The Bible - Man's Instruction Manual

[Gregorikos]

Thank you for your response.

As for the KJV. I cannot read from the KVJ. It's distracting to me. Too many of the words are different from today and it's distracting. I also failed the Shakespeare unit in high school English, so there is that.

I tend to read from the NIV (first Bible ever given to me), the NKJV and the NRSV.

Again, thank you for your response!

I agree with you. And I am an old and educated man. While I could read from the KJV if I wanted to, it isn't worth the extra effort to figure out what it's saying. I saw somebody quoted a verse in this thread that used "peradventure." LOL. When people drag out the KJV and make a long post, I'm done. Not gonna read it.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I will not go over every verse, but here is a simple one.
Genesis 1:16 stating God created two great lights.

Right, you believe the moon puts off it's own light because you are a flat earther, right?
So you believe Genesis 1:16 read in a literal way is more in line with what you believe than what I believe, right? But buddy. If I took a mirror, and I shined a flashlight upon the mirror at night time (with my back pointed towards you doing this) and all you seen was the light in the mirror, and not the actual light coming from the flashlight directly itself, you would still be seeing a light source at night time. You would be seeing the reflected light beam of the flashlight. It's still a light source. So God reflecting the sun upon the moon is still making a second light source at night time. He made two great lights. One great light source is the direct light of the sun during the day, and the second great light is the sun reflecting light upon the moon at night time. So it's not wrong for me to read Genesis 1:16 in a literal way, too. Both are light sources.

 

[d taylor]

Right, you believe the moon puts off it's own light because you are a flat earther, right?
So you believe Genesis 1:16 read in a literal way is more in line with what you believe than what I believe, right? But buddy. If I took a mirror, and I shined a flashlight upon the mirror at night time (with my back pointed towards you doing this) and all you seen was the light in the mirror, and not the actual light coming from the flashlight directly itself, you would still be seeing a light source at night time. You would be seeing the reflected light beam of the flashlight. It's still a light source. So God reflecting the sun upon the moon is still making a second light source at night time. He made two great lights. One great light source is the direct light of the sun during the day, and the second great light is the sun reflecting light upon the moon at night time. So it's not wrong for me to read Genesis 1:16 in a literal way, too. Both are light sources.

excuses excuses. just admit you do not believe in a complete literal Genesis 1

 

[Bible Highlighter]

excuses excuses. just admit you do not believe in a complete literal Genesis 1

It's not an excuse. It's simply reality. Are you saying that a mirror reflecting a light cannot be a light source at night time? Your issue is how that light is made, and yet the text does not say how these two great lights were made and or to imply that they are both direct light sources. God simply made two great lights. One is a direct light and the other is a reflected light. Both are two great lights. It's not a contradiction and or against a literal reading. God can make a direct light source and God can also make a reflected light source.

 

[d taylor]

It's not an excuse. It's simply reality. Are you saying that a mirror reflecting a light cannot be a light source at night time? Your issue is how that light is made, and yet the text does not say how these two great lights were made and or to imply that they are both direct light sources. God simply made two great lights. One is a direct light and the other is a reflected light. Both are two great lights. It's not a contradiction and or against a literal reading. God can make a direct light source and God can also make a reflected light source.

last time i checked a mirror is not a light.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

last time i checked a mirror is not a light.

But a mirror can be a light source, though. I can make a light by reflecting it into a mirror at night time. So again, you are assuming that God is creating a whole new direct light source when He says He creates two great lights. But the text does not say how is creating that light. God can make a reflected light source and still say that He made it. It's not a contradiction or against a literal reading.

 

[d taylor]

But a mirror can be a light source, though. I can make a light by reflecting it into a mirror at night time. So again, you are assuming that God is creating a whole new direct light source when He says He creates two great lights. But the text does not say how is creating that light. God can make a reflected light source and still say that He made it. It's not a contradiction or against a literal reading.

