Use of Scriptures

by Leland M. Haines

After coming to the place where we know how to interpret Scripture, we need to consider the question of its use.

The central purpose of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, is to point men to Christ and make them His disciples. Christ on the road to Emmaus told the disciples:

O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself . . . [that] all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name. Luke 24:25-27, 44-47

Repentance involves turning from sin to follow Christ. The follower must know how Christ wishes him to follow. He must be instructed, and when he wanders from the path of righteousness, he must be corrected of his error. The Scripture is used to fulfill these needs. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God," and, because of this, it "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" (II Tim. 3:15, 16). Scripture is to be used as the source of doctrine, discipline, and Christian practice. Since Scripture is used in this manner, our goal must be to find what it teaches. When we understand what it teaches, we must put its teachings into practice.

Many, even some with good intentions, have ignorantly misused Scripture. They have found things there that God never put there and have missed important things that are there. This has led to many doctrinal and practical controversies. The reasons for such misuse are many, but among the more important ones would be man's desire to be "wise above what is written." Man does not like to humble himself and accept the simple teachings found in the Scriptures. He wants to bring his own ideas and concepts into his doctrine and practices. This can be done by rambling through the Scriptures, accepting this and rejecting that according to one's own idea of spiritual matters. This should and must be avoided. Scripture is God's revealed truth. Man should not attempt to nullify it by getting his own ideas and philosophies mixed in with it. Every assertion should be tested to see whether it comes from the Scriptures. Care must be taken that our beliefs originate from Scripture and not from our own reasoning. Our need is to understand God's Word and that alone. He has revealed all that is needed to be understood, and this revealed truth is found only in the Scriptures. Thus Scripture is the final authority in religious matters.
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from Authority of Scripture, © copyright 2000 by Leland M. Haines, Northville, MI.

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