When you read the Bible, you are reading the Holy Spirit and not history books. When you read history books, you are reading about events, but the Bible is not an event. So, when you are reading the Holy Spirit, you are supposed to be carried along by it.

T. B. Joshua’s quote emphasizes the distinction he draws between the Bible and ordinary history books. He explains that while history books record events, the Bible is not simply a chronicle of the past but the living word of the Holy Spirit. For him, this means that reading the Bible is not about studying facts alone, but about engaging with a divine presence that guides, inspires, and transforms believers.

The meaning of the quote lies in its spiritual interpretation of scripture. Joshua suggests that the Bible should not be approached only as a document of religious history but as a channel through which God communicates. To be “carried along” by the Holy Spirit while reading implies that scripture is meant to be experienced in faith, with openness to spiritual insight and personal transformation, rather than analyzed as a detached academic text.

The origin of this perspective comes from Joshua’s role as a Nigerian pastor, televangelist, and founder of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Known for his emphasis on prophecy, healing, and spiritual experience, he often taught that the Bible was alive and active, beyond the boundaries of intellectual study. His words reflect his broader ministry message—that true understanding of God comes through the Spirit, not through human reasoning alone.

Ultimately, Joshua’s statement calls on believers to read the Bible differently from other books. By contrasting it with history books, he highlights its sacred uniqueness, urging Christians to approach scripture with faith and surrender. His quote reinforces the idea that the Bible is not just about learning what happened, but about encountering God through the Holy Spirit in the present moment.