Doc Holliday

Some Correct Definitions

2010-06-11T09:26:00.001-07:00

contradiction - ('contra' = contrast; 'diction' = words) a contrast in diction; words that contrast; sentences or statements that do not say the same thing.

The mistaken definition - an error.

This applies to the Bible in that the Bible obviously has contradictions in it. These contradictions are not mistakes or errors in the Bible. When the Bible is rightly divided, then everything is put into its proper time and place and the contradictions are understood. To make this absolutely clear, I will quote a paragraph from "Give None Offence" (my Introduction to Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth).

"At this point, you should be able to understand that rightly dividing the word is legitimate and the only valid method of Bible study. Failure to make proper divisions in scripture leads to improper application of scripture, which leads to false doctrine. Now it is time to look at some examples of scripture contradiction and see how proper division puts everything in its place and time without the Bible itself being in error. In other words, a contradiction in the Bible is verses that contrast each other in what they say without being an error because right division and proper application shows that all of the verses are true. Without right division and proper application, however, we would be forced to admit that the Bible as a whole is therefore in error."

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:3

coincidence - two or more things that coincide; there are many coincidences that are claimed not to be coincidences

The mistaken definition - a coincidence by mere chance.

We can give God credit for coincidences. To acknowledge that something is a coincidence does not by itself discredit God. God makes many things coincide. If you tell someone that God has answered your prayer request and they respond, saying that it is only a coincidence, then answer them saying that coincidences have a cause. I have heard some Christians say, "I don't believe in coincidences". That's a rather stupid thing to say. Coincidences are common every day events. Some coincidences are caused by men and some are caused by God.

Be Not Drunk
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Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

The Bible definition of the word 'drunk' is not 'in a state of stupor' as the word 'drunken'. The Biblical definition of 'drunk' is that you have drunk something.

Drink, Drank, Drunk, Drunken.

If you drink something, then, you drank it, and you are drunk with it, whether you are drunken or not.

People shortened the word 'drunken' to 'drunk' and redefined the word 'drunk'. But when the Bible says "be not drunk with wine", it doesn't mean 'don't drink so much that you become drunken'. What Ephesians 5:18 is telling us is don't drink wine. And the excess is not in being drunken, but the excess is in drinking wine at all. If you drink something, you are drunk with it. "Be not drunk with wine". Don't drink wine.

DRUNK :

Leviticus 11:34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Deuteronomy 29:6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

Judges 15:19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

2 Samuel 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

DRUNKEN :

Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

1 Samuel 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

1 Samuel 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

Job 12:25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Isaiah 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Jeremiah 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

The word 'drunk' never means drunken in the Bible, not one single time. If you think it does, you need to think through the Bible verses more carefully.

Extremely Educated

2009-05-29T00:16:00.000-07:00

Extremely Educated?

It is claimed that our critic is “extremely educated in the topic and has researched plenty”.

Does 'extremely educated' mean that he has read the 5 major works of Dean John William Burgon? I don’t know if I could dare say that anyone is “extremely educated in this topic” who has not read Burgon’s “Last Twelve Verses of Mark” (1871), “Revision Revised” (1883), “The Traditional Text” (1896), and “Causes of Corruption” (1896). John Burgon proved beyond any doubt the worthlessness of Westcott and Hort’s Greek New Testament and the Revised Version of 1881-1884, that they were detrimental to the body of Christ, and that they should never have been published. He proved beyond doubt the authenticity of the last twelve verses of Mark. And he proved that the traditional text was the text revered and passed down by the body of Christ as the word of God.

Surely an extremely educated Bible critic would have read Edward Miller’s “Guide to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament” (1886). Edward Miller recommended that those who may be disposed to enter more deeply into the important subject of it to prosecute further research in the learned works of Dean Burgon, and in other well-known sources of information upon Textual Criticism.

Has the Bible critic read “In Awe of Thy Word – Understanding the King James Bible” by Riplinger? This book is quite essential in understanding the King James Bible and the history of Bible translations, English and others.

When an extremely educated Bible critic recommends James White’s “King James Only Controversy” (1995), does he also recommend Dr. Peter Ruckman’s “Scholarship Only Controversy” (1996)? Why not?

How about Dr. Ruckman’s Handbooks on “Manuscript Evidence” (1970) and “Biblical Scholarship” (1988)?

An extremely educated Bible critic will not recommend any works on this subject that show the modern versions to be extremely corrupt. For example: “Satan's Masterpiece! The New ASV” (1972) - Peter S. Ruckman, “The NIV An “In-Depth” Documentation of Apostasy” (1990) - Peter S. Ruckman, “About The New Scofield Reference Bible” (1979) - Peter S. Ruckman, “About the New King James Version” (1983) - Peter S. Ruckman, “The Paraphrased Perversion of the Bible” (1974) - Gene Nowlin, “Which Bible Can We Trust?” (1982) - Les Garrett, and “New Age Bible Versions” (1993) - G. A. Riplinger.

An extremely educated Bible critic will not recommend any works on this subject that is presented from the viewpoint of a Bible believing Christian who believes the King James Bible to be the word of God. For example: “Archaic Words and the Authorized Version” (1996, 1999) - Laurence M. Vance, “The King James Version Defended” (1956, 1984) - Edward F. Hills, “Believing Bible Study” (1967, 1977) - Edward F. Hills, “The Bible Translations Test” (1983) - James H. Son, “Final Authority” (1993) - William P. Grady, “Bible Version Manual” (1975) - Donald T. Clarke, “The Language of the King James Bible” (1998) - G. A. Riplinger, “In Awe of Thy Word” (2003) - G. A. Riplinger, “The Monarch Of The Books” (1973) - Peter S. Ruckman, “The Book” (1975) - Dick Cimino, “Crowned With Glory” (2000) - Thomas Holland, “The Answer Book” (1989) - Samuel C. Gipp, “The Bible Believer's Book of Truth” (1998) - James L. Melton, “Which Translation Should You Trust?” (1993) - Timothy S. Morton, “The History Of The New Testament Church” (1982) - Peter S. Ruckman, “One Book Stands Alone” (2001) - Douglas D. Stauffer, and “Gipp's Understandable History of the Bible” (1987, 2000) - Samuel C. Gipp.

An extremely educated Bible critic is extremely prejudiced in favor of the works of the devil; Bible corruption. He only recommends works that are presented from the viewpoint of men who want the body of Christ to have no written final authority. I recommend that you read “Ruckmanism Exposed” (1998) by R. L. Hymers, Jr. It is one of the stupidest and funniest pieces of junk you’ll ever see. I recommend that you read Carson’s book (1979) and James White’s book (1995). Also, read Dr. Ruckman’s “Manuscript Evidence”, “Biblical Scholarship”, and “Scholarship Only Controversy”. The mentality and methods of Bible critics are quite laughable when compared to Bible believers and plain Biblical truth.

If, however, you are determined to ignore the truth and plain, logical sense, I recommend that instead of studying the subject of the Bible read “Alice's Adventures In Wonderland” and “Through The Looking Glass” (1946) by Lewis Carroll.

Acts 3:19

2009-05-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Acts 3:19 “metanohsate oun kai epistreqate eiV to exaleijqhnai umwn taV amartiaV opwV an elqwsin kairoi anaquxewV apo proswpou tou kuriou” (Textus Receptus)

Acts 3:19 “ Repent ye therefore , and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord ;” (KJV with Strong’s Greek)

Acts 3:19 “reform ye, therefore, and turn back, for your sins being blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” (Young’s Literal Translation)

“The word opwV, rendered "when," is commonly rendered that, and denotes the final cause, or the reason why a thing is done, Mt 2:23; 5:16,45, etc. By many it has been supposed to have this sense here, and to mean "repent--in order that the times of refreshing may come," etc. If used in this sense, it means that their repentance and forgiveness would be the means of introducing peace and joy. Others have rendered it in accordance with our translation, "when," meaning that they might find peace in the day when Christ should return to judgment; which return would be to them a day of rest, though of terror to the wicked. The grammatical construction will admit of either, though the former is more in accordance with the usual use of the word. The objection to the former is, that it is not easy to see how their repenting, etc., should be the means of introducing the times of refreshing. And this, also, corresponds very little with the design of Peter in this discourse.” (Taken from Albert Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament)

“when the times of refreshing shall come--rather, "in order that the times of
refreshing may come"; that long period of repose, prosperity and joy, which all the
prophets hold forth to the distracted Church and this miserable world, as eventually to
come, and which is here, as in all the prophets, made to turn upon the national conversion
of Israel.” (JFB Commentary)

“When the times of refreshing shall come. The Revision is correct, "That so there may
come," etc.” (The People’s New Testament Commentary)

“When the times of refreshing shall come; the connection of these words with the following verses shows that their primary reference must be to that great season of refreshing when Christ shall come again from heaven to judge his enemies, and give rest to his people.” (Family Bible Notes)

You can see from the above comments that there are differing opinions on which way this verse should be translated. But the truth of the matter can be found by searching the scriptures.

Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

Isaiah 43:25-28 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me. Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.”

Isaiah 44:22 “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

Jeremiah 50:19-20 “And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead. In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.”

Jeremiah 31:10-14 “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.”

Isaiah 28:12 “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

Romans 11:25-27 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

By studying the verses above, you can see that the blotting out of Israel's sins will take place during the times of refreshing at the second coming of Christ.

This means that the reading in Young's and the NKJV and other modern versions is a false statement. According to them, the times of refreshing will come as a result of Israel's sins being blotted out. In truth the times of refreshing and Israel's sins being blotted out will be a result of Israel's repentance and conversion.

A Study of the Bible (Part Three) - HISTORY OF THE PRESERVATION AND CORRUPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD

2009-05-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

LESSON III. THE INCORRUPT WORD AND THE CORRUPT WORD (HISTORY OF THE PRESERVATION AND CORRUPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD)

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23)

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:17)

Anyone with the ability to read and a little spiritual sense can see two things from these two verses. The first thing is that the word of God is incorruptible. That one thing proves preservation of God’s words without need of help from any other verses at all. God’s word is incorruptible. Do you get that? The second thing is that people corrupt the word of God. So, obviously, there are two lines of Bibles (or the word of the Lord) from the beginning to now --- one that is incorruptible and the other that is corrupt. Now, we will trace the history of both lines as given in the word of God.

Preservation has already been explained and proven with scripture in Lesson I.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15)

When Lucifer said, “I will be like the most High”, his intention is to imitate and replace God himself. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14). The Devil has a corrupt spirit (1 John 4:3). He has a kingdom (Matthew 12:26). Satan has a son (John 17:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3).

God wrote one book:

“Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed
in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” (Job 19:23-24)

The devil wrote another book:

“Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.” (Job 31:35)

“Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.”

The Incorrupt Word:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2)

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” (Psalm 119:160)

The Corrupt Word:

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:1-6

1. Eve omitted the word “freely”.
2. Eve added to God’s word --- “neither shall ye touch it”.
3. Eve translated from “thou shalt surely die” to “lest ye die” [watered down the word of God].
4. The serpent blatantly denied and contradicted God’s word. (“Ye shall not surely die” instead of “thou shalt surely die”.)

The word of the LORD:

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” (Genesis 15:1-9)

Notice that when the word of the LORD came unto Abram, it came “in a vision” (Verse 1). Abram saw the word of the LORD. Then, when he answered, he addressed the word of the LORD as “Lord GOD” (Verse 2). Verse 4, again, says, “the word of the LORD came unto him”. In verse 6, the word of the LORD is called “the LORD”. Then, in verse 7, the word of the LORD said, “I am the LORD”.
Now, I realize that equating “the word of the LORD” with the “Lord GOD” himself may seem a little strange. But you must remember John 1:1 and the fact that Genesis 15 took place at a time when there was no written scripture.

Paul said something like this a couple of times:

1. “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” (Romans 9:17)

In Exodus 9:13-16, the LORD told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews (vs. 13), for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (vs. 16). Paul here just used the term “scripture” instead of God. Why would Paul do that?

2. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8)

The scripture foresees? The scripture preached the gospel unto Abraham? Galatians 3:8 is a reference to Genesis 22:18, where “the LORD” said, “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”. Also, in this passage (Genesis 22:15-16), notice that the angel of the LORD is the LORD.

Again, these are both cases when there was no written scripture. Paul uses the word “scripture” both times when it was God that spoke.

Another case like this is Hebrews 4:12-13 where there is no creature that is not manifest in the sight of “the word of God”. And “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of the word of God, who is “him with whom we have to do”.

Now let’s get this down to an exact Biblical definition.

“So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit,
to enquire of it;” (1 Chronicles 10:13)

Notice the definition in this verse ”against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD”. The word of the LORD is the LORD.

“And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD
came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:” (1 Kings 18:31)

According to this verse, the word of the LORD came to Jacob and said to him, “Israel shall be thy name”. This exact phrase “Israel shall be thy name” is what God said to Jacob in Genesis 35:10. This confirmed what the angel of the LORD said to Jacob in Genesis 32:28.

This all is why Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick” … “and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. The word of God is alive. Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”. The word of God is God.

“For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” (Psalms 33:4-6)

All the works of the word of the LORD are done in truth. All the host of the heavens were made by the breath of the mouth of the word of the LORD.

Is “the voice of the words of the LORD” (1 Samuel 15:1) the same “voice of the LORD God” that walked in the garden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8)?

[1 Samuel 3:1, 7, 21; 1 Kings 13:9, 17, 18; 19:9; Psalm 33:4, 6; 56:4, 10; 103:20; Micah 1:1; Acts 6:7/12:24/19:20; Acts 13:48/ 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 2:14; John 1:1, 14/ Revelation 19:13]

God Opened Her Eyes

“And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.” (Genesis 21:12-20)

The Water Is Ours

“And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.” (Genesis 26:17-20)

[well of springing water  “But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)]

" And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.” (Genesis 26:32)

Jacob Watered The Flock

“Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep. And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.” (Genesis 29:1-10)

He Sheweth His Word Unto Jacob

“He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments
unto Israel.” (Psalm 147:19)

[Jacob  James: equivalent names]

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:24-30)

[Prince Jacob  Prince James (Epistle Dedicatory)]

Psalm 16:1 “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.”

Psalm 16:6 “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 119 is 176 verses about the word of God. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and it is about God’s word. The chapter is split into sections of 8 verses each. 22 sections of 8 verses = 176 verses. Or 176 verses divided by 11 = 16. 1611 is the year that the King James Bible was translated. God put his mark of identity on his word.

Did God Ever Write Anything?

“¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” (Exodus 24:12)

“¶ And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” (Exodus 32:15-16)

“¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.” (Exodus 34:1)

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.¶ And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” (Exodus 34:27-28)

“At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark. And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.” (Deuteronomy 10:1-5)

Balaam Corrupts God’s Word (Numbers 22)

In verse 8, Balaam claimed that he would deliver the “word” of God as he received it. Balaam received God’s word (verse 12) and then omitted two thirds of it (verse 13). Then, the LORD is taken out of his own word (verse 14).

By Craft (Joshua 9)

“And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.” (Joshua 9:3-15)

“made as if they had been ambassadors”  pretended to be “Christians”.

“all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy”  they can only provide ‘dry and mouldy’ Bible studies (instead of real edification).

“And they said, We are thy servants”  they claim to be serving the Christian people.
They lied about the bread, their wine, their garments and shoes, and where they came from.

The Christians who follow them take of their victuals without asking counsel of the LORD.

The Study of the Bible (part Two) - What To Do With the Bible

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LESSON II. WHAT TO DO WITH GOD’S WORD
(Dos and Don’ts --- More Rules)

A. What To Do

1. Hearken to the word of the Lord.

“Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the
LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.” (I Kings 12:24)

2. Desire the word of the Lord.

“Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.” (Acts 13:7)

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (I Peter 2:2)

3. Believe the word of God.

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they
believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” (John 2:22) The example for us given by the disciples is to believe the scripture.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (I Thessalonians 2:13)

4. Obey the words of the Lord.

“Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned
from going against Jeroboam.” (II Chronicles 11:4)

“He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” (Exodus 9:20-21)

5. Study the Scriptures.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

6. Remember the word.

“Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 11:16)

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 11:18)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

7. Speak the word.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God
giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34)

Proclaim the word --- Jeremiah 7:2; 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

Preach the word --- Acts 8:25; 15:35-36; 16:32; 19:10; 13:5.

