How to Study YOUR Bible

[eph3Nine]

Basic Bible Study Guides


There are several basic GUIDES of Bible study. Once they are learned and practiced, the Christian will find that the Bible is not such a 'hard and difficult book to understand' after all. The rules are these.

1. WHO is speaking?

2. TO WHOM is he speaker speaking?

3. ABOUT WHAT is he speaking?

4. WHEN was it spoken? Remembering of course that 'while all the Bible was written FOR you, it was not all written to you, nor was it written ABOUT you.'

Notice also God's progressive program and how He deals with different people through the ages. God never changes as far as His character is concerned...but He does change His dealings with men. He does not deal with people in the same way in every age.

Notice how His program changes beginning with the earthly ministry of our Lord.

THE APOSTLE: THE MEN AND THEIR MINISTRY

In the Gospel records, we find our Lord choosing twelve Apostles (Matt. 10:5-6. Later, however, these men were given authority to act in the King's absence (Mat.28:18-19), and were told to go to the World, but go to the Jew first (Acts 1:8). However, still later, these twelve confine their ministry to Israel and another is appointed to go to the Gentiles Gal. 2:7-9). But compare this program with the ministry of Paul to the Church (Acts 28:28 and Eph. 3).

THE APOSTLES; THEIR MESSAGE

In the beginning they were to announce 'The Kingdom at Hand' (Matt. 3:12; 10:7). Then later in Acts 2:29-39 and Acts 3:19-21 they were to 'Offer the Kingdom.' It will also be noticed that when they 'Announced "The Kingdom to be at Hand' they told the people to 'repent and be baptized, confessing their sins' (Mark 1-5). But later when 'the Kingdom was Offered.' they told the people to 'repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38). But compare this with the message of Paul as he preaches to the Gentiles (Eph 2:14-15 and 4:4-5).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MIRACLES

As they begin their ministry, miracles abound (Mat. 10:1-8) and as they continue their ministry they do even greater works (Acts 2:43) but then the miracles begin to vanish until there is no trace of them at all (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MANAGEMENT

In the beginning of their ministry, God provided everything (Matt. 10:8-9) as they continued, they practiced what they preached (Acts 2:44-45). But, something changes; relief is sent to the poor saints (Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-3, and finally the order completely changes (1 Tim 5:8; 1 Tim 6:17-19).

Now the question is: Why did God change the program?

The Answer is: As long as God was dealing with Israel...His earthly peoples..He dealt in an earthy manner, viz; gifts of healing, many miracles, signs, tongues, wonders, water baptisms and all things in common...... but, when Israel rejected Christ and the offer of the kingdom, God turned from Israel (Acts 13:46), 18:6 and 28:28).

He turned to the Gentiles and began building the Church which is the Body of Christ. So today, God speaks to us as Christians through the Apostle Paul and the Church is His Heavenly people. Our ministry is according to 2 Cor. 5.

 

[eph3Nine]

This is imperative if we are to UNDERSTAND what God is doing today.

THE APOSTLE: THE MEN AND THEIR MINISTRY

In the Gospel records, we find our Lord choosing twelve Apostles (Matt. 10:5-6. Later, however, these men were given authority to act in the King's absence (Mat.28:18-19), and were told to go to the World, but go to the Jew first (Acts 1:8). However, still later, these twelve confine their ministry to Israel and another is appointed to go to the Gentiles Gal. 2:7-9). But compare this program with the ministry of Paul to the Church (Acts 28:28 and Eph. 3).

THE APOSTLES; THEIR MESSAGE

In the beginning they were to announce 'The Kingdom at Hand' (Matt. 3:12; 10:7). Then later in Acts 2:29-39 and Acts 3:19-21 they were to 'Offer the Kingdom.' It will also be noticed that when they 'Announced "The Kingdom to be at Hand' they told the people to 'repent and be baptized, confessing their sins' (Mark 1-5). But later when 'the Kingdom was Offered.' they told the people to 'repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38). But compare this with the message of Paul as he preaches to the Gentiles (Eph 2:14-15 and 4:4-5).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MIRACLES

As they begin their ministry, miracles abound (Mat. 10:1-8) and as they continue their ministry they do even greater works (Acts 2:43) but then the miracles begin to vanish until there is no trace of them at all (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MANAGEMENT

In the beginning of their ministry, God provided everything (Matt. 10:8-9) as they continued, they practiced what they preached (Acts 2:44-45). But, something changes; relief is sent to the poor saints (Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-3, and finally the order completely changes (1 Tim 5:8; 1 Tim 6:17-19).

