Sacred Assembly Bible Study This was the way I was taught to study the Sacred Scriptures

This is who we are: Sacred Assembly Of the Teachings Of Yahweh Elohim Edited by David Christopher

sacred-assembly.org James 5: 19, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins.”

The First Six Steps First is the list; then we will go through the steps one at a time

The first three steps: 1. Go to the King James Version and look in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, or some other such as Word Study, etc. and look up each main word to see it’s true meaning in whichever language it was written, and in each concordance which translation it came from to get a better understanding of their context. [We’ll see the notes later.] 2. Check all the cross-references and see if they are on the same subject or context of the words in the passage, or if they are just similar in historical significance. They may be different in some way and not be pertinent to the topic at hand. 3. Compare Bible translations to see how it has been translated in the past, and which translation is the closest to the Hebrew or Greek original Scriptures. Which one gets the “atta’ boy” as Gary would say; or which is most accurate to the information you have found. These first three steps may take several hours themselves

The second three steps: 4. Now that you have a better understanding of the words used in the passage you are researching, look in several good dictionaries or encyclopedias and find the meanings, the way they were used through the years, and if there are any differences in the meanings or uses of the words through time. 5. By now you should have a better understanding of the particular passage you are researching so go to the Bible translations that are the most accurate or best translated, by what you have learned; and read all the chapters around the passage, the whole book if necessary! 6. Ask questions that you can not answer, and read until you can answer them, then ask more and read until you can answer them also. This will give you a start – but only a start –on your research. Now you can go back and do the same on each cross-reference of the original passage. Good luck, and may Elohim’s Spirit be with you. Remember that if this was easy – everyone would have already done it!

THE FIRST STEP

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance These are examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive! First is any concordance information for the words in the verse in their original languages and any other meanings for the words Gk. “Theos”, used 1343 times in the New Testament, it meant “The Supreme Divinity”; God {1320x}, god {13x}. 25 Gk. “Agapao”, [compare 5689] to love (in a social or moral sense): love {135x}, beloved {7x} Gk. “Kosmos”, orderly arrangement; by implication the world; probably the universe Gk. “Didomi”, to give {365x}, grant {10x}, put {5x}. These are examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive!

THE SECOND STEP

Chain-references: Subjects Are Not Always what they seem! Check all the cross-references and see if they are on the same subject or context of the words in the passage, or if they are just similar in historical significance. They may be different in some way and not be pertinent to the topic at hand. You can research these cross-referenced verses in this, or another Bible, and see what you can find about the subject. Remember that the cross-references are set to the words in a phrase, not always the topic or subject! Which Bible had the best cross-references? Not all may have the same references, and this may be a clue to the actual meaning of the verse or verses.

THE THIRD STEP

First let’s look at several different Bible translations: King James Version: John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” New King James Version: John 3: 16, “ P For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Q Son, that whosoever should believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Cross-references: P – Romans 5: 8 Q – Isaiah 9: 6

Some other translations: The New Jerusalem Bible: John 3: 16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son, So that everyone who believes in Him May not perish, but may have eternal life.” But the Greek Interlinear says: John 3: 16, “ For thus loved - God (Theos) the world, so as the Son the only begotten He gave, that everyone believing {this is another Research Topic in itself} in Him may not perish but may have life eternal.” [The breaks are to show the separation of the definitions of the original words in the Greek Language.]

Then to different translations: The Amplified Bible Thompson’s Chain-Reference Bible Scofield Study Bibles And any other that you feel are translated in the most accurate way for the passage that you are studying. Read and study – ask questions – and answer them yourself! When you see a word that you question, look it up and research it yourself, what was meant, and how was it used.

THE FOURTH STEP

Look in Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Hebrew or Greek Lexicons for Definitions: Some of these words are used everyday, but the meanings at the time that the verse was written may have been different. You can look at some of them, comparing which are the best interpretations of the words. After your study of these words you will see and have a better understanding of what the writer was trying to convey to the readers.

THE FIFTH STEP

Bible Translations; Again? By now you should have a better understanding of the particular passage you are researching so go to the Bible translations that you have found to be the most accurate or best translated, by what you have learned and read. Then read all the verses and chapters around the passage, the whole book if necessary! Do you think you understand and comprehend why the writer wrote this book and verses? Do you understand his or her reason that they thought this to be important? Always remember that the writer had a particular reason for writing the passage. The history of the time had an important influence on what and why it was written.

THE SIXTH STEP

Ask Questions Ask questions – and keep asking questions that you don’t know the answer to, and read until you can answer them! When you see a word that you question, look it up and research it yourself, what was meant, and how was it used. Keep notes on all that you find. We will examine the notes after the verse we are using as an example.

The Verse to Study Is: The key to all understanding is to first find all uses of the word that you are researching: John 3: 16, RSB, NKJV, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The first word is “FOR” The word for is used as a introduction into the verse to show that something is set as a requirement for both parties; if this was not so He would have used something like just starting with, “God so loved the world …” The actual Hebrew and Greek are: 3588 Hebrew “kly kee” primitive particle indicating relations of all kinds; forasmuch, inasmuch, +except, for how (because, in, so, than) that, +nevertheless, whom, yea, yet Greek “gar” primitive particle; properly assigning a reason;- and, so, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, verily, what, why, yet.

