Trinity Isn't Just Rivers in Texas

 

Yesterday I focused a bit on our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You'll find all three titles for specific interactions in the Bible. You'll also find theological disagreements with some saying "Trinity means you worship three different God." Or, "These three are separate but equal," which doesn't complete the story. Frankly, I do not wish to get into a theological discussion, but to ignore the subject leaves it beyond discussion - which is never good when discussing what we believe. From my personal belief statement:

… there is one God, eternally extant in three biblical definitions:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is One, the 'echad', of Deuteronomy 6:4, the Father of Matthew 6:9, the promised sacrifice of Genesis 22:8, the Word of John 1:1, the Beginning and the End of Revelation 1:8.

Beyond that, I will not argue, but I will send you to scripture. Let's look first at Jesus' baptism, where all three are mentioned:

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:9-11)

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:21-22)

John doesn't cover Jesus baptism, but his first few verses - plus the book of Revelation - pretty well covers the deity part:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5)

Now, if anyone is wondering which "God" is under discussion, never doubt that it is Judaism that brought Jesus to the synagogues on the Sabbath (that's the seventh day of the week, Saturday in English) and read from the books of prophecy:

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:16-24)

He got explicit with His disciples about what was prophesied - they did not understand:

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. (Luke 18:31-34)

If you wonder what did happen to some of the prophets, read Jeremiah and Ezekiel, or some of those considered minor prophets. Jesus knew exactly what happened to them:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (Matthew 23:37-38)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:34-35)

Once again, I will say that I worship God, whom I believe has appeared to mankind three different ways: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I do not need any statue of any one of those to keep my understanding and memory alive. Jesus told the woman at the well how were would worship. I have no problem accepting that:

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-24)

Come, read the Bible and worship with me.

Why I Can't Ignore You

Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet. Thomas Jefferson believed Jesus was a great philosopher. Many people believe Jesus was a good man, but just as the two previous examples, they do not believe He was God. Even people who believe in the biblical view of an all powerful deity who created the universe have a problem believing a man can be God. 

Understanding the aspects of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit can be a hang up point for a new Christian, but there are verses to use that help:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

I and my Father are one. (John 10:30)

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9)

There is no doubt with scripture that the disciples heard Jesus say He and the Father were the same. He and the Father were one. Then the rest of the letters went out from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter, and James - and virtually confirmed they believed exactly the same. Each of those letters a testament to their belief in Jesus Christ, human Son of God, lived here on earth with them.

We must see Jesus as a man, as human as we are. He also has a Spirit - I think that goes without saying. He definitely had a human body that functioned and felt as ours did. He was not conceived as we were, but He gestated and was born as we were. 

He was raised by law abiding and religious parents - arrested to by their compliance with rules for census taxation and visits to the temple. He could tell when someone touched Him with faith:

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30)

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (Luke 6:19)

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. (Luke 8:45-46)

I won't go into the tortuous humiliation He suffered being tried, beaten and crucified, but remember how painful death by crucifixion is known to be - or look it up. There's a lot of information.

Since I believe the Bible was inspired by God, that it was written to show God to mankind, it would be impossible for me to take it apart and determine what was true and what wasn't. Which is exactly what Thomas Jefferson did - cut the New Testament into pieces to be glued back without any of the miracles the writers said Jesus did. You see, Jefferson could not destroy the historical Jesus. Nor could his mind accept a miracle. Nor could God be in the body of a man.

He wasn't and isn't alone. Many do not believe. However, since I do - I cannot ignore those who do not. To deny Jesus is to activate John 3:18:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:18-19)

I know what happens when those who believe do not speak out to those who do not:

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. (Luke 19:40)

When To Stop Evangelizing

"Politics" in public domain

 

Sometimes differences need to be affirmed and discussions ceased. Tempers can flare on both sides, and neither person will adapt what they think, but will continue arguing until anger erupts. That does good for no one. There comes a time in any heated discussion to draw lines, explain the impasse reached, and decide not to destroy a relationship.

While the graphic is labelled "POLITICS," the discussions that become heated can be a wide variety of subjects, but religion is right up there with politics. Let me take a few paragraphs to examine my view.

