Bit worried about things in the Bible... (newbie here)

Bit worried about things in the Bible... (newbie here)

Hello everyone!

Just to introduce myself, I am Sonia and have been in a relationship with a 7th day Adventist for the past 2 and a bit years.

Its getting to the stage where we are talking about marriage. I am all for marriage of course but rather then blindly marrying into his faith I would like to explore what it all means first.

I began reading the bible to gain some insight but it really disturb me and made me very upset.

I had the idea that God was all loving and 'nice' since the start of time.

But what I have taken away is

God has made mistakes (I was under an impression that he doesnt and he somehow can see the future)

And secondly

He needed blood sacrifice at the begining before Jesus sacrificed himself. This upsets me the most as we look satanic cults who have blood sacrifice as very wrong. But this is where belief in God began.

My BF tells me that Jesus gave himself so we no longer had to do this. But I cant seem to move past it.

I have not finished reading the bible given to me as it appears to be an interpratation and not a 'proper' bible. (my Mum suggested I go and learn latin to read an unedited version of the bible lol)

Also, I am taking the bible as a historical fact. The reason I am doing this is because the story of Christ is meant to be true. Its not a story. But my BF tells me that some of the bible is more for 'teachings' then something that actually happened.

As you can see Im all confused!!

I am very keen to learn the true meaning of the above by reading the bible, but need the whole blood sacrifice thing explained to me first. Why did he need an animal to be killed when a human made a mistake?

If all of this has been answered in another thread, please close this one and direct me to where my questions have been answered. Im sure most new people to the bible ask this question.

Thank you for reading my ramblings and I look forward to your responses.

Cheers
Sonia
 
The whole blood sacrifice thing came from when Abraham did a covenant wit hGod . back then covenants involved a killing of an animal and walking through the entrails to illustrate what would be done to the person who broke the covenant .

i don't have enough time right now to connect the rest of the thought . will return later
 
the fall of man is the start,man chose to trust satan over God,satan then became mans god.it,s been a long way back for humanity,and for Jesus to save us.
a lot of the old testament sounds gruesome,but life was gruesome.there was lots of false gods human sacrifice etc etc.our Lord set us back on the way to life.israel kept falling away a bit like we do now.some refused Jesus some didn,t.the place we at now is the end times or nearing such times.when our Lord comes for us.
 
My best suggestion would for you to get a KJV (King James Version), and read the New Testament a couple to three times before you go back and read through the Old Testament. I think that would give you more insight into Christianity.
 
Interesting :)

I had the idea that God was all loving and 'nice' since the start of time.
Biblically speaking, He still is:

That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.
Jonah 4:2

But what I have taken away is

God has made mistakes (I was under an impression that he doesnt and he somehow can see the future)
God has a very good idea of the future. However, I fail to see how that relates to God making mistakes. Can you elaborate?

You must understand, God also gave us free will. So if there would be mistakes in the future, it's very likely, these misakes will be made by persons who have abused their free will (good examples would be angels who later became demons).

And secondly

He needed blood sacrifice at the begining before Jesus sacrificed himself. This upsets me the most as we look satanic cults who have blood sacrifice as very wrong. But this is where belief in God began.
It's no big deal really. I mean, people kill animals all the time for food. What's wrong with offering a few animals to the God who made them in the first place? Don't get me wrong, I don't want animals to be abused but comparatively speaking, if animals could be killed so that people can be fed, why can't it used for pleasing the Almighty God who created the universe, to Whom we owe our lives, our very existence? Think about it.

Also, I am taking the bible as a historical fact. The reason I am doing this is because the story of Christ is meant to be true. Its not a story. But my BF tells me that some of the bible is more for 'teachings' then something that actually happened.
I agree with you on that one. It is historical fact. But your BF is still right in a way because most of these facts are used for teaching.

As you can see Im all confused!!
Relax. The Bible is a big book and it's complicated. So take your time :)

I am very keen to learn the true meaning of the above by reading the bible, but need the whole blood sacrifice thing explained to me first. Why did he need an animal to be killed when a human made a mistake?
Israelites in the Old Testament times did not have superior intelligence. You cannot say to them that they should not eat pork because it will give them high cholesterol. You cannot say to them that they need to wash their hands so germs could be eliminated. So God has to use physical illustrations to give them at least an idea that there is a price for sins. That they need to be redeemed. When Christ was crucified, they finally understood that. God's plan worked.

