In John chapter 4, Jesus offered a woman to wisely accept the free gift of "living waters"... That water, he added, would well up inside to bring her eternal life. Probably not at first understanding, she responded she did know the Christ was coming, and that he would teach the people openly. Jesus stated he was the Christ, and he was now speaking to her [teaching her]. So... How might understanding what Jesus said to that woman benefit you? Well, he clearly tied what he was teaching her to eternal life. (John 17:3; John 12:50; John 10:27-30) Shouldn't such an offer make you wonder how you can receive that "free gift of God," those life giving waters Jesus offered the woman. It's actually simple and straight forward to accept that gift of eternal life from God. You need to follow God's command to listen to his son. (Mat 17:5; John 6:28-29) What Jesus was sent to teach, if you take it to heart, gives you a rebirth as a "New Creation" of God. (Gal 6:12-16) To follow God's command and learn what Jesus taught, you need to become intimately familiar with the Gospels recording his teachings. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Seeking that treasure obtained in the words of Christ, (John 6:63) you might logically think to join a Bible study, as you imagine yourself gathering with others to share the words of Christ! OK, you might then think, there's a Bible study right down the street at a local church... Danger, danger! Jesus warned you need to be very careful about who you listen to. (Mark 13:21-23) So, then, you might now ask, what can JustBibleTruth.com offer me with regard to joining a Bible study?
Well, we can help you realize and understand the potential danger in doing so... Joining a study of the words of Christ might not be as easy as you think. There are lots of deceivers, and many of them don't have any idea they are misled! (2 Tim 3:13) If you really do have a true Bible study in your area, you could certainly join. First, however, you must verify it actually is a "Bible" study. (Mat 24:23-28) Most groups that assert they are conducting Bible studies actually gather to listen to some man or woman they have elevated to tell them what the Bible teaches. (Mat 23:8-12) Some who do assert to believe in the Bible, and pride themselves on studying it, actually only discuss some uninspired publication which their leaders assert is teaching the Bible. Some religious sects even proclaim their organization's writings are inspired by God and are spiritual food [as only the Bible actually is]. Even among asserted Bible following Christians, most study groups spend only a tiny percentage of their time actually reading the Bible. Studying uninspired materials produced by one of the many religious sects, (Mat 24:11) with a few inspired scriptures (2 Tim 3:16) scattered in, is "not" Bible study! [Muslims have the Quran asserted to have been given their prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. Mormons have the book of Mormon ostensibly given Joseph Smith by the angel. Jehovah's Witness have their "faithful and discreet slave," a subgroup they believe are appointed by God to give "their sheep" new spiritual food. Catholics have the succession of Popes they believe are stand in's for Christ...] A true Bible study is a reading of the Bible, with special emphasis on the words of Christ. (Mat 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) Even those few groups who actually do read the Bible, usually cover only a few verses at once and then go on to studying something else. Most of their time is then spent listening to people who want and/or assert to be their leaders. (Mat 23:1-12) Those "leaders" elaborate on what nonessential beliefs they have about what the Bible means. [The only essential beliefs are the truths God sent his son to bring. (John 13:20; John 18:37; John 17:3)] The points and overall theme being delivered by the inspired Bible writer is often hidden in the deluge of trivia and personal beliefs of religious leaders; which may or may not even be scriptural. Do not be among the many religious people who have been deceived to believe such efforts are Bible studies! And yes, you should scrutinize what is being told you here in the same light. Verify what we say: Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) so as to perform a healing of your mind, by running your thoughts over [pattern your mind after] the words of Jesus Christ. (John 6:57-63 with quote)
In line with God's command to listen to his son, (Mat 17:5) God inspired (2 Tim 3:16) Jesus's words (Heb 1:1-2) to be recorded by four different writers in the Gospel Books by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A real and true Bible study, which you are now being encouraged to join or start, is simply a group of people determined to model themselves after the group Jesus started gathering some 2000 years ago.
