Studying the Bible

Studying the Bible

Studying the Bible is a journey, an investment of time that can change your life; for the better.  It’s an adventure worth investing in.  When I think about studying the Bible, I think about the many people I personally know who took out the time to study it with another person.  The friendships forged, memories created and of course the spiritual confidence and peace that came with understanding the Gospel.  Many people attend churches all across America; sadly many still walk in doubt and confused; if they’re going to make it into heaven, have they been doing what God expects?  So many church hop because they think it’s the ministers responsibility to feed them spiritually, and they doubt continually.

Let me share a story from the book of Acts, from the New Testament:

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so he opens not his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.”

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:26-38, ESV)

We see this story unfold, and yet it is meant to read everyone of us who is seeking to understand what the scriptures teach, who is Jesus and what did he expect of his followers.  We all have many questions when it comes to Christianity.  We believe that programs are a good thing, but we also believe that it’s the relationships that change lives.  Perhaps you’ve grown up going to a church all your life, or perhaps you used to attend a church until you were hurt, belittled or confused about what the truth was.  We believe that when you sit down with a member of Fort Avenue Church of Christ, you will learn about the Bible, it’s purpose.  What is being a Christian all about, did Jesus have expectations?  What is the way someone is truly converted and will it provide the confidence that I will see God as my defender in eternity?  All of these questions and many more can be answered by studying the Bible, all you need is time and an open mind willing to learn what the Bible says.  If this is something you would like to partake in, please use the “Contact Us” tab and let us know, or come out to one of our services and talk to a member about studying.

Sincerely,

The Fort Avenue Church of Christ