Reading the Bible is not a requirement for salvation. It is through hearing and believing the gospel that someone can be saved.
One of the best illustrations of this truth is found in the verses of the thief on the cross. Despite being a condemned criminal with no good works or religious credentials, the criminal was able to receive forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life simply by believing in Jesus.
This highlights the fact that many people throughout history have come to faith without having access to the complete Bible. In the early church, for example, the books of the New Testament were still being written and compiled. Nonetheless, all that was required for salvation was to hear and believe the gospel message.
Simply reading the entire Bible from cover to cover does not guarantee salvation, as even the most well-educated individuals can miss the point if they reject the gospel message.
It is possible for bible experts to think they are saved based on their knowledge of the Bible, but miss the crucial truth of the gospel.
Ultimately, salvation is not a matter of human effort or intellectual attainment, but is received as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Let us therefore put our faith in Christ alone and trust in His finished work on the cross for our salvation.
Old Testament
While the Old Testament is an important part of the Bible and contains many valuable teachings and stories, it can also be a challenging place to start for someone who is reading the Bible for the first time.
The Old Testament contains 39 books and spans a vast amount of time and history. For someone who is new to the Bible, it can be challenging to navigate through all of the different books and understand how they fit together. While the it contains many stories of faith and heroism, it also includes some difficult and challenging passages. Some of the stories can be graphic and violent, and some of the prophecies can be hard to understand or even frightening.
The Old Testament can be difficult to understand without proper context.
Many of its books were written to a specific audience in a particular time and place. Without an understanding of the historical and cultural background of the Old Testament, it can be easy to miss the intended meaning of certain passages.
New Testament
For these reasons, it may be more beneficial for someone who is new to the Bible to start with the New Testament. The New Testament contains 27 books and focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It provides a clear and concise overview of the gospel message and offers practical guidance for living as a Christian. Once someone has a solid understanding of the New Testament, they may find it easier to go back and read the Old Testament with greater understanding and appreciation.
When starting to read the New Testament, it’s important to be intentional about where you begin. While all of the books of the New Testament contain valuable teachings and insights, some may be easier to understand and apply than others.
Synoptic Gospels
For example, the first three books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – are known as the Synoptic Gospels and are closely tied to the law of Moses in the Old Testament. These books focus on Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God (which will be resumed again after the Great 7-Year Tribulation), His miracles, and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. They also emphasize the fact that humans are incapable of perfectly following God’s law and need a Savior to be saved.
Sadly, so many people use these books in a attempt to follow the laws of Moses and fight sins in an attempt to be saved, which isn’t the gospel.
Gospel of John and epistles of Paul
On the other hand, the Gospel of John and the epistles of Paul are often considered to be more focused on the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. John’s Gospel, in particular, emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus and His mission to save humanity through His death and resurrection. Paul’s epistles also focus on the gospel message and how it applies to the lives of believers. We Christians are under the ministry of Paul because he’s the one who has revealed the Church to us. We are also in the Church age today (at the time I’m writing these words), and this age will end as soon as the Great Tribulation (reign of the antichrist) begins.
Books of James and Hebrews, be careful
The books of James and Hebrews are often considered to be more challenging or controversial than other New Testament books.
The Book of James isn’t about earning or losing salvation but encourages saved people to live out their faith through good works and practical deeds of love and compassion to make their testimony alive and welcoming (rather than dead) to unsaved people. All in all, can your testimony be used to bring others to salvation?
Similarly, the book of Hebrews provides valuable insights into the nature of Christ and His role as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. It also offers practical guidance for living a life of faith and perseverance in the face of trials and challenges.
That being said, it’s important to remember that each book of the New Testament contributes to the overall message of salvation and that all parts of the Bible are inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Ultimately, the best place to start when reading the Bible is wherever you feel led by the Holy Spirit, trusting that God will reveal His truth to you as you seek to know Him more.
In summary
To be saved, one only needs to accept the gospel (aka Good News) of Jesus Christ.
It is the message that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross to pay for the sins of every person. He was buried and rose from the dead three days later. Through faith in Christ alone, we receive the free gift of eternal life that can never be earned or lost. As Jesus Himself said in John 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me has eternal life.” Once we put our trust in Jesus, we are saved forever. Once saved, always saved. Therefore, let us trust in Christ alone and experience the joy of living eternally with Him.
Reading the Bible isn’t an obligation but it can help strengthen faith against those who seek to undermine it — there are many wolves teaching accursed gospels in the current period. Start with the Gospel of John and read through to Revelation, keeping each verse in their proper context.
Useful verses
John 3:16
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.
John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
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.
Matthew 11:28-30
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.
Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
ROMANS 3:28
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said (Paul and Silas), Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
1 CorinthianS 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
ROMANS 3:28
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said (Paul and Silas), Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
ROMANS 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Roman 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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