Basic Reformed Baptist Beliefs
Question 6 – May all men make use of the Scriptures?
Q/A
Q. May all men make use of the Scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
Scripture References
| Luke 16:29 | But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ |
| John 5:39 | You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me… |
| John 17:17‑18 | Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. |
| Acts 8:28-30 | [The Ethiopian eunuch] was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these Jews 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. |
| Revelation 1:3 | Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. |
Applying the Doctrine
It is the tragedy of our time, and the challenge to our proclamation of the gospel, that many in our generation have rejected the tenets of Scripture to their own harm. The Ten Commandments speak of the respect for God, family, life, and one another, but often these are not in vogue, even when the consequences are dire and rational people freely admit the “ideal” of Scripture. The teachings of Scripture are not something to be aspired to – they are meant to be obeyed. And all men, regardless of the state of their heart, may find common grace in it.
About the Catechism
In this series, we will take a look at the questions and answers contained in a Reformed Baptist Catechism. Most of these entries will be based on the 1677 catechism known popularly as “Keach’s Catechism”, but some freedom may be taken with regard to updating language or adding additional Scripture references found in other sources. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references will be from the English Standard Version of the Bible, ©2016 by Crossway Bibles.