Bible reading

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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Reading the Bible won't make Jesus talk to you. You have to talk to God every single day, and you have to do this for hours on end for many years before you actually start to get a sense that you are indeed on the right path. It is not easy. You will begin to see many dreams about hell, you'll have nightmares, difficulty sleeping, but you still have to keep going. It's really powerful prayers that actually can get you to these points. Now, in Armenian, there is a book called "Nareg". It is an old but extremely powerful book that contains prayers that you'll not find anywhere. I have a copy, but it is in Armenian. I don't even know if it exists anymore (other copies that is). There are other ways to get to a state where you actually get to see some things, especially when you are in very deep prayer, but it can only be done after long hours of prayer. It is like "experience". You have to put in the hours, other than reading the Bible, going to church, etc.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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God is Spirit, therefore for us to understand His word, we need the Holy Spirit to help us. Therefore, before you start reading, always pray to God to reveal the meaning behind His Word in Truth and Spirit. Also, go to the Church if you are not going already. Many things that Jesus says will not make any sense to you, but do not give up, Jesus wants active followers and not passive ones. Go to the Church and talk to the others, especially the elders to help you to guide you. But there are many false Churches so pray for a good Church. You can recognise a false Church by not doing much Bible readings, if any at all, making it about you and not God, making the service about feeling good, and not telling you the difficult stuff etc.

A Bible study group also helps. Here is one website that I use Books of the Bible, each Scripture explained
I recommend starting in the Gospel of John, because it best shows the relationship between the Father and Christ, and who Jesus is and what He wants from you. If you are interested, I can also send you some of my notes from the Gospel of John.

Hi, Tellyontellyon

In order to benefit from Jesus talking to you, yes we need to pray, be honest and humble. So, if you go to the Bible . . . be honest, be humble, and trust God to communicate how He wants. The Bible is meant to be personal communication with God Himself, who loves you but He is evaluating how we are . . . I say, "we" . . . not only you.

And you need to answer to Him, not try to make Him answer to you.

And there are people who can be speaking to you with what Jesus has to say to you. He has people and His book to share with us.

And I seek for what I need to be doing so I am pleasing to God . . . how I need to become. And I am trusting Him to do in me and others what He really desires; so it is not merely me doing what I suppose He means for me to do. But there is trusting beyond myself. And there is love, with God, with correction, but with love.

And what speaks louder than words is how God has us doing what He means by His word. For example, I can read, "Do all things without complaining and disputing," (Philippians 2:14) and realize how arguing can be anti-love and destructive in a relationship. And I trust God to keep me from arguing. But then comes also how God has me relating creatively and kindly instead of arguing. And this is so wonderful, with caring and sharing and working things out together better than what either person was trying to get with arguing. God proves Himself with us, while we do things the way His word means. So, there is the adventure of love . . . going beyond what does not work! lolololololol

So, Jesus does not only tell us things and explain things; but in us He proves Himself with how He blesses . . . after correcting . . . us to do what His word means. And this tells us what words can not tell.

So, there is trust needed.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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Ask Him to awaken you.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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In order to understand the Bible properly and have the Lord Jesus speak to us by His Word, we need to be saved. We need to reject all other forms of religion and only trust in Jesus and His Word.

There are two aspects of salvation that believers in Christ need to be primarily concerned with.

In other words, believers need to confess and forsake sin so as to have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Believers cannot justify grievous sin or think that they will commit serious sin again as a matter of fact. For Paul says if any man does not agree with the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing (See: 1 Timothy 6:3-4). Many Christians I have talked with today do not agree with what Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:3-4 and they think many of the words of Jesus do not apply anymore. The apostle Paul alludes to this happening in his prophecy given to us in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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I would also start out reading the gospel of John. This is recommended for new believers in understanding that Jesus is God and the Savior very clearly.

For we worship one God who exists as three persons (i.e. the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost).

For 1 John 5:7 in the KJB (King James Bible) it says:


This beautiful verse is removed from many Modern Translations.
Why? Because Modern Translations can be traced back to Alexandria, Egypt which just so happens to also be the origin of Arianism (Anti-Trinitarianism), as well.

There are many possible approaches. One way might be to read the books of Job, Ecclesiastes, the Gospels, & Acts chapters 6-9. While all the Gospels should be read, if time is tight, read either Matthew, Mark, Luke & definitely read the Gospel of John & read whatever 2 were initially unread as soon as possible. Since the Lord spoke to Paul ( Saul), the chapters of his encounter in Acts might be helpful.