Now the question is: Why did God change the program?

The Answer is: As long as God was dealing with Israel...His earthly peoples..He dealt in an earthy manner, viz; gifts of healing, many miracles, signs, tongues, wonders, water baptisms and all things in common...... but, when Israel rejected Christ and the offer of the kingdom, God turned from Israel (Acts 13:46), 18:6 and 28:28).

He turned to the Gentiles and began building the Church which is the Body of Christ. So today, God speaks to us as Christians through the Apostle Paul and the Church is His Heavenly people. Our ministry is according to 2 Cor. 5.

ANY COMMENTS or questions about this?

 

[eph3Nine]

Good points here.

 

[biblebeliever123]

Amen, excellent points!!

Those simple ways of approaching Bible study will cause many..

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eye openers !!!!

 

[eph3Nine]

Amen, excellent points!!

Those simple ways of approaching Bible study will cause many..

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eye openers !!!!

Amen BB

 

[eph3Nine]

This is imperative if we are to UNDERSTAND what God is doing today.

THE APOSTLE: THE MEN AND THEIR MINISTRY

In the Gospel records, we find our Lord choosing twelve Apostles (Matt. 10:5-6. Later, however, these men were given authority to act in the King's absence (Mat.28:18-19), and were told to go to the World, but go to the Jew first (Acts 1:8). However, still later, these twelve confine their ministry to Israel and another is appointed to go to the Gentiles Gal. 2:7-9). But compare this program with the ministry of Paul to the Church (Acts 28:28 and Eph. 3).

THE APOSTLES; THEIR MESSAGE

In the beginning they were to announce 'The Kingdom at Hand' (Matt. 3:12; 10:7). Then later in Acts 2:29-39 and Acts 3:19-21 they were to 'Offer the Kingdom.' It will also be noticed that when they 'Announced "The Kingdom to be at Hand' they told the people to 'repent and be baptized, confessing their sins' (Mark 1-5). But later when 'the Kingdom was Offered.' they told the people to 'repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38). But compare this with the message of Paul as he preaches to the Gentiles (Eph 2:14-15 and 4:4-5).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MIRACLES

As they begin their ministry, miracles abound (Mat. 10:1-8) and as they continue their ministry they do even greater works (Acts 2:43) but then the miracles begin to vanish until there is no trace of them at all (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20).

THE APOSTLES: THEIR MANAGEMENT

In the beginning of their ministry, God provided everything (Matt. 10:8-9) as they continued, they practiced what they preached (Acts 2:44-45). But, something changes; relief is sent to the poor saints (Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-3, and finally the order completely changes (1 Tim 5:8; 1 Tim 6:17-19).

Now the question is: Why did God change the program?

The Answer is: As long as God was dealing with Israel...His earthly peoples..He dealt in an earthy manner, viz; gifts of healing, many miracles, signs, tongues, wonders, water baptisms and all things in common...... but, when Israel rejected Christ and the offer of the kingdom, God turned from Israel (Acts 13:46), 18:6 and 28:28).

He turned to the Gentiles and began building the Church which is the Body of Christ. So today, God speaks to us as Christians through the Apostle Paul and the Church is His Heavenly people. Our ministry is according to 2 Cor. 5.

ANY COMMENTS or questions about this?

This is MEAT....most only want milk.

 

[Easystreet]

I suggest that everyone get Kay Arthor's (SP?) Book on Bible Study, or Dr. Howard Hendricks. They are great books that teach all the different methods and don't get off on some "band wagon" or chase rabbits.

 

[timlamb]

I suggest that people study the whole bible and listen to the words of Christ to understand the true meaning of the gospel.

When Jesus said, do not lust in your heart, I think He meant all of us.

When Jesus said not to call a brother a bad name, I theink He meant all of us.

When Jesus said to be perfect, as our father in heave is perfect, I think He was talking to all of us.

When Jesus said, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ...May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me..." John 17:20-23 I think He was talking to God the Father, about all of us.

And when He said, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." I think He was talking to the disciples about taking the Gospel to all nations, starting with Jerusalem.

 

[Tychicum]

I suggest that people study the whole bible and listen to the words of Christ to understand the true meaning of the gospel.

When Jesus said, do not lust in your heart, I think He meant all of us.

I agree.

However Jesus wasn't implying that if one lusted today ... in this present grace dispensation ... that it should be counted as fornication ... and the person was to come under immediate judgement. Death ... as in the Old Law. Which were his plain words if you read them literally ... and as they would have been understood by a Jew under the Law who was standing there listening to the Lord's sermon.

