Growing Through Bible Study

GOLDEN TEXT: “All scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” —II Timothy 3:16,17

ACTS 17:10, 11; I TIMOTHY 4:13-16; II TIMOTHY 2:15; 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12

GROWTH as “new creatures” in Christ Jesus is dependent upon Bible study, for it is through Bible study that we “feed” upon the precious promises of God which nourish and give us strength. Our Golden Text emphasizes that “all scripture given by inspiration of God” is profitable, and indeed is necessary, if all our needs as new creatures are to be supplied. The King James Version translates this text to read, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” The word “scripture” simply means writing, and it is not true that all writing is inspired by God. But it is true that all writing which is inspired by God is profitable for all the purposes mentioned in our Golden Text.

The inspired apostles encouraged Christians in the Early Church to study the inspired Scriptures. At that time the Old Testament was almost the only scriptures they had, because various books of the New Testament were just being written. However, the Old Testament contained God’s promises of the Messiah, and of the kingdom which he would establish. The Old Testament also foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. Although not understood by the ancients, the Old Testament also foretold that the Messiah would have joint-heirs who would live and reign with him in the kingdom. This was the great mystery which was kept hidden for ages but revealed to the Early Church by the apostles.

So these early Christians were encouraged to “search the Scriptures” and prove for themselves that what they were being told by the apostles was really true. Those who heard Paul at Berea, and believed, heeded this admonition, and were complimented for it. The record is that in this respect they were more noble than “they of Thessalonica.” The Thessalonian brethren proved to be very zealous in bearing witness to the truth, but apparently they were not such close students of the Scriptures as the believers at Berea.—I Thess. 1:3-9; Acts 17:11

It is a mistaken notion, all too prevalent these days, that zealous study of the Bible in order to know and to be thoroughly established in the doctrines of the divine plan is not too important. The apostles did not have this viewpoint. Paul exhorted Timothy that he should give heed to himself and to the doctrines; that by so doing he would save himself as well as those to whom he ministered. This makes salvation itself dependent upon taking proper heed to the doctrines of the Word. This is in harmony with Jesus’ words when he prayed, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) The only way to know God is through the doctrines of the divine plan which reveal him.

There is little or no spiritual profit in studying the Bible haphazardly. Paul admonished Timothy that in studying, or striving, as it is in the Greek text, to show himself approved unto God, he should “rightly divide the Word of truth.” This admonition precedes a reference to an error which was being preached by some at that time; namely, that the resurrection had already occurred. The Bible emphatically teaches the doctrine of the resurrection, both of the church and the world, but there is a due time in the plan of God for this to take place, and those in the Early Church who rightly divided the Word of truth could not be induced to believe that the promised resurrection had already occurred.

Not only are there time divisions in the plan of God which must be noted in our study of the Bible, but there is a different reward promised to the faithful of this age from that which will be offered to mankind in general during the coming age, the Millennium. The church is promised “glory and honor and immortality,” (Rom. 2:7) while in the next age those who obey will be restored to life as human beings on the earth. (Isa. 35:8,10; Rev. 21:2-4) If we fail to note this when we study the Bible, it will ofttimes seem to contradict itself.

Much of the language of the Bible is symbolic, while also a great deal of its testimony is presented without symbolic significance. We need to discern the difference between literal and symbolic language in our study of the Word, or else again it will appear as though its testimony is contradictory.

If we rightly divide the Word of truth along these various lines, it will reveal God’s wonderful plan to us in a manner which will induce healthy spiritual growth as we yield ourselves to its holy influence.

QUESTIONS

Is “all scripture” given by inspiration of God?

Was the entire Bible available to the Early Church?

Is the study of doctrine essential to Christian growth?

Name three ways in which we need to rightly divide the Word of truth.

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