I've read the new testament. What now?

[AcornThornpicker]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

 

[Calminian]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

You’ll definitely want to read Genesis as it is the foundation for the need for Christ's sacrifice. At least read Genesis 1-3 (although its pretty interesting after that as well). You'll want to read through the life of Abraham starting in chapter 12. The early chapters of Exodus are important as well, especially the giving of the Law through Moses. I would say just read Genesis through Exodus before reviewing the new testament. Then you'll want to find a good church where they preach the Bible as the inerrant word of God—preferably one that goes through the books of the Bible chapter by chapter. Also look for some good radio preachers in your area.

Lastly stick around here for any questions you may have.

 

[LilLamb219]

Yes, read the Old Testament. The Old Testament spoke of what was to come and the New Testament shows the fulfillment of what was spoken in the Old Testament. You'll see the connections as you read through and hopefully understand how we are fallen creatures in need of the Savior provided for us.

 

[ERice2nd]

I also agree, start with genisis through exodus. Dont forget the prophets after that, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezeikiel, then the other prophets, then proverbs and psalms. Then a review wouldnt hurt, get to know the bible as much as you can, its all good stuff

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

Congratulations!

The most Important Text in Mankinds' History and now
you're about half-way through . . .

It is with great sincerity that I recommend you do
not IGNORE some books of the
Holy Bible, because they are not
historically associated with protestantism . . .

IF YOU READ A CATHOLIC TEXT
you can rest assured you are not
avoiding Sacred Scripture, that is not
condoned by those who choose to "break"
with Gods' FIRST CHURCH . . .

 

[GreyLeader]

Hello AcornThornpicker,

What did you think of it? How much of the New Testament, particularly Revelation did you understand? Do you have a response to Jesus' question in Matthew 16:15 after reading the New Testament? (You don't have to answer that question here if you don't want to).

I suggest that you read the Psalms and Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc. The Psalms are really a great place to learn more about God's character and how to pray to God in different circumstances.

As for some other reading material, have you read Pastor Greg Laurie's book Every Day With Jesus? It is a great book which teaches you more about Jesus and how to have a deeper relationship with Him and be more like Him. This book can be brought for a few dollars on eBay, just make sure that it's by Greg Laurie. I also suggest Bob Gass' daily devotionals called The Word For Today. He has amazing insights (his insights are broad-casted on my local Christian radio station).

 

[Rafael]

Find a good paraphrase or translation of the New Testament and pray before reading. ASk for the Holy Spirit of God to open up the scriptures to you by His abiding with you so you can see them in life. It is the "living" word of God, and it becomes alive in us and a part of our lives as we it confirmed in the life we see around us, as we sojourn towards home and final rest with God.
The Old Testament holds many keys to understanding the New Testament, and it is easy to go astray by only going by the New Testament. Some portions of the Old can be dry and difficult to understand at first, but in time they all add to our understanding and knowledge of God's plan and will for us and mankind. Just about all things in the New Testament are confirmed by passages in the Old, as the prophets foretold the New Covenant and coming Messiah who would take away the sins of His people.

 

[ebia]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

What translation did you read?

 

[duskiness]

Hi AcornThornpicker!
My congratulation on finishing NT How did you like it? What do you think about it now?

Unlike most of my brothers and sister i would rather recommend you to start some books introducing you christianity..lets say C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity".

If you like Narnia ("The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is in fact Gosple in nutshell) or "Lord of the rings" you may read book like "Finding God in Land of Narnia" or "Finding God in Lord of the rings"....i just mentioned them, because they helped me in the beginning of my journey to Him.

But we all have our own interests and tempers, and i trust that if you look around your own world you you find His signs...
That's why i think that most important is prayer!

If you don't feel like giving it a try to pray that maybe give your-self sometime everyday for being "still", for listening to yourself, and then maybe listening to Him...

If you are still determined to go through OT i would strongly recommend you to read so kind of introduction to Bible!

you may also check this site

take care!

 

[dvd_holc]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

I am glad you have done this. So what do you want to do now? Are you wanting to be a follower of Jesus? Do you want to love people more? Do you want to get around Christians more?

First, I want you to know that NT did not come out of the thin air, but is built on OT being that the people are in exile, God has promised to return them from exile, and they are waiting for that unveiling. Second, the bible can be read easy enough without cultural understandings, but the bible was written in specific times and cultures. Moreover, the writers of the bible we people who thought and processed data in a different viewpoint than your own. So then, you need to gain knowledge of the cultural significance and see through the lens of the writers of the bible. Thirdly, get around people who know and live the bible to have people in your life to be with.

