How to read (and grow in) the word of God

[Sue D.]

Hi -- your info says you're from Ghana -- so you're from a very different cultural background than I am from the U.S.A.

How much of God's Word, Bible, Scripture have you read personally?

For one thing, 'we' have 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Canon of Scripture Is complete. Nothing more Has been written by Godly men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, God Does continue to speak to everyone Through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has Many 'roles' -- that of convicting people of their sins, one is sealing our soul at the moment of our personal salvation, another is the teaching role.

And the Holy Spirit Does give each believer at least one spiritual gift at the time Of their salvation. One of those is that of being preacher, teacher. Some people are blessed with an ability to explain Scripture in a very clear concise way. As a result of their teaching / preaching people Do come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Do grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. They are Encouraged to read, study God's Word on their own at home -- they encourage missions.

God's Word is 'time-less' it was written for All people -- from the Old Testament times to the present. We Are to learn From the past and apply that to the present.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of god is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

We grow by reading God's Word and praying -- we don't have to be In a Bible study or listening to a sermon by a pastor in order To grow spiritually.

And, yes, God's Word IS the truth and The way -- no one comes to the Father, but through Jesus Christ. John 14:6

Theology Is studying God's Word. God Is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. He Is the creator.

We have the Godhead // God the Father, Jesus Christ His son and the Holy Spirit.

And, we Can be encouraged by reading biographies of Christian men and woman

The Scripture that we have today came to be in the form of manuscripts written as God inspired His chosen men To write them. Over hundreds of years, those manuscripts were put together and with the invention of the printing press became more and more available to everyone. God Also used prophets to tell people to repent and turn to Him -- the One True God.

 

[naiboy]

Hi -- your info says you're from Ghana -- so you're from a very different cultural background than I am from the U.S.A.

How much of God's Word, Bible, Scripture have you read personally?

For one thing, 'we' have 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Canon of Scripture Is complete. Nothing more Has been written by Godly men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, God Does continue to speak to everyone Through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has Many 'roles' -- that of convicting people of their sins, one is sealing our soul at the moment of our personal salvation, another is the teaching role.

And the Holy Spirit Does give each believer at least one spiritual gift at the time Of their salvation. One of those is that of being preacher, teacher. Some people are blessed with an ability to explain Scripture in a very clear concise way. As a result of their teaching / preaching people Do come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Do grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. They are Encouraged to read, study God's Word on their own at home -- they encourage missions.

God's Word is 'time-less' it was written for All people -- from the Old Testament times to the present. We Are to learn From the past and apply that to the present.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of god is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

We grow by reading God's Word and praying -- we don't have to be In a Bible study or listening to a sermon by a pastor in order To grow spiritually.

And, yes, God's Word IS the truth and The way -- no one comes to the Father, but through Jesus Christ. John 14:6

Theology Is studying God's Word. God Is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. He Is the creator.

We have the Godhead // God the Father, Jesus Christ His son and the Holy Spirit.

And, we Can be encouraged by reading biographies of Christian men and woman

The Scripture that we have today came to be in the form of manuscripts written as God inspired His chosen men To write them. Over hundreds of years, those manuscripts were put together and with the invention of the printing press became more and more available to everyone. God Also used prophets to tell people to repent and turn to Him -- the One True God.

Hi Sue,
I am from Kenya, not Ghana.
I once had a close relationship with God, but fell away due to my own sinful ways.
I desire to rebuild that relationship with Him. I have some previous knowledge of the Word.

Please, read through the post from @JEKEM in this thread and tell me if that is not highly misleading, and deceptive.

I have answered him, but my post is awaiting moderation. He says that the Bible is not the Word of God, that we are better off leaving it to "professors and teachers of English", or to "ordained teachers." In essence, he is trying very hard to convince me not to study the Scriptures for myself.

If you have any points you would like to add in support of Bible study for new Christians, you are welcome to reply to his post.

Thank you.

 

[Sue D.]

@naiboy -- I would agree with you -- I've just finished reading his post and responding back. Your evaluation is pretty on point.

All I can suggest to you is to be in God's Word daily -- acknowledge to God through Jesus Christ that you've messed up -- He already knows your heart. If you haven't already done this, He Does want to hear from you -- as He does with All of us.

I would suggest praying for Jekem -- sounds like he needs God's Word in him in a personal way.

To you or any Christian -- and myself -- be in God's Word daily -- preferably in the morning. And another poster who I've gotten to know has suggested that to me, also.

