Importance of Bible Study - What Are We Missing?

 Having a daily quiet time or devotional time is essential. If we confess Jesus as Lord, how can we go about our everyday lives without inviting Him into them? How can He direct us if we don’t take the time to spend in His word and pray?

Reading the Bible is good. But we are not merely told to read the Bible. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to study the Word. (II Timothy 2:15)  The Psalmist said,” Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11)  It takes time but it is essential!

There are many tools readily available to help us study.   There is a tool that is very helpful and easily accessible.  It is the Blue Letter Bible. (www.blueletterbible.org). Even then we must be careful as things are easy to overlook.  There is a tool on that sight that can compare different versions.

I’ve learned some things that were very alarming. It used to be that churches never wavered in which version of the Bible they read.  Now there are many  versions to choose from. The number one version is the New International Version  followed by The King James Version. I have used the NIV on many occasions. But I learned last night that there are 16 verses in that version that are completely missing. They have simply been deleted! Other verses have notes that say something like this: this (or these) verse(s) were probably not in the original text. Some challenge the virgin birth and even make it sound like Jesus isn’t God at all!

Take a look:

The New King James Version (Which basically takes out all of the “eths”, “est” but does not change the wording or phrasing.

Acts 8:36-NKJV Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

Acts 8:36 NIV As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

Acts 8:37 NKJV Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Acts 8:37 NIV, NLT, ESV  
Acts 8:38 NKJV So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38 NIV And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Did you notice anything funny?

Verse 37 is completely missing from several translations! Why is that so important?  It omits the gospel of Jesus Christ! The ONLY way to salvation!

Romans 10-9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.