Yep, that can be you: "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"!       

       We at Watchmen Bible Study Group put the newer student 'at the head of the class'.  Why?  Because we also know what it feels like to have some 'know-it-all' talk over our heads for an hour.  Nobody learns anything that way, it just causes frustration.  We all started out easier then moved on to understand deeper instruction, in this way you can avoid being overwhelmed and confused at the start and you can build for yourself a good solid foundation for further studies.

        The Bible is fun when you understand what it's saying.  Our Heavenly Father intended that we understand His Written Word or He would not have bothered to have the Prophets and the Apostles write it, and Jesus would not have commanded that it be taught to all peoples of the world.

Mark 16:15-16 (Jesus speaking)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (KJV)

        At first the Bible may seem intimidating, but with a little help you will begin to understand the intended meaning of the words on the pages and the message of instruction and hope that the Bible contains.  We have dedicated a special page here to help you get started on your journey to understand God's Word.  We have presented a list of suggested studies for the newer student. These studies are not superficial by any means (they are drawn from our main study list), but they serve to lay down a good Biblical foundation for the newer to intermediate student to build upon.  The newer student is most welcomed with us at WBSG!

1. Forgiveness  It comes only from God through Jesus Christ, how can we find it? What does God's Word, the Bible say about it?

2. Faith and Belief  Provides documented proof as to the validity of the Holy Scriptures in the Bible. An excellent study to help establish and strengthen anyone's faith! A recommended "first" study, as well as an excellent witnessing tool.

3. Where did our Bibles come from?  This short study explains how the words from the mouth of the Prophets and Apostles got into the pages of your King James Bible. An excellent companion for helping to decide what Bible version to study from. And also the format and reason for the In-depth Bible studies.

4. When a Christian takes a life (kills)  Comfort and understanding from God's Word to those who may have. This study covers many controversial topics such as: Murder, involuntary manslaughter, killing in war, capitol punishment, abortion. . . . You have heard what man says about these things, now learn what God's Word, The Bible, says!

5. Getting Saved, What Does It Mean And How Can I Be? Understand what the term 'being saved' means. We've all hear it but what does it mean exactly? What does our Heavenly Father say we have to do to attain everlasting life? It isn't supposed to be a mystery!  God laid it all out for us so we could know. Learn from God's Written Word - The Bible - what God says to us about salvation and the eternity with Him in Heaven.

6. Why I Believe! One Christian shares his story: A beautiful story that documents the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, and answers the question: "Why do I believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the Messiah promised and sent from God to save the world from it's sins and flesh nature?"

             The below three studies are the foundation of the entire Bible. If you understand just these three Bible studies you will understand the entire plan of God, and be more Biblically literate that 90% of Christians. And I'm being generous with that percentage. It is sometimes easier for a new student to learn the Truth of God's Word than an 'old salt', because most 'old salts' have had their heads filled with false doctrines and traditions of men in the watered down churches of today, instead of the true Word of God that is contained in His personal letter to us, of love, promise, instruction, and understanding,, The Bible. They must first shed the falsehoods to accept the truth, and sad to say, many will not do that. Take these studies in the order that they appear, for they run one to another:

      God bless you, your family, and your understanding of our Heavenly Father's Word, in the precious and powerful name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  And if you would, please contact Letters to the editor and let us know you are a new student.  We would love to hear from you, include a Bible question if you would like. 

Nick Goggin (Editor)
WATCHMEN BIBLE STUDY GROUP
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Bible Study Tip For Deeper, More Accurate Bible Interpretation

         While language Lexicons and Greek & Hebrew Dictionaries are indeed invaluable to the student in understanding the English Bible and the translated Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic words that appear within it, one must always be conscientious that there is inherently a certain degree of 'interpretation' and/or 'opinion' on the part of the Translator/Lexicon Writer employed as he goes about his task.  This is unavoidable due to the different nature of the syntax and word values within and between the various languages.  

        We, as all serious Bible students, are exhorted to do as the Bereans did: "...and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11), and, "...comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor 2:13).  To be assured of a more perfect comprehension of a Scripture, or verse even, in God's Word; We must study the words written in context with the other verses before and after the target verse; We must observe who and/or what is being spoken to and/or about; Also we must know what the time frame is - past, present, or future; And then we need to determine if it is prophecy, Is the speech figurative, an idiom, or is it to be taken literally; Also, are there parallel Scriptures elsewhere in the Bible that collaborate our interpretation of this one....   