 

[rag4acrown1]

Hi -- your info says you're from Ghana -- so you're from a very different cultural background than I am from the U.S.A.

How much of God's Word, Bible, Scripture have you read personally?

For one thing, 'we' have 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Canon of Scripture Is complete. Nothing more Has been written by Godly men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. However, God Does continue to speak to everyone Through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has Many 'roles' -- that of convicting people of their sins, one is sealing our soul at the moment of our personal salvation, another is the teaching role.

And the Holy Spirit Does give each believer at least one spiritual gift at the time Of their salvation. One of those is that of being preacher, teacher. Some people are blessed with an ability to explain Scripture in a very clear concise way. As a result of their teaching / preaching people Do come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Do grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. They are Encouraged to read, study God's Word on their own at home -- they encourage missions.

God's Word is 'time-less' it was written for All people -- from the Old Testament times to the present. We Are to learn From the past and apply that to the present.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of god is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

We grow by reading God's Word and praying -- we don't have to be In a Bible study or listening to a sermon by a pastor in order To grow spiritually.

And, yes, God's Word IS the truth and The way -- no one comes to the Father, but through Jesus Christ. John 14:6

Theology Is studying God's Word. God Is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. He Is the creator.

We have the Godhead // God the Father, Jesus Christ His son and the Holy Spirit.

And, we Can be encouraged by reading biographies of Christian men and woman

The Scripture that we have today came to be in the form of manuscripts written as God inspired His chosen men To write them. Over hundreds of years, those manuscripts were put together and with the invention of the printing press became more and more available to everyone. God Also used prophets to tell people to repent and turn to Him -- the One True God.

Greetings in the Lord,
And the Word is still being written teday; nothing new of course, but testifying and bringing to light the already written Word of God...least the Bible be a lie. For it says, the world would not be big enough to hold everything written in the Lord.
When i testify; am I adding to, or taking away from the already written structure set befor us? Absolutely not, but testify to what I have seen, heard, and felt. It has been given to me freely and I give it freely to any who has ears to hear, whether it be written or spoken. And it is give me for the seekers and hearers for 2 Timothy 3:16.
All glory be unto God. Amen

 

[JEKEM]

Hi Sue,
I am from Kenya, not Ghana.
I once had a close relationship with God, but fell away due to my own sinful ways.
I desire to rebuild that relationship with Him. I have some previous knowledge of the Word.

Please, read through the post from @JEKEM in this thread and tell me if that is not highly misleading, and deceptive.

I have answered him, but my post is awaiting moderation. He says that the Bible is not the Word of God, that we are better off leaving it to "professors and teachers of English", or to "ordained teachers." In essence, he is trying very hard to convince me not to study the Scriptures for myself.

If you have any points you would like to add in support of Bible study for new Christians, you are welcome to reply to his post.

Thank you.

Pls don’t misconstrue my statement. What I said was that, if the bible is treated as a normal book that can be read by anyone at all, then professors who are qualified to teach English are better off explaining. To mean, reading it as a book, would feed you nothing but information and not the needed revelations concerning GOD. The only ones taught by the system of GOD to carry the understanding of GOD forward, are the ordained ministers of GOD. they are ones appointed with ministering spirits to bring the understanding of the scriptures to the body of GOD. What you read literally is different from the spirit of the word. The bible is not the WORD OF GOD. the bible is the recorded statements of GOD. though both statements looks the same, they are not. The WORD OF GOD is only spoken by the revelation of GOD as JESUS CHRIST.. Every statement found therein the bible, are reported statements of GOD...this is what is called the WORD OF TRUTH, or the GOSPEL. The role of the Holy Spirit as the God of understanding, is to teach the creatures, who GOD is. This dealing with the HOLY SPIRIT does not come from reading the scriptures, but from ADHERING to the principles of GOD.

 

[JEKEM]

@naiboy -- I would agree with you -- I've just finished reading his post and responding back. Your evaluation is pretty on point.

All I can suggest to you is to be in God's Word daily -- acknowledge to God through Jesus Christ that you've messed up -- He already knows your heart. If you haven't already done this, He Does want to hear from you -- as He does with All of us.

I would suggest praying for Jekem -- sounds like he needs God's Word in him in a personal way.

To you or any Christian -- and myself -- be in God's Word daily -- preferably in the morning. And another poster who I've gotten to know has suggested that to me, also.

