ObscuredAxioms · 41-45, M
I would start in John, the fourth Gospel of the New Testament. The reason being is that JESUS speaks of being "born-again," which every individual needs to be in order to be a child of God and enter heaven.
I would refrain from Catholic leaders, atheistic opinions, ect. and read for yourself. It's crystal clear.
Lastly, if you do decide to get your information from others rather than reading it for yourself, always always always check behind everything they say to see if it matches up with God's Word.
I would refrain from Catholic leaders, atheistic opinions, ect. and read for yourself. It's crystal clear.
Lastly, if you do decide to get your information from others rather than reading it for yourself, always always always check behind everything they say to see if it matches up with God's Word.
SW-User
@ObscuredAxioms Wrong. It is the Eternal Christ, the Universal Christ, who speaks in the Gospel of John. This has been established by virtually all scholarship of early Christianity. Not "Jesus".
Your prejudices are showing......😀
Your prejudices are showing......😀
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@ObscuredAxioms When has the God character ever written anything that anyone has ever read?
You can't go wrong reading the Bible. I hope you won't mind my sharing the following with you.
The Matter of Who Wrote God's Word
"Knowing this first, thatno prophecyof the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20. 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 Spirit." Verse 21.
A good example of this, is when ministers get up to preach to the congregation.They have prayed and studied over God's Word and have been led by the Holy Spirit as to what to preach and teach. It is the divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit given to them, as they study God's Word and are given what to teach their congregation. They are not speaking of their own will, as scripture above confirms, but under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving men what to say. This is why people are so moved, when they hear God's Word. They feel the moving of their spirit, wanting to unite with God's spirit, and be one with Him in spirit, and lives are changed for the better. It is the moving of the Holy Spirit that convicts people of their sins and causes them to want to change the direction of their lives, for a new and better life in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do this.
The Holy Spirit revealed to the prophets, the messages of Scripture. The writers of the Bible did not write according to their own will or whim, but only as they were moved by the Spirit of God. The Bible is God’s own book, and scripture is "God-breathed". The Greek word for "God-breathed" is theopneustos, which is a combination of the words theos (God) and pneō (breath). 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: - “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Holy Bible affects human beings so profoundly, because “all” the Bible is “God-breathed.” It’s more than a nice collection of moral principles; it’s more than a great book; it’s an inspired document, God’s book. The message of the prophets who wrote the Bible, came directly from God.
An Alphabetical list of Old Testament authors:
Amos: The book of Amos
Daniel: The book of Daniel
David: Psalms (Other authors wrote portions of Psalms as well)
Ezekiel: The book of Ezekiel
Ezra: The book of Ezra (Additionally Ezra is thought to have written 1st and 2nd Chronicles and possibly portions of Nehemiah)
Habakkuk: The book of Habakkuk
Haggai: The book of Haggai
Hosea: The book of Hosea
Isaiah: The book of Isaiah
Jeremiah: 1st and 2nd Kings, Lamentations, the book of Jeremiah
Joel: The book of Joel
Jonah: The book of Jonah
Joshua: The book of Joshua
Malachi: The book of Malachi
Micah: The book of Micah
Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Moses possibly compiled/wrote the book of Job)
Nahum: The book of Nahum
Nehemiah: The book of Nehemiah
Obadiah: The book of Obadiah
Samuel: (Samuel is believed to have written 1st and 2nd Samuel, Ruth, and Judges)
Solomon: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs)
Zechariah: The book of Zechariah
Zephaniah: The book of Zephaniah
Alphabetical list of New Testament authors:
James: The book of James
John: Gospel of John, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, Revelation
Jude: Book of Jude
Luke: Gospel of Luke, Acts of the Apostles
Mark: Gospel of Mark
Matthew: Gospel of Matthew
Paul: Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon (possibly the book of Hebrews)
Peter: 1st and 2nd Peter
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is needed in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right and not want to sin, which only keeps us spiritually separated from God, until we ask for forgiveness.
The Bible is God's roadmap for life. That is, it brings us life...eternal life. Our spirit is dead, until we repent. Then God's spirit unites with ours, and brings it to life. Jesus said today is the day for salvation. Not to put that decision off, because we never know what the future will bring and we don't want to miss heaven. It's when people do nothing about their soul and preparing for eternity, that sin condemns them and keeps them from heaven. Heaven is the holiest place and no sin dwells there, or it could never be called heaven. God is hoping that we'll all prepare for eternity while we can. He is not willing that any perish and He turns no one away.
The Matter of Who Wrote God's Word
"Knowing this first, thatno prophecyof the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20. 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 Spirit." Verse 21.
A good example of this, is when ministers get up to preach to the congregation.They have prayed and studied over God's Word and have been led by the Holy Spirit as to what to preach and teach. It is the divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit given to them, as they study God's Word and are given what to teach their congregation. They are not speaking of their own will, as scripture above confirms, but under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving men what to say. This is why people are so moved, when they hear God's Word. They feel the moving of their spirit, wanting to unite with God's spirit, and be one with Him in spirit, and lives are changed for the better. It is the moving of the Holy Spirit that convicts people of their sins and causes them to want to change the direction of their lives, for a new and better life in Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do this.
