Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Hope on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    I am trying to memorize the whole chapter of Acts 2 by December 20. What would be the easiest way to do it?
  • David - In Reply - 2 years ago
    It is an interesting website in respect that one person says this is what I believe the bible means or another says with absolution this is what it says and means and yet in 2 Peter 1:20 God says Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation and the word private is idios which is ones own, so for me to say this is what it means or that is what I think doesn't count if it doesn't fit with all of the scripture.
  • Mishael - In Reply - 2 years ago
    I'm an evangelist. I say what the Holy Spirit shows me. I may not know dates, years, days; I just say what I see.

    I do study what the Holy Spirit wants me to see. He highlights scripture. Things I have read hundreds of times. Then He will show a different meaning just by placement of commas. I have a new comment on Genesis 1 and 2, I had never noticed before. I'm praying over this right now.

    Don't allow opposing comments stop you. GOD will confirm His Word. I always go look at the Commentaries on Google. (Well known Christian commentators). I take it all in and do a lot of prayer and fasting over it, as in wait on the Holy Spirit. Whatever Rhema He wants to show is what I say.

    Mostly because I want to hear what the Lord is saying.

    I like to sit in here and see what others are thinking, asking and saying. Iron sharpens iron. It smooths off the rough edges (flesh). Jewish teachers and students do the same thing. It's all good. Don't get riled when someone disagrees. The Holy Spirit will bring Jesus's Light into the conversation.

    We're living in a time of false teachers, and falling away, so let us all pray for the Holy Spirit to impart 'discerning of spirits' to us. May we receive it. 1 Corinthians 12

    The only suggestion I can make is if we could press the "View Thread" box to see if everyone has at least received a reply?

    Gotta go feast. My flesh just served notice it's calling the police.
  • Earl Bowman - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Brother David:

    2 Peter 1:20

    This scripture means that no one scripture has ALL TRUTH in that scripture; but must be held in light of all other scriptures to come TO TRUTH.

    All scriptures have to AGREE, otherwise you are misapplying the TRUTH of the scriptures.

    Only the Spirit can led you to TRUTH.

    Ask and it shall be GIVEN, in Spirit's appointed time.
  • David - In Reply - 2 years ago
    hi Earl Brother you just proved my point, if we are led by the Holy Spirit of God then on any given subject matter in Gods Word its not going to mean 12 different things in understanding. According to philippians we are to be of the same mind. The mind of Christ or spiritual mind isn't going to have 20 different meanings to one area that's confusion.
  • Earl Bowman - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Brother david, i fully agree.

    philippians 2:13 for it is god that worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure.

    you (sinful flesh died, on the cross, you no longer exist. the life (i am the way, truth, life) now in you is christ.

    no greater love has a man than to give his life for his brother. have you died to christ (the word of god, this is the first death) (first resurrection).

    revelation 20:6

    revelation 13:10
  • English Sacha - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear Brother Earl , thankyou so much for being brave and for doing what was the right thing to do . I respect you so much for that . You have put me back on the straight and narrow and I really appreciate what you did . Much love in Christ .
  • Earl Bowman - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Sister Sacha:

    Philippians 2:13 For it is God (Spirit, truth, life) that WORKETH in you both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.

    He will make each of PERFECT in his appointed time.

    Be still and behold the salvation of God.

    There is never a reason to be ashamed, we are his creation and he knows how to make each of COMPLETE.

    Any TRUE brother or sister understands this.

    God uses you, but it's him not you.

    God's grace covers ALL.

    You have a gift let God express it through you.
  • Free - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Reed it into the telephone and listening in work, in walk, before bedtime, and soo often you can. Test yourself to wright it down. Learn by Heart. The word is already live in side your . In Jesus Holy Name, Good luck with the task.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thank you so much, I ill give it a go! God bless you!
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hello Hope. Your task is not impossible, though I've never tried to memorize large chunks of Scripture. The old adage, "Repetition is the mother of learning", seems appropriate here as well as to those at lower school levels learning answers by rote.

    Some have tried using various means such as forming pictures in the mind or specific clues to take them to the next verse(s), but I would think that the old fashioned 'repetition' starting from verse 1, repeating it until it is fully formed in your mind, is best. Then when you get to verse 2, learn that fully but at the end of your session, do several exercises on both verses 1 & 2. And move on in that way with the other verses, always going back to repeating from verse 1. But December 20 is not too far away & 47 verses will be quite a feat, so start today. Wishing you every success.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hello Chris and those on this thread. I, too, have not memorized large chunks of Scripture, but have read through the Bible many times. The Holy Spirit is faithful to bring to us to remembrance of a Scripture heard or read at appropriate times. We are blessed to have Bible in hand or online in our own language and concordances, likewise to help us finding the verse brought to mind and read it in context.

    that said, I have committed to memory verses that are of special meaning to me or a number of verses on a specific theme. I often do as you do, read and re-read (rote learning is effective) I also think that having the verse read out loud . to me is also an aid to memorization, along with trying to put the verse into a simple song. having something tangible to remind you of the verse can help, if there is something tangible to use, like a rock to remember that Jesus is the rock that followed the Israelites in the wilderness, for example. Having a buddy to memorize the same verse and making time to practice reciting to each other can help. using the time on a walk is a good time to practice a verse saying it in the cadence of your walking step, or if you like swinging, say it as you go back and forth on a swing or in a rocker. These are all things that help me, and as a teacher of young children, I know that such methods work well for memorization tasks. The most important thing is that we be doers of the word and not just readers. Scripture is written that we may have eternal life in Christ and as a guide to apply to our daily life so we can live a godly life in a wicked, fallen world, as a light in the darkness, among other reasons.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Some excellent suggestions there, teacher GiGi, for Scripture memorization. Though your mention of practising memorization in cadence with the rocking motion of a rocker, had me bemused & a little concerned. Am I, are we, already having a rocking chair in view for these remaining days on Earth, I wondered? Your suggestion of "if you like swinging" caught my attention, until you suggested 'a swing'. But yet, all very helpful to those seeking such help.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hello Chris,

