Is Bible study really that important?

The very simple answer is yes! Of course, I have to go to 2 Timothy 3:16, “Study to show thyself approved unto God…” There are a number of reasons why it is so important to know the Bible.

 

1.    How can one be saved if he doesn’t “complete” the steps of salvation?

 

In order to know the steps of salvation (Hear (Romans 10:17), Believe (Hebrews 11:6), Repent (Acts 17:30), Confess (Matthew 10:32), be Baptized (Acts 2:38), and “remain faithful unto death” (Revelation 22:10)), we must read our bible! Sure, one can listen to a preacher tell him what the Bible says he must do in order to be saved, and he can be baptized into Christ because of what he has heard, but unless he reads his Bible, he will not remain “faithful”. It is easy to think that baptism is the last thing you must do in order to be saved, but that simply is not true!

 

 

 

2.    America is heading down the wrong path because not nearly enough Americans read their Bibles.

All you have to do is turn on the news and listen for five minutes, and it would be overwhelmingly obvious that America in not headed in the right direction. From “gay rights”, to local crimes, it’s obvious that people (citizens and government officials) are not making the right choices. “One nation under God” is living like a nation who could care less about God. Taking Bibles out of school, allowing homosexuals to get married… These are just two examples of the neglect shown towards God. If America would just study their Bibles, this great nation would receive the blessings and grace that God has to offer. The Bible contains all of the answers! There would be no question of right and wrong; No daft debates over issues that the Bible gives a clear answer to. Could you imagine what the 11 o’clock news would be like if we truly lived in a Christian nation? Instead of countless stories of robbery, murder, and anything else you can imagine, we would hear about good works and kindness. Could you imagine? David Miller, of Apologetics Press, has some very good material on this topic.

 

3.    Logically, all Christian divisions could be avoided if everyone knew the Scriptures.

 

Like I previously mentioned, 2 Timothy 3:16 makes it clear that we all need to study the Scriptures. All divisions are a result of ignorance, interpretational error. “…God is not the author of confusion…” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Man is responsible for divisions and confusion, not God.  It’s funny to think that there are so many denominations who have divided themselves from the original Church (The Church of Christ), who believe whole heartedly that they are doing the right thing, when the Bible clearly condemns division! Philippians 2:2, Ephesians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17-18, and Matthew 12:25 all speak against division.

 

If everyone read, and truly studied their Bibles, all of these problems and a lot more, could be avoided. The most important Book of all time has been overlooked, downplayed, misinterpreted, and ultimately mistreated.


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The Music we chose

The music that we chose to listen to can say a lot about us. If we chose music with provocative, suggestive themes, or curse words in the lyrics, it shows that we don’t care, that we approve of that sort of thing, and that it is ultimately accepted by us.  As Christians, we should really try to separate ourselves from all sinful things, including music that could lower morals and introduce negative influences. Even though music can be something that we really enjoy, is it worth exposing yourself to something that would displease God? By no means am I saying that music is sinful, I’m saying that inappropriate music is something that we, as people trying to live like Christ, should avoid. Christian music is something that we should try to taper into our lives. Songs that promote Jesus, Christianity, and ultimately glorify God.

 Sometimes we can feel embarrassed to say that we don’t listen to the same music as the rest of the world, because that makes us feel like we don’t fit in, but isn’t that we are commanded to do? Separate ourselves from the world? Music is a great thing! I mean, there’s two whole books of the bible dedicated to it. Singing is an act of worship (though it does not include “music”) Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!” we decide whether or not music is a good thing by the songs that we choose.

Evidence of Jesus, and early Christians

Almost 2,000 years after Christ’s alleged crucifixion, it is hard to know for certain (other than what the Bible tells us), that a Jesus of Nazareth even existed. Statements like this can make us question our faith, unless we’ve got a strong, evidence-based foundation. Fortunately, there are evidences that clearly support the claims that the Bible makes, that can help tremendously in building a stronger faith. For example:

 

 Flavius Josephus – In his writings (Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 5, par. 2gs, Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 3, par. 3, Antiquities, Book 20, ch. 9.) he mentions John the baptizer, Jesus, and Jesus’ brother, James.

 

The first reference is:

 "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness."

 How amazing! Josephus records that John the Baptizer actually lived, baptized, was killed by Herod, Just like the bible claims (Matthew 14:10, Mark 6:27, Luke 9:9)!