 

[PaulAckermann]

I know many will disagree with this, but I would read the Early Church Fathers. They were for the most part the disciples of the apostles in the New Testament. Who better would know what the apostles meant than their personal disciples?

 

[AcornThornpicker]

Hi AcornThornpicker!
My congratulation on finishing NT How did you like it? What do you think about it now?

I thought it quite an interesting book! ^ _ ^ I'd realised I'd never actually read it, so I decided to try reading it. I have 25+ novels on my shelf to read, so I didn't want to put them completely on hold... 1 chapter a night seemed a nice little inspiration! ^ _ ^

It raised a few questions, but it was certainly worth the read! ^ _ ^ I also adore seeing to where all the letters after the Acts are being sent! I adore geography, and I always spent some time trying to find out where the city/region was on the maps in the back...

I must say, Revelations was rather confusing... but I suppose there's a great deal of symbolism I'm just missing in it!

As for a version... I'm not sure how to check. It says "Good News New Testament Today's English Version" I was assigned it a long time ago by my parish... how might I check?

So what do you want to do now? Are you wanting to be a follower of Jesus? Do you want to love people more? Do you want to get around Christians more?

Unfortunately, I walked away from Christianity over a year ago. I still believe He exists, I just couldn't find spiritual happiness with Him...

However, while my prayers are not to God, I still have a great deal of respect for Christianity and hold many of the morals! for example, my beloved and I plan to wait until marriage for sex. I know it's gonna be quite hard, but I believe that abstinence until marriage will make our marriage that much more lovely!

I'm not looking to convert, but still hold a great interest and respect for Jesus's teachings.

You Christians won't mind if I piggy-back morals from your faith, do you?

 

[GreyLeader]

Dear AconThornpicker,

As for a version... I'm not sure how to check. It says "Good News New Testament Today's English Version" I was assigned it a long time ago by my parish... how might I check?

You just told us what version it was: the Good News Bible (GNB). That was my first Bible that my parents gave me - it's good and easy to read.

Unfortunately, I walked away from Christianity over a year ago. I still believe He exists, I just couldn't find spiritual happiness with Him...

Just out of interest, what makes you think that you weren't the problem? If you truly believe that He is who He is and that He exists, then why aren't you trying harder to find Him (e.g. fasting, solitude, etc) and have Him draw nearer to you in return? It doesn't seem to make much sense to me. I've always believed that God is more concerned about your character than your comfort.

Also, how can you expect to have a vibrant relationship with God if you don't even know much about Him by not reading the Bible as you said:

"I'd realised I'd never actually read it, so I decided to try reading it."

No wonder why your relationship with God wasn't satisfying.

I'm not looking to convert, but still hold a great interest and respect for Jesus's teachings.

What do you make of C.S. Lewis' statement that Jesus never left that option of Jesus being a great moral teacher open? Lewis asserts that there were two main options that Jesus gave about Himself: He was either Lord or a liar.

 

[Adstar]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

Yes you should now read the OT then continue on and read the NT again Reading the OT can help one understand many things in the NT and Reading the NT also hepls one understand the OT.

But the most important help in gaining understanding is the Help of God. Keep on asking Him to guide your understanding.

I would advise you to read the New King James Version of the Bible, The NKJV. You can read it on the internet if you like here is the link:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 1;&version=50;


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[AcornThornpicker]

Dear AconThornpicker,
You just told us what version it was: the Good News Bible (GNB). That was my first Bible that my parents gave me - it's good and easy to read.

Thanks for telling me that!

Just out of interest, what makes you think that you weren't the problem? If you truly believe that He is who He is and that He exists, then why aren't you trying harder to find Him (e.g. fasting, solitude, etc) and have Him draw nearer to you in return? It doesn't seem to make much sense to me. I've always believed that God is more concerned about your character than your comfort.

I am not so certain that He is everything most Christians are saying He is, I am merely convinced that He is there, and He exists. In regards to His omnipotence (great power, sure, I'll say that), I can't say I personally can agree with that, being a Polytheist. I can fully acknowledge that I am the problem; I never felt particularly zealous as Christian, and was never really shown how to get closer to God.

Also, how can you expect to have a vibrant relationship with God if you don't even know much about Him by not reading the Bible as you said: "I'd realised I'd never actually read it, so I decided to try reading it."
No wonder why your relationship with God wasn't satisfying.

