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Selwyn Hughes
Selwyn Hughes (April 27, 1928–January 9, 2006) was a Welsh Christian preacher, evangelist, and author, best known for his daily devotional Every Day with Jesus, which reached nearly a million readers worldwide. Born in Fochriw near Caerphilly, Wales, to a coal-mining family, Hughes worked as a miner during his teenage years, including a stint as a “Bevin Boy” in 1946–1947 during National Service. Converted at 16 in 1944, he felt a divine call to ministry, leading him to study theology in Bristol after leaving the mines. Ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, he served churches in Cornwall, Wales, Yorkshire, Essex, and London for 18 years, beginning his writing career in the 1960s with Bible-reading notes on postcards for his congregation. In 1965, Hughes founded the Crusade for World Revival (CWR), an international ministry focused on training Christian counselors and producing resources, including Every Day with Jesus, which he wrote for over 40 years. He authored over 50 books, blending pastoral insight with practical faith, such as The 7 Laws of Spiritual Success and his autobiography My Story (2004). Despite personal tragedies—the death of his wife Enid from cancer in 1986 and both sons in 2000 and 2001—his faith remained unshaken, earning him praise from George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as a “giant in the faith.” Hughes died of cancer in 2006, leaving a legacy of spiritual encouragement and revivalist zeal. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Brunel University in 2005.
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Selwyn Hughes emphasizes that while the Scriptures are essential and divinely inspired, they ultimately point to Jesus Christ as the Word that is bigger than men's words. Jesus claimed to be greater than the Scriptures, as He existed before the New Testament and is the supreme method of communication between God and man. Hughes highlights the importance of honoring the Scriptures as they lead us to Christ's feet and to an allegiance to Him, acknowledging that one greater than the Bible is present in Jesus.
Greater Than the Bible
"You diligently study the Scriptures. ... These are the Scriptures that testify about me ..." (v. 39) For reading & meditation: John 5:31-47 Jesus claimed to be greater than the Scriptures. Everyone else has to put themselves under the authority of the Scriptures. In one sense, of course, Christ subjected Himself to the Scriptures, but in another sense He was superior to them. He did not emerge from the Bible; the Bible emerged from Him. The Amplified Bible puts our text for today: "You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them ... And still you are not willing ... to come to Me, so that you might have life." We saw the other day how Christ declared: "One greater than the temple is here." He could also have said: "One greater than the Scriptures is here." A prominent theologian stated: "The Bible is the supreme method of communication between God and man." Is it? I thought Christ is the supreme method of communication between God and man. "There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ..." (1 Tim. 2:5). It is true that we would know little of Christ were it not for the New Testament. But Christ existed before the New Testament. I do not say this to denigrate the Scriptures in any way. They are divinely inspired and thus they inspire me. But the Person is greater than the product. We honor the product but only as it leads us to Christ's feet and to an allegiance to Him. Indeed, one greater than the Bible is here. Lord Jesus, I am thankful for the Scriptures for many reasons, but most of all because they lead me to You. You are the Word that is bigger than men's words. Not a page but a Person. All honor and glory be to Your Name. Amen.
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Selwyn Hughes (April 27, 1928–January 9, 2006) was a Welsh Christian preacher, evangelist, and author, best known for his daily devotional Every Day with Jesus, which reached nearly a million readers worldwide. Born in Fochriw near Caerphilly, Wales, to a coal-mining family, Hughes worked as a miner during his teenage years, including a stint as a “Bevin Boy” in 1946–1947 during National Service. Converted at 16 in 1944, he felt a divine call to ministry, leading him to study theology in Bristol after leaving the mines. Ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, he served churches in Cornwall, Wales, Yorkshire, Essex, and London for 18 years, beginning his writing career in the 1960s with Bible-reading notes on postcards for his congregation. In 1965, Hughes founded the Crusade for World Revival (CWR), an international ministry focused on training Christian counselors and producing resources, including Every Day with Jesus, which he wrote for over 40 years. He authored over 50 books, blending pastoral insight with practical faith, such as The 7 Laws of Spiritual Success and his autobiography My Story (2004). Despite personal tragedies—the death of his wife Enid from cancer in 1986 and both sons in 2000 and 2001—his faith remained unshaken, earning him praise from George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as a “giant in the faith.” Hughes died of cancer in 2006, leaving a legacy of spiritual encouragement and revivalist zeal. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Brunel University in 2005.