This is me

[Buster D Body Crab]

I've journeyed a long way to find Christian community that can answer my questions about so much that confuses me in the bible.

I hope this is a good place because God's grace is talked about all the time on the church channels I see on TV and I hope to find the right way to hold faith in Jesus. There are so many different churches,temples, halls, in my area.  They are all so different but can they all be right?

  Oh, I was gifted a Zondervan Amplified bible on my birthday. Is that a good copy to have to start to study the Christian religion?

Thanks.

[LexKnight]

I'd stick with a simpler version honestly, can't go wrong with KJV. But He can use all things, can't He? Just remember, you can only get so much from the Scriptures, you need the Spirit's guidance to understand what's written and why, and that takes seeking, listening and being attentive. Just be ready to ask and be open, and you should be alright.

Concerning your first question... There's only One Truth, isn't there? God isn't a God who causes confusion, nor would He promote something against what He taught. You also run the risk of being in a religious and very vocal environment with those places, and just because someone teach, doesn't mean they teach rightly. Just keep that in mind.

[His_will_i_am]

I'd say to you to simply be patient. The reason you don't understand those things you wish to is because you're not ready to understand them. Trust God to reveal truth to you in His time. Don't try to get ahead of Him during your training or you'll fall into the trap that so many others have and do. If you get ahead of Him you'll be exposed to various twists and turns and forego the character building which is required to understand.

[Buster D Body Crab]

I'd stick with a simpler version honestly, can't go wrong with KJV. But He can use all things, can't He? Just remember, you can only get so much from the Scriptures, you need the Spirit's guidance to understand what's written and why, and that takes seeking, listening and being attentive. Just be ready to ask and be open, and you should be alright.

Concerning your first question... There's only One Truth, isn't there? God isn't a God who causes confusion, nor would He promote something against what He taught. You also run the risk of being in a religious and very vocal environment with those places, and just because someone teach, doesn't mean they teach rightly. Just keep that in mind.

Thank you for that. This person gave me the bible because it is like what they use and they knew I was very interested in learning about Christianity. I like how it explains things in the course of delivering scripture.

I don't believe God is a God of confusion. He leaves that up to us. ha! I have mentioned this on the board before this but now I can post links what with 20 posts.
I found this site:He That Has An Ear  It seems to make sense because it talks about the Hebrew origins behind todays Christianity. 

I just want the truth I'm not interested in joining a club/denomination. I do read and I agree God has to lead us to understand alot of the scriptures. I think that's why I like the amplified because it helps in that respect. I'll look for KJV online and see what I find.

I appreciate your help. Thanks.

[Buster D Body Crab]

I'd say to you to simply be patient. The reason you don't understand those things you wish to is because you're not ready to understand them. Trust God to reveal truth to you in His time. Don't try to get ahead of Him during your training or you'll fall into the trap that so many others have and do. If you get ahead of Him you'll be exposed to various twists and turns and forego the character building which is required to understand.

I appreciate that. I've noticed when all this started and I had this hunger to find my way to scripture that that must be God. And that intuition voice that we all have seems to kick in more. I'll trust what you say and be patient. Thanks for your help.

[notreligus]

I've journeyed a long way to find Christian community that can answer my questions about so much that confuses me in the bible.

I hope this is a good place because God's grace is talked about all the time on the church channels I see on TV and I hope to find the right way to hold faith in Jesus. There are so many different churches,temples, halls, in my area.  They are all so different but can they all be right?

  Oh, I was gifted a Zondervan Amplified bible on my birthday. Is that a good copy to have to start to study the Christian religion?

Thanks.

The Amplified is a fine Bible.   As you read through it keep in mind that the Amplified includes a number of words in parentheses which are alternate meanings of the words in the original language.  If you are comfortable with the Amplified there are also parallel Bibles which have a KJV or other translations alongside the Amplified in one column and the other translation in a side-by-side column.   I would suggest the English Standard Version in a single column format.  It's called the ESV, Single Column Legacy Edition.   They are pretty economical if you buy one with a synthetic cover, which is what I prefer.   It's easy to read without the distractions of a column of notes or other Scripture references.   Those Bibles have their place but when I just want to sit and read and not do a lot of cross referencing I prefer this format.   

Perhaps the main reason that there are so many different churches and doctrinal beliefs is tradition.   As you increase your reading of the Scriptures, keep in mind as you read the Book of Acts that it is the history of the early Church.  Church doctrine was still unsettled, as far as the church leaders were concerned.  They fought each other back then over doctrine.  People have not changed their prideful ways over the years, even Christians.  The Jews, even the Remnant who believed in Christ, wanted to - as they generally still do - want to hold on to their traditions and when Paul began to emphasize Grace without the restraints of the Law he was greatly opposed.   Paul's Hebrew name was Saul; his Latin name is Paul.   I believe there is symbolism in his name change in the sense that he moved on from that which he was expert (the Law) to the Gospel of Christ which included salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ.   Paul tells us in Galatians that the Lord Himself taught him for three years after he was converted.   It was another fourteen years before the Church at Jerusalem had given him formal approval to begin his missionary journeys.   During those years the Gospel was taken to Jews (Acts 11:19).   

I wish you well.

[Buster D Body Crab]

I've journeyed a long way to find Christian community that can answer my questions about so much that confuses me in the bible.

I hope this is a good place because God's grace is talked about all the time on the church channels I see on TV and I hope to find the right way to hold faith in Jesus. There are so many different churches,temples, halls, in my area.  They are all so different but can they all be right?

  Oh, I was gifted a Zondervan Amplified bible on my birthday. Is that a good copy to have to start to study the Christian religion?

Thanks.

The Amplified is a fine Bible.   As you read through it keep in mind that the Amplified includes a number of words in parentheses which are alternate meanings of the words in the original language.  If you are comfortable with the Amplified there are also parallel Bibles which have a KJV or other translations alongside the Amplified in one column and the other translation in a side-by-side column.   I would suggest the English Standard Version in a single column format.  It's called the ESV, Single Column Legacy Edition.   They are pretty economical if you buy one with a synthetic cover, which is what I prefer.   It's easy to read without the distractions of a column of notes or other Scripture references.   Those Bibles have their place but when I just want to sit and read and not do a lot of cross referencing I prefer this format.   

Perhaps the main reason that there are so many different churches and doctrinal beliefs is tradition.   As you increase your reading of the Scriptures, keep in mind as you read the Book of Acts that it is the history of the early Church.  Church doctrine was still unsettled, as far as the church leaders were concerned.  They fought each other back then over doctrine.  People have not changed their prideful ways over the years, even Christians.  The Jews, even the Remnant who believed in Christ, wanted to - as they generally still do - want to hold on to their traditions and when Paul began to emphasize Grace without the restraints of the Law he was greatly opposed.   Paul's Hebrew name was Saul; his Latin name is Paul.   I believe there is symbolism in his name change in the sense that he moved on from that which he was expert (the Law) to the Gospel of Christ which included salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ.   Paul tells us in Galatians that the Lord Himself taught him for three years after he was converted.   It was another fourteen years before the Church at Jerusalem had given him formal approval to begin his missionary journeys.   During those years the Gospel was taken to Jews (Acts 11:19).   

I wish you well.

That is very helpful thank you. There is a Christian book shop near me that I'll visit to look through those versions you recommend.

What would you say is the closest version or translation I guess is the right word to the original message in both testaments? Old and new.

I know a lot gets lost in translation and I wonder which translation keeps to the true or original texts and letters of Paul.