Help me under/overstand the Bible? How well do we as people know what we be-lie-eve
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Now how do we know what to believe in the bible when things have been taken and added, at will, just to suit someone(s) way of thinking into the text? If the bible is so truthful and everyone quotes so many plain scriptures, then why are there so many separations and interpretations in it. If there is suppose to be 1 way, then why are there over 10,000 variations of that one way? Denominations is another way of saying another way, but all these ways feel that their way is the RIGHT WAY. Now, if I'm trying to find that right way in Christianity, then which one has that RIGHT WAY? Catholics say everyone else is a sect. Protestants say that the Pope is the antichrist. Mormons say Catholics and Protestants are wrong. Yet, all of these sects within Christianity have added books, added teachings, and added authors claiming to be a teacher of God. Catholics have 73-80 books, depending on what orthodoxy you're with. Protestants have 66 books. Mormons have those books and a whole new book by Joseph Smith. And not even mention the other religions that all christians say,"they're worshiping the devil". If I was a truth seeker, who has that RIGHT TRUTH?
S
It is sad there we are not all one as Christ prayed that we would be, and that the Bible does exist in so many versions. I do believe that anyone who ernestly wants to know and love Jesus and strives to do so will be shown his most infinite mercy if they have been given false information through no fault of there own...but have sincerely believed in Christ's death and ressurection for the forgiveness of sins.
Matrix,
I've seen "the rabbit hole" movie. It's not a new concept. It's just a rehashing of old atheist and humanist theories. James Redfield did "The Celestine Prophesy" and that was the thing for a while. There's a ton of those types of concepts out there, and none led me to a relationship with the Spirit of the Living God. They simply put the universe into a mathmatical equation, and try to explaine away the possiblity of a Creator (and were illogical in the process). Before I was a Christian, I went through all that, and came up unsatisfied.
Then I had several amazing, life changing experiences with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. That's the reason I'm a Christian. It had to be real to me. God made it real. He knew I needed proof to be convinced. Nothing I did, or studied, got me any further, or quenched the desire of my soul. Only Christ Himself could do that.
Now, when I read the Bible, and other writings, testimonies from Christians that have a loving relationship with God Himself, it all makes sense. It makes no difference to me, what Bible I'm reading, or what word may have been removed. The Lord speaks to my soul, and opens my mind to what He wants me to understand. He is the ultimate Teacher.
I pray you will find this relationship with the Spirit of the Living God, and that God will reveal Himself to you in a way that will remove all your doubts, just as He did for me. Seek Him with an open, honest, receptive heart, and He will. I promise.
With love,
Missy
I've seen "the rabbit hole" movie. It's not a new concept. It's just a rehashing of old atheist and humanist theories. James Redfield did "The Celestine Prophesy" and that was the thing for a while. There's a ton of those types of concepts out there, and none led me to a relationship with the Spirit of the Living God. They simply put the universe into a mathmatical equation, and try to explaine away the possiblity of a Creator (and were illogical in the process). Before I was a Christian, I went through all that, and came up unsatisfied.
Then I had several amazing, life changing experiences with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. That's the reason I'm a Christian. It had to be real to me. God made it real. He knew I needed proof to be convinced. Nothing I did, or studied, got me any further, or quenched the desire of my soul. Only Christ Himself could do that.
Now, when I read the Bible, and other writings, testimonies from Christians that have a loving relationship with God Himself, it all makes sense. It makes no difference to me, what Bible I'm reading, or what word may have been removed. The Lord speaks to my soul, and opens my mind to what He wants me to understand. He is the ultimate Teacher.
I pray you will find this relationship with the Spirit of the Living God, and that God will reveal Himself to you in a way that will remove all your doubts, just as He did for me. Seek Him with an open, honest, receptive heart, and He will. I promise.
With love,
Missy
Amen! Well put Missy, If you dont have the spirit you dont understand it... I think its so important to use Gods word to look inward instead of lashing outward... (sometimes I be a lasher... sorry Lord if I make you look bad to those of little or no faith) Praying that he will get past all the Religious noise and come to peace of receiving Grace through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. This is a truth that is not understood until it is received in full. In his FULLNESS in your daily life NOTHING compares to this. After I prayed the sinners prayer and was born again... the Bible suddenly went from uncomprehendable to clarity, so perhaps that is the first step in understanding, is inviting God.
Hello MISSY,IMOSS,SUASO. Nice to see that you've made a comment and it would only be fair to leave you a response. OK, Missy, I've never seen the movie about the RABBIT HOLE. I used that comment because it seem appropriate at the time because to know means a lifetime of studying. And the comment was said that WITHOUT THE SPIRIT you won't understand. Now, if ALL CHRISTIANS have THE SPIRIT, yet you are divided in over 10,000 ways, then which one of us has that RIGHT SPIRIT? Who is guided by that SPIRIT that you all claim that you have? You can't(and you have to agree with me)come together on the small stuff on christianity or your doctrine or you religion. You take your pick. The reason I like talking to religious people is because it shows me where I use to be and how many people are still under that spell. Yet, when questioned, you guys can't even agree on the simple things, let alone the tuff stuff. How many SPIRITS can you have that tells you that you're right and everyone else is wrong? What SPIRIT is guiding the church building ,or for that matter, the church body as an individual because the church are the individual bodies where the SPIRIT dwells, right? So which one of you has that RIGHT HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH? There can be only one way, one truth, one life, so who knows the way to the FATHER? Jesus told you how to reach the father but everyone is still bugging Jesus, calling on him, when he already told you how to pray to the father, reach the father, how to have eternal life, etc. But I've come to realize that christians only want to follow others and not lead for themselves, thus, YOU AREN'T CHRIST LIKE. It's ok though because you haven't gotten to the point of being where Jesus was, being bold in the face of religious leaders that have distorted the world of god and filled it with traditions of men, while standing your ground on there level. All I pray is that you all come to the knowledge of the truth and be blessed and keep pushing forward. Love all of you. Peace.
Matthew 11:27-29 (New International Version)
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 16:23-25 (New International Version)
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Matthew 19:13-15 (New International Version)
The Little Children and Jesus
13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Mark 1:16-18 (New International Version)
16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him.
Luke 6:46-48 (New International Version)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Luke 23:41-43 (New International Version)
41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]" 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
John 5:39-41 (New International Version)
39You diligently study[a] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 6:34-36 (New International Version)
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe
John 6:36-38 (New International Version)
36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 6:44-46 (New International Version)
44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'[a] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
John 7:36-38 (New International Version)
36What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?" 37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
John 10:8-10 (New International Version)
8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 12:45-47 (New International Version)
45When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
Revelation 3:19-21 (New International Version)
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 16:23-25 (New International Version)
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Matthew 19:13-15 (New International Version)
The Little Children and Jesus
13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Mark 1:16-18 (New International Version)
16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him.
Luke 6:46-48 (New International Version)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Luke 23:41-43 (New International Version)
41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]" 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
John 5:39-41 (New International Version)
39You diligently study[a] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 6:34-36 (New International Version)
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe
John 6:36-38 (New International Version)
36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 6:44-46 (New International Version)
44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'[a] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
John 7:36-38 (New International Version)
36What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?" 37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
John 10:8-10 (New International Version)
8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 12:45-47 (New International Version)
45When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
Revelation 3:19-21 (New International Version)
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
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