This might be a foundation approach.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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While I do not agree with everything Chick Publications teaches, I was saved by a Chick tract. So this tract may help assist you in giving your life to the Lord (So as to help you understand God's Word properly).



Chick.com: This Was Your Life

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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Study the life of Jesus .... He is our example in all things.

Always pray before opening His word .... pray for understanding and enlightenment.

Perhaps start with

Gospel of John
Gospel of Mark

May the Lord open your heart and mind. Amen

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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A lot of Christians follow readings from prayer manuals, devotionals, etc; often as part of a regiment of regular prayer and devotion. These generally reflect the lectionary readings of the day. This, coupled with regular attending of the Liturgy, means that we are being saturated with the language of Scripture throughout the week.

There's no magical way to read the Bible; the Bible being what it is means that if we are coming into contact with the Scriptures, in the context of our life together in the Church, then we are hearing Christ speak. Because His word to us is right there in the words of Scripture, in the Sacraments, in the preaching of the homily/sermon, in the hymns that we sing and in the prayers that we pray.

In a sense, it is ultimately not about us reading the Bible, but the Bible reading us. The Scriptures are there as part of the ways in which God is transforming us and working in and upon our lives. More than just reading it, hearing it. Hearing it and therein is faith ("Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ").

-CryptoLutheran

Read it with an open mind.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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Well, if you want Jesus to speak to you, you are pretty much restricted to the gospels. If you want God to speak to you that is a different issues.

I'd start with a gospel anyway and which one depends on your outlook. If you are particularly Jewish (?) then Matthew. If you have no background in Jewish thinking, then Mark is probably a good start. Many recommend John, particularly if you are spiritually minded.

But Luke, Luke is my personal preference - the gospel that aims to include all. I'd also follow it with Acts as it is by the same author and tells of the impact of Jesus message (which is as important as the message itself).

How you read it can depend on your academic level and your interest. You also ought to consider what version of the Bible you are reading. Do you want a very literal translation or something that is readable but still fairly accurate. I recommend the NET Bible - it's free online and has tons of translation notes showing where there are issues and choices that may affect the way you read it. I'd also recommend a good Study Bible or Life Application Bible - something with notes. Another possibility, especially with the gospels is Tom Wright's excellent 'X for Everyone' where X is the name of the gospel. These are the basic tools of understanding.

When I started out I had a Chain Reference Bible which I still find invaluable - basically if a verse covers a particular subject you can look up other verses covering the same subject and get an overall feel for the theology being presented.

Having done that, start with whichever gospel you choose and just read it through to get the overall story.

Then go back and start again, but this time doing smaller amounts asking yourself important questions as you do so: what was happening, how were the people involved responding and why. What was the author trying to say and what was Jesus trying say (they may be the same thing, but each author selected his material). I'd do a section a day and maybe keep a record of questions you raise and see if they are answered later, or remain outstanding. This is where the Study Bible or commentary can be useful. If you have a question, somebody else has almost certainly been there before you and there will likely be discussions about it in the Study Bible, Life Application notes or commentary.

For a Christian I'd also say to pray before you do each study that God will reveal something important in it, but as you are not a Christian, that would still be recommended, but it is optional for you!

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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The plain biblical answer to that, friend, is to first read the four Gospels (Matthew; Mark; Luke; John) ---noting also John 3; John 14; Romans 8; to hear God speaking to you personally. The Lord Jesus tells us: "no man cometh to the Father but by Me" (John 14). Then one can proceed a regular reading of Acts (the beginning of the universal Church), and the Epistles to learn Church Truth and the Christian walk and life. Revelation will give a picture of the future after the Church is 'raptured' (joyfully) up to Heaven, and the judgment then to fall on this world thereafter. One can also read some other days on the Old Testament to learn of creation, man's history, and the Israelite religion (presently set aside for killing their Messiah: Jesus Christ). The Jews must come to Christ on the same ground as you and I! I hope this helps!. -1watchman

When ever I get a book, I always start with the last 1/3.

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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I would recommend that you read the New Testament, in chronological order, like you would a book.

FutureAndAHope said:

I would recommend that you read the New Testament, in chronological order, like you would a book.

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What would you consider chronological? Do you read Paul's letters first and then the gospels and then the rest, or the chronology of what happened, i.e. gospels then acts then letters?

Chronology can be confusing

Tellyontellyon said:

What is a good way to read the Bible in order for Jesus to speak to you?

