THE BIBLE, AND THE BIBLE ALONE

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1857

THE BIBLE, AND THE BIBLE ALONE.

It is our duty to search the Scriptures. "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they that testify of me." John v, 39; Isa. viii, 20; Acts xvii, 11.

The Scriptures may be understood. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever." Deut. xxix, 29; Ps. cxix, 105, 130; Dan. ix, 2; Matt. xxiv, 15; Rom. x, 17; xv, 4; xvi, 26; 2 Pet. i, 19; Rev. i, 3.

The whole, and not a part only, of the Scriptures our Guide. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is 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. iii, 16, 17. Ps. cxix, 128; Matt. iv, 4.

REASONS WHY MEN ARE IGNORANT OF TRUTH.

1. Because of false teachers who pervert the Scriptures. "For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men."

"A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" Jer. v, 26, 30, 31; vi, 14-16; xiv, 13, 14; xxiii, 22; Isa. iii, 12; xxix, 11-14; Micah iii, 9-11; Mark vii, 7-13; Acts xiii, 7, 10; Col. ii, 8; 1 Tim. vi, 3-5; 2 Tim. iv, 3, 4; 2 Pet. ii, 1, 2; iii, 16.

2. Because it is Unpopular. "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it." Jer. vi, 10; John v, 41; xii, 42, 43.

3. Because professed Teachers and professed Christians in works deny the truth. "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." Isa. lvi, 10, 11; Jer. xxiii, 14; xxv, 34-36; Amos vi, 1, 3-6; Matt. xxiii, 3, 4; Luke xi, 52; 2 Tim. iii, 1-8; Titus i, 16; James ii, 18.