And Genesis 1 is not the only place in the Bible that the moon is stated as a light. There are other verses stating that the moon will not give her light.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

And Genesis 1 is not the only place in the Bible that the moon is stated as a light. There are other verses stating that the moon will not give her light.

Right, ... reflective light. That is the light that the moon possesses. Oh, and I am not denying that the Bible has metaphors in it. Or do you believe the moon is an actual female?

 

[Bro.T]

I read your post, and I am not sure what your point was with this verse in regards to defending the Sabbath.



No. Colossians 2:14-17 makes it clear that the Sabbaths are also nailed to the cross. The weekly Sabbath is an ordinance according Isaiah, and Colossians 2:14 says Christ nailed to the cross those ordinances that were against us. How was the weekly Sabbath against us? Well, if you did not keep it, you could be stoned according to the Old Law. Colossians 2:16 says we are not to let others judge us according sabbaths. Meaning, we are not to let other people judge us if we do not keep the Sabbath. Of course, Sabbatarians change these portions of Scripture to refer to the priesthood laws and not the Saturday weekly Sabbath. But Colossians 2:16 does not mention an exclusion of the weekly Sabbath. So Sabbatarians are reading things into Scripture that are not specifically stated. Some of them are seeking to be justified by the Law (i.e. the Old Law).



Again, Colossians 2:14-17, and Romans 14:5-6 makes it clear that the Saturday weekly Sabbath has also ended as a command (and not as a calendar day).

In the Leviticus, 23rd Chapter the sabbath day and the High Holy Days which begin I believe on the new moon. Are the feast of the Lord's. These days are to be observe in their season. In Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. These feast day are the plans of God, they represent the future, with example from the past. All Holy Days are not to eat or drink, such as the atonement, but still to observe. So this is actually what a person would say to someone who does not keep these feast day of the Lord. If they were judging them on those High and Holydays, they were keepingThey would quoted Colossians 2: 16-17.

Hebrews 7:12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”

This means that the priesthood (Which would be changed) is naturally tied to laws on the priesthood which would be changed, and the verse also says that there is also a necessity of a change also of the Law (i.e. the Old Law).

“Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:10).



Again, if the Saturday weekly Sabbath command continued and was so important for us to keep, then...

#1. Why is there no weekly Sabbath commands given to us after the cross?
#2. Why is there is no sin that mentions the breaking of the weekly Sabbath listed alongside other sins that the apostle Paul, and John listed in the New Testament?
#3. Why does Colossians 2:16 teach that we are not to let others judge us in regards to keeping the Sabbaths? (Note: The weekly Sabbath is naturally apart of the Sabbaths).
#4. Why does Romans 14:5-6 appear to not teach the imperative of keeping the weekly Sabbath?

This all suggests a change of the Law just as Hebrews 7:12 says and the Sabbath command ending is a part of that change.

There's nothing to really teach about, the sabbath day on the seventh day of the week, because it was never change from the beginning. After the death of Jesus the Apostle Paul understood this he knew and kept God's laws including the seventh day sabbath.

Now lets take a look at; (Acts 13:13-15, 42, 44) (v.13) Now when Paul and his company loosed from Pa’-phus, they came to Per’-ga in Pam-phyl’-I-a: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (v.14) But when they departed from Per’-ga, they came to An’-ti-och in Pi-sid’-I-a, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. Paul went into the church (synagogue) on the sabbath day the seventh day not the first day (Sunday). (v.15) And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. (v.42) And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

The Gentiles didn’t asked Paul to come preach us something different next Sunday. They wanted Paul to preach to them the same thing that he taught the Jews, the next sabbath. Even the Gentiles knew that if they were going to serve the same God that Paul and the Jews (Israelites) served that they would have to serve him on the day that God had set up. (v.42) And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Not the next Sunday but the next sabbath.