8. Publish the word.

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” (Psalm 68:11)

“And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” (Acts 13:49)

9. Continue in the word.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31)

10. Tremble at the word of the Lord.

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” (Isaiah 66:5)

B. What Not To Do

1. Don’t Despise the word of the Lord.

“Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.” (Numbers 15:31)

2. Don’t Go Beyond the word of the Lord.

“And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.” (Numbers 22:18)

3. Don’t Reject the word (You reject the word by disobeying it.)

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. ¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the command-ment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 15:23-26)

4. Don’t blaspheme the word of God. (You blaspheme the word of God by disobeying it.)

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:5)

5. Don’t rebel against the words of God.

“Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:” (Psalm 107:11)

6. Don’t make the word of God of none effect through tradition.

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:13)

7. Don’t corrupt the word of God.

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:17)

8. Don’t handle the word of God deceitfully.

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2)
9. Don’t conceal the words of the Holy One.

“Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” (Job 6:10)

10. Don’t add to or take away from the words of the book.

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this
book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

A Study of the Bible (Part One) - Why The Bible Was Written

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“Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. ¶ Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. (Psalm 109:1-6)

O Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

LESSON I. WHY THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN

The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. (Proverbs 22:12)

There are two questions that must be answered first in the study of Bible history, Bible texts, and Bible manuscripts & translations. The first of these questions is: “Why did God give us his knowledge? The answer to this, of course, must be found in God’s book of knowledge, the Holy Bible.

“¶ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day,
even to thee.” (Proverbs 22:17-19)

God gave his knowledge to man “that thy trust may be in the LORD”. God wants us to trust him and that is why he gave us knowledge of himself, of the creation, of his grace, and of the Saviour, etc. The word of God puts a lot of emphasis on trusting in the LORD.

Rule number one: Don’t put your confidence in man. Trust in the LORD and confidence in man are opposite each other. Confidence in man will hinder your trust in the LORD. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8)

Rule number two: Don’t respect the proud and don’t turn aside unto lies. “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalm 40:4)

Rule number three: Don’t be proud yourself. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 28:25)

Rule number four: Don’t fear man. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)

Rule number five: Trust in the Lord. “When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;” (Isaiah 57:13)

Rule number six: Get your heart fixed. Trusting in the Lord will fix your heart. In Bible study, the study of the Bible, and in your Christian life, you need a fixed heart. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” (Psalm 112:7)

Rule number seven: Don’t trust in the world (or Egypt), worldly wisdom, or vanity. “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” (Isaiah 30:1-3) “Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.” (Job 15:31)

The second question is: Why did God put his words into writing? And again, the answer to this must be found in the Bible. [(But before answering this question, think about this for a moment: Why would you let anybody teach you that your King James Bible is corrupt and has errors without first telling you why God spoke and why God wrote his words.) The reason for God giving his knowledge and writing his words and its purpose determines the answer to some other questions that come after.]

“Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:20-21)

God put his words into writing to make us certain of the words of truth. God wants us to be certain of the truth and to be able to answer with words of truth. This, of course, ties in with preservation of the words of the Lord.

It is verses like Psalm 12:6-7; Proverbs 22:20-21; Psalm 119:41-43 that gives us the doctrine of scripture preservation.
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalm 12:6-7

Now, notice what these verses say. “The words of the LORD are pure words.” If you have the words of the LORD, then, you have his pure words. If you don’t have his pure words, then you don’t have his words.

“as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” This phrase definitely puts the preservation of the pure words of the LORD on the earth.

“tried in a furnace”. What could that mean? Obviously, somebody has tried to destroy God’s pure words. In spite of that, David said that God would preserve them for ever.

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

Aren't God's words wise words?

Not your head --- apply your heart to God's knowledge.
[“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11]

God made his knowledge known to you "That thy trust may be in the LORD".

God wrote his knowledge to make you "know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth".

Now if you have any doubts about the above and to be sure not to do injustice to the scripture, let's follow the Holy Spirit's directions for Bible interpretation, that is, compare scripture with scripture (spiritual words with spiritual words) [1 Corinthians 2:12-13].

Notice that according to Psalm 119:41-43, According to God's word (the word of truth) shall we have to answer reproach just as in Proverbs 22:21, with the words of truth we have to answer reproach.

In Acts 26:25, Paul refers to the word of God as "the words of truth". [I hope you would agree that what Paul said in Acts 26:1-25 is the word of God.]

The last reference is Eccl 12:9-11. There's that knowledge in verse nine. Compare also "he gave good heed" to "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." ( Psalms 119:9)

"The preacher sought to find out acceptable words" (verse 10). Isn't that what a preacher does when he studies for a sermon? "that which was written was upright". (Although he may use other sources,) isn't the word of God "that which was written" what he should study and preach? Isn't the word of God upright?

And there again are "The words of the wise". These words of the wise are "as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies" when they are preached. These wise words, these words of truth, are words "which are given from one shepherd". That "one shepherd" would be God. These words must be the words of God.
[Now we have seen all three places in the Bible where the phrase "words of truth" is.]

Now, my dear brother, after the above study, why would you not believe that Proverbs 22:20-21 is referring to being certain of the words of God?

Now, seeing that the purpose for God putting his words in writing is to make us certain of the truth, we then know that God’s words must be available to us in an infallible book. For if we have no infallible authority, how can we be certain of the words of truth?

Whatever men may say, there is only one honest answer to this. The truth is that without an infallible authority, we can’t be certain of anything.

A Few Old Testament Notes and References

2009-05-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

GENESIS 1 --->
There are three heavens in this chapter. The first heaven, the one where fowl fly above the earth, is in verse 20. The second heaven, where the sun, the moon, and the stars are (verses 14-18), is between two great bodies of water (verses 6-8). And the third heaven is in verse one. Compare verse one with verse one in chapter two. Notice that in chapter one, "the heaven" is singular in contrast to the plural "heavens" in chapter two.

According to Psalm 104:30, at the time that God created the animals, He renewed the face of the earth. Verses 3 - 31 of chapter 1 is not a description of the original creation. Verses 3 - 31 is the renewing of the face of the earth after the original earth was destroyed in verse 2.

The earth was covered "with the deep as with a garment" (Psalm 104:5-6). When God rebuked Lucifer, saying, "thou shalt be brought down" (Isaiah 14:15), "the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" where the earth was with Lucifer on it, forcing the earth down into the waters. "And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."

God rebuked the waters and they fled and hasted away from the earth (Psalm 104:6-7) when He said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters" (Genesis 1:6-8).

GENESIS 1:2 --> REF. Genesis 7:18 These are the only two verses with the phrase "the face of the waters".

GENESIS 3:8 --> "the voice of the LORD God walking"

GENESIS 3:19 --> REF. Genesis 18:27;

GENESIS 13:10 --> REF. Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8-9

GENESIS 19:24 --> REF. Joshua 10:11

GENESIS 21:1-3 --> "the LORD did unto Sarah" The birth of Isaac is a type of the birth of Jesus Christ. See Matthew 1:18,20 and Luke 1:35.

GENESIS 21:19 --> This is the first mention of God opening someone's eyes. When God opens your eyes, he reveals "the deep things of God" (I Corinthians 2:10). You can, then, fill your bottle and give someone else a drink.

GENESIS 21:26 --> The word `wot' is in the Bible ten times and it is never a problem to understand that the word means know by simply reading the sentence. Since the word `wot' means know and the word as initials stands for word of truth, and the word is not a problem to understand, a great truth is revealed. That is, knowledge comes from having the word of truth, the word of truth is not a problem to under-stand, and changing the words of the word of truth does not make it easier to understand, although liars claim that it does (Romans 1:25). (The other verses are Genesis 44:15; Exodus 32:1,23; Numbers 22:6; Joshua 2:5; Acts 3:17; 7:40; Romans 11:2; Philippians 1:22)

GENESIS 23:6 --> "thou art a mighty prince" REF. Genesis 32:8

GENESIS 24:27 --> REF. Genesis 32:10

GENESIS 25:5 --> This verse is a type of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

GENESIS 26:19 --> REF. John 4:14

GENESIS 29:7 --> REF. John 21:15-17

GENESIS 31:32 --> Jacob unknowingly cursed Rachel to die. Although Laban didn't find his `gods', Rachel did take them and she died in 35:18.

GENESIS 32:28 --> REF. Hosea 12:3-4

GENESIS 32:29 --> REF. Judges 13:18

GENESIS 37:2-4 --> All three verses show Joseph as a type of Christ.

GENESIS 37:8 --> Joseph as a type of Christ.

GENESIS 37:13-14 --> REF. I Samuel 17:17-18

GENESIS 37:31 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see Revelation 19:13

GENESIS 41:40,43 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see Philippians 2:10

GENESIS 41:55 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see John 2:5

GENESIS 42:8 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see John 1:11

GENESIS 43:23 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see Luke 24:36. When Jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples, and said, "Peace be unto you", they should have known who he was because of Judges 6:23.

GENESIS 45:3 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see Luke 24:38

GENESIS 45:5 --> REF. Genesis 32:30

GENESIS 45:26-27 --> Joseph as a type of Christ - see Mark 16:14 and Luke 24:35

GENESIS 50:10 --> REF. Job 2:13

GENESIS 50:20 --> REF. Psalm 76:10

EXODUS 2:17 --> Moses as a type of Christ

EXODUS 12:46 --> REF. Numbers 9:12 and John 19:33

EXODUS 14:13-15 --> REF. II Chronicles 20:17

EXODUS 14:24 --> REF. I Samuel 11:11

EXODUS 15:3 --> REF. Isaiah 42:13

EXODUS 17:6 --> I Corinthians 10:1-4

EXODUS 19:4 --> Isaiah 40:31

EXODUS 19:10-11 --> Using the DAY AS A THOUSAND YEARS SYSTEM, this is a prophecy that after two thousand years, the LORD will come back (around the year 2000), and we are to be ready by the time of the third thousand years (the millennium).

EXODUS 20:1-17 --> THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

I. I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 8:4-6
II. I Corinthians 10:7,14
III. Colossians 3:8; II Timothy 2:19
IV. Galatians 4:10-11; Colossians 2:16-17; Romans 14:5-6
V. Ephesians 6:2
VI. I John 3:14-15
VII. Ephesians 5:3-5
VIII. Ephesians 4:28
IX. Ephesians 4:25
X. Ephesians 5:3

EXODUS 20:24 --> REF. Deuteronomy 12:5

EXODUS 20:25 --> REF. Deuteronomy 27:5; Joshua 8:31

EXODUS 21:2-11 --> This is the instructions for Hebrew servants under the law. For the duty of the Christian servant and master, see I Timothy 6:1-2; Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:5-9; I Corinthians 7:20-24

EXODUS 21:12 --> REF. Exodus 20:13; Genesis 9:5-6; Leviticus 24:17; Numbers 35:30-31

EXODUS 21:15 --> REF. Exodus 20:12

EXODUS 21:16 --> REF. Exodus 20:15

EXODUS 21:17 --> REF. Exodus 20:12

EXODUS 21:18 --> REF. II Timothy 2:24

EXODUS 21:19 --> REF. Romans 12:18

EXODUS 21:20 --> REF. Exodus 20:13

EXODUS 21:22 --> REF. II Timothy 2:24

EXODUS 21:28-29 --> REF. (see verse 12)

EXODUS 21:33-35 --> REF. Romans 12:18

EXODUS 21:36 --> REF. (see verse 12)

EXODUS 22:1-4 --> REF. Exodus 20:15

EXODUS 22:5-6 --> REF. Romans 12:18

EXODUS 22:14 --> REF. Romans 12:18

EXODUS 22:16 --> REF. I Corinthians 7:36

EXODUS 22:18 --> REF. Galatians 5:20

EXODUS 22:19 --> REF. Romans 1:26-27

EXODUS 22:20 --> REF. Exodus 20:3-5

EXODUS 22:22-24 --> REF. I Timothy 5:1-10; James 1:27

EXODUS 22:31 --> REF. Romans 12:1-3

EXODUS 23:1 --> REF. Ephesians 4:25

EXODUS 23:4-5 --> REF. Romans 12:18

EXODUS 24:12 --> REF. Exodus 32:15-16; John 17:8

EXODUS 28:4 --> Six garments are listed here, matching Ephesians 6:14-17, where six pieces of armour are listed. Compare Exodus 29:5-6.

EXODUS 32:7-14 --> REF. Numbers 14:11-20; 16:44-50

EXODUS 32:15-16 --> REF. Ezekiel 2:9-10; Revelation 5:1

EXODUS 33:12 --> REF. John 10:3; Ephesians 2:8

EXODUS 33:14 --> REF. Hebrews 13:5-6; John 14:27; Romans 5:1

LEVITICUS 10:1 --> REF. Exodus 30:9

LEVITICUS 17:7 --> REF. Deuteronomy 32:17 (see other references there)

LEVITICUS 18:5 --> REF. Ezekiel 20:11

LEVITICUS 26:29 --> REF. Deuteronomy 28:53-57

NUMBERS 14:43 --> REF. II Chronicles 15:2; Ezra 8:22

NUMBERS 24:14 --> "LATTER DAYS" REF. Deuteronomy 4:30; 31:29; Jeremiah 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Ezekiel 38:16; Daniel 2:28; 10:14; Hosea 3:4-5

NUMBERS 27:17 --> REF. I Kings 22:17

NUMBERS 33:52 --> REF. Deuteronomy 12:2-3; Isaiah 2:16

DEUTERONOMY 3:26 --> REF. II Corinthians 12:8-9

DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7 --> REF. Psalm 1:2

DEUTERONOMY 17:14 --> REF. I Samuel 8

DEUTERONOMY 23:24 --> THE ORIGINAL ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET

DEUTERONOMY 28:53-57 --> REF. II Kings 6:28-29

DEUTERONOMY 29:19-20 --> REF. Exodus 32:32-33

DEUTERONOMY 30:14 --> REF. Romans 10:8

DEUTERONOMY 30:20 --> REF. Deuteronomy 32:44-47; Colossians 3:4; I John 5:11-12

DEUTERONOMY 31:3 --> With verse 8, shows Joshua as a type of Christ

DEUTERONOMY 31:26 --> God gave us the Bible to be a witness against us.

DEUTERONOMY 32:1 --> REF. Proverbs 8:8

DEUTERONOMY 32:4 --> REF. Psalm 31:5

DEUTERONOMY 32:17 --> REF. Leviticus 17:7; II Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:37

DEUTERONOMY 33:2 --> REF. Jude 14

JOSHUA 1:6 --> "Be strong and of a good courage." This admonition is given to Joshua three times in Deuteronomy 31 (verses 6,7,23), and again, three times here in verses 6,7, and 9. It takes a lot of courage to be one of God's leaders. The man of God must continually seek encouragement in prayer and the word of God (verse 8). Also, notice the admonition is repeated in verse 18. This makes a total of seven times. Only the last time, it comes from God's people. Applying this to the days of the week, the man of God needs daily encouragement, but will seldom get it from the people of God whom he serves (about 1/7). REF. Joshua 10:25

JUDGES 6:14-17 --> Gideon here reminds us of Moses in Exodus 4.

JUDGES 7 --> Gideon / Phurah - Moses / Aaron

JUDGES 13:18 --> The name of the angel of the LORD is secret. (?)

