Approaches to Studying the Bible, and other Thoughts

Dan Baxley

 

www.yahshuaservant.com

 

 

Bible Study - Getting Started update:

 

A small comment before we get started: 

 

Some have the wrong idea about the need to study the Word.  Somewhere the idea has come along we do not need to do anything, once saved always saved?  A theology of do nothing but "love" and "judge not" and if you stay within these two things you do not need to study.  Adding to this is the idea the first Church of the Messiah did not have all of the study materials available today, like a Strong's concordance, to help them, so, if they didn't have those things they did not need those things and they were saved, right?  Alright, no responsibility, no requirements, no fruit! 

 

Now that is another thing all together, the "fruit".  I'm not talking about collective fruit but individual fruit and this comes by becoming more knowledgeable about our Heavenly Father.  He has given us the Words to do this, the Written Words.  He has said all He needs to say, all we need to know for know and it is ip to us individually to rightly divide this "truth".  Make no mistake, the people of the first century were not stupid, non-thinking individuals without any educational opportunities.  Remember Paul?  Trained in all of the Letters, a Rabbi of Rabbis.  The Apostles?  Trained by the Messiah for 3.5 years of intensive studies in languages and meanings, in the Scriptures.  Then later we are given an example of study and investigation concerning "discernment", in determining if someone is telling you the truth or not (Acts 17:11).

We have an opportunity here, we live in a time many believe to be the end-days and if this is true then we are in a time of an "increase in Knowledge", just as Daniel writes and is told by the Angelic messanger

 

The essentials:

 

1. Find a good study bible:  The New International Version (NIV) is a good choice as a compliment with the King James Version (KJV).  Cross reference one against the other.  The KJV has far more study aides than any other and is part of the public domain.  Many other versions are available and I would concentrating on those developed by a team of scholars as opposed to any version by a single individual, for obvious reasons. 

NOTE:  Holy Name, Sacred Name Bibles: My favorite of these is is the "Holy Name" Bible by the Scripture Research Association.  It is based on the KJV and no longer in print (sorry) but there are others.  My problem with them is I have yet to find one I agree with.  Some restore the Hebrew Names in the Hebrew Characters (?) making it unreadable while others use various combinations and terms like Elohim in place of God.  Some others also attempt to restore all the names in the Bible with Hebrew restorations and can be very confusing to the new reader and student of scripture.  I own several of these restoration bibles but find I continue to return to the NIV and the KJV, converting the birth name of our Savior in my head, and translating the Name of the God of Israel, LORD, as YaHWeH with little problem.  Still, if you can get one of these you might find the reading of interest.  Do a little research on the Internet to find these and those that sell them, but I cannot endorse any of them. 

2. Next you will want a good concordance:  The Strong's Concordance and Dictionary is really the only choice here.  There are others but for a start this is the one to go with. 

3.  If you have a Desktop computer or Laptop you will want some Bible software.  My suggestin is to go online (the internet) and download a free copy of "e-sword".  This is truly free with no strings attached and it is a beautiful piece of work.  In my opinion, after having investigated many other more expensive programs, this is the only software you will ever need.  Find it here www.e-sword.net 

4.  You need to educate yourself in how we got the Bible.  There are many books in the field but for the beginner and the advanced student I would suggest "A Visual Hisotry of the English Bible", by Donalde L. Brake.  This is a wonderful book that anyone can enjoy and learn from. 

5.  Stay away from writings of fiction under the guise of delivering the Salvation Message in the words of the world.  The first of these "kinds" of books is the "Left Behind" books.  I am suspicious of any teacher of the Word that begins to use fiction writing and there seems to be more and more of this type of intursion into the Body of the Messiah.  Why would a teacher of the word turn to the words and pictures of the world?  Same reason that Christian Music did -- MONEY.  to my knowledge I have yet to see a work of fiction that can compare to the Holy Bible.  It is truly sad when a movie comes out and takes credit for having brought more people to the Messiah than the preachers and teachers of the whole USA in that year -- The movie, The Passion.  Now we have a plethora of movies and books all based on fanciful ideas and dreams, all preaching to the chior, for the most part.  How many are called to the Savior by these methods? 

(2Pe 2:3) In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. NIV (Stories made up?  Fiction) (Jer 23:25-27)

Update:  The Left Behind Books and fictioanl stories have now been turned into video games and are advertised as a method of approaching non christians by their own methods -- using the wisdom of this world to teach the Gospel, the other gospel about the other Messiah?  (1 Cor 1:20-24, 1 Cor 2:5-7, 1 Cor 2:13, 1 Cor 3:19, 2 Cor 1:12)

 

I orginally had it in mind to come up with seven essential points but that will not be necessary.  What I have given you here should give the novice a start.  The rest of this article is full of some more adice, observations, opinions, and warnings and more recomendation but you could stop right here and get you Bible out and dig in.  My last piece of advice (#6 ?) to read what others have written with your Bible at hand and a note pad close by.  When someone quotes a verse look it up and you may be surprised at how some use and misuse the your Bible.  One last thing (#7 ?) the written word is the rule, the guide, the thing that keep you on the straight path.  It is the gage by which you measure and challenge everything and everyone.  Take care which Gospel you receive as there is "another gospel" and I fear the world has received it in another name (John 5:43, read it, think about it)

 

(Gal 1:6-10) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. NIV

11/06/2005

Greetings, brothers and sister in the Christ (Messiah), our Savior, YaHshua.  Praise His name and that of our Heavenly Father (Hallelu-YaH).  I pray you find this article worth reading and of benefit to you and your walk in the Spirit of the Living God.   