The second word is “GOD” The second word is a name of a pagan deity of the past translated into an English word of today. God or in the Hebrew “Elohim”, was a form made from “EL”, the god of Canaan. The word was translated to mean the Father and the Son, a plural word {by adding the ‘him’ at the end}; 430 elohim ‘el-o-heem’ plural of 433; gods in ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus especially with the [definite] article) of the Supreme god:- angels, God (gods), very great, judges, x mighty. 410 el ‘ale’; shortened from 352; strength, mighty, especially the Almighty (but also used of any deity):- God (god), great, idol, might (-y), power, strong. Compare 3050 “Yahh”; contraction from 3068, and meaning the Sacred Name; the tetragrammaton YHWH {or YHVH} Whereas the Greek word was: 2316 Gk. “Theos”, used 1343 times in the New Testament, it meant “The Supreme Divinity”; God {1320x}, god {13x}.

The third word is “SO” “So” was to show a degree of action, that something was done because of, or as a result of; as the Father’s love for His people inspired Him to offer His Son as an atonement for man’s sins as man could not atone for his own sins no matter what he did! Man’s keeping the law and following Yahweh Elohim’s rules the best that man could would not save him Gk. ‘houtos’, hoo-toce; adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):-- so {164}, thus {17}.

Next is “LOVED” This was the Greek word ‘agape’ which meant that you would show the kind of affection and appreciation that you would go so far as to lay down your life for your friend if it meant doing so would help him, even if he didn’t realize it at the time. 25 Gk. “Agapao”, [compare 5689] to love (in a social or moral sense): love {135x}, beloved {7x}.

The World This word in Greek was kosmos, used as the universe: 2889 Gk. “Kosmos”, orderly arrangement; by implication the world; probably the universe.

That He That the Father Yahweh Elohim did something because of the conditions that had arisen Gk. ‘hoste’, hoce-the; from 5613 and 5037; so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution as follow):-- so that {25}, wherefore {17}, insomuch that {16}.

Gave That something that The Father Yahweh Elohim did was to give us something Gk. “Didomi”, to give {365x}, grant {10x}, put {5x}.

His only begotten His only “BEGOTTEN” Son, this was the only true Son that Yahweh Elohim had by the Holy Spirit, and through a human mother. A ‘biological’ Son so to speak. All others at the end of this period of time are to be ‘adopted’ sons of Elohim Gk. “monogenes” ‘mon-og-en-ace’; from 3441 and 1096; only-born, i.e. sole:- only (begotten, child).

Son This was the only true Son that Yahweh Elohim had, by the Holy Spirit, and through a human mother, as a ‘biological’ Son, an ‘only begotten’ Son {or heir} of Yahweh Elohim. This Son was the Messiah, the Anointed Son of Yahweh, our Savior and brother in the kingdom to come Gk. “huios” ‘hwee-os’; apparently a primitive word; a ‘son’ (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively kinship: child, foal, son.

Always document where you find everything You can continue on with each word used in this verse. As you find information it is always good to keep notes. Next we will discuss the format and style of notes; what information is important and should be on your notes, and in what order.

NOTE KEEPING A very important part of research is

Notes are very important First is the reference of notes by verses, and other verses that are cross- referenced to the original verse. This helps to find the source later, document where everything comes from! When you see a word that you question, look it up and research it yourself, what was meant, and how was it used. The next section will be by definitions of words and explanations.

References by Verses John 3: 16:Old Scofield Study Bible, page 1117; First margin note:world, kosmos (Matthew 4: 8) = mankind; Second margin note:Son, Isaiah 9:6; Now let’s see if this offers any enlightenment to the original verse

Verses are not always as they seem Matthew 4: 8: “Again the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.” Footnote (2) The Greek word ‘kosmos’ means “order”, “arrangement” for the system of the universe. Isaiah 9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Source: Both are from the Old Scofield Study Bible

Comparison of Cross-References Although the first word, “world” is referenced to the kosmos or world of Matthew; it could cross-reference to any verse that uses “world”. Second the word “Son” is more informative that the verse of John 3: 16 is referring to the “Son of God”. The cross-reference lists Luke 2: 7; John 3: 16; First John 4: 9. It does cross-reference back to John 3: 16; that the verse is speaking of the “Child” that was born as Christ the Messiah.

Notes From Reformation Bible Translation: For God has the cross-reference to Romans 5: 8, “But Elohim demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ (Messiah) died for us.” Son has the cross-reference to Isaiah 9: 6, “ h For unto us a Child is born, unto us a i Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father …” h – [Isaiah 7: 14; Luke 2: 11] John 1:45 i - Luke 2: 7; [John 3: 16; I John 4: 9] These cross-references always go to each other and back in a certain system or style. You can follow the cross-references to Isaiah 9: 6 and back to John 3:16. If there is no return to the original verse check that the cross-referenced verse is still on the subject or topic that you started on. Always keep track of where these cross-references came from – documentation – footnotes – all citations must contain all the information for a citation or footnote {this will be explained later}.

