Jesus is a better Priest.
Jesus as a PRIEST.
A PRIEST forever. 6; cf. Psalm 110:4
RECEIVED it from God. 4-5, 10
IN the order of Melchizedek. 6 (ch7)
ETERNAL Salvation’s Author. 9
SUFFERED, SACRIFICE. 8-9
TEARS to Him. 7
How is Jesus BETTER?
The REST that is in Christ.
There REMAINS a rest. 1,6,9
Labor to ENTER it. 3,10-11
SOME won’t enter. The word is a SHARP SWORD. 12-13
Jesus, the Son of God, Sits on the THRONE of grace. 14-16
How is Jesus BETTER?
Each New Year I write to encourage us all to read the Word of God. “New Year, New Me” is the mantra of most of us at the beginning of a New Year.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:12-13).
Usually someone would say, “It’s not enough to just read it, you’ve got to STUDY it.” To this I would whole heartedly agree. (The basis of any study is of course reading).
That being said, people struggle to study the bible as it appears overwhelming at first. To allay those fears, this article is titled…
5 Tips for Effective Bible STUDY.
These tips will have a foundation of scripture along with a tip on how to be more effective in our study of the Word of God.
#1 SEARCH the word. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
From these scriptures we find the first tip, SEARCH the scriptures. There are a few resources available to just about everyone to help us in our SEARCH through God’s word. First, I use “Nave’s Topical Bible.” This is a type of Bible concordance with over 20,000 topics and subtopics. Plus, there’s an app for that!
Other online resources I use are either “Bible Hub” or the “Blue Letter Bible.” Both of these sites & apps have within them “Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.” A concordance can help you SEARCH for any word, phrase, or verse in the Bible. Because all of these are compilations of humans, care & discernment needs to be taken by the Bible Student.
We can SEARCH the Scriptures and be “more noble minded.”
#2 TEACH it to others. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same teach thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2Tim 2:2). “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1Tim 4:13). “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,” (Titus 2:4).
From these passages we can’t help but notice the need to TEACH the things we STUDY to others in the faith. This is separate from evangelism which is also important. In the church there are those that need a boost from the more mature members (cf. Heb 5:12). It is often said by the one that teaches that they learn even more from their studies than they teach to others.
We can TEACH sound doctrine to other faithful Christians.
#3 Seek to UNDERSTAND because you can. “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:3-4). “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem” (Dan 9:2).
While some will claim that you are unable to understand the Bible without their personal guidance, these scriptures show otherwise. While it is helpful to call on another for help with your study of more difficult passages (see Acts 8:30-31), it’s still possible to UNDERSTAND the word of God yourself through your own studies.
The resources listed above also give you access to Bible Dictionaries like; “Smith’s Bible Dictionary” “W.E. Vine’s” and “Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words” to look up the meanings of words as used in the original languages. Along with the concordances, a student can discover the meaning of a text through understanding the words, and examining similar passages allowing the Bible to explain itself through less difficult passages.
We can UNDERSTAND the Bible through reading and STUDY.
#4 Develop a DELIGHT to study the Bible. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15). “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psalm 119:24,161).
When we see that we can be approved to God, and that His word has so many valuable truths, it becomes possible to enjoy reading, to DELIGHT in His word. The Psalmist tells us that God’s word is, righteous, pure, perfect, and that they provide comfort. These are just a few attributes of God’s word listed in the 176 verses in the Psalm, each of which is about the word of God. Is it any wonder that he found DELIGHT in His word?
We can DELIGHT in studying the Bible.
#5 We can find rest when we put on the YOKE of Christ and YEARN to LEARN of Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).
When citing this verse, we often overlook the LEARNING part. We desire the rest, but we never really ask how. We learn through reading and study.
We can find rest when we put on the YOKE to learn of Him.
Spencer is an evangelist working with the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas.
Click Here if you would like to hear this online.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
(Eph 2:8)
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).
Grace is the gift of God that brings us Eternal Life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
It may be helpful to some, as it is me, to think about the grace of God that enables us to have ETERNAL life.
First, we need to explain what ETERNAL means, (I know, but some “scholars” try to tell us it doesn’t mean what we think it means). It means EVERLASTING; perpetual, forever, ongoing. We look forward to a time when we can live with the Lord forever and ever.
How to attain to Eternal life is TAUGHT by the Word of Christ. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (Joh 6:68). “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life” (John 6:27). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). We would know nothing about it separate and apart from the revealed will of God in the Scriptures.
Eternal life is our lifelong EXPECTATION of hope that is in Christ. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1John 2:25). “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2; 3:7). “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7). Without eternal life, where is the hope?
Eternal life is for the RIGHTEOUS as defined by God. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt 25:46). “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5:21). We are made righteous through the blood of Christ when we are baptized into Christ (Rom 5:9; Rev 1:5).
There is a NEGATIVE aspect to eternal life. The same length of eternity that awaits those that are in Christ also awaits those who are outside of Christ. The difference will be location. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25:41-46). “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation” (Mark 3:29). “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2Thess 1:9). “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). Some will claim that the lost will be annihilated; the scriptures teach something different.
Back to the positive aspects of eternal life. We can be ASSURED of eternal life by our faithfulness to Christ. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13). When our faith begins to waver, perhaps it’s an indication of a need to study His word, examine ourselves, and make correction so we may return to that confidence we have in Christ. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1John 2:28; cf Heb 3:14; 10:22).
We can LAY HOLD of eternal life; “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses… Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1Tim 6:12, 19). This is done when we remain in the LOVE of Christ. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21). We love God when we keep His commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1John 5:3; cf John 14:15). The New Testament Scriptures are consistent on this point. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal 6:8). “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9).