Hahaha.. no disrespect but i think you did not even grasp the understanding of what i was saying. Mind you, the system of GOD transcends culture, gender and complexes. so, i don't expect you to think culture diversity affects the basic GOD principles and understanding. tell me where it was even stated that GOD judges based on the creatures heart, as you gave as an advice above? When one even tried supporting the Ark of the tabernacle from falling, what was the eventual outcome? GOOD INTENTIONS IS DIFFERENT FROM DOING THE RIGHT THING IN GOD. The fact that the system of GOD is treated religiously without any consequence does not mean, what is been done is commended in GOD. For there's a time for everything in GOD. JESUS CHRIST ended everything law, found or written by the handwriting and ordinances of men. HE did that, so that, HE would HIMSELF become our law. to say, believe in HIM, should assume the definition of the law of GOD to creation. Believe is not a claim, or a feeling or a self assurance that one thinks it to be. it is not gotten from reading the scriptures, though the scriptures informs to be interpreted for belief to be roused. BELIEVE, is a practical life and lifestyle concerning the revelation of GOD as man to be called JESUS CHRIST. now life is not lived in the pages of books or on the canvas of the assuming projections of the mind. Life is lived in practice. what commands the christian life in the direction of practicing believe to contact the life of GOD, has to do with the will of GOD FOR ONES LIFE. mind you , GOD'S will differs from creature to creature, so going about things religiously just because you think what worked for one would work for you too in GOD, would be a grave mistake. THE WILL OF GOD, has to do with THE MIND OF GOD concerning HIS creatures. HIS mind can only be known by the declaration of THE WORD OF GOD, which is only spoken by GOD revealed, JESUS CHRIST, for it to be expounded and taught as the WORD OF TRUTH or the GOSPEL to creation, by the taught by GOD; the Apostles. The ability of the Apostles to travel the gospel in understanding to all, is complemented the HOLY SPIRIT, who is the carrier of he GOD understanding to the creatures of GOD, after it has been spoken as THE WORD OF GOD by GOD. For the Holy Spirit only speaks to bring understanding to the statements of GOD.

 

[JEKEM]

Wow, I am not a Bible scholar by any means, but I recognize gnostic and occultic inclinations when I read them.
This site is slowly being infiltrated by people whose sole aim is to corrupt the Word of God and lead people away from the true Gospel. It is happening across all Christian forums, and we must stay vigilant in order to recognize those who would wish to deceive us.
@JEKEM is one of them.

@JEKEM, who told you the Bible is not the Word of God? Didn't Jesus himself tell us that man cannot live on bread alone but through every Word that proceedeth from God? Jesus is a part of the Holy Trinity, come to earth in human form to save us from eternal damnation. The Bible states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Luke 11:28 "He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Isaiah 40:8 " The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."
John 7:16 "Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.”
Psalm 107:20 "He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."


"Yes! the scriptures or the Bible, is there to give information concerning the GOD happenings to everyone that cares to know, but it gives no knowledge to anyone concerning GOD. Wouldn't a professor of English or languages, be best cut for that role? But what you normally find is a huge paradox between education and the subject of GOD." ---This is a lie. All Christians should study the Word of God for themselves, and come to a full knowledge of Christ in their lives. This should not be left to "a professor of English or languages." The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

"The scriptures is not the WORD OF GOD. The scriptures are the compilation of reported statements of THE WORD OF GOD, to mean they are the written texts and notes of APOSTLES and SENT MEN of GOD for their generation. Its really disturbing to see people treat the bible as though, it contains the totality of GOD'S word to creation." -----This is an outright falsehood. You are comparing the Gospels to the Talmud and Kabbalah. The Bible states in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe."

"The only way one can grow spiritually in GOD, is only on the basis of doing full, total , complete and true unadulterated instant believe in practice to THE WORD OF TRUTH which is preached as the Will of GOD by the Ordained GOD Ministers, to the creatures of GOD, also known as THE GOSPEL." ---here you are advocating salvation by works, while the Bible teaches that Christ already completed the work on the cross. We are saved by grace and faith, not by works as taught in other religions. In any case, the only way to know the Word of Truth is to read it for yourself, and not to leave it to a minister to explain to you. The Bible states Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. "
Romans 11:6 "But it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."
Galatians 2:16 "Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified."