I SAMUEL 1:15 --> REF. Psalm 62:8

I SAMUEL 4:9 --> I Corinthians 16:13

I SAMUEL 7:8 --> Ephesians 1:16

I SAMUEL 8:7 --> I Samuel 12:12

I SAMUEL 16:11 --> David as a type of Christ - "he keepeth the sheep"

I SAMUEL 16:12 --> David as a type of Christ (see Song Of Solomon 5:10)

I SAMUEL 16:13 --> David as a type of Christ (see Luke 3:21-22)

I SAMUEL 16:18 --> David as a type of Christ (see Exodus 15:3 and Isaiah 42:13) REF. II Samuel 17:8

I SAMUEL 17:17-18 --> REF. Genesis 37:13-14

I SAMUEL 17:45 --> David as a type of Christ (see Mark 11:9-10 and John 12:13)

I SAMUEL 19:4 --> Matthew 20:27-28

I SAMUEL 19:5 --> REF. Jonah 1:14; II Kings 21:16; 24:4; Matthew 27:4

I SAMUEL 19:5 --> David as a type of Christ (see John 15:25)
(see also Job 2:3, and others)

I SAMUEL 19:12 --> REF. II Corinthians 11:33

I SAMUEL 20:1 --> David as a type of Christ (see John 18:23)

I SAMUEL 22:2 --> David as a type of Christ (see Hebrews 2:10)

I SAMUEL 22:23 --> David as a type of Christ

I SAMUEL 25:28 --> David as a type of Christ (see Luke 23:13-14)

I SAMUEL 29:3 --> David as a type of Christ (see Luke 23:13-14)

I SAMUEL 29:9 --> REF. II Samuel 14:17,20; 19:27 - David as a type of Christ (see Galatians 4:14)

II SAMUEL 5:1 --> David as a type of Christ (see Ephesians 5:30)

II SAMUEL 7:22 --> "base in mine own sight" like Paul

II SAMUEL 8:15 --> David as a type of Christ in the millennium *

II SAMUEL 17:8 --> REF. Proverbs 17:12 / Exodus 15:3; I Samuel 16:18

II SAMUEL 17:10 --> REF. Isaiah 42:13

I KINGS 5:3 --> David as a type of Christ

II KINGS 4:29 --> REF. II Kings 9:1; Job 38:3

II KINGS 4:42-44 --> REF. Luke 9:13-17

II KINGS 7:3 --> REF. Jeremiah 8:14

II CHRONICLES 13:12 --> REF. Hebrews 2:10

II CHRONICLES 23:10 --> REF. Psalm 149:6

II CHRONICLES 25:3 --> REF. II Kings 14:5-6

II CHRONICLES 25:4 --> REF. Deuteronomy 24:16

EZRA 7:10 --> II Timothy 2:1-2

NEHEMIAH 9:27 --> REF. Obadiah 21

NEHEMIAH 13:11 --> REF. Hebrews 10:24-25

JOB 2:3 --> Job 9:17; Psalm 119:78, 161; Lamentations 3:52; John 15:25

JOB 2:13 --> REF. I Samuel 31:13; Ezekiel 3:15

JOB 3:1 --> REF. Jeremiah 20:14-15

JOB 4:8 --> REF. Galatians 6:7

JOB 6:10 --> REF. Acts 20:27

JOB 26:1-4 --> REF. Matthew 12:34-37; Mark 8:38; Romans 1:16; Acts 26:25; II Corinthians 6:7; Hebrews 1:3; Job 4:3-4; Acts 26:25; Galatians 6:1-2,6; Titus 2:1; Job 27:11; Acts 26:25; Colossians 4:6; I Peter 3:15; Psalm 119:41-43; Proverbs 22:20-21; Ephesians 4:29; Job 27:11; Acts 20:27; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 2:15; I Corinthhians 2:12-13; Acts 26:25; Numbers 22:35; Ephesians 5:18; Isaiah 11:2; Acts 6:10; Revelation 16:13-14; James 3:15; I Corinthians 2:11; Job 32:7-9

JOB 27:11 --> REF. Job 26:3; 6:10

JOB 32:9 --> REF. I Corinthians 1:21

JOB 38:19 --> REF. John 14:6

PSALM 1:1-3 --> REF. Jeremiah 17:7-8

PSALM 2:2 --> REF. Luke 2:26

PSALM 8:4 --> REF. Job 7:17-18

PSALM 56:4,10 --> "I will praise his word" - compare Psalm 71:22 and 138:2

PSALM 103:20 --> REF. I Samuel 15:1

PSALM 119:41-43 --> According to David, the way to answer reproach is according to God's word. Also, he asked God not to take the word of truth out of his mouth. David must have believed that he had the word of truth, even without having the original that Moses wrote about 300 years before.

PSALM 119:78 --> REF. Psalm 119:161; I Samuel 19:5; John 15:25

PSALM 147:19 --> "He sheweth his word unto Jacob". Could this have something to do with the translation of the word of God into the English language by the King James Version translators, since James and Jacob are english equals of the same name from Greek and Hebrew ?

PROVERBS 6:23 --> REF. Psalm 119:105

PROVERBS 15:24 --> REF. Colossians 3:1-2

PROVERBS 17:12 --> REF. II Samuel 17:8

PROVERBS 19:8 --> REF. Job 28; 32:7-8; 34:16; Psalm 49:3; 111:10; 119:34, 99-100, 104, 125, 130, 169; Proverbs 1:5; 2:1-6; 3:13; 9:10; 12:11; 14:29; 15:21, 32-33; 17:27; 18:1-2; II Timothy 2:19

PROVERBS 22:17-21 --> The reason that God made known his words and his knowledge to man is "THAT THY TRUST MAY BE IN THE LORD" (verse 19). The reason that God put his words in writing is that you can "KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE WORDS OF TRUTH" (verses 20-21). REF. Psalm 119:128. So, even without the promise of preservation of the "pure words" of the LORD in Psalm 12:6-7, any christian who is willing to believe just these five verses in Proverbs will know that God kept his word pure without allowing it to be corrupted with error of any kind. You can't know the certainty of the words of truth without having a completely inerrant authority.

PROVERBS 23:26 --> REF. Colossians 3:1-3

ISAIAH 2:16 --> REF. Numbers 33:52

ISAIAH 9:2 --> REF. John 1:5

ISAIAH 10:25 --> REF. Hebrews 10:37

ISAIAH 19:14 --> REF. Proverbs 26:11; II Peter 2:22

ISAIAH 42:11 --> Jesus Christ is the Rock. We are members of his body. Christians are "the inhabitants of the rock". We sing and "shout from the top of the mountains".

ISAIAH 43:1 --> REF. John 10:3 / I Corinthians 6:19-20;7:23

JEREMIAH 17:15 --> The answer to the question is I Peter 1:25. "But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." Of course, the corrupt version of I Peter 1:25 changes the `is' to `was' to support the lie that the word of God is no long-er available as a completely pure, inerrant, and infallible authority for the child of God. (See the NIV, NASV, etc.)

JEREMIAH 30:9 --> REF. Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25. THE 2ND COMING OF DAVID THE KING. DAVID WILL AGAIN BE KING OVER ISRAEL IN THE MILLINIUM.

JEREMIAH 31:9 --> "rivers of water" REF. Psalm 1:3

LAMENTATIONS 3:51 --> "MINE EYE AFFECTETH MINE HEART" This verse goes with Matthew 6:22-23; Colossians 3:22; Psalm 101:3; Numbers 33:52 and the second part "BECAUSE OF ALL THE DAUGHTERS OF MY CITY." ESPECIALLY WITH Job 31:1 and II Peter 2:14. What you see with your eyes affects your heart and the condition of your heart affects your fellowship with God. Jeremiah was told by the word of the LORD not to take a wife (Jeremiah 16:1-2). When a man of God is alone, he should be careful to take heed to Job 31:1.

LAMENTATIONS 3:52 --> REF. Job 2:3

EZEKIEL 3:15 --> REF. Job 3:13

EZEKIEL 18 --> This is the place in the Bible where God revealed to me that salvation in the old testament, under the law, was much different than salvation in the new testament. As anyone can see from one reading of this chapter, righteousness under the law depended on a man's works, and if a man turned from his righteousness, he would die in his sin. This death was not only physical death, but also spiri-tual death as well. This is quite obvious by comparing verse 32 with Psalm 116:15.

EZEKIEL 18:31 --> REF. Psalm 51:10

MICAH 2:7 --> "do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?" If a man's walk with God is right, then God's words will do good to him. He will esteem the words of God more than physical food (Job 23:12). He will delight in the words of the Lord and meditate in them day and night (Psalm 1:1-3). When a man delights and meditates in God's words, he has no desire for the modern translations, which are lacking of the life and power of the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

HAGGAI -->
1:5 "CONSIDER YOUR WAYS."
1:6 Comparable to modern living, especially the end of the verse.
1:7 "CONSIDER YOUR WAYS."
2:4 Be strong, saith the LORD, three times.
Chapter two says three times more to consider in verses 15 and 18.

A Fork In The Road

2009-05-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Preface

A Fork In The Road

To begin, let me say that most likely there is nothing in this little ‘critique’ that I haven’t heard or read before, and certainly nothing here that will surprise me. It is claimed that our critic is “extremely educated in the topic and has researched plenty”. Well, we’ll see about that. Much education on textual criticism & manuscript evidence is false evidence made to order and twisted information used to prove what someone wanted to prove. “Jared went to NBBC and graduated from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary.” What did Jared get from this seminary?

From their website [http://www.cbs.edu/about/statement-of-faith.html], the statement of faith, under the heading of The Holy Scriptures, is the following statement. “We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God and inerrant in the original writings. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man, and therefore, are the final authority for faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).” Notice that their belief of inspiration is in some non-existent, unavailable writings. Then, they say that the Old and New Testaments are the final authority for faith and life. Their authority lies in something that no longer exists although they word their statement in the present tense to deceive you into thinking that they actually have a written authority. “The Old and New Testaments are the final authority for faith.” Which Bible are they referring to? The King James Bible? The New International Version? The New American Standard Version? Neither of these is the answer. They don’t believe in an inspired translation. How about the Greek text? If this is the answer, then, which Greek text? There is no final authority for faith. They are lying.

So what did Jared get from this seminary concerning the Bible version issue? He got deception. What then do you expect from Jared’s ‘extreme education in the topic’? You can expect extreme deception from start to finish.

I have personally studied the Bible version issue, including Bible Version Comparison, Bible History, Manuscript Evidence, “How We Got Our Bible”, and etc. for twenty years. I have read the standard slop that is considered to be scholarly material, The King James Version Debate (1979) by D.A. Carson and The King James Only Controversy (1995) by James White. I have read ‘middle-of-the-road’ type material such as Biblical Criticism (1957) by Wick Broomall and Thy Word Is Truth (1957) by Edward J. Young. These two works are actually very good but as a Bible believer, you must make applications to the word of God instead of the ‘originals’. I have also read other standard works, General Biblical Introduction (1937) by H.S. Miller, The Highest Critics Vs. The Higher Critics (1896) by L.W. Munhall and many real Bible believing works on the subject.

On page 18, Carson poses the question, “how can we know what the Holy Spirit inspired the New Testament authors to write?” And then he wastes 128 pages of ink without ever answering the question. His subtitle is A Plea for Realism. At the end of the second chapter of rubbish, after destroying the Christian’s faith in the Bible, Carson has the nerve to say, “The result is a certain word from God”. I plead for realism. He goes on to say, “The aim of the textual critic is to ascertain, as precisely as possible, what reading of any particular passage is closest to the original, or accurately reflects the original. The first step is to classify the manuscript evidence in such a way as to make it manageable.” ‘Manuscript evidence’, he says? He failed to give you the first piece of manuscript evidence before stating his opinion of the responsibility of the textual critic. The first evidence is the fact that no original of any of the 66 Bible books exists. Do you know what that means? It means that the ‘aim of the textual critic’ is impossible. This shows you that ‘Scholarship’ has the wrong aim to start with. Obviously, if you start going down the wrong road, you will end up at the wrong place. ‘Scholarship’ ends up with no certainty of the words of truth.

“Manuscript evidence” (by the way) can only lead you so far but can never lead to certainty, because manuscript evidence is a shifting sea that can never be certain.” [Jim Leichty.]

All Biblical doctrines, except the doctrine of the Bible, are built on the scriptures. 'Scholarship' builds their doctrine of Biblical Inspiration and Preservation, instead, on so-called 'manuscript evidence'. Bible believers, however, build their doctrine of inspiration and preservation on the 'manuscript evidence' of the scriptures themselves. In other words, the scriptures themselves are the manuscript evidence.

Like with all other doctrines, what we believe concerning the Inspiration and Preservation of the scriptures, what counts is "What saith the scriptures?" not "what saith the scholars?"

On page I, James White begins his forward with the following statement. “In this age of uncertainty, the last thing we need is the suspicion that the Word of God is somehow faulty and misleading.” This statement gives the impression that the writer believes that the Bible is not faulty or misleading. So let us assume at the start that James White is honest and that he is a Bible believer and let us follow. Let’s look at some other ‘manuscript evidence’.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Where did this piece of manuscript evidence come from? It’s in your Bible. It is 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Look it up. According to this ‘manuscript evidence’, a Christian should receive the word of God not as the word of men. You know what the ‘scholars’ say about your King James Bible. They say that it is merely the word of men. Did you know that? They say, “No translation can be inspired”. They say that your English King James Bible that you hold in your hand is not the word of God, but the word of men. “God gave the originals by inspiration but translations are not given by inspiration of God”. Your King James Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. Is your King James Bible the word of God? If so, we wouldn’t want to ‘suspect that it is somehow faulty or misleading’. Remember, “The last thing we need is the suspicion that the Word of God is somehow faulty and misleading”. So if it’s not faulty or misleading, we are going to believe what 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and 2 Timothy 3:16 say.

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:13, a Christian is to receive the word of God as the truth and as the word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. Is your King James Bible scripture? Of course it is. So now that you receive the word of God as it is in truth, the word of God, you will believe what it says. And when you believe it, it will effectually work in you. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13 again. Now let’s correct D.A. Carson. The aim of the textual critic is to believe the word of God and allow it to work effectually. Okay?

Okay. Now we can continue. Now we actually have some basis to what we are doing. With D.A. Carson, you are trying to do something absolutely impossible because you don’t even have a real starting point. Your starting point doesn’t exist. All you will do is run around in circles and end up with less knowledge and certainty than you started with. However, with the Bible believing method, we have a real starting point. We have manuscript evidence that we can believe and know the certainty of. We have the word of God that works effectually.

Is James White actually honest? Of course not. When he says ‘the Word of God’, he means the original manuscripts. Watch this. This is how his statement reads in his mind: “In this age of uncertainty, the last thing we need is the suspicion that the original manuscripts of the word of God are somehow faulty and misleading.” I know this is what he means because he doesn’t believe any book in existence today is the word of God. There are churches with statements of faith that say, “We believe the Bible is the infallible, preserved, inerrant word of God in the original manuscripts”. There are some who are not honest enough to include those last four words even though they should. If you ask him, James White would not apply his statement to any translation. He suspects that every translation of the words of God is somehow faulty and misleading.

In the critique, two books are recommended, "The King James-Only Controversy" by James White and "From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man: A Layman's Guide to How We Got Our Bible".

Let’s hear another recommendation, you know, a second opinion. “The ensuing treatise is intended to be a brief Manual on the Textual Criticism of the New Testament for ordinary students of the Bible, and to induce those who may be disposed to enter more deeply into the important subject of it to prosecute further research in “The Plain Introduction” of Dr. Scrivener, the learned works of Dean Burgon, and in other well-known sources of information upon Textual Criticism.”

Dean John William Burgon is the champion of the defence of the King James Bible against Westcott and Hort’s Greek text and the Revised Version of 1881-1884. He wrote “The Last Twelve Verses of Mark” (1871), “The Revision Revised” (1883), “The Traditional Text” (1896), and “Causes of Corruption” (1896). John Burgon, in fact, proved that the Revised Version should never have been published nor received as the word of God by the body of Christ at all.

Our second opinion, Edward Miller, M.A., said, “I lay down my pen with the conviction derived from the accomplishment of my work, that every Reader who would really understand, and form an opinion for himself upon the great questions at stake, must bestow on the problem which has suddenly emerged into prominence a considerable amount of individual, unprejudiced attention. He will be able to see with which of the two contending parties the Truth must lie: but he must approach the problem in a calm, judicial spirit, must require Proof (as far as Proof is attainable) instead of putting up with Hypothesis, and above all must never cease to exercise a large amount of vigilant sagacity, -in fact, of Common Sense.” [A Guide To The Textual Criticism of the New Testament, 1886.]

Again, Mr. White’s statement is “In this age of uncertainty, the last thing we need is the suspicion that the Word of God is somehow faulty and misleading.” We may be in an age of uncertainty although we do not, in fact, need to be uncertain of the words of God or the words of truth.

More Manuscript Evidence:

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

According to this evidence, God wrote his counsels and knowledge that He would make you certain of the words of truth. This means that you can believe and trust the word of God. When you read the word of God, you can know and be certain that you are reading the words of God and the words of truth.

Remember there are two contending parties. The truth lies with one party and not the other. One party believes that you can be certain of something that does not exist and yet cannot be certain of anything that does exist. The other party (the Bible believers) believes the opposite, that you can be certain of the existing scriptures, but cannot be certain of the non-existent originals. Now with this preface and a Bible believing spirit, and remembering also the advice of Edward Miller – “never cease to exercise a large amount of common sense”, we are ready to proceed.

Blog Titles

2009-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

Since I have published many articles just in the last couple of days, I thought I would post a list of all of the titles.