Spencer
If you are in the Borger area and would like to attend one of the services of the church of Christ at Franklin and Juniper, click here for location, and time.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#4 Daniel.
This amazing man (cf. Ezek 14:14,20) could interpret the Kings dream of the tall statue, and read the handwriting on the wall. (Dan 2; 5). This is the Daniel that was rescued by God out of the Lions den. (Dan 6).
This inspired man STUDIED the word of God. Specifically he was READING from Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10.
Daniel 9:2 KJV
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know God’s intentions for us today when we READ.
Can you see how important God’s people placed on reading?
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#3 examples in ACTS.
Acts 8:32 the Eunuch
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Ac 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 17:11 The Bereans
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know how to obey the Gospel when we READ.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#2 Ezra Read to the people.
It was commanded to Read.
Deuteronomy 31:11 KJV
When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
They had obeyed.
Joshua 8:34-35 KJV
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
But they must have neglected the reading because they’re taken into captivity for their apostasy. They READ again upon their return.
Nehemiah 8:8 KJV
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can restore God’s New Covenant when we READ & Do.
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
I often encourage folks to READ the Bible. There are several examples of those that READ the bible and the results that followed.
#1 King Josiah Read & RESTORED OT Worship.
He was commanded to Read.
Deut 17:18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
But they had neglected that over the years, until they found a copy and he READ it.
2Kings 22:11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. 13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
(BTW, Based on the chart above, if you consider Genesis – Deuteronomy to be the Law of Moses, then this reading took about about 14 hours to read orally) In 2Chron 35:4, there is reference to the writings of King David.
2Kings 23:21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. 22 Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can RESTORE New Testament worship when we READ.
Luke 22:15-20; 1Cor 11:17-34
1Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
Can we Trust the Authenticity of the BIBLE?
One of the criticisms of the Bible is that it has been perverted over the years and we don’t have an accurate copy of the Bible. For our discussion today we’ll focus on the accuracy of the New Testament.
The critics will only offer conjecture as evidence that the Bible is corrupted. However, to know if something is corrupt, one must have an accurate sample by which to compare.
That’s where this article comes in; to show that we do have ancient examples to compare that our newly printed Bibles are accurate to the original.
This article doesn’t attempt to lay out ALL of the evidence for the Authenticity of the Bible. It will focus on the availability of ancient copies dating as far back as the 2nd Century AD.
By just looking at the available COPIES of the New Testament and comparing them, we can be certain of its accuracy. We’ll note the number of copies found so far, the accuracy between those copies, and the earlies dates of those copies.
The bible teaches that early CHRISTIANS made COPIES for themselves and shared them with other CHRISTIANS. “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Col 4:16). These were circulated, copied, and shared with other Christians, and this during the time of the operation of the Holy Spirit and the lives of the Apostles. Any error was quickly rooted out and destroyed. (cf. 3John 10; 1Cor 4:21; 2Cor 12:20-21)
There exist very OLD copies and very OLD fragments of the New Testament. By comparing all available copies, especially the OLDEST ones, we can assemble a complete translation in our modern language. This is what the translators did in the early part of the 1600’s. The New Testament was penned as late as AD68 or 70. The oldest complete copy of the New Testament is the Codex Sinaiticus which dates to about AD350.
There are OLDER, and nearly complete, copies of the NT. The Codex Vaticanus is dated to around AD325. OLD fragments of nearly complete books of the NT can be traced as far back as AD150, and some as early as AD125. (Bodmer Papyrus, the Gospel of John; John Rylands Fragment of John’s Gospel). Consider this information as you continue to read about other ancient and accepted writings.
Authors such as PLATO (300-400 bc), Aristotle (384BC), and Homer (8th century BC), are accepted despite having very few surviving copies of their works. Homer’s Iliad has only 643 manuscripts. Aristotle only has 49 MSS. Plato only has 263 copies.
Compare these number to the number of copies of the NT. We have well over 5,600 manuscripts (MSS) of the New Testament, not counting copies in other languages (Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Nubian), and not counting the multiple thousands of fragments of individual NT books dating as far back as AD150. Combine these with those copied into other languages and we are approaching 10,000 ancient copies of the NT. Following the rules of authenticity, the New Testament thoroughly passes this test..
Another reason you can trust the authenticity of the New Testament is by the number of YEARS between the writing and the number of copies. Those ancient writers of Plato, Aristotle, and Homer are separated from their copies by over 1,000 years in some cases. The ‘Clarke Plato’, the oldest manuscript for about half the dialogues of Plato, was written by John the Calligrapher in AD895. Homer wrote around 900BC, but the earlies copy of his work dates to 400BC. Aristotle lived in the 4th century BC, yet the earliest copy of his work dates to AD1100.
If scholars agree with the accuracy of those writers, (90% of the manuscripts agree in content), can we not therefore trust the accuracy of the New Testament? All of these copies of the NT, along with the various fragments, agree 99% with each other. If you assembled all of the discrepancies you could fit them on one sheet of a modern Bible. None of the differences changes the meaning of the text or alters anything about how to be saved. Besides, God is able to preserve His word as He says.
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1Peter 1:24-25). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt 24:35).
Conclusion:
Just on this information alone, one can trust that we have an accurate copy of the New Testament. Combine this with other evidence, both internal and external, we can be confident that we have God’s word preserved for us today. We CAN know the truth and the truth will set us free. (John 8:32)
Spencer
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:14 KJV
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
When we read we can be EQUIPPED for every good work..
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 