There are things in this world that can only be discerned by the things of this world.  There is the wisdom of the world and there is the wisdom of our Creator.  Many will attest to the fact that the Bible contains sayings classed as words of wisdom that are second to none, quoted by believers and non-believers alike.  Even the wisdoms of this world fail to come up with an original wisdom that has not already been presented within the pages of the book we call the Bible. Some have tried, and failed, to claim the Hebrew and Christian wisdoms were stolen form other works of men.

Virtually every famous author has had something to say about the Holy Bible, believers or not they do not resist using the "scriptures" as a resource to quote from or for guidance or insight.  Critics of the Bible, while denying its authorship as divine, demonstrate a knowledge of the Bible that can only come from having read it and they are unanimous in statements concerning the beauty of its writing and its historical importance and they do not refrain from quoting from its many verses of wisdom and revelation.  The Holy bible is unique among all of the books of the world.  No book is read so much, argued over so much, so well documented and remains the best selling book year after year.  Everyone has an opinon about the Bible, even by people that have never read it.  How odd, but true, so many are biblically ignorant and are happy about it, and still, the book is the best selling book of all time.

A majority of the "biblical critics", outside of the community of scholars,  parrot what they have heard as opposed to opening the book for themselves.  They condemn the greatest collection of writings ever assembled, mostly, with misdirected accusations -- accusations that should really be directed toward those claiming the Book as their religious source, instead of blaiming the Book they should blame those having abused it. Then you have the god-hating critics damning the book for what they see in the Christian Churches of their hipocritical  past and present, onced again, blaming the book, not the man or man's traditions. 

The misuse of the Bible by those claiming to be religious runs rampant in every age.  The black eye dealt to the Christian professing Churches by the misguided public, those biblically ignorant, is the result of the hipocracy found within the professing followers of the faith.  They, the general public, man on the street critic, if you will, is correct in showing their disgust at large organizations in their handling of the Bible and in the evil men do while posing as men, or women (these days) of the clothe.  The fault is not with the Book but with the men that misuse it for their own purposes.  We, however, as believers in the Book need not concern ourselves with the multitude of critics, especially those parrots refusing to investigate the Book for themselves.  They are ether not called, have no spiritual ambitions and are of the walking dead, as we once were,  to whom the wisdom of the world seems more reasonable, more intellectual.  For these there is little hope, we can only pray for their awakening, knowing that all of our arguments in biblical good sense are a waste of time.  Be ready with an answer when asked, is our instruction, not, beat them over the head with what you think you know. (I Peter 3:15).  We are called "workmen" that do not need to be ashamed in handling the word.  In fact we are told to "study" and by this we find approval of our God. 

(1Pe 3:15) but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear; KJV

(2Ti 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

     (2Ti 2:15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. NIV

Have a look at Acts 17:11-12 and you will see not only men but women also searching, studyng the scriptures to see if what the Apostles told them was true.  Should be do any less?  Sholdn't we use the Bible to check out anyone coming to us with a doctrine to se if it is true?  Certainly we should know enough to enable us to have an answer for anyone asking about our "HOPE", shouldn't we?  This should be the least, knowing it is not enough to just say we have this feeling, this good feeling, of course, but this is not what we base good reasoning on when asked a question.  this is, however, the answer we receive all too often from those professing to be Christians. 

Walking the Bible

 There is something that happens when one begins to live by the wisdoms of the Bible, when one attempts to walk as the prophets walked or as the Christ walked or as the Apostles walked.  You will find yourself at odds with the world and this will be a stuggle you will personally have to deal with.  Simple sins winked at by the masses will make you feel uncomfortable, knowing the moral code of the Bible allows no room for the little "white lies" of stealing, lying, unfaithfullness, hating your neighbor, cursing God, ignoring His Son, denying the source of life.  The "Hope" that is in you, as a converted follower of Yahshua might even bring scorn, if not to your face, behind your back.

As you, personally, study the words of the Apostles, of Yahshua, you will find a deeper knowledge that seems to run in the opposite direction from what the world recognizes as knowledge.  Your mind will seem to be 180 degrees out of phase with the mind of the world.  This Book and its message of salvation and hope will  fill you with joy as you see the ultimate answer to all of the problems men think they can solve. Mankind makes plans without the consideration of the maker of all things, they ignore the Creator, denying not just the Son of Salvation but the one responsible for our very existence, our Heavenly Father.

 Your heart is filled with joy at the prospect of the Christ returning to this world and making things right according to His and the Father’s Word.  This is not to say that men and women of the past and the present lack knowledge if they refuse the Bible as the Word of authority.  No, not at all, for by the knowledge of the world we all make our way, we live in this world with the hope of having a peaceful life in the world to come. 

Man in all his self proclaimed glory does not have eternal answers, temporary fixes perhaps, but you do not have to look deeply into World History to see that man with all his wisdom and technological gains is still fumbling around from one war to another.  We cannot escape this world yet and we must, as believers, find our way in it.  Hiding in the rocks is not the answer, joining a cult of separatist is not the answer.  We need to live our lives at peace with others, even those that would dispose of us.  We walk among the dead, praying for them, being kind to them, not superior but understanding for we are human too, humans with the Spirit of the Living God helping us. 

