KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
November 21, 2021: Dear Friends, This is the last blog in our discussion of important people in the Bible. Becoming acquainted with biblical people is just another forward rung in the ladder of positive spiritual growth in learning the Bible. This series started on August 22, 2021 and has continued, with few exceptions, to today’s blog.
Time is limited to continue this series due to our upcoming itinerary focusing on Advent. Advent is celebrated by Christians around the world during the four Sunday’s prior to Christmas day. It is a time set aside to contemplate and wait for the coming of the Christ Child, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In the past few visits, (except for our August 22 discussion of Jesus Christ, the most important person written about in the Bible),the discussion has primarily been on important people in the Old Testament. In today’s visit, the focus will be on important people in the New Testament. There are 27 books in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the most important person in the Bible. The whole focus and purpose of the Bible is Jesus Christ. His birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection can be found in the first 4 books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These books are referred to as the “Gospel” books.
The next book following the book of John is the book of Acts. Acts is the history book written about events and happenings that were occurring in the early church after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Going forward from the book of Acts, to the book of Revelation, starting with the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul is credited with writing the next 13 books including Romans. These books are listed in the organizational chart as Paul’s Letters. (Refer back to the April 25, 2021 blog written on the organization of the Bible).
Paul is certainly one of the most important people in the Bible. His importance would be in competition with the importance of the 12 disciples written about in the gospel books listed above and in the book of Acts. Go to the book of Acts, and read about Paul, starting with Stephen’s stoning to death in chapter 8 and about Paul’s Christian conversion in chapter 9. When time allows, skim through the book of Acts to learn the important history of the early church including writings about Paul’s life and ministry.
Some of the other books of the New Testament are named after the author that wrote the book including the books of James, 1st and 2nd Peter, and 3 books written by “a” John. Certainly these men were important people of the Bible. These three men are thought to be Jesus’ disciples, although the actual authors of these books may have been other people named James, Peter and John. For further study on the authors of the New Testament, refer to “Comprehensive Analysis of the Bible” by Montgomery F Essig. Other resources may be found online.
Spend time this week going through all the books of the New Testament, reading and contemplating on a few scriptures from each book. Beginning in next week’s blog, our next series will focus on Advent.
Remember, that the more the Bible is read and learned, the closer and nearer one comes to God. We have been instructed in James, chapter 4, verse 8 to, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” The Bible is God’s Holy Word to it’s readers. Reading, studying and learning the Bible will help one to acquire knowledge of who God is, how God thinks and how God wants us to think and act. Read the Bible. Study the Bible. Learn the Bible. All are important in helping us draw closer and nearer to God!
MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!