READING
Man's Origin, Man's Destiny
His Plague Is In His Head
A Good Soldier
Scientific Creationism
The Blind Watchmaker
The Biblical New Testament Local Church
(Part One)
Present Course of Study
The Biblical Local New Testament Church
(Part Two)
The Biblical New Testament Local Church
(Part Three)
A Guide to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament
Present Course of Study (2)
Networked Blogs
New Line of Thought
Why I Am Baptist
Give None Offence [Introduction to Rightly Dividing the Word]
You're No Daisy; You're No Daisy At All
The Manner of Paul
Psalm 119:1-7
Crowns of the Bible
Salvation in the Church Age
The Spiritual Birth
Did The Body of Christ Begin With Paul?
The Legend of Jimmy the kid
The First Thing A Christian Should Know
A More Sure Word of Prophecy
Breaking Down the Acts 28 Wall of Partition
Isaiah As A Type of the Bible
The Alexandrian Cult Mentality
The Alexandrian Cult Mentality (Part Two)
Man's Origin, Man's Destiny
The Gap Doctrine
The Two Kingdoms
The Bible
None Like Me
Biblical Cosmology
Sundry Times And Divers Manners

These titles are in order from the first to the latest. I hope this helps.

Sundry Times And Divers Manners

2009-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that this site is temporarily unavailable. I will try to republish as soon as I can. God bless.

Sundry Times And Divers Manners

By Gary N Alford [copyright 2001 by Word of Truth Ministry]

This book clearly refutes the book "Dispensational Salvation" by Dr. M. H. Tabb (1991) and proves that the teaching that salvation is always by faith without works is heresy. [This book also clearly shows the difference between Biblical interpretation and private interpretation.]

http://www.ourchurch.com/view/?pageID=156185

This link will take you to the complete book "Sundry Times And Divers Manners".

Biblical Cosmology

2009-05-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

{What the Bible says about the Genesis One Gap, Lucifer and the Sons of God, and the original creation.}

The Beginning

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

What is the beginning referred to here in Genesis 1:1?

Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

From three of the verses above (Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6; 13:19), some people get the idea that the beginning in Genesis 1:1 must be the seven day creation since they refer to Adam and Eve at ‘the beginning of the creation’. This, however, is a very narrow minded view. It actually shows me that a person has no interest in spending time and effort to study the scripture. All this person wants to do is skim the surface of God’s word. He knows that there was a seven day creation in Genesis 1-2 and that there was a flood in Noah’s day and that is good enough for him. He thinks there is a bad motive and/or a problem understanding the doctrine or he might have to actually think while studying the scripture. As we look at the various objections I have seen to the ‘gap theory’, you will see that the people who make these objections don’t think about what they are saying. They have tunnel vision that clouds their thinking.

In this case, these verses refer to the beginning of the creation of mankind (humans) which was during the seven day creation. These verses do not necessarily refer to the beginning of the original creation. If you insist that they do, you would be saying that the first things created by God (the beginning of the creation) were Adam and Eve.

Now let’s start at the beginning by stating the three possibilities for Genesis 1:1-2.

First, there is the idea that Genesis 1:1 is just a general statement and the rest of the chapter is a description of that verse. Second, there is the idea that Genesis 1:1-2 is part of the first day. And third, there is the possibility that Genesis 1:1 refers to the original creation, verse 2 refers to the condition of the earth after God’s judgment, and the rest of the chapter is the renewal of the face of the earth which is mentioned in Psalm 104:30.

Here in Genesis 1:1, heaven is singular in contrast to "the heavens" of Genesis 2:1, proving that verses 1:2-31 are not a description of 1:1. In the first verse, there is only one heaven, but after the renewal of the face of the earth (verses 2 to 31), there are three heavens. The first heaven, where fowl fly above the earth, is in verse 20. The second heaven, where the sun, moon, and stars are (verses 14-18) is between two great bodies of water (verses 6-8). The third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2) is in verse 1.

On each of the six days, the day is started with “And God said” – see verses 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, and 24. Even on the sixth day where “And God said” is used twice in regard to a creative act shows that if Genesis 1:2 was part of the first day, there would have been “And God said” ‘let there be an unformed earth’ etc. (or something like that). If Genesis 1:1 were part of the first day, the verse would say, “In the beginning God said let there be a heaven and an earth” or “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, saying, Let there be a heaven and an earth” etc. Genesis 1:1-2 is definitely a separate context from the rest of the chapter.

Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

The context of this verse is the creation of man and animals. God created man and animals in Genesis 1 during the renewing of the face of the earth, not during the original creation.

2 Peter 3:4-6 will be discussed later.

From John 8:44 and 1 John 3:8, we can see that the devil “sinneth from the beginning”. This should be a problem for those who put Lucifer’s fall in the garden of Eden. Is Genesis 3 the beginning? Is Genesis 2 the beginning? Is Genesis 1 and 2 the beginning? How long was the time between the Creation of Adam (and Eve) and Genesis 3? Just what is the beginning according to scripture?

Hebrews 1:10 and Isaiah 40:21 defines ‘the beginning’ as the time when God laid the foundation of the earth. Obviously, this puts Lucifer’s fall much earlier than the garden of Eden. The latest it could be is the third day if that is when God laid the foundations of the earth. Our next step is to study what the scriptures say about the foundation of the earth.

The Foundation of the Earth

Job 38:2-11 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

When God laid the foundations of the earth, he laid the measures of it and stretched a line upon it. The foundations of the earth were fastened upon the corner stone of the earth when it was laid. There were morning stars and sons of God singing and shouting for joy. The ‘morning stars’ and ‘sons of God’ are two names for angels. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus Christ calls himself “the morning star”. As there is ‘the angel of the LORD” (Jesus Christ) and angels and there is ‘the Son of God’ (Jesus Christ) and sons of God (angels in the old testament), there is also ‘the morning star’ (Jesus Christ) and morning stars who are angels. So, in the beginning when God laid the foundation of the earth, the angels were already created and they were singing and shouting for joy at God’s creation.

Psalms 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Psalm 24:1 defines the ‘world’ as the earth. However, we will have to search the scriptures to see if there is another definition for the world. Verse two says that God founded the earth upon a body of water. This helps explain that the earth was “standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:5).

The original earth was created with a cornerstone at the top of it and a body of water under it as it sat in the body of water like a boat, “standing out of the water and in the water”.

Actually the corner stone was “a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone” which God laid in Zion (Isaiah 28:16), the city of the great King. This city, “the city of our God”, is shaped like a pyramid “in the mountain of his holiness” (Psalm 48:1). The city of our God was situated beautifully on the sides of the north and was the joy of the whole earth (Psalm 48:2). The sides of the north is where Lucifer wanted to ascend to when he rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-14). We can see now that this corner stone of the original earth was a head corner stone (Zechariah 4:7) “on the sides of the north” as Jesus Christ is the head corner stone of the household of God (Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Ephesians 2:19-22), and was a city shaped like a pyramid. The earth was a precious jewel made of gold, silver, and precious stones with Zion, the city of God comparing to new Jerusalem which is to come and the body of Christ, the household of God of which Jesus is the head corner stone (Proverbs 20:15; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Revelation 21:10-21). This is a good explanation of why Lucifer was covered with every precious stone (Ezekiel 28:13). Just as “the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground”, Lucifer’s physical composition was made up of the same type of material as the original earth which he lived on.

Mount Zion, the city of God, was the foundations of the earth (Psalm 125:1; 104:5). Lucifer was in this city, he was upon the holy mountain of God, and he walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire (Ezekiel 28:14). These stones of fire were in this mountain city (Ezekiel 28:16). Lucifer was cast out of the holy mountain of God. The "holy mountain of God" is "the city of God" in the sides of the north. That great city, the holy Jerusalem, is "in the sides of the north". The north - the farthest north, the third heaven is obviously where the holy city of God is (Galatians 4:25-26). The city, called a mountain, is shaped like a mountain or pyramid. New Jerusalem is God's replacement for the original earth and will be the home of born again Christians from the church age that are replacements for the angels who have fallen and those who will fall and follow Satan. Sons of God (angels) were the inhabitants of the original earth and sons of God will be the inhabitants of New Jerusalem.

Psalms 82

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

This passage mentions that “the foundations of the earth are out of course”. At what time do you suppose that the foundations of the earth were out of course? During the flood of Noah? Perhaps, but probably not. Another thing that goes unnoticed by anti-gap theorists is that since Genesis 1:6-8, the earth hangeth upon nothing (Job 26:7). There are no foundations of the earth that the earth is fastened upon like in the original creation.

The original earth was created with a cornerstone at the top of it and a body of water under it as it sat in the body of water like a boat, “standing out of the water and in the water”. Then, after that, the foundations of the earth which were fastened to the cornerstone above it were knocked out of course. Sometime later God “stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing”. From that time the congregation of the mighty – the children of the most High have walked on in darkness. These are the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

Job 22:2-3 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

Compare “thou makest thy ways perfect” in verse 3 to “Thou wast perfect in thy ways” in Ezekiel 28:15. Was Lucifer’s wisdom profitable to God? Was God pleased with Satan’s pride in his own righteousness or perfection?

4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

Was the Almighty afraid of Lucifer’s will (Isaiah 14:13-14), violence, or beauty (Ezekiel 28:16-17)?

5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

Satan’s wickedness is very great. Are his iniquities infinite?

10 – 11 Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee; Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

Darkness is a result of the wrath of God (Isaiah 9:19; Zephaniah 1:15). Darkness was one of the plagues of Moses in the land of Egypt as a result of God’s wrath (Exodus 10:21-22). Darkness is for the separation between the people of God and the people of the devil (Exodus 14:20). Darkness also separates between God himself and sinners (Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22-23). Darkness is synonymous with evil (Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 23:12). The darkness upon the face of the deep in Genesis 1:1 was a result of the wrath of God.

Abundance of waters covered the earth and Lucifer and all the angels that rebelled with him. Since that time they have walked on in darkness (Psalm 82:5).

12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

“Is not God in the height of heaven?” (verse 12) Yes, God is in the height of heaven even though Lucifer said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven in the sides of the north: like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

“And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!” although Lucifer said, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:” (Isaiah 14:13)

13 – 14 And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

Notice that someone walks in the circuit of heaven.

15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

The old way which wicked men have trodden in the circuit of heaven?

16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

What is “out of time”? Out of time is obviously outside of time. This event took place before time.

“whose foundation was overflown with a flood:”

The foundation of wicked men who walked in the circuit of heaven was overthrown with a flood being cut down out of time.

Flood:

Isaiah 28:1-3 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

Genesis 9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

2 Peter 3:5-6 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

What can the Almighty do for the angels that sinned?

“Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” (Job 21:14-15)

Psalms 102:25-27 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Job 38:4-14 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Psalms 104:1-9 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

In verse 6, the earth is flooded by being pushed down into the deep. Verse 7 corresponds to Genesis 1:6-8 where the firmament was made. The firmament divided a body of water (the deep) and made it two bodies of water.

The wrath of God and his actions because of his judgment on Lucifer and the fallen angels is described in 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18, and Isaiah 24.

2 Samuel 22:8-22 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Psalms 18:7-21 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

There are some scriptures about the beginning that seem to contradict:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Ezekiel 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

If Lucifer was perfect in his ways from the day he was created and In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, how is it then that the devil sinneth from the beginning and He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth?

I believe that THE BEGINNING is a period of 'time' [for lack of a better term] that began when God began to create (Genesis 1:1) and ended when Adam and Eve ate the grapes from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This definition of 'the beginning' reconciles the verses above with other verses that seem to also contradict.

Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

TIME started when Adam and Eve died; the day that they ate the fruit.

Before TIME was THE BEGINNING.

Before THE BEGINNING was ETERNITY.

As for the Question How long was the gap? I have no idea. Lucifer is not an eternal being so we know that he did not exist in ETERNITY. He was created IN THE BEGINNING. IN THE BEGINNING there was some measurement of something like time ("the day that thou wast created" - Ezekiel 28:15). Lucifer was created on or in something called a day. This is, of course, not the same as any day that we know of except possibly in THE BEGINNING a day was a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:4). We know that the day Lucifer was created was not a 24 hour day because the first 24 hour day was Genesis 1:3-5. "And the evening and the morning were the first day." I said earlier that TIME started when Adam and Eve ate the fruit. But the 24 hour days had been going since before they were created. And until they ate the fruit did time pass in the same way that it did afterward? According to Genesis 5:5, Adam lived for 930 years. Does that include the 'time' that he lived before Genesis 3?

I know there are more questions than answers concerning time and the passage of time in what I have said. But I can only go on what I see in the scripture. Beyond any doubt the Gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is a true Biblical Doctrine. The evidence is in my Cosmology study. I don't have all the answers. Just like I don't have all the answers concerning dispensational salvation. Nobody else does either. And the people who don't believe in the Gap can not reconcile scriptures that contradict like I have shown you above and they also twist and contradict scriptures themselves [and take verses out of context] to prove their NO GAP Heresy.

There are some scriptures about the beginning that seem to contradict:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Ezekiel 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

If Lucifer was perfect in his ways from the day he was created and In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, how is it then that the devil sinneth from the beginning and He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth?

I believe that THE BEGINNING is a period of 'time' [for lack of a better term] that began when God began to create (Genesis 1:1) and ended when Adam and Eve ate the grapes from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This definition of 'the beginning' reconciles the verses above with other verses that seem to also contradict.

Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

TIME started when Adam and Eve died; the day that they ate the fruit.

Before TIME was THE BEGINNING.

Before THE BEGINNING was ETERNITY.

As for the Question How long was the gap? I have no idea. Lucifer is not an eternal being so we know that he did not exist in ETERNITY. He was created IN THE BEGINNING. IN THE BEGINNING there was some measurement of something like time ("the day that thou wast created" - Ezekiel 28:15). Lucifer was created on or in something called a day. This is, of course, not the same as any day that we know of except possibly in THE BEGINNING a day was a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:4). We know that the day Lucifer was created was not a 24 hour day because the first 24 hour day was Genesis 1:3-5. "And the evening and the morning were the first day." I said earlier that TIME started when Adam and Eve ate the fruit. But the 24 hour days had been going since before they were created. And until they ate the fruit did time pass in the same way that it did afterward? According to Genesis 5:5, Adam lived for 930 years. Does that include the 'time' that he lived before Genesis 3?

I know there are more questions than answers concerning time and the passage of time in what I have said. But I can only go on what I see in the scripture. Beyond any doubt the Gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is a true Biblical Doctrine. The evidence is in my Cosmology study. I don't have all the answers. Just like I don't have all the answers concerning dispensational salvation. Nobody else does either. And the people who don't believe in the Gap can not reconcile scriptures that contradict like I have shown you above and they also twist and contradict scriptures themselves [and take verses out of context] to prove their NO GAP Heresy.

None Like Me

2009-05-21T09:47:00.001-07:00

The following Bible verses from the book of Isaiah show a side of God’s personality that even Christians don’t like. People like to think of God as Santa Claus or something like that. These words of God are his stand as God and his challenge to anyone or anything that would doubt his authority. To anyone who likes to think of God’s Book, the Holy Bible as just another man made book, or insists that God is not worthy of worship and obedience, this is what God Himself has to say to you.

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.”

“All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.”

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

“Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.”

“Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.”

“For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word. Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.”

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

“Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”

“Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.”

“And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?”

“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;”

“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker!”

“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.”

“To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”

“For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.”

“There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.”

Isaiah 40:12-15, 17-23, 25, 28; 41:21-24, 26, 28-29; 42:8-9; 43:8-13, 26; 44:7-10, 24-25; 45:5-9, 12, 18-24; 46:5-11; 47:10-13; 48:22.

The Bible

2009-05-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Bible

The absolute and final authority for all matters of faith and practice is the inerrant, infallible, incorruptible word of God, which is, for English speaking people, the Authorized King James Version, translated in 1611 A.D. For non - English speaking people, there are versions of the word of God in hundreds of other languages translated from the King James Bible, Luther's German Bible, and the Textus Receptus Manuscripts.

b. the corrupt word

Paul said, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God" (II Corinthians 2:17). While Bible believers hold true to and make a stand for the incorruptible word of God (as Peter called it in I Peter 1:23), many have corrupted the word of God by writing phony manuscripts (Vaticanus and Siniaticus, 331 A.D., Alexandrius, 450 A.D., the so-called Septuigant written by Origen) and translating phony bibles from those manuscripts (Jerome's version, the Latin Vulgate, Henry Alford's New Testament, 1861, the Revised Version, 1884, and every English version printed in this country since 1900 -> ASV, RSV, NASV, NIV, etc.)

I believe in the words of the Authorized King James Version. Believing THE WORDS OF THAT BOOK saved me. I did not know, when I received Jesus as my Saviour, in May 1981, that there were such differences in versions of the Bible. I believed BY FAITH AND BY A SPIRITUAL WITNESS that the A V is the word of God, without error, and therefore the words of truth, i.e. the infallible authority in all matters of faith and practice. As I have read and studied the A V, in the past eighteen years, and read completely through it several times, there has been and still is A SPIRITUAL WITNESS TO BELIEVE WHAT THE WORDS OF THAT BOOK SAY. In studying the difference between the versions, THAT WITNESS TELLS ME EVERY TIME TO BELIEVE WHAT THE A V SAYS where others differ from it. So, I believe BY FAITH IN AN AVAILABLE AUTHORITY that God wrote infallibly in the original Hebrew and Greek writings and that He, through copies and translations, preserved the purity and inerrancy of the words of the Lord † (Psalm 12:6-7), and what GOD HAD IN MIND WHEN HE WROTE PROVERBS 22:20-21 is the preservation of an infallible authority (the certainty of the words of truth).