What we need to do is join the group he started, by making their same individual choice to sit at Jesus's feet to learn. Joining the group Jesus started, of course, means no one except Jesus is or can be you leader. No human can be in charge of or lead the group. (Mat 23:8-12) [You can read Jesus's warning against appointing men as your spiritual leaders in greater Bible context at: (Mat 23:1-39)] Jesus, and then his followers, spoke often about the dangers of being misled by religious men and women [very different from Christians]. (Mat 7:15-29; Mat 24:11; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1-2) Religious people are defined by following the teachings or doctrines of other men and women, while Christians follow, well, Christ! Christians are actually identified by their encouragement for you to follow Christ, by encouraging you to listen to Jesus and to him alone; that by reading his words for yourself. Hence their one and only inspired name: Christian. (Acts 11:26)
In all my years of life, I have never seen even one Bible study like the ones offered here at JustBibleTruth.com. If you really do have one locally, please contact us as we might like to join yours. [Contact info below.] If you are not presently joined with someone studying what Christ taught, but are being helped by God to understand what we say, (John 8:43-44) you should join us in a real Bible study. Please call the United States at (country code [one] if calling from overseas) area code [two_seven_zero] and the number [three_four_three (dash) two_zero_three_zero]. [If calling from overseas, you will likely have to enter your country's exit code prior to the USA code of (one). From England, for example, it would be their exit code (zero zero), followed by (one) and the above area code and number.] Call and ask to make arrangements to join a telephone conferenced Bible study. [A group gathering by telephone to read the Bible. Each individual will be given the option of taking a turn reading from the Bible.] You must speak fluent English to join [at this time] and be able to pay what ever it costs you for your telephone call. There is no charge by us. You can also make arrangements by emailing: support@justbibletruth.com. Background knowledge and personal opinions about the overall Bible theme can be good, but opinions should be kept to a minimum during the study. Our focus is on learning only from God's son. [A discussion after the study could provide a platform for such personal thoughts.] We will normally be reading from one of the Gospel Books available to you at no charge on the website (JustBibleTruth.com - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), or possibly, if you prefer, any common translation you would like to select. After a first brief call (or email) to establish the time and date of the study, a typical group study session will last 45 minutes to 1 hour and will be conducted weekly. If you like being part of the study, you may be given the option to join a video-conference group. You can, of course, with our approval, choose to remain a telephone only limb (Romans 11:13-26) of a study [remain a non-video study member of Christ's field or tree (1 Cor 3:9; Rom 11:17-36)].
Our desire and effort is to look to Christ Jesus as our one and only Lord and leader as appointed by God. (Mat 23:8-12; Mat 17:5) That is not as easy as you might think. Probably every one of the divided religious sects that exist today got their start from some faithful man or woman, or some small group of them. Like John Calvin, each one of those sincere individuals or groups surely set out to follow Christ. Then, they imagined the need to develop a group doctrine to judge who is an approved member of their sect. Along with their new doctrine, most selected an uninspired name to identify their sect. (Acts 11:26) With that choice, their doctrine took over leadership of their group. Without realizing, they pushed Christ aside. They abandoned Christ in favor of returning to a new Law Code of their own making. They stopped listening to Jesus as leader. Many probably meant well, but... Good intentions mean little or nothing (Mat 7:21-23; John 6:28-29) if we don't follow God's command to listen to his son. (Mat 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35)
Recognizing the only command God has given mankind since Jesus started teaching (Heb 1:1-2) is that we must listen to his son, (Mat 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) helps us also realize Jesus was sent (John 3:34-36; Luke 4:16-21) to explain what we need to know about his Father; so as to gain everlasting life... (John 17:3; John 5:19-24; Mat 11:27) From that, we can get the sense of what Jesus was telling the woman at the well: That her taking in his teachings meant her very life. (John 4:10-11 & 14-15 & 25-26) That understanding makes the teachings of Jesus the most important thing! Christ's early followers agreed. Hence, Paul wrote to the Galatians in about 50 CE that the Bible and its history [apart from the teachings of Jesus] served simply as a tutor leading people to put faith in what the son of God came to teach. (Gal 3:23-25) Paul explained there in surrounding verses that we are made sons and daughters of God by our faith in Christ. Peter and Jesus added that is the one and only way we can please God. (Acts 4:8-12; John 6:28-29) Knowing and understanding those scriptures should drive each one of us to consider how we can really