    I mentioned the rocking chair, swing, and walking, not in an occultic way, as those who practice the occult do use repetitive movements with chanting to induce trancelike states of mind, but because the gentle movement and cadence is soothing and calms a person down and helps a person concentrate on the task of meditating and using God's Word. And just like these activities are repetitive, repeating a verse of Scripture for memorization is, too. It has to do a bit with brain science where you engage more brain pathways this way than simply reading and aids the learning process. It is helpful for some people, and for others, perhaps more distracting.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thanks for that explanation, GiGi, though wasn't expected. Just my mind initially went to 'swinging' as in an aerobics class or some dance routine - I smiled when you actually were referring to a swing. And I suppose that is why both Jews & Muslims rock back & forth when sitting or standing reading their Scriptures. I know in Islam, the way the Arabic verses in the Quran are written, the reading of them is helped by moving the body in harmony to help their appreciation & understanding.
  • GiGi again - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hi Chris,

    I am sure there are many more ideas out there concerning helps to Scripture memorization. One thing I forgot to add that I know is also effective is for a person to practice writing the verse out by hand. I suggest writing it out each day for a week and then try to write it from memory, checking it with what was written before and making any changes and/or additions until it is complete, the next day repeat this process until you can write it correctly from memory.

    If the verse is lengthy or a person is memorizing a paragraph or section, I suggest learning it piece by piece, dividing it up into logical phrase breaks, and follow the writing tasks above. When a section is learned, then begin writing the the previously learned section and add a new phrase. Writing is a very good brain activity because it is kinesthetic, more so than typing. As a person writes, they naturally recheck the word or several words to be sure they are correct. I suggest using a spiral notebook for this so that the journey of writing a verse from memory can be reviewed, and the person can discover any words that they seem to be get stuck on consistently.

    I'd love to hear any other ideas that people may have.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thanks GiGi. Those were great suggestions which I hadn't thought of. Indeed, putting pen to paper is a great way to help seal that information in the brain.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thank you Chris. I appreciate your advice. I will try it out and see how it goes. I can't help but wonder. What is your religion?
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    You're welcome, Hope. My religion? Well, I'm just a plain old fashioned follower of my Saviour & lover of the Word of God, having no denominational title. I'm acquainted with many different Fellowships but never have a 'perfect fit' with any; but then who does, unless forced into submission & belief. Every blessing sister.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Maybe you should try an apostolic church. I'm sure you might fit in there.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thank you Hope. Here again, I would have a problem, as I don't believe in an apostolic appointment in the present-day Church. The apostles of Christ were there for a limited time, as appointed by the Lord, & that appointment was completed at the giving of the final Revelation. Both apostles & prophets, in the biblical sense, have ceased, as nothing more can be added to God's Word. So actually I would be very uncomfortable & wary of any Fellowship that entertains such positions. Thank you for your concern, sister.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    You're welcome, but do you realize though that each apostle preached to each person and the message lives on through them. Plus, when you speak in tongues, that is the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is God living inside of us, and He continues to lead us, and guide us, and shape us into what He wants us to be. I just thought I would add that little bit. I hope it won't offend you.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Yes Hope, I would agree with what you've shared there. But I see that Jesus also gave some believers to be "evangelists, pastors, & teachers" ( Ephesians 4:11). The apostolic period & the day of prophetical utterances had finished with the close of The Revelation, but the Church still has others so equipped by the Spirit to carry forward that Word, to teach & evangelize what the apostles & prophets first delivered to us.

    There have been many prophets as you would know (mostly self-acclaimed in the cults), & we see the worth of their prophecies. Of the prophecies I've heard today, there has been no more given than what a teacher of God's Word shares under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Have you heard anything that has already not been declared? Bless you, sister.
  • Tim - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Cessationism is a false doctrine, please read Matthew 13:31-32 Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven

    To Say everything closed at the end of the apostolic age would mean that salvation is also closed

    Your statement has is not in harmony

    Number 23:19 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

    Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

    Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
  • Chris - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Thank you Tim. But I don't believe that "everything closed at the end of the apostolic age", only the position of apostles (defined by certain criteria) & the presentation of prophecy. Or else, one would have to disregard Revelation 22:18,19, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

    And let's face it, the Revelation is generally acknowledged as the final set of prophecies for the close of this age & ushering in of the new. I'm unsure which 'prophet', since John's prophetical vision, can add to that Book - some of course have tried, whether prophesying events, dates, etc., & all have proved false. At most, self-acclaimed prophets can make a hit-and-miss forecast, a little like clairvoyants of today. A prophecy from God must be true in every respect, or else it's false. If a brother brings forth a prophecy that is already declared in God's Word, it's not prophetical, but instructional, whether as a warning or an exhortation. We must not convert prophetical utterances found in the Scriptures to mean something else today - this is false & misleading.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Bless you too, Chris.
  • David - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hi Hope A lot of individuals do not believe in S.I.T. I have been for 45 years there is biblically 12 things it does for the believer, the reason most don't believe in it are the totally out of order examples they've seen but that doesn't take away from the reality that it is still available to do.
  • Hope - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hi David. I have never heard of the S.I.T. Would you like to explain what it is?
  • David - In Reply on Acts 2 - 2 years ago
    Hi Hope The answer is Speaking in tongues which is the First thing that was done on he Birthday of the Church which was a display of Acts 2:11 Speaking the wonderful works of God.



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