"Yes! the scriptures or the Bible, is there to give information concerning the GOD happenings to everyone that cares to know, but it gives no knowledge to anyone concerning GOD." --- this is a lie. The Bible states in Jeremiah 29:12-14 "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. " Why would God make such a statement if it is impossible to know Him from His word?

" Now, something that kills cannot give life, for to make you grow. 'The letter killeth' means, the raw scriptures, has not the ability to transfer the true GOD life to anyone. To mean, your faith cannot be tested anew, to authenticate your belief in GOD. This is because, you end up reading stories concerning others who have used their lives to profit the GOD system, without knowing the day to day demands, challenges and details to their lives." ----what blasphemy! You are saying that the Word of God kills and cannot give life! John 6;63 states that "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."

" So, we read the stories of THE JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, and we covet them, without understanding the situational demands and details.."
---this is highly occultic teaching, in which occultists are taught that they can also ascend to "godhood" if they practice their rituals and Kabbala or whatever. It is the aim of every ritualist and Luciferian to become like the Most High, since they cannot worship the true Creator. It is a thorough deception.

" The only way one can grow spiritually in GOD, is only on the basis of doing full, total , complete and true unadulterated instant believe in practice to THE WORD OF TRUTH which is preached as the Will of GOD by the Ordained GOD Ministers, to the creatures of GOD, also known as THE GOSPEL. The only way to grow in GOD is to follow and study the leadership of GOD'S choosing, and not to reason and question their guidance of your life." ---here you are saying that we should not read the Bible for ourselves and should instead leave it to a "leader" to interpret it for us. No thank you. I WILL READ MY BIBLE FOR MYSELF. I desire to know God's will for my life. It is only tyrannical rulers who would wish to keep the people from studying the Word of God themselves. These include those who would wish to keep the Bible away from the masses in the coming New World Order.

"This is simply to tell you that in GOD, 'A READER OF BOOKS IS NOT A GRADUATE'. To mean, unless you are schooled or taught not by the ignorant or claiming head, but truly from GOD if not directly, concerning the things of GOD, you are one that would just as the majority, be stuck in the religious habit of pushing assumptions in GOD, whilst dead sure that you are truly pleasing GOD." --- I repeat, I will study the Gospel for myself and do what it teaches. I refuse to be misled by you into thinking that I cannot read the Word because I am not a "graduate".

"Every other statement, from the true Apostolic office or Sent Men of GOD, only comes to confirm by reporting or quoting the statements of the WORD OF GOD, which is known as the WORD of TRUTH or the GOSPEL. The written scriptures killeth, but its spirit (understanding) gives life." ---again you are saying that the Word of God kills! Where did you get that from? The Bible states in Proverbs 2:6 "For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding."

"The only way to grow in GOD is to follow and study the leadership of GOD'S choosing, and not to reason and question their guidance of your life. I know anyone reading would be thinking, 'what about the Holy Spirit ?', and i would also ask, who is the HOLY SPIRIT? (NB; He is not a premonition, a feeling , imagination or an assumed thought)" --- This is a lie. The Bible states in Ephesians 3:17-19 "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." One cannot grow to a full understanding of Christ without reading the Word.

@JEKEM I think you are here to corrupt and deceive the new Christians and have them believe falsehoods about not reading the Bible for themselves. But Glory to God! We shall continue encouraging all new Christians (me included) to read the Bible and practice what it says, and not leave it to a teacher or ordained person to interpret it for them. Teaching helps, but reading the Word for oneself is highly encouraged.

Please, I highly encourage you to stop deceiving the children of God by using many words with hidden occultic messages in them. I am also praying for you to see the full, complete truth that is in Christ Jesus our salvation and come to know Him yourself.

This has pained me, but i would say nothing more than this. THE WORD OF GOD commands life because its spoken from the mouth of GOD revealed, JESUS CHRIST. I believe in GOD JESUS CHRIST as the only one TRUE GOD. if my statements are not understood here, i know it would be understood later. NEVER forget my name, for in a year or two, everything would be made clearer.

 

[Sue D.]

@JEKEM -- that which I'm understanding you to be saying is that the only one's who Are qualified To teach Scripture correctly are the ordained pastors . That the average person won't be able To understand on their own without that extra spiritual understanding which an ordained pastor would possess. That sounds a Lot like the influence of the RCC.

I'm now reading what you've just posted. Give me a chance to catch up.