When Jesus sent His twelve disciples:

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: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 10:5-7)

He sent them to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," no where else. He mentioned that in other places:

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)

The woman asking for help for her daughter was being a nuisance, the disciples told Him. Verse 24 is how He answered. That wasn't the last of her insistence, though:

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. (Matthew 15:25-26)

She asked Him directly, and His answer was - frankly - insulting. She did not rise to the insult, but gave Him facts:

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:27-28)

Was Jesus insulting the non-Jew, standing by His calling, or giving us an example of persisting in what we know is right? Since I do not believe Jesus made a habit of insulting, I believe this was both an example that He was there to reach the children of Israel first. It was their job to share God with the world. He also taught us to continue asking Him for assistance, and He showed what miracles can be done.

Now - how did I reach the title "When To Stop Evangelizing" from this particular encounter? It is a reach - but my mind is a roundhouse of tracks and I did cross a couple, having testified of my beliefs and having people refuse them. 

One was a former Bible College attendee who became an atheist because his chosen lifestyle did not fit into Christianity. I found him to be a kind, considerate, family-oriented, thoughtful individual who had made a serious profession of faith - and followed it with training - but left that behind. I enjoyed many of the artistic interests he did - music and visual arts. And, I witnessed to him - to no avail. After many years he remains a friend, uninterested in God. He reads my blog every once in a while, and he will recognize himself. 

He will not be surprised that I continue to pray for him. I've told him enough times over the years that he is in my prayers - but we no longer discuss our differing opinions. We know they are different. He firmly stated that, just as I did, but there is no temper, anger, nor reason to regret the friendship.

From my view, I realize the decision is his. Not mine to make. There is nothing I can say different. I will not agree with his viewpoint, but I value his friendship. And, he knows I pray for him, but he does not cut off my friendship, either. He does not request I change my beliefs, either.

There are a few people in our extended family with similar attitudes. One says, "I believe in a different god," but makes no requirements we believe in an unexplainable deity, and we remain family - again, knowing I pray for God to send someone who can reach their hearts.

In reality, although we support missions and missionaries, we cannot change anyone's mind about their decision regarding a relationship with God. But - we pray for them. So many verses, but here's a couple:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Answering Questions

 

Recently hearing David Wood answer a Muslim's question about Bible accuracy, I was reminded of how Charlie Kirk would take questions for those attending his visits to universities. Each of these men spoke from memory with the ability to quote scripture and address not only the specific question, but often put it in context with surrounding scripture to explain how the incorrect interpretation was created. That, in my mind is a talent, a gift. Well done, while giving God the glory, it is a gift that can reach the unsaved. Not all of us have that gift.

Then again, not all of us are called to speak out publicly. I had to do that a few times, and I was not gifted with the ability to do it without a bunch of quaking in my shoes, and making a few mistakes. One happened in Taiwan. I was leading a User Acceptance Test. There were a series of specific items to be tested, but the end users were also able to do what they considered every day work, in case our tests did not touch theier concerns.

The testing was to begin on a Monday morning. The manager who introduced me to the class did so both in English and Chinese, then he was called away for a moment. Rather than ignore the class, I made a few comments about what we would be doing in the coming week as we worked together on testing the software prior to acceptance by the company. They were consistent in eye contact and attention, as I began ro run out of nonspecific words. I was about to talk about the firsts test when the manager returned, smiled so kindly, and explained he was the only one in the room who understood English.

There are times when I've wanted to speak to someone about their religious beliefs, and feel I lack the ability to do so without creating an issue. Then remind myself:

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:19-20)

In context, Jesus is explaining to the disciples that they will be taken by authorities because they speak truth, and not to worry. Their situations were a lot different that what mine are, yet God provides other verses as a confirmation we've read this one as the Spirit is with us when we speak of Him:

And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (Luke 21:13-15)

Luke's example is the same as Matthew's, read in context. In Luke 12, though Jesus began speaking with His disciples, there were multitudes around Him, and His words went beyond confrontation:

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. (Luke 12:8-12)

Paul tells us how difficult it is for a person to believe:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15)

Not all Christians are called to be preachers, but every single Christian is called to confess before men our belief in Jesus. We have opportunities to do that. It woiuld have been inappropriate for me to do that before my Chinese test class, but it was very appropriate to mention it as one of the managers and I went to lunch and I took a moment for prayer before my meal. Our assistant pastor stopped to help a motorist, mentioned his job and his calling - and we now have another family in our congregation and a marvelous tenor in the choir!