We have an advantage over the walking dead; not by our power but by the power of the Spirit of the Living God we have knowledge that saves.  If anyone can understand their plight it should be us, the believer, for we were once one of them.  As the Messiah came to this world and lived in the flesh, being tempted as all humans are, he has become our champion before the Father,s throne in our defense.  This is what we should also do.  Be ready to forgive and to share truth, not anger or arguments.  Be ready with an answer for they hope they see in you.  (Hebrews 2:16-18; 3:9; II Timothy 2:15; Colossians 4:6; I Peter 3:15) 

Walking in the Wisdom of the World 

As believers, we must function in this world and understand its workings, its wisdom in order to communicate with others of this world.  It is likened to the “living” communicating with the “dead” (Matthew 8:22, YaHshua likens those not following Him as "dead").  This is to understand the beginning of “spiritual wisdom”:  As a child of the Living God you become a brother or sister to the Son, the first born of many (Hebrews 2:11).  As a child the “wisdom” you should begin to understand is that you are “alive” for it is accounted to you that by the willing grace of the Living God and His Son you have eternal life and anyone outside of this influence is dead, alive to the world, but dead to the Spirit of Heaven. 

Keeping this principle in mind you are not to look down on the “living dead” as though you are better, that is what the world would do but you as a child of the Living God are called to love even your enemies and do good to those that would do evil to you.  Far better to have loving pity on those ready to perish eternally than to exercise self-rightness and to be haughty in your attitude.  Always remember you were plucked from among them.  It is only by His free will offering that you come to see things as brightly lit as you do while the world functions in the wisdom of darkness and death.  True "wisdom" that leads to true understanding comes from the Heavenly Father and he gives it to any that ask.  Wisdom of itself is a gift separate from Bible knowledge.  You can be versed in the Scriptures to the point of being able to quote it page by page but without "Heavenly Wisdom" you may fail in "rightly dividing the word of truth", and many have.  Quoting verse is one thing while grasping the context and the message are another.

Bible Study

What has this to do with “Bible Study”?  Everything.  You must first approach the study of His words and that of His Father as a child yourself, knowing that they are with you, that they never lie - as a child you believe, you have "faith".  They, the Father and the Son, are not with your neighbor, not with your unrepentant brother or sister they are with you.  The “living dead” may understand this world better than you and act as though they are alive rushing here and there from party to party to the next big event to the next point of excitement, full of worldly knowledge, knowledge that denies the Son and ridicules the Creator.  They seem alive, but only in the flesh, by the spirit they are dead and you just have to accept that.  You may, yourself, become caught up in the things of the world but your spirit coexisting with the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son does not give you the false pleasures you once felt.  You see things with spiritual eyes and when you slip you are brought back to the spiritual nature of your Savior -- on Him you can cast your faults and our Father is quick to forgive, for we are His children. 

Remember, at this level of developement we do not have the whole Spirit of our Father, only a down payment (2 Corinthians 5:5).  Do you see the emplications of this?  If we were to be given the full measure of our Father's Holy Spirt, first we would not survive it, at least not in the flesh, second it would be impossible for us to sin -- we would be prefect -- and we are not, not yet and certainly not without Yahshua as our Savior.  We will be granted prefection, not for what we have done, but for what He did for us.  Our righteousness is His righteousnes.  We need this in order receive guidence from Him in our study of His words.

There Is No Other Way  -- a Key

Make no mistake we are not speaking of atheist alone who have no hope, but of other religions, other belief systems and other types seeking spiritual meanings outside of the true Word, the Christ -- YaHshua.  Outside of the Living Christ there is no other “way”.  He is the “way and the Life” and it is the Father’s good pleasure that it is so.  Believing in the Son, YaHshua (His birth name) and His message revealing the pleasure of the Father - eternal life.  Before the Son came no one knew of the Father (John 5:37) and the Son said He would make known the name of the Father to His brothers (Hebrews 2:12).  The Son’s message is that of the Father and the Father’s message is that only through the Son do we have “eternal life”.  He has decided this, He sustains all things by His Word and that ultimate Word is the Christ, YaHshua.  Anyone that would deny the Messiah will not have the gift of eternal life.  The first step to Bible Study is acknowledging who you are and who He is and coming into a relationship with the Father and the Son.  Who are they, can you tell? 

The Bible opens up its secrets like never before when you begin to use the birth name of the Messiah in place of the "bogus name" Jesus.  When you mentally restore the name YHWH in the Old Testament and follow the same with the New Testament writings then the writings once obscure jump off the pages into your mind. What is the Father's Name?  YaHshua said He came in His Father's NAME, a name "given" to Him (John 5:43; 17:11) and a name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).  YHWH is the God of Israel but it is not the name of the Father.  We, like YaHshua, are children of the Father and should know His name.  This is a key, a vital key to unlocking scripture beyond what the average Christian is able or willing to see..

Keep an Open Mind    

Bible Study is really a lot easier than many would have you believe.  For one thing it is a lifetime profession so you do not need to rush it.  What the Book says to you today will change.  Make no mistake, it will, just as a child crawls then walks and finally is able to run so it is with your development as a child of the Living God.  As the Father and the Son lead you -- you will grow and begin to mature -- the “living” words of the Christ will mature within you.  What you see today are only the seeds of what you will see years down the road, and years down the road is only a shadow of what He has in store for us in the final count down to eternity.  The study of the Word is a life long process in growing to understand the Father and the Son.  Our witness is not only to our fellow man but to the angels as well.  You think the angels know everything?  No, they don’t, but they seek to know the things the Father wants to teach us.  So, the things you look into the angels desire also.  Certainly, we, as small children, the angels know more than we do but as we grow and mature toward the Father, then the things revealed to us become known to them so they, as fellow servants, are anxious for us to grow up.  Remember, that is “grow-up” not down.   Even many thinking they are mature in the Word may be surprised at how childish they still are.  Some, thinking they have discovered all they need to know end up staying in the playpen still in need of a diaper change.

 Keep a Note Pad as You Read

To some the beginning of Bible study is to read the book from page one to page one thousand and nine hundred, or so.  But reading is not the same as study.  You can, however, encompass the two as one.  While reading keep a notebook handy.  Write down questions to anything that does not make sense to your infant brain.  If you come to sayings that hit a cord with you write those down under a different heading.  Leave space on your question pages for the answers.  If you keep this notebook faithfully - as you read through the scriptures - you will be answering many of your own question and you will experience the spiritual help, the spiritual tutoring, if you will, when answers seem to come to you as the written words become part of your being.  Also, as you write down the scriptures that fill you with hope or truth enter your own comments beneath.  Years later these note books will show you where you once were and where you are now.  You may even be surprised at the wisdom you had when you were only a newborn child of the true faith.  This is the simplest way to study the Bible and to witness first hand the help you received -- your writings will demonstrate a wisdom not of your own.  You will wonder, "Did I write that"? The word will change for it is alive and you will change for you are alive.  There is no greater thing than to tremble before the words of the Almighty, to shiver with love and admiration at what the Father wants to teach you, and it is for life, forever and ever he is willing to share His love.

Context, Context and Context

The bible is most certainly for us today, without a doubt, but we must be aware of the "context" of what we are reading in order to keep form misapplying what is said.  When our Savior tells the disciples something this does not mean it is for us, it is for them and we have the privilege of listening in, if you will, and by this we see the progression and developement of the Disciples as they graduate to the office of Apostle.  For some verses to be properly understood they must be read in context the the previous and the latter verses.  Certainly verses can be quoted and make the point but all too often I have heard people quote a verse out of context in order to support an argurement, or in some cases, to teach an outright lie. 

the letters of the New Testament are address to specific people and persons.  All of the instruction to Timothy, while informative and should be gleaned for instruction, it is to Timothy and it is advice from and Apostle to a teachers, as a father to a son.  If you are not a teacher or preacher but an auto mechanic or a lawyer then much of the advice, while good, is not for you.  On the other hand letters to various groups, like the Corinthians, is for us and any group calling itself Christian.  All scripture is good and profitable for instruction but taken out of context and we might as well write our own bible.  Here is a single verse that does not need contextual surroundings to be understood, it proves itself and is true.

(2Ti 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)

In Strong's Dictionary, doctrine is defined as "instruction", and reproof is defined as "evidence", and corrections as "straightening up", and instruction as "education or training" in righteiousness. 

Keep it simple, you do not need a little common sense s all.  He wrote the book for you and me, not for college professors (1 Cor 1:26).  If we refuse to allow ourselves to be taken away from the word and begin to follow only what others tell us we should believe then we hve only ourselves to blame.  Certainly we like to listen to those that tell us we are good and deserve all we have and should have more of the same, but is that what the Bible says? (Mt 15:9, 2 Tim 4:3)

Keeping it simple

The modern Bible aides we have today put the modern Christian head and shoulders above the first century Christians.  What Paul wouldn't have given for the books and bible software we have today, right?  Just wait one minute, Paul and the other Apostles had the orginaltor of the words we study teaching them.  The disciples, as well as Paul, had three years of personal training.  On the other hand Satan has had 2000 years of trying to mess with the Word of Christ and of or Heavenly Father.  Do you see the miracle?  In 2000 years Satan has not been able to silence the message of Salvation.  the words of our Savior and that of His disciples, the Apostles, comes to us in various languages and is intact.  you do not need all of the technical advances we have in printing and computers to read the Bible and as a Child of the Living god to understand it.  Keep it simple and study and read at your own pace.  Search the scriptures for the truth, expecially if someone writes a book or gives a sermon that get you excited or make you suspicious.  It is by your "faith', not mine or his, or theirs, but yours.  

Bibles, Bibles Everywhere, Which is The Right One?

Which Bible?  And the answer is -- as many as you can afford.  One of them you will like to handle more than the others.  By using more than one bible you can check one against the other for clarity and for footnotes.  A good Study Bible in modern English would be my first choice if you have only one to start with.  But, I and others began our quest into the scriptures with nothng more than a simple King James Version, no study notes, just the written word.  When your heart is opened this will be enough, but I would still suggest the modern reader obtain a different version, say the New International Version, NIV, or the New King James, NKJV.  The latter modernizes the language of the classic KJV

