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How to Read the Bible!

One day I was putting together a baby's crib. I was so excited in that I was a parent for the first time. We got the room the baby was to sleep in ready and prepared for the arrival of our bundle of joy. All that was left to do was to put the crib together. We purchased the best crib we could buy, brought it home, laid it on the floor and…………………. Stared at it. 

The realization that we had not done this before finally sunk in. None the less we began to put the crib together. Slowly, and little by little we began our task, the whole time I was being warned to use the instructions that came with the crib, but with no worry in my mind that I could do this, I continued without the instructions… Hey! The Box had a picture, which was all the help I needed!! Finally with a triumphant grin I was done; in record time too 3hrs and 15 min. I didn't say it was a good record! 

  Before we put the baby in the crib, of course we had to test it, and make sure that it worked like the box depicted! We stuffed a pillow with some things to make it heavier and placed it in the crib to simulate the weight of the baby, and to our horror!!! The bottom fell out and our pretend baby was on the floor. I was shocked that this thing did not work right, never mind the fact that I had a few screws left over; this thing didn't work as advertised! I was explaining to my wife how the picture let me down and that the product was defective. How dare they sell us something that didn't work!  And with a look that could make a zebra's stripes fall off! my wife asked me again if I had used the instructions? With many ums! Ahs! I told the truth and answered NO. She looked at me and said "I don't care how long it takes, you build this crib right! Use the instructions!" She began to explain that I was playing with the safety of my child our precious bundle of joy. Our baby could have been killed because of my carelessness. Rest assured I did use the instructions this time. My reason now was for the safety of my child, my task had a new meaning one of great importance.

            This story is all too familiar we have all been guilty of doing the same thing, and we've learned lessons the hard way. Bigger yet! We have an instruction manual for our lives the Bible given to us by our father in heaven and everyone ignores it. Some believe we don't need it, we can't understand it, and it doesn't apply to us. It's a book for pastors, people that have been to seminary. We will learn what it says from them. How wrong they are! Why would the father of the universe give us something to read and say here you go figure it out on your own? 

            He didn't! He speaks the way he writes, and writes the way he speaks. He explains how to read the bible and promises us that he will help us understand it. His word stands forever and ever.

 

            Our journey in the word has to begin with an earnestness of the mind and heart!

 

( John   8: 32)   And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

(Jeremiah   29: 13 )  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."  Believe that God will reveal to you truth as you search his word with all your heart.

 

(John   16: 13 )  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

  Continually pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. God promises that the spirit will lead us into all truth. The spirit will never contradict the word; he is the one that inspired it to be written. To many times we have people telling us what the word is saying, church doctrines are built on things that have no foundation in the scripture. Things built on one obscure verse which is always taken out of context, used to support an agenda or man made idea (tradition).

 (1 Corinthians   1: 13)   Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

 Attempt to read as many bible passages on any given subject as possible. Do not build a bible doctrine on one passage.

 Proverbs   14: 12)   There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (1 Corinthians   2: 13)   Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

"As we open our hearts to the spirit's influence and compare spiritual things to spiritual , God will guide us and because of this you should be willing to surrender your own ideas to the truth of God's word. Many sincere Christians find that when they study the bible for themselves much of what is taught as bible truth is not in the scripture at all, and when asking sincere questions about the bible are given nebulous feel good answers that are not biblically based. When questioned further we are told trust me I was in seminary.

 

(Matthew   11: 25)   At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."

 

 Let's not forget who Jesus originally revealed the truth to. He could have easily had come and given it to the Pharisees the learned religious leaders of the time, but notice he came and taught the fishermen, tax collectors and a prostitute. The fact that they were limited in education and understanding was clearly evident but Jesus knew they were untainted by the flaws of traditional religion and would except the truth. This was an example to us that we too could be given truth if we are humble and willing to receive it.

(Proverbs   19: 27)   Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." 

 

Do not listen to the voice of any counselor who attempts to dissuade you from doing what the bible clearly teaches. It's the basis of our faith and our name as a Christian. Salvation comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We never want to follow tradition or man; we clearly should always stand up and on the rock of God's word.

 

 (2 Peter   1: 21)   For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

 

(John   14: 6)   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 

 All truth leads us closer to Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. Seek Jesus in every subject you are studying.

 (2 Timothy   3: 16)   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Romans   15: 4)   For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (2 Timothy   3: 15)   And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 

 Jesus promises to use the bible to teach us, correct us and guide us to salvation if we are willing to read and except.