 

[JEKEM]

thats what i meant, even in the first post, but you guys attacked me before understanding me. what is RCC? am not good with abbreviations

 

[JEKEM]

@JEKEM -- that which I'm understanding you to be saying is that the only one's who Are qualified To teach Scripture correctly are the ordained pastors . That the average person won't be able To understand on their own without that extra spiritual understanding which an ordained pastor would possess. That sounds a Lot like the influence of the RCC.

I'm now reading what you've just posted. Give me a chance to catch up.

thats what i meant, even in the first post, but you guys attacked me before understanding me. what is RCC? am not good with abbreviations








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[JEKEM]

@JEKEM -- that which I'm understanding you to be saying is that the only one's who Are qualified To teach Scripture correctly are the ordained pastors . That the average person won't be able To understand on their own without that extra spiritual understanding which an ordained pastor would possess. That sounds a Lot like the influence of the RCC.

I'm now reading what you've just posted. Give me a chance to catch up.

am not Roman Catholic by the way

 

[Sue D.]

@JEKEM -- The RCC is the Roman Catholic Church. -- so the RCC for short -- the posts were not meant to be attacking -- but trying to understand what you're trying to say. The RCC tries to teach their congregations that they need the priest to interpret Scripture 'correctly'. The RCC has some very faulty teachings that are not in God's Word. And it sounds like you believe that a person needs to listen to the pastor/ teacher for the clearest understanding of Scripture rather than being able to understand Scripture as we read it ourselves.

The other poster involved "naiboy" is from Nairobi. And he was coming to the same conclusions as I have.

And you've been reading our comments.

Jesus Christ full filled the law. He became the Final Lamb of God -- during the Old Testament , yearly sacrifices were needed by the high priest / the family priest -- to take care of sins. Because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ for mankind -- there are no longer any sacrifices needed. And we are no longer under the law. We are now under Grace.

Thank you for clarifying that you're not RCC.

Jesus Christ came to die for our sins and then to rise again bodily on the 3rd day. He has not become our law. However, a believer does have the 'law' written in our hearts. A believer will have the desire to do God's Will.

So you're saying that only the words actually spoken by Jesus Christ / God Are God's Word? And only qualified - ordained pastors have the ability to teach those words correctly? That what , for instance , I would be reading and understanding is not really correct? But that an ordained pastor Does have the correct understanding. That's pretty much what the RCC Does teach their people.

May I ask what you're religious background Is? There are a Lot of religious belief system in this world.

God's Word IS God's Word and "faith comes by hearing the Word of God'". And a believer is to be reading God's Word on our own every day to become more and more familiar With it. A pastor Should be leading / teaching his people God's Word AND encouraging his people to do their own Bible reading and studying at home.

And I'm Also seeing where You are coming from. But pastor is not to be our authority in Scripture -- God's Word is our authority. People go to church to worship God in various forms -- through singing, through giving monitary offering -- through special music -- through hearing God's Word 'proclaimed'.

Salvation of souls Should be our first concern. The way of salvation is very simple -- 1 Corinthians 15 :1 - 3 -- to be saved. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God -- that He died on the cross -- according to the Scriptures -- that He rose again the 3rd day -- according to the Scriptures." That nothing else is needed For salvation. Romans 10 -- that we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth - that Jesus is Lord. Thanking Him For His salvation that He has made possible. That no 'good work' on part is needed to complete our personal salvation.

We are Not Still following any of the Old Testament law. And Jesus Christ does Not become the law. And that is because Of the cross. Christianity is a relationship with God / a way of life. Being Christ-like.

So -- Your response?!

 

[Sue D.]

Obviously God's Word is Not a 'normal' book -- It IS the Word of God. And it Is very understandable -- so why Do we need pastors / elders / deacons. Well -- because God does give that as one of the Many spiritual gifts.

And we Do have qualifications given For those people. 1 Timothy 3:1 - most of the chapter.

God's Word Also tells us to search the Scriptures ourselves, Also. We Should be able to ask pastor about Why he's teaching what he's teaching -- but privately -- he Should be able to show from Scripture what he's talking about and possibly going into the Greek / Hebrew with you.

 

[Sue D.]

@naiboy -- Forums and churches all have people participating. Discussion is good for learning and we Do need to focus on what God's Word is saying. John 14:6 tells us that "I (Jesus) am the Way the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me".. Jesus Christ is telling us that.

the more we're In God's Word the easier it is to spot false comments made by others. And we Also recognize the truth that we hear.