The Importance Of Scripture

Lots of  people do laugh at those who enjoy reading the old Books of Books, the Bible. Of all those books the last series bring the world Glad Tidings. In the New testament we also do find the apostle Luke his writings on the first followers of Christ. He gives us an idea what went on in the first communities of the then called sect The Way.

Of the New Testament readings the Acts of the Apostles brings before us how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome from Jew to Gentile. Luke begins and ends with his thoughts on The Kingdom of Godand gives us with the later convert Paul an idea of what beautifuls is laid in front of us.

Ministry of the Apostles, a complex multi-figure icon with a full-height image of Jesus Christ, surrounded by sectors with scenes of His disciples’ calling, ministry and martyrdom. Icon from the Yaroslavl Museum Preserve. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The man they followed, was a prophet of God who came to this world to make every thing more clear. Jesus from Nazareth wanted us to get to know the Creator in the best way we could. For this great teacher from such a small place, not only he had to go out into the world to proclaim the marvellous news of what was  going to be accomplished by the Will of God. For Jeshua it was clear, those who wanted to follow him, had to recognise the Will of the Father and should have as their main aim of the preaching of the gospel.

Today that is still not changed. Those who call themselves Christian, which should mean that they are real followers of Christ Jesus, should spread the word of the Gospel. They should tell others of the good news concerning the things of The Kingdom.

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:1-2 NIV)

As for the twelve who summoned the whole body of the disciples together, we as an ecclesia should also call each other and say, “It is not right that we should have to neglect preaching the Word of God in order to look after the accounts.” We also should take care that we can grow in the word of God and that we can be of good reputation, being both practical and spiritually-minded. As individuals but also as one community of fellow brothers and sisters we should devote ourselves whole-heartedly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

It may be alarming when we see how the world develops, but on the other hand it may be lovely that we can notice that we are nearing a special time, which has been long foretold. We also come to a time were many have lost the faith in the Word of God, and many do not want to know anything about a god, or a better way to live. Though many may put the Word of God aside we can find others who are eagerly looking for the Truth and are wiling to take time to get to know it. Those who are looking for the purpose of this life and for whom is behind it are the ones who want to take up the Bible to study it. So the Word of God can gain more and more ground. In the world we can see that the number of disciples greatly increases. As in the old times we sometimes do have to start from scratch, not finding any believer round ourselves; but by letting the fire in us shine we can be the light for others. By our enthusiasm we can spread the good feeling of this Good News.

Though most of the world might not be interested in God and His Word,  the Word of the Lord continues to gain ground and increase its influence. (Acts 12:24)  “Thus mightily did the Lord’s Message spread and triumph!” (Acts 19:20 Wey)

We have the responsibility to let the word of God increase. Constantly we are told that the main vehicle used to bring the gospel to others was the Word. For example we read in Acts 4 : 31 that the apostles “Spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Of those who took hold of the message it says, chapter 8 : 14 “They received the word of God.”

Having chosen to be followers of Christ we also should be “in Christ” and try to become “like Christ”. As Christians we should give ourselves to Christ Jesus and should as such belong to Him who is the word made flesh. The ramification of this is very sobering, to become part of Jesus means that our lives must be like his, enveloped in the Word. Jesus was the man who brought Gods Word close to all people, believers and non-believers, Jews and gentiles.

Jesus made it very clear we had to live according to the Spirit of the Law and therefore we should live the Word of God. Every act we do should be under the guidance of the God most High. Every word we utter should be in respect to every creation of the Almighty. The many Books God has provided to the public are not just letters on a piece of paper to the enjoyment of reading. the Words from the paper have to go into the blood of the reader. They should enter the brain and become a living part of it.

When we go out into the world we should breath the Word of God. In everything we do people should notice something special, which make the difference between a good heathen or gentile and a Christian. The gospel is preached at its best when it is being lived.