Cheers :)
 
The whole gospel in a nutshell is that Jesus shed His blood to cleanse us from our sins so we can be forgiven and be reconciled with God, to be with Him forever. We repent and turn from our sins, ask Jesus to be the Lord of our life and we can be saved from sin and separation from God.

In the beginning before Jesus, when two people made a covenant, a promise that could not be broken, it was a blood covenant. So at that time if someone sinned, they were promised that sin would be covered for a year if they brought a blood sacrifice. This was only symbolic of the person of Jesus who was to come later and would be the Lamb of God, that would sacrifice His life for the sins of mankind once and for all.

God is a good God and have a good plan for our lives, if we will give Him our life and get to know Him
 
Interesting :)

God has a very good idea of the future. However, I fail to see how that relates to God making mistakes. Can you elaborate?

The bible that I read had said something like 'after the flood, god said he would never flood the world again'

I got the impression this was because he felt he had erred. That he felt he was wrong to cleanse the world of evil in this way. As if he was taking the 'free will' out of it for humans.

Also, The part where he asked Abraham to kill his own son for him. Was this because God needed to know if Abraham was a true follower or was it to show Abraham that he was a true follower?

I figure God shouldnt need to 'test' people for his own purposes because he should just know anyhow.

Thank you for your replies in regards to blood sacrifice. I understand the later part of the bible is very different from the start but the fact is the start is the start.

When the animals where sacrificed where they then eaten? I could deal with that :) Killing for no reason is what has me up :)

Thank you again for all the great replies! It feels a bit less scary :)
 
Yes i find it very interesting how the bible shows just how human God is . I recall a passage where the patient and kind God offered Moses to leave the Children of Israel and start over with him . I dunno maybe as a parent grows as their children grow . God has had a learning experience with us also . just maybe though ;)
 
The bible that I read had said something like 'after the flood, god said he would never flood the world again'

I got the impression this was because he felt he had erred. That he felt he was wrong to cleanse the world of evil in this way. As if he was taking the 'free will' out of it for humans.

Right from the beginning of time and if you go back to Genesis , God had a plan and His will is never errored or wrong . His ways are perfect because He is perfect and our Sovreign God . He is all knowing , all seeing , all around , all present ... The Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the end .

We as children of God trust in His ways as being higher than ours and that He is God .

God has a plan and a purpose for everythiong He does.



Also, The part where he asked Abraham to kill his own son for him. Was this because God needed to know if Abraham was a true follower or was it to show Abraham that he was a true follower?

Abraham loved God so much that he was willing to do anything God asked him to do even if it meant killing his own son . He trusted God that God would provide a way of escape and when God saw Abraham's faithfulness he honoured his faithfulness .

Abraham's faith had taught him not to argue but to obey . He was sure what God commands is good ; that what He promises cannot be broken .

I figure God shouldnt need to 'test' people for his own purposes because he should just know anyhow.

We are not to question the mind of God because God has a greater plan and purpose for us and that is why it says His ways are not our ways , His thoughts are not our thoughts ... His ways are higher . He knew us even before we were born . He even knows how many hairs we have on our head .

Thank you for your replies in regards to blood sacrifice. I understand the later part of the bible is very different from the start but the fact is the start is the start.

The OLd Testament deals with the covenants that God had with the people and shows that the people , even though God had set up laws could not keep those laws and therefore sacrificial offerings had to be be offered for their sins . But because this was an ongoing of sacrificing God Offered in the N. T. , his only begotten Son to die for us and that is why Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God who took away our sins .

When the animals where sacrificed where they then eaten? I could deal with that :) Killing for no reason is what has me up :)

The sacrificed animals were not eaten . They were offered in atonement for the people's sins . They were offered as a sacrifice to God .

Thank you again for all the great replies! It feels a bit less scary :)

I assure you my dear there is nothing scary about the Bible . It is the Holy Inspired Word of God and once we have accepted Jesus as our Saviour , His Word becomes alive and the Holy Spirit helps us and gives us incite into what the Word means .
 
Suggestion ; Go to this thread right here in Bible Study

http://www.christianforumsite.com/bible-studies/28913-what-does-god-say-about-6.html#post222584

Post 54 will explain a lot of what you have been asking about the Blood of Jesus .

Another excellent thread and you can find all topics right here to answer your questions :

http://www.christianforumsite.com/bible-studies/27895-blood-jesus.html

The Blood Of Jesus cleanses us from our sins.because He paid the ultimate price so that we could be redeemed.
 
