Starting to read the bible

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purgedconscience

Guest
#21
I'm just saying.. I was advised to jump straight to Matthew and John. Someone else said they started with the New Testament.

What's wrong with just going cover to cover?
There's nothing wrong with going cover to cover as long as you understand that the book is ultimately about Christ. In many ways, you're better off beginning with the Old Testament. It's very difficult to understand the New Testament without a working knowledge of the Old Testament.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#22
Your post #10 has you trying to ferret out mechanics and timings and techniques. This is why I said if you are approaching this as a science book or a Technical Manual, there really isn't much point in messing with it.... unless, you HONESTLY are open-minded enough to be able to shift your paradigm as you are led to see different things.
 
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AllanSnackbar

Guest
#23
Your post #10 has you trying to ferret out mechanics and timings and techniques. This is why I said if you are approaching this a science book or a Technical Manual, there really isn't much point in messing with it.... unless, you HONESTLY are open-minded enough to be able to shift your paradigm as you are led to see different things.
I'm not ferreting anything out. I just came across something that conflicts with how I view the world and I have to think about it. If I'm viewing the Bible as truth, then I have to rationalise and try to make sense of it otherwise I'm going to hit a roadblock.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#24
I'm just saying.. I was advised to jump straight to Matthew and John. Someone else said they started with the New Testament.

What's wrong with just going cover to cover?
You left out one minor detail of what I said, "You wont understand the bible as intended until you've been born again...John 3."

I made the mistake of trying to put you on that fast track.
 
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purgedconscience

Guest
#25
I'm not ferreting anything out. I just came across something that conflicts with how I view the world and I have to think about it. If I'm viewing the Bible as truth, then I have to rationalise and try to make sense of it otherwise I'm going to hit a roadblock.
Allan, you're better off reading the Bible than arguing with some people here. It's unbelievable. You want to read the Bible and some people want to derail you from the outset. Just pay them no mind.
 
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purgedconscience

Guest
#26
You left out one minor detail of what I said, "You wont understand the bible as intended until you've been born again...John 3."
I made the mistake of trying to put you on that fast track.
And he won't understand why he needs to be born again until he understands the fall of man as outlined in Genesis. Seriously, just let the guy read the Bible everyone.
 
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AllanSnackbar

Guest
#27
And he won't understand why he needs to be born again until he understands the fall of man as outlined in Genesis. Seriously, just let the guy read the Bible everyone.
It's OK, their passion is encouraging. :)
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#28
Starting with the new testament was the way to go for me but maybe not so with everyone. f he feels that reading it from the beginning to the end is how he should do it then I say go for it and also it doesn't matter if he is saved or not because God may very well intend to bring him to salvation through studying the bible.

Honestly it's not like figuring calculus there is no right or wrong way to begin reading God's word and we are just confusing him it seems which is understandable lol. Allen read it how you think you should asking ppl online will only give you a thousand different answers
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#29
And he won't understand why he needs to be born again until he understands the fall of man as outlined in Genesis. Seriously, just let the guy read the Bible everyone.
Listen, the fall can be felt by seeing ourselves in God's mirror, the Law. That's why I gave him Mt 5.
The apostles didn't go through all 39 books of the OT before giving the Gospel. Seriously, just let the posters post without Nannying them.
If the OP was a babe in Christ, yes Genesis would be my first choice.
 
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crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#30
Also the New Birth wasn't even mentioned til Jeremiah 31. Nicodemus didn't have a clue of what it was but he was well versed in Genesis. Hopeless.
 
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purgedconscience

Guest
#31
Listen, the fall can be felt by seeing ourselves in God's mirror, the Law. That's why I gave him Mt 5.
The apostles didn't go through all 39 books of the OT before giving the Gospel. Seriously, just let the posters post without Nannying them.
If the OP was a babe in Christ, yes Genesis would be my first choice.
He'll find plenty of the law in Exodus thru Deuteronomy.

Also, the gospel is found in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Go read Galatians chapter 3 where Paul tells us that God preached the gospel unto Abraham. The gospel appears way before then as well. It can be found at least as early as Genesis chapter 3.