get the full sense of what Jesus was sent to teach. (John 7:16; John 8:31-32) There was a group of men, please remember always, who spent their very lives following and listening to Christ during the three and a half years of his preaching and teaching tour. After he was killed, resurrected, and taken to heaven awaiting his return in kingdom power, (Eph 1:15-23; Psalm 110:1-2; Rev 6:2; Matthew 26:63-64) God inspired four of his followers to organize and write down what they believed Jesus to have taught. So... That understanding defines our purpose: It is to listen to Jesus Christ as he still speaks today from his own words recorded for us for you by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of those four Gospels contains the message of Christ as sort of one large thought, as it was organized in the mind of the man God inspired (2 Tim 3:16) to reveal it. The study effort we encourage, then, is made obvious by that simple scriptural overview: We desire to gain that one large thought from God, as presented to us by Christ, and recorded in each of the Gospel Bible Books. It is simple and eloquent! We do not seek our own glory (John 5:39-47) by trying to start yet another religion. (Acts 20:25-32; John 12:42-43) We seek the glory of the one true God, who sent Jesus Christ (Luke 10:16) to teach us how we can and should seek the glory of his Father. (John 7:14-18; John 8:50) Our desire is to help you join the group Jesus started gathering a little under 2000 years ago. [Jesus started his preaching work in 29 CE and was killed three and one half years later in 33 CE.]
There is another powerful reason you should consider a Bible study. If you have paid attention, you noticed several of the scriptures we considered indicate those who put faith in Christ will "never die at all." [One such example, where Jesus said some people will live forever without dying, is John 11:25-27.] In addition, there are many scriptures where Jesus says learning from him is like eating his flesh and drinking his blood. One of those is John 6:45-59. Like the woman at the well, sincere people must understand when Jesus said we should drink his water, or eat his flesh and drink his blood, he simply meant we should learn what he gave his life to teach. (John 4:10-11 & 14-15 & 25-26) You might be questioning the idea of living forever without dying because Jesus taught many people would need a resurrection to gain eternal life. That is absolutely correct, for everyone who lived and died prior to our day in time. Please note, however, God has had different messages at different times in mankind's history, always based on what God was doing at their particular time. For two thousand years from Abraham to Christ, for example, people seeking God had to put faith in the promises God made to Abraham, and then a little later, in the Jewish Law Code delivered through Abraham's great-grandson [several greats] Moses [the Jews were/are Abraham's descendants]. After Jesus was born, however, God's people had to abandon Judaism in favor of Christianity [they had to start following Christ instead of Abraham and/or Moses]. (Gal 3:26-29) They individually had to start or continue following God, of course, but God changed [or clarified] through the words of Christ what it meant to serve him. Worrying about the previously lifesaving need to follow the Law delivered by Moses actually became a curse (Gal 3:10-14) after Jesus gave mankind God's new instructions. (John 13:34-35; Gal 4:8-11 & Romans 8:3 & Heb 7:18-19; Gal 4:4-5; Gal 5:1 & 4) Trying to go back to Law amounted to trying to move backward in God's progressive plan of salvation as revealed in Christ. The nation giving birth to Christ was actually protected through that earlier Law Code covenant God made with the Jews. Christ was thus the reason for, and fulfillment of, the Law. (Mat 5:17; 2 Cor 3:14; Col 2:13-14)
The idea of living forever should be important to everyone alive; because Jesus expressed faith in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). He quoted them often in support of his teachings. (Luke 6:3; Mat 4:7) His faith in the Bible thus included faith in the Book of Job. That Book records promises made by God of a time when people will return to their youthful vigor, and to health better than they have ever known. (Job 33:16-30) Those promises are important because the Bible indicates it is time for Christ's return. No person knows the day or hour, of course, but the prophesied time is here. (Mat 24:3-8; Mat 24:36-39; Mat 25:31-34) Many people will scoff if you believe these are the end times. (Gen 19:12-14; 2 Peter 3:3-4) None the less, the Bible and the terrible world conditions indicate it is time. The foretold tribulation is rumbling through the whole of the earth. You surely realize from listening to the news that the world as we have known it is dying. (Mat 24:3-14) Along with the natural disasters created by our abuse of the earth, we see just one bad decision after another by our world's political leaders as they tear down our society with their own hands, by seeking their own glory. One government after another is toppled by people who might intend [claim to be trying] to make things better, but leave only anarchy and suffering by their rebellion against those appointed by God to keep law and order. (Rom 13:1-2) Sadly or happily, depending on your faith; the problems we face are unsolvable by human efforts. As just one problem among so