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Study 01 of 25

The Holy Scriptures

Scripture is God-breathed to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Sequeira opens the book by insisting that the Bible's central purpose is not to supply a rulebook but to make readers 'wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.' Every part of Scripture, Old Testament and New, points to Jesus and His righteousness. He distinguishes true, thought-inspiration (the verbal or dynamic theory) from mechanical dictation, showing that the Gospel writers used differing words to express identical, Spirit-given thoughts. He also warns against elevating Ellen White's writings above Scripture, insisting the Bible and the Bible only must be the final test of doctrine. Because Adventists have too often preached law without gospel, doctrines like the Sabbath and the Investigative Judgment have been misunderstood as legalism rather than good news. Sound hermeneutics — avoiding eisegesis and letting the Spirit illuminate an honest reading in context — is essential to recovering the gospel at the heart of every fundamental belief. The chapter thus sets the trajectory for the whole book: every doctrine must be tested by, and connected to, the everlasting gospel.

Key points

  • Scripture's primary purpose is to make us 'wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus' (2 Timothy 3:15).
  • The Bible is thought-inspired, not word-dictated — writers used their own words to express God's identical thoughts.
  • The Bible and the Bible only is the final test of all doctrine; Ellen White's writings support but never replace Scripture.
  • Doctrines preached apart from the gospel (like the Sabbath and judgment) become legalism instead of good news.

Key texts

  • 2 Timothy 3:15-17
  • John 5:39
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

From the book

Chapter 1 · Belief 1 · Read this chapter

  • “Adventists believe that the Bible’s main purpose is to make them “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” All Scripture points to Jesus Christ and His salvation.” (ch. 1)
  • “The Bible is clearly thought-inspired rather than word-inspired.” (ch. 1)
  • “Therefore, all fundamental beliefs must be based on Scripture alone and vitally connected to the everlasting gospel.” (ch. 1)

Put it into practice

  • Read a familiar Bible passage this week asking, 'How does this point me to Christ and His righteousness?'
  • Before drawing a conclusion from a text, check its context to avoid eisegesis.
  • Pray for the Holy Spirit's illumination before each Bible study session.
  • Evaluate one belief or practice you hold and test it against Scripture alone, not merely tradition.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What does Paul say is the main purpose of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. How does the author define the 'verbal or dynamic theory' of inspiration?

  3. Scripture

    3. What evidence does Sequeira give from the four Gospel inscriptions on the cross?

  4. Contrast

    4. Contrast the dictation theory with the historical-critical method regarding the source of authority.

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. According to the author, what is the proper relationship between Ellen White's writings and the Bible?

  6. Comprehension

    6. What are eisegesis, exegesis, and spiritualizing, and why does the author warn against the first?

  7. Contrast

    7. Why does the author say Adventism has sometimes been perceived as legalistic rather than gospel-centered?

  8. Application

    8. How has understanding Scripture as gospel-centered changed the way you read familiar Bible passages?