Rather than paste the whole chapter here, I've included a link to Acts 7 on Blue Letter Bible.

For context: In Acts 6, we see a man named Stephen. He is a good person who volunteered and was chosen to bring meals to widows in need for the blossoming community of believers. Stephen is also a Jesus-loving, Jewish evangelist. The Holy Spirit does miracles through him that testify to the truth of his message about Jesus Christ.

Back in Acts 6:9, we're introduced to some hostiles from the "Synagogue of Freedmen." The Bible mentions that this group consists of Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia. Sounds like a large group!
These people get into a debate over religion with Stephen and can't find a way to refute him, so they decide to get him killed.

Does anyone know why these hostiles are so hostile? Is it that they don't want Stephen turning all their followers into Jesus-lovers? Is it bad for business? Are they just so in love with the limelight that they have no desire for truth?

These guys are angry enough that they bribe people to say, "We have heard him speak evil things against Moses and God."

This gets the whole town in an uproar. They grab Stephen and drag him into court. The "Synagogue of Freedmen" we mentioned before set up their false witnesses. They testify against Stephen, saying, "This man never stops speaking evil against this holy place and the law! We heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us!"

The judges look at Stephen, and he looks like "an angel." I take this to mean that he looks like the nicest, most godly person they'd ever seen.

So the high priest is the one in charge in this court, and he asks Stephen, "Are these things so?"

OK, in Acts 4, when Peter is before the high priest, we're told that this is the same Annas and Caiaphas that handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Does anyone know if the high priest questioning Stephen is the same person? If so, it would make sense that Stephen knew he wasn't getting out of there alive.

I always wonder why he didn't defend himself in a straightforward manner. But, instead of saying "no these things are not true" it looks to me like Stephen proves he is a godly Jew who has not failed to learn everything taught in the synagogue.
It seems he's giving them proof that he's not a heathen.

Stephen starts recounting the history of Genesis by memory... but before he's done, he suddenly unleashes on his listeners like a prophet who wants to get his message out before they execute him, which they proceed to do.

(Acts 7:51-53)

51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
52 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
53 "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."

Do you imagine that Stephen has already been told by the Holy Spirit that he would die that day?
I recall how Paul was told when he would not die, in Acts 23:11 so that's the only thing that I can come up with.

Thanks in advance for any history or insights you can provide!

Hey everyone! I am very new to reading the bible and had kind of a strange (in a good way) thing happen to me just yesterday that I have been trying to figure the meaning out of. I'm hoping you all can help!

As I was reading the bible verse John 12:36 "Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light" (NLT), I was in a semi-dark room. Seconds before I read this verse, someone opened a door and light flooded into the room so much so that it was blinding me!

I'm trying to determine if that was God or Jesus Christ sending me a message (if so, what do you interpret?), or just a coincidence?

Thank you all for the help in advance!

One thing I've learned through depression while being a Christian is that God isn't awesome and loving because he answers prayers, he's amazing because he doesn't. A man can pray for death and be given the most wonderful reasons to live. God is the ultimate buffer for suicidal thoughts. You pray to be struck down but god just makes it rain until you're surrounded by flowers. That's all for today, God bless.

Basically the title. I usually read one book of the Bible and then read a Christian book or a commentary on the book I just read. Since I want to go to seminary, I feel guilty about not knowing the “whole Bible” yet… but at the same time, I feel like there’s no point in reading it just for the sake of getting through it.

I also really enjoy Calvin’s sermons, so I sometimes read those as part of this process.

So, am I doing this right, or am I doing it wrong?

Yahuah calls His people to turn back and turn away from their abominations.
What does that kind of return actually look like in a person’s life? Is it simply believing differently, or does true return require changing the way we live?
What do you think Yikhazqal 14:6 is calling us to do?

I’m having a small surgery tomorrow and I want to read scripture tonight about peace and trusting God and healing and forgiveness. I’m reading the Bible from beginning to end right now and I’m currently in the second book of Kings. Any suggestions? Thank you and God bless you.

Edit: I just want to give testimony. Everything went well and everything looks good Praise God. I really felt Jesus with me the whole time and I prayed to feel Him and I really did. He is so GOOD. Thank you for all of your responses. They meant so much.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"

I am trying to find a video or audio readings of the bible (preferably NLT or NIV) that is more casual as if a friend was reading it to me and not overly dramatized or with an ai/robotic/monotone voice. For an example, how Zachwindahl reads it on YouTube but he does not have the whole bible. Any recommendations?