I have only recently (within the last 2 years) become spiritually active. I'd never actually meant a prayer before I was 14 years old. The society I live in is almost entirely Christian, but I find most people in my school (Roman Catholic) to show very little respect for their religion.

At some point 2 years ago, I tried praying to God. I tried a few times, and perhaps my last prayer was a bit too premature. I can acknowledge that perhaps I didn't try hard enough to reach God, but as a result of my walking away, I discovered one of my two Deities that I pray to.

I am slightly curious how Christians view the worship of a Goddess, if the worship of Her can help promote Christian values in Her follower?

What do you make of C.S. Lewis' statement that Jesus never left that option of Jesus being a great moral teacher open? Lewis asserts that there were two main options that Jesus gave about Himself: He was either Lord or a liar.

Truth is all relative, and I can't begin to say that I know enough of his teachings and their applications to summarize any absolute status as either Lord or liar. The truth as I see it: I can easily accept that he was divine. Again, I do not personally believe in completely Omnipotent beings, but if that is your belief, I am fine with that!

-A.T.

 

[RonnyRulz]

One book that changed my entire life: "Good Morning Holy Spirit" and there's a sequel to that too, "The Anointing." Simply amazing. If you don't feel like you know the Holy Spirit, read this book, it will change your life.

You could read the old testament, or you could read other books. The Old Testament is incredibly complex and confusing though, and it takes a deep relationship with God to understand a lot of it when he teaches you. I don't even try to read the Old Testament unless God reads it to me. I love listening to the gospels though, I learn something different everytime.

Some of the greatest books I've ever read were by Benny Hinn. If you haven't read any of his books, they're amazing. "The Blood" is about the power of the blood of Jesus. I also really loved Smith Wigglesworth, his books are filled with awesome stories of faith. The Bible is good, but there are also other books that are awesome to read. Just let God teach you, He is good at that. The Holy Spirit will show you what is truth and what is not.

Jesus is a living god. He is alive. He will teach you, he will show you, he is a personal God. Pray and ask him to show you truth. It's one thing to read by yourself what God wrote (The Bible) but it's another to have the author read it to you. Man's wisdom cannot understand the thoughts of God. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, and only the Holy Spirit can interpret, read, and understand it. He's alive and personal, so just ask and he will teach you and always be besides you.

Another amazing book: Angels On Assigment. It's about God, the angels always point to christ.

 

[duskiness]

It raised a few questions, but it was certainly worth the read! ^ _ ^ I also adore seeing to where all the letters after the Acts are being sent! I adore geography, and I always spent some time trying to find out where the city/region was on the maps in the back...

and what did you like most?

I must say, Revelations was rather confusing... but I suppose there's a great deal of symbolism I'm just missing in it!

exactly, that's why i recommended you to read some intoduction to Bible.

Unfortunately, I walked away from Christianity over a year ago. I still believe He exists, I just couldn't find spiritual happiness with Him...

i'm quite sure that many, many of us on this forum went through dark nights of faith, loosing faith and gaining it back...so welcome to the club

You Christians won't mind if I piggy-back morals from your faith, do you?

LOL, not at all

Truth is all relative, and I can't begin to say that I know enough of his teachings and their applications to summarize any absolute status as either Lord or liar. The truth as I see it: I can easily accept that he was divine. Again, I do not personally believe in completely Omnipotent beings, but if that is your belief, I am fine with that!

the Lewis quote you were given, is also from "Mere Christianity", there he tries to present his view that we have only this choice when it come to deciding whom He was.

You are getting here many, many advices. Is there any Christian (in really life or here) you respect and trust? Maybe turn to him/her?
take care!

 

[dvd_holc]

I thought it quite an interesting book! ^ _ ^ I'd realised I'd never actually read it, so I decided to try reading it. I have 25+ novels on my shelf to read, so I didn't want to put them completely on hold... 1 chapter a night seemed a nice little inspiration! ^ _ ^

It raised a few questions, but it was certainly worth the read! ^ _ ^ I also adore seeing to where all the letters after the Acts are being sent! I adore geography, and I always spent some time trying to find out where the city/region was on the maps in the back...

I must say, Revelations was rather confusing... but I suppose there's a great deal of symbolism I'm just missing in it!

As for a version... I'm not sure how to check. It says "Good News New Testament Today's English Version" I was assigned it a long time ago by my parish... how might I check?

