Searching the scriptures.

[brinny]

I was listening to a sermon tonight (ok, it's morning now)

ok, i'm listening to this sermon, right, and he mentions "searching the scriptures"

What does it mean to "search the scriptures"?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Steeno7]

I was listening to a sermon tonight (ok, it's morning now)

ok, i'm listening to this sermon, right, and he mentions "searching the scriptures"

What does it mean to "search the scriptures"?

Thank you kindly.

I would say it means to look for something in them. I am reminded of John 5:39-40.

 

[Optimax]

Intently and consistently search scripture for the truths for living and life that it reveals to those who search and does what they learn.

 

[Wordkeeper]

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

Searching the Scriptures is NOT seeking the Kingdom of God.

The Jews thought that possessing God's Word meant that they had eternal life, although accessing it required "searching".

Moses told them it was easy to unlock eternal life:

Romans 10:5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR

HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO

WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS

NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM

WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Yup, Jesus told the truth:

John 5:40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.


If only they had asked Him for water, water that once drunk would mean never thirsting again, but out of their inner being would flow streams of living water.


Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

 

[Albion]

As others have said, it's a phrase taken from the Bible. As Wordkeeper noted, it's usually thought to be a gentle rebuke delivered by Jesus.

If a pastor were to use that exact wording to encourage deeper study in the Bible (not a bad thing in itself), it might raise some eyebrows among those truly familiar with the meaning of John 5:39.

 

[brinny]

Originally Posted by brinny View Post
I was listening to a sermon tonight (ok, it's morning now)

ok, i'm listening to this sermon, right, and he mentions "searching the scriptures"

What does it mean to "search the scriptures"?

Thank you kindly.

I would say it means to look for something in them. I am reminded of John 5:39-40.

I read the verses.....just wondering....searching the scriptures is not recommended? It's a bad thing?

Thank you kindly.

 

[brinny]

Intently and consistently search scripture for the truths for living and life that it reveals to those who search and does what they learn.

Would you be so kind as to elaborate?

Thank you kindly.

 

[brinny]

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

Searching the Scriptures is NOT seeking the Kingdom of God.

The Jews thought that possessing God's Word meant that they had eternal life, although accessing it required "searching".

Moses told them it was easy to unlock eternal life:

Romans 10:5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR

HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO

WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS

NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM

WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Yup, Jesus told the truth:

John 5:40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.


If only they had asked Him for water, water that once drunk would mean never thirsting again, but out of their inner being would flow streams of living water.


Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

What, according to what you posted above, does "searching the scriptures" mean?

Thank you kindly.

 

[brinny]

As others have said, it's a phrase taken from the Bible. As Wordkeeper noted, it's usually thought to be a gentle rebuke delivered by Jesus.

If a pastor were to use that exact wording to encourage deeper study in the Bible (not a bad thing in itself), it might raise some eyebrows among those truly familiar with the meaning of John 5:39.

Jesus said that "searching the scriptures" is a bad thing and thus He rebuked those who do?

Could you break that down for me a bit more?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Wordkeeper]

Jesus said that "searching the scriptures" is a bad thing and thus He rebuked those who do?

Could you break that down for me a bit more?

Thank you kindly.

Have you met people who politely refuse your guidance and ask for a diagram showing the directions they need to follow to reach their destination? That's the Jews for you.

Acts 17:4“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.

No mention of searching the Scripture there. The advice was to seek God. And avoid alternative methods.

 

[brinny]

Originally Posted by brinny View Post
Jesus said that "searching the scriptures" is a bad thing and thus He rebuked those who do?

Could you break that down for me a bit more?

Thank you kindly.

Have you met people who politely refuse your guidance and ask for a diagram showing the directions they need to follow to reach their destination? That's the Jews for you.

Acts 17:4“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.

No mention of searching the Scripture there. The advice was to seek God. And avoid alternative methods.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Would you bear with me and share what your understanding of "searching the scriptures" means?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Steeno7]

I read the verses.....just wondering....searching the scriptures is not recommended? It's a bad thing?

Thank you kindly.

It's fine. Just don't forget the purpose for which they exist and miss the Reality of which the scriptures are only a shadow of.

 

[brinny]

Originally Posted by brinny View Post
I read the verses.....just wondering....searching the scriptures is not recommended? It's a bad thing?

Thank you kindly.

It's fine. Just don't forget the purpose for which they exist and miss the Reality of which the scriptures are only a shadow of.

Brother you kinda' lost me there. Would you mind elaborating?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Wordkeeper]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Would you bear with me and share what your understanding of "searching the scriptures" means?

Thank you kindly.

It means avoiding involvement. God wanted interaction and Israel wanted a way to live without messy relationships. Remember how they asked not to hear God's voice but preferred a mediator?

Forgetting that the benefits of a relationship outweigh the risks involved...

Hmm... They do sound quite presumptuous there in my description, don't they?

 

[brinny]

Originally Posted by brinny View Post
Thank you for your thoughtful response. Would you bear with me and share what your understanding of "searching the scriptures" means?

Thank you kindly.

It means avoiding involvement. God wanted interaction and Israel wanted a way to live without messy relationships. Remember how they asked not to hear God's voice but preferred a mediator?

Forgetting that the benefits of a relationship outweigh the risks involved...

Hmm... They do sound quite presumptuous there in my description, don't they?

Ok, now this is something i must'a missed....they didn't WANT to hear God's voice? Seeeeriously??!!!

Isn't that like rejecting God outright?!!

 

[Steeno7]

Brother you kinda' lost me there. Would you mind elaborating?

Thank you kindly.

All of scripture points us to Jesus.

 

[brinny]

Originally Posted by brinny View Post
Brother you kinda' lost me there. Would you mind elaborating?

Thank you kindly.

All of scripture points us to Jesus.

Ok, yes, i'm with ya there....

are yu sayin' tho' that we are neglecting Jesus if we "search the scriptures"?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Steeno7]

Ok, yes, i'm with ya there....

are yu sayin' tho' that we are neglecting Jesus if we "search the scriptures"?

Thank you kindly.

You are neglecting Jesus if you substitute what is written about Him and to lead you to Him, for Him.

 

[Wordkeeper]

Deuterium 5:23“And when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. 24“You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire; we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives. 25‘Now then why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer, then we will die. 26‘For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27‘Go near and hear all that the LORD our God says; then speak to us all that the LORD our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.’

Ok, now this is something i must'a missed....they didn't WANT to hear God's voice? Seeeeriously??!!!

Isn't that like rejecting God outright?!!

Yaass, they don't seem to know what they are saying. Kinda like Peter wanting to make tents for Moses and Elijah. It's a delaying tactic. Box 'em up, keep 'em at a safe distance and then decide how close you want 'em to come!!!!

 

[Albion]

Jesus said that "searching the scriptures" is a bad thing and thus He rebuked those who do?

Could you break that down for me a bit more?

Thank you kindly.

Read the entire passage and I'd say it's self-explanatory. Was he saying "Ye search the scriptures...good for you!" Or was it something else?