STUDY

2 tim 2 vs 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God,a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth.

It shall greatly help ye to understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth after. " — Miles Coverdale

Please read,and keep in mind,both of the above quotations.Both written hundreds of years ago and both relevant today.

Study should be one of the most important things in the Christian life.This is not just reading quickly through the Bible but rather careful and serious study while comparing scripture with scripture.Notice in the above verse,that study meets with God's approval.In the second part of the verse we find that if we study properly,we will not need to be ashamed when we witness to others.In other words,we are prepared with both the knowledge and the confidence to share the gospel.

Now for the third part and this is where most young Christians go astray.This is also where we get all the different cults and confusions.Let's spend some time on this part.Everyone knows that there is a clear division between the Old and New Testament.After all,we aren't dragging protesting animals to be slaughtered as sacrifices.Jesus has been our sacrifice once and for all.We aren't keeping all the Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws ect.What many do not recognize is that there are also some clear divisions in the New Testament as well.For instance,most new Christians begin reading and studying,in the Gospels,especially the Gospel of Matthew since that one is first in line.Now,there is nothing wrong with studying Matthew as long as you realize that it was written primarily to Jews who were still under the Law.A lot of the gospel of Matthew is about ,and for,the second coming and the millenium.Notice that, generally speaking,Gentiles were not saved during Jesus public ministry.The Cannanite woman and the Roman Centurian are the only two instances I can think of at the moment.Let's look at some of the things Jesus had to say on this subject.Matthew 15 vs 24 But He answered and said,I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He also said to his disciples inMatthew 10 vs 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying,Go not into the way of the Gentiles,and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.and continuing in verse 6,But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Those are plain enough for anyone to understand,so where do we come in?After the death,burial and resurrection of Jesus he gave a new command.Matthew 28 vs 19 Go ye,therefore,and teach all nations,baptising them in the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Ghost.With that command we Gentiles enter into the "age of grace",also called "the Church age".

For the new Christian,I recommend that you start your study with the Gospel of John and move from there to chapter 9 of the book of Acts.This is the chapter where the Apostle Paul,then called Saul,is saved on the road to Damascus.This is important since Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles.Move from the book of Acts to the "Pauline Epistles"These are the thirteen books from Romans through Philemon.These are also called the Church Letters and every word of these books is written to us Gentiles.

Now a note of caution.Do not take these things to mean that we do not study all the Bible.2 Timothy verse 16 states;All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof for correction,for instruction in righteousness:

So,the take away from this is,we study the whole Bible but put particular emphasis on the Pauline Epistles because that is where we get our pattern for Christian behavior.