Beginner's GUIDE to the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Sixty-six books, over 40 authors, written thousands of years ago.

That's how the BIBLE is often described in teachings.

So, how does one start?

If you're reading this, then perhaps, you're curious, wanting to know if there's a SIMPLER way, and EASIER way to know the Bible.

There is.

Consider this a starter course, and let the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD guide you along the way.

The SIMPLE GOSPEL:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 

King James Version

3 For I delivered unto you first of all 

that which I also received, 

how that Christ died for our sins 

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, 

and that he rose again the third day 

according to the scriptures:

John 11:25

King James Version

25 Jesus said unto her, 

I am the resurrection, 

and the life: 

he that believeth in me, 

though he were dead, 

yet shall he live:

Other important verses:

2 Timothy 3:16 

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, 

and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 11:3 

King James Version

3 But I fear, 

lest by any means, 

as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, 

so your minds should be corrupted 

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Proverbs 3:7 

King James Version

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: 

fear the Lord, 

and depart from evil.

John 3:3 

King James Version

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born again, 

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

John 4:24 

King James Version

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 3:16 

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

Matthew 22:35-40 

King James Version

35 Then one of them, 

which was a lawyer, 

asked him a question, 

tempting him, 

and saying,

36 Master, 

which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 4:17 

King James Version

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, 

and to say, 

Repent: 

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

It makes sense to keep things simple at the start, and get a feel for the WORD of GOD first.

Let your heart be sincere, and let GOD do the rest.

Watch how the HOLY SPIRIT will start teaching you about JESUS.

You will marvel, as I constantly marvel.

Awe is a mild word.

GOD has GREAT humor

 

God is funny,

because we are funny.

The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD teaches us perfectly.

In a way best suited to our character.

Here's how He taught me today.

Starting with a verse:

Matthew 16:4 

King James Version

4 A wicked and adulterous generation 

seeketh after a sign; 

and there shall no sign be given unto it, 

but the sign of the prophet Jonas. 

And he left them, 

and departed.

Wherein, one thing stuck out:

"...and there shall no sign be given unto it, 

but the sign of the prophet Jonas."

Curious, I looked at Jonah's chapter.

And laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

For he was a reluctant prophet.

And God would have none of such nonsense.

He taught Jonah a lesson.

Here's the backgrounder.

God appoints Jonah:

Jonah 1:1-2 

King James Version

1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah 

the son of Amittai, saying,

2 Arise, 

go to Nineveh, 

that great city, 

and cry against it; 

for their wickedness is come up before me.

But Jonah panicked:

Jonah 1:3 

King James Version

3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish 

from the presence of the Lord, 

and went down to Joppa; 

and he found a ship going to Tarshish: 

so he paid the fare thereof, 

and went down into it, 

to go with them unto Tarshish 

from the presence of the Lord.

So, God does something else.

Jonah 1:4 

King James Version

4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, 

and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, 

so that the ship was like to be broken.

And the shipmaster wonders who was responsible.

Jonah 1:7 

King James Version

7 And they said every one to his fellow, 

Come, and let us cast lots, 

that we may know 

for whose cause this evil is upon us. 

So they cast lots, 

and the lot fell upon Jonah.

The whole ship resolves the matter.

Jonah 1:11-12 

King James Version

11 Then said they unto him, 

What shall we do unto thee, 

that the sea may be calm unto us? 

for the sea wrought, 

and was tempestuous.

12 And he said unto them, 

Take me up, 

and cast me forth into the sea; 

so shall the sea be calm unto you: 

for I know that for my sake 

this great tempest is upon you.

Surely, the shipmates couldn't wait to get him off board fast -- in great relief.

Jonah 1:15 

King James Version

15 So they took up Jonah, 

and cast him forth into the sea: 

and the sea ceased from her raging.

Of course, God knew Jonah needed time to think.

Jonah 1:17 

King James Version

17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish 

to swallow up Jonah. 

And Jonah was in the belly of the fish 

three days and three nights.

Jonah realizes he's done God wrong.

Jonah 2:1 

King James Version

2 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God 

out of the fish's belly,

So he affirms his vow with God.

Jonah 2:9 

King James Version

9 But I will sacrifice unto thee 

with the voice of thanksgiving; 

I will pay that that I have vowed. 

Salvation is of the Lord.

God takes mercy upon Jonah.

Jonah 2:10 

King James Version

10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, 

and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

By now, Jonah's a mess.

And if you think that's the end of the story, there's more:

Jonah 1 

Jonah 2

Jonah 3

Jonah 4

Are you called to God's service?

Have you resisted?

Don't.

Bad idea.

When God sets His mind on you, that's it.

No escaping the inevitable.

I have my own little story to tell.

Maybe in another blog.

Updated 14 December 2022