When Philip encountered the eunuch who was reading the prophet Isaiah in his chariot, Philip began exactly at the portion of scripture that the eunuch was reading and preached Christ to him from the same:

Acts chapter 8 verses 26 thru 35

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.


God is perfectly capable of meeting us where we're at. Allan is in Genesis and God will meet him there.

Finally, when people stop behaving like tempermental little babies because their advice isn't heeded, then I'll stop being a nanny.
 
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purgedconscience

Guest
#32
Also the New Birth wasn't even mentioned til Jeremiah 31. Nicodemus didn't have a clue of what it was but he was well versed in Genesis. Hopeless.
Christ is Abraham's seed and Abraham is referred to as the father of them that believe even though others like Abel and Enoch believed in Christ before he did.

Just leave Allan alone.

You're doing him no good.
 
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purgedconscience

Guest
#33
Allan, I'm done for the night.

Again, Christ can be found in the first five books of Moses. I'll give you two more witnesses of the same. The first witness is from Jesus Himself:

John chapter 5 verses 45 thru 47

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?


Moses wrote of Christ and God will reveal exactly where to you if you but ask Him to.

John chapter 1 verses 45 and 46

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.


Philip found Jesus of Nazareth Whom Moses wrote of. May you find Him too.

Good night.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#34
Hi Allan.

I suggest that you read the gospels first to find out who Jesus is, then Acts and the rest of the New Testament (except for Revelation). Read through the Old Testament in whatever order you wish, but Genesis would be a great starting point. Then finish with Revelation (the final book of the NT). Realise that the NT informs the OT. God bless you in your endeavor for the truth. May you find Him, the One you seek.
 

Shannon50

Senior Member
May 9, 2015
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#35
I think it's great your starting from the beginning-- the Bible is the Greatest Story Ever Told! It doesn't need an introduction or a commentary--- enjoy it!
 
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Tintin

Guest
#36
I think it's great your starting from the beginning-- the Bible is the Greatest Story Ever Told! It doesn't need an introduction or a commentary--- enjoy it!
Oh, I agree. I just thought, for someone new to the Bible, it's very easy to get stuck on Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, following the excitement of Genesis and Exodus.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#37
I tried going through the bible as a babe in the Lord and got as far as Leviticus and died in the desert.
Jesus our redeemer pictured most clearly as crucified for our sins is found in the New Testament.
Christ in the Old Testament becomes clear after one has received Christ.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(Heb 1:1-3)
 
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Tintin

Guest
#38
I tried going through the bible as a babe in the Lord and got as far as Leviticus and died in the desert.
Jesus our redeemer pictured most clearly as crucified for our sins is found in the New Testament.
Christ in the Old Testament becomes clear after one has received Christ.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(Heb 1:1-3)
Yes, I agree brother. I first read the Bible (Good News) from beginning to end in Grade 6. It took me 6 months. 3 of those months were spent struggling through Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. So there's wisdom in your words. Even as an adult I still wade molasses-like through those last three books of Law. I get more out of them, absolutely, but they require a lot of work. :)
 
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Called4Christ

Guest
#39
Oh, I agree. I just thought, for someone new to the Bible, it's very easy to get stuck on Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, following the excitement of Genesis and Exodus.
I've always stumbled when I reach those books...I have to confess I"ve never read through those ones.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
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#40
I agree that the reason to start in the New Testament is to hear the gospel. That is the saving message that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, and proved it by rising on the third day.

While Genesis and Exodus, and then other narrative books like Joshua, Judges, on through to 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings are very easy and interesting reads, you will get bogged down in not just Leviticus, but 1 & Chronicles and the geneologies and the major and minor prophets. Unless you have a background in Middle East history and the Holy Spirit guiding you, it will be a tough go in those parts of the OT.

Before I was saved, like you, I looked into lots of religions and found them wanting. But reading the Bible, even the New Testament was also a mystery to me. Then God saved me, and suddenly, the entire Bible made sense. Because I had met the author of the book!

So praying you stick with reading the bible, regardless of where you start, and that you come to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord!