JAN. 10 - Does the Bible really come to us from God?

What does the Bible say?

2 TIMOTHY 3:15-17 (nlt). You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Our United Methodist doctrine says:

We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation. (p. 67, 2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline)


John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, suggested a discipline called “searching the Scriptures” as recommended for anyone who desired the grace of God. In doing so, he referenced Jesus' own words (found in John 5:39) describing those who were “searching the scriptures” in their desire for eternal life. Although their conclusions were faulty, Jesus pointed out that those very scriptures testified on his behalf.

Interestingly, Wesley sees these words of Jesus not as an assertion but as a command to us as well: “You search the scriptures.” He describes the blessing God gives to those who do just this. As an example, he cites the people of Berea, who received the message of Paul, and then “examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).” Many of them did come to believe as a result of doing so.

Wesley also notes that Romans 10:17 teaches that “faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” In Wesley's opinion, “searching the Scriptures” includes not only reading, but also hearing and meditating.

For Wesley, this is a means whereby God gives, confirms, and increases true wisdom. For example, we read these words from Paul to Timothy: “From childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).” This is the “great means” that God has ordained for conveying his grace to us. We see that same truth in the next verses: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).”

Wesley also notes that Paul was referring to the Scriptures that Timothy had known since childhood, which in his case would have been what we call the “Old Testament.” So be clear that we should never minimize the value of the Old Testament!

For Wesley, searching the Scriptures was not only profitable for godly folks, but also for those who do not know the Lord. He cites this verse: “We have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).” So anyone who desires that day to dawn in their hearts, should indeed wait for it by searching the Scriptures.

In an article on accountable discipleship, Steven Manskar writes further about “searching the Scriptures”:

“Searching the scriptures by reading, meditating, hearing, attending the ministry of the word, either read or expounded is essential because the Bible is where we come into the presence of the God who is revealed in the Word.

“Scripture had primacy not only as an authority for theological reflection, but as a context which formed and shaped Christian life. Scripture is, for Wesley, the heart of Christian life. He believed it to be the authentic word of God. Therefore, God's will and way for living is found within the pages of Scripture. The Bible is a gift from the living God given for the building up of God's people. As the word of God, Scripture is a means of grace, second only to prayer, because within its pages God and God's word, incarnate in Jesus Christ, is made available freely to everyone. As the word is read (or heard) and studied, it forms character and life into the image of Christ. All one needs do is open its pages and read. If one cannot read, one can listen to the word read to them.

“Scripture is closely related to prayer because the one often leads people to the other. Reading Scripture often induces prayer as a response to the word. In fact, reading the prayers recorded in Scripture teaches one how to pray. Conversely, a disciplined life of prayer inevitably leads to disciplined reading and study of Scripture. Prayer and Scripture are closely related means of grace.”