[Alternate readings for “preserved the purity and inerrancy of the words of the LORD”:
1. “preserved the words of the LORD which are pure words”.
2. “preserved the pure words of the LORD”.
3. “preserved the words of the LORD as pure words”.
4. “preserved the words of the LORD pure”. ]

Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Where it comes into play with Bible preservation, knowing that verse 7 is talking about the words of the Lord of verse 6, the ‘scholars’ think, “Since the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek, those Hebrew and Greek words are the words of God. So, God is going to keep and preserve those Hebrew and Greek words”. That’s why they get Bible preservation connected with preserving the Hebrew and Greek word of God. And that’s why they think the final authority is the Hebrew and the Greek. Because that’s where God preserved his word they believe. And that’s why they think you have to study the Hebrew and the Greek to understand the Bible. Because that’s where God preserved his words they think. But the truth of the matter is these verses don’t mean that God will preserve the exact Hebrew and Greek words. The preservation of the pure words of the LORD is not in the Majority Text or the Traditional Text or the Textus Receptus (Greek and/or Hebrew manuscripts) or the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries of Strong’s Concordance. The preservation of the pure words of the LORD is in the English Authorised King James Bible.

When the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”, He is not saying, “The original writings were given by inspiration of God”. The scriptures that the Holy Spirit, THE AUTHOR OF THE SCRIPTURE, is speaking of are the scriptures that were available to Paul and Timothy, which were not the originals. “Scripture” (vs. 16) does not mean ‘only the originals’ or Timothy could not have known the holy scriptures (vs. 15). Knowing that scripture is something that is available, I believe that the scripture that God has provided for me (in English) “is given by inspiration of God”.

Since the originals, there has always been a pure, inerrant, infallible, available manifestation of the word of God. Included in the history of the pure word of God are: Old Testament Hebrew, Old Testament Syriac, Greek New Testament, Old Syriac (Pheshitto), Old Latin (not Jerome’s), Martin Luther’s German Bible, and the Authorized King James Version.

I believe that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”, with “scripture” defined in 2 Timothy 3:15 as available scripture. I’ve found that the Bible example for us to follow is to believe the scripture (John 2:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, etc.). I believe the scripture is the word of truth as it calls itself. I believe the original scripture and the available scripture are inerrant. If not, then, the scripture would not serve God’s purpose in writing (Proverbs 22:20-21; Psalm 119:41-43). I believe God preserved the purity of the words of the Lord (Psalm 12:6-7). I believe the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. I believe that to understand the Bible, you must believe what it says, search the scriptures, comparing scripture with scripture (comparing Bible verses with Bible verses by word association). See 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 and John 6:63.

I believe the Authorized King James Version is the inerrant Bible because: 1) There are obvious errors in the others (2 Samuel 21:19; Mark 1:2; Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:4; Matthew 5:22) and 2) All the while that A V critics strain at gnats and swallow camels, there is still not one proven error in its text.

Following the Lord’s example, a man called by God should preach and teach “as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). The Lord gave us our authority for edification (2 Corinthians 10:8). Paul told Titus to “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Make full proof of thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).

The Authorized King James Version is the preserved, inerrant word of God.

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

This verse in its context could not possibly refer to 'only the originals'. Look at verse 8. “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” Here Jesus said that he had given the words, which God had given to him, which is essentially what all the human writers of the Bible did. Then, he says, in verse 20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;". The Lord's prayer in John 17 he prayed for me. He asked God to sanctify ME through his truth. And then he said, "Thy word is truth". I must believe that I have God's word and that His word is truth.

Peter said, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy” in verse 19. In the verses before, Peter was speaking of the voice of God from heaven. Then, in verses 20-21, he spoke of the inspiration of scripture. Peter said that because of the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Peter (we) had a more sure word than God speaking from heaven. Peter claimed just as much (or more) inspiration for the scripture that he had [he said, “we have”] as the original scripture. And he actually said that the scripture that he had was “more sure” than the original!

The Two Kingdoms

2009-05-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

In 1 Chronicles 29:11, “the kingdom” is described as “all that is in the heaven and in the earth”. This is undoubtedly the kingdom of heaven, the reign over the literal, physical, visible people, creatures, and things in the universe.

According to Daniel 2:44 & 7:27, God shall set up his reign over the kingdom of heaven and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

When John the Baptist and Jesus Christ came preaching to Israel, they said that the setting up of God’s reign (the kingdom of heaven) was near (at hand). [Matthew 3:1-2 and 4:17]

In Matthew 5, 6, and 7, Jesus preached the famous sermon on the mount to prepare them for the soon coming reign of Christ on the earth. The following should be noted concerning this sermon of our Lord:

1. Chapter 5: verse 8 has to do with the “King of glory” [see Psalm 24].

2. Chapter 5: verse 9 seems to put a condition on being “called the children of God”.

3. According to what Jesus said in Chapter 5: verse 22, Paul would “be in danger of hell fire” if he was in the kingdom of heaven. [See 1 Corinthians 15:36.]

4. According to Chapter 5: verses 29-30, you should sever and throw away your body parts to prevent “that thy whole body should be cast into hell”.

5. Notice the mention of Jerusalem as “the city of the great King” in Chapter 5: verse 35.

6. Notice how well Chapter 5: verses 43 & 44 blend in with the old testament [see Psalm 139:21-22 and Proverbs 25:21-22].

7. Now notice especially that verse 44 lists conditions for being a child of the “Father which is in heaven” according to verse 45. [And this time, it does not merely say, “be called the children of God” like in 5:9.]

8. In Chapter 6: verse 9, Jesus tells them to pray “Our Father” which is a Jewish national title for God – not a Christian title for God.

9. Chapter 6: verse 10 has the Jews in the tribulation praying for God to set up his kingdom [Luke 1:31-33] on earth.

10. Chapter 6: verse 11 has them asking for manna during the wilderness journey in the tribulation.

11. The end of the prayer (verse 13) mentions that everlasting kingdom.

12. Chapter 6: verses 14 – 15 gives forgiving as a requirement for gaining God’s forgiveness. This is, of course, in direct contrast to all my sins being forgiven when I got saved [Colossians 2:13].

13. The sermon on the mount was to Jewish disciples only [see Chapter 6: verse 32].

14. Jesus had to tell them to “seek the kingdom of God” because they were only seeking the kingdom of heaven and had no idea about the kingdom of God or spiritual things. [See John 3:10.]

15. Chapter 7: verses 15-20 give a strong implication of works for salvation, especially verses 18-19.

According to Matthew 8:11-12, some “children of the kingdom” of heaven “shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” There are lost children of the kingdom of heaven. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)

“ This gospel of the kingdom ” is given in Matthew 24:4-13. His disciples asked him in Matthew 24:3, “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” His coming is to set up his reign on earth over the kingdom of heaven, the everlasting kingdom. Jesus spoke for ten verses and then said, “This gospel of the kingdom” meaning what he had just said.

This is not the gospel that Paul preached (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Characteristics of The Kingdom of God

Jesus had to tell them to “seek the kingdom of God” (in Matthew 6:33) because they were only seeking the kingdom of heaven (their prophesied Messiah to set up his everlasting kingdom) and had no idea about the kingdom of God or spiritual things. [See John 3:10.] Israel, nationally, never did seek the kingdom of God.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you”. While both kingdoms were said to be “at hand”, the kingdom of heaven is nowhere said to have come.

In fact, Jesus told Pilate that the kingdom of heaven had not yet come. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

There are, of course, verses that show similarities between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. For an example, see Matthew 19:23-24. However, just as a cat and a dog have some similarities but are not the same animal, the two kingdoms are both kingdoms but not the same kingdom.

Mark 14:25 compared to Matthew 26: 29 and Luke 22:15-18 shows that during the reign of Christ on earth both kingdoms will be present.

Joseph of Arimathaea, according to Mark 15:43 and Luke 23:50-51, waited for the kingdom of God. He and other disciples obviously were waiting for the baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-5) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) at which time and thereafter the new birth (John 3:3-6) could take place.

According to Luke 16:16, “the kingdom of God is preached” since John. “The law and the prophets were until John”. This, of course, implies that the kingdom of God was not preached before John.

According to Luke 17:20-21, the kingdom of God is not the literal, physical, visible people, creatures, and things in the universe as the kingdom of heaven is. The kingdom of God is obviously spiritual – “is within you”.

Luke 19:11 either shows that the title “kingdom of God” is sometimes used for the kingdom of heaven or is just in reference to the kingdom of God coming at the day of Pentecost.

Luke 21:31 with Matthew 24:33 and Mark 13:29 shows that the title “kingdom of God” is definitely sometimes used for the kingdom of heaven.

According to John 3:3-6, a man has to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. This is in direct contrast to Matthew 8:11-12, where it is clearly seen that some children of the kingdom of heaven (verse 11) “shall be cast into outer darkness”.

Acts 14:22 uses the title “kingdom of God” speaking about the earned reward of reigning with Christ in the kingdom “if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17-18).

Romans 14:17 emphasizes the spiritual kingdom of God.

According to 1 Corinthians 15:50, our new body will not consist of “flesh and blood” although it will consist of “flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39-40).

Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-5, and 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 are other passages speaking about the earned reward of reigning with Christ like Acts 14:22.

The Gap Doctrine

2009-05-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

[Proof from scripture that the gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is a fact, not a theory.]

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

The date of the original creation is not given.

Here in Genesis 1:1, heaven is singular in contrast to "the heavens" of Genesis 2:1, proving that verses 1:2-31 are not a description of 1:1. In the first verse, there is only one heaven, but after the renewal of the face of the earth (verses 2 to 31), there are three heavens. The first heaven, where fowl fly above the earth, is in verse 20. The second heaven, where the sun, moon, and stars are (verses 14-18) is between two great bodies of water (verses 6-8). The third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2) is in verse 1.

Some have made the claim that "the beginning of the creation" (2 Peter 3:4-6) was the six day time period in which God created Adam because of Mark 10:6 where Jesus said, "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female." This claim is staked in order to prove that there could not be a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. This denial of the gap may seem to be supported by Mark 13:19, where Jesus also said, "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be." This definition of "the beginning of the creation", however, becomes a problem when you see that the Lord Jesus Christ, himself, is called "the beginning of the creation of God" in Revelation 3:14.

In order to more perfectly understand "the beginning", we must search the scriptures. We will find that some scriptures that mention "the beginning" will match Genesis 1:1 and some will not. I find only seven verses that mention "the beginning" which match Genesis 1:1. They are 1 John 1:1; John 1:1; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 8:22,23; Isaiah 40:21; and Hebrews 1:10. If you try to put any others into the Genesis 1:1 context, you will have trouble reconciling them with the rest. For example, where was Abram’s tent in the beginning? (See Genesis 13:3). "In the beginning was the Word [“the Word of life" (1 John 1:1)], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [the word which "is true from the beginning" (Psalm 119:160)]. The best definition of "the beginning" is found by comparing Genesis 1:1 with Isaiah 40:21 and Hebrews 1:10. " In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. " " Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? " " And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: " The definition of "the beginning" is: when God laid the foundation(s) of the earth.

Again, comparing scripture with scripture will provide essential information. We now must look at matching verses for "the foundations of the earth" (Job 38:4; Psalm 82:5; Psalm 104:5). From Job 38:4-7, I learn that when God laid the foundations of the earth, there were morning stars singing and sons of God shouting for joy and also that the original earth had a cornerstone. I feel safe in guessing that it was a head cornerstone, just as Jesus Christ is the head cornerstone of the household of God (Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Ephesians 2:19-22), and was shaped like a pyramid. I would also guess that, having a head cornerstone, the earth was a precious jewel made of gold, silver, and precious stones (Proverbs 20:15; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Revelation 21:10-21). This is a good explanation of why Lucifer was covered with every precious stone (Ezekiel 28:13)...

Continuing to compare scripture with scripture, looking at matching verses for "the foundations of the earth", I see in Psalm 82:5 that "all the foundations of the earth are out of course". How could this be? What happened to make the earth "without form and void"? Psalm 104:5-6 says, "Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment:" (Compare Hebrews 1:10-11)

Now, before going any further, some facts must be established by comparing scripture with scripture. We must look at the indications from some other verses. The word "replenish" is in the Bible only two times. Once it is in Genesis 9:1 after a flood. The other occurrence of the word is in Genesis 1:28 [obviously after a flood]. The phrase "without form and void" is in the Bible only two times. Once it is in Jeremiah 4:23 in a context of God's judgment. The other occurrence of the phrase is in Genesis 1:2 [obviously in a context of God's judgment]. Also, the phrase "the face of the waters" is in the Bible only two times. Once it is in Genesis 7:18 during a flood. The other occurrence of the phrase is in Genesis 1:2 [obviously during a flood]. To make it absolutely clear, look at Psalm 104:30 (a verse that nobody even mentions when discussing the gap doctrine). "Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." The context is animals and creatures of the sea. Psalm 104:30 says that the creation, which included the creation of the animals, was a renewing of the face of the earth not the original creation.

References for "the deep": Genesis 1:2; 7:11; 8:2; 49:25; Job 38:30; 41:31-32; Psalm 104:5-6; and Proverbs 8:28.

References for "the face of the waters": Genesis 1:2; 7:18; Job 26:7-10; 38:30; 37:18; Revelation 4:6; and 15:2....

Ezekiel 28:12-17 describes Lucifer before his rebellion against God. Verse 14 says, "Thou art the anointed". He was an anointed Christ, Messiah, and King. ["He is a king over all the children of pride." Job 41:34] Verse 14 continues, "Thou (Lucifer) wast upon the holy mountain of God". Since this is before Lucifer's fall, it would do well to search the scriptures for this "holy mountain of God".

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." Psalms 48:1-2

"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God," Rev 21:10

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." Isaiah 14:13-15

The "holy mountain of God" is "the city of God" in the sides of the north. That great city, the holy Jerusalem, is "in the sides of the north". The north - the farthest north, the third heaven is obviously where the holy city of God is (Galatians 4:25-26). The city, called a mountain, is shaped like a mountain or pyramid. New Jerusalem is God's replacement for the original earth and will be the home of born again Christians from the church age who are replacements for the angels who have fallen and those who will fall and follow Satan. Sons of God (angels) were the inhabitants of the original earth and sons of God will be the inhabitants of New Jerusalem.

Now back to Psalm 104:5-6, notice that verse 5 says that the foundations of the earth were laid "that it [the foundation of the earth] should not be removed for ever". Psalm 125:1 says that mount Zion "cannot be removed, but abideth for ever". Mount Zion (the holy city, new Jerusalem) was the cornerstone and foundation of the original earth.

“And the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:5). When God covered the earth with the deep (Psalm 104:6) - when the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2), the earth was pushed down into the deep (waters), but the foundation stayed.

“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6). “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” (Genesis 1:2)

"Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away." Psalms 104:1-7

God rebuked the waters in Genesis 1:6, saying, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." When God made the firmament, the waters hasted away from the earth unlike the floodwaters of Noah's time. Notice that in making this firmament, God did not say that it was good like on the other days

This firmament is the Heaven in which God placed the sun, moon, and stars (verses 14-19). Waters - see Psalm 148:4 and Job 41:1, 31-32. The Exodus through the Red Sea is a picture of the rapture when the Christians will go through the sea onward to heaven. [See also Ecclesiastes 9:12; Habakkuk 1:14; Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17.]

Man's Origin, Man's Destiny

2009-05-21T09:31:00.001-07:00

Man's Origin, Man's Destiny

From the Epilogue (pages 271-272):

"Science (so-called) has been misused for a hundred years to invalidate the testimony of God in the Scriptures (particularly the argument from design). The biblical story of creation has been laughed out of court, and chance and natural selection have been put in its place. Huxley and others have reiterated ad nauseam that God is now an unnecessary concept. But science, real science, knows that a prime cause (or mover) is now just as necessary as in the days before "modern" science. The testimony of the Bible is still just as valid today as is the testimony of the living Christ in a living man."

"Moses' witness of Christ is so strong and the internal evidence for the correctness of his writings so compelling, that anyone doubting Moses will doubt any truth, no matter where it comes from or how evident its validity."

