What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in?
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N
That's a tough question to answer.
On the one hand, it's very difficult to understand many new testament teachings without some sort of working knowledge of the old testament because much of the new testament is a fulfilling of things which were foreshadowed or prophesied in the old testament. For example, here is the very first verse of the new testament:
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
It is very significant that Jesus is referred to as being both "the son of David" and "the son of Abraham" because certain things were prophesied in relation to both of them in the old testament, and those prophecies will ultimately be fulfilled in Christ. If you're unfamiliar with those prophecies, then you're kind of disadvantaged right from the get go.
On the other hand, if one begins with the old testament, without some sort of working knowledge that much of it is a foreshadowing of that which is to be fulfilled in Christ in the new testament, then that could cause a lot of confusion as well. For example, sinners don't need to offer a Passover lamb to have their sins forgiven today as they did during old testament times because Christ, our true Passover lamb, has already been slain for us, and the former merely foreshadowed the latter.
Your best bet, if you ask me, is to pray for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, to teach you all things before reading the Bible, regardless of what book of it you are reading. The Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures, so he knows what they actually say and mean. In some way or another, they all teach of Jesus Christ. I could provide you with some scriptures to pray or meditate upon before reading the Bible if you want me to. They would be scriptures in relation to how God aids us in our understanding of the scriptures.
On the one hand, it's very difficult to understand many new testament teachings without some sort of working knowledge of the old testament because much of the new testament is a fulfilling of things which were foreshadowed or prophesied in the old testament. For example, here is the very first verse of the new testament:
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
It is very significant that Jesus is referred to as being both "the son of David" and "the son of Abraham" because certain things were prophesied in relation to both of them in the old testament, and those prophecies will ultimately be fulfilled in Christ. If you're unfamiliar with those prophecies, then you're kind of disadvantaged right from the get go.
On the other hand, if one begins with the old testament, without some sort of working knowledge that much of it is a foreshadowing of that which is to be fulfilled in Christ in the new testament, then that could cause a lot of confusion as well. For example, sinners don't need to offer a Passover lamb to have their sins forgiven today as they did during old testament times because Christ, our true Passover lamb, has already been slain for us, and the former merely foreshadowed the latter.
Your best bet, if you ask me, is to pray for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, to teach you all things before reading the Bible, regardless of what book of it you are reading. The Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures, so he knows what they actually say and mean. In some way or another, they all teach of Jesus Christ. I could provide you with some scriptures to pray or meditate upon before reading the Bible if you want me to. They would be scriptures in relation to how God aids us in our understanding of the scriptures.
Welcome to the CC room. I'm a newcomer to this site and want to be an encouragement in any way I can.
I'll make a suggestion that you could try and then you'll probably find your own way of devotion in the word.
When I was a new believer, someone gave this advice, and it built my faith tremendously. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
First, I would look up the promises made to you in Christ and through Christ. specifically in the epistles from Paul, Peter and John. The gospels are of course the great story of Christ's Life, death and resurrection and a must read. Also, I made a mistake early on and listen to someone that told me I didn't need to read the Old Testament. I should have incorporated that with my reading to get a full perspective of Gods plan from the beginning and sin's origin. Hope that your Blessed in the reading that you choose. Joshua 1:9
I'll make a suggestion that you could try and then you'll probably find your own way of devotion in the word.
When I was a new believer, someone gave this advice, and it built my faith tremendously. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
First, I would look up the promises made to you in Christ and through Christ. specifically in the epistles from Paul, Peter and John. The gospels are of course the great story of Christ's Life, death and resurrection and a must read. Also, I made a mistake early on and listen to someone that told me I didn't need to read the Old Testament. I should have incorporated that with my reading to get a full perspective of Gods plan from the beginning and sin's origin. Hope that your Blessed in the reading that you choose. Joshua 1:9
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N
Btw, understanding what a "testament" is could greatly aid you in your understanding of much of the Bible, which comes to us in the form of two testaments; the old testament and the new testament. Please consider the following:
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Hebrews 9:17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Hebrews 9:18
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Hebrews 9:19
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Hebrews 9:20
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
You mentioned your parents on another thread, so I hope you don't mind if I use them to illustrate something that might be beneficial to you.
Let's say that your parents both write their "last will and testament", and that they leave everything that they own to you. That testament wouldn't be "of force" or wouldn't go into effect until they, the testators, died. If you understand this principle, then you can understand much of both the old and new testaments. In other words, under the old testament, God had animals killed or sacrificed in order to make that testament "of force" or in order to put it into effect that people might inherit the promises under that testament.
Under the new testament, Jesus died as our sacrificial lamb, thereby making this testament "of force" or thereby putting it into effect that we might inherit the promises under that testament.
This is kind of what I was referring to in my previous response. Again, under the old testament, there were a lot of things which served to foreshadow things that Christ would later fulfil under the new testament. All of the old testament sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice which was to come:
Jesus' death on the cross for our sins.
I hope that his makes some sort of sense to you.
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Hebrews 9:17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Hebrews 9:18
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Hebrews 9:19
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Hebrews 9:20
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
You mentioned your parents on another thread, so I hope you don't mind if I use them to illustrate something that might be beneficial to you.
