Some Benefits of Daily Bible Reading

As has long been advertised, this week will begin the daily Bible reading schedule for reading the Bible through in a year. So what's the point of it? What do we get out of daily reading and study?

Increasing our knowledge of God's will
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:

Hosea 4:6

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

II Peter 3:18

We should strive to increase our knowledge of God, of God's will, and of how we can be pleasing to Him. As Hosea states, knowledge is important for salvation. In Israel's case, it led to their punishment and captivity. In our case, a lack of knowing what God wants leads to eternal punishment. And Peter makes the statement that we should grow in knowledge, beyond the little that we need to know initially. The more we know, the closer we can draw to God, because the better we know how. The more we understand God's word, the stronger we can be in His service. And daily reading and study will help us gain the knowledge that gives us this further understanding.

Increasing our ability to teach
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I Peter 3:15

Have you ever tried to teach something that you don't know very well? It's difficult. If we want to be better able to give an answer for why we believe what we believe, if we want to be better able to teach others the gospel of Christ, then we need to know what the gospel is. Daily study will increase our ability to teach others about Christ. And by teaching, there is hope that more souls may be saved.

Opportunity to study as a family
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 3:15

I remember, when I was a child, sitting with my parents and siblings and reading the Bible. I remember discussing what the verses we had read meant. A daily reading schedule can be useful for helping each other in the family. It is opportunity to strengthen and edify each other. It is an opportunity to further dedicate the family to Christ.

Let us all strive to dedicate ourself to the reading and understanding of God's word!

What Happened Between the Testaments?

There is a space between Malachi and Matthew of about 400 years. During this 400 years, much happened that is not recorded in scripture. At the end of the Old Testament, the Jews have returned from captivity, have rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple, and are under governance (at least nominally) by the Persian Empire. At the beginning of the New Testament, Israel has been divided into separate territories, overseen by Rome. How did it get from the one case of affairs to the other?

In Daniel 2:24-45, God gives Nebuchadnezzar, through Daniel, the explanation of a dream. This dream lays out the general case of affairs for the next several hundred years. The dream is of a statue, composed of various materials. The head of gold is Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonian Empire. That kingdom will be replaced by a kingdom represented by the silver chest: the Medo-Persian Empire (usually referred to as the Persian Empire in secular history – Medo-Persian refers to the Persian Empire's conquering of the Medes, and then of the Medes becoming the ruling class). Later in the book of Daniel, as well as in other histories, this is recorded. This empire will be replaced by the Greek, or Macedonian Empire: the bronze belly. History tells us how the Persian empire was defeated by the Greeks, and of how Alexander the Great came to rule a vast area of the world. The dream then states that this kingdom will be replaced by a fourth kingdom, which is represented by the iron legs and the feet mixed of iron and clay. This kingdom is the Roman Empire, which is what we find in the New Testament. This is further made apparent by the mention of the fifth kingdom, the rock not cut by human hands that grows into a mountain. That rock and mountain is the church.

Without going into a great deal of historical detail (hopefully just enough to explain things without getting boring), let us consider how things went from Babylon to Rome. In Daniel 5, it is recorded how the Medo-Persians conquered Babylon almost effortlessly. From this point the Persian Empire continued to spread (and it was during this time that the Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem and the surrounding area). Eventually, it attempted to invade Greece, which was at this point a collection of city-states. The result was disastrous for the Persians, who were soundly defeated and weakened. This enabled Alexander the Great, some years later, to effectively conquer the world. It was though his efforts that the Greek in which the New Testament is written was spread and made the common language. After Alexander's death, the kingdom was split into three parts, and Judea became a much fought over location, changing hands several times.

Eventually, Israel won independence through uprisings led by the Maccabees (note: it is this occasion that the celebration of Hanukkah is a memorial for). As the line of the Maccabees dwindled over time, and through some murky politics, the Herodian family came into power, with the aid and support of Rome. In order to gain and maintain their power, they allied themselves with Rome, and Judea, Galilee, and Samaria become Roman territories. Technically not part of the Roman Empire, but subject to it. This state of affairs would last until the AD70s, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and a great many Jews in the Jewish War. At that point, this area of the world was formally made part of the Roman Empire.

Yes, I know this is an oversimplified view of history, but it gives you a rough idea of 400 years, in the space of a few hundred words. Hopefully it helps make the transition from Malachi to Matthew more understandable. For more information, I recommend “Reader's Digest Atlas of the Bible” (Pages 144-171) and “History and Geography of the Bible” by Bob and Sandra Waldron.