Forewarned in the use of the KJV

There is a movement within the Christian community that claims the only authorized version is the King James Version, and that all of the modern versions are works of the devil -- incredible.  Many big thick books, and thousands of pamphlets have been written to support this false idea.  As the language of man has changed so has the need for modern translations of the Book.   The King James was once a modern language book back in the days it was first printed, you know, like 400 years ago.  As society has moved on, it is obvious that no one speaks old English anymore.  The KJV only people are fearful of doctrinal changes as they read and understand them within the old English verbiage.  Sort of like the days when the Catholic Church claimed the only authorized bible was that of the Latin language, even as Latin became a language of the past it was being taught that the common people needed a person of the clothe to tell them what the word had to say.  It was and is a power thing -- he that has the words has the power.  You see you are not smart enough to understand it for yourself so you need them, for awhile.  By this kind of thinking they limit the power of the Living God and His Son.  For it is they that say they will teach you by their Spirit, the Holy Spirit.  (John 6:45, 14:26, 15:26, Eph 2:22)

I read where one teacher gave instructions not to buy any bible with indexed paging and never with the word of the Christ in red -- to him that was sacrilege.  His reasoning brought to my mind an attitude that can be found among some fishermen, especially those that fish with artificial flies made of shining thread and feathers.  To a purest it is an evil thing to use live bait to catch the fish, the only honorable method was to use dead bait, fake bait.  To me, however, if I were hungry and knew I could catch fresh fish with live bait a lot quicker I would opt for the live, not the dead, bait.  If a person is thirsty and needs the water to survive what does it matter if he uses his hand, a cup, or a bucket so long as the life giving water gets to his lips?  My advice is to acquire a bible with indexed pages and preferably with the words of the Christ in red -- belive me, it will simpify things for you and help speed up your study. If the bible you begin with is not indexed you can purchase index tabs for five dollars or less and they are well worth it and will save you tons of time helping you to feed on the words at a pace much more suitable for a hungry person.  The red lettering of our Lord's words make it easier to understand and to see the floow or our Saviors words at a galnce.

The original Holy Bible did not have numbered verses so I suppose the purest would be reading an original formatted bible?  Hardly.  Also, as a special note, the original Bible in the Hebrew language did not have spacing between the words the reader had to separate the string of letters into individual words within his mind.  I think we can all see how limiting being a purest could be and in some things is not a good thing -- we should leave all of that to the sportsman.  Accept all of the aides you can afford.

Which Bibles

I would stick witha modern translation, as mentioned earlier.  The NKJV is a good choice.  The old KJV is a product of several scholars in the languages, not of one particular man, or church.  The NKJV is this version in a cleaned up state making it much easier for the modern reader to read.  It has made some changes in correcting some glaring errors of the old KJV.  Even the old KJV has been revised some three times.  It is the KJV nearly all of the bible study tools are centered around, however, and when it comes to PC bible software it is the KJV all of the word study tools rotates around.  The main reason for this is it is a public domain item and free to use where as the NKJV and the NIV require unlocking fees and premission for use.

The NIV is another very good choice, developed by a committee of biblical scholars following in the path of the KJV scholars in method only.  The NIV committee went after the latest discoveries in biblical language and referred to older text either not available to the KJV scholars or once held in prejudice by them as the Catholic Church owns some of the oldest manuscripts in the world.  The NIV is gaining in study tools but still lags behind the KJV.  Using these two together is the way to go.

The New American Standard (NAS) is another good choice, as a third choice, or a compliment to the first two mentioned.  There are many other translations and good ones too.

The New Living Translation (NLT) is excellent and its forerunner, the Living Bible, are nothing alike.  The Living Bible is one man's attempt at making a bible he could read to his kids and it exceded his wildest dreams, but this was not a translation but a "paraphrase", unlike the NLT, which is a translation, having gone back to the orginal languages being reproduced in English.  It is a good work and makes a very good cross reference with the KJV, NKJV or the NIV.

You will hear talk about the Apocryphal books found in the Catholic bible, the New American Bible (NAB), and it might not be a bad idea to have one of these as you advance with your bible studies.  Apocryphal means, "of questionable authorship", and that is not entirely true, the authorship is known for most of the added books but tend to be books not found in the orginal Hebrew bible.  Some are books of tradtion, and, as in the case of the two books of the Maccabees is of an historical nature.  These extra books are all found in the Old Testament of the Catholic versions.  The NAB is and excellent translation.

Some have wondered about the Amplified Bible?  It is not a bad version nor is it the best.  It is the work of one person in an attempt to expand on obsure words or verses and is a great help to the novice but soon you will out grow this version as you will keep seeing the author's hand in the scriptures and at times it does not make things clear.  It is too close to "adding to the word of the Book" for my liking.  I have used it but not so much anymore. 

There are many other choices out there and having collected several translations myself I can tell you, you do not need but one good translation with a backup for cross checking a verse.  They all contain the message, and in their number prove the error of some ancient doctrines taught by the Christian Church that emerged form the 4th century.  Many of the false doctrines, still being taught today, cannot be supported by the words of the Bible and it is the modern translations that make this clear.  What all translations have in common is the message of the one, single, Savior and the revealtion of our Heavenly Father, revealed to us by His Son.  Those teaching doctrines not found in the scriptures will have a witness, the word itself, against them. 

Other Book by Other People

Read any book on or about the Bible that strikes your fancy.  Do not, however, force yourself to read a book to its conclusion if you cannot stand it.  Someone once told me that he hated a certain book he was reading.  I asked why he kept reading it and he told me that he felt he owed it to the author.  Another type of purest, I guess. To me that is a waste of time.  You owe the author nothing unless he has lifted you, encouraged you, changed you, and not for the worst but for the better. 

