| In the previous study we briefly discussed the fact that what we believe and practice makes a difference to God. In that study we said we d discuss certain doctrinal issues that separate us from other religious people. One of the more common issues over which we have controversy is the issue of there being one church. Let s see what the Bible says about that. In Mt. 16:18 Jesus said, I will build my church. There is no question that Christ spoke here of building one church, his church. But this passage is not the only evidence that the Lord has only one church. In Eph. 4:4 Paul said there is only one body. Many other passages echo this idea. For example, see Rom. 12:4 and 1 Cor. 12:13. Furthermore, in passages like Col. 1:18, 24 the Bible says the body is the church. So we can conclude the Bible says there is one church. Some try to maintain that the different denominations are all part of the one body, the church. But this is contrary to how the Lord set up his church. Did the Lord design his church to be divided or denominated? In 1 Cor. 1:10 Paul commanded that we not have division, that we be of the same mind and judgment. This flies in the face of the idea God is pleased with there being different denominations. The Lord built only one church. He died to purchase HIS church. This is an important doctrinal point. In future studies we'll look at more doctrinal issues. Stick around! |
 |
 |
|  |
| The Bible is a wonderful book and we all know we ll be blessed by learning more of it. However, often times an individual wants to study, but doesn t know how. We can learn from God s book principles that will guide us in how to study. Here s the first of several installments on how to study God s word. There is a subtle difference between wisdom and knowledge. That difference is fairly summarized in this way; Knowledge is the knowing of facts and truths. Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge. It makes sense, then, that if I m to get more knowledge from the Bible, I need to get more wisdom so I can gather and use that knowledge. Look at Prov. 5:1-2 and Prov. 8:12. Both of these passages speak of wisdom as something that helps us gather knowledge. As we build wisdom, we become better equipped to gather knowledge. See Prov. 1:2. Proverbs is a great book of wisdom. Since we re to gather wisdom to help us gather knowledge, why not use Proverbs? My mother suggested to me when I was young that for every chapter I read in the New Testament, read one in Proverbs. If you start through the New Testament doing that, you will have read Proverbs several times by the time you re finished. The more I read Proverbs, the more the Bible made sense to me. Gather wisdom from this great source to help you gather knowledge from God s entire book. So now you've got your first pointer on how to study the Bible. |
In the future we hope to have more thoughts on how to study God's word |
Question For This Study
Did Jacob steal Essau's birthright? Think about it carefully, now. The answer may not be as obvious as you think.Answer To Last Question
Was Moses a Jew? Actually, no. The term "Jew" didn't come along until about 600 years before Christ. It basically means one of Judah, as in the nation of Judah. Judah was the name of, and the primary tribe in, the Southern Kingdom after Israel was divided. Moses was of the tribe of Levi and lived long before the title "Jew" ever came along.