Finding Your Way Around the Bible, Part 7

Last week we looked at Paul's letters and some of the other epistles in the New Testament. This week we finish the Bible.
Other Epistles: (Letters by men other than Paul)

1 Peter

Peter wrote this letter to a number of people who were scattered over a wide area. In his writing, Peter gives encouragement and direction to Christians in living for Christ. He also gives instruction regarding suffering for the cause of Christ, and what our attitude towards it should be.

2 Peter

In this letter, Peter gives wisdom and instruction in the difference between God's word and messengers and false teachers. He also gives information on the destruction of the world. It is “bookended” by admonishments to live a proper Christian life.

1 John

John's first letter is largely focused around the theme of love. He addresses the love God has for us. He addresses the love we, as Christians, should have for God. He addresses the love we should not have towards the world and the things of the world. And he addresses the love we should have for each other.

2 John

The addressee of this letter is either a specific woman, or the church (with “the chosen lady” used metaphorically). This short letter admonishes the reader to adhere to God's word and not deviate from it. John also warns of those who will teach other than the gospel of Christ.

3 John

John writes this letter and speaks of three people. Gaius, to whom the letter is addressed, is commended for his faith and works. Diotrephes is condemned for his pride. And Demetrius is stated as being praised by many.

Jude

This letter is written by Jude, apparently the Jude who was brother to Jesus. He writes warning of men who have entered among them and have been both living sinful lives and teaching sin. He then encourages the reader to persevere and remain faithful to Christ.

Revelation

John writes this last book in the New Testament. It is the revelation of Christ, addressed to seven churches. Each of these churches is commended and/or condemned for their actions. The majority of the book is highly figurative, and deals with what is to come. It ends with several chapters on judgment and eternity. It is perhaps the most difficult of the books of the Bible to study, and is easily (and often) twisted.


It is my hope that these very, very, very brief overviews of each book will help us in remembering where things are at in the Bible, and in how the Bible is organized. I realize that much has been left out, but nonetheless I hope it has been beneficial.

Moreover, I hope that this will be used as preparation for reading through the Bible in a year, starting January 1. Beginning the week of Dec. 28, I will be placing a weekly schedule for Bible reading on the back of this bulletin that I hope we can all follow.

Finding Your Way Around the Bible, Part 6

Last week we began the New Testament. This week we continue with the last of Paul's epistles.
Paul's General Epistles: (Letters written to congregations)

Colossians

Paul wrote the church in Colosse while imprisoned in Rome. In this letter, he writes a good deal about Christ, and His role. He speaks of what Christ did for man, how to live for Christ, and of course, of who Christ is.

1 Thessalonians

Paul writes this letter, acknowledging the good that the church in Thessalonia had been doing, even to the point of saying they serve as a model. Unlike some of Paul's other letters, there is relatively little condemnation of a congregation's sins in this book. Instead, the church is encouraged, and offered hope. Paul also takes time to answer questions about the day of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians

The occasion for this letter appears to be confusion and distress about the day of the Lord. Paul once again explains to the church in Thessalonia about it (at least, as much as is given to man to know).

Paul's Personal Epistles: (Sometimes called the pastoral epistles)

1 Timothy

Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in the work of an evangelist. In it, Paul speaks to Timothy of how to admonish and rebuke, and of how to edify and encourage. The role and work of a preacher are wonderfully explained. Also in this book are qualifications of elders and deacons.

2 Timothy

Probably the last book written by Paul (chronologically), this letter to Timothy provides hope, encouragement, and warnings about what is to come. There is a marked contrast in this book between the faithful servant of God and those who will turn against the Lord.

Titus

Paul writes to Titus in much the same way as he wrote to Timothy. He encourages Titus in his work in preaching and teaching. Paul offers guidance to Titus on how to teach different groups of people, as well as what to teach them. Also in this book are the qualifications of elders.

Philemon

The shortest of Paul's letters, the book is written regarding a slave (Onesimus) who ran away from his master (Philemon), and who was converted to Christ by Paul. This letter serves to teach us how to regard our brethren, how we should act as Christians, and that we need to do what we can to make things right when we have sinned against someone.

Other Epistles: (Letters by men other than Paul)

Hebrews

Alone of the New Testament books, we do not know who wrote Hebrews. Many believe it is Paul, but as it is not stated in the book, we do not know for sure. This book serves as an explanation of Christianity to Jewish converts. It is an in depth examination of Christ as the Messiah and of how He fulfilled the Old Testament. Also in this book is the “hall of faith,” in which faithful individuals of the Old Testament are put forward as examples to us.

James

The author of this book appears to be James the brother of Jesus. It is a letter to which great pains are taken to explain the practical nature of following Christ. It is full of works that need to be done, works to be avoided, and explanation of the necessity of both faith and obedient action.