A beginner's guide to reading the Bible | The Old Path

Summary

This video encourages a thoughtful and meditative approach to Bible reading. The speaker advises starting with the New Testament to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant, before returning to the Old Testament for deeper insights. Emphasizing the importance of reflection, not speed, the speaker highlights how the New Testament writers often reference the Old Testament, showing the continuity of God's Word. The video also explains the changes in the priesthood and the law that occurred with Christ, offering clarity on the transformation from Judaism to Christianity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start reading the Bible with the New Testament, as it pertains to the current Christian dispensation.
• 😀 Bible reading should be meditative and reflective, not rushed, allowing time for deeper understanding.
• 😀 The speaker advises reading the New Testament first, as it may take time (around a year) to fully digest.
• 😀 Fast reading is not the goal; the true value lies in meditation and reflection on the Scriptures.
• 😀 After finishing the New Testament, revisit the Old Testament to see how it informs New Testament teachings.
• 😀 Understanding the Old Testament becomes clearer after reading the New Testament, especially regarding the phrase 'It is written.'
• 😀 'It is written' in the New Testament often refers to the Old Testament, highlighting the continuity between the two.
• 😀 The Bible reveals a significant change in both the priesthood and the law between the Old and New Testaments.
• 😀 Hebrews 7:12 emphasizes that a change in priesthood necessitates a change in the law, marking a shift from the Old to the New Covenant.
• 😀 The teachings of Jesus Christ should be your foundation, as they provide clarity when encountering apparent contradictions in the Old Testament.
• 😀 Approach Bible reading with prayer and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding.

Q & A

Why does the speaker suggest starting Bible reading with the New Testament?

The speaker suggests starting with the New Testament because it represents the current Christian dispensation, focusing on the teachings of Jesus Christ, which can help prevent confusion when encountering the laws and teachings from the Old Testament.

What does the speaker mean by 'meditating' while reading the Bible?

Meditating means reflecting deeply on the scriptures, seeking understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit, rather than simply reading quickly through the text.

How does the speaker's reading experience differ from others?

The speaker is a fast reader and initially read the New Testament in one week. However, after revisiting the Bible with a focus on meditation, the speaker found deeper illumination and understanding of the scriptures.

Why does the speaker recommend reading the New Testament before the Old Testament?

Reading the New Testament first allows the reader to become familiar with the teachings of Jesus and the changes in the law and priesthood before encountering the Old Testament, which might seem contradictory or confusing.

What does the phrase 'It is written' mean in the context of the New Testament?

'It is written' refers to Old Testament scriptures that New Testament writers, like Jesus and the apostles, often quote to support their teachings, showing that the foundations of Christianity are rooted in earlier scriptures.

What change does the speaker refer to in Hebrews 7:12?

Hebrews 7:12 refers to a change in the priesthood from the Levitical priesthood of Moses and Aaron to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. This change necessitated changes in the law.

Why is it important to read both the New and Old Testaments, according to the speaker?

Reading both Testaments provides a full understanding of the continuity and changes in God's law and the priesthood, enriching the reader's understanding of Christianity's roots in Judaism and its fulfillment in Christ.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in understanding the Bible, according to the speaker?

The Holy Spirit helps guide the reader in understanding and meditating on the scriptures, illuminating the meaning behind the words to deepen one's spiritual comprehension.

What does the speaker mean by 'discovering truths' after reading the New Testament?

The speaker refers to the realization of how many New Testament teachings are directly based on or fulfilled by Old Testament prophecies and writings, which becomes clearer after reading both Testaments.

How does the speaker view the relationship between the teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament laws?

The speaker believes that while the teachings of Jesus may seem to contradict the Old Testament laws, there was a necessary change in both the priesthood and the law with the coming of Christ, making the teachings of Jesus the central focus for Christians.