Chapter 3—Searching the Scriptures

“The Bereans gave serious attention to the word, searching in the holy Writings every day, to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11, The New Testament in Basic English.BSPC 40.6

Such is the record of one earnest group of believers in the days of the apostolic church. Their noble example has been placed in the story of early days that we might catch the inspiration and go and do likewise. The Holy Oracles, whether of the Old Testament or of the New, constitute God’s message to men; they are just as much His message as though He should speak audibly from heaven, and we ourselves should hear His voice.BSPC 40.7

“So with the promises of God’s word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking as directly as if we could listen to His voice.”—The Ministry of Healing, 122.BSPC 40.8

The little company at Berea discerned His voice in the Holy Writings, and just as they were commended by the Lord for their earnest and painstaking inquiry into His word, so will the Lord look upon His children today with joy and pleasure as they prayerfully and diligently search into the Scriptures of truth.BSPC 40.9

The counsel of the Lord to His people is:BSPC 40.10

“You should search the Bible; for it tells you of Jesus. As you read the Bible, you will see the matchless charms of Jesus. You will fall in love with the Man of Calvary, ... you may drink of the wells of salvation.... Then your lips will speak thanksgiving to God.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 293.BSPC 40.11