How many times should someone read the Bible before teaching/forming strong opinions?

[relientkchick_4]

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17


I know that I will never sit under a younger pastor than me because I find them inexperienced..... been burnt three times from men like that. they are young. get into a position of authority in the church and their head puffs up real fast.[/QUOTE]

 

[Twinkle77]

Some people can read the bible many times and still have no understanding and some can read some passages just once and have complete understanding because it was revealed to them by the Spirit of God.
Therefore, it is not the number of times that one has read the bible that makes them teachers or even completely knowledgeable to have a strong opinion on something.

As all revelation and understanding of His word comes from the Holy Spirit, the question is "Are we lead by the Holy Spirit"?

 

[Reformedjason]

you should have a good grasp on what you are teaching.

 

[NiceneCreed]

I notice there are a lot of people with really strong opinions on things in the Bible.
Often I find myself wondering, "How many of these people have read the entire Bible? How many of them have read it more than once?"

Then that question leads me to thinking, "How many times should someone read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on what's in the Bible? How many times should one read the Bible before they go about teaching, arguing, debating about stuff in it?"

I'm not talking about the simple fact of "Jesus is the only way to salvation."
That's a simple given thing even the newest believer should be firm on.
So let's exclude that issue from this debate/discussion.

Outside of having a strong opinion on Jesus being the only way to salvation, how many times should one read the Bible before they develop strong opinions on things, and how many times should one read the Bible before they go about debating/teaching/etc, said strong opinion/views?

I think the answer to your question is relative to the individual reading the Bible (I know . . . I used the "R" word: Relative). Some people I know are fantastic at retaining Scripture after reading it in its entirety only once. There are others -- myself included -- who cannot equal the high level of Scripture retention of individuals who have read the Bible even only several times. Yet one might ask, 'Does having a fantastic knowledge of the Bible qualify an individual to teach Scripture?' I think the obvious answer is: no. Then another might say, 'Just because someone isn't qualified to teach Scripture, doesn't necessarily mean they cannot formulate interpretations of passages or shouldn't ask questions of Scripture.' And, of course, that type of statement is correct to a certain degree. While everyone should ask questions and offer sound interpretation to others, people should be careful of how they interpret Scripture. Anyway, without getting too sidetracked, I simply want to clarify there are many things to take into consideration when answering a question like yours, and there is no simple " You should read the Bible 1x, 10x, 1000x, before you can teach it, answer; everyone is different.


I will say that I am a religion major, and although I only have one year of study left until my primary focus is completed, I personally do not feel comfortable to teach the Bible on a level that equals the great ability of some of my classmates. Additionally, I have noticed there are many people who do not have religion degrees (i.e., B.S.,B.A. Religion/Christian Studies Degrees; M.Div.'s; Th.M.'s; D.D.'s; Ph.D.'s; etc.), who have obtained a wealth of knowledge of the Bible that equals that of individuals with the above mentioned degrees, and I personally feel an individual with that type of knowledge -- although they have not received any formal degree in religion/theology-- is highly qualified to teach the Bible.


Then again, maybe the question should be this: Who is "called" by God to teach the Bible?

Who are we to say who is qualified and who is unqualified? Perhaps it is God's will that one who is bad at teaching the Bible will someday become great at teaching the Bible.



Also, those who do teach the Bible never stop reading the Bible, and every pastor I have ever known, continues to learn new things from Scripture.




I know I didn't so much answer your questions about debating or formulating strong opinions, but how could one debate or formulate strong opinions about Scripture, if they did not feel as though they were qualified to teach what they had learned? Anyway, there are many other things to take into consideration when answering a question like yours, but I merely focused on what came immediately to mind. I pray that regardless of whether or not an individual is qualified or unqualified [In God's eyes] to teach, debate, and formulate strong opinions about God's Word, that the Lord will continue to reveal His truth to those who knock, seek, and ask for it.


Grace and Peace!

 

[Kerry]

The only person that should began a ministry is one that has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Jesus did not begin His ministry until baptised with the Holy Spirit.