When others can look on us and say that they have been with a follower of Jesus and could witness this Jesus from long ago in the world of today. We should be able to give the others a feeling that they might have learned something of him. To do this we must allow our minds to be developed by God’s Word. The carnal mind, or the mind of the flesh is something that by nature we possess. The mind of the spirit can only be obtained by grafting into it scripture. The importance of the Word of God in our lives cannot be underestimated.

“Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things hath my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2 ASV)

Jehovah should be able to see the house that we have build unto Him. Not only should we hear the word of  Adonai Jehovah, the most High, and tremble at His word, we should make sure that His Word shall be known all over the world so that the Elohim Hashem Adonai  may be glorified, so we can see God His joy,  but also their shame.

“Hear the Word of יהוה (Jehovah), you who tremble at His Word, “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for My Name’s sake, said, ‘Let יהוה be esteemed, so that we see your joy.’ But they are put to shame.” (Isaiah 66:5 The Scriptures 1998+)

We may have the assurance that God shall look at every man who is willing to learn about the Most High God,  even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at Gods  word.” (Isaiah 66 : 2).

The Apostle Paul says in his warning to the Ephesian elders to be watchful (Acts 20 : 32) “And now, brothers, I commit you to Elohim and to the word of His favour, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those having been set apart. (Acts 20:32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Holy Scriptures tell us that we may be sure that we can learn from it and that those words can not only edify us but also build us up, and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. For we as Christians should be fellow workers of Elohim, we should be the field of Elohim, the building of Elohim. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

“He who went down is also the One who went up far above all the heavens, to fill all. And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah, until we all come to the unity of the belief and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the completeness of Messiah, so that we should no longer be children, tossed and borne about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, in cleverness, unto the craftiness of leading astray,{1 Footnote: 15:6, also 2 Cor. 10:5, 2 Cor. 11:3-14, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 Tim. 3:1-8, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, 2 Peter 2:2-22, Jud. vv. 10-19}. but, maintaining the truth in love, we grow up in all respects into Him who is the head, Messiah, from whom the entire body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the working by which each part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the gentiles walk,1 in the futility of their mind, {Footnote: 11 Cor. 12:2, and Jer. 10:2}. having been darkened in their understanding, having been estranged from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, who, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecency, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Messiah, if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as truth is in יהושע (Jeshua): that you put off – with regard to your former way of life – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the renewed man1 which was created according to Elohim, in righteousness and set-apartness of the truth. {Footnote: 1Rom. 8:1}. (Ephesians 4:10-24 The Scriptures 1998+)

There is “truth in Jesus” who brought the Word of God to us. Following the day of Christ’s vengeance the sorrows of Israel will be turned into abundant joys. All the Gentiles spared shall rejoice in her salvation. All nations will look upon the glory of God as it shines in the face of Christ, the King, and worship will be carefully and constantly attended upon by all the peoples of the earth.
Today we can take notice of what is happening in the Middle East and with great interest we look at the providences of God towards the Jews, knowing that their return to their land is a preparation for the fulfilment of much prophecy, a sign of the approach of the close of the age and Christ’s coming. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Times coming closer to the Endtimes shall not make it easier for us, but we may be sure se shall find the blessings at the end.

“And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah יהושע, shall be persecuted.{1 Footnote: 1Mt. 5:10}. But evil men and impostors shall go on to the worse,{1} leading astray and being led astray. {Footnote: 1Mt. 24:12, Rev. 22:11}. But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah יהושע. All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

From the moment we can get the possibility to learn the Word of God we start as babies and should be eager to learn more as a child, noticing that the Holy Scriptures, are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The 16th verse of 2 Timothy may be translated either Every Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching or Every Scripture inspired of God is profitable for teaching, but in either case the inspiration of Scripture is assumed, the writer being content to indicate its various uses. The most important wisdom comes from the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation. In and of itself, the Bible does not save us – but it is only through the Bible that we can receive God’s truth about Jesus, and put faith in him.

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is the Word of God that has then the ability to build us up, to make us wise unto salvation and save our souls. Let us take an example from the nation of Israel to illustrate these principles.