many, all nations are being overrun by refugees with many criminals in their midst; people who bring to their new nation the lawlessness and chaos they claim to flee. The nations can't accept them because they can't take care of them, or even their own citizens, but their humanity won't allow them to turn them away. It is not hopeless, however, for those seeking deliverance by the hand of the God who is Good. (Heb 11:6) The established kingdom by Christ is God's Final Solution to all mankind's problems, and, it is your only hope. Just as He did with Noah and Lot, God is protecting the chosen citizens of his new earth society for survival. Please understand, however, the Kingdom of Christ is not the hope of this world. (1 John 5:19) It can, however, be your hope. The world is being destroyed. (Mat 24:36-39) All liars and good for nothing people, (Rev 21:5-8) all those who are determined to continue the behavior that has ruined our society, must be destroyed for peace to prevail. Only God can judge who needs to die! He has or is doing just that... (Mat 13:41-43) Whether they realize, or they choose to remain ignorant, every single person is responding to Christ's message. Don't be fooled, refusing to hear "is" a response... Their "Our" response to Christ's words is judging and revealing who they "we" are. (John 12:47-48) The Kingdom of Christ is your hope! (1 Cor 15:20-28)
Your simple question is this: Do you personally look to Christ and his teachings so as to gain faith for protection and life? (Mat 9:18-25)
Noah and Lot were required to demonstrate faith in God's directions, even though most of the world laughed at them for doing so. (Gen 19:12-14; 2 Peter 3:3-4) Then, all those who mocked them, refusing to building their own faith in the Word of God, were destroyed. (Luke 17:26-30) Today, God is speaking to us "you" through Christ. You must demonstrate faith in his directions as you realize patterning your mind over Christ's words is taking in the spirit of life from God. (John 6:63) Please realize, however, you need faith in Christ's actual teachings, while you work to abandon what other persons have told you Jesus taught. The Bible gives clear warning that many of those teaching in Christ's name are wrong. (Mat 7:21-23; Mat 24:11; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1-2) The only way you can know you are safe (John 12:46-48) is by reading and re-reading the Gospels. (John 6:57-63 with quote) Do you even know and understand what Jesus taught? How can you claim faith in him, if you haven't put forth effort to sit at his feet and come to know him by learning what he said? Join us in doing so!
Knowledge of what Christ came to teach is the greatest treasure available. (Mat 13:44) There is no financial cost to join one of our Bible studies, only some effort on your part. But just as good or better, print and/or use these web pages and start a Bible study locally among family or friends. Or, call today and ask for Murray (area code [two_seven_zero] and the number [three_four_three (dash) two_zero_three_zero). You can also write to "support" (at) "justbibletruth (dot) com" [minus the quotation marks] or to the physical address below.
Write to: JustBibleTruth.com
P.O. Box 743
ALBANY, KY 42602
USA
There are lots of scriptures quoted [or cited] to support the points made. Let me freely admit, however, reading this material isn't the Bible study you need. No man or woman can give you what you need. The Bible study you need is actually reading the Bible, and in particular, the words of Jesus Christ. Our sole purpose in sharing these scriptures is to direct you to Christ (Gal 3:23-25) as the son God sent (John 8:42-51) to teach you how to save your life. (John 6:28-33) If God has granted you to hear what we say, (John 8:43-45) granted you to recognize Christ's voice in what you hear, (John 10:1-5; Rev 3:20) then please heed our warning: You must read the Gospels to hear and gain the spirit in the words of Christ for yourself. (John 6:63) You must personally get the sense of what Christ came from his Father to teach. (John 7:16-17; John 8:28) Jesus is the only one who can give you that gift. (Acts 4:12) Some people will say we are putting too much burden on your knowing what Christ taught, and that you simply need to profess faith in Christ and claim salvation. (Acts 16:30-31) While it is true all you need do is have faith in Christ, can you have true faith in someone you don't really know? (John 17:3) To know Christ you must spend time with him. If the simple statement to have faith were the whole of the matter, that is all Christ would have needed to say. Why did God inspire the Gospels to be written wherein Christ brought out all we have herein said? All four Gospels combined contain only about 200 pages. Don't be fooled; read the Gospels while understanding that's the only way to pattern your mind after Christ! (John 6:57-63 with quote) If you don't want to join us, read the Gospels with someone you care about. If necessary, read them alone. Just be careful to avoid following any group doctrine! Please realize and understand: Knowledge of what Christ taught seems to be God's returning of the tree of life to mankind. (Gen 2:9 & 16-17; Gen 3:22-24 John 4:10-11 & 14-15 & 25-26) May you have peace. (Mat 10:12-15)
Please read: www.JustBibleTruth.com/Videos/WhatYouMustKnow.pdf
This is a link to a .pdf booklet with scriptures as footnotes. The booklet can be printed or read in an e-reader.