 

[NiceneCreed]

It's the same source material. No matter how many times someone reads it, the text doesn't change.

Doesn't matter if I've watched Gone With the Wind 40 times more than anyone else.. We
All watched the same film and no one knows any more or less than someone else who watched it cos The source was the same.

Some people like to think they know more than others or that their opinion holds more weight, but it really doesn't.

I unfortunately disagree with your statement. While the Bible remains the same, there are many individuals who have (do) severely misinterpreted and twisted its words and meaning: Jim Jones, David Koresh, Arius, etc.


I know I took that to the extreme, but I wanted to illustrate that one's knowledge or use of Scripture is not equal to another's, simply because they have read Scripture 1-1000 times. This is not to say that one who has a better understanding of Scripture is spiritually superior, and as Ephesians 2:8 (NIV, 2011) states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." However, one needs to be careful not to assume that simply because someone has read from the same Bible, that they properly understand or apply Scripture in the way God intended.

 

[NiceneCreed]

The only person that should began a ministry is one that has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Jesus did not begin His ministry until baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Kerry,

I appreciate the great zeal you have for studying God's Word, and I see you have an earnest desire to share the knowledge you have attained with everyone else. While I do agree that all Christians must receive the Holy Spirit to be saved, the Bible does not mention speaking in tongues is authentication of one having received the Holy Spirit, nor does the Bible state speaking in tongues is a sign of spiritual superiority.

Please let me explain:

The apostle Paul states, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified" (1 Corinthians, New International Version, 2011). Please note that Paul is not saying the one who prophesies is spiritually superior, nor is he suggesting prophesying is the only form of authentication that one has truly been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I am pointing this passage out, because there are some who feel speaking in tongues is a 'sign of authentication' of one being 'truly baptized,' and that those who do not speak in tongues, have not really been saved. Yet if speaking in tongues were that important, why would Paul state the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues? Clearly one should not hold the view speaking in tongues is the only authentication of 'true baptism.' Furthermore, 1 John 4:2,3 states, "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." I acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and that He is my Lord and Savior. Yet I must tell you, I have never spoken in tongues, nor have I prophesied or performed miracles, etc.

Lastly, please read carefully the following passages: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31:


Concerning Spiritual Gifts

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Unity and Diversity in the Body

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.











Clearly Paul is stating that no gift is superior to another, but like the many parts of the human body, we, as the body of Christ, have God working through us in different ways.






Thank you, and God Bless!

 

[Donkeyfish07]

IMO....until they are positive the have both received the Holy Spirit and know how to listen when he speaks.

 

[Hoffco]

This is a good Question and good answers. Personally, I have only read the Bible completely through a few time; but I have read the N.T. many times, and some books like Romans ,many many times. an some chapters, Many, many many times. I have memorized a few verses, but I can recall many more, so I use the concordance a lot. I have had 8 yrs of Bible college and seminary, I have heard all the arguments discussed by great men of God. But ,to my shame ,I have never mastered any book of the bible, I'm still learning. But I know how to interpret the Bible, just let the Bible speak to you. Now, that is not as easy as it sounds. One has to master GRAMMAR, CONTEXT, and know a little of the HISTORY of the book you are studying. A good study bible ,NKJB,NASB are good translations, and a lot of work, and any one can learn God's truth. A good systematic theo. book is helpful to see all the sides of the arguments. I cut my teeth on Berkoff, now I have Grudens, both are great. BUT, only trust you own study, let God teach you. nothing better under the Son, to know the Father is life eternal, and the fellowship in the Holy Spirit is sooo sweet! Hoffco

 

[enoch1nine]

Re: How many times should someone read the Bible before teaching/forming strong opini

All but a few literal instructions are blocked by the bible's lion "face", until we begin to do those literal instructions first in the heart, and then in the flesh.

A lion guards his territory and eats first for free what the female lions kill.

This is how men are devoured by the bible, concocting all sorts of wicked prophecies of doom and gloom.
Because it's in their heart and their works, instead of having done this...