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While there is nothing wrong with "reading" the bible, there is no command to read it anywhere in the scriptures. Bind it on our hearts ... yes. Meditate on it day and night... yes.

2Ti 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, cutting-straight the word of truth.

Indeed, like in the passage above, whether or not we stand ashamed or approved before God depends on how we "cut-straight" all of the word of God so that it fits with everything else that might pertain to the topic at hand without adding, subtracting or distorting any meaning at all to hold fast to our beliefs. Indeed, distorting it to fit what you "want to believe" "as" truth might very well put you on the wrong side of salvation altogether, "reading" it every day or not.

2Pe 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Here's one in the present tense, meaning it is to be ongoing, continuous habitual action, not just a one time and you are done thing...

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

If you want the expanded Greek meaning it would read more like this:

"Keep on proving all things over and over again as a habit and way of life, and never stop like an ongoing court case where the only goal is to get to what is good/true."

Whether or not we are considered nursing babies who refuse to grow up or whether or not we are mature in God's eyes is not determined by how much we "read" scripture, but by our ability to ferret out the truth.

Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

If you don't learn how to ferret out the truth for yourself, if you don't love truth enough to do what it takes to get to the point above, odds are you will be one of the people who distort the meaning to your own destruction. But getting to the point where you can just tell good from evil is not the end point. We are to keep on going proving over and over what the word of God really does say and mean to the point where we can tell the difference between what is good from what is merely acceptable, from what is perfect.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Indeed, to obey what God commands all Christians to be habitually doing with His word, you will have to "read" it. But if you stop there, you are merely a disobedient person refusing to obey what God commands. a starting point to find topics of study, yes. An end point? Not if you love God. If you love Me you will keep My commandments.

Keep in mind that many go to scripture to justify what they want to believe, or disbelieve, and what they want to do. They go to establish that they, and those that believe like them, have the truth. It's not a new practice, but doing so does not mean that you are going to heaven. On the contrary...

Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

Indeed, if your goal is just to justify yourself, it is a simple process practiced by every belief group on the planet. Here's the Methodology people use to hold fast to what they "want to believe" "as" truth. They ...

1.) Gather whatever they can “use” to prove what they “want to believe” to be truth.

2.) Accumulate all evidence they believe proves all opposing views incorrect.

3.) Assume their beliefs are unquestionable truth, and interpret everything in such a way as to make it all support, or at least not negate, their beliefs. Think about it. If your beliefs are unquestionable truths, all “valid” data, must support … or at least not negate, your infallible beliefs, right?

4.) Reinterpret, ignore, discredit, invalidate … anything that doesn’t seem to fit with their views, Why? Our beliefs are “Fact” Valid data interpreted correctly can’t contradict the facts.

5.) Gather all the other experiences, feelings, data … to solidify their beliefs such as signs, wonders, spiritual gifts or facts about your belief group. Things like: we have a burning in the bosom, we speak in tongues, we perform signs or wonders, a statue of Mary came to life and told us our belief groups views are correct, we have prayed to God for the truth and received “feelings” or even signs from heaven. Or, on a more concrete level: Our belief group is the oldest, largest, fastest growing, wealthiest, has the most experts with doctorates… Include anything that adds assurance that your views and belief group have the most truth.

But if this is the Methodology you want to use, at least be intellectually honest enough to pick and choose the pieces you want to believe and gather the data other groups "use" to prove those beliefs true and all opposing beliefs false so you can believe exactly as you pick and choose, and reject whatever you want to disbelieve. Look out at all the belief groups in this world. All of them do the above process. All of them know they love the truth and have the truth and that all opposing views are lies, distortions ...

Gather more proof your beliefs are fact and how long before you discover they were lies? Answer: You'll never know. All you are gathering is what proves your beliefs are fact... same with everything else. All this Methodology can do is harden you into what you want to believe, closing your eyes and ears to considering anything else. Here's a passage that starts out tlking about the deceived in the end times, but in verse 13 Paul uses the same standard and tells the Thessalonians living at that time that they passed the test, did receive a love of the truth, and did end up with faith, not in a deception or lie, but in the truth.

2Th 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Lots of people from every belief group on the planet read the bible. I did as an evangelical Atheist. Indeed I studied it far more than many Christians and used the passages in it against them. But reading, or studying as I did to prove my beliefs true and Christianity to be a joke, using the Methodology above was not profitable. We all love something. Either we love our beliefs, in which case God will give us over to them, as in the passage above, or we love truth. That which we love least is always forced to conform to what we love most.