Let’s look at several different Bible translations: King James Version: John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” New King James Version: John 3: 16, “ P For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Q Son, that whosoever should believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Cross-references: P – Romans 5: 8 Q – Isaiah 9: 6

Some other translations: The New Jerusalem Bible: John 3: 16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son, So that everyone who believes in Him May not perish, but may have eternal life.” But the Greek Interlinear says: John 3: 16, “ For thus loved - God (Theos) the world, so as the Son the only begotten He gave, that everyone believing {this is another Research Topic in itself} in Him may not perish but may have life eternal.” [The breaks are to show the separation between the definitions of the original words in the Greek Language.]

Definitions from Webster’s 2316 Gk. “Theos”, used 1343 times in the New Testament, it meant “The Supreme Divinity”; God {1320x}, god {13x}. God: Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German ‘got’ god; Date: before 12th century; capitalized: the supreme or ultimate reality: as: a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science: the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit: infinite Mind a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically: one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality a person or thing of supreme value; a powerful ruler 25 Gk. “Agapao”, [compare 5689] to love (in a social or moral sense): love {135x}, beloved {7x}. Love: Function: noun; Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ‘lufu’; akin to Old High German ‘luba’ love, Old English l*of dear, Latin ‘lub*re’, ‘lib*re’ to please; Date: before 12th century strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties “maternal love for a child” affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests “love for his old schoolmates” an assurance of love “give her my love” warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion “love of the sea” the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration *baseball was his first love*; a beloved person: DARLING — often used as a term of endearment; British — used as an informal term of address; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind; brotherly concern for others; These are examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive! a person's adoration of God; a god or personification of love; a score of zero (as in tennis); capitalized, Christian Science : GOD –at love : holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis –in love : inspired by affection These are examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive!

Definitions from Webster’s 2889 Gk. “Kosmos”, orderly arrangement; by implication the world; probably the universe. World: Function: noun; Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ‘woruld’ human existence, this world, age (akin to Old High German ‘weralt’ age, world); akin to Old English ‘wer’ man, ‘eald’ old — more at VIRILE, OLD; Date: before 12th century; the earthly state of human existence; life after death — used with a qualifier “the next world”; the earth with its inhabitants and all things upon it; individual course of life : CAREER; the inhabitants of the earth : the human race; the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished from heaven and the life to come; secular affairs; the system of created things: UNIVERSE: KINGDOM; “the animal world”; a celestial body (as a planet) 1325 Gk. “Didomi”, to give {365x}, grant {10x}, put {5x}. These are concordance examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive! Gave: Function: verb; Inflected Form: gave; Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish ‘giva’ to give; akin to Old English ‘giefan’, ‘gifan’ to give, and perhaps to Latin ‘hab*re’ to have, hold; Date: 13th century; transitive verb; to make a present of “give a doll to a child”; to grant or bestow by formal action “the law gives citizens the right to vote”; to accord or yield to another “gave him her confidence”; to put into the possession of another for his or her use “gave me his phone number”; to administer as a sacrament; to administer as a medicine; to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usually for an expressed reason These are concordance examples only, the actual notes are very much more inclusive!

Notes from others Next is to go to other reference books and find what other people have found in their studies. Do you see what they saw, or are they “way off”? What were they thinking about the passage? What did they say that you found to be true? What didn’t seem to be true?

Documentation for Study See the PowerPoint Presentation “Documentation for Study” for the next steps in who and what needs to be documented. All citations should be added to the “Bibliography” of the document. Everything should be documented. If there isn’t a way to add a bibliography then you will have to use footnotes.

Notes of Individual Words We will look at the word Perish

STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE I will start in

Perish Greek #622 Perish: Gk. 622 ‘apollumi’, ap-ol-loo-mee; from 575 and 3639; to destroy fully (reflective to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively :--perish {33x}(I’m going to stop here to show that the word is referenced to two other words; 575 apo, apo’; which is a primary participle for “from” {392x} ; the number in the braces is how many times the word was used; it follows that there are several other words; of { used 129 times], out of {48 times}, etc.

Continuing: 3639 Gk. Olethros, ol-eth-ros; from a primary ‘ollumi’ (to destroy); ruin i.e. death, punishment:-- destruction {4}. These two words make up the word that I started with “perish”, or ‘apollumi’; which goes on to be: 622 apollumi; from 575 and the base of 3639; to destroy fully; reflective: to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:-- perish {33}, destroy {26}, lose {22}.

Continuing This is the end of the first steps of the study of the word “perish” It seems to mean to destroy fully, destruction It was used as a word translated four times as destruction However, it was used as perish 33 times, and destroy 26 times; with the connotation of death and complete destruction

Thank You for Your Interest I hope that I have given you a little help in the study of the Sacred Scriptures and that you will continue to follow the path you have started May Yahweh Elohim and Yahshua Messiah bless you in all your endeavors David Christopher