Let's say that your parents both write their "last will and testament", and that they leave everything that they own to you. That testament wouldn't be "of force" or wouldn't go into effect until they, the testators, died. If you understand this principle, then you can understand much of both the old and new testaments. In other words, under the old testament, God had animals killed or sacrificed in order to make that testament "of force" or in order to put it into effect that people might inherit the promises under that testament.
Under the new testament, Jesus died as our sacrificial lamb, thereby making this testament "of force" or thereby putting it into effect that we might inherit the promises under that testament.
This is kind of what I was referring to in my previous response. Again, under the old testament, there were a lot of things which served to foreshadow things that Christ would later fulfil under the new testament. All of the old testament sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice which was to come:
Jesus' death on the cross for our sins.
I hope that his makes some sort of sense to you.
N
Having reread this poster's comment, it might be best for you to begin by reading the book of Genesis, which actually means the book of beginnings. Like this poster said, that way, you'll get a much fuller perspective of God's plan from the beginning, and you'll also see how sin entered into this world in Genesis chapter 3. More than that, you'll see such things as the formation of the nation of Israel which began when God changed Jacob's name to "Israel". Jacob or "Israel" went on to have twelve sons, and those twelve sons became known as the twelve tribes of Israel.
In other words, by understanding how things began, you'll be better equipped to understand other things throughout the pages of the Bible that pertain to such people, places, or things.
In other words, by understanding how things began, you'll be better equipped to understand other things throughout the pages of the Bible that pertain to such people, places, or things.
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The replies above are likely approaches. First find a version that appeals to you. Some versions are not as accurate as the STANDARD King James. King James is tough to understand. New Living Translation is easy read. Bible Hub web site gives quite a few versions and you can get individual verses in multiple versions for comparison when a verse is difficult to understand. Or you can skip over hard parts which can be quite a few. Particularly in the OT.
It will take some time to get a 'comprehensive' understanding of how the whole Bible is really about Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. There is a verse that tells us all of the Bible is instructive for us and "inspired'. If you 'desire' to accept Christ as your Savior you may want to read the NT first. Repentance is the first step. That means as the 1st verse of the 1st Psalm says you would like to become like that person and not stay like the opposite of that person. Don't rush it.
It will take some time to get a 'comprehensive' understanding of how the whole Bible is really about Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. There is a verse that tells us all of the Bible is instructive for us and "inspired'. If you 'desire' to accept Christ as your Savior you may want to read the NT first. Repentance is the first step. That means as the 1st verse of the 1st Psalm says you would like to become like that person and not stay like the opposite of that person. Don't rush it.
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You can never go wrong by starting with the Gospel of John until it is fully embedded in your heart and soul. Everything else will follow. There is so much meat in that Gospel that it would be a long time before you moved on. And don't forget to memorize portions which are critical.
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If your a true Christian -----ask the Holy Spirit -----He will guide you on your right passage ------He knows your heart and He is the only one who knows where your level of Faith is to understand what your reading ----He knows what you need to be fed ---milk or meat ------
We humans like to give advice but we do not know what your level of Spiritual understanding your at ----God is the only one who knows that -----
That is my advice
We humans like to give advice but we do not know what your level of Spiritual understanding your at ----God is the only one who knows that -----
That is my advice
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Welcome. I rejoice greatly over your decision to put your faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins! There's nothing more important a person can do.
I'd just pray and ask Him to guide you. Then just find something that looks good and start reading. If it doesn't spark your interest, move on to something else until you find something that does. The good thing about the Bible is there's plenty to choose from!
I'd just pray and ask Him to guide you. Then just find something that looks good and start reading. If it doesn't spark your interest, move on to something else until you find something that does. The good thing about the Bible is there's plenty to choose from!
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Hello @Jaxy, I agree with Nehemiah6 (and others), if you are choosing a first Book of the Bible to read, The Gospel of John is the best place to start.
That said, there are MANY different read and/or listen through the Bible in a year programs out there that all begin tomorrow on New Years Day. So, if that's what you'd like to do (read through the entire Bible), then this would be a great time and way to do that
Here's an interesting free/online year-through-the-Bible program that I found recently. It uses the NLT (New Living Translation) Bible, and it takes you through a portion of the OT/NT/Psalms/Proverbs each day so that you can finish reading/listening to the entire Bible by 12/31/23. The daily readings/listenings usually take about 25 minutes each day, just FYI, including the comments on the passages (see below).
The other interesting part of this particular read-through-the-Bible program is that each Bible passage comes with some commentary about it to help you understand what you are about to read and/or hear. Here's the link if you are interested: One Year Bible Online Audio – Daily Commentary and One Year Bible Audio Readings (NLT)
Happy New Year!
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
That said, there are MANY different read and/or listen through the Bible in a year programs out there that all begin tomorrow on New Years Day. So, if that's what you'd like to do (read through the entire Bible), then this would be a great time and way to do that
Here's an interesting free/online year-through-the-Bible program that I found recently. It uses the NLT (New Living Translation) Bible, and it takes you through a portion of the OT/NT/Psalms/Proverbs each day so that you can finish reading/listening to the entire Bible by 12/31/23. The daily readings/listenings usually take about 25 minutes each day, just FYI, including the comments on the passages (see below).
The other interesting part of this particular read-through-the-Bible program is that each Bible passage comes with some commentary about it to help you understand what you are about to read and/or hear. Here's the link if you are interested: One Year Bible Online Audio – Daily Commentary and One Year Bible Audio Readings (NLT)
Happy New Year!
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
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