P.S. In some sense, I wish there were some way I could prove to you this is all true. Truth is, there is a part of me that desires to "know" it for myself. Failing any of that, my effort is to build and have "faith" it is every word true! There are none of the things I have told you that I have personally witnessed; except the sense and sensibility of the Bible. My hope is you are a more mature Christian than I. Even though we have shared scriptures that tell me the one and only way God is talking to me is through his son, (Heb 1:1-2; Matthew 17:5) I seem unable to stop myself from trying to bargain with God inside my own mind: Why doesn't He protect me from harm, I keep asking him [even while knowing He might already be doing that]; or at least show or tell me I am on the right path. [Maybe confessing this sin will help me leave it behind and stop practicing it. (Pro 28:13)] What I am really requesting when I do that, of course, is that God prove himself to me in ways beyond the plan of salvation He has already provided each of us [as He looks through the earth (2 Chron 16:9) using his spirit to draw us individually and personally to "faith" his Christ. (John 6:44a)] Then I remember: That's what Jesus came to do is tell us how to be on the right path to his Father. I run that string of thoughts, moving from faith in Christ to a selfish need for special personal attention, and then back to faith, over and over in my mind like a broken record. It seems I am unable to stop returning to those same disquieting thoughts. (Ps 94:17-19) The obvious question I must ask myself is this: Am I really trusting in my faith in Christ, if I can't stop trying to bargain with God to give me "more"; to prove himself to me in some way "I" would approve? Does my desire to see new signs and portents reflect a lack of faith? (Acts 2:22-24) We all have the same simple requirement from God: We each one need to listen to Christ (Mark 9:7) and to have faith in him. (John 11:25-26) If we really have faith in Christ, we are pleasing God and He is protecting us. (John 6:28-29; 1 John 3:21-23; Rom 10:9-10) I do know I need to stop asking for more, but it's hard... Whether we are really trusting in Christ is exactly what we are all first deciding, and then demonstrating, about ourselves. It doesn't matter in the least how many people are approving or disapproving your faith or mine. Even your own approval doesn't matter if you have allowed yourself to be misled. (1 Cor 4:1-5) It only matters whether we are living by a true faith in the words of Christ. We must become like Christ in the sense that we desire the will of our Father, even above our own life. (Mat 26:39) God's will must be done to protect humanity from ever again becoming what our world has become today, and from what it became in Noah's day and Lot's day. That understanding, all together then, helps us see the most perfect reason life is happening in just this way. It is because we are still living by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Rom 8:24; 2 Cor 4:16-18) and our faith is demonstrating who we truly are. (John 6:28-29; John 3:19) Are we people who put faith in the word of God and in his son, or are we people who do not? (John 8:31-32) That is the basis of judgment. (John 3:18-19) If God were openly showing himself to his servants, where would our hope based in faith come in. (Romans 8:22-25) It might be good for the time being to be living by faith and not to know for certain, (2 Cor 5:7) as knowledge carries a heavy weight of responsibility. (John 15:22; Acts 5:1-5) Soon, we will know God personally and face to face.(1 Cor 13:12-13) For now, however, let's try to wait patiently in faith and on his timetable; as we "expect" our deliverance because of the promises we've learned from his son. (Luke 21:25-32)
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