However this will be the case in the Millennial Kingdom. A "rod of iron I believe" it is called in prophecy terms. A "wandering eye" will yield the ultimate penalty. You remember ... "wailing and gnashing of teeth".

Today we are under an "amnesty period". God is not imputing our sins to us.

Tim you are not seeing the forest ... because the trees are getting in the way.


†

 

[timlamb]

I agree.

However Jesus wasn't implying that if one lusted today ... in this present grace dispensation ... that it should be counted as fornication ... and the person was to come under immediate judgement. Death ... as in the Old Law. Which were his plain words if you read them literally ... and as they would have been understood by a Jew under the Law who was standing there listening to the Lord's sermon.

However this will be the case in the Millennial Kingdom. A "rod of iron I believe" it is called in prophecy terms. A "wandering eye" will yield the ultimate penalty. You remember ... "wailing and gnashing of teeth".

Today we are under an "amnesty period". God is not imputing our sins to us.

Tim you are not seeing the forest ... because the trees are getting in the way.


†

Jesus never preached than anyone would or could come under immediate judgement. The ten commandments are Gods law, the penalty was mosaic law for Isael, to make them try to be pure, or perfect.

Where does Jesus say to enforce mosaic law. He tells them to obey the law to avoid a total rebellion that would come from no law.

 

[Tychicum]

Jesus never preached than anyone would or could come under immediate judgement. The ten commandments are Gods law, the penalty was mosaic law for Isael, to make them try to be pure, or perfect.

That is the prophecy Tim. By the way there is 613 commandments. Not just the 10. Fail keeping any one (if that is what you are trying) and all have been broken ...

Where does Jesus say to enforce mosaic law. He tells them to obey the law to avoid a total rebellion that would come from no law.

Tim you do know that the book last in your Bible is called "The Revleation of Jesus Christ" don't you?

Do you disagree ... ?

Tim the Legal system in the Millenium will be the standard God implemented by Moses but taken to a higher standard.

†

 

[timlamb]

That is the prophecy Tim. By the way there is 613 commandments. Not just the 10. Fail keeping any one (if that is what you are trying) and all have been broken ...




Tim you do know that the book last in your Bible is called "The Revleation of Jesus Christ" don't you?

Do you disagree ... ?

Tim the Legal system in the Millenium will be the standard God implemented by Moses but taken to a higher standard.

†

I say you are wrong, please show me where it says that. And you haven't shown me where Jesus said anyone was under mosaic law.

 

[timlamb]

I suggest that people study the whole bible and listen to the words of Christ to understand the true meaning of the gospel.

When Jesus said, do not lust in your heart, I think He meant all of us.

When Jesus said not to call a brother a bad name, I theink He meant all of us.

When Jesus said to be perfect, as our father in heave is perfect, I think He was talking to all of us.

When Jesus said, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ...May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me..." John 17:20-23 I think He was talking to God the Father, about all of us.

And when He said, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." I think He was talking to the disciples about taking the Gospel to all nations, starting with Jerusalem.

This is about how to study the bible, and other comments stressed the teaching of Paul, I thought I would through in my opinion on studying the teaching of Jesus. By the way, does the fact that Luke was a partner of Pauls make his gospel story more credable to you guys, or did he betray Paul with His teaching of Jesus?

 

[Tychicum]

This is about how to study the bible, and other comments stressed the teaching of Paul, I thought I would through in my opinion on studying the teaching of Jesus. By the way, does the fact that Luke was a partner of Pauls make his gospel story more credable to you guys, or did he betray Paul with His teaching of Jesus?

Jesus wrote the whole Bible tim. Luke and Romans.

This isn't some kind of contest. Who was "better". It is who was "later". Who's information describes our time and not history ... time past.

Paul was every bit as inspired as Luke. And vice versa.

Just later information presented in Paul's epistles.

Luke was telling it exactly as it was ... of the earlier message "before the cross" story.

As the writer of the Book of Acts you should notice the transition which Luke describes. You do know that the story told in the book of Acts is the rejection Israel of God and the rejection God of Israel ... don't you tim?

Paul says it quite clearly a fact we need to understand clearly so to listen to OUR message and not Israel's ...

Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Things changed ... we are no longer alien ... no difference between us ... after the cross. After the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

 

[timlamb]

Jesus wrote the whole Bible tim. Luke and Romans.

This isn't some kind of contest. Who was "better". It is who was "later". Who's information describes our time and not history ... time past.

Paul was every bit as inspired as Luke. And vice versa.