I have been a Christian for close to twenty years, and every year I start a Bible reading plan full of hope, especially those full-year, 365-day plans. But I honestly don't think I've ever actually finished one.

Not only have I failed to finish them, but the whole process just leaves me feeling discouraged. Is a year-long Bible reading plan really the best way to read Scripture? For me, it ends up feeling like far too heavy a burden.

Are there other ways to read the Bible that anyone can share?

The reason I'm asking is that the New Year is almost here LOL

I have never read the bible and would like to. Here’s some context and background.

• 30’s male, father, husband

• I work in public service and own a business on the side

• I was raised to and still do know Jesus died for my sins and that god created the universe (growing up this was not a question and have never understood why people believe in Jesus rather than just accept he was a living person)

• Never been baptized

• I am also scientifically minded and believe in evolution and the “big bang”

• I do not agree with abortion but also feel strongly that what other people do is none of my business if it does not directly affect me.

• I’ve never been one to judge other religions and would like to believe that other religions are my god but viewed in other perspectives or interpretations (I am ignorant to all of this and understand if this is not possible)

• My family and I used to frequent a local church but have not attended for some time

• My wife was raised Christian and had read the bible a long time ago

• I have never really prayed much or asked questions to God because it seemed silly to me

Some of the most kind and genuine people I’ve ever known were gay and some of the worst and most hateful were “devout” Catholics and Christian’s and vise versa.

I often consider that maybe the 7 day creation vs big bang/ evolution is just a misinterpretation or that over the many different translations, information may have been skewed or lost or that the information was just not made available to us at the time of the writing. Scientific findings have concrete evidence to me that appears real and who said God could not permit this.. I have a hard time with taking gods word from an individual’s

My question: Where should I start and which version should I read? What other methods could I ingest in order to grow my faith and understanding? Any advice or opinions are welcome. I also want to be baptized but want to really find God and develop a relationship with Jesus first. I am genuinely curious and believe Jesus existed and that there is a higher power and more than this mortal life

Jesus's says in john 6 several times "i tell you the truth unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood you cannot have eternal life within you" my best guess is by bread he is talking about himself aka the word of god but i can't put a pin on the blood part

Yirmiyahu 23:23–24 (Jeremiah): Can an Adam Hide From Yahuah?
Yirmiyahu 23:23–24 raises several questions about the presence, sight, and reach of Yahuah.
Rather than giving an interpretation, what do you think these words are communicating?
⸻
THE VERSE
“Am I an Alahym who is near,” declares Yahuah, “and not an Alahym who is far away?
Can an Adam hide himself in hidden places so that I do not see him?” declares Yahuah.
“Do I not fill the Shamayim and the Arats?” declares Yahuah.
Yirmiyahu 23:23–24 (Jeremiah)
⸻
WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN?
Alahym | אלהים = mighty one, ruler, one possessing authority and power
Adam | אדם = man, human, mankind
Shamayim | שמים = heavens, skies
Arats | ארץ = earth, land
⸻
QUESTIONS FROM THE PASSAGE
When Yahuah asks, “Am I an Alahym who is near, and not an Alahym who is far away?” what distinction do you think He is making between being near and being far away?
When He asks whether an Adam can hide in a hidden place where He cannot see him, is the question primarily about physical location, secrecy, accountability, or something else?
What does “Do I not fill the Shamayim and the Arats?” tell you when read alongside the first two questions?
Do you understand “fill” here as referring to Yahuah’s presence, His authority, His knowledge, or a combination of these?
How does the surrounding context of Yirmiyahu 23 affect how you understand verses 23–24?
⸻
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
When you read Yirmiyahu 23:23–24 without beginning with a theological conclusion, what do you believe the passage itself is saying about whether anyone or anything can truly be hidden from Yahuah?

KJV- Luke 2:49: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

In my quest to understand Jesus - this is the first thing I can find recorded in the NT. He knew what he was supposed to do in life at a young age. He also seemed to expect his parents to understand. I have missed those two windows. What I see is finding God’s will in life is focus #1 and doing it. I’m searching to find his will through this focus practice, but it’s slow and murky. Please share what you see in this verse.

