Bible in the first place #2/3

Scriptures testifying about Jesus the Messiah, giving words to contemplate around the central theme of the Kingdom of God.

A Master teacher as example

Christ had appointed apostles who would be his authoritative spokesmen. He taught, guided and inspired them with the many works he did in the name of the Father. After some time Jesus gave them and all his followers to go out in the world and to speak his word on his behalf with his authority. Those words of the apostles are all bundled in the Letters (episltes) and in the Gospel, which tells us more about that magnificent prophet Jesus and his followers.

“And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Yahshua had done for him: and all \@men\@ did marvel.” (Mark 5:20 KJBPNV)

“And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” (Mark 6:6 KJBPNV)

“Return to your own house, and show how great things God has done to you. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Yahshua had done to him.” (Luke 8:39 KJBPNV)

“5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to the Messiah Yahshua: 6 That you may with one mind \@and\@ one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Yahshua the Messiah.” (Romans 15:5-6 KJBPNV)

“6  When they therefore had come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power. 8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the utmost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8 KJBPNV)

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Yahshua the Messiah.” (Acts 5:42 KJBPNV)

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Yahshua the Messiah.” (Acts 20:21 KJBPNV)

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13 KJBPNV). Following the Old Testament we can see that Jesus was that promised Saviour and that he got the right to become the new high-priest in the order of Melchizedek to from the chosen race, a royal priesthood.

“Where the forerunner is for us entered, \@even\@ Yahshua, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:20 KJBPNV)

“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,” (Hebrews 7:15 KJBPNV)

“9 But you \@are\@ a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 Which in time past \@were\@ not a people, but \@are\@ now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 KJBPNV)

It is by listening to all those words by those chosen people that we can come out of the dark and declare abroad the excellences of the one that called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9-10) Those words we can study are not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. This is what we have in the New Testament — God’s word mediated to us in the divinely taught words of men. God’s words come to us in human words.

A word to contemplate

The books of the Old Testament, showing their positions in both the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, shown with their names in Hebrew) and Christian Bibles. The Deuterocanon or Apocrypha are colored differently from the Protocanon (the Hebrew Bible books which are considered canonical by all). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By reading the Bible we can draw close to Jehovah. Trying to understand His Words we shall, by meditating on what we have learned from his Word, be able to grow and become stronger. We should consider or look attentively at His Words. Going through the 66 books of the Bible to see how God works and shall understand His activities, His directions, and His promises. We also shall get to see how He worked through men and always kept to His promises but also was willing to adapt certain things according to the need and wishes of simple people. By looking how all the words ad up we can see that there is no reason at all not to trust God.

Therefore we should not let  the book of God’s Law depart from our mind, nor from our mouth. Meditating on it day by day shall not only bring us insight but it will keep us and let us do according to all which has been written in it. For then shall we render our ways prosperous, and then shall we act prudently.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 KJBPNV)

“1  Blessed \@is\@ the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight \@is\@ in the law of Yahweh; and in his law does he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3 KJBPNV)

Central theme

The Bible has one central theme: the vindication of God’s right to rule mankind and the fulfilment of his purpose by means of his heavenly Kingdom. All through the many years God guided His people and showed many wonders to proof He was with them and He would fulfil all the things He had promised. In His Word He gave the opportunity to his creatures to find everything they should know. God gave men a set of rules so that they could organise their live to the best. Following these rules brings peace of mind and eternal rewards. Not following brings on stress, chaos, and destruction. The blessed hope for the Land of Israel and for the Kingdom of God has been preached for many centuries. Millennia have gone by but the message has still to go round.

By means of a global preaching work by many serious Bible students, God’s Kingdom is already helping millions from all nations to learn God’s ways.

 “And it came to pass afterward, that he {Yahshua/Jeshua/Jesus} went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve \@were\@ with him,” (Luke 8:1 KJBPNV)

“17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither \@any thing\@ hidden, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.” (Luke 8:17-18 KJBPNV)

“36 The word which \@God\@ sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Yahshua the Messiah: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, \@I say,\@ you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Yahshua of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:” (Acts 10:36-39 KJBPNV)

“42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God \@to be\@ the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:42-43 KJBPNV)

“8 But what says it? The word is near you, \@even\@ in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yahshua, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. 12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [Yahweh] shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, unless they are sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord [Yahweh], who has believed our report?” (Romans 10:8-16 KJBPNV)

“1  I charge \@you\@ therefore before God, and the Lord Yahshua the Messiah, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away \@their\@ ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5 KJBPNV)

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14 KJBPNV)

Working to an end

Although written thousands of years ago, the Bible is free of mistaken scientific ideas that had gained wide acceptance in ancient times. Documented historical evidence proves that Bible prophecies, or predictions, have come true. but there are still a few prophesies which have not yet become reality. Jesus also warned to be ready for those days that they would become fulfilled, because in case we than would still have to prepare ourselves, we would be utterly too late.

ScriptureSeedsLogo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is now, today, that we do have to live and to prepare ourselves for the future. It is now that we do have to make the right choice and shall have to put the world first or God and His Kingdom first. In case we are convinced that we can have a better live by the grace of God, we better prepare ourselves to be ready to enter through the small gate.

Very few people nowadays really let the Bible guide their thoughts and actions. Though to be able to make it to the finish we should run the race of the Good Life by putting God’s Word on the stage and in the first place.

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Previous: Bible in the first place #1/3

Next: Bible in the first place #3/3

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Bijbel op de eerste plaats #2/3

Find additional reading:

1. Bible basic intro
2. Plain necessary food of the Gospel
3. Loving the Word
4. Fixing our attention
5. Bible Word of God,inspired and infallible
6. The Importance Of Scripture
7. Bible guide
8. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
9. Bible power to change
10. When reading your Bible be aware of changing language
11. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
12. Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words
13. Another way looking at a language #2 Meanings
14. Another way looking at a language #4 Ancient times
15. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
16. Another way looking at a language #7 Lingua Franca
17. Pluralis Majestatis in the Holy Scriptures
18. The Bible and names in it
19. Position of the Bible researcher
20. Listening and Praying to the Father
21. Written to recognise the Promissed One
22. Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
23. Only worhsip the Creator of all things
24. Concerning gospelfaith
25. Faith
26. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God
27. Leaving the Old World to find better pastures
28. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
29. Self inflicted misery #8 Pruning to strengthen us
30. Self inflicted misery #9 Subject to worldly things
31. Worship and worshipping
32. Religious Practices around the world
33. Many churches
34. Childish or reasonable ways
35. Listening and praying to the Father
36. Full authority belongs to God
37. Sayings around God

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1. One mediator
2. Promise of comforter
3. Jehovah, Creator of all things
4. Not afraid for the Name of the Holy One God
5. Only One God
6. God is One

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Of interest:

What Is the Torah?

Building up the community by the Word of God: Breathing and growing with no heir

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