We can read the Bible all wrong, if we presume to put ourselves in the place of the writer. The writers had the Holy Spirit because they believed as God persuaded them and held to what God taught them. Much better to put ourselves first into place of ignorant and blind and relatively foolish learner enquiring after the wisdom of scriptures, to learn from its authors and from the Holy Spirit inspiring them. Then we can learn until eventually we might actually become like these teachers instead of presuming to be like them in the first place. Enter by the door, by the gate. Not by jumping the fence like a thief. Become a newborn first, in God. Grow from there. How hard for those expected to be mature and wise and learned right now or paid to teach and lead. It is hard to become a baby if that is your role. Let go and learn realistically. Keep it real. First ask yourself if you believe and are persuaded deep down really that Jesus is the Christ and alive from the dead. Start there. Get this right. Then learn his teachings. It might mean baptism or even rebaptism for you. Keep to what you learn from Jesus with persuasion from him, and from those sent by him, and the Holy Spirit sent in his name. This is the way. To learn him this way, you might have to learn other things too so you have an understanding heart to receive the seed of the word fruitfully. Learn all you can, but wuth wisdom guiding you and avoiding evil teachings. Seek truth. Seek persuasion about who Jesus is and what happened to him. Then learn his words of life and spirit and keep them until you understand. It takes time. Years maybe. Do mot foster a facade of being expert. Be a child in faith but truly in the Holy Spirit.
