Feb 24
4
Baptist Catechism 5
Q. 5. May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures. (John 5:39; Luke 16:29; Acts 8:28-30; 17:11)
*****
Introduction
This question, “May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures?”, might seem like a no-brainer to you. We are accustomed to having copies of the Scriptures written in our native language at our disposal. And it is very common for pastors today to encourage Christians to read the Scriptures for themselves. But we should remember that things have not always been this way. There was a time, before the invention of the printing press, when very few people had copies of the Scriptures in their possession. And even if someone did, it was probably written in a language that very few people knew how to read – Hebrew, Greek, or perhaps Latin. The invention of the printing press, the practice of translating the Scriptures into the native language of the people, and the Protestant Reformation changed all of that. In a very short time, people went from having very little access to Scripture to having the opportunity to read the Scriptures for themselves. If we keep this history in mind, then the question, “May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures?”, will seem more reasonable to us.
The answer to the question is very helpful because it is true: “All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures.”
*****
“All men are not only permitted, but commanded to read… the Scriptures”
The words, “all men”, are very important. They emphasize the need for all people – men and women, boys and girls, clergy and laymen, the educated and uneducated, rich and poor, etc – to engage with Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures are not to be reserved for a particular class of men within society or the church, but all should have access to them.
Next, our catechism says that all men are “not only permitted, but commanded…” to engage with Holy Scripture. The proof texts that are listed in our catechism are really interesting. They are John 5:39; Luke 16:29; Acts 8:28-30; and 17:11. All of these passages share this in common: they speak of men searching the Scriptures. For example, Acts 17:11 speaks of the men of Berea and says that they “ were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, ESV)
It truly is mind-boggling to think that the Romanists decided that the Scriptures should only be read by the religious elite. The Scriptures were originally written in Hebrew and Greek. In other words, they were written in the language of the people of that day – they were written to be read! And the Scriptures themselves speak of men – common men – searching the Scriptures. Indeed, the Scriptures even encourage and command the study of the Scriptures! What a dark time that must have been when the light of Holy Scripture was hidden away within the confines of the Roman hierarchy. Praise God for the Reformation which did, among other things, bring the light of God’s Word back into the midst of the people.
*****
“All men are not only permitted, but commanded to hear… the Scriptures
“All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures”, our catechism says.
We are to read the Scriptures, so long as we are able.
Do you read the Scriptures, brothers and sisters? You should. May I encourage you to read the Scriptures daily? The word of God should be like daily bread for our souls. I would encourage you to read the Scriptures regularly and to read them broadly. By this I mean, we should read through the Scriptures from beginning to end, though not necessarily in that order. We all have our favorite books and passages. Yes, some portions of the Bible speak more to the soul than others. But do not forget that all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable. No part of Scripture can be called unimportant, therefore, for each part does contribute in some way to the whole. Read the Scriptures, brothers and sisters. Read them carefully and thoughtfully. Read them broadly.
And listen to them read too. Here, we are to think primarily of the reading of the Holy Scriptures by the pastor when the church is assembled for worship. Did you know that this is one of the things that pastors are called to do? Listen to what Paul says to Timothy: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13, ESV). When ministers read Scripture they should work hard at reading clearly and in such a way that the meaning of the text shines through. When congregants listen to the reading of the Scripture, they should listen very intently, knowing that they are encountering the very words of God.
*****
“All men are not only permitted, but commanded to… understand the Scriptures.”
Lastly, our catechism exhorts us to understand the Scriptures. “All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures.”
Understanding the Scriptures can be difficult. One of the proof texts listed by our catechism is Acts 8:28-30. That is that passage where Phillip approaches the Ethiopian eunuch who is reading Isaiah the prophet and asks him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” What was his response? “‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31, ESV). I’m sure that many Christians have felt like the Ethiopian eunuch at times while reading Scripture. How can I understand this unless someone guides me?
Last week I mentioned in passing the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture. I said the Scriptures have these characteristics: they are inspired, clear, sufficient, and authoritative. What do we mean when we say that the Scriptures are “clear”?
Our confession is very helpful. In Chapter 1 para 7 we read, “All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.”
First, when we say that the Scriptures are clear we do not mean that all things are equally clear. Some things are indeed difficult to understand. Second, when we say that the Scriptures are clear we mean that the main message is clear. The gospel is clear. “Those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation” are clear.” Third, not everything is equally clear to everybody. Those who have been in the faith for a long time may have an easier time understanding Scripture when compared to those who are new to the faith. And indeed, some are more gifted, naturally or spiritually, than others when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture.
Here is the point though. The Scriptures are sufficiently clear so that “not only the learned [literate], but the unlearned [illiterate], in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.” What are the “ordinary means” that our confession is referring to? They are the means of grace, one of them being the preaching and teaching of the Scriptures.
When the Ethiopian eunuch was having a hard time with Isaiah and said “How can I [understand] unless someone guides me?”, it was not a denial of the perspicuity of Scripture. No, for the Lord provided Phillip to minister the Word to the man so that he might understand the message of the gospel.
We have the responsibility, not only to read and hear the Scriptures but to understand them too. Are they clear? Yes! But that does not mean we won’t have to work at understanding them.
*****
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, young and old, may I encourage you to grow very familiar with the Scriptures. Read the Word. Listen to the Word. And listen to the Word when it is preached. And when you hear the Scriptures preached, pay very careful attention. Especially pay attention to the way that pastors who are faithful to the Scriptures interpret Scripture so that you might learn how to rightly divide the word of truth yourself. Do not forget that this is how God saves us, through the ministry of the Word of God. This is why Paul told Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV)
Q. 5. May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures. (John 5:39; Luke 16:29; Acts 8:28-30; 17:11)