In Numbers chapter 13 the record tells us that the children of Israel came to the borders of their inheritance, Moses instructed them to select a man from each tribe to spy out the land. Ten of them brought an evil report whilst Joshua and Caleb brought a good report. In the report that the ten brought we read these words (Numbers 13 : 31) “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” In contrast to these words Caleb had said (Numbers 13 : 30) “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” We know that the congregation of Israel accepted the evil report rather than that of Joshua and Caleb. In Hebrews chapter 4 the reason for this failure is given. (Hebrews 4 : 2) “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith.” They failed to believe in the word of God, to allow it to envelope their lives and it resulted in them failing to enter the land of promise. They were not aware that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” and that all things “are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4 : 12, 13). They wanted to return to Egypt for that is where their heart was. They could remember all the fleshly things they had there (see Numbers 11 : 4 – 6) yet failed to remember the deliverance out of the house of bondage, the provision of food and water, the assurance of God’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire. The confidence of Joshua and Caleb is seen in the words Caleb spoke to the people. “We are well able” and in chapter 14 : 8 “If the LORD delight in us, he will bring us into this land.” This belief came from a firm conviction in what God had promised he was able also to perform. There was nothing magical about their faith. Faith is developed by a reading and meditating on the Word of Life.

There are significant events in the ministry of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, and Luke include that John leaves out, including Jesus’ birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the Ascension, demonic confrontations, and parables. But John seems to five an extra dimension on the Word which has become flesh in we do have to behold  his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1 : 14). Here is the one who said “Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me), to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10 : 7).

Words have a power all their own (Photo credit: Lynne Hand)

The Messiah, Christ, the Redeemer from sin, is represented as offering himself to do God’s will (tou poiēsai to thelēma sou, the genitive articular infinitive of purpose).  and when we would like to be Christ we should also bring our offering as good as we can. We also should completely surrendered to God His will.

We cannot have the deep spiritual insight that Jesus had in the Word, nevertheless, we, if we are to be part of him, must try and apply these words to our own lives. Jesus gave us the well-known parable of the sower which is recorded for us in Matthew chapter 13; Luke chapter 8. The details are well known to us, it is not only about the reception that people give to God’s Word but also of the reception they give to Him who is the Word. When Jesus is truly in our hearts then the gospel shines from us. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10 : 15).

Speaking of the disciples Jesus says in his prayer to his Father “They are not of the world … Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17 : 16, 17).

The New Testament complements the Old testament, in which the future was foretold which came to existence in the presence of Christ Jesus.  From Genesis onward there was the promise of the one to come to make an end to death.  In the other books many times Jesus is in the centre of the Old Writings and are about him and our salvation in him, if we are not opening our eyes to see this, the Bible will continue to remain a closed book.

Let us take courage and spend a little more time in reading and applying the word in our lives. This way we can like Joshua and Caleb be sure that the Lord will delight in us and will give us the inheritance he has promised to those that love him for we have received the word with joy.

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“In the gospel there is an invitation to all who believe what God has promised, to share with Christ in his kingdom, glory, and joy, which invitation is given on certain conditions well defined (1 Thess. 2:12; ; Matt. 25:21faith in the things covenanted to Abraham and David, and in those taught concerning Jesus, in the Old and New Testaments; immersion into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and thenceforth a life of without which no one will be approved and promoted to the honour and glory of the kingdom ().”John Thomas. (1990; 2002). Comments from Brother Thomas (Pagina 2). Logos Publications.

