On the need to study the Bible

As surprising as it may sound, there still are some Christian denominations that direct their people not to study the Bible. The apparent reason for this erroneous and indefensible instruction is based on a verse found in II Corinthians 3:6, “…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (NASB). This interpretation is taken completely out of context, since it implies that the Scriptures will kill people... As an extension of this false doctrine, the ministers of these denominations proceed in interpreting the few verses that they read according to their own understanding. Since most of the ministers of such denominations do not study the Bible either (for reasons of ignorance, indolence, or both) the majority of the people in these denominations are not being instructed in the Scriptures, as the believers were thought to do.

Let us look at some verses that will give us the right direction on this topic:

1. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB);

2. “Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24, NASB);

3. “They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”(Luke 24:32, NASB):

4. “And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures...” (Acts 17:2, NASB);

5. “…for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:28, NASB);

6. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NASB).

As we can see through these verses, the Scriptures instruct, correct, train believers for righteousness, give us hope, encouragement, and most importantly, demonstrate that Jesus was the Christ. How can the Christian not be interested in learning the Scriptures? All believers should study the Bible, inside and outside the temple.

If we examine the history of Christianity, we will find a precedent to this unfortunate situation that some denominations still confront. As the Catholic Church grew exponentially during the Middle Ages, there was the need to place ministers to preside church services in all places, mostly in small agricultural or fishing villages. Unfortunately, at that time the literacy rate of these populations, including the ministers, was extremely small. Consequently, most of the instruction to the believers was given by hearsay and verbal traditions, and not by studying the Bible. As most of these ministers had very little or nothing of spiritual edification to present to the people, new customs began to be introduced in the churches: presentation of images, pictures, and sculptures, singing of popular songs, chanting of repetitive prayers, etc. These activities were introduced not only by the ministers, but especially by the people, with the local minister’s approval. Something had to be done to entertain the audience for the one to two hours of gathering…As a result of these activities idolatry, reading of simpler literature including catechisms, exaggerated decoration of temples, processions, and other traditions were introduced in the houses of prayers. What new customs are being brought into today’s churches, serial healing, strange manifestations and confusion, fantastic testimonies, endless prayers?

In examining one of the few times that the Lord Jesus instructed the people on the functions of the temple, we find “And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, ' My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a robber’s den" (Mark 11:17). We see two main functions prescribed by the Lord in this verse: learning the Scriptures, and prayer. Learning the scriptures - being continuously reminded of the example of life left by the Lord Jesus, and praying as a congregation (i.e. as a group), these are the only functions for these houses. Unfortunately many of them became places of confusion and bargains, where people attend with the illusion that sacrifices – and appearance of sanctity – will obtain favors from the Lord……

P.S. Concerning II Corinthians 3:6, “…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (NASB), the apostle Paul was explaining in this verse that salvation through the Lord Jesus is superior to the Law of the Old Testament. If you consider two of the greatest servants of God in the Old Testament, Moses and David, both would be condemned by the Law, and actually sentenced to death for their sins.

Nobody on earth can be saved by the Law. On the other hand, anyone that believes in Christ, through faith brought by the Spirit of God, is saved.