Beginning Bible Readers Should Start with the Gospel
"I tried reading the Bible once, but I got so confused," some say. What is the source of the difficulty? It's not the length of the book, which averages about 1200 to 1500 pages. That's not much different than three of Tom Clancy's novels or a half dozen Louis L'Amour's.
Sometimes, some folks get an ambitious streak and decide to read the Bible straight through. About halfway through Exodus, when the narrative portion ends, they get a little nervous. The laws may hold their attention for a while, but after several chapters of the design and construction of the tabernacle, it's back to the excitement of a John Grishsam thriller.
The problem lies in not knowing how the Bible is put together and what part of it deals with us today. Someone who is unfamiliar with the Word of God would do well to start with the New Testament. It is not that the Old Testament has no value; it answers many fundamental questions about life and its origin. It forms the background out of which the New Testament is written, and the New fulfills the prophecies of the Old.
But if we want to know who Jesus is and what is required for salvation, we need to start reading the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all describe the life of Christ. They overlap and repeat various events, but at the same time each possesses its own individuality. In these books, the reader will find proof for Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God. No one will grasp all the significance during a first reading through; a few things may even be difficult, but there are plenty of plain statements, such as: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth sha; make you free" (John 8:31-32).
Next, the beginning student should study the Book of Acts. Because it continues the history begun in the gospel accounts of Jesus' life. It shows the beginning of the church and how it grew and developed. Acts is replete with several accounts of conversion—how the gospel was preached and accepted.
Various letters written to individuals or churches comprise the rest of the New Testament, except for the Book of Revelation, which actually is the most difficult of all to comprehend, since it is filled with so many symbols. There are at least four major ways to interpret it, along with numerous other variations.
Thus, it would be better to concentrate on some of the smaller epistles such as Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The Bible was written to be understood by all; Paul wrote that "when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:3).
The Bible is not mystical in nature; it was written to be understood by all of us. It reveals God and Truth to us. It defines sin for us and shows us the way of salvation (James 1:21). It leads us into eternal life (Acts 20:32).