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To be continued: The importance of Reading the Scriptures

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Read also:

1. Cell phone vs. Bible
2. A Book written by God
3. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
4. Why are some authors of Bible books unknown?
5. If the earliest manuscript we have for a book of the Bible is relatively late, does that mean the book is a forgery/unreliable?
6. sources_english_bible.gif (GIF Image, 327×509 pixels)
7. A book sufficiently profound as to cause its readers to “think”
8. What book of the Bible contains the most number of God’s promises?
9. Unsure about relevance Bible
10. How do we know that the prophecies in the Bible are true?
11. Why believing the Bible
12. Why Believe the Bible? Internal Evidence
13. Why Believe the Bible? External Evidence > Megiddo – The Bible
14. Old and New Testament not discordant
15. Are the New Testament manuscripts reliable?
16. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
17. What does the name of each book of the Bible mean?
18. Which man is mentioned most often in the Bible? Jesus, Moses, Abraham or David?
19. How many people in the bible had their names changed by God?
20. Which numbers in the bible are literal and which aren’t?
21. Which Bible version should I use?
22. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
23. Why hasn’t anything been inspired recently? Revelation was the last inspired book and it was a long time ago. Why aren’t there any more?
24. Sola Scriptura and its Pitfalls
25. Why can’t Bible scholars agree on how to interpret the Bible?
26. Where does the Bible first mention schools and study?
27. How can I restore my faith?
28. Is it alright to become a member of a non-denominational Christian fellowship, who follow the Bible teachings?
29. Live much in the Bible
30. Bible for you and for life
31. Does the Bible talk about collective salvation?
32. How do you reconcile the Bible and evolution?
33. Why are numerous major Biblical events so similar to contemporary and historical mythology?
34. How has the Bible helped and changed the world today?
35. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
36. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
37. People don’t hunt out “loopholes” when they are seeking to love God and neighbourhs
38. Gospel human words backed by divine energy
39. Chief means by which men are built up
40. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
41. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
42. How does today’s seeker differ from the seeker of 1975?
43. Determined To Stick With Truth.
44. Bible like puddle of water
45. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
46. The Bible is a today book
47. How do we determine in the bible what refers to AD 70 and what is yet to be fulfilled in prophecy?
48. Appointed to be read
49. What English Bible do you use?
50. Power in the life of certain
51. Unfair Contest about The Bible and Personal Growth
52. When life caves in, honor the Lord
53. Significant number of American teenagers lack knowledge of Bible
54. How can we feel the Holy Spirit in our lives?
55. Which church is to be followed?

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  As Christians, we are called by God to encourage others. Time and again in the Scriptures we read that we are to “love the brotherhood” and with a fervent and pure spirit (1 Peter 1:22, 2:17). We are to build one another up in faith (Jude 20). We are to remind one another of the goodness and love of God (1 John 1:1-4).The expression of encouragement is always to be active. We are not merely to be an encouragement to others through our example of a virtuous life. We are to share encouragement by voicing words of encouragement and engaging in specific deeds. Encouragement is not merely something we are. It is something we do.
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  We are not called to be doomsday phrophets, pessimists, down-in-the-mouth naysayers, or condemning critics. We are called to encourage!

   

• Acts: How the Great Commission is Done (cutpaste.typepad.com)
  Luke tells us what happened after the Apostles received the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, if we want to know how the recipients of the Great Commission and direct disciples of Jesus Christ went about the Great Commission, we need to read about that in the Book of Acts.
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  We might think of the four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as the direct witness of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Book of Acts as the skeletal depiction of the carrying out of the Great Commission, and the epistles of the NT as the meat on the bones of that skeleton.
• Acts (tylersheart.wordpress.com)
  Acts is, in part, an apology (or defense) on behalf of the early Christian movement vis–vis Rome. Consequently, the writer of Acts wanted to show that nothing could keep the good news about Jesus from spreading everywhere. He also demonstrates that the good news did not pose a threat to the Empire. Still, Acts is a story of origins, told in retrospect, that shows how the earliest followers came to understand who could belong to God’s people (see e.g., Acts 10 and 15).
• The Gospel Part One! (randyhenri.wordpress.com)
  The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. The New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as being built upon the foundation of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, prophecies, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament. In this manner all of Old Testament history was a learning or training period to prepare the world for the arrival of Jesus Christ and His role in the plane of redemption.