All material here is directly taken from trustworthy Christian sites to help you Christians and unbelievers to learn more about the Truth. I've put all of effort into making it easier on your eyes so that you will not look at it as "too much information" but simple to read. I hope you will all read it and share it with others. Its very helpful and there is nothing there that is not true to the Word of GOD.

Note:

You cannot start a thread in this particular forum. This is meant to keep it clean, organized and simple to read. The purpose is to learn from it from true proven bible scholars and reputable Christian websites (where it was taken from, all credit to them mentioned). You may reply to a thread. These are legitimate articles that are based on Truth not opinions or personal views.

Some Resources Used:

bible.com
gotquestions.org
carm.org
ccel.org

The Bible Answers forum is listed topically in alphabetical order

A comment about the use of the term "unbelievers" on the second line of this post: I think that calling anyone checking out this site an unbeliever might be technically accurate, but, if I were one of them, I would be offended because, to me, the term signals a confrontational attitude and I know that that was not your intent.

Perhaps "seekers" would be more welcoming.

SLE

I appreciate your humility in your response. The word unbeliever appears in the Holy Bible. I don't think our GOD, our own Savior would mention it in the Bible to be offensive when the main purpose of the Bible is to show, preach and promise Salvation through Jesus Christ to ALL peoples. I can certainly understand your view anyhow but I don't think a person would (or should) take offense at the word "unbeliever". I just find that to be a bit too personal.

I searched Bible Gateway for "unbeliever"
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/...lewordsonly=no

12 times in the NIV
4 times in KJV
8 times in The Message
...and so on.

Thank you and God bless you.

1 Corinthians 7:14-16
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Matthew 12:21
the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:22
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:24
But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,

What is the single most important practical skill I've ever learned as a Christian?

Never read a Single Bible verse.

The following is adapted from the book "How To Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur. Published by Harvest House.

How to Study Your Bible

To get the whole story, journalists are taught to ask the “5 W’s and an H” (who, what, when, where, why and how) in their reporting.

To read the Bible with purpose you also should ask the 5 W’s and an H.

Who wrote it? Who said it? Who are the major characters? Who are the people mentioned? To whom is the author speaking? About whom is he speaking?

What are the main events? What are the major ideas? What are the major teachings? What are these people like? What does he talk about the most? What is his purpose in saying that?

When was it written? When did this event take place? When will it happen? Whendid he say it? When did he do it?

Where was this done? Where was this said? Where will it happen?

Why was there a need for this to be written? Why was this mentioned? Why was so much or so little space devoted to this particular event or teaching? Why was this reference mentioned? Why should they do such and such?

How is it done? How did it happen? How is this truth illustrated?

If you rush into interpretation without laying the vital foundation of observation, your understanding becomes colored by your own presuppositions — what you think, what you feel or what other people have said. And if you do this, you distort the Scriptures, which is something we’re specifically warned against (2 Peter 3:16).

To help you get the most out of the Bible and out of life, here are more basic principles to follow when you’re interpreting the Word of God.


1. Remember that context rules.
When you interpret anything — a word, a verse, a teaching — it must always be considered in the light of

• the surrounding verses and chapters.
• the book in which it’s found.
• the entire Word of God.

Therefore, as you seek to know what something means, ask yourself:

• Is my interpretation of a particular section of Scripture consistent with the theme, purpose and structure of the book in which it’s found?

• Is my interpretation consistent with other Scriptures about the same subject, or is there a glaring difference?

• Am I considering the historical and cultural context of what’s being said?

Never take a Scripture out of its context to make it say something that’s contrary to the text. Discover what the author is saying — remembering that the ultimate author is God — and don’t add to His meaning.


2. Always seek the full counsel of the Word of God.
When you know God’s Word thoroughly, you won’t accept a teaching simply because someone has used one or two isolated verses to support it. Those verses could’ve been taken out of context, or other important passages might have been overlooked or ignored — passages that might have led to a different understanding.

For example, in John 15:7 Jesus says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you . . . ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” Does that mean you can ask anything at all from God and He will give it to you? The answer is no. The Bible has much more to teach about prayer than just that one statement.


3. Remember that Scripture will never contradict Scripture.
The best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture. Remember, all Scripture is inspired by God; it’s God-breathed. If it appears to be contradicting, then your interpretation of at least one passage is incomplete or wrong.

The Bible contains all the truth you’ll ever need for any situation in life. Sometimes, however, you may find it difficult to reconcile two seemingly contradictory truths taught in Scripture — for example, the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. It’s hard to reconcile these two teachings in our minds; they don’t seem to fit together. Yet the Bible clearly teaches both.

When two or more truths that are clearly taught in the Word seem to be in conflict, remember that you — because you’re human — have a finite mind. Simply humble your heart in faith and believe what God says, even if you can’t understand or reconcile it at the moment.

