of God contains wonderful treasures of precious truth. BSPC 44.3

“It is a precious book, a wonderful book. It is a treasury containing jewels of precious value. It is a history that opens to us the past centuries. Without the Bible we should have been left to conjectures and fables in regard to the occurrences of past ages. Of all the books that have flooded the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible is the Book of books, and is most deserving of the closest study and attention. It gives not only the history of the creation of this world, but a description of the world to come. It contains instruction concerning the wonders of the universe, and it reveals to our understanding the Author of the heavens and the earth. It unfolds a simple and complete system of theology and philosophy. Those who are dose students of the word of God, and who obey its instructions, and love its plain truths, will improve in mind and manners. It is an endowment of God that should awaken in every heart the most sincere gratitude; for it is the revelation of God to man.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 129. BSPC 44.4

“The study of the Bible demands our most diligent effort and persevering thought. As the miner digs for the golden treasure in the earth, so earnestly, persistently, must we seek for the treasure of God’s word.”—Education, 189. BSPC 44.5