Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are very similar, but they also told the story of Jesus through their own eyes. For example, Luke was a physician and Matthew was a tax collector before Jesus called them to follow Him. Some of it is repetitive, but then there are things shared in one or two of them that the others don't have. For example, the genealogy of Jesus is found in both Matthew and Luke, but not Mark and John. The temptation of Jesus by the Devil is mentioned in Mark, but is found in greater detail in Matthew and Luke.
Every book of the Bible is the inspired (God-breathed) Word of God, (2 Timothy 3:16). Men wrote it, but through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit of God.
No need to apologize! We all had to start at some point and learn as we go. Please reach out with any questions you may have. I'll do my best to answer them. I'm not a Bible theologian, but just a mom and new grandma.
Kanime, Praise God that you found Jesus! Thank you for pointing out that to God sin is sin, and that He doesn't weigh one sin greater than another.
I am curious if you had a mother, or other people specifically praying for you to find Jesus. I have a wayward daughter that I've been praying for.
Hello Xirturn. It is so admirable of you to try and read through the whole Bible! The Old Testament is full of history and wonderful stories of God's working in human lives and events. May I recommend that you start with the four Gospels, of which you already read Matthew. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven. Acts is right after John and it tells the story of the early church. Jesus had commanded His disciples to go and share the Gospel, how he lived, died and conquered death, sin, and the grave, and how He's coming back some day. So after Jesus went back up to heaven, the disciples spread out and did just that.
There is no right or wrong of how to read the Bible. All of it is God's inspired Word. It literally is HisStory. Not only is it an amazing piece of history, but it is wonderful literature, as well. The Bible is also real life, full of drama, violence, murder, deceit, dysfunctional families, happiness, joy etc. I'm so happy that you are wanting to read it and desire to do so. That is the Holy Spirit of God working in your heart. The Bible says that if we search for Him, He will make Himself known to us, Deuteronomy 4:29.
Please read my response to AmateurExpert. I am praying that you will seek God with your whole heart and find Him soon! He is there waiting for you to call on His name!
AmateurExpert, none of us can put away our sin because the Bible teaches us that we are still sinners until the day we die. But because of God's grace, through Jesus Christ, anyone can be saved from an eternal death, separated from God. Anyone can know for certain that they are part of the harvest, as you said. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." Romans 10:9- says, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you belive and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...... verse 13 "for ' Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
I saw an interview with Jim Caviezel on Warroom a few weeks ago. It is posted there because I rewatched some of it to clarify some notes I missed. I took notes on what he said. Jim was speaking of the sex trafficking of children and brought up the organ harvesting part. He said that adrenochrome has a molecular structure that is known as C9H9N03 and that it is listed under the NIH. It is 10x more powerful than heroine. Then he said that a barrel of oil goes for $77, but a barrel of organ parts is $77,000 sold to biolabs. He said the street name for adrenochrome is ambrosia.
Amen! We need revival!!
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Praise the Lord that He answered your parents' prayers! God bless you in your faith journey!