Suggestion ; Go to this thread right here in Bible Study

http://www.christianforumsite.com/bible-studies/28913-what-does-god-say-about-6.html#post222584

Post 54 will explain a lot of what you have been asking about the Blood of Jesus .

Another excellent thread and you can find all topics right here to answer your questions :

http://www.christianforumsite.com/bible-studies/27895-blood-jesus.html

The Blood Of Jesus cleanses us from our sins.because He paid the ultimate price so that we could be redeemed.

I was gonna quote that too .
 
Another excellent thread and you can find all topics right here to answer your questions :

http://www.christianforumsite.com/bible-studies/27895-blood-jesus.html

The Blood Of Jesus cleanses us from our sins.because He paid the ultimate price so that we could be redeemed.


Actual I titled that The Blood Covenant in my notes because it explains about the blood covenant which some don't understand. I just titled it different on this site. Also why we must believe in the blood of Jesus.

But we covered alot of other things on that one.
 
Many people see this as the first blood sacrifice.

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Both Adam and Eve disobeyed God, but God made “coats of skins and clothed them”
They disobeyed God, and God showed mercy on them.

“Life” is in the “blood.”
 
The Bible can be confusing and scary at first, especially the Old Testament, but as one becomes familiar with the Bible and studies it and learns how all the pieces fit together, it begins to make sense and we come to understand the nature of God. On the one hand, He is powerful and holy and righteous beyond our imagining. On the other, He extends toward us love, grace, and mercy beyond our imagining.
 
The Bible can be confusing and scary at first, especially the Old Testament, but as one becomes familiar with the Bible and studies it and learns how all the pieces fit together, it begins to make sense and we come to understand the nature of God. On the one hand, He is powerful and holy and righteous beyond our imagining. On the other, He extends toward us love, grace, and mercy beyond our imagining.



Exactly… and if we try to figure out the Bible using only our “intellect” we just become more confuse and/or receive a wrong understanding.

(been there, done that, bought the T-shirt) :blush:
 
The Bible can be confusing and scary at first, especially the Old Testament, but as one becomes familiar with the Bible and studies it and learns how all the pieces fit together, it begins to make sense and we come to understand the nature of God. On the one hand, He is powerful and holy and righteous beyond our imagining. On the other, He extends toward us love, grace, and mercy beyond our imagining.

Well said , Rumely . And the more we read and study the Bible the more the Holy Spirit reveals to us . And the more we read , the more we hunger and thirst after righteousness . I can go back and read a pasage and get entirely something different tha tI did not see the last time I read that passage . That is why the Word is living and true . The word becomes a lamp that lights up our whole being or countenance .

Praise God .
 
The bible that I read had said something like 'after the flood, god said he would never flood the world again'

I got the impression this was because he felt he had erred. That he felt he was wrong to cleanse the world of evil in this way. As if he was taking the 'free will' out of it for humans.
Thanks for explaining that. The flood was necessary. God already gave humans free will. God simply is applying the judgement on the free will that they exercised. God did not make a mistake. God just felt sorry for these men he loved.


Also, The part where he asked Abraham to kill his own son for him. Was this because God needed to know if Abraham was a true follower or was it to show Abraham that he was a true follower?
That's exactly right :) It was because God needed to know if Abraham was a true follower.

I figure God shouldnt need to 'test' people for his own purposes because he should just know anyhow.
That's where it gets more interesting. :) You see, because of free will, the future gets a little... complicated. But because of God's great wisdom, He has a general idea of what the future will be. But for a particular individual, he needs to choose the path that he wants to take:

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deut 30:19

We need to consider that and a lot more verses of the bible before we could give a definite conclusion. Like what I have always been saying, it's complicated :)

Of course, God always has a way of giving us understanding on these things. Without Him, we won't be able to comprehend even the simplest of concepts.

When the animals where sacrificed where they then eaten? I could deal with that :) Killing for no reason is what has me up :)

As a matter of fact, they were eaten:

Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy.
The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 6:25-26

Thank you again for all the great replies! It feels a bit less scary :)
You're very welcome :) God bless you.
 
When God said he would not flood the whole earth again it was His promise to us. He even put a rainbow in the sky to remind us of that promise when we see it.
 
That's right and I will never forget the rainbow that I saw when I was in Israel . It was so special . I couldn't take a picture cause I was in the bus and it was moving.
 
You did post another great rainbow, although there is no way to capture on camera the true beauty of seeing the rainbow
 
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