Bible Matters 390: Introduction

There are many ways to comprehend the contents of a book.  I’ve taken several speed-reading courses and the instructions are similar.   After that it is just practice, practice and more practice.  One thing for sure is that you read the front matter of the book, the first chapter and the last chapter and some say to read the introduction or first paragraph of every chapter to get a feel for the content of the book.  After that it is a paragraph by paragraph journey to read and comprehend what the author intends for you to learn from this journey through their book. 

If you use this method on the bible, then let’s see what God intends for you to learn from the bible.  Note:  We won’t spend time on the Old Testament, as it was written for the Jews.  The New Testament is the message on the will of God leading to salvation for both the Jews and the Gentiles.  Thus, today’s lesson will be on the New Testament. 

In the very first verse of the bible you learn that God is the almighty.  If you can’t believe and get past this verse, then you will never accomplish anything in your life for the glory of God.  The “theory of evolution” and fossil fuels was a concocted story put together by the devil to shed doubt on your belief in the power of God ruling your life.  Bible Matters 146 Theories gives you testimonies and examples of physical findings that shows carbon dating and fossil fuels being from prehistoric vegetation are a joke.  Crude oil is where it is, because that this where God created it!   Bible Matters 385 Works in Three gives you example after example after example of the power of God working in this ministry.  There is absolutely no way that the series of text messages, witnesses and God’s books could have been arranged in any other manner than planned and executed by God.  Ron Wyatt prayed to God to direct him in proving the bible real.  From the Noah’s Ark to the Red Sea Crossing to the Ark of the Covenant, God proved through Ron that these stories are REAL.  (See Bible Matters 146 Theories and Bible Matters 324 The Ark).  As you can see and read from the above Bible Matters, I am telling you that God is real.  Fundamentally, you must believe that God is real and the One True God created the heaven and the earth. (See Bible Matters 382 True God and Bible Matters 391 One God.)

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

In the New Testament, you are first introduced to Jesus Christ.  Matthew identifies Jesus Christ as a man that is a descendant of David and Abraham, or the offspring of Israel (i.e. the Jews.)  The book of Matthew is about Jesus!

Matthew 1:1 – The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

In the second book, Mark adds further clarification that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he has a message for you presented in the form of a gospel.  From Bible Matters 379 Gospel, you know that the gospel is God’s instruction as to how you are to live your life for the glory of God.

Mark 1:1 – The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Luke states that from the beginning, many were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.  Luke being trained as a physician, has the perfect understanding of those things instructed by the eyewitnesses.  Their testimony is true!  Their declaration is to be believed.  You can be certain of their instructions.

Luke 1:1-4 – Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

John introduces “Word” in his first verse.  He is the only New Testament witness that uses a capital version of “Word.” The ”Word” that John is referring to are God’s instructions given to holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  God in himself, means nothing.  He is the almighty.  His word created the heavens and the earth.  He created man last.  He is looking for his “Word” to be used for instructions unto righteousness and to grow his kingdom here on earth and in heaven.  God sent his Son so that the world though him might be saved. (See Bible Matters 392 Word.)

John 1:1-2 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Luke made it clear in Acts, that Jesus, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost, came here to teach all things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  He gave instructions and commandments unto the apostles, whom he had chosen.  He told them to wait for the promise of the Father, or the Holy Ghost, after Jesus was received up into heaven. 

Acts 1:1-4  – The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Paul’s message to the Romans, clearly states that he too was selected by Jesus as the Son of God, to be an apostle to spread the gospel of God. 

Romans 1:1-4 – Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Paul was clearly a persecutor of Christians.  He saw to it that Stephen was stoned to death.  God knew when to prick his heart.  Paul’s epistles to the churches all start out in a similar manner.  Paul tells the Corinthians that he was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Jesus in the flesh died on the cross.   Jesus last words were “my God, My God why have you foresaken me.”  Paul warns the Galatians to obey the truth!   Jesus died on the cross for you!  Accept his sacrifice.  Go live your life, doing the will of God. 

Galatians 3:1 –  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Ephesians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:1-2 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

James, the brother of Jesus Christ, also recognized his destiny as a servant of God. 

James 1:1 – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Peter, recognized the sanctification of the spirit with the blood cleansing offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Like James, Jude also recognized himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. 

Jude 1:1-2 – Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

In Revelations, John recognized that Jesus came to show his servants, those things which will come to pass.  John witnessed the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Revelation 1:1-2 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Of all that John, as a servant, saw in Revelations, Jesus’s second coming, will come quickly. 

Revelation 22:20-21 – He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

By reviewing the first verses of each of these books, the eight New Testament witnesses recognize Jesus as a man and the Son of God.  They all considered themselves as servants of Jesus Christ and minister’s of God’s word.  One cannot be a servant, unless you love those that you are serving.  These few verses are describing for you the gospel of Jesus Christ!  You start by putting your trust in God.  Repent of your sins and decide to love and serve the things of God.  Everlasting life is promised to those that put their trust in God and believe in the sanctification offered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

Above all else, think about this one request….What will the first verse say in your testimony?

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.