In my last question about understanding the Bible, many people told me that you have to already believe or be mature in your faith to understand it, or at least many parts of it.
If this is true:
1. Why would you use Bible verses to witness to people when they probably wouldn't understand the meaning at that point in their faith (needing a witness)?
2. What is the point of the Bible really? It certainly wouldn't convert people if you have to already believe to get it. Why would someone reading about as many religions as they can (in their seach for truth) choose a Biblical religon when they could choose a religion that had a book anyone could understand?
(If you want to know where I'm coming from I think being a Christian is as good as any other religion and I respect you. I just don't think a book is necessary to communicate with God and this kind of stuff seems to support my belief)
2007-03-20 11:59:16 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your question is confusing.
When a person is born again, they are born of the Spirit. This anointing is our teacher, our spirit guide. He is the Spirit of Truth who leads into all truth. Not that man teach us, but the Holy Spirit teach us and we are to abide in that. The Holy Spirit enlightens truth in the bible for the persons seeking answers.
When I first recommitted to God and asked God questions, the Holy Spirit taught me one thing after another in the Holy Bible. I purchased a strongs exhaustive, and did word searches. Like the word love. And learned much.
As I read through the bible, questions would come up and I would do a word search and find out all what was written about it in the whole bible.
The bible does write to not forsake assembly of the Saints... So also, the Pastor should be anointed by the Holy Spirit and preach according to Gods Word as God leads. My Pastor doesn't preach canned messages. He seeks God what to preach for each service He preaches. Pastor Jack Holt at River of Life Fellowship, Kent WA.
The Bible is for the Christian to grow and mature in Christ with the anointing of the Spirit of Truth.
2007-03-20 12:18:05 · answer #1 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever seen the word BIBLE as an acronym? Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I think that is a good definition, but only a partial one. I do think that everyone can read the Bible and understand at least most of it on a basic level. Many people have done so, reading it from a literary standpoint. I don't think the basic stories and principles are too difficult if you look into them.
The Holy Spirit does show up and light up certain portions when you are seeking an answer. You can read the same thing over and over, and one day it stands out because you're going thru something that it applies to and all of a sudden it makes sense. I think when people say you need to be a believer, they are talking about this. A believer will seek an answer in the Bible and the Holy Spirit will lead them to the place. An unbeliever wouldn't normally look there to find answers.
The Bible is a book of principles in my opinion. Lessons on how we should live. It's not about rules and regulations. I think that people like to pick it apart and try to find contradictions, or non-historically proved pieces. What if it is a book of parables, not of history? If you read it and try to find the "moral of the story" so to speak, I don't think that you can argue with it. The basic idea of loving your neighbor is universal. Love God and love your neighbor are what Jesus tells us are the greatest commandments. In loving God, it means we obey Him. He tells us not to kill, steal, lie, etc... Those are all good rules to live by as far as the society is concerned. If we follow His guidelines, we experience much less pain and we cause much less pain to others. I think that is a good thing.
As far as using the Word to "convert" people, there is power in the word. The Bible tells us that the Word of God will never come back void. It is the sword and it pierces the heart. Maybe there won't be an immediate reaction, but when the Word of God is sent out, it will cause some sort of change. A person may need many "strokes of the sword" to get a visible revelation of God, but it is always out there, cutting away the hardness of heart and making a way for God's love to be felt in the heart.
2007-03-21 12:15:36 · answer #2 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is true and the answer to your first question is that the Bible also tells us that the only thing an unbeliever can understand is the gospel. Which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the only thing they can see. However, many Christians are ignorant on that and they do use many scriptures to witness that will have no effect. Those types of people usually like contention and like to argue about points of view and not really witness.
2 question: The Point of the Bible is that it was written for our learning about things that happened to others and their mistakes, so we won't make the same ones and to know our Lord and have a pleasing relationship with Him. Someone who is searching for the truth would choose to follow a religion with a book they can understand because it is easier for them and they wouldn't have to put their faith to the test.
2007-03-20 19:09:59 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Momma 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that God reveals deeper meaning to His Word as our faith matures. As a new believer I could understand the basic meaning of most parts of the Bible. But with deeper faith and more time spent in the Word, I'm gaining a better understanding of it.
Other books can be the same way. I've read a book for the second or third time, and I catch things that I missed the first time.
As for converting people ... I think that many passages in Scripture, such as Romans 3:23 (..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) and John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.) are easy enough to understand. Whether one accepts it as truth or not is a different question, but it's not difficult to understand the meaning.
2007-03-20 19:10:03 · answer #4 · answered by Sam S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I did when I wanted to understand the Bible was ask God to help me understand and after a while I could understand it. It was like a light switch turned on. A lot of it is still a mystery but it's a lot clearer now. I think the point of it is to help us grow spiritually. If we do things like live the golden rule and things like learning to love everyone as we love ourselves then we will grow up a lot spiritually and I think that's the purpose of life on earth. I know that some other religions have the same truths that the Bible has like the golden rule but I think the Bible can give hope and change people's lives if they can get the understanding of it by simply asking.
2007-03-20 20:57:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, understanding is provided for all believers and to those who seek in faith.
1. There are some verses written very plainly and easy to understand, get a general idea or at least inspire curiosity. John 3:16 being one of the very best examples of this in my opinion. However, I tend to use scripture to support a statement I may make, I rarely throw them out there randomly to someone who might not understand or even care too. It's difficult for me to believe that good may come from that.
2. The 'point' of the bible is; it's for those who are seeking and in an honest search, understanding will be given. It is the only historical works directly inspired by God. It is our guide for life in service to Him.
It is not necessary to read the book to communicate with God, I communicated with Him long before I attained a reading comprehension that would allow me to understand the KJV that my mother kept on the coffee table. It was my love for Him that inspired me to read and study scriptures from many different versions. Not everyone will feel this desire, for His plan is not the same for all of us. I do hope at some point your curiosity will lead you to scripture, there is peace of understanding to be found there. :)
2007-03-20 19:24:51 · answer #6 · answered by rezany 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many parts to your question. As to the purpose of the Bible, read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Don't let the fact that it is a book lessen its value to you. The written word happens to be a proven way of preserving a communication -- in this case, God to man.
2007-03-20 19:12:00 · answer #7 · answered by John 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reading Scripture to "non-believers" is ridiculous and logically circular.
There are things God has written in our hearts but other things are only written in his book. Like the way we have some basic understand of math, but it is heightened when we read a Calculus book.
I've read the philosophies of many religions, but the Bible is the only one I felt on a spiritual level. I wouldn't argue with anyone to feel the same way I feel, that would be useles.
2007-03-20 19:06:02 · answer #8 · answered by Bebe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some things in the bible are point blank....and many do know what it means, but a lot is spiritual too--so when you are saved the Holy Spirit leads you into all truth- John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
(this is written to those who are saved, and when they are saved the holy spirit resides in them)
But someone has to hear the gospel of Christ before they can have faith, for Romans 10:17 says "Faith comes from hearing and by hearing the word of God" That is why we quote scripture, because they are God's words and they are powerful and do convict sinners as they did us before we got saved.
There is much God has to teach us in His word, as it states we who do believe need at some point to move from the "milk" to the "meat" of His word....and only the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us--many can interpret scripture anyway they please, but it is GOD's wisdom and truth we want to hear, what HE has to tell us, not what we want to see.
2007-03-20 19:16:16 · answer #9 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My belief??? It is what it is... God did not mean for the Bible to have one strict interpretation. It is with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that its Truth will be revealed to you. In other words, you don't need to be "mature in your faith" or a believer... Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.
Glad to see you asking questions like this.
2007-03-20 19:10:31 · answer #10 · answered by santan_cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