Sunday is not called the sabbath day, that's the first day of the week, before a name was put on the day. Let's take a look at something in John 20: 1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Notice it was yet dark, meaning still dark, before Sunday Morning. Jesus was already gone. This is why it's important to stick to the word of God.

The priesthood laws had nothing to do with royal law Ten Commandments.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

And Genesis 1 is not the only place in the Bible that the moon is stated as a light. There are other verses stating that the moon will not give her light.

People have been to the moon and it does not put off it's own light directly. Then again, maybe you think this is what happened.

 

[Bro.T]

My question was not answered directly. According to the teachings of Jesus this is a "tell" that the rest of the post is a lie. (let your yes be yes, and your no be no)

As far as the content of the post, the fruit eaten was the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, the way you are phrasing the teachings of the bible is in terms of good and evil.

You also state something regarding theosis that is incorrect, but since it is a complex subject - I'll skip that.

I'm sorry, I thought I answer your question as I saw you ask it. Theres was no scriptures or verses for me to be directed to. I must have done a bad job reading your mind. I'm not good at that.

 

[Bro.T]

That is regarding one book of the Bible, not the whole Bible, is it not?

Actually John who wrote Revelation quote Mose writing in Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

The definition of Bible from World Scope Encyclopedia reads: "The book held by Christians and Jews to contain the word of God and to be of divine authority. The word Bible is derived from Medieval Latin,"biblia" in the singular number, and means a book. The Greek form of the word is a plural and means books. As commonly used it signifies the book, in comparison with which other books or writings are unworthy; or if they be called books, then the Bible becomes the book of books. Other words all the books in the Bible Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

 

[Bro.T]

People have been to the moon and it does not put off it's own light directly. Then again, maybe you think this is what happened.

Lol...I just stick to the Book, not sure how the moon shine and so forth. But there is a time at the second coming of Jesus the moon will not give her light. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24: 29)

 

[Bible Highlighter]

In the Leviticus, 23rd Chapter the sabbath day and the High Holy Days which begin I believe on the new moon. Are the feast of the Lord's. These days are to be observe in their season. In Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. These feast day are the plans of God, they represent the future, with example from the past. All Holy Days are not to eat or drink, such as the atonement, but still to observe. So this is actually what a person would say to someone who does not keep these feast day of the Lord. If they were judging them on those High and Holydays, they were keepingThey would quoted Colossians 2: 16-17.





There's nothing to really teach about, the sabbath day on the seventh day of the week, because it was never change from the beginning. After the death of Jesus the Apostle Paul understood this he knew and kept God's laws including the seventh day sabbath.

Now lets take a look at; (Acts 13:13-15, 42, 44) (v.13) Now when Paul and his company loosed from Pa’-phus, they came to Per’-ga in Pam-phyl’-I-a: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (v.14) But when they departed from Per’-ga, they came to An’-ti-och in Pi-sid’-I-a, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. Paul went into the church (synagogue) on the sabbath day the seventh day not the first day (Sunday). (v.15) And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. (v.42) And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

The Gentiles didn’t asked Paul to come preach us something different next Sunday. They wanted Paul to preach to them the same thing that he taught the Jews, the next sabbath. Even the Gentiles knew that if they were going to serve the same God that Paul and the Jews (Israelites) served that they would have to serve him on the day that God had set up. (v.42) And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Not the next Sunday but the next sabbath.

Sunday is not called the sabbath day, that's the first day of the week, before a name was put on the day. Let's take a look at something in John 20: 1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Notice it was yet dark, meaning still dark, before Sunday Morning. Jesus was already gone. This is why it's important to stick to the word of God.

The priesthood laws had nothing to do with royal law Ten Commandments.

Paul said,
“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Galatians 4:10-11).

Here we see Paul criticize the Galatians because they are observing days. The weekly Sabbath is an observance of a day.

In Colossians 2:16, we see this same pattern mentioned in Galatians 4:10 (i.e. yearly, monthly, and weekly).

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” (Colossians 2:16).