The Holy Spirit revealed to the prophets, the messages of Scripture. The writers of the Bible did not write according to their own will or whim, but only as they were moved by the Spirit of God. The Bible is God’s own book, and scripture is "God-breathed". The Greek word for "God-breathed" is theopneustos, which is a combination of the words theos (God) and pneō (breath). 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: - “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Holy Bible affects human beings so profoundly, because “all” the Bible is “God-breathed.” It’s more than a nice collection of moral principles; it’s more than a great book; it’s an inspired document, God’s book. The message of the prophets who wrote the Bible, came directly from God.
An Alphabetical list of Old Testament authors:
Amos: The book of Amos
Daniel: The book of Daniel
David: Psalms (Other authors wrote portions of Psalms as well)
Ezekiel: The book of Ezekiel
Ezra: The book of Ezra (Additionally Ezra is thought to have written 1st and 2nd Chronicles and possibly portions of Nehemiah)
Habakkuk: The book of Habakkuk
Haggai: The book of Haggai
Hosea: The book of Hosea
Isaiah: The book of Isaiah
Jeremiah: 1st and 2nd Kings, Lamentations, the book of Jeremiah
Joel: The book of Joel
Jonah: The book of Jonah
Joshua: The book of Joshua
Malachi: The book of Malachi
Micah: The book of Micah
Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Moses possibly compiled/wrote the book of Job)
Nahum: The book of Nahum
Nehemiah: The book of Nehemiah
Obadiah: The book of Obadiah
Samuel: (Samuel is believed to have written 1st and 2nd Samuel, Ruth, and Judges)
Solomon: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs)
Zechariah: The book of Zechariah
Zephaniah: The book of Zephaniah
Alphabetical list of New Testament authors:
James: The book of James
John: Gospel of John, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, Revelation
Jude: Book of Jude
Luke: Gospel of Luke, Acts of the Apostles
Mark: Gospel of Mark
Matthew: Gospel of Matthew
Paul: Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon (possibly the book of Hebrews)
Peter: 1st and 2nd Peter
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is needed in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right and not want to sin, which only keeps us spiritually separated from God, until we ask for forgiveness.
The Bible is God's roadmap for life. That is, it brings us life...eternal life. Our spirit is dead, until we repent. Then God's spirit unites with ours, and brings it to life. Jesus said today is the day for salvation. Not to put that decision off, because we never know what the future will bring and we don't want to miss heaven. It's when people do nothing about their soul and preparing for eternity, that sin condemns them and keeps them from heaven. Heaven is the holiest place and no sin dwells there, or it could never be called heaven. God is hoping that we'll all prepare for eternity while we can. He is not willing that any perish and He turns no one away.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@SW-User You can read all of the English language versions on this site =
https://www.biblegateway.com
It also lets you search topics by using keywords and then you can see how the versions express the same idea by using different words.
The key is to thoroughly understand the Ten Commandments story or else none of it will make any sense. So, I would suggest that you start your reading at Exodus chapter 19 and continue through Exodus chapter 34. As you read, write down and summarize every few verses in your own words. That will establish a solid base for understanding the stories. All of the stories in the Old and New Testaments are based on one or more of the real Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 34:11-26. The stories are just like quizzes to see if you can relate them to one of the real Ten Commandments. And if you really uderstand what they are you will be able to without too much difficulty.
https://www.biblegateway.com
It also lets you search topics by using keywords and then you can see how the versions express the same idea by using different words.
The key is to thoroughly understand the Ten Commandments story or else none of it will make any sense. So, I would suggest that you start your reading at Exodus chapter 19 and continue through Exodus chapter 34. As you read, write down and summarize every few verses in your own words. That will establish a solid base for understanding the stories. All of the stories in the Old and New Testaments are based on one or more of the real Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 34:11-26. The stories are just like quizzes to see if you can relate them to one of the real Ten Commandments. And if you really uderstand what they are you will be able to without too much difficulty.
Anton · 61-69, M
@Adstar Reading is good but a good background to reading the Bible as a newbie I would recommend starting at John. If you want to UNDERSTAND the Book of John I would further recommend going on YouTube and watch the sermons of John McCarthur pertaining to the Book of John, especially about the crucifixion, and there are about 16 sermons just on that. But he highlights also aspects about the Word etc in there which is quite revelatory.
Matt85 · 36-40, M
Get to the meat and read The New Testament :)
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@Matt85 Matthew 15:24 (TLB) = "Then he said to the woman, “I was sent to help the Jews—the lost sheep of Israel—not the Gentiles.”
SW-User
It really would be good to read the whole Bible (as we now have it, allowing for a few variations between different Churches) without any preconceived opinions, without the strident theologies and beliefs of others ringing in our ears Alas, impossible.
Good luck. I wish you well. No advice from me as to where to begin.
Good luck. I wish you well. No advice from me as to where to begin.
Prisoner1972 · 51-55, M
SW-User
@Prisoner1972 Sounds good. Actually reminds me of living by Grace, not by clinging to outworn beliefs which are thought to "justify" us.
Iwillwait · M
@Prisoner1972 Catholics do not state it's ok to drink and smoke, joe condone it. However they will rely on The Holy Spirit to help each individual with those harmful substances and eliminate them from their lives.
lpthehermit · 56-60, M
it is a maddening collection of ancient writings...much wisdom and many confusing ideas as well. you will enjoy the story of esther for sure!! good luck!!
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Iwillwait · M
I recommend the 365 Day Bible in English version.
seotelkniwt · F
That's a noble goal to have that you won't regret.
Definitely do!
ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M
BlueSkyKing · M
As a book of fiction or to take it literally?
“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”
― Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion
“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”
― Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion