Bible Basics
Bible Basics is different than all other pages of christian-bible-studies.net. In these Bible Studies, we assume the reader has no prior knowledge of the Bible.
However, because the internet reaches parts of the world where Bible Studies are not permitted, or are frowned upon, or simply not available. Bible basics is an introduction.
You should understand that this study is NOT about religion. The Bible does not advocate or favor any religion. To Christian readers this may sound like heresy. But hear me out.
The God of the Bible did not come down through forty and two generations of an ancient Semite people to establish a religion. He came into the world to have a relationship with every man, woman, boy, and girl; in all places and in all times.
John 3:16 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believesin him shall not perish but have eternal life. [1]
Theres nothing in the oft quoted above verse about religion. God simply desires that you have eternal life. To enter into eternal life a human being must be in a relationship with the God of creation.
Step One:
Bible basics is understanding that the Bible is Gods communication to man, in which He reveals how to have a relationship with Him. Being rightly related to God is the same as having eternal life.
On the other hand, religion is a man made construct. Religion can be defined as the adherence to a set of beliefs that regulate the moral, social, and ritualistic behavior of the individual. [2]
Relationship is not religion. Relationship is one on one. Relationship is personal. God loves you so much that He desires to be in a personal relationship with you.
Step Two:
Bible Basics is knowing why and how to establish a relationship with Creator God. Ill give you a hint. Its not through religion.
The how is revealed in a famous New Testament conversation between a Jewish leader named Nicodemus and Christ Jesus.
John 3:1-6 (NIV)
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish rulingcouncil.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has comefrom God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not withhim."
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of Godunless he is born again."
4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter asecond time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless heis born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.[1]
This passage reveals that the way to; have a relationship with God, enter into the Kingdom of God, and have eternal life is to be born again.
The man mentioned in this passage was a Jewish religious leader who was very knowledgeable in the Jews religion. Yet he had no idea how to have a relationship with God.
What did Jesus mean when He said, You must be born again?
Step Three:
The most fundamental concept is to knowing why you must be born again. To understand this concept it is helpful to know the story of:
a. the fall of man
b. the redemption story
c. the price of redemption
d. man redeemed
Each concept builds upon the preceding concept to reach an understanding of being born again. This is Bible basics, an introduction to the Bible.
Bibliography:
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. WORDsearch CROSS e-book., Wordsearch8 Bible Software, .
[2] Dr. Myles Munroe, Kingdom Principles; Preparing For Kingdom Experience and Expansion, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 2006.