One student asked my grand-daughter to join her on the bus that picked up children for church. Now four generations have been members there. All because one person asked a question - and another gave an answer. As Peter put it:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)

Boundaries

 

This screen capture from Google Maps shows a number of boundary examples. Saginaw and Blue Mound are cities, as is Pelican Bay and Haslet. They - as does every other city - have boundaries that define where their city begins and ends. The Eagle Mountain Lake has boundaries that keep the water from flowing downstream - a dam, and higher ground keep the water in specific locations - except for drought, which changes where water is found. There are parks, shown in green, and specific roads. The interstate has controlled access, so does US 287, to a lesser extent.

All these are defined in different ways, but you'll have to admit the ground you are on has boundaries. The USA had a porous boundary in its southern border which caused a split across the country, as well as millions of people who no longer had a country they could rely upon.

Marriage has boundaries. In fact, marriage was created with rules that govern it. According to those who believe the Bible to be true, Jesus defined what the original marriage was to be in it's example for all of mankind:

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Matthew 19:3-8)

There are many helps online that are places for women who believe marriage is for a lifetime - but are married to men who take advantage of that. In a few cases, that dynamic is reversed and the woman takes advantage, but the major remains women who are given boundaries by their husbands, and he has none. Dr. Henry Cloud is one who provided assistance to a couple of women I knew in that situation. Boundaries were necessary.

In one, the husband found an answer in the Bible and made it known to all he met. The other discarded the Bible and created his own religion that allows him to do anything he desires. The wife in the first situation continued her marriage and both grew in wisdom and in favor. The second situation ended in divorce. The woman went on to a second marriage, while the man shipwrecked his life to such an extent that more than one trip to jail ensued due to his actions.

The big difference between these two examples is setting and accepting boundaries in life. Basically, that is all our christianity calls for - setting and accepting boundaries.

Jesus mentioned two in Matthew:

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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Amazing, isn't it, that all the law, all the prophets, all of the Bible comes down to two laws. Our decisions can be determined within God's plans if we first consider the effect on Him, then the effect on people. We should remember that we are someone else's example. Whatever we do, we do it in front of someone we know, or strangers. Seldom do we act totally on our own. With our actions, we apply our own boundaries - or boundaries we pick up from somewhere. First place we pick up boundaries are from our families.

Being born into a family without boundaries is considered a detriment to our development. It does happen. That will impact education first, then it will affect the rest of our lives. People born into overly scheduled lives have different problems, but both extremes will reach a turning point in life, a place or time where a choice is made, a fork in the road.

I'm asking that you become aware of that choice. Did you make a choice to live your life for good? Did that choice include - or decline - God? Frankly, that isn't a one-time-no-out choice. People have more than one opportunity to seek God's boundaries in life. They make life much better:

\Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

How Many Generations

 

That is a simple four-generation family pedigree chart. Put your name in that first lonely rectangle, and your parents' in the next two - father on the top, mother on the bottom rectangle. Repeat for your grandparents, then repeat for your great-grandparents. My oldest great-grand was born in 1830. It is possible I will be alive two hundred years after his birth. Sort of puts history into perspective. By research, I have ancestral information back into the 1500's. No big deal, my husband's goes back another 100 years. Royalty tracks theirs back even further.

Much more important is what is passed down. From my parents, I received religious education. My Dad received similar from his mother, but not his father. My Mom's parents were like mine - information from both parents. Not all families pass along religious information. Some do it in such a way that if a child changes their religious affiliation, they are cut off from their family.

Our religious beliefs are not tied to genetics. We do not inherit them the same way we inherit our hair color, skin color, specific diseases, or tendencies for autoimmune diseases. Our children did inherit genes that set those - including the bad as well as the good - but their religious beliefs were chosen for themselves, just as yours are. 

