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I. WHAT ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND BY THE SCRIPTURES?

1. Man had at first as perfect a knowledge of God as was necessary for him (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

2. This knowledge was impaired by the fall, so that a Divine revelation became requisite for his instruction in duty and the way and means to happiness.

3. Here a God revealed His will to Adam (Genesis 3:15).

4. This was handed down by tradition for 2,500 years, and the long lives of the patriarchs preserved it incorrupt. Methusaleh lived 243 years with Adam, and 98 with Shem, who lived 50 years with Isaac.

5. Man's life being shortened, God wrote His law by Moses (Psalm 90:10).

6. For the clearing of it He inspired prophets continually (Hebrews 1:1; Numbers 27:21).

7. When Christ came' He inspired others to record His works and doctrine (John 14:26).

8. Hence the Scripture is contained in the books of the Old and New Testaments.

(1) The Old in number thirty-nine, which the Jews reduced to thirty-two, and they divide them in this manner:

(a)  The Pentateuch.

(b)  The Prophets.

(c)  The Hagiographa.

(2) The New Testament consisting of

(a)  Gospels,

(b)  Acts,

(c)  Epistles,

(d)  Apocalypse.

9. These are all that make up the canon; and that the Apocrypha is no part thereof is plain (Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Ephesians 2:20).

(a)  Malachi was the last prophet.

(b)  From reason. They are neither of the Old nor New Testaments, in many places they contradict both, and they do not speak as from God.

(c)  From the Fathers.

II. WHY ARE WE TO SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES?

1. Because they are the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:20, 21).

(1) Probably —

(a)  From their antiquity.

(b)  The simplicity of the penmen (Exodus 32.; Numbers 11:11-14; Numbers 12:3).

(c)  Their low quality (Amos 7:14; Matthew 9:9; Acts 4:13).

(d)  Their high doctrine as Trinity, Creation, Fall, Incarnation, etc.

(e)  Fulfilment of prophecy. Genesis 3:15 was given 4,000 years before its fulfilment; Genesis 12:3 almost 2,000; Genesis 15:13, 14, 400. So Daniel 9:24; Genesis 49:10.

(f)  Their speaking with so much majesty and authority (1 Corinthians 1:17).

(g)  Their efficacy and power to convert (Psalm 19:7, 8; Hebrews 4:12).

(h)  The hatred of wicked men against them (John 15:19).

(2) Certainly —

(a)  If this be not God's word there is none.

(b)  God hath attested it by miracles.

(c)  If they were not from God, then either from Satan or man. Not from Satan, for they destroy his kingdom (James 4:7). Not from men; good men would not cheat the world, bad men would not condemn themselves.

(3) The use. If the Scriptures are the Word of God, then

(a)  Here is terror to the wicked (Isaiah 48:22).

(b)  Comfort to the godly (Matthew 5:2-4).

(c)  Counsel to all. Wherefore: Reverence them; believe them; prize them (Psalm 19:10; Proverbs 2:14, 15); be thankful for them; conform your lives to them; delight in reading them (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 19:10).

2. Because they contain all things necessary to be known and believed, explicitly or implicity; which appears(1) from Scripture.

(a)  God is their Author, and therefore they are like Himself — perfect (2 Timothy 3:16).

(b)  They furnish the man of God unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:17; Psalm 19:7).

(c)  They contain the whole counsel of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18, 19; Galatians 1:8, 9).

(d)  Christ and His apostles taught nothing but Scripture (Luke 24:27; Acts 17:2; Acts 26:22).

(2) From reason. If all things necessary are not in Scripture, then there is something which I have no certainty of, and then the Scriptures would be in vain (John 20:21).

III. ARE ALL BOUND TO SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES? Yes.

1. God commands all (Deuteronomy 31:11, 12; Colossians 3:16).

2. God commends it (Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:15).

3. They were written to be read of all (Romans 15:4); and were, therefore, first written in the vulgar tongues.

4. The knowledge of the Scriptures keeps from error (Matthew 22:29).

5. All are bound to mind their salvation.

IV. HOW MUST WE SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES?

1. With reverence and devotion.

2. With attention and understanding (Acts 8:30).

3. With affection (Acts 2:37).

4. With fear (2 Kings 22:11-13).

5. With faith (Hebrews 4:2).

6. With delight (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:103).

7. To a right and good end.

8. Constantly (Psalm 1:2).

V. USES.

1. Reproof to such as neglect to search the Scriptures.

2. The highest encouragement and motive thereunto.

(1)  There is none so ignorant but this will make him wise (2 Timothy 3:15; Psalm 19:7).

(2)  There is no heart so sinful but this will cleanse it (Psalm 19:7).

3. No soul so dejected, but here it may find comfort (Psalm 94:19).

4. It is horrible ingratitude not to read what God hath written, and we shall have to answer for it.

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

WEB: "If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.