In fact, we see this pattern of yearly, monthly, and weekly mentioned in the Old Testament.

Colossians 2:16 says we are not to let anyone judge us in regards to these days. That is what it is saying. Galatians 4:10 confirms the truth that Paul was afraid for those who kept these kinds of days (being Gentile believes). This means that the Saturday Sabbath is no longer a binding command. Yes, it still exists as a calendar day but the command to keep the Sabbath is no more (based on Colossians 2:14, and Colossians 2:16, etc.).

Picture source:
Col 2:14-16 clearly teaches that the sabbath was abolished and nailed to cross!

 

[Bro.T]

Instruction is quite a general concept. You can instruct someone in basic principles, or in lists of rules. The term instruction manual, however, implies to me something closer to the list of rules.

Let's take a look at Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Now to do this Jesus said in (Matt. 16:24-27) (v.24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. That was the Lord’s burden, to die on the cross for the sins of man. (v.25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. You must give up your life in this world; you must not get caught up in the cares of this world. You must bring forth-good fruits of faith by keeping God’s commandments, statues, and judgments. (v.26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Lol...I just stick to the Book, not sure how the moon shine and so forth. But there is a time at the second coming of Jesus the moon will not give her light. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24: 29)

You don't know how the moon shines it's light?

It's basic Science, friend.
Did you never see any videos of men visiting the moon?
Did those who visited the moon observe that the surface of the moon was putting forth it's own light? Surely not.

 

[Bro.T]

Paul said,
“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Galatians 4:10-11).

Here we see Paul criticize the Galatians because they are observing days. The weekly Sabbath is an observance of a day.

In Colossians 2:16, we see this same pattern mentioned in Galatians 4:10 (i.e. yearly, monthly, and weekly).

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” (Colossians 2:16).

In fact, we see this pattern of yearly, monthly, and weekly mentioned in the Old Testament.

Colossians 2:16 says we are not to let anyone judge us in regards to these days. That is what it is saying. Galatians 4:10 confirms the truth that Paul was afraid for those who kept these kinds of days (being Gentile believes).

Picture source:
Col 2:14-16 clearly teaches that the sabbath was abolished and nailed to cross!

Keeping the sabbath day on the seventh day of the week is part of the Ten commandments, the law. It's not judging anyone, because God ordain those laws, not another person. Paul says in (Rom. 7:7,12) (v.7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, THOU SHALT NOT COVET. Paul asked a question, is the law sin? He said God forbid, he said the only way that he knew what sin was, was by the law. (v.12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Why in the world would a Christian want to do away with something that God said is holy.

Paul says in Galatian 4: 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Right like Christmas, Easter paganism, didn't Paul say 1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

So Paul saying you can observe things that not written in the Bible to do, days, and months, and times, and years. Christmas 25th December, halloween, Easter pagan, Sunday, etc. but have a problem with the things that is written in the Bible to do. You have really read the book.

Again, In the Leviticus, 23rd Chapter the sabbath day and the High Holy Days which begin I believe on the new moon. Are the feast of the Lord's. These days are to be observe in their season. In Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. These feast day are the plans of God, they represent the future, with example from the past. All Holy Days are not to eat or drink, such as the atonement, but still to observe. So this is actually what a person would say to someone who does not keep these feast day of the Lord. If they were judging them on those High and Holydays, they were keeping They would quoted Colossians 2: 16-17. These sabbath days are what you suppose to be learning and be concern with. The things you can read from the Bible itself to do.

 

[jhjhh]

What are some of the instructions given in the Bible for man to live by? The most important instructions are the Royal Law, which are the Ten Commandments.

Its still twisted. Royal law is not the ten commandments. Its called roayal law, because with single word whole thing is fullfilled. Love so mighty.