I personally do not read much fiction, especailly fiction by religious authors pedaling their brand of Christianity in the form of stories made up. (2 Peter 2:3)

 Any book that will help you in your understanding of the Bible and aide you in its research would be of value.  At the top of the list, a good concordance and a Bible dictionary of which there are several good ones, and get some bible software for you PC or Laptop. 

Software?

I would suggest you get a copy of e-sword, it is free, and it is good, really good.  In fact, you could forget about spending lots of money on heavy text books and just get this software.  You can download the latest version online right to your computor and take your pick of dicitonaries, commentaries, bible versions and a KJV keyed to the Strong's Hebrew, Greek Dictionary.  Believe me, you could spend many dollars for this gem under different names, but this software is free, really free.  If you like it as much as I do you might want to donate a few cents to its creator, Rick Meyers.  Here is the link -- e-sword  There is a condition, however, you might have to plunk down som coin to load your favorite bible, like the NIV, as these are copyright and require a user fee form the publishers.  The KJV and several others are free downloads and require nothing.  The learning curve for this software is near zero, just use it and you will see how easy it is to use.

   The Messiah has told us His words are “Spirit and Life” (John 6:63)  There is no secret in reading and studying the Bible, except to begin.  You are less likely to be fooled, (deceived) if you listen to the Father and His Son.  Your biggest problem will most likely come from those close to you, especially if you are “called” and they are not.  There is the chance, by your patients and example, that the uncalled love ones may convert and become a seeker, then you will be in a position to teach, but until then follow the word.

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we (the Apostles) told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of the outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anybody” NIV I Thessalonians 3:11-12

       When dealing with the “outsider” it is their feelings, not yours, that you should be concerned about, giving no opportunity for accusations false or otherwise. If you suffer, as an innocent, not as a haranguing bible thumper, you will not be able to control the human reaction of the worldly -- jealousy sometimes enters into the picture then resentment, even hate as you may be accused of thinking you are better than everyone else when just the opposite is true.  You are in for a rich and rewarding ride a ride that can be filled with traps, even the possibility of life threatening circumstances beyond your control -- no one said it would be easy – you were promised it would not.  I pray that those close to you stay beside you and even join you in your study of the Holy Bible.   I pray those you love will be tolerant of your dedication and example of an honorable life.  Some may not even see you as a Christian, the World-view of a Christian does not appear in the Bible.  But, this Is not a strange thing as a real follower of the Christ is not of this World. (John 15:19, Php 3:20, Eph 2:19, 1 Peter 1:17)

A Day is Coming When all Study will Cease

One day all studying about the Father and the Son will cease.  Why?  Because He will be with us -- everyone will know Him the same.  I will not need to teach you about your Father -- do you see?  I, nor anyone else, will have to teach you about the Son -- your brother -- the first of many -- do you see?  Then let the word speak: 

 I Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  (NIV)

"Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end." (Basic English)

"Love never fails.  But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away." (NKJV)

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with." (World English Version)

 Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD (YHWH): for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD (YHWH): for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV)

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh; for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more." (World English Version)

  The context of the above quoted verses are speaking of a future time, a time when everyone will know the Creator equally and will have no need for a human leader, teacher, or prophet. The ability of understanding the "speaking in tongues" – other languages -- will cease.  Everyone will be speaking the same tongue (language).  In fact, no one will be allowed to mislead you by claiming to be a prophet or to having a “special gift” of tongues speaking.  The “intimidation factor” of the Evangelical Churches that are involved in the deception of “spiritual” gifts will be gone, no more to feed the spiritually weak and feeble with delusions of grandeur while beating up those truly strong in our Savior claiming they are the ones lacking in the spirit.  These will be gone and if any raise their heads up to do such things in the Kingdom, they will be punished by death.  Not my words be done but His.

  Zechariah 13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: (KJV)

"Rough garment", is merely a type of dress that identified a person of prophetic ability, or one that claimed to be a prophet., something setting them apart.  It would mean the same as saying, he wears the robe of a ministry, or like many in the Evangelical world, a white suit, or special collar, etc, etc.  There is going to come a time when no one will be able to put on the robes of religion, or a suit symbolizing purity to deceive – it will not be allowed.

    1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (KJV) 

Bible Study Tip: 

Want to make Bible reading personal?  Start reading your Bible the way it was originally meant to be read.  When you come to the word, LORD, in capital letters know that that is the Name of the true God, the Living God, YHWH, pronounced YaHWeH.  Understand that in the New Testament the capitalizing of the title "lord" (LORD) is generally not followed even though is it the practice (tradition) of the translators to do this in the Old Testament.  For this reason you need to know that when the Apostles or any writer of the New Testament quoted from the Old Testament, and they did a lot, that when you see "lord' in an Old testament quote they are actually saying the Name of the Creator.  Next, when you come to the term "God" use the term "Father" instead, not in every case, however, let the context dictate, but you will find that in most cases this identity is of the Father. This knowledge is probably the biggest step in unlocking the pages of your bible and will lead to an understanding not many have.  The Gospel of the bible is the Good News of Salvation and that connected with the coming Kingdom, or Government of the Living God and that of His Son.  This is not only a “tip” but also the number one Key leading to the separating of the children of the Living God from this World.