4. Don’t base your doctrine on an obscure passage of Scripture.
An obscure passage is one in which the meaning isn’t easily understood. Because these passages are difficult to understand even when proper principles of interpretation are used, they shouldn’t be used as a basis for establishing doctrine. Your doctrine should be based on the clear repeated teachings in Scripture.

5. Recognize when to interpret Scripture literally.
The Bible isn’t a book of mysticism. God has spoken to us through His Word that we might know His truth. Therefore, take the Word of God at face value, in its natural, normal sense. Look first for the clear teaching of Scripture, not some hidden meaning. Understand and recognize figures of speech and interpret them accordingly.

Consider what’s being said in light of its literary style. For example, you’ll find more similes and metaphors in poetic and prophetic literature than in historical or biographical books.

Proverbs are wise sayings that are generally true to life. We read them and say, “Yes, that’s life.” However, these maxims cannot be interpreted as prophecies, nor can they be held as absolute promises for all people for all times.


6. Look for the author’s intended meaning of the passage.
Always try to understand what the author had in mind when you interpret a portion of the Bible. Don’t twist verses to support a meaning that’s not clearly taught. Let the passage speak for itself.

Judges 6, for example, tells the story of Gideon’s fleece. However, this particular chapter isn’t teaching us that the way to know God’s will for sure is to “put out a fleece.”

The book of Judges records events that happened during a certain period in Israel’s history, and this chapter is simply a historical account of what Gideon did when he was afraid. There are no instructions anywhere in the Bible that suggest that putting out a fleece is the proper procedure to follow in determining what the will of God is.

When we ascribe meaning to a passage that the author didn’t intend, we’re assuming an authority equivalent to that of the author. And the author of all Scripture is really God.


7. Check your conclusions by using reliable commentaries.
Commentaries come in several varieties. Some are strictly devotional and probably aren’t what you want to use for in-depth Bible study. Some commentaries are analytical and, therefore, more helpful in this type of study.

It’s vital to use commentaries that examine the text with integrity and give explanations and comments that are in keeping with the context. Also, you’ll want to use commentaries that have been written by scholars who are known to hold to the inerrancy of the Word. If possible, check out more than one commentator on the book you’re studying so you can weigh various interpretations. Remember that no one person has a corner on all the truth. You may disagree with the writer on one thing and agree on another, but don’t discount all an author says just because you don’t see everything the same way.

Bring all you read up against all you’ve seen as you’ve observed the text yourself. If you’ll do this, then you can properly handle the teaching of others.

How to Study Your Bible —
The conclusion of a three-part series by Kay Arthur

Bible study is much more than an intellectual, classroom exercise, of course. It’s a life- transforming process. Thus, we come to the very critical part of the inductive process — application. Once you know what a passage means, you’re responsible to live what you’ve learned.

Application flows out of thorough observation and correct interpretation. Application begins with belief, which then results in doing. It takes place as you’re confronted with the truth and respond to it in obedience, and the glorious end result is transformation. You’re made more like your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

No matter how much you know about God’s Word, if you don’t apply what you learn, Scripture will never benefit your life. To be a hearer of the Word and not a doer is to deceive yourself (James 1:22-25). This is why application is so vital.
Observation and interpretation are the “hearing” of God’s Word.
Application is the embracing of the truth, the “doing” of God’s Word.

Application answers the questions:
• How does the meaning of this passage apply to me?
• What truths am I to embrace, believe or order my life by?
• What changes should I make in my belief or in my life?

Second Timothy 3:16-17 gives us a listing of the various means of application:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Thus, we must apply Scripture in the light of its teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness. This is the key to application — the key to its instructions for our life.

Teaching (doctrine) is what the Word of God says on any particular subject. That teaching is always true. Therefore, everything that God says in His Word about any given subject is absolute truth.

Step 1: The first step in the application of truth is to find out what the Word of God says on any particular subject through accurate observation and correct interpretation of the text.

Step 2: Then, once you understand what the Word of God teaches, you’re obligated before God to accept that truth and to live by it.

Step 3: When you’ve adjusted any false concepts or teaching you may have believed and have embraced the truth revealed in God’s Word, then you’ve applied what you’ve learned.


Rebuking exposes areas in your thinking and behavior that do not align with God’s Word. It’s finding out where you’ve thought wrongly or where you haven’t been doing what God says is right.

The application of rebuking is to accept it and agree with God, acknowledging where you’re wrong in thought or behavior. This is how you’re set free from unbelief and sin.


Correction is the next area of application, and often the most difficult. Many times you can see what’s wrong, but perhaps you’re reluctant to take the necessary steps to correct it.