Generations came to mind today during our morning worship service. The pedigree chart piqued my interest back in the 1980's when I got a computer and a program to track family information. It has been a hobby since then, and a pleasure to learn how the gospel message came down through generations - just as the Lord required:

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (Deuteronomy 4:9)

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalms 145:4)

That's only a sample, but Psalm 78 get's very specific and Psalm 71 tells us about ages:

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (Psalms 78:5-7)

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalms 71:17-18)

Remember my mentioning above about my paternal grandfather not passing along religious beliefs? I remember him never going to church. Churches are very good at keeping records, some denominations have them for centuries, especially baptisms and marriages. I found his marriage information, but no baptism record. Looking at the time frame/place for his children, I found his brother's wife a church member, but neither one of them showed a church membership at any time in places I knew they lived.

For me, a believing Christian, there is a conclusion that can be reached that he never came to the decision making time in his life. I do not want to leave that question in the minds of my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren - or the descendant that comes along two hundred years from now and wonders about me. 

Where do you stand on sharing with your family?

In His Word

 

"Text Appearing After Image:

Reverse FIGURE XI.—THE SEVENTH TABLET OF CREATION British Museum, 

THE COSMOLOGIES "131 The father shall repeat them and teach them to his son;"

There are innumerable stories of creation originating around our world. The commonality is that a supreme deity was capable of creating everything in sight - even though the writers of the stories could not accurately describe what was being created. Science has pretty much added to our knowledge of what is - or is not - what those writers described. 

The vast majority wrote of a tribal (even generational) hierachy - a strong deity, usually surrounded by lesser occupants of a place never seen by humans, yet described in human terms. Anthropomorphizing - that's the word used when we use human terminology to explain the actions of non-human - such as our pets, objects around us, and definitely when describing deities.

I believe some of that came through writers of the Bible when they reached the points where they did not have the vocabulary to describe what was seen. Every language has limitations and limitations are different in every language. This is one reason I enjoy digital resources when it comes to Bible study.

Studying the writings about the Jewish deity is said to have begun with Moses and his writing the first five books of the Bible. Everyone knows he was not even a visitor to the Garden of Eden, but we also know he did meet with God and was given specific instructions as to what was to be written down. Jews and Christians believe all scripture is inspired by God. Jews were to teach each succeeding generations all that God taught. Evenually, that was written down, then copied again and again. Because of combined scientific and theological studies say so, we can accurately state that the same message has come down for no less than four thousand years. That's just written copies. I firmly believe the stories hold true since the creation of mankind.

God also inspired Paul to write to Timothy why we have scripture:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bereans believed this, too:

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12)

While a number of "Christian" church leaders do not accept the Bible as God's word, I personally do. So did my pastors for the last seventy-five years. I was ten when we moved to Oklahoma a began attending Immanuel Baptist Church. I remain saddened that there is no longer a church there by that name. While the congregation went through the normal downsizing, moving away, dying, the Bible remains, and is taught much as I learned it, in other buildings, other congregations. While every denomination, and every unaffiliated congregation, may have thrological differences, there are basics that remain:

God created the heavens and the earth.

God selected Abraham's descendants to spread the word throughout the world.

God provided the birth of Jesus.

God supported the ministry of Jesus.

Jesus was the good news God gave man, that he could spend eternity with God.

Jesus died on a cross because He equated Himself to God

Jesus resurrected after three days, continuing His ministry.

Jesus returned to heaven, leaving mankind the Holy Spirit

Followers of Jesus are Called Christian (first in Antioch) because Jesus was called Christ.

That is a lot of material to take in all at once. Is there any doubt in your mind that new Christians are feeling very much as the Queen of Sheba when she visited King Solomon:

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. (1 Kings 10:6-7)

Let me assure you - there are many things I do not know about the Bible. I read it daily, with prayers for direction (and a yearning for understanding), and I fully agree with Sheba. The half has not been told.

But - as with the Bereans, I know that receiving "the word with all readiness of mind" and searching "the scriptures daily, whether those things were so," clarity is available. Too often, the mind is not ready and the heart is hardened.

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:39-43)

God gave us words, neatly arranged in a book that wasn't available for people to read - for centuries. It was necessary for it to be shared amongst one another, father to son, for centuries. And, it was. God also gave us His Word. John was inspired to write, and my heart responds to:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5)

Seek the Word of God in the word of God. Read with all readiness of mind to learn, searching the scripture to see if what I wrote here is not found in the Bible. Prove me wrong. I don't mind your trying. If you are seeking God, I know He can be found.