OK, here is a small list of study books I would recommend: 

The first would be a Bible, of course, more than one if possible.    Cross-referencing between different translations can be the greatest help in getting the context of what you are reading.  King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), New Century Version (NCV), American Standard (ASV), New American Standard (NAS).  There are Parallel Bibles that contain differing versions in a side by side comparison that might be the way to go, at least fewer books laying across the table. 

Next would be a good Bible Dictionary.  I like the Harper’s Bible Dictionary.  It seems that virtually every bible thumper, pushing bible teaching courses, love suggesting the use of Smiths Bible Dictionary.  In its day maybe, but not today, it is very limited. When you get your hands on a good Bible Dictionary, like the Harper's, or the Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible you won't even consider a Smiths.  Unger's Bible Dictionary is good as is the New Bible Dictionary.  There are others, and like Bibles, they are not all the same and when compared --subject for subject you can get a broader view of the topic you are investigating. If you own one of these fine Bible Dictionaries and want more I would suggest The Interpreter’s bible Dictionary, a four volume set that is really loaded with research information along with definitions.

A Strong's Concordance of the whole bible has become the only concordance to consider when using the King James Version Bible.  It can also be used with some degree of accuracy when studying one of the newer translations.  There are concordances for some of the newer translations, such as the NIV, but Strong's is a good start and I have found it compatible with the newer modern language bibles, for the most part.

Commentaries are good to help expand your vision and understanding but they are what they are, a commentary about the Bible by someone you must assume has the same understanding you do -- you will see many do not.  For example, I have read commentaries suggesting that from their study of Genesis 6:1-4,  "angels" married and had sex with human women and that that led to the birth of "giants", the Nephilim of verse 4.  Some bibles, called Study Bibles, contain notes and comments suggesting same thing.  In this teaching they go against the "word" of the Messiah, against the written word of which they claim to teach.  The Messiah said that angels do not marry, period!  Read, Genesis 6:1-4 for yourself and tell me, tell yourself where does it say the Nephilim were the children of an illicit angel, human relationship?  This teaching simply is not there.  It states, "in those days the Nephilim were on the earth". It is not a matter of interpretation it is more a matter of an imagination overload and suggests some commentators would be better suited to writing fiction.  What did the Messiah have to say about such things?

Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (KJV) 

Here is a little common sense concerning the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:  If these "sons of God" were truly that, literal angelic sons, they would never have committed such a sin and if they were fallen angels they would not have been called "sons of God" but devils or demons as are Satan and his demonic angels.  Can’t you see -- if these were evil, demonic angels they would never have been call, "sons of God".  All of this is merely an exercise in being aware of other study aids.  Study the pages of the bible first.  To help broaden your understanding you might use other sources but be aware of the teachers that would have you believe a lie to suit their own imagination and propensity to write fiction as opposed to fact.  It has been said that “truth can be stranger than fiction” and so it can.  The things the written word reveals to the believer the world will not accept and to the world it truly is stranger than fiction to their ears, yet for some the plain teachings are not enough – they must make it unbelievable.  For professing teachers of the Word to render it totally unbelievable with such ignorant suggestions of flesh copulating with evil spirits that then produced giant people (children) borders on twisting the Scripture for fantasy sake and that borders on evil thought.  The world laughs at the believer enough without the help of false teachers that only bring ridicule and shame to the truth.

Assumptions 

In your bible study never assume the teacher is always correct, or smarter more than you.  Your purpose in studying is to know the Father and the Son.  It is they, the Father and the Son that want to teach you, to make known things only those of the Spirit can fathom (1 John 2:27, read this, study what it is saying). Through the Messiah you have received an "anointing" and by this should be able to read and study your own bible, the written words of the Father and the Son and make sense of it.  They make it possible.  Satan attempts to make it impossible and he is very clever at getting those who should know better to teach his line of misinformation. The reason you might listen to me or some other teacher is to help in your development toward spiritual maturity and to have fellowship with that part of the body of the Messiah – THAT PART THAT LIVES IN THE TRUTH.  The "called" are the "anointed", and I believe, few and far between are evident in these days.  Let the Word always be true, accepting it over the words of men. Be on guard for the deception of cleaver men. Be like children learning to speak, believe without doubt your Father and your Brother knowing it takes time, and effort.  Our Father will not overload us with things we are not ready to understand.  We start with milk and move toward heavier food, feeding on the word of the Living God, our Father and His Son the Creator of all things -- we should listen with the open ears of the innocent -- the ears of a child -- yes Father, I believe you.  We are the anointed.  

“I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.  As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as the anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him.” 1 John 2:26-27 NIV

”…But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (lives) in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide (live) in him. 1 John 2:27 KJV

 (Wonderful, wondrous words are these) 

Conclusion 

The human teacher is but the tool and if the tool slips and you are not watching, you get skinned knuckles or scrapped up knees -- remember that and watch for the slips, there are plenty of them.  Your guide is the Word of the Living God, the Bible. Though men have had their hands all over it the message has been protected and the things you need to know are there, intact.  How is this possible?  Simple, most do not know the true Living God well enough to know what, or how to twist His words beyond recognition  -- that is -- assuming they would want to.  When you begin to research into the translating of the Bible, if that interests you, you will know what I'm talking about. 