 (John   5: 39)   Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." ( Psalms   12: 6)   The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." ( Psalms   119: 160)   Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." (Matthew   24: 35)   Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

 God's word is eternal, God's word is true from the beginning, All scripture is inspired by God, Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, God's word is to give us hope, The scriptures makes us wise to salvation, The scriptures reveal Jesus as our savior.  When adhered to we start to see the plan of salvation. Notice the word plan, this denotes that there are specific steps to follow and believe to attain it. These can only be found in the word, we can't figure it out on our own using experience and feelings. Ex: How many times have we said that she or he is the one I feel it! If we are not still with this person that would mean that are feeling was wrong. This is important to know because the devil can inspire and trick you into believing something when you rely on your feelings. Don't marvel at this, Satan can come as an angel of light to deceive, but God says test the spirits if they go against the word there is no light in them and they are a liar.

 

(2 Timothy   2: 15)   Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

 

God here says that it is our responsibility to search for ourselves rightly dividing. Notice God uses the word rightly dividing which would mean that there is a wrong way.

 

(Isaiah   28: 9)   Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

(Isaiah   28: 10)   For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (John   17: 17)   Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 In summary God wants to set us aside for a Holy use wants to give us the understanding that we may share with others: 

 

(John   7: 17 )  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

 

More importantly he wants us to understand what we feel and why? To gives us light. If we approach God's word with an open mind he will guide us.

 Tips for reading the Bible:

 

1) The Old Testament is written originally in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek, for every original word the translation would have as many as ten translations into English, scholars try to use the one that best fits. It helps to have something that will give you the original language and its meaning. (E-Sword.com)

 

2) Never take a verse out of context, the verse should still mean the same thing when used, always read the entire story being told and you will know the meaning of the verse. This means understanding why something is being written its intended purpose. Always start at the beginning and go past the verse, sometimes the summary of the passage is given clearly for us to understand.

 

3) When reading understand that terms like Lord is used two ways Upper case L will always refer to God Jesus and lower case l will refer to a term of respect Lord, lord. Uppercase G in God refers to our Father in heaven and lowercase g would refer to an idol.

 

4) There was never any punctuation in the original texts, as we have in the English language. Sometimes this makes all the difference in understanding a verse.

  

5) Anything that is italicized is the translator's guess of its meaning and is not sure.

 

6) When reading scripture you will notice on the side bar letters and numbers that are placed within the texts. These are additional references that will help you understand the meaning of the verse. Ex : G 1:2 would be referencing Genesis chapter 1 verse 2.

 

7) Commentaries at the bottom of most bibles are not scripture but interpretations of the translator's idea about a verse or passage.

  

Always compare scripture to scripture in its context to understand a biblical doctrine, in the witness of two or more something will be established.

 

 9) Always pray before reading the word and ask for guidance.

 

 

10) Always do what the word says this is the whole duty of man!

 

 

11) Always ask questions and compare the answers in the bible.

About the Author

Power Of One Ministries is a Christian media ministry based in Orlando, Florida. Our name was carefully chosen for many reasons and is based upon the book of Ephesians unique description of God's end time church "Unity in faith and in truth". Jesus Christ to his disciple Paul solidifies the uniqueness of his church:
Ephesians 4:5  "One Lord, One faith, One baptism;

www.Powerofoneministries.org/sda, is a Christian ministry dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and the three angels' message of Revelation 14 to the entire world.
Our guiding, core ministry beliefs can be summarized in the following ways:
 

1. The Bible is God's inspired word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian.
 

2. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and is man's only Savior.
 

3. Salvation comes as a free gift of grace through the shed blood of Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sins so that we might have the gift of His pure life.
 

4. God calls believers to accept Christ not only as their Savior from sin, but also as the Lord and ruler of their life.

5. Bible prophecy reveals that we are living in the last days and that Jesus is soon to return.

 

Power of One Ministries has an emphasis on preparation for the crisis at the end of time and the second coming of Jesus Christ. We believe that God has called us to expose deceptions, and to help guide people from "darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins" and an inheritance in heaven among all them that are sanctified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 26:18)

On our site, you will find many informative articles, fascinating videos, and unique Blogs to broaden your perspective, keep you informed, and introduce you to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, and His plan for you. We invite you to explore our site and visit us often.

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