#1 Turn away from sin
#2 Love God (first 3.5 commandments)
#3 Love each other (second 7.5 commandments)

[SUP]7 [/SUP]All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

[SUP]8 [/SUP]Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

[SUP]9 [/SUP]Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

[SUP]10 [/SUP]Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

[SUP]11 [/SUP]Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

[SUP]12 [/SUP]Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

[SUP]13 [/SUP]Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

[SUP]18 [/SUP]Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]My God hath sent his messenger, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

[SUP]23 [/SUP]Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

[SUP]24 [/SUP]And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

 

[JaumeJ]

Yahweh gives what He will to whom it may be that pleases His purpose. All who claim the Blood of the Lamb and receive the Holy Spirit receive all they need know for salvation, however after this event it is up to the individual to study the Word to be found worthy of his stewardship. Sorry if this sounds religious, these are the words from the teachings.

Personally, I have read the Word dozens of times, several times a year for decades, yet it is always new. No man will ever know all of the Word, this is reserved for the Author only, however it is a delicious life's endeavor. I see no reason to ever stop reading the Word.

 

[Reformedjason]

The only person that should began a ministry is one that has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Jesus did not begin His ministry until baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Oh wow. Not all believers have the gift of tongues.

 

[JaumeJ]

Do not mock the gifts of the Holy Spirit under any pretenses.

Allow others to follow the faith given them, as they allow you the same.

 

[WeStand]

It appears (to me) that many people mix up teaching with witnessing, as its The Word itself that teaches and changes an individual's perspective on what is actually taking place in reality, in this temporal flesh realm.

There IS a Covenant made in Love, by Our Father YAHAVEH, who IS the Spirit of LOVE.

This Covenant was made through not by, the families, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel long before the law(time of Moses) was added to it because of disobedience.

Christ/Messiah came here in this flesh to Affirm & Confirm this Covenant made by Our Father, not to change one jot or tittle of the law, for we all still need the law, IF we are still ignorant of the Truth about this Covenant. The 2 Greatest Commandments of ALL.

Until one hears, with understanding this Covenant, then quite frankly one has no idea what they believe in, concerning what The Christ taught.

Therefore they should not teach, but rather witness, as one does not need a building to do this and produce fruit/souls.

Part truth, is not The Truth.

One can only attain a partial Truth through either reading or hearing The Word in any other language other than the Hebrew and Greek texts that it was received in.

Even then, it takes time to research facts, meditate upon them, pray and wait upon an answer for things that one does not understand, and share with others the facts that one does discover.

But most of all, it all comes down to the sincerity that one has in ones prayers, when communing with The Father.

As The High Priests of the old way of contacting Our Father, were struck down dead, IF they were found in the Holy of Holies, communing with anything about themselves.

They were to have already cleansed themselves prior into entering in; the same way that we are ALL to cleanse ourselves NOW, in and through Christ; the new way to enter into communion with Our Father as an individual, not counting on some insincere High Priest to bring ones sin attonement to The Father for them; but rather to account for your own sins to the Last sincere High Priest for One & ALL, Christ/Messiah, and then mabey ask Our Father the same thing Moses did; I understand what you commune to me Father but about YOUR children what would YOU have me do?

Well we have a major benefit now, that Moses didn't; Christ/Messiah has been here to show us what to do.

Witness The Father's Word to Death if necessary, as Death is NOT an experience: but rather an entity.

Passing Over is the experience and faith in The Pass Over Lamb for One and ALL, IS the Only way to get the Death Angel to Pass Over you, so that you can enter back into Eternal Life;" as we know that no man can save his brother."

Gospel/GoodNews; NO ONE is dead Yet!

And only One by name, that is sentenced to perish, is Death, Satan, the Devil, the Serpent, the Dragon, the False Morning Star, the Master Deceiver, the Head of ill-communication, the Prince of Darkness, the Death Angel, etc... all different roles that he, the instead of Christ (anti-Christ) will play with you, to try to get you, to move ahead in your own will, rather than patiently waiting with endurance, for the time of Our Father's Will.