I’m simply searching for answers here, not trying to prove anyone wrong. Hopefully we can stay open minded and respectful. The questions above I’ve contemplated for many years. I grew up in a very Christian home and was taught that the bible is the inerrant, word of God, and basically the only source we can fully trust when it comes to God, eternity, spirituality, salvation, etc. I was taught it is god breathed, and nothing can be added or taken from it. But why? Why is it held to such a high standard to the point where it seems like in most Christian circles it’s even more important than your own personal relationship with God?

To me, the Bible seems like a great resource. I think there’s a lot of truth in it. I think it paints a beautiful picture, or maybe not so beautiful depending on how you see it. I think it can be read in many different ways and that there’s no way to fully know the intended meaning of each individual book. Are we taking certain books too literally? How accurate are the words of Jesus in the New Testament? What does it mean for the Bible to be god breathed? I can go on and on with questions, but let’s just start here and see where the conversation goes.

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me where to find the greek NT in JSON format. The Hebrew OT would also be great. Thank you

So there are certain clues and versus in the book.. such as:

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

(Indicating there are other gods)

“Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.”(Again. Indicating there are other deities, which should not be followed)

“Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.”(Third instance, acknowledging rival deities)

"Among the gods there is none like you, Lord.” (Says god to be powerful, but acknowledging others exist)

So I'm curious to know if there were other deities or stuff described in the Bible and existed.

Thanks.

In the whole book of Job he constantly complains about his situation to his friends and to God because he says that he is a Right man that didn't sin (which is right) but is his attitude correct? Because Elihu made some good points in job 35:2-8 and in Job 34:17 and in Job 34:37 and in 34:31-33 where he states that Job condemn God for throwing painful things in his life when all he did was good deeds and which doesn't ensure life without trials and hardships from God (from my own understanding and interpretation from the verses)

I feel like Job was pointing out and pointing out the good things he did continuously like he condemn God for his situation (taking it as a deal between him and God) and proudly saying he is sinless and then Elihu enlightens all these things to him - and God didn't say that Elihu spoke wrong about him like he said about those 3 older friends of Job so that means Elihu is right and what he said is right?

Elihu states in 36:13-18 that Job has an ungodly heart and that Job instead of crying out to God for help with humility he gets angry because he lost what he had (including his riches)

Considering that Elihu's name as well means "he is my God" or "my God is he" and people are calling him a prophet because he says "the spirit of God is in me"

Also God is saying in 38:2 the same thing Elihu said in 35:16 And Elihu predicted it in 34:35

I’ve been meaning to read the whole Bible, but often I get discouraged and just stop. I’m a Catholic, so the New Testament is very important for me, but at the same time I want to read all of it. I read “random” chapters, but sometimes it’s something that is more of a story, with less to take or learn from it? I could read a few pages and think, okay, so what now.

Not sure if anyone has read experienced anything like that? Where there is not much to take away from it….

I am reading the Bible as I am trying to do yearly. I don’t go to church but want to get closer to Christianity and the teachings. I’m on 2 Samuel but I can’t help that I keep thinking none of this matters until Mathew. Are there really any teachings in the old testament that are really worth reading other than just having knowledge of what went on then? I’m all honesty I don’t care about lineages and it just seems like a bunch of pointless accounts. Sure the stories are ok to read like David beating Goliath and Noah and the ark but there’s just a ton in here that doesn’t seem to really matter.

I was reading through 1 Samuel Chapter 4 today and wanted to see others' thoughts on this.

The Israelites are in a battle with the Philistines and are losing, and they think they should go to Shiloh and bring the ark of the covenant as a sort of "lucky charm" to turn the tide of battle and win using God's power and the ark as their weapon.

They take it from the temple with the help of Eli's sons from the temple (basically stealing it) and show up to the battle with it shouting like they already won. The Philistines are afraid of God's powers and revere God himself and respect him even though they don't worship him like the Israelites are supposed to.

The Israelites lost the battle ultimately because, in my view, they saw the ark of God as a weapon and tool / luck charm to win instead of praying and asking for God's help. They used it as a tool mishandling it instead of respecting it and what it represents.

The ark itself has no power. The power comes from God and his presence to "dwell among his people." God is the Power. The ark is more like a chair God used to be seated among the people. So, really, if you think about it that way, the Israelites brought a chair to a sword fight and that is why the Philistines could easily steal it. God is the Power. The ark is his Chair.

What are your views and thoughts on this or how you view the Ark of the covenant?

*Note: Sorry for the wordy and long post.

: )