 When you read about the struggle the written word has endured you will be amazed at the miracle of the Book itself.  It has survived in spite of attempts to keep it from the light of day.  There have been courageous men that paid the ultimate price in their efforts to deliver the Words of the Living God to the general population. Other declared, false professing Christians putting to the death the real Christians -- Christians, like Tyndale, attempting to deliver the Scriptures to the people in their own tongue.  Yes, there was a time, and not so long ago a Christian order ruled over the powers of European, this religious order making and breaking kings, declared the death penalty on those trying to get the Word into print, not that it wasn’t already in print, they did not want the common people to read it.  The history of the European Christian Church is the very reason I do not like to call myself a Christian, though I do.  I am a believer and a follower of YaHshua and the truth of His Word.  Okay, I do answer to being called a Christian, but I don't really care for it much as Christians have a bloody history -- bloody hands, very bloody hands -- all in the name of their god IESUS.  The once all powerful Catholic Church has been making inroads into the Protestant churches, after all they came out of her, and these are making inroads into the more independent Evangelical churches – all claiming to be Christian, and the Eastern religions are creeping into all of them, a little here and a little there. 

These churches, these religious organizations, these works of self-promotion all make me nervous. Many of these assault the Spirit of the Holy One by public displays of ridiculous antics once found only among the pagans while others bow deep to images of dead saints and images not unlike pre-Christian pagans bowed and prayed to.Then there are those that worship the Queen of Heaven making her the mediator replacing the Messiah in Heaven, even going so far as to suggest Mary rose bodily, still alive in the flesh, into Heaven to sit at the side of our Heavenly Father -- this is calle the Assumption of Mary, and believe me, it is an assumption, not a fact but a doctrine of devils.

Righteous Blood  

We have the luxury, today, of accessing many translations and we can thank men like Luther, Tyndale, and many others that went against the demon possessed Christian order that had led all of Europe into what came to be know as the "Dark Ages".   Out of that time came a miracle -- the Bible and some of the most brilliant minds ever to cross the history of man.  Satan had a great hold on the religion of Europe.  Giving his power and authority to a religious order of men as he tried terribly to destroy the written word and failed.  Today he is satisfied to plant the seed of doubt in the minds of men.  He has whole populations of humanity, a humanity that has largely never read the Bible, saying that it can be interpreted many different ways --  that simply is not true.  It is true, however, for many that do not want the Bible having a part in their life -- it can be twisted and cut up or simply ignored.  After all, it is a very scary thing to think that there might really be a supreme being and He has given us a handbook by which to live. 

Ignore the critics, they are almost always wrong but are very good at making people doubt.  There are those that are called the "children of Satan", beware of them.  These are those meant for destruction, keep clear of them, they are the ones that appear as angels (messengers) of light, you need to be versed in your Holy Bible to see them for what they really are.  (2 Cor 11:13-17)

The Sheep hear the voice of the Master YaHshua (He is the Word, John 1:1-2) and ignore the voice of a stranger, "in fact, they will run away from him" (John 10:4-6, 27). Pray that you are one of the sheep and to inssure that, listen for the Master's voice -- with the Bible as your written guide -- test every spirit  -- with the Bible -- the revelator of truth made these words known to you.   

Some of us need rules to guide us, steps to keep us in line, and the study of the Bible, for some, is no different.  Being of a sound mind I will present a "principle" easy to remember but, at times, not so easy to apply.  By reading and “studying” what you read you will fall into the rule of biblical order and inspiration.  But, here is a principle to follow that will serve all believers well.

      Principle #1:  "... Let God be true, and every man a liar."  Romans 3:4

I said I would present a principle, not that it would be mine or from me, but one that I follow.  This is the number one principle in keeping on the right track, following the right path, keeping yourself and others in check.  Paul revealed this principle when speaking with the Romans and others seeking his teaching.  He always went to the written word to back up his views.  The second half of this principle is a quote the Apostle Paul pulled from the Old Testament and gives us a good example of using Old Testament portions as an authority for proof and reproof.  " ... let God be true and every man a liar.  As it is written:  'So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." 

Church people, ministers, and teachers today are quick to stomp on anyone that would dare "judge".  "Judge not that you be not judged",  is used like a club by the self professing leaders of the churches of Christianity and by individual persons to virtually quick freeze anyone that would dare to speak the truth, or ask the hard questions, yet here is Paul giving you permission to put judge and judging back into your vocabulary.  To "judge" by the Word of the Living God is to make a judgment using the His Word as your guide and is not wrong but righteous as His judgments are righteous.  It is not your personal opinion that makes judgment when you make a determination, or a judgment using the Word of the Living God.  It is not you making the judgment but the Word, His word.  When it comes to an argument, "every man (every person) is a liar ..."   

There is also a "key" to further understanding the Word of the Living God.  People love to have keys, keys that open things locked.  Yes, keys that unlock things and the "key" I am giving you will do just that -- unlocking many different things.  This single key may be the only key you ever need – especially when used with the #1 principle, "let every man be a liar but our Father true". 

         Key #1:  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other NAME under heaven given to men by which we MUST be saved."  Acts 4:12 (Phil 2:9-11) (John 5:43)

If you have been reading any other writings at this web site then you know the name this "key" is making reference.  Once you restore the proper Identity, the correct name of the Messiah to your reading of the Word you will be amazed at the doors in scripture that will be opened.  Once the openings begin prepare for a journey of understanding you may never thought possible.  Maybe you will even find out who the Father is – if you don’t already know, that is.

email:  servant@yahshuaservant.com

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