I would like to know more about what the Bible teaches.
The best way to learn more about the Bible is to 1) READ it; 2) MEDITATE on it; and OBEY it. Of course, you can simply turn to what others have learned and written in the form of Bible commentaries, pamphlets or tracts, but then you are learning “second hand.” I prefer to study the Word of God for myself first and after forming thoughts about what I’ve read I will then turn to Bible commentaries to read what they have to say. I would like to say more about reading and meditating on the Bible and then obeying it, but before I do, I will give you a list of some of the most VITAL DOCTRINES (i.e. teachings) of the Bible.
1) The Inspiration of the Scriptures (2nd Timothy 3;16 & 2nd Peter 2:21)
2) The Holy Trinity (God is one God and yet Three Persons…Matthew 28:19)
3) The Deity of Christ (Jesus Christ IS God…John 1:1, 14; 20:28)
4) The Virgin Birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35 and Galatian 4;4)
5) The Perfect Humanity of Christ (Luke 1:35; Hebrews 7:26; 1st John 3:5)
6) The Sacrifice of Christ for Sin (1st John 4:9-10; John 3:16; 1st Timothy 2:5-6)
7) The Resurrection, Ascension and Exaltation of Christ (1st Corinthians 15:3-8;
Acts 1:9-11 and Ephesians 1:20-23)
8) The Second Coming of Christ: The Rapture and the Revelation (the Rapture is
seen in 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17; the Revelation in Revelation 19:11-16)
9) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-15)
10) The Origin of the Universe (Genesis 1:1 & Hebrews 11:3)
11) Man’s Fall into Sin & Spiritual Death (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6; Ephesians 2:1)
12) Salvation (Past: John 10:9; Present: Hebrews 7:25; Future: Hebrews 9:28)
13) Justification (Romans 3:19-26)
14) Sanctification (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-26)
15) Eternal Security of the Believer (John 3;16; 5;24; 6:47; 1st John 5:13)
We could mention many more but this list should “whet your appetite” to study the Word of God to learn these precious Bible doctrines. Now let’s look briefly at the THREE THINGS mentioned at the beginning.
1) READ the Bible! The Apostle Paul told young Timothy, “Give attention to READING, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1st Timothy 4:13). Many Christians are “ignorant of Bible doctrines” because “they don’t read the Bible!” Many are content to attend some “church” and listen to someone else read the Bible to them along with a short “sermonette.” We MUST read it for ourselves so I pray you will take to heart 1st Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, DESIRE the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.”
2) MEDITATE on the Bible! Paul went on to tell Timothy “MEDITATE on these things” (verse 15). Joshua told the Israelites the very same thing, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall MEDITATE IN IT DAY AND NIGHT” (Joshua 1:8). The word “meditate” means “to ponder, to think it over.” It’s not enough to simply “read the Bible” we must also “think it over” until It becomes part of our thoughts and captivates our hearts.
3) OBEY the Bible! Paul went on to say in 1 Timothy 4:15, “Give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” Joshua went on to say in Joshua 1:8, “That you may OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN It. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Dear fellow-believers, it’s not enough to READ and MEDITATE on the Word, we MUST be “DOERS of the Word” as we see in James 1:22, “But be DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” If we do not obey God’s Word, we will deceive ourselves into thinking, “I’m pretty spiritual and pleasing God,” but it is through OBEDIENCE to the Word that we please God (see John 8:29 with Matthew 3:17). If you are determined to “obey the doctrines” of the Bible, God will give you to “know the doctrines” of the Bible. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). (DO) (509.5)