Man's Origin, Man's Destiny - A Critical Survey of the Principles of Evolution and Christianity by A.E. Wilder-Smith [Bethany Fellowship, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1975.]

His Plague Is In His Head
For anyone who claims they know there is no God (Richard Dawkins, author of "The God Delusion", and so many other deluded people):

In order for you to know absolutely that there is no God, you would have to have absolute knowledge. You would have to be omniscient which is one of God's attributes. So if you claim to know there is no God, you are claiming to be God yourself. We Christians find it much easier and much more logical to believe in the God of the Bible, the real omniscient Creator of the universe than to believe that you are God.

By the way, if any evolutionist really wanted the truth, he would look at the evolution and creation models side by side, looking at the evidence for each and which one best fits the known facts of science. The book I am currently reading (Scientific Creationism) does this very thing even without Biblical reference until the last chapter of the book. Now, I remember why I thought so highly of this book when I read it the first time.

I quote from page 28:

"Note the wistful suggestion of Isaac Asimov:

"Where did the substance of the universe come from?
..... If 0= +1 + -1, then something which is 0 might just as well become 1 and -1. Perhaps in an infinite sea of nothingness, globs of positive and negative energy in equal sized pairs are constantly forming, and after passing through evolutionary changes, combining once more and vanishing. We are in one of these globs in the period of time between nothing and nothing, and wondering about it."

The source for the Asimov quote is "What Is Beyond The Universe?" Science Digest, Vol. 69 (April 1971), p. 69.

My response to Isaac Asimov, after calming from my infinite burst of laughter, is that there is nothing in poor Isaac's head, or perhaps there is "an infinite sea of nothingness". Thank you Mr. Laughter. Maybe I should read more of Asimov's material for the comedy. You do know that the name 'Isaac' means 'laughter', don't you?

Anyway, Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) had a "plague in his head" and in his heart like leprosy (Leviticus 13:44). I'm sure his views on life and death changed in 1992 when he went to hell. Poor Isaac's soul is now in torment in hell. He is being tormented in the flame of hell and desires to be comforted. And in addition to that he wishes to have someone sent to his family with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and testify unto them, lest they also go to the same place.

Luke 16:19-31 - There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Scientific Creationism
Like I said before "Scientific Creationism" by Henry M. Morris puts creation and evolution side by side and looks at how and where each one does and does not fit in with well known and proven facts of science. Of course, it is creation that fits more perfectly. The book is a very good book. We would like to see the evolutionist answer to the evidence therein. There are only a couple of problems with this book. The biggest problem for the ordinary person would be that in the chapter on the age of the earth, he goes into more detail and technical information than necessary. It is really enough to say simply that dating methods can not be trusted because we can not assume that uniformitarianism is correct. And at the end of the "Old or Young" chapter, he gives a very unnecessary but yet complicated Algebra equation dealing with the proposed population of the earth if man has been here for a million years or more. Then, in his last chapter, "Creation According To Scripture", is perhaps the most important thing in the whole issue of scientific creationism; that is the Biblical references to the second law of thermodynamics, the law of entropy.

Psalms 102:25-26 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I had said before that an evolutionist should read two books; After Its Kind and The Collapse of Evolution. I would say at this point that an evolutionist should at least read any one good book on the subject. Naturally, the evolutionist would suggest that we Christians read evolution material. And I am not opposed to the idea of reading something suggested by an evolutionist. The problem is that anything written and promoted by evolutionists will be one sided, while the material that I have been reading presents the principles of both sides. So while I am willing to read some evolution material, I am already getting the evolution material. On the other hand, the evolutionist who will not read creationist material doesn't get all the information needed to make an intelligent evaluation of the issue. This is because of several things. The first problem is that Evolutionists assume evolution to be a fact at the start. Then, they have a great lack of understanding of creation principles. And further, they interpret the facts of science and other 'evidences' with a bias to support evolution. Also, they sometimes leave out evidence that favors creation. And finally, they believe that just because they are ignorant of certain things, those things could not possibly be true. For example, since they don't know there is a God, Almighty creator of the universe, there couldn't possibly one. For example, since they have not been "born of the Spirit" of God (John 3:5), it is impossible that anyone else has been Spiritually born and become a new creature in Christ. Since they don't know God and have a personal relationship with him, they think it is impossible that I do. The whole evolution position is ridiculous and based on ignorance.

The Blind Watchmaker
The Evolutionist. When I told him that I am getting the evolution material in the creationist books that I am reading, he said that he doubted that. He did say that he had read "Life: How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or By Creation?" (by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society) and had also looked through a book called "Darwin's Black Box" by Michael Behe. [Having checked into these two books I found that they unfortunately are not sufficient to refute evolution by teaching creation. He has not done enough research to know the evidence for creation and against evolution.] And he suggested that I read some books by Richard Dawkins to be sure that I really understand evolution. I have obtained "The Selfish Gene" and "The Blind Watchmaker".

So I thought I would make a few comments concerning this book The Blind Watchmaker. Richard (the Deluded and Blind Hearted) Dawkins states on the first page of his preface that "The problem is complexity of design. The complexity of living organisms is matched by the elegant efficiency of their apparent design. This amount of complex design cries out for an explanation." Then, on the next page, he says, "the Darwinian world-view is the only known theory that could, in principle, solve the mystery of our existence." Since Dawkins admits apparent design, you should be able to see right away what he is going to do. He is going to take away from you the obvious truth in order to teach you a lie.

I am only 50 pages into his book and have seen several times that he can't make his mind up whether we were designed or not. He is very confused. On page 5, he says, "the only watchmaker in nature is the blind forces of physics". Yet at the same time (in the same sentence even) he says that all appearances are to the contrary. Hence he has to lie and tell you that the obvious truth is a lie. He calls natural selection 'the blind watchmaker' and says that natural selection is the explanation for the existence of all life and that while natural selection has no purpose in mind, it deceives us by giving "apparently purposeful form of all life". Well, apparently, natural selection is a very deceptive process which can not be trusted as an explanation for life. [Actually, evolution would be the purpose of natural selection (as my wife said) if it were true.]

"We are entirely accustomed to the idea that complex elegance is an indicator of premeditated, crafted design. This is probably the most powerful reason for the belief, held by the vast majority of people that have ever lived, in some kind of deity." [Preface, page xii.]

It is so obvious to any person who will actually use that grey mass inside his head that life and the universe were created that you must stretch your imagination and deceive yourself in order to not believe in the Creator. You have to be educated out of your belief in Almighty God. In fact, Dawkins also says, "it took a very large leap of the imagination for Darwin and Wallace to see that there is another way". Absolutely. That really describes evolution. Evolution is a very large leap of the imagination. Evolution is so far out into never never land with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell that Dawkins says on page xi, "It is almost as if the human brain were specifically designed to misunderstand Darwinism, and find it hard to believe". Absolutely.

It is absolutely true that the human brain was designed to not understand Darwinism and to not believe it. The Bible says so. Romans 1:19-24 says "That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts."

Evolutionists have ignored the revelation of God that "God hath shewed unto them". They are without excuse. They knew God. They glorified him not. They were not thankful to God. They are vain in their imaginations. They have a foolish darkened heart. They have made fools of themselves. They need a change of heart.

Post Note:

Any really honest person has to admit that there is design in the creation no matter how it came about. Creation is the proper word. If Evolution were true then Evolution by natural selection is the Creator. There is design in the creation; not just apparent design. The creation has design. That is an absolute truth. The problem for the evolutionist is to admit the design in creation and still not believe in the designer. The only answer is to lie about the design. "It is not really design; it is just apparent design." "The Watchmaker is blind." As Dawkins says (page 5, The Blind Watchmaker), "A true watchmaker has foresight: he designs and plans with a future purpose in mind". Natural Selection, however, according to Dawkins, is deceptive, giving the appearance of design which is not really there. Natural Selection and Evolution is a lie. The True Watchmaker is God the Creator of the Universe and the Author of life.

The Alexandrian Cult Mentality (Part Two)

2009-05-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

October 8, 1993

Brother Mark,

I am not interested in wasting time, yours or mine, but I must answer your letter. There are some things added to this letter, not stated in my first letter, and there are some things that you misunderstood. I trust that you will pray for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding as you read this letter. And I pray that the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) [By the way, my ‘central issue’ is THE TRUTH of any doctrine. I trust that this letter will not be a waste of your time, and I’ll not write to you, again, on this subject except by your request.] “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” (2 Timothy 2:7)

I believe in the words of the Authorized King James Version. Believing THE WORDS OF THAT BOOK saved me. I did not know, when I received Jesus as my saviour, in May 1981, that there were such differences in versions of the Bible. I believed BY FAITH AND BY A SPIRITUAL WITNESS that the A V is the word of God, without error, and therefore the words of truth, i.e. the infallible authority in all matters of faith and practice. As I have read and studied the A V, in the past five years, and read completely through it four or five times, there has been and still is A SPIRITUAL WITNESS TO BELIEVE WHAT THE WORDS OF THAT BOOK SAY. In studying the difference between the versions, THAT WITNESS TELLS ME EVERY TIME TO BE-LIEVE WHAT THE A V SAYS where others differ from it. So, I believe BY FAITH IN AN AVAILABLE AUTHORITY that God wrote infallibly in the original Hebrew and Greek writings and that He, through copies and translations, preserved the purity and inerrancy of the words of the Lord (Psalm 12:6-7), and what GOD HAD IN MIND WHEN HE WROTE PROVERBS 22:20-21 is the preservation of an infallible authority (the certainty of the words of truth). I know that fallible men copied and translated the scriptures, but fallible men also wrote the original scriptures. Your education and /or my education on textual criticism & manuscript evidence could be false evidence made to order to prove what someone wanted to prove, just as possible as someone producing a Greek manuscript containing 1 John 5:7 made to order to get Erasmus to put it in his text. And IT IS MORE REASONABLE TO, BY FAITH IN AN AVAILABLE AUTHORITY, BELIEVE IN THE PRESERVATION OF SCRIPTURAL INERRANCY THAN TO, BY FAITH IN AN UNAVAILABLE AUTHORITY, BELIEVE THAT GOD WROTE SOMETHING INFALLIBLE WITHOUT PRESERVING INERRANCY. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8). “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men ... Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition ... MAKING THE WORD OF GOD OF NONE EFFECT THROUGH YOUR TRADITION” (Mark 7:8,9,13)

I did not say (in person nor by letter) that 2 Timothy 3 was not in the originals. What I said is that when the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”, He is not saying, “The original writings were given by inspiration of God”. The scriptures that the Holy Spirit, THE AUTHOR OF THE SCRIPTURE, is speaking of are the scriptures that were available to Paul and Timothy, which were not the originals. (What I meant that I thought you agreed with is that Timothy did not have the originals.) “Scripture” (vs. 16) does not mean ‘only the originals’ or Timothy could not have known the holy scriptures (vs. 15). Knowing that scripture is something that is available, I believe that the scripture that God has provided for me (in English) “is given by inspiration of God”. Since scripture does not mean ‘only the originals’ 2 Timothy 3:16 is less evidence for the originals being inerrant than the present scripture being inerrant. Defining ‘scripture’ as ‘the originals’ takes the word out of context every time it appears in the Bible.

I never said that the King James Bible is the only manifestation of the Word of God. I say, since the originals, there has always been a pure, inerrant, infallible, available manifestation of the word of God. Included in the history of the pure word of God are: Old Testament Hebrew, Old Testament Syriac, Greek New Testament, Old Syriac (Pheshitto), Old Latin (not Jerome’s), Martin Luther’s German Bible, and the Authorized King James Version. You see I know that Isaiah and Paul did not use the A V. They believed the scripture that God gave to them (Acts 24:14). The A V has been translated into many other languages. And what you call the best Greek manuscripts are not the best Greek manuscripts. You just believed what some man told you because he was ‘educated’ and you assumed that he was telling the truth. Any edition of the A V will do just fine. Your mention of the various editions makes me wonder if you know what the differences in the A V editions are. There were some changes in the spelling of some words, corrections of typographical errors, and some minor changes in the wording in some places, which did not corrupt the text!

I have a hang-up concerning the 20th century definition and usage of ‘imitation’? Really? Nay, but that is the hang-up of the ‘revision’ committees from 1881-2000 A.D. Did you not say, “The greatest argument against the use of the KJV is that it is archaic English, incomprehensible at many points”? Yet to defend the NASV reading, you are using archaic Greek! You said, “The choice of the word was based upon a human understanding of what the word meant to Paul as he wrote in Greek and an accurate translation of that meaning in English”. I BELIEVE THAT. BUT I’LL NOT ACCEPT A HUMAN UNDERSTANDING WHEN GOD HAS GIVEN ME A SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING. AND I WON’T SETTLE FOR WHAT PAUL MEANT AS HE WROTE IN GREEK WHEN I HAVE WHAT GOD MEANT WHEN HE WROTE IN ENGLISH.

You’re right that the question is not whether the A V is different from the NASV (or any other version). But the statement that “The question is which translation reflects the oldest and best readings” is a human understanding that you were taught by some man. The best readings to you is a matter of your opinion based on your education. (Remember what I said about our education on page 1.) The question is: IS THERE AN INFALLIBLE AUTHORITY AVAILABLE TODAY? That is the question. AND THE ANSWER IS THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH OF MY FIRST LETTER. IF YOU BELIEVED WHAT PROVERBS 22:20-21; PSALM 119:41-43; 12:6-7; AND 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6,8 SAY, THEN, THE DIFFERENCES THAT I LISTED WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU. BUT YOU BELIEVE YOUR EDUCATION INSTEAD OF BELIEVING THE WORD(S) THAT GOD CALLED YOU TO PREACH. THEREFORE, YOU MERELY DEFEND YOUR POSITION WITH YOUR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING INSTEAD OF FACING THE TRUTH. THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE ARE OBVIOUS ERRORS IN THE NASV (AND OTHER VERSIONS) THAT YOU WON’T DEAL WITH SENSIBLY BECAUSE YOU HOLD THE TRADITION OF MEN. THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU CAN’T PROVE THAT THERE IS EVEN A SINGLE ERROR IN THE TEXT OF THE AUTHORIZED VERSION. What some man taught you about 1 John 5:7 not being genuine means nothing. I gave evidence for 1 John 5:7 in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphs on page 2 of my first letter that you did not answer. The word ‘baptize’ is not an error, for it is defined as immersion in Romans 6 and Colossians 2:10-12. A Christian is condemned for walking after the flesh; therefore, Romans 8:1 is not an error. Condemned does not mean ‘condemned to hell’ if the passage does not say ‘condemned to hell’. Acts 27:16 is really a silly example of an ‘incomprehensible’ passage. In verse 4, “we sailed under Cyprus” and in verse 7, “we sailed under Crete”. Then, verse 16 says, “running under a certain island”. They sailed south of Cyprus, south of Crete, and sailed south of the island called Clauda. Oh, how archaic to use the word ‘running’ when we really mean sailing! (Is your car running? Is your refrigerator running?) Just because you don’t understand the use of the word ‘ghost’ in the Bible does not make it an error. And a demon or evil spirit impersonating a departed person is not a ghost. He is impersonating a ghost.

CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY:

You believe that the original writings of God were inerrant without any scriptural proof and therefore by faith. You believe that the inerrancy of the scripture was not preserved without any scriptural proof. You believe that there is no final and absolute authority for Christians. You believe that to understand the Bible, you must search the original manuscripts, which cannot be done since they are not available. You believe that education and scholarship are a higher authority than the Bible.

I believe that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”, with “scripture” defined in 2 Timothy 3:15 as available scripture. I’ve found that the Bible example for us to follow is to believe the scripture (John 2:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, etc.). I believe the scripture is the word of truth as it calls itself. I believe the original scripture and the available scripture are inerrant. If not, then, the scripture would not serve God’s purpose in writing (Proverbs 22:20-21; Psalm 119:41-43). I believe God preserved the purity of the words of the Lord (Psalm 12:6-7). I believe the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. I believe that to understand the Bible, you must believe what it says, search the scriptures, comparing scripture with scripture (comparing Bible verses with Bible verses by word association). See 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 and John 6:63. I believe the Authorized King James Version is the inerrant Bible because: 1) There are obvious errors in the others (2 Samuel 21:19; Mark 1:2; Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:4; Matthew 5:22) and 2) All the while that A V critics strain at gnats and swallow camels, there is still not one proven error in its text.

Following the Lord’s example, a man called by God should preach and teach “as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). The Lord gave us our authority for edification (2 Corinthians 10:8). Paul told Titus to “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Make full proof of thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).