 

The second record make by Josephus is:

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.  He was [the] Christ.  And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.  And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

This is exactly what the bible tells us! Jesus was not just a mere man, but God in the form of man (John 1:1). He performed miracles, or “a doer of wonderful works” (Matthew 15:30) He taught Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28, Acts 26:23). Pilate condemned Him to the cross (Mark 15:15).

 

Lastly:

"Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done."

Again, it is astonishing to see how everything we know to be truth, was truth to Josephus, who lived 2,000 years ago! In order for Jesus to have a brother, Jesus would have had to exist.

 

There are more historians who have written about Jesus (Tacitus, Thallus, and Pliny the Younger), but we won’t discuss them in this article.

What’s The Point?

Baptism

What’s the point of baptism? Baptism is essential to salvation! Simply believing is not sufficient! Acts 2:38 makes it very clear that baptism is how one receives remission of sins. www.dictionary.com defines “remission” as “Pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offences”.  Without baptism, how can one receive forgiveness of sins? We know that sin is separation from God, and that if one died without being baptized, he would die in his sins, thus being separated from God upon his death. Before baptism, “…He does not hear” you, because of your sins (Isaiah 59:1)!  Baptism is the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)! Without it, one would still be dirty with sin. When one is baptized, he walks in new life (Romans 6:4), new life being the beginning of his Christian life. In order to be added to the Church, baptism is required (Acts 2:47). When one is baptized, he is ultimately saved (1 Peter 3:21)! Only those who are of age of accountability should be baptized (Ezekiel 18:20).  

 

 

 

 

Worship

What’s the point of worship? Worship is key to growing as a Christian (along with personal study), and is ultimately pleasing to God. When we decide that we’re not going to go to worship because we’re too tired, or because we just don’t feel like it, we’re disappointing God (Hebrews 10:25). When we decide that coming together to worship isn’t too big of a deal, it sets a very bad example to others in the church. It could lead one to think “Well so and so doesn’t come to worship on Sunday night, and they seem to be okay. I think I’ll stay home as well”. We should be excited to be able to come together to worship! We should be “…exhorting one another as we see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25)!

Back to the question “What’s the point of worship?” it can be answered simply. “…the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23).  We worship God because it pleases Him. When we worship God, we’re commanded to worship Him in spirit (correct mind-set) and in truth (correct doctrine) (John 4:24). There are five actions which must take place during worship. They are:

The Lords Supper (Acts 20:7)

Singing (Ephesians 5:19)

Praying (Acts 2:42)

Teaching (Acts 2:42)

Giving (I Corinthians 16:1-2)

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness

What’s the point of forgiveness? Without forgiving men, one cannot be forgiven by God (Matthew 6:12-15). Without forgiveness from God, we will die in our sins.  Without forgiveness, there would be tension and strife amongst the Church! We cannot make peace by holding a grudge, thus disregarding James 3:18. Even if one does not come to you and apologize, it is still important to forgive them. Forgiveness is key to peace.

 

 

 

 

Love

What’s the point of love? The two greatest commandments are centered on love. “Love God and keep His commandments” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If we love God, we will live to please Him, thus doing all that He would have us to do. If we love our neighbors, the love of Christ will shine through us, making it easier to bring them to Christ. 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” We should live our lives based on the commandments that He gives us, because after all, He is the one who gave us life. We should be happy to keep His commandments. Can we not use what He gave us (life) for Him?

 

 

 

 

 

          What’s the point to it all?

This question can be answered in one verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is mans all”

"...bread of life..."

The word "bread' occurs 320 times in the New King James Version of the Bible, according to www.biblegateway.com. In almost all of its occurrences, it simply represents food. But, in John 6:35;48, we see the phrase "bread of life". We obviously need food (bread) to keep our bodies alive, but it is obvious that Jesus is not speaking of literal bread in these verses. The full verses read: "And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35, and " I am the bread of life." John 6:48. Jesus used this metaphor to explain that He can fill your spiritual hunger. With Him, you will never be without, you will never be empty.

Sharing the "bread" is essential! We live in a world full of spiritually empty people! People who have that "hunger" that those in the church have filled through Jesus. Before we could be filled up with the "bread", we must have first had a "hunger", or an emptiness. Someone must have first told you about Jesus, and in turn, it is now your responsibility to do the same (Mark 16:15)! We can't expect people to be led to the truth on their own!