 

[1still_waters]

Ok I think folks are seriously missing the point.

If one is going to have STRONG opinions on things in the Bible, doesn't it make sense that they should at least have read ALL of it once or twice? What' does it say about someone if they're going about debating/promoting all of these strong opinioned views on scripture, if they haven't even read the entire book they have such an strong opinion about?

 

[1still_waters]

Ok I think folks are seriously missing the point.

If one is going to have STRONG opinions on things in the Bible, doesn't it make sense that they should at least have read ALL of it once or twice? What' does it say about someone if they're going about debating/promoting all of these strong opinioned views on scripture, if they haven't even read the entire book they have such an strong opinion about?

Or put another way...

Before you go promoting your "expert" strong opinioned view on something in scripture, shouldn't you ask yourself.. "Hmmm have I at least read this book at least once?"

And if you haven't..then maybe one should just squelch it, until you have at least read the Bible ONE time all the way through.

Now obviously I'm not talking about things like sharing your testimony, or the simplicity of salvation. If you think that's what I'm talking about, please read the sentence before this one a few more times until that gets sunk in your mind.

 

[1still_waters]

I mean I've seen folks who say they've only been saved around a year, and they give their opinion with strong certainty about eschatology, or other somewhat side issues. And it just seems odd, because they probably haven't read their entire Bible all the way through once, yet they have STRONG opinions on side issues about a book they haven't read.

In my mind, that just seems odd.

 

[JaumeJ]

Here is a personal example of what happens with new believers. When the Holy Spirit first entered into me, it became an urgent mission for me to share the salvation of Yeshua, Jesus, while emphasizing how many congregations had practically killed the Holy Spirit in not including this part of Yahweh in their worship. I did not know or care how they were to do this, my urgent message was simply to not forget the Holy Spirit.

I had this sense of ugency for I had received the Holy Spirit without ever having heard there was such an experience for believers. Many more things occurred that would be considered miraculous to others, but they were all quite natural with the Holy Spirit present.

My fisrt time through the Word, the Oxford Bible, I found myself opening my mouth and speaking, only to read what I was given to say after having shared it. No, all of the Word was not given to me, but as I shared the Word, what was needed for the individual or people to whom I was speaking was given. This did not continue after having read through the Word a few times, however the presence of the Holy Spirit is noted still.

This presence is why it was so urgent to me for others to worship in the Holy Spirit. I could not tell anyone how, but they could ask Yahweh, and wait for His action. He does act. He never stopped manifesting His Love by the Holy Spirit. He is good all of the time

You are correct about some folks not having read trying to force issues on others, but they are soon found out or simply not heard. The Father will not lose one who belongs to His Only Begotten Son.

 

[Beckon]

What about the scripture John 16:13 & Matthew 15:9 & Mark 7:7 & Luke 12:12 &John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 & Hebrew 8:11-13 &
1John 2:27 When one is Christ anointed they need no human to teach them for they abide in/with The Spirit Of Eternal Truth as Jesus lived & taught from!
Beckon


that parable says, we need no human to teach us
The Spirit Of Eternal Truth will guide any who follow (respectfully) "IT" from within, into all truth, into oneness with God/All's Eternal Truth!

 

[1still_waters]

What about the scripture John 16:13 & Matthew 15:9 & Mark 7:7 & Luke 12:12 &John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 & Hebrew 8:11-13 &
1John 2:27 When one is Christ anointed they need no human to teach them for they abide in/with The Spirit Of Eternal Truth as Jesus lived & taught from!
Beckon


that parable says, we need no human to teach us
The Spirit Of Eternal Truth will guide any who follow (respectfully) "IT" from within, into all truth, into oneness with God/All's Eternal Truth!

If we need no human to teach us, then why did you just try to teach us?

Those verses don't mean we don't need human teachers.

If there were no need for human instruction we wouldn't have the Bible, because many of those letters are instructions.