You say that I am loyal to texts and translations, which have been shown to be faulty. I am loyal to the Authorized Version of the Bible. Where has the text of the A V been shown to be faulty? Certainly not anything that you have shown. Where is it faulty? I don’t believe the A V has any errors. If I’m wrong, please, help me. Teach me. Prove one error in the A V text.

I have not dealt with the simple issue that we do not have one manuscript, which is in complete agreement with another because it means nothing. So, what? We do not have the originals either; yet, you believe that they are inerrant. Who needs an exact duplication of the autographic text? The English text is far superior to it.

It is not a matter of holding my translation above any other. It is a matter of exalting the word of God to its proper place. “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow” (Philippians 2:10). “And his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). “Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2). “In God will I praise his word” (Psalm 56:10). The word of God is “him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

You may still say, if you so choose, that I have written nothing that supports my assertion that the KJV is the inspired translation of the Word of God, although I have (combining my two letters) given ample proof, for any man who believes what the Bible says, that the Authorized King James Version is the preserved, inerrant word of God, and therefore it is the infallible and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Also, nothing you have written sup-ports your belief that the original scriptures were inerrant. And nothing you have written supports your belief that the A V has errors or is incomprehensible. If a man studies the Bible by the Bible method, all the words are plain and right (Proverbs 8:8-9).

“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully” (Jeremiah 23:28). “Every man’s word shall be his burden; FOR YE HAVE PERVERTED THE WORDS OF THE LIVING GOD” (Jeremiah 23:36). “Is not my word like as a fire?” (Jeremiah 23:29) “And my speech was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

WITH LOVE,
YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST,

Gary N Alford
Galatians 6:6

[Of course, I never heard from him again.]

The Alexandrian Cult Mentality

2009-05-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

The following correspondence between myself (Gary N Alford) and Mark A. Ellis (a typical Alexandrian Cult member) who, in the fall of 1993, was the pastor of _____ Baptist Church in Wylie, Texas will display the Bible believer’s solid foundation for believing that the Authorized King James Version is the inerrant, infallible word of God and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice. And the following will also display the typical insanity and the utter stupidity of the brainwashed fool who is spoiled “through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men” (Colossians 2:8), “making the word of God of none effect” (Mark 7:13)

September 24, 1993

Brother Mark,

When I began our conversation on the Bible, I started with the statement in your statement of faith under the heading of THE SCRIPTURES. I have two questions concerning that statement. 1) Is the Bible the scriptures? (In other words, if the scriptures are only the originals, and not the Bible we presently have, why is the Bible under that heading?) 2) Since you believe that only the originals were without error, shouldn’t your written statement say, “ the Bible was without error ” instead of “ is without error ”? You did say that all translations have errors. (In other words, why use the present tense in your printed statement and then, use the past tense in your oral statement? The tenses should match.)

When I gave Proverbs 22:20-21 as God’s reason for writing the scriptures, you said that was good. But when I explained that if that is the reason for God writing the scriptures, then, He would have preserved the inerrancy of the scriptures so that we can still be certain of the words of truth, you said that I was making a humanistic assumption.

When I last spoke to you (on the telephone), you said that the reason you believe the originals were inerrant is because the scriptures were God-breathed and God would not breath out error. I think I explained that the scriptures of 2 Timothy 3:15-16 are not the originals. I think you agreed. Besides that, 2 Timothy 3:16 doesn’t say anything about inerrancy at all. By using that verse for inerrancy, you are making a bigger assumption than I am.

In fact, when I read Proverbs 22:20-21, Psalms 119:41-43, and Psalm 12:6-7, the only thing I’m assuming is that the words of the King James Bible are the words of truth and that those words mean exactly what they say. And if Proverbs 22:20-21 doesn’t mean what it says (We can know the certainty of the words of truth by what God has written), then, what does it mean? I asked you that in person and you never answered the question. To make it absolutely clear, Paul said, “ Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? ” (I Corinthians 5:6) Then, in verse 8, he said, Let us keep the feast with the UNLEAVENED BREAD OF TRUTH.

When I mentioned the substitution of the word ‘imitators’ for the word ‘followers’ in I Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1, you said that I just have a problem with the word ‘imitate’. You’re right; I do. Do you have any idea why I have a problem with it? Don’t you know that a Christian can be an imitator of Christ without being a follower of Christ? Don’t you know that there are just enough similarities between the devil & Jesus Christ to show that he is an imitator of Christ but not a follower of Christ? While the word ‘imitate’ could possibly mean follow, it is clear that it could also mean mimic, mock, and counterfeit. The word ‘followers’ is obviously more clear and easier to understand (which is the claimed reason for the RSV, ASV, NIV, NASV, etc.). Now, with this in mind, why do the modern revision committees (having the Authorized Version on their tables) have a problem with the word ‘followers’? Who but the devil would have inspired them to change the word to get verses that teach the Christian to follow the devil, by imitating Christ, without teaching the Christian to follow Christ? The two verses we are dealing with in this paragraph are obviously better readings and more clear in the A.V. than in the NASV, NKJV, etc. There are more on page 2.

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION

3. Elhanan killed Goliath
(2 Samuel 21:19)

KING JAMES BIBLE

Elhanan slew the brother of Goliath

4. Mark 1:2 is “written in Isaiah the prophet" (NSAV)

Mark 1:2 is “written in the prophets” (KJV) (See Malachi 3:1)

5. There is no condemnation for Christians (Including those who walk not after the Spirit, but after the flesh)(NASV)

There is no condemnation to Christians who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (KJV)

6. A Christian does not need to study the word of truth to be approved unto God, neither should he make proper divisions in the word of truth (NASV)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God... rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV)

7. Once you are in Christ, you could be cut apart from Christ (you can lose your salvtion) (NASV)

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever
of you are justified by the law” (you were not saved in the first place)(KJV)

8. The proofs of Christ’s resurrection were convincing, but not infallible (a problem with the word 'infallible'?) (NASV)

The proofs of Christ’s resurrection are “infallible proofs”.
(KJV)

9. It is a sin to be angry (Matthew 5:22), so, Jesus is a sinner (John 2:13-16)(NASV)

It is a sin to be angry “without a cause”, so, Jesus is not a sinner (John 2:13-16)(KJV)

10. Let’s take the Lord out of his own book. (NASV)

Let’s leave the Lord in His Book (KJV)(1 Corinthians 15:47)

Should I John 5:7 be in the Bible? “Yea, hath God said?”

The Trinitarian Bible Society of London attributes the blotting out of the verse to Adamantius Origen. The Society points out that Origen had a tremendous influence over the “transmission of the Greek text” in the period in which most ancient copies were written. Origen revised the Greek texts in Egypt and Palestine.

If the verse was invented and inserted, why wasn’t the Matthew 28:19 formula used? It would have been easier to get the verse to pass as genuine if it said, “ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ”.

With 1 John 5:7 omitted, you have in the text “witnesses” that are masculine with three neuter nouns, and these three masculine witnesses agree as one neuter witness. THE GENDERS DON’T MATCH.

However, with the verse retained, you have two masculine objects to get the masculine witnesses. Furthermore, we know that the Holy Spirit is a male person (John 14:16-17; 16:13-15), so, even as a neuter gender, He would be included in the Trinity, for He is a member of the Trinity. According to the “power of attraction” in Greek syntax, the masculines in the group control the gender over a neuter connected with it.

John Gill says that Fulgentius cites the verse in 510 A.D. Jerome cited the verse in his epistle to Eustochium (450 A.D.) and wanted to know why it was excluded from some texts. Athanasius quotes it in 350 A.D. Cyprian quoted it in 250 A.D. Tertullian quotes it around 200 A.D. The A.V. translators had Erasmus, Stephanus, and Beza witnessing to the verse and they also had four Waldensian Bibles, which contained the verse. Other witnesses are Manuscript 61 (1500A.D.), Miniscule 88 (1150 A.D.), Wianburgensis (750 A.D.), Old Latin (200 A.D.), Tatian (180 A.D.), and Old Syriac (170 A.D.). In conclusion, by considering the witnesses for and against the verse, you must believe that the verse is genuine or not by faith. The only other evidence that I’m aware of is the statements made in the three paragraphs previous to this one.

Please, respond by answering the seven questions on page one of this letter, answering the verse comparison above, and also, please, send me a list of the other mistakes in the King James Bible.

Gary N Alford

[Note: As I now follow with Mr. Ellis’ response letter, I feel it to be appropriate to add some comments here and there. These notes will be put in brackets. As you read the following, keep in mind that I asked him to answer seven questions, most of which he did not.
1. If the scriptures are only the originals, and not the Bible we presently have, why is the Bible under that heading?
2. Why use the present tense in your printed statement, and, then, use the past tense in your oral statement? The tenses should match.
3. If Proverbs 22:20-21 doesn’t mean what it says (we can know the certainty of the words of truth by what God has written), then, what does it mean?
4. Don’t you know that a Christian can be an imitator of Christ without being a follower of Christ?
5. Don’t you know that there are just enough similarities between the devil and Jesus Christ to show that he is an imitator of Christ but not a follower of Christ?
6. Why do the modern revision committees (having the Authorized Version on their tables) have a problem with the word ‘followers’?
7. Who but the devil would have inspired them to change the word to get verses that teach the Christian to follow the devil, by imitating Christ, without teaching the Christian to follow Christ?]

September 30, 1993

Dear Gary,

Thanks for your letter. It is obvious that you took some time in writing it, and I appreciate the effort you went through. Your letter contains lots of accusing, inflammatory rhetoric, which neither poses nor answers questions. They merely add gas to the fire. However, what you sow you reap, and I’ve answered your questions with the same harshness. My purpose is to try to cut through the fog of false spirituality which envelopes your arguments. This is not my normal way of writing.

[Notice that what he calls “rhetoric”, “gas”, and “false spirituality” is a request for honesty (1st paragraph of my letter), a solid faith in what the Bible says (paragraphs 2,3, & 4), a recognition of Satanic inspiration (paragraph 5), a recognition of obvious errors in the NASV (page 2), and clear evidence for 1 John 5:7.]

1. The Bible is the Word of God; the Word of God never passes away. Therefore, even if I do not have the autographs, and even if both texts and translations (including the KJV) have been corrupted, God still knows His Word.

[I guess that is supposed to answer questions 1 and 2. My question (1 & 2) was: Why aren’t you honest enough to put in writing what you really believe? His answer: I am not going to admit that I lie (in my printed statement of faith). Instead I will just say some stupid nonsense in an effort to make you realize that you have no business arguing with someone with my education.]

2. In our conversation you did not state that 2 Timothy 3 was not in the originals, and I would not have agreed with that statement and know of no textual evidence to agree with it. But it does directly attest to the perfect authorship of the autographs.

[He misread my letter. I did not say that 2 Timothy 3 was not in the originals. When Paul spoke of the scriptures in 2 Timothy 3, he was speaking of a copy of the scriptures, not the originals. In other words, Paul did not consider the scriptures of his day (and Timothy) to be any less “given by inspiration of God” than the originals. He said, “It (2 Timothy 3:16) does directly attest to the perfect authorship of the autographs.” without explaining how. What the verse says is, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. Not one time in the Bible does the word ‘scripture’ mean ‘only the originals’. If 2 Timothy 3:16 directly attests to the perfect author-ship of the autographs, then it just as much directly attests to the perfect authorship of the scripture that I hold in my hand.]

3. The challenge you pose with Proverbs 22 is your problem, neither mine nor the Scriptures. Quite simply the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek; if you insist that I choose whether or not the KJV is what Solomon had in mind when he penned Proverbs 22, then the answer is that the KJV is not what Solomon has in mind. I could just as easily argue that he had the NASB in mind. Neither English nor the KJV existed. If you are going to coerce a defense of the KJV out of these verses, and if you are going to argue that the KJV is not merely a translation of the Word of God but is indeed the only manifestation of the Word of God, then we must throw away the KJV as a cheap imitation. Neither Isaiah nor Paul used the KJV. It is a recent arrival in the history of God’s people. Or we must come to some sort of understanding that the KJV is a recreation of the Word of God in English? What do we translate into other languages? The best Greek manuscripts dating back to the third and fourth centuries, or a 17th century translation (KJV) of a 16th century product of text criticism (TR)? Which edition of the KJV do we use? The words were changed as it went through various editions in 1629, 1638, 1653, 1762, 1769 and 1833. Did the Word of God change? Or did men’s translations of the manuscripts change?

[Notice that he still could not answer my 3rd question: What does Proverbs 22:20-21 mean?]

4. Your argument re: imitation is again couched not in lexical considerations, but in your hang-ups concerning the 20th century definition and usage of imitation. The Greek word in 1 Cor. 4:16 is transliterated mimetai, from the root word mimeomai. Liddell and Scott give the following translations for this word: to imitate, re-present, or portray. It was especially used in “mimicking” another’s actions. Scholars do not redefine Greek words based upon what the concept communicates to them, or based upon “cheap imitations”. The one who “inspired” this change in words wasn’t the devil (A highly illogical, inflammatory statement) nor do I imagine it was the Holy Spirit, since I don’t believe the Holy Spirit “inspired” translations in the sense that He chose word for word which words Eng-lash translators were to use. The choice of the word was based upon a human understanding of what the word meant to Paul as he wrote in Greek, and an accurate translation of that meaning in English.

Regarding your last sentence, “The two verses we are dealing with in this paragraph are obviously better readings and more clear in the AV than in the NASV”, this opens a real can of worms for you. The greatest argument against the use of the KJV is that it is archaic English, incomprehensible at many points to the modern reader. In Acts 27, the KJV has Paul running under an island. This is truly a remarkable feat, unless we offer a translation, which is more accurate in that it better suits the language of our day. Imagine the joy short people feel when they read the KJV rendition of the Lord’s promise, “Lo, I am with you always”. “Lo” is only used by archaics. It was not used by Paul, and it is not used by Americans. The KJV is in many places an unclear and confusing translation. It is also inconsistent. Examine the exchange of nouns used to translate pneuma in Acts. Some places it is the Holy Spirit, and some places it is the Holy Ghost. Based upon this inconsistent translation by the KJV, I have had people tell me that based upon the inspired differentiation in this translation, there is a difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost. Heresy! And if we want to use your argument concerning “imitation”, (The devil would love that translation) surely you know that there are no “ghosts”, only demons impersonating as departed people. Who else but the devil could have inspired the translators of the KJV to use a word that would one day have reference only to demons! I jest.

[He said I have a hang-up “concerning the 20th century definition and usage of imitation” and then said, “The greatest argument against the use of the KJV is that it is archaic English”. Now, if I shouldn’t be concerned about 20th century definition and usage, then what’s all the hot air about the King James Version being archaic? (The man is self-contradictory.) Then, he tried to explain why the word ‘imitate’ was used after I had made it absolutely clear that ‘follow’ was a better choice for charity. Since he doesn’t “believe the Holy Spirit “inspired” translations”, then, he could not believe that all of the originals were inspired because every time a new testament writer quoted the old testament he had to translate from Hebrew to Greek!

He also said that “The KJV is in many places an unclear and con-fusing translation.” without giving me the list of verses. Also, notice again that he refuses to answer the rest of my questions: 4-7.]

5. Examples 3, 4, and 5 display that you are arguing the very point you are trying to prove. The question is not whether the KJV is different from the NASB. I know that already. The question is not whether we can use the KJV to measure the NASB. The question is which translation reflects the oldest and best readings. And I don’t trust the KJV as a guide. Regarding 2 Samuel, it is very clear since we do not have a single Hebrew manuscript, which contains the KJV reading, the translators of the KJV must have changed the Word of God to avoid possible confusion regarding who killed Goliath.

[Regarding 2 Samuel 21:19, it is very clear since David killed Goliath, the A V reading is true and the NASV reading is false! Therefore, we conclude that the A V has the correct reading and the NASV reading is an obvious error! ]

Regarding Mark 1:2, 35 early Greek manuscripts and early Christian writers support the reading translated in the NASB, 29 support that of the KJV. Both readings have good evidence. So who’s right? Do I just go along with a seventeenth century decision on that question because some people like it?

[Regarding Mark 1:2, the A V reading is supported by the fact that Mark 1:2 is not a quote from Isaiah. It is from Malachi 3:1, which is “written in the prophets” but not “written in Isaiah the prophet”. So, again, the A V reading is true and the NASV reading is false! Another obvious error in the NASV! ]

Regarding Romans 8:1, the evidence is far more clear. The KJV here reflects a late corruption of the text by men who were troubled at the wonderful doctrine of security Paul asserted in the original. It reflects a conflation from 8:4. All the earlier manuscripts have had their contents corrupted by this phrase being inserted much later. I personally rejoice that the truths of grace have been restored to Romans 8:1 in the NASB, truths hidden in the corrupted text reflected in the KJV.

