What do you think of the old testament?

Question

I'm a new christian and i've only read the old testament. I've read up to Exodis. Where they talk about the passover.

Also i'm reading the new international version. Is that a good version?

My bible is very thick because it's a study application bible. It's really awesome. It interperates like every hard line. The old testament doesn't bother me. I think i'm reading the bible how it was intended to be read. From beginning to the end. Unless i'm wrong.

Answer 1

Scary stuff.

Answer 2

The New International version is good but I would start with the Amplified version, as a new Christian, it's very informative by showing you the word in the context., clarifying words and phrases. It also has great footnotes and Introductions and is very easy to understand. Also, a good way to start the Bible is to read the Gospel of John first because it explains the story of God and His relationship with man and why Jesus came etc. Then when you begin to read Genesis and on, you already have a knowledge of what God's purpose and intent was in the OT. Later on when you are more familiar with the Bible, you'll find a version that suits you best. Almost every Christian I know has several Bibles that they use for different comparisons and studies.

Answer 3

Welcome to the Kingdom. As a new Christian it's important to understand what has taken place. Let the Gospels open this up to you. Eventually you will need to study the O.T. It's important to understand the history of Israel and how God related to them as His chosen people. Much of the New Test. is the fulfillment of prophesy in the O.T. The Bible as a whole is the story of God's plan for the redemption of man. You need to continually study both Old & New to get the full picture. Psalms & Proverbs are very beneficial to the new Christian as instructions for living to please God....there is much wisdom there. But, the New Test. is probably easier to read & understand until you become "seasoned." If you continue in the O.T. only, I suggest you get a good commentary to help you understand what's going on when it talks about feasts, cultures, laws, different nations, etc. I recommend Matthew Henry or J. Vernon McGee because even the commentary can be difficult to understand and these are pretty easy reads. There are quite a few translations that are dependable and NIV is a good one. I don't recommend that you use a paraphrase like "the Living Bible." It's just one man's interpretation of the Bible, whereas a translation is just that....the translation of the original. A good Bible handbook is also a good tool. It's wonderful that you are thirsty for the Word and I encourage you to make it a habit in your daily life. You may not understand everything you read, but God will give you the meanings that you need for current ability to understand scripture. He will open your understanding for whatever He wants you to know right now. Again, welcome to the kingdom and may God bless you with discernment as you grow in faith.

Answer 4

Greetings! Reading the old testament is good, for the basic thing with it was that it pointed to Jesus the Suffering Servant, the Messiah who was anointed to preach good tidings to the meek, point out our sins under the law until mercy and grace would come and deliver us from the schoolmaster which was the law, and show the many types and shadows of Jesus... the Seed of Abraham who would save the world. As a new believer friend, I'd recommend that you spend more time in the NEW TESTAMENT! I'd start with the Gospel of John, then continue onto the epistles of Paul. The book of Acts, which was written by Luke the Physiciand, was written to give an account of things to Theophililus. Paul wrote much of the New Testament... nearly 2/3! As far as the NIV, if that is working well for you continue reading it friend. My home church uses the NIV, though my personal favorite is the NASB and then the NIV. The enemy of your soul, the devil, will try to get you caught up in the debate over versions to get you to NOT read God's word... but he will also try to bring sins to your remembrance to trick you up. Just know that it is a trick, and if you've asked Jesus to forgive you... they are gone forever and are cast into the sea of forgetfulness as far as the east is from the west. If you'd like to read God's word online or study, try going to www.blueletterbible.com. You can study things and check out various renderings in other translations. God bless you and keep going.

Answer 5

New International Version is a good version. As a new Christian, it be better to start in the new testament. It's hard to read straight through the bible. Leviticus and Deuteronomy get pretty boring and can be difficult to get through. Lots of people stall out (me too). You might get more out of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) or Colossians, or Romans as good places to start. Some bibles have a-read the bible in a year-plan that skips around in managable sections. Just a thought. God Bless!

Answer 6

The Old Testament has many things in it that are valuable to a Christian but it is primarily the history of Judism and Christianity. It will show you to what lengths God is willing to go to get his people back in the fold after the fall of man (Adam and Eve). The New Testament however is the portion of the Bible I love most. Especially the four gospels that are about the life of Jesus Christ. They are the guidelines for my faith and for my daily life. God Bless you. The new international version is much like other Bibles but I personally like a study Bible because it usually gives the history and historical balance to what is written.

Answer 7

The Old Testament is a good book; it has lots of cool stuff. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah are my favs. Job is a good book to read if you are feeling depressed and down on your luck, and Pslams are great for praising God, and Proverbs is great for gaining lots of wisdom in a short period of time.

KJV is the most authoritative, using formal equivalence for its translation. Any version is good to get you started, but you'll want an accurate one when you analyze the meaning of specific passages. It becomes very, very important later on. Do some research online to compare bible versions, and don't be afraid to join study groups or get involved with other Christians if you have trouble with the Book.

I've put some links below in my sources. Stay blessed!

Answer 8

Honestly, the King James version is best the NIV changes so many words and it is interpreted not as closely as to the original Bible. The old testament is a guide for the new testament. You have to know where you been to know where you are going. Exodus is a very important chapter about the children of Israel. It gives the commandments and judgments it also allows you to have insight on generational curses and blessings. The passover is important because it lines up how we are to conduct our-self for such an event.

Answer 9

All things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His promises. The Old Testament is just part of God love letter to us(the other part is the New Testament). The complete Bible is given to us to help us understand God, His nature and His teachings to us. I think that one should read the King James version first. Sure there will be some things you may not understand, but at least you will get a general concept of the Word of God before you read the N.I.V. May God Bless U.

Answer 10

Congratulations on reading the bible. The old testament is our "schoolmaster". But don't forget to read the new also. Its like putting on socks, you need both.

NIV will not let you take the words back into the Hebrew, greek or Caldee with the use of a strongs concordance. A king James will. That way you can take the words back and see what they really meant.

Answer 11

The NIV is a good version.
The Old Testament has alot of good information in it. There is so much Gospel contained in there, even though some might believe that it only contains law.
It sounds like you are reading the Bible straight through. I wish you luck with that.