Unfortunately, I walked away from Christianity over a year ago. I still believe He exists, I just couldn't find spiritual happiness with Him...

However, while my prayers are not to God, I still have a great deal of respect for Christianity and hold many of the morals! for example, my beloved and I plan to wait until marriage for sex. I know it's gonna be quite hard, but I believe that abstinence until marriage will make our marriage that much more lovely!

I'm not looking to convert, but still hold a great interest and respect for Jesus's teachings.

You Christians won't mind if I piggy-back morals from your faith, do you?

I am glad you still have a place for Jesus and the bible in your life even though it is little. I am glad you stilll want to make at least some of your life around the values of God found in the bible. If you don't mind asking, can you explain at more of your past? To whom are you refering to as a Goddess? What did the other students do that you felt like was not Christian? What did you pray for? What happen in that event that you prayed for? Why do you think truth is realitive? Have you ever heard how Jesus declared that He was God? Have you ever looked into the symbolism within the bible?

 

[AcornThornpicker]

Fisrt off: Thanks for the recomendations! Next time I go book shopping, I'll try to keep an eye out for them! ^ _ ^

You are getting here many, many advices. Is there any Christian (in really life or here) you respect and trust? Maybe turn to him/her?
take care!

Well, those of you here in the forum seem for the majority to be a lovely bunch! But, I don't really know anyone very well yet (only been here a few days!). In real life... well, I don't know any Christians that I can really go to for spiritual discussion, sadly... Maybe I just need to go make some of my relations more interested in the discussion! ^ _ ^

If you don't mind asking, can you explain at more of your past?To whom are you refering to as a Goddess?

I call my Goddess, to whom I pray each night, Fortune. It was through some seeking that I discovered Her, and since I've yet to receive a name from Her, I simply call Her 'Fortune' (Fortune as in luck). Her influence includes matters of simple luck, and love. I'm still learning about Her, so I unfortunately can't say much about Her right now...

What did the other students do that you felt like was not Christian?

I go to a Catholic school, so we occasionally have masses. I hold great respect for the religion (and think masses are quite lovely), so I will quietly follow along with most of it, but do not go up for the Eucharist anymore, and instead sit in silent prayer. I have learned that the Eucharist is one of your most sacred traditions, yet some of the students will talk during it, even when gently prompted to be quiet...

What did you pray for? What happen in that event that you prayed for?

I was sitting in the school library, waiting for a free priest for Reconciliation. I'd never really thought it a significant process, and would generally just say the same things like, "fighting with my sister." I was starting to feel a self-calling to be more spiritual, so I prayed to God, and asked for anything, just an ounce of faith to keep me going... I felt nothing, and decided to walk out.

Why do you think truth is realitive?

What truth is always depends upon whose perspective it's from. I don't dabble much into Philosophy, but I recall the statement that Truth is never absolute, only relative (and the implications of the statement).

Have you ever heard how Jesus declared that He was God? Have you ever looked into the symbolism within the bible?

In the Catholic School system, one Catholic Religion course was required every year. We covered the essentials of Christianity, the Sacraments, the commandments, the beattitudes, and several other things. Unfortunately, we never really went into any deep meanings within the Bible, or of any particular verses.

 

[LittleLambChild]

Hello!

I've been reading the New Testament (didn't have the Old Testament) for the past 8 months, 1 chapter per night. I've finally finished revelations, and I'm wondering what advice you might have for where to go now? Should I re-read the New Testament? Read the Old Testament (if i can get my hands on one)? Or is there any other book I should look at?

Hello Acorn,

How wonderful that you have finished reading the New Testament.

But I am sure you realized from the very first chapter that there is such a wealth of knowledge in the New Testament that a person could spend the rest of their lives studying it and never fully comprehend the depths of it.

It seems to me that you need to be under a sound preaching ministry where the word of God is taught with integrity.

May I recommend the www.metropolitantabernacle.org which is a well known Christian church in London which has been in existence for centuries?

This website provides online sermons that you may listen to at no charge. The pastor recently began a study on the gospel of John which would be very beneficial for you.

I would also like to recommend to you another great site for Biblical reading. www.e-sword.net This site provides multiple Bible translations (Old and New Testament) as well as many sound commentaries on the Scripture which will help you in your quest for greater understanding. All resources may be downloaded to your computer at no charge.

May the Lord bless you and continue to increase your hunger and thirst for His Word.

If you have questions, please feel free to write me anytime.

LittleLambChild