How to Study and Understand the Bible (part 1)

The word disciple is often used of the followers of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. “Disciple” in English versions of the New Testament is translated from the Greek mathētḗs, which means a learner, student. “A ‘disciple’ was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher” (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Jesus commanded “Learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). The Greek word from which “Learn” is translated in this verse is in the imperative mood, the mood of command. Jesus Christ is our teacher (Matthew 10:24-25), we are commanded to learn from him, to be his students, and adherents, learning and following his teachings.
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Mysteries of the Bible

Though the most widely distributed book in history according to guinnessworldrecords.com, the teachings of the Bible are properly understood by, relatively speaking, only a handful of people. Many specific truths are revealed in the Bible, that are themselves mysteries, even though they are explained clearly in the Bible. Why is the Bible so little understood? Is there a key — or keys — which will unlock the mysteries of the Bible?

Copyright © 2025 by Messenger Church of God

Unless otherwise noted Scripture taken from the New King James VersionTM
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

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PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

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Christian Love, Part 2

When asked what is the greatest commandment in the law of God, Jesus said, “`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).

How many who claim the be Christians, however, take this statement to heart? How many even have a valid concept of what “love” is, from the standpoint of Scripture? Common ideas of “love” to the world, even to many who claim to be Christians, are deeply flawed, and often they are diametrically opposite to what the Bible itself defines as love. Yet, there is nothing more important to real Christianity than both the understanding of the concept of love from a Biblical perspective, and its application as one lives his life in fulfilling these two greatest of the commandments.

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The United States and Britain in Prophecy

Although perhaps most professing Christians are aware that the people of Israel are featured in the “Old Testament” of the Bible, many are not familiar enough with the Scriptures to understand that the terms “Israel” or “Israelite” are not necessarily synonymous with the “Jews.” The patriarch Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), had twelve sons. The progeny of each of his twelve sons eventually became one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28; Exodus 24:4).

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Worship of the Dead

Heathen cultures and religions in many parts of the world involve some form of worship directed toward dead heroes or ancestors.

Religious observances such as Hallowmas, which begins on the evening of October 31, or Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve), preserve to one extent or another, depending on the region, widespread ancient customs and superstitions directly associated with the worship of the dead. As does the “secular” observance of Halloween itself.

Does God’s Word have anything to say about customs involving worship of the dead? Should Christians participate in the Halloween custom, or similar customs? It’s important to consider the Bible’s answers to these questions.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA