Search The Scriptures

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Intro: One of the biggest problems today is there is not enough searching the scriptures.  It is because of this neglect that we have false religions, false doctrines, false teachers and unbelievers.  This matter of searching the scriptures is far more important than many people, even believers realize. Let us examine the two instances in the Bible where we find this phrase.

è Key Fact: In both places, these verses are referring to UNBELIEVERS. 

In Acts, the unbelievers WANTED to search. 

In John, they were WARNED to search.

• In Acts, the preaching made them HUNGRY.
• In John, the preaching made them HATEFUL - 5:18 ...the Jews sought the more to kill him...

• In Acts, the crowd was SERIOUS about the word.
• In John, the crowd was SKEPTICAL of the word.

Christians are commanded to study the scriptures; II Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved"

Greek word for STUDY is spoudazo which means to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence

Unbelievers are commanded to search the scriptures.

Greek word for SEARCH is ereunao which means ‘examine into'.

In John 5, Jesus is talking to a bunch of Jews that wanted to KILL him. (vs. 16,18)  He turned and preached to them a powerful message, powerful enough to convince anybody that had an open mind.  His message was very simply along these lines:

1. His Identity had been proven by his Person - vs.19-21

2. His Identity had been proven by his Power - vs. 24-30

3. His Identity had been proven by his Preacher - vs. 31-35

4. His Identity had been proven by his Proclamations - vs. 37-47

He told them that they THINK they have eternal life, but if they searched the scriptures, they would find out that they DID NOT have eternal life.

è Their FALSE PROFESSION was based on an FALSE PERCEPTION of the scriptures!!!

We know without a doubt that they were lost because of these following verses:

vs. 18: they wanted to kill him because he said he was equal with God (JW's, Mormons, etc)

vs. 35: they had a temporary interest in the light; but not enough to search it out

vs. 38: they did not have the word of God abiding in them

vs. 38: they had not believed in the One sent from God

vs. 39: they put their faith in something they had never searched out

vs. 40: they did not come to him in order to have life

vs. 42: they did not have the love of God in them

vs. 43: they did not receive Jesus though he came in the Father's name

vs. 45-47: they professed to believe Moses, but their actions proved they didn't

What you THINK you know about the Scriptures; and what they Scriptures REALLY say is two different things!!!

The Devil doesn't care how much you know about the Bible, as long as you don't learn enough to get saved!!  A little religion and a little truth mixed with a lot of error is damnable!!  He told them that they THINK they have eternal life, but I John 5:13 says we can KNOW we have eternal life!!

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

In Acts 17, these people had a totally different approach to the word of God than the Jews in John 5.

Let's examine their process of searching the scriptures.

I. The Prerequisites of Searching the Scriptures - Acts 17:11

            A. They were Receptive - in that they received the word

            B. They were Ready - with all readiness of mind

II. The Persistence in Searching the Scriptures

            A. Their Access - they had the scriptures - people must have God's word - not man's

            B. Their Attitude - they searched the scriptures daily - they were serious about the truth

                        1. Illustrates their Curiosity - I wonder if there's anything to this? Where did he get that?

                        2. Illustrates their Confusion - the preaching they heard was new to them

                        3. Illustrates their Confidence - they realized the scriptures was the truth

            C. Their Approach - whether those things were so.  They weren't looking for loopholes

III. The Product of Searching the Scriptures

            A. Their Determination was Rewarded

Proverbs 8:17  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Matthew 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

            B. Their Doubts were Removed  - vs. 12 Therefore many of them believed...

Romans 10:16,17  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

            C. Their Destination was Revealed

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.