Top Ten Chapters in the Bible

Thinking about what would be my top ten chapters in the Bible, I decided to throw it open for discussion on Hubpages. Thinking about the Bible is always good and if this will encourage others to think, then I will have achieved my goal.

1. Genesis 1. A person is obviously tempted to think immediately about the New Testament, but the Old Testament has some amazing chapters. And so definitely on my list would be Genesis 1, the Creation Account. Whether you see this as literal or symbolic makes no difference to its importance. It gives us such important information as to who God is and also who we, as humans, are and what our responsibilities are on so many different levels. Even the young child knows the story and it continues to challenge our very being.
2. Psalm 23. There can be no doubt that this is one of the best known chapters in the Bible and many can quote is without a Bible. It has been a help to so many people over the ages and has been read in times of need when everything seems dark and difficult. Speaking firstly of the human need for guidance and protection, it also provides a human picture that proves an answer to that need. The picture is that of a Sheppard who cares for those under his protection and of those who need not only protection and security, but also provision.
3. Isaiah 53. Many of the Old Testament prophets proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, but this chapter most vividly identifies the suffering servant image of Christ. There can be no more graphic picture of Christ on the cross and its significance than this beautiful Hebrew poetry climaxing in the statement that he bears the sins of many and makes intersession for transgressors.
4. John 3. Possibly the best known and most quoted passage in the Bible comes from John 3:16, telling us that God so loved the world that He gave His son to die for us. But the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus that leads up to this statement, is perhaps as important, as it explains the new birth in the water and spirit and that ensures a salvation entry into the Kingdom of God. A chapter that is critical to our understanding of what it means to be born again, something Nicodemus also had to understand.
5. Matthew 5. Commonly called the Sermon on the Mount, it outlines the challenging and life changing principles that Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds on the hills overlooking Galilee. When Jesus told his Apostles to go into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit he added and teach them to observe everything I taught you (Mtt.28:19). Here, in Matthew 5, is perhaps the heart of the good news and how it should impact on our lives.
6. John 21. After his resurrection Jesus appears to his disciples on several occasions, but when he appears to Peter on the shore of the Lake of Galilee and restores Peter to a position of leadership after his, Peter’s, disastrous denial in the temple court, Jesus three times asks Peter if he loves him. The way Jesus uses the different words for love and the very humanness of the meeting as Jesus eats a breakfast on the shore with his disciples, makes this one of my favorite passages.
7. Romans 8. This is undoubtedly an amazing chapter as Paul gives the readers in Rome and us today, important information about the new life that we can live in Christ Jesus. Previously in the first three chapters, he explains how all have sinned. Then he deals with the way the law cannot bring forgiveness. In chapter 6 he explains what the new life means. Now he tells believers that there is no condemnation for those who are in Chris Jesus (8:1). As Paul continues, he explains the role of the Holy Spirit in offering us son-ship with God (vs.14). The chapter also explains that the Holy Spirit makes intercession with God (vs. 27). Then finally Paul explains that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (vs. 37). The Holy Spirit is mentioned at least 20 times in this chapter.
8. Revelation 4. After John records the letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor, the picture looks very bleak for the church in general. Then in chapter 4 he is shown an open door into heaven and we see God sitting on his throne. The message is clear. When everything around us is falling apart, as it was for many Christians in the time of John with the severe persecution from Rome, and often is today, the only place to look is up. God has not given up on us in spite of our ability to mess things up, He still rules and more than that loves us!.
9. Ephesians 6. As Christians face the challenges of life in Christ, still lived in this dangerous world, Paul again reminds us that we need to put on the full armor of God. Satan is still out there “like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) and in order to defeat him we need to be on guard and dressed in readiness. But then, as I am coming to the end of this list, I realize that there is Philippians 4 where Paul writes about the joy we have in Christ and so how can one really leave out such a chapter?
10. Revelation 22. Here is undoubtedly one of my top ten chapters because it graphically describes life in the New city of God that has come down out of heaven. Here John sees a vision of the river of life that was lost in Genesis and is now restored in Christ Jesus. It provides healing for the nation (vs.2). Here in the Church is a relationship with God through Jesus and only here is the right to the river of life (vs. 14).
11. Just :"discovered" 2 Peter 1 this past week! What a powerful chapter that explains how we can attain the divine nature of God with seven steps to perfection. Also known as the Christian Graces. An ongoing process.

So here are my top 10/11? (I sneaked in Philippians 4) chapters. What about you? I am certain that you might agree with some of my choices but that there are other chapters that jump out in your mind!

Added on: just studied Romans Chapter 12 and have to add it in. Paul here describes what the Christian life needs to be. Christianity was never meant to be a spectator sport as it has become in many churches. The converted gather for a weekly time of entertainment and support paid individuals to do the work that should be done by the believers in their daily lives.