Indeed, God does help cement us into our beliefs if those are what we love. Did the true first century Christians cast out demons in Jesus name? Did they prophesy? Did they do many works of tremendous power in His name? Indeed they did. Did they believe Jesus was their Lord, God, Savior? Indeed they did. But what does God say about the "Many" and the "Few" ... on the broad path to destruction or on the "to groan" it is so narrow path of salvation?

Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

What do you "do"? Do you "read" the bible? Are you rightly dividing / cutting straight all that the word of God has to say on a topic without adding, subtracting or distorting any meaning in an attempt to justify what you believe or disbelieve? How can you tell a true Christian from the "many" who believe they are right with God, know He is their Lord God and Savior, and are doing the exact same things the true Christians of the day are doing?

You get what you want. If you love truth you will avoid the Methodology above that allows everyone to prove the same things true or false with impunity. Try this on for size. Here's a topic for you as well. Apply these things to the topic of God's meaning of the word Adultery... Example: How many wives did David have before he committed adultery? Solomon? ... How many wives can you take before 99.99% of all professed Christendom condemns you for committing adultery? Does God say He took multiple wives who committed adultery against Him? I didn't say getting to truth would make you popular with belief groups using the first methodology ... it is the "to groan" it is so narrow path though. Either way God will make sure you get what you want and are willing to work for. I will post the opposite Methodology separately.

If we want truth ...

1.) We Avoid “Methodology One”(Mentioned prior): Proving your beliefs true and holding fast to them, is not the same as, “Proving all things over and over again as a habit and way of life, and holding fast to what is good/true.” Look at that 2Th. 2:10-13 passage. Paul said that the lost in the end times failed, and Paul used the same standard and judged that those he was writing to were held to the same standard but passed the test and received a love of the truth and were true Christians making this a timeless truth.

2.) We maintain a state of Open-mindedness: We remain open-minded to altering any, or all of our beliefs in the light of the fullness of the word of God rightly divided. All belief groups believe in being open minded … “until” you accept their beliefs. Then they believe in being as closed as possible. If you love truth, you will continually remain open-minded to altering any or all of your beliefs in the light of the fullness of the truth, when everything that “might” pertain to the topic at hand is rightly divided. How many passages are there about closing your eyes and ears lest you see or hear. Look at Methodology One again. What is it designed to do?

3.) We stay in a state of Habitual ongoing Labor/ Getting Every Piece of Data that Might Pertain: That "Be a workman who need not be ashamed" part. It's in the present tense, indicating ongoing continuous, never ceasing labors to cut-straight ALL that God says on every topic. If you Love Truth, you, personally, must become a manual laborer and keep on gathering every fact anyone thinks might pertain to every topic at hand. Then gather all the data that “might pertain” no belief group gathers because they can’t use that information to prove their beliefs true or opposing beliefs false. Yes, that’s every piece of data that proves all your current beliefs false that the opponents to your beliefs have gathered, and every fact that might prove beliefs you believe to be wrong to be truth on that topic as well. We are commanded to be habitual, ongoing, never stopping laborers who are approved by God and won’t stand ashamed before Him. How do we determine what that outcome will be? We habitually “Cut-straight” every single piece of the word of God that “might” apply to the topic at hand. This is way different than looking for passages of scripture to prove true what we want to teach on a topic.

Fact: CONSISTENCY IN INTERPRETATION: If God, God’s word, and God’s people are not consistent in what they say and do and DON’T SAY AND DON’T DO, then looking for truth in the bible is a waste of time. Holding to consistency includes:

4.) Consistency with Background Context: Pick a meaning that fully aligns with the historical, legal, architectural, agricultural … context.

5.) Consistency of Meaning of words/root words/figures of speech: Hold to a meaning for all words, root words, and figures of speech consistent with their usage throughout the Old and New Testament. We have a Greek Old and New Testament and a Hebrew Old Testament, pick a meaning fully fitting everywhere the same word, root word, and figure of speech is used. If in p the Septuagint and the N.T. Greek the word phobos is translated as fear, terror, ... and you choose that meaning in 542 of the 544 places it is used, but change the meaning to respect or honor in 2 places because you neither like, nor understand the meaning in the two remaining, then you have altered the word of God to fit what you want to believe.

