Importance of Personal Study

The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous opinions. It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light, and encourage others to follow his example. Ignorance of God's word is sin, when every provision has been made that we may become wise. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought, and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help, we are to form our opinions for ourselves, as we are to answer for ourselves before God. 4SP 416.2

But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its support.
Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. GC 595

Go to Christ for information. God would have been honored if His people had done this in the place of depending on human methods, submitting to a kingly power that has in it little of truth and righteousness. Depend upon this, if you study the Word of God with a humble heart, you will be able to see light and truth. God will give you wisdom. The mysteries of heaven will become the treasures of your mind. Your soul will be revived. If heavenly light shines upon your path, if your way is approved by God, an influence that is a savor of life will accompany you. Go to God in prayer. In your weakness cast yourself upon His strength. He will be your efficiency. The fast-fulfilling signs show that the history of the world will soon close. What is done now must be done quickly (and thoroughly). May the Lord be your Helper and your God. 16LtMs, Lt 62, 1901, par. 10

It is the duty of all to study the various points of our faith, that they may be prepared to give a reason for the hope that it is within them, with meekness and fear. RH April 1, 1880, par. 9

Study the fundamental doctrines/principles

The Lord desires that every soul who claims to believe the truth shall have an intelligent knowledge of what is truth. False prophets will arise and will deceive many. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken. Then does it not become everyone to understand the reasons of our faith? In place of having so many sermons there should be a more close searching of the Word of God, opening the Scriptures, text by text, and searching for the strong evidences that sustain the fundamental doctrines that have brought us where we now are, upon the platform of eternal truth. 2SM, 392

My brethren, the value of the evidences of truth that we have received during the past half century, is above estimate. These evidences are as treasure hidden in a field. Search for them. Study the Bible truths that for fifty years have been calling us out from the world. Present this evidence in clear, plain lines. Those who have been long in the truth, and those who have recently received the truth, must now dig for the buried heavenly treasure. Let every man work to the point. Study the Word of God. Revive the evidences given in the past. “Search the Scriptures,” Christ said; “for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” RH April 19, 1906, par. 13

All articles of faith, all doctrines and creeds, however sacred they have been regarded, are to be rejected if they contradict the plain statements of the word of God. If the Bible supports the doctrine we have held in the past, we are justified in retaining it; for the word of God gives us foundation for our faith." {RH March 25, 1902, par. 5}

. . . What is the fatal deficiency?—“Thou hast left thy first love.” Is not this our case? Our doctrines may be correct; we may hate false doctrine, and may not receive those who are not true to principle; we may labor with untiring energy; but even this is not sufficient. What is our motive? . . . O that the church might realize its need of its first ardor of love! When this is wanting, all other excellences are insufficient. The call to repentance is one that cannot be disregarded without peril. A belief in the theory of the truth is not enough. To present this theory to unbelievers does not constitute you a witness for Christ. . . ." {RH February 3, 1891, par. 8}

How to study the Scriptures?

Lay at the door of investigation your preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will never reach the truth if you search the Scriptures to vindicate your own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to hear what God has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ’s feet and learns of Him, the Word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Word, Christ says, You must become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto salvation. 16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 17
Do not carry your creed to the Bible and read the Word in the light of your former opinions. Do not try to make everything agree with your creed. Search the Word carefully and prayerfully, with a mind free from prejudice. If as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your most cherished opinions are not in harmony with the Word, do not try to make the Word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the Word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the eternal Rock. 16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 18
Our salvation depends upon our knowledge of God’s will as it is contained in His Word. Never cease asking and searching for truth. You need to know what is truth. You need to know your duty. You need to know what you shall do in order to be saved. And it is God’s will that you should know what He has said to you. But you must exercise faith. As you search God’s Word, you must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. 16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 19
Search, search the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food. Dig into the Word as the miner digs into the earth to find the veins of gold. Do not give up your search till you have ascertained your relation to God and His will concerning you. Christ says to you, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13; 15:7; 14:14.) 16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 20

All who have the truth can afford to be fair in discussion, for truth will bear away the victory. This is the only way the Word of God can be investigated with any success. If self is brought in, there will not be an investigation of truth in the spirit of Christ. All Phariseeism is to be put aside. All assumptions and preconceived opinions are to be thoroughly tested by the standard of truth. The soul that is in love with God and His work will be as candid as the day. There will be no quibbling, no evading the true bearing of Scripture. God’s Word is our foundation of all doctrine. Some think it is a mark of intelligence and smart in them to get up side issues, and they twist the Scriptures in a certain way which covers over the truth. 5LtMs, Lt 20, 1888, par. 26