Just later information presented in Paul's epistles.

Luke was telling it exactly as it was ... of the earlier message "before the cross" story.

As the writer of the Book of Acts you should notice the transition which Luke describes. You do know that the story told in the book of Acts is the rejection Israel of God and the rejection God of Israel ... don't you tim?

Paul says it quite clearly a fact we need to understand clearly so to listen to OUR message and not Israel's ...



Things changed ... we are no longer alien ... no difference between us ... after the cross. After the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

That is great scripture. Paul is taking Christ to those who didn't even know God (at least no on a personal level). All the apostles have the Holy spirit when they are writting their Gosple stories. What they didn't understand while it happened, they understand when they write it, and through the Holy spirit their readers do, that is evident even today, some understand, those not impowered by the Holy Spirit don't. Jesus teaching makes sense now, although some have trouble discerning some of it when they look at it through human wisdom, but that is another topic. the point being, the Holy spirit made us equal, though some have one gift and some have another. But it is a continuous learning adventure, and Jesus taught ahead of his day, in His spiritual teaching. It is not gone with the law, it brings the law to life, makes it personal, and applies to us today.

 

[Tychicum]

Paul is taking Christ to those who didn't even know God (at least no on a personal level). All the apostles have the Holy spirit when they are writting their Gosple stories. What they didn't understand while it happened, they understand when they write it, and through the Holy spirit their readers do, that is evident even today, some understand, those not impowered by the Holy Spirit don't. Jesus teaching makes sense now, although some have trouble discerning some of it when they look at it through human wisdom, but that is another topic. the point being, the Holy spirit made us equal, though some have one gift and some have another. But it is a continuous learning adventure, and Jesus taught ahead of his day, in His spiritual teaching. It is not gone with the law, it brings the law to life, makes it personal, and applies to us today.

Tim the Holy Spirit did the writing.

The apostles were merely the pen.

I like the description given by the Alliance Church in their doctrinal statement :

The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.
( 2 Peter 1:20–21, 2 Timothy 3:15–16)

The apostles understood very little of it at the time.

Jesus told them that they actually couldn't bear it ... that much would be revealed "later".

John 16:12-13 KJV I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The Holy Spirit has not made us equal in understanding.

I believe we today do not understand with anything even approaching the clarity of those who are going to actually live through the Tribulation ... and the Kingdom. We can't.

 

[timlamb]

My point was that the disciples did not have the Holy spirit while living with Jesus but after recieving the Spirit they could discern what He meant, and that is the spirit in which they wrote, and by the same ability we are able to understand what they wrote. So their writing is ever bit as inspired for us today as Pauls.

 

[Tychicum]

My point was that the disciples did not have the Holy spirit while living with Jesus but after recieving the Spirit they could discern what He meant, and that is the spirit in which they wrote, and by the same ability we are able to understand what they wrote. So their writing is ever bit as inspired for us today as Pauls.

It was inspired.

I'm not sure you understand what that means ...

That does not in any way mean they understood it.

God reached inside of them and used their words to express His meaning.

They could not and did not "discern" what it meant.

Neither could Paul .... any more than the others.

Much of the Scripture is veiled to us this very day. It is prophecy. For another time to understand.

Moses when writing the Pentateuch and the prophecy in Genesis about the serpent's head being bruised ... Moses had absolutely positively without a doubt no clue what that was to mean.

It is an exaggeration I know ... but that is like saying my keyboard knows what I am typing.

Your whole notion of the Scripture is skewed.

You give greater weight to some than others based upon who said it ... not to whom it was said. Such as Jesus while He walked on this earth in His humiliation. 99.9% of which was before the cross so He could not explain the meaning ... and it was veiled in various parables. He even expressed that He came to none other than the nation Israel ... regarding their Kingdom at that time ...

We say give some weight Paul who came later ... and had the current revelation ... and expressed that it was to US ... the gentiles ... living in this era ... as OUR Apostle ... chosen personally for the task by the Risen Glorified Lord and our God Jesus Christ.

But either way ... they were just vessels who carried the message. The message who's author was the Lord.
.

 

[timlamb]

It was inspired.

I'm not sure you understand what that means ...

That does not in any way mean they understood it.

God reached inside of them and used their words to express His meaning.

They could not and did not "discern" what it meant.

Neither could Paul .... any more than the others.

Much of the Scripture is veiled to us this very day. It is prophecy. For another time to understand.

Moses when writing the Pentateuch and the prophecy in Genesis about the serpent's head being bruised ... Moses had absolutely positively without a doubt no clue what that was to mean.

