Topical Bible: The Scriptures: should be Read Publicly to All

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The public reading of Scripture is a practice deeply rooted in biblical tradition and is emphasized throughout both the Old and New Testaments. This practice serves not only as a means of communal worship but also as a method of instruction, edification, and spiritual formation for the people of God.

Old Testament Foundations

The public reading of Scripture finds its origins in the Old Testament, where it was integral to the life of Israel. In Deuteronomy 31:10-13, Moses commands that the Law be read aloud to all Israel every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles: "Then Moses commanded them, 'At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.'" This passage underscores the importance of ensuring that every member of the community, regardless of age or status, hears the Word of God.

The practice continued under the leadership of Joshua, who read the Law to the entire assembly of Israel, including women, children, and foreigners (Joshua 8:34-35). Similarly, during the reign of King Josiah, the Book of the Law was read aloud to the people, leading to a national revival and covenant renewal (2 Kings 23:1-3).

New Testament Practice

The New Testament church continued the tradition of public Scripture reading. In the synagogue, Jesus Himself participated in this practice, as seen in Luke 4:16-20, where He reads from the scroll of Isaiah. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the early churches, emphasizes the importance of reading Scripture publicly. In 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul instructs Timothy, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

The early church gatherings often included the reading of apostolic letters and other Scriptures. Colossians 4:16 provides an example: "After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea." This practice ensured that the teachings of the apostles were disseminated and understood by all believers.

Purpose and Impact

The public reading of Scripture serves several key purposes. It ensures that the entire community, including those who may be illiterate or without personal copies of the Scriptures, has access to God's Word. It also fosters a sense of unity and shared faith among believers, as they collectively hear and respond to the teachings of Scripture.

Moreover, public reading acts as a catalyst for spiritual growth and transformation. As Romans 10:17 states, "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." The communal experience of hearing Scripture read aloud can convict, encourage, and inspire believers to live according to God's will.

Conclusion

The tradition of publicly reading Scripture is a vital aspect of Christian worship and community life. It is a practice that not only honors the historical roots of the faith but also continues to play a crucial role in the spiritual development of believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 31:11-13
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD your God in the place which he shall choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
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Nehemiah 8:3
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 36:6
Therefore go you, and read in the roll, which you have written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house on the fasting day: and also you shall read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:15
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, You men and brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
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Library

Our Scriptures were Publicly Read and Expounded in the Religious ...
... made a glorious confession of the Lord should read publicly in the ... willing to die
a martyr should read the Gospel ... the public reading of the Scriptures in the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section v our scriptures were.htm

Formal Catalogues of Authentic Scriptures were Published, in all ...
... of any particular class of books should be put ... of the New Testament in form, containing
our Scriptures and no ... of the books of Scripture, publicly read at that ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section x formal catalogues of.htm

Proceedings of the Council of Ariminum.
... Father in all things," which is borne out by the Holy Scriptures. ... council commanded
that the expositions of the other heresies should be read, and likewise ...
/.../chapter xvii proceedings of the council.htm

Epistle xxiv. To John, Subdeacon of Ravenna .
... assemble the brethren, and that they should produce fully and truly whatsoever papers
on divers Scriptures he had ... the blessed Job to be read publicly at vigils ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxiv to john subdeacon.htm

The Pious Old Man Rejoices that He Read Plato and the Scriptures ...
... Rejoices that He Read Plato and the Scriptures, and Tells ... He used to read, as
Simplicianus said, the Holy ... derived strength, and feared lest he should be denied ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii the pious old man.htm

Knox's Book of Common Order.
... Knox that the whole of Holy Scripture should be publicly read for edification ... could
be had presently" the Common Prayers and Scriptures should be read by the ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iii knoxs book of.htm

These Things which You have Said are Read by all who Know Latin ...
... 6. In his anti-Ciceronian dream he promised never to read or possess ... Has the Church
had spurious Scriptures? 35. ... How Jerome should have replied to Pammachius. ...
/.../43 these things which you.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... showed Moses, for the express purpose that it should be a ... than was he: in the one
case we read, "The Lord ... From beginning to end the Scriptures testify of Christ ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... death and rising again for us, should ever remind ... the esteem in which our Church
holds the Sacred Scriptures. ... of it several times"is read publicly every year ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

The Bible Canon from the Fourth Century to the Reformation.
... in the Septuagint to the class publicly read.(289) Yet ... According to him the Scriptures
which were received and ... all the churches of the day should be canonical. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vii the bible canon.htm