         Another invaluable help to understanding a verse in question is to take the main word, the word wherein the verse seems to hinge upon, and look up that Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic word up in your Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.  Along with giving the translation definition of the original word in it's original language, the Strong's also has a Concordance that shows you every single verse in the King James Bible (numbered to the King James Bible version only) which that word appears in.  And by reading several (or all) of the verses that employ that same Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic word (often translated into several different English words in your Bible) you will be able to get 'a feel' for the weight and meaning of the word.  Then apply that to the verse in question and you should be rewarded with greater clarity. 

Starting Out

       For the newer student, may we strongly suggest that you acquire a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible?  It will give you the definitions of the original words in their original languages before they were translated into English in our Bibles; all the definitions are in English, and it also allows you to find any verse in the Bible simply by knowing any one of the words in that verse (a complete Concordance).  It also lets look up, in it's concordance, every single occurrence of that word in the King James Bible. 

        In other words, say that you had a verse that you know is in the Bible but you can't find it;  say that you know that the word "temple" is in that verse;  you would just have to look up the word "temple" in the Strong's Concordance and it would list the word with the text of the sentence that is appears in, every single time that the word appears in the Bible - listing the Chapter and Verse where it can be accessed.  It is a great way to find parallel passages, and it is an invaluable tool - to say the least!

       You must use a King James Version Bible with your Strong's Concordance as the words are numbered from that time-trusted Bible version only.  The King James Version Bible (KJV) is 'the only Bible version to study from,' it is the reliable Word of God translated into English.  The newer "more understandable" versions are not fully nor faithfully accurate.  These newer versions, including the: New King James Bible (NKJV), the NIV, NASB, NRSV, NAB, RSV, CEV, TEV, GNB, Living Bible, The Word, New Jerusalem, New Century, The Message, The People's Bible, ...  These ‘newer' Bible versions and paraphrased Bible versions have changed many of the words to supposedly make it 'easier to understand', and thus they changed many of the meanings of the verses in the process.  This is not good - obviously!

         If you want more info on this, check out our study on the different Bible versions at: Adulterations in the Newer Bible Versions (NIV, NASB...); Proof that the King James Bible (KJV) is the True Word of God. 

         In our study aids section we review the: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and: The Bible : Authorized King James Version.  You may also want to look at: The Companion Bible also listed.  With these three volumes you will have everything you need to get started on understanding the Word of God as written.  We have (most of) the 198 Appendices of the Companion Bible online at Appendices (198) to the Companion Bible.  

        Another good work now on CD-ROM is the: 1828 Webster's Dictionary which is a fine English Dictionary for Bible study!  It gives the definitions of the old English words that appear in the King James Bible, and was written when that Old English was still prevalent.  Or, if want a whole computer based Bible reference collection, and you can afford it, you might want to look into the one we at WBSG use: Biblesoft PC Study Bible Complete Reference Library 3.0. (these have the Strong's &c. built in)  But if you can only afford one study material, out of all these, you definitely need:  The Bible : Authorized King James Version.  All other materials are secondary and assist your deeper studies.  While we offer these titles in our library (from Amazon.com), you can acquire them in any neighborhood Bible Bookstore (most of them), check your Telephone Directory.

"How to pick a Church"

        "You ask, Where you are to worship?  We reply wherever God is glorified, Christ is exalted, God's Word is honored, the Holy Spirit's power is evidenced and man abased.  Never go anywhere where you do not know more of God's Word than when you entered.  Never be in any Body where you may be "turned out"; or have your name down where it may be scratched out.  Be content with the membership which God has given you in the spiritual unity of the Body of Christ, from which no power in Earth or Hell can cut you off and be content that your name was written in the Lamb's "book of life" before the foundation of the world, and from which no power in Earth or Hell can ever take it out.  Do nothing to imply that you do not hold these priceless privileges to be of infinite value; or that they can be added to in the slightest degree by any of man's corporate unities."

-- Dr. E.W. Bullinger (late 1890's)

In His Service:
              Nick Goggin   
Editor;
WATCHMEN BIBLE STUDY GROUP

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