It is an exaggeration I know ... but that is like saying my keyboard knows what I am typing.

Your whole notion of the Scripture is skewed.

You give greater weight to some than others based upon who said it ... not to whom it was said. Such as Jesus while He walked on this earth in His humiliation. 99.9% of which was before the cross so He could not explain the meaning ... and it was veiled in various parables. He even expressed that He came to none other than the nation Israel ... regarding their Kingdom at that time ...

We say give some weight Paul who came later ... and had the current revelation ... and expressed that it was to US ... the gentiles ... living in this era ... as OUR Apostle ... chosen personally for the task by the Risen Glorified Lord and our God Jesus Christ.

But either way ... they were just vessels who carried the message. The message who's author was the Lord.
.

I only meant that when they were writing about the gospel they then knew the meaning of the cross; you may still disagree but I believe that way.

The bible is alive, and cannot be totally understood, which is obvious because some scriptures seem to meet so many differant needs.

One cannot read a book of the bible and say "I have that down now", like they might a history or science book.

You and others talk about Jesus words before the cross being of a different dispensation and so not for us, but Jesus gave so much instruction for living, and information about the mind of the Father, and prophecy, it is all facinating and so valuable. Each of the apostles wrote a version of the life of Christ that reflected a individual point of view, I love how they all saw things a little differently, yet the message was the same.

But the works of Paul, are cherished among most Christian faiths. I think Paul might have been a hard man to like and deal with, but you could no help being in awe of him, and his passon for our savior.

Peter and James have their own insight, still inspired, but their books act as a garnish to the feast.

I am afraid some I have encountered on this thread have cased me to be calloused and arguementitive.

Though I don't find dispensations nessesary, I do see the usefulness in a complete study of the bible.
but this extreem pauline dispy stuff where nothing counts except the writing of Paul will never fly with me, and I have been told I will face judgement for holding to my beliefs( I think you know who said that).

I don't think anyone here feels that if someone spent their whole life reading nothing but the writings of Paul, they would be lacking on the day of Judgement. But some of the things posted here have been highly irregular concerning salvation, and this thread has been used to evangilise this theology, and that will get my blood boiling.

Ok, I exposed my soft side. LOL
Now some one will say something about dividing up the word of God, or that the Gospel of John is not for us today, an we will be right back at it. We have actually been able to have a conversation, though a little testy; and we have some understanding; sometthing that couldn't be done when that person, bless her heart, smothers us with threads and posts.

All believers oif the Gospel, saved by grace, will be together some day and we will know the truth, and it will be somewhere in the middle, and no one will boast, we will all just rejoice in the truth.

 

[Tychicum]

I only meant that when they were writing about the gospel they then knew the meaning of the cross; you may still disagree but I believe that way.

The bible is alive, and cannot be totally understood, which is obvious because some scriptures seem to meet so many differant needs.

One cannot read a book of the bible and say "I have that down now", like they might a history or science book.

You and others talk about Jesus words before the cross being of a different dispensation and so not for us, but Jesus gave so much instruction for living, and information about the mind of the Father, and prophecy, it is all facinating and so valuable. Each of the apostles wrote a version of the life of Christ that reflected a individual point of view, I love how they all saw things a little differently, yet the message was the same.

But the works of Paul, are cherished among most Christian faiths. I think Paul might have been a hard man to like and deal with, but you could no help being in awe of him, and his passon for our savior.

Peter and James have their own insight, still inspired, but their books act as a garnish to the feast.

I am afraid some I have encountered on this thread have cased me to be calloused and arguementitive.

Though I don't find dispensations nessesary, I do see the usefulness in a complete study of the bible.
but this extreem pauline dispy stuff where nothing counts except the writing of Paul will never fly with me, and I have been told I will face judgement for holding to my beliefs( I think you know who said that).

I don't think anyone here feels that if someone spent their whole life reading nothing but the writings of Paul, they would be lacking on the day of Judgement. But some of the things posted here have been highly irregular concerning salvation, and this thread has been used to evangilise this theology, and that will get my blood boiling.

Ok, I exposed my soft side. LOL
Now some one will say something about dividing up the word of God, or that the Gospel of John is not for us today, an we will be right back at it. We have actually been able to have a conversation, though a little testy; and we have some understanding; sometthing that couldn't be done when that person, bless her heart, smothers us with threads and posts.

All believers oif the Gospel, saved by grace, will be together some day and we will know the truth, and it will be somewhere in the middle, and no one will boast, we will all just rejoice in the truth.

.