God hasn’t left you without help or without answers in this step of correcting what is wrong. Sometimes the answers are difficult to find, but they’re always there. The Spirit of God will show any child of God who wants to please her Father how to do so. Many times correction comes by simply confessing and forsaking what is wrong. Other times, God gives very definite steps to take.

When you apply correction to your actions and attitudes, God will work in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). Joy will follow obedience.

Training in righteousness is the final area of application. Although God’s Word is profitable for reproof and correction, the Bible was also given to you as a handbook for living. As you spend time studying His Word, God equips you through:
• teachings
• commands
• promises
• exhortations
• warnings
• the lives of biblical characters
• accounts of God’s dealings with man.

As you get into the Word of God and get to know God, you see how He intends for you to live. To live the way God says to live is to live righteously.

Scripture has everything you need to meet any and all situations of life so that you “may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). This, Brio girls, is why you must study to show yourself approved unto God.

The Bible is your textbook for life. Don’t fail your exam!

In other words, don’t neglect the process of application. But remember: Application must be based on correct observation and accurate interpretation of the Word of God. Otherwise, you’ll slip into legalism, tradition that overrides truth or some aberrant lifestyle that has an air of religion but is contrary to a correct relationship with God. The most effective application takes place as you go before the Lord and talk with Him about those things you have read, seen, heard and carefully studied.

In applying Scripture, the following questions may be helpful.
1. What does the passage teach?
• Is it general or specific?
• Does it apply only to specific people? To a cultural problem of the day? To a certain time in history?
• Has it been superseded by a broader teaching?

For example, in the Old Testament the children of Israel were not allowed to eat certain foods. This prohibition isn’t applicable to Christians today because it was superseded by the teaching in Acts 10 and the account of Peter and his vision of the unclean animals.


2. Does this section of Scripture expose any error in your beliefs or behavior?
• Are there any commandments that you’ve not obeyed?
• Are there any wrong attitudes or motives in your life that the Scriptures bring to light?


3. What’s God’s instruction to you as His child?
• Are there any new truths to be believed?
• Are there any new commandments to be acted upon?
• Are there any new insights you’re to pursue?
• Are there any promises you’re to embrace?


When applying Scripture, beware of:
1. Applying cultural standards rather than biblical standards.
2. Attempting to strengthen a legitimate truth by using a Scripture incorrectly.
3. Applying it out of prejudice from past training or teaching.

And don’t forget that observation, interpretation and application lead to transformation.

Ultimately the goal of personal Bible study is a transformed life and a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Through it you’re changed from glory to glory into the image of Jesus. Go for it!

alright.
a question.
where should i post a question which i would like the answer to. ?
god bless
timnorman

Hi tim, you can start a new thread to a Bible question in the Bible Chat forum, it's near the top of the forum index under the Bible Lounge section, alternatively if it's not Bible specific, but related to God, give the Lounge a shot too. it's located near the bottom of the index in the Fellowship section.

God bless
teraside

I would heartily like to testify to what Coconut said about reading a single Bible verse being dangerous. I quite like Kay Artur's book, though it rankles me to make any marks in my Bible which makes using her method hard. Oh the tracing paper!

God meant for His word to be studied with a diligent mind and an open heart.

The new Christian will usually start with context. Don't just read a verse -- read a few passages before and after the verse so that you can get a good idea of what was going on. This is called finding the context in which the verse was written.

Once you've done that, amplify the meaning of the first verse group by looking at other scriptures that discuss that topic. For example, do a search in an online bible or get a hardbound study bible with a nice fat index. Pick the word that defines your topic (like "hope" or "adultery" or "dress") and look at all of the Scripture God has given us on that topic. Come up with an understanding of that topic that allows *all* of the scripture about it to stand in agreement. If it seems like two pieces of scripture are in contradiction, then study harder.

In the process of that study, you may need to consider scope. There's a difference between dress codes for priests and dress codes for everyone else for example. So you may be able to lay aside scripture that is clearly outside the scope of what your are studying.

When you're done with that, examine several translations of the Bible to see how God has expressed the greater nuance of His meaning as mankind moved from language to language. A lot of times I will put down the KJV and pick up the NIV. I'm also fond of the Amplified Bible because it offers many cross references that help with context.

Last but not least, if you feel you really want to get into the nuts and bolts of God's word, you can tackle language. Be careful who you choose as an instructor for this research though -- many secular professors effectively rip the Bible to bits before your eyes and it can be hard on one's faith to listen to all the accusations of how the Bible is somehow incomplete or mistranslated. Rest assured that God has a Plan, even when it seems a word or passage has been greatly changed from the original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic. If you approach the Bible with faith, it can be truly glorious to watch how the subtle changes from word to word only serve to make God's overall message that much more clear.