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yeah you’ll notice John is the only gospel account that is very different than the others it’s focused on who Jesus is and invited us to trust in him while Matthew mark and Luke are focused on his teachings
that’s the only reason I suggested John first it’s a revelation of who Jesus is and why we need to put our faith in him , while the others focus on what Jesus taught to those who trust in him and are willing to hear his word and accept it.
all are expressly important and the order isn’t a rule to live by . it just that John reveals who he is and why we need to completely trust him alone for salvation , the others touch on that also but johns is written for that purpose.
You right though Matthew is also a good place to start. Be blessed by what you learn
that’s the only reason I suggested John first it’s a revelation of who Jesus is and why we need to put our faith in him , while the others focus on what Jesus taught to those who trust in him and are willing to hear his word and accept it.
all are expressly important and the order isn’t a rule to live by . it just that John reveals who he is and why we need to completely trust him alone for salvation , the others touch on that also but johns is written for that purpose.
You right though Matthew is also a good place to start. Be blessed by what you learn
You are receiving much good advise above, but I assure you of this: If you do not understand the Purpose of Christ, the Work of Christ, and the Effect of Christ . . . the Bible will be very elusive to you. So, without angering the many who have written after me, I would simply suggest that as you follow their direction, note all of the instances where the three below Elements are indicated:
1) The Purpose of Christ
2) The Work of Christ
3) The Effect of Christ
John 3:16-17 are great for understanding the Purpose of Christ: John 3:16-17 NLT - ""For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
Colossians 2:9-15 are the greatest, most clear Scriptural texts that outline the Work of Christ. Those Seven Holy verses will keep you occupied for a very, very long time as you learn about the ENTIRE Bible. Col 2:9-15 is the Heart of the Bible, for without Circumcision of Heart, nothing else matters. If we do not receive the Circumcision of Christ, all other Biblical knowledge is utterly useless. Therefore, it is imperative that you grasp this concept. And once you grasp it, you will find that teaching all throughout Scripture, but written of and spoken of in hidden, mysterious ways and terms. For example, the below is describing the Spiritual Circumcision of Heart:
John 9:35-41 NLT - "When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." 37 "You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you!" 38 "Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" 41 "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."
All of John chapter nine deals with healing a blind man. But as you can "see," Jesus summarized the entire healing experience with its True context, which is the removal of the Sinful Nature so that the Spiritually blind could be allowed to Spiritually "see." This is what Circumcision of the Heart accomplishes. So while my friends above are telling you to start reading the Bible with the book of John, how can you understand it unless you are first to understand the base principles of the Mysterious Plan of God? You can't . . . and you won't. These things are hidden unless you are first given the foundation of understanding, such as:
1) The Purpose of Christ
2) The Work of Christ
3) The Effect of Christ
The four basic Works of Christ are:
1) The Circumcision of Christ
2) The granted ability and desire to Turn and Repent from sin . . . and actually change.
3) To send the gift of the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and lead (into change).
4) The death of Jesus on the Cross pays the debt for sin and by believing in this act and in the Power that raised Christ from the dead, a person is then made Right with God.
So, this means that while many from the Old Testament were made Pure, Righteous, Blameless and Holy, they were not yet made Right with God, for they had to wait for the Day of Christ. Again, they were Pure, Perfect, Righteous and Holy through the three first Works of Christ, but it would be the forth Work, and the belief in it, that would make them Right with God.
Romans 3:25-26 NLT - "For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus."
Lastly, the Effect of Christ. Are you familiar with Corinthians chapter 13, the Love Chapter? No one can Love in that specific way unless they have received the Circumcision of Christ. No one can Love [that] way unless they have been relieved of the Curse that causes chaos and confusion. It is impossible!
1 Corinthians 13:3-7 NLT - "If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Romans 12 also outlines the Holy Effect of the Circumcision of Christ. How else could one Love their enemies?
Romans 12:9-10, 13-21 NLT - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ... 13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD. 20 Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." 21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."
These are only but a mere few of the examples that I could give for each Work of Christ. But once you get the concepts and become aware of the fact that you MUST look out for the Purpose, Work, and Effect of Christ . . . THEN the Bible will begin to make sense to you.
I wish that someone would have taught me these things . . . one of my many pastors and teachers. But, no one ever did. I had to read the entire Bible to figure it out myself. If you are sincere, and if you feel that I am telling you the Truth . . . I will be here to help you until you no longer need my help.
Much respect young Brother.
1) The Purpose of Christ
2) The Work of Christ
3) The Effect of Christ
John 3:16-17 are great for understanding the Purpose of Christ: John 3:16-17 NLT - ""For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
Colossians 2:9-15 are the greatest, most clear Scriptural texts that outline the Work of Christ. Those Seven Holy verses will keep you occupied for a very, very long time as you learn about the ENTIRE Bible. Col 2:9-15 is the Heart of the Bible, for without Circumcision of Heart, nothing else matters. If we do not receive the Circumcision of Christ, all other Biblical knowledge is utterly useless. Therefore, it is imperative that you grasp this concept. And once you grasp it, you will find that teaching all throughout Scripture, but written of and spoken of in hidden, mysterious ways and terms. For example, the below is describing the Spiritual Circumcision of Heart:
John 9:35-41 NLT - "When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." 37 "You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you!" 38 "Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" 41 "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."
All of John chapter nine deals with healing a blind man. But as you can "see," Jesus summarized the entire healing experience with its True context, which is the removal of the Sinful Nature so that the Spiritually blind could be allowed to Spiritually "see." This is what Circumcision of the Heart accomplishes. So while my friends above are telling you to start reading the Bible with the book of John, how can you understand it unless you are first to understand the base principles of the Mysterious Plan of God? You can't . . . and you won't. These things are hidden unless you are first given the foundation of understanding, such as:
1) The Purpose of Christ
2) The Work of Christ
3) The Effect of Christ
The four basic Works of Christ are:
1) The Circumcision of Christ
2) The granted ability and desire to Turn and Repent from sin . . . and actually change.
3) To send the gift of the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and lead (into change).
4) The death of Jesus on the Cross pays the debt for sin and by believing in this act and in the Power that raised Christ from the dead, a person is then made Right with God.
So, this means that while many from the Old Testament were made Pure, Righteous, Blameless and Holy, they were not yet made Right with God, for they had to wait for the Day of Christ. Again, they were Pure, Perfect, Righteous and Holy through the three first Works of Christ, but it would be the forth Work, and the belief in it, that would make them Right with God.
Romans 3:25-26 NLT - "For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus."
Lastly, the Effect of Christ. Are you familiar with Corinthians chapter 13, the Love Chapter? No one can Love in that specific way unless they have received the Circumcision of Christ. No one can Love [that] way unless they have been relieved of the Curse that causes chaos and confusion. It is impossible!
1 Corinthians 13:3-7 NLT - "If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Romans 12 also outlines the Holy Effect of the Circumcision of Christ. How else could one Love their enemies?
Romans 12:9-10, 13-21 NLT - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ... 13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD. 20 Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." 21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."
These are only but a mere few of the examples that I could give for each Work of Christ. But once you get the concepts and become aware of the fact that you MUST look out for the Purpose, Work, and Effect of Christ . . . THEN the Bible will begin to make sense to you.
I wish that someone would have taught me these things . . . one of my many pastors and teachers. But, no one ever did. I had to read the entire Bible to figure it out myself. If you are sincere, and if you feel that I am telling you the Truth . . . I will be here to help you until you no longer need my help.
Much respect young Brother.