The reader is encouraged to read this important introduction before continuing to the MENU below.
If what you believe isn't true would you want to know it? Have you ever proved what you believe is true by looking at what the Bible really says about your beliefs? Most people believe what they believe because it is what they have always believed. They believe what they have been taught by their parents. They believe what they have been taught by their church. Most Christians assume their beliefs are the truth from the Bible. Few Christians ever really study the Bible to PROVE what they believe is actually what the Bible says.
1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good".
These studies have nothing to do with primary Christian beliefs concerning "grace", salvation, or a relationship with Jesus. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees with the content of these studies has no bearing on his or her salvation. The presentation of the truth of what the Bible says on these subjects is only intended to correct existing misconceptions. "THE BIBLE SAYS...." is a series of short studies that will help people more clearly see what God actually says about certain existing beliefs concerning Heaven, Hell, the soul, the rapture, tithing, and other Biblical subjects. Just as importantly it is about what the Bible doesn't say concerning these subjects.
"The Bible Says...." was written to provide hope, joy, comfort, and peace for those who understand it by clarifying misunderstood teachings that conflict with the truth of what the Bible actually says. Rather than believing what men say in any commentary or study (including this one) the reader is encouraged to study the scriptures and to see for himself what the Bible actually says.
Multiple thousands of Jews heard Jesus teach for 3 1/2 years but in the end only 120 believed what He said. Spiritual bias, preconceived beliefs, Scriptural misunderstanding, and their refusal to consider what they believed could be wrong prevented most sincere, religious Jews from believing the simple message Jesus spoke. It's no different today. Most people want to stay in their comfort zone and keep on believing what they believe. Few Christians ever really study the Bible to PROVE what they believe is actually what the Bible says. Unlearning error is more difficult for a Christian than learning truth is for a non-believer. When you think you know the truth because you have believed it all your life it's more difficult to admit your error and be open to the truth of what the Bible really says.
Most errors in Biblical understanding are the result of taking Scripture out of context, or applying human reasoning and private interpretation to support a preconceived belief or doctrine. Making
ASSUMPTIONS is probably the single biggest problem with understanding Scripture. You assume what is not actually stated because of your preconceived beliefs. Too many Christian doctrines are based
not on what the Bible does say, but on what it doesn't say. This is foolishness! Other problems in understanding result from translation errors, punctuation errors, or the addition of words that are not in the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Conflicts in understanding resulting from errors, omissions, or biases in English translations will be resolved by using the inspired original Greek and Hebrew texts and the common meaning of the words in them.
Isaiah 28:13, "But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;"
Sometimes you need to more deeply search the inspired scriptures to find the answers, but you should never apply your own interpretation when the Bible plainly speaks on a subject. Clarification is one thing. Private interpretation is another.
2 Peter 1:20, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation."
These studies are based upon the sound Biblical principle that the Bible usually interprets itself and is not of any private interpretation. These studies are based upon the Words of God, quoted directly from the Bible. They show and clarify what the Bible actually says. Where the Bible speaks plainly you should take a literal understanding from it. Where the Bible speaks figuratively you should consider it's symbolic meaning. Every effort has been made to only explain and clarify, and not to interpret the Scriptures quoted. The reader is free to accept the Word of God as it is plainly written, or not.
Mark 7:9, "Full well do you reject the Word of God that you
may keep your own tradition" .
Some people think what the Bible says about going to Heaven or Hell is not important. If it isn't important to know what God really said in the Bible then why has the Devil spent so much effort for 6,000 years, deceiving EVERY major religion throughout history into believing his lies about Heaven, Hell, your soul, etc.? If it's not important why did God spend so much time in the Bible telling everyone the truth? If it's important to God and the Devil it better be important to Christians. The Gospel Jesus preached was the Gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD and what people needed to do to be in it with Him for all eternity. The Kingdom of God is His Gospel! You better believe it's important!
Have you ever wondered why the great Jewish majority never understand what Jesus said when He spoke to the crowds? What kept almost everyone, including the well educated religious leaders from understanding His Gospel message? Readers ask.... "If what is in these studies is true why don't most Christians believe it"? "Why don't the churches teach it?" The answer is simple. Just like in Jesus' day people hear the truth but don't understand it. They see what "The Bible Says..." but don't perceive it. (Luke 8:10, Matt 13:13, and Mark 4:12) Today you have the opportunity to see what the Bible says and you can understand it.
The following Lessons are available at this time. Additional studies on other subjects will be coming later this year