6.) Consistency with the Surrounding Discussion: Hold to a meaning consistent with the entire discussion surrounding the verse or passage being considered, hold to the flow of thought, flow of arguments, meaning of points made … If Paul just spent an entire chapter telling us that spiritual gifts are assigned by God, distributed just as He wishes, that not everyone gets every gifts, and that all gifts are equal and equally necessary and then "seems to say", "Earnestly desire the greater gifts." We have a contradiction. Paul said there are no greater or lesser gifts. Paul said desire has nothing at all to do with the gift(s) we are assigned. "But" there is another possible interpretation that fits perfectly in the context. "But you are desiring the more showy gifts.". That is a possible interpretation that does not contradict anything, and indeed fits perfectly with what was happening. People were forsaking the gifts assigned for what they though was more impressive, "acting" like they had gifts they didn't while forsaking what they were given.

7.) Consistency with conscience: Example: If your interpretation would be a sin if a man did likewise and your interpretation results in believing God does what would be sin for us, your interpretation is wrong. i.e., there are no illustrations in the Bible where God says He commits adultery. If your chosen meaning for the word adultery would make God an adulterer, and by His own admission, you picked the wrong meaning for the word. Find every place where God uses the word adultery in the Old Testament. In more than one place God says His wives committed adultery against Him. Now if your modern definition of adultery includes the fact that taking a second wife is automatically adultery, what are you accusing God of. (Yeah, getting all of the data that might pertain up front, and not just gathering what we can "use" to hold fast to "what we want to believe or want to reject is an important first step.)

8.) God, God’s People and God’s Word are 100% consistent: Pick an interpretation for all the data that makes God, God’s people and God’s word 100% consistent in “all” they say and do and “all” they don’t say and don’t do. Any inconsistencies, are proof of incorrect beliefs/definitions. Let's go with the same topic although there are many possible ones where we totally interpret everything to fit what we want to believe... How many times does the bible say David committed adultery? Once. With Bathsheba ... wife number eight. David also took at least 10 wives after her, and many people believe it could be as high as 20 more. Yet, only one case of adultery. How many times was Solomon said to have committed adultery? God did reprove Solomon for his wives, but it wasn't for the number of them.

9.) Always apply logic, reason, and rational thinking: Pick an interpretation fully fitting with all logic, reason, and rational thinking. (Back to the spiritual gifts illustration. If the writer spent a whole chapter saying all gifts are equal and necessary, that none are greater than any others, … do not choose an interpretation for the very next verse that would command us to desire what God spent the previous 30 verses saying doesn’t exist, and that you can’t get, period, regardless of your desire. “Earnestly desire the greater gifts”, contradicts everything prior. Look for the “other” possible meaning. Note: There is one.

10.) Start with the Easiest/Clearest … data on the topic: Interpret the clearest, easiest understood, most straightforward data/passages first—then the more complex or difficult passages. The complex, convoluted, and difficult passages are easy to distort to fit beliefs.

11.) It ALL fits together: Pick a meaning for the parts that fully fit with the whole of the data that might pertain without adding meaning, subtracting meaning, or distorting anything to force it to comply with your beliefs. If everything gathered (#3 above) does not fully fit with everything in #4-10 above, you have the wrong meaning, and you are forcing the scriptures to fit what you want to believe “as” truth.

12.) Keep on continuously proving all things over and over again as a habit and way of life and never stop … and hold fast to what is good/true. Getting to truth is an ongoing process that never ends. One single verse, one fact you missed, one slight change in interpretation … can force a complete reevaluation and even a complete a change of beliefs. That is, if you love truth, and obey what God commands all His people to be continuously doing for and by themselves. If not …

13.) It’s all on You! Trusting others to get to truth “for” you, is like trusting others to have a relationship with your wife / husband / kids “for” you. It cannot be done. Your failure to keep on habitually doing as God commands all His people to keep on habitually doing, proves you have gathered enough using Methodology One to hold fast to what you want to believe and fall short of 2Th. 2:10-12

The wonder isn't that there are over 500 "brands" of Baptists on the North American continent all with slight variations in beliefs, the wonder is that "if we change our methodology" to one designed to get us closer and closer to truth, altering our beliefs as we go, we will all end up unifying in our faith more and more, rather than just holding fast to our beliefs "as" truth. You see ...

That which we love least is always forced to conform to that which we love most. Everyone either loves the truth or loves their beliefs. Pick one. Which do you choose to love. Your "Methodology" proves which you love. Just remember:

2Th 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Everyone gets what they want.