But will start with these. This is my first post other than the one introducing myself.
I've been going to church on and off for the 25 years of my life but feel I know absolutely nothing about the bible. I went to some messes up church's so my sense of the bible is warped. I'm doing this on my own and in a church I feel comfortable in (it's like the 8th one I've tried in the last couple of years but I feel confident in this one now) but I know I need to spend time outside of church as well so here I am trying to learn. I've also been trying to read the bible and am on the 1st Samuel Chapter 26 (started with Genesis) but have a long way to go.
I have more questions than anyone cares to answer in one sit down so I'll start with 3. That seems like a good number to start with.
1. So Jesus went on the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins right? Yet in Matthew it says "Not everyone who says to me "lord lord" will enter the kindgom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "lord lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!"< This was a verse today in church that the preacher was going over and I remember it from much earlier days. So if we are evildoers (which I assume means sinners) didn't Jesus die on the cross so that could be forgiven? I don't understand this part and would like some light shed on this. I am a sinner. I try not to sin I really do. I do my best to avoid telling lies, I do not still, I do not commit adultry covet definately don't use the Lords name in vain. I do what I can to avoid the ten commandments but I still sin from time to time so does this mean I will be forgiven or does the above passage mean I will not?
2. I have yet to read or be told about how the devil was once an angel and the war and all of that. Where in the bible is this spoken of? Or is it a old wives tale? I also have yet to read about hell or heaven being streets of gold and all. The only refrence I recall reading is when Jesus said something along the lines of preparing a room for us. Any refrences or books or anything that explains these things?
3. How do you "follow" God? What exactly is that, like how do you "listen" to God, "talk" to God and "follow" God? I don't understand that. People will sometimes day God told them something, how? And who do you pray to when you pray, the father the son or God?
Any help on these three topics would be so much appreciated.
I've been going to church on and off for the 25 years of my life but feel I know absolutely nothing about the bible. I went to some messes up church's so my sense of the bible is warped. I'm doing this on my own and in a church I feel comfortable in (it's like the 8th one I've tried in the last couple of years but I feel confident in this one now) but I know I need to spend time outside of church as well so here I am trying to learn. I've also been trying to read the bible and am on the 1st Samuel Chapter 26 (started with Genesis) but have a long way to go.
I have more questions than anyone cares to answer in one sit down so I'll start with 3. That seems like a good number to start with.
1. So Jesus went on the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins right? Yet in Matthew it says "Not everyone who says to me "lord lord" will enter the kindgom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "lord lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!"< This was a verse today in church that the preacher was going over and I remember it from much earlier days. So if we are evildoers (which I assume means sinners) didn't Jesus die on the cross so that could be forgiven? I don't understand this part and would like some light shed on this. I am a sinner. I try not to sin I really do. I do my best to avoid telling lies, I do not still, I do not commit adultry covet definately don't use the Lords name in vain. I do what I can to avoid the ten commandments but I still sin from time to time so does this mean I will be forgiven or does the above passage mean I will not?
2. I have yet to read or be told about how the devil was once an angel and the war and all of that. Where in the bible is this spoken of? Or is it a old wives tale? I also have yet to read about hell or heaven being streets of gold and all. The only refrence I recall reading is when Jesus said something along the lines of preparing a room for us. Any refrences or books or anything that explains these things?
3. How do you "follow" God? What exactly is that, like how do you "listen" to God, "talk" to God and "follow" God? I don't understand that. People will sometimes day God told them something, how? And who do you pray to when you pray, the father the son or God?
Any help on these three topics would be so much appreciated.