Bible - Old Testament

 

Making sense of the Bible 2 (notes are intended for the many migrants I have taught Australian English)

The divisions of the Bible are important. The obvious division is Old Testament/New Testament. Testament means 'covenant, agreement'.  It is evident in the narrative of the Bible, that the unchanging God connects with different people in different ways at different times. (Hebrews 1)

The two covenants are summarized in John Chapter 1:

"The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ".

Looking at the Old, the first five books (Genesis to Deuteronomy) are called Torah. These were given to the Hebrews by Moses (Israelites later called Jews).

The second section is a candid record of the Israelite nation in the land of Canaan. It is not a very impressive story, but details the good and the bad.

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of songs are prose, poetry, praise, wisdom and romance books.

Isaiah through to Malachi are the messages of the prophets who warned Israel and the nations to turn to the Lord. They often spoke into the future of both judgement and restoration. Included are many prophecies about the anticipated Messiah – Jesus.

I encourage you to look among the Psalms – they can cheer your day like nothing else.

Next time – New Testament

Can we understand the Bible?

 

Making sense of the Bible

    If you walked into a library, to which section would you go? To the non-fiction,  or the DVD's or the fiction or the encyclopedia, or the newspapers??

    If you opened the library of the Bible, what would you be looking for.?  The range is extensive :- History, poetry legal,  spiritual, romantic, life skills, futuristic.  These sections have been written by many different authors in various countries. The variety has a common theme – God reaching out to humanity. These books have come together over many years.

    It is not a book of science trying to prove the existence of God. Nor is it a simplistic 'how to manual'. Rather it is God revealing Himself  and connecting with different people at different times in history, connecting in different ways.

    The first section has the family of Abraham in focus. Much of it is written for and about the Israelite nation. The songbook  (Psalms) relates very much to the experiences, good and bad, of people of all times.

    The section that shines out as most relevant are the accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. These biographies are clear expressions of the ways God connects with both Jews and Gentiles (non Jews). Jesus is presented as very different from normal people , yet very real in human life. They also present different aspects of the person – The man Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. (written by Matthew ,Mark,  Luke, John)

    These four Gospel records are enhanced by the subsequent teaching of His Apostles ( Peter, James John , Paul etc). He commissioned them to teach the new Gospel by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  They were to unveil things about Himself that He had purposely hidden. (John 16)

    The history of 'Acts', shows the purpose of the Lord, that through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ , forgiveness of sins should be preached to the whole world.  The problems and failures in this endeavour are honestly recorded. The blessings to the whole world are recorded in the 2000 years of history since.

May I encourage you to go browsing, beginning with the contents page.

johnmckee@internode.on.net 

The BIBLE

 

The Bible stands as the most unique book of all time. Many  have  tried to burn it, ban it, break it. It endures the test of time as God's word (His revelation to mankind).

It has been my privilege to give many Bibles to school students recently. But can they understand it?  Is it not a daunting history with Israelite laws? Which parts apply today and which don't?  Is it reliable to the originals?

All these are important questions, and that is one of the reasons why I write this blog. By the Lord's help I seek to make the Bible trusted and relevant. It helps people trust the book when they see it operating in a Christian's life.

So understanding the book is important, but living the truth revealed in it is vital. So many religions are a creed or ritual  to be assented to without a living connection with the true and living God. The Bible is a revelation  from God , for the purpose of connecting us with God,  Anything less is superficial and religion without the Bible is fake.

Jesus Christ the Lord , wants to live in our hearts by the working of the Holy Spirit.  (Ephesians 3)

 

"being born again , not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever"  (1 Peter1:23)

Great conclusions

 

The lessons at school on Romans are concluding. Such great and precious promises linked to high and holy practical outcomes.

From ruined, rebellious sinners to committed Christians .

The letter from Paul concludes with a very wise God who in love intends great and good experiences for His children, now and forever.

Romans 11:33  "Oh what a wonderful God we have!"

        12:12 "Be glad for all God is planning for you"

        13:14  "Let the Lord Jesus take control of you"

        14:9  "He is Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died."

        15:5  "May God who gives patience and encouragement, help you to live in complete harmony with each other."

        15:13  " So  I pray that God who gives hope, will fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

        16:25  "God is able to strengthen you"

        16:27  "To  God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ .  Amen"  NLT

comments welcome - johnckee@internode.on.net

Romans is brilliant

 

The message to the Romans began with truth telling about the problem of the human condition. After presenting God’s solution through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the prospects become brilliant.

To believers, God imparts His love. Acceptance into God’s family that supersedes death in Adam’s family. Victory over debilitating sin is promised to all who surrender to the Lord. Eternal life is given as a free gift. Liberty from the demands of Moses law is real, as one lives and walks in the light and control of the Holy Spirit.

But that’s not all! The future hope of participating in a changed creation. The future prospect of being changed into the image of the Son of God – wow  !

How can all this be real for an unworthy Christian? It will be so because this agenda of undeserved favour (grace) is driven by unquenchable love – God’s love.

What about the reality of our world gone mad? Yes chapter nine to eleven handles that quite well. Human rebellion has been happening for a long time – both in heathen culture and Jewish privilege, but God is not defeated. He will gather together all things in Christ, and the present day chaos is a very real indication, it could be very soon.

Much detail could be given, but the conclusion of chapter 11 is so good.

       “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out.

      For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen”

Please read Romans again and if never before , find you peace and hope in what God has done and is doing now.

Bible book - Romans

 

A fresh look at an old book – Romans

Chapters 1 to 6

The people then and now are bound by the culture they live in. So many see no need or hope of change.

This is why the Gospel is so special. It can  lift people out of the culture of idol worship. It can set people free from the deception of humanistic enlightenment. The good news breaks the chains of religion  and reconnects them to the one true and living God.

How does God bring back people to Himself?    By religion – no.    by education – no.    by commerce – no.    by force – no.

Reconciliation to God is by a person – the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

God could clearly see from history and the heart of humans that reformation and religion doesn't work.  So He sent into the world His own Son.  Through faith in Him, Jesus Christ the Lord, God achieves so much for us.

1     Forgiveness of sins (so many sins listed, that offend the holiness of God).

2     Justification before God (declared right with God because Jesus Christ died for those sins).

3     Accepted by God ( The love of God triumphing over our unworthiness).

4     Granted the gift of eternal life ( The grace of God putting the believer into the family of God).

 

That brief summary of Romans chapters 1-6, shows what a wonderful Lord God that we have.

Maybe we should all pause and ponder – are we reconciled to God? Do we have eternal life?

John the Apostle put it  so clearly:

"He that has the SON has life, he that has not the SON does not have life."     1  John 5

JRM

News - Good news

 

The Good news is presented in the Bible book called Romans.

 I recommend everyone to read it through. This will overcome much of the confusion created by many religions and Christian denominations.

 

 

Latter  I will give a summary of this letter to the Romans. But first I encourage all to read it. 

If you  do not have a Bible to read, email me at

johnmckee@internode.on.net