 

[Isilwen]

Actually John who wrote Revelation quote Mose writing in Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

The definition of Bible from World Scope Encyclopedia reads: "The book held by Christians and Jews to contain the word of God and to be of divine authority. The word Bible is derived from Medieval Latin,"biblia" in the singular number, and means a book. The Greek form of the word is a plural and means books. As commonly used it signifies the book, in comparison with which other books or writings are unworthy; or if they be called books, then the Bible becomes the book of books. Other words all the books in the Bible Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

I'm not sure this is correct. When John wrote Revelation, it was a single book. There weren't others and I'm not sure he knew that his book would be included with other books and letters to create what we call the Bible. Same with Moses.

Even if, the Bible is to be considered one book, I'm not sure that with modern versions they have taken away or added as compared to the originals. For all we know, it is the KJV that has done so.

Either way, I just cannot read the KJV as I have outlined in another post.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I believe we are to follow God's instruction manual (i.e. the Holy Bible), but we are New Covenant believers and not Old Covenant believers.

While God's moral laws are still in effect in the New Covenant (like: Do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, etc.), I do not agree that the 4th commandment (a ceremonial law) was carried over into the New Testament. In fact, I did a study on the New Testament commands from Matthew to Revelation. There is no list of sins with the breaking of the Sabbath included. There is no explicit or non-explict commands for the Saturday Sabbath. Only inferences of men keeping the Sabbath is equated with God approving that the Sabbath command is still in effect (Which is not the same as an actual command). In addition,

Colossians 2 says,

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (Colossians 2:14).​

We learn in the OT that the weekly Sabbath is inferred as being an ordinance in

Isaiah 58.

“Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God...” (Isaiah 58:2).​

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight,...” (Isaiah 58:13).​

How was the weekly sabbath (Which is an ordinance) against us? Well, the OT talks about how a man was killed for collecting sticks on the weekly sabbath.

Colossians 2:16 says,

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” (Colossians 2:16).
​

This verse is saying we are not to let others judge us in regards to whether or not we keep Sabbaths days. This means that the Sabbath is no longer binding because the Saturday Sabbath would be included in the list of the different kinds of Sabbaths (like the yearly Sabbath, etc.). Thus, the 4th commandment in Exodus 20 in the Old Covenant is no longer binding. We are under a New Covenant with New Commands. Hebrews 7:12 says the Law has changed.


Side Note:

In other words, from my plain reading of Colossians 2, there are two things that make me easily conclude that the Saturday Sabbath command (not the calendar day) is no more (Unless of course you are biased towards wanting to keep the Sabbath).

Point #1. Colossians 2:14 says that the ORDINANCES have been blotted out. Isaiah 58 says the Saturday Sabbath is an ORDINANCE (See again Isaiah 58:2, and Isaiah 58:13). So this means the Saturday Sabbath command (not the calendar day being the Sabbath) is blotted out.

Point #2. Colossians 2:16 refers to how we are not to let others judge us according to whether or not we keep the Sabbaths. The Saturday Sabbath would naturally be included in the list of Sabbaths (like the yearly Sabbaths, etc.). So this means that the Saturday Sabbath command (not the existence of the calendar day being the Sabbath) has ended.

I can't agree with your

He came down from heaven to Mt. Sinai and spoke these commandments to man face to face. "In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.” (Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, & 16-20) God spake all these words, saying,

“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”

The Lord gave all of his commandments, laws, and statues to the children of Israel to live by and to teach all of the other sons of Adam. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

All the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.” (Exodus 20:1-22)


to be continue...

No, the Bible is not an instruction manual. If that's all it was, we would either all be condemned to hell or Jesus died in vain. If we are not able to follow the instructions, we are lost for eternity. If we can follow the instructions, then we would be in no need of a saviour. Seeing the Bible as an instruction manual is simplistic and leaves believers with an "OK, how do I obey all this, especially when it seems to contradict itself?"

The Bible is vital to Christian life. I teach it. However, to treat it as an instruction manual is to miss the major point of God's Word. It also leaves people none the wiser as to how to live the life that God demands of us.