[Romans 8:1 is not a verse on “the wonderful doctrine of security”. The condemnation of a Christian who walks after the flesh is explained in Hebrews 12:5-11among other places. The NASV reading in Romans 8:1 states that any Christian will have no “chastening of the Lord” including those who walk after the flesh. For the third time, now, the A V reading is true and the NASV reading is false! And as I forewarned, Mr. Ellis has displayed utter stupidity by not recognizing these errors.]

I don’t understand your point in verse six. [2 Timothy 2:15] Your statement in verse seven [Galatians 5:4] reflects a fundamental lack of understanding the argument of Galatians. I have no problem with the word “infallible” [Acts 1:3], but the Word of God does. The original Greek was reflected by the original meaning of infallible to the men translating in 1611, but their understanding of the word means exactly what we mean when we state that the arguments are convincing. If the proofs of the resurrection were infallible in the sense you mean, they would “infallibly” lead men to salvation every time they are used. That would be a lie.

[His statement regarding Galatians 5:4 reflects a fundamental lack of an ability to read plain English. In the A.V., Galatians 5:4 says that Christ has no effect on people who try to justify themselves by the law. In the NASV, the verse says that a person can be cut apart from Christ. So, now, for the fourth time, the A V reading is true and the NASV reading is false! The readings of 2 Samuel 21:19; Mark 1:2; Romans 8:1; and Galatians 5:4 in the NASV are four obvious errors!
“Many infallible proofs” includes “above five hundred” witnesses (I Corinthians 15:1-8) and at least eleven saw him forty days eating and drinking with them and teaching them (Luke 24:13-48).

Mr. Ellis' statement is obvious nonsense. When the Bible says that the proofs of the resurrection are infallible, it means those proofs are perfect and without error. The King James Bible is also perfect and without error. But that doesn't mean it is believed every time it is preached. If what he said was true, then, nobody would ever leave a church lost and everyone in the service would be at the altar during the invitation, either getting saved, confessing sins, or praising God.

Also, if what he said were true, it would be just as true when the word `convincing' is used. However, people are convinced of things that are not true.
Under the law, a man could be put to death " at the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses" (Deuteronomy 17:6). In the case of the Lord's resurrection, we have, after nearly 2000 years, a written account that there were more than 500 witnesses who saw him and handled him (I John 1:1-3). The proofs of it are infallible, although some people are convinced otherwise.]

Regarding Matthew 5, I grant that the Greek word eike (without a cause) is an early reading, but there are numerous first century texts and commentaries, which do not have it. Your extrapolation based upon this verse, that it would make Jesus’ behavior sinful, is probably the best explanation of where it came from. People added to the Word of God to avoid a conflict in the behavior of Jesus. A simpler answer is to notice that the phrase for “being angry” is a nominative use of the present particle, ho orgizomenos. The present tense of the verb indicates denotes continuing action; that what Jesus was condemning was a predisposition of anger without possibility of forgiveness. It was arguments like your own, lacking understanding of Greek grammar, which caused men to add eike to the Word of God, an addition which has made its way into the KJV, showing yet another human corruption of the text.

[Again, Mr. Ellis is ignoring the simple facts of plain and clear English. When it comes to which English reading is true and which one is false, manuscript evidence is meaningless. The NASV makes anger a sin in Matthew 5:22. If anger is a sin, Jesus sinned in John 2:13-16. If Jesus was a sinner, then all of this is pointless and our faith is in vain anyway. Jesus did no sin. Matthew 5:22 in the NASV is another lie. Now, the count is five obvious errors in the NASV!]

Again, question ten misses the point. I’m not taking the Lord out of God’s word, merely out of the KJV (in this verse). I want to know if someone else added these words to the Word of God, placing themselves under a curse. Is it all right to add the Lord to any verse you please just because you want to put the Lord in more places in his own book? Athanasius, who lived from the late 200’s to the early 300’s, who was the strongest defender of the trinity and the Lordship of Christ of his generation, quotes the phrase as it appears in the NASB, not in the KJV. And I assure you he would never take the Lord out of his book. “Let’s take the Lord out of his own book” proves nothing. It doesn’t deal with the textual evidence. It is merely inflammatory rhetoric.

The speculations of the Trinitarian Bible Society of London are just that--speculations. There is not one shred of truth to what they are saying. I would speculate this is merely people grasping at any possible argument to support a translation whose textual base is defective.

Regarding 1 John 5:7, read the article you sent me again. Hills admits concerning the three Greek manuscripts which contain this reading that one was manufactured for Erasmus, and in the other two the Latin text is written into the margins of earlier Greek texts which did not have these words in the original. Did you read what I gave you? Hills admits that this verse was only found in the Latin versions, and has to appeal to the flimsy argument that “It was this usage which made men feel that this reading ought to be included in the Greek text”. Not God, men. Not the original Greek, but a translation. The evidence is not that the reading was “dropped out of the Greek New Testament but was preserved in the Latin”, but that it was a corruption which originated in the Latin and was forced upon the Greek New Testament by Catholics who were uptight that their translation (the Vulgate) had clear corruptions. It is depressing to see people appeal to the providence of God in preserving something, which has no other evidence to support its authenticity.

[I had sent with my letter some information about 1 John 5:7 from “Believing Bible Study” by Edward Hills. I don’t remember or still have a copy of what he gave me. You could guess (judging by his letter) that it was probably worthless. Whatever he gave me and I gave him to read about it, he still failed to comment on four paragraphs of evidence for the verse on page 2 of my letter. Two of those paragraphs have to do with Greek grammar. He said, “It is depressing to see people appeal to the providence of God in pre-serving something which has no other evidence to support its authenticity.” He said, “no other evidence” besides the providence of God after I listed 18 witnesses.]

I find the modern arguments for the accuracy of the KJV are identical to those the Catholics were using against the TR and the KJV in the 1500’s to support their favorite translation, the Vulgate. They and you are loyal to texts and translations, which have been shown to be faulty. But rather than admitting the obvious, those who disagree are bombarded with pious sounding arguments which in the end mean nothing. Most are circular. “Your translation must be wrong because it doesn’t agree with my translation.” So what? That’s the very point being debated.

[I have never said, “Your translation must be wrong because it doesn’t agree with my translation.” I said the NASV (et al) is wrong because it contains plain and clear errors.]

----> You have not dealt with the simple issue that we do not have one manuscript, which is in complete agreement with another; all differ. You have not told me which manuscript is the one, which maintains the exact duplication of the autographic text. The Textus Receptus and the resulting KJV are the products of conflation of fifteen different manuscripts, none of which were in agreement. Did the Word of God disappear until Erasmus put it back together again? Why should I hold your translation above any other?

----> I also get back to my point with you two weeks ago. My time is being consumed with witnessing and discipleship, all using the NASB and all evidencing the blessing of God. Your statement that if you were right would not this be an important issue is true if you are right. But nothing you have written supports the assertion that the KJV is the inspired translation of the Word of God, though I grant it is a usable and beneficial translation for people living in the 1600’s. I assume your letter is a garning of your best arguments, and if so please don’t waste my time on this subject again. If you are interested in growing in your Christian life and want to talk about relevant issues like impacting our increasingly pagan society with the gospel of Jesus Christ, I would love to work together with you for the sake of our Lord. But if the KJV is your central issue, you need to find someone who cares about what you care about. I have more important things to do.

Again, please forgive the forthrightness of my style in this letter. It is not my normal tone. Neither should you assume that I think of you anything other than fondness. I would look forward to seeing you again.

Your Brother in Christ,
Mark A. Ellis
2 Corinthians 7:2-4; 11:1-3;
2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9

Isaiah As A Type of the Bible

2009-05-21T09:21:00.001-07:00

1. There are the same number of chapters in Isaiah as books in the Bible.

2. Isaiah chapter one says, "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth:", which matches the book of Genesis, where the heavens and the earth are created. But also notice that this is verse 2 of Isaiah 1, matching chapter 2 of Genesis where "the heavens and the earth" are in verse 1. (Isaiah 1:2 <--> Genesis 2:1)

3. The 9th verse of Isaiah chapter one matches the 9th chapter of the Bible book one, where "the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant" in dealing with Noah and his sons.

4. "The second book of the Bible is the giving of the law (Exodus), which matches Isaiah's second chapter (2:3- "out of Zion shall go forth the law...")."

5. The third chapter of the second book of the Bible (verse 1 - Moses "came to the mountain of God") matches the third verse of the second chapter of Isaiah ("let us go up to the mountain of the Lord").

6. Isaiah 2:12 matches chapter 12 of Exodus. For in Exodus 12, the "proud and lofty" were "brought low".

7. The book of Leviticus deals with the plague of leprosy, matching Isaiah 3:17, which says, "the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head."

8. The book of Numbers is a written account of the Jewish tribes, which matches Isaiah 4:3, "every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem".

9. Isaiah 5:1 "Now will I sing to my beloved a song" matches Deuteronomy 31:22,30.

10. In Isaiah 5:24, they divorce themselves from the law of the Lord and the word of the Holy One. This matches "a bill of divorcement" in Deuteronomy 24 (verse 1).

11. Isaiah 6:5 matches Joshua chapter 5. In Joshua 5, he is dealing with "a people unclean" and

12. in verses 13-15, Joshua saw the Lord.

13. Isaiah 40:3 matches Matthew chapter 3.

14. The book of Mark presents Jesus Christ as God's servant. Isaiah 41:9 matches Mark chapter 9.

15. The book of Luke presents Jesus as a man, matching Isaiah 42:13.

16. Isaiah 42:13 matches Luke chapter 13 - "he shall prevail against his enemies" <--> "all his adversaries were ashamed".

17. Isaiah 43:1 "the LORD that created" matches John chapter 1 (verse 3).

18. Isaiah 43:1 "I have redeemed thee" matches John chapter 1 (verses 12 & 29).

19. The book of John presents Jesus as God. Isaiah 43:12 says, "I am God".

20. The "I am" in Isaiah 43, verses 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 matches the "I am" in John 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15. (The "I am" is also in Isaiah 43:25 and John chapter 14.)

21. The Holy Spirit is poured out in the book of Acts. Isaiah 44:3 says "I will pour out my spirit".

22. Isaiah 45:19 says, "I the LORD speak righteousness", which matches the theme of the book of Romans. (Also, the word `righteousness' appears six times in Isaiah 45 and Romans is the sixth book of the new testament.)

23.Isaiah 49:6 says, "raise up" matching Ephesians 2:6.

24. Isaiah 49:7's "arise" matches Ephesians (5:14.)

25. Isaiah 49:9's "high places" matches Ephesians (1:3,20; 2:6).

26. Isaiah 50:2 matches Philippians chapter 2 (verse 20).

27. Isaiah 50:4 the learned" matches Philippians chapter 4 (verse 11 - "for I have learned").

28. Isaiah 50:6 matches Philippians "I have suffered" (3:8).

29. Isaiah 50:7 matches Philippians (4:13).

30. Isaiah 50:9 matches Philippians (4:19).

31. Isaiah 51:6 saying, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens" matches Colossians (3:1-2).

32. The judgment of Isaiah 65:11-12 matches the judgment of the book of Jude.

33. Isaiah 66:7 "she was delivered of a man child" matches "she brought forth a man child" in Revelation (12:5).

34. The 2nd Coming in Isaiah 66:15-16 matches the 2nd Coming in Revelation (chapter 19).

35. The new heavens and new earth in Isaiah 66:22 matches the new heaven and new earth in Revelation (21:1).

Breaking Down the Acts 28 Wall of Partition

2009-05-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Breaking Down the Acts 28 Wall of Partition
or
A Close Examination of David Tavender’s “The Dividing Line”

On the first page of this booklet, Tavender informs us that “Quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.” Although there are some good books that use some modern version(s) for their basis, a Bible Believer must in these cases have his BIBLE in hand to see what God really says in contrast to the version. And as any real Bible believer knows, I am not referring to some Greek or Hebrew text when I say BIBLE. When a Bible believer says the word ‘Bible’, he is referring to his authority for all matters of faith and practice, the Holy King James Bible.

On the second page, he gives his beginning text as a basis for this so-called ‘dividing line’ – Acts 28:23 – 29. The reasoning here is that since Paul said (verse 28) “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”, that Paul is declaring the start of a new system or program ending God’s dealing with ‘the church of God’ which isn’t the body of Christ and beginning God’s dealing with the’ church of the mystery’ which is the body of Christ.

There are a few errors in this interpretation. Remember “that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). We must compare this scripture (Acts 28:23-29) to other scriptures in order to speak in the words which the Holy Ghost’s wisdom teacheth (1 Corinthians 2:13). The first error is that Paul had already turned from the Jews to the Gentiles twice (Acts 13:46; 18:6). Acts 28 isn’t the only dividing line. There are three. Secondly, Paul doesn’t even say in Acts 28:28 that he is turning away from anybody or anything. And if Acts 28 is the start of the body of Christ, why does Paul say “that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles”? Why doesn’t he say that the salvation of God is sent unto the body of Christ or the church of the mystery? Thirdly, it can be easily proved that the church of God in Acts 2 – 28 is the body of Christ. [I’ll get back to this later.]

On his next page, he says that he is seeking to illustrate “the differences in God's dealings with believers before and after the events of Acts 28”. Of course there are differences before and after Acts 28. The whole book of Acts is a transitional period. There are also changes taking place in the gospels during the life of Christ. So, what does that mean? How about illustrating the differences before and after Acts 2? Before and after Acts 8? Acts 10? Acts 15? Acts 19?

In Matthew 19, Jesus gave keeping the commandments as a requirement to have eternal life. In Acts 8, the Ethiopian eunuch was saved by grace through faith only. So, we know that, at least by that time, the ‘program’ (concerning salvation) has changed. This ‘program’ of salvation by grace through faith (the gospel of the grace of God) continues throughout the ‘church age’ until the rapture. The gospel of the grace of God and the church of the one body mystery was made possible “by the cross” (Ephesians 2:16).

‘The dividing line’ is at the cross. And another dividing line is the rapture. These two dividing lines mark changes in the ‘program’ concerning salvation. Acts 28:28 does not mark such a change. To use Acts 28:28 as a dividing line for anything is nonsense.

To divide between Paul’s writings, putting a difference between the writings before Acts 28 and the writings after Acts 28 doesn’t work at all. His writings before match his writings after. Ephesians 2:14 says that Jesus Christ on the cross broke down a wall of partition. These Axe 28ers are rebuilding a wall of partition at Acts 28.

On the fourth page of this booklet, Tavender says, “we need to keep in mind that Israel may be the focus of these, and not necessarily the church of today.”

In fact, the three groups of people that the Bible and God deals with are the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32). Again, there are 3 groups of people. Outside of the church of God, anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. The church of God is one body with Jews and Gentiles together. Those are the only three groups! The Axe 28ers have invented another group by splitting the one body into two churches.

Page 5: “Here began man's need for regaining a right relationship with God - the underlying theme of Scripture.”

He mistakenly thinks that the theme of the Bible is salvation. The theme of the Bible really is the King and the kingdom.

Page 7: “Israelites continued to be the focus of attention during the period covered by the book of Acts”.

The focus of attention in the book of Acts is the early history and growth of the church.

“Prior to this, if a Gentile wanted to partake of God's blessings, he had to undergo many rituals and actually become an
Israelite (Exodus 12:48; Deuteronomy 16:11-12; 29:10-12; and elsewhere).”

What about Acts 8? In Acts 8:26-38, the Ethiopian eunuch was saved by faith in Jesus. His declaration in Acts 8:37 matches what Peter said to Cornelius in Acts 10:43. Was the Ethiopian not a Gentile?

Page 8: “(Note that the book of Romans was written during the Acts Period and, naturally, reflects the conditions that were in operation at that time in God's plans.)”

There’s that false idea that the time of a writing or revelation is the only factor relevant to when the writing is in effect. The real factor to determine a dividing line is “Where do doctrines match and where do they contradict? It is obvious to anyone who pays attention to what the Bible says that Matthew 19:17 does not match Acts 16:31. And Matthew 24:10-13 does not match 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. It is also obvious after reading Paul’s epistles that the ones written before Acts 28 do match the ones written after Acts 28. Acts 28 is not a dividing line.

“As a result of continuing unbelief, a judgment was delivered by Paul to the leaders of the Jews, representative of Israel's spiritual state (Acts 28:25-28). At this point, at the end of the period covered by the book of Acts, the nation of Israel ceased to be God's chosen people. And that's where the focus of this booklet lies.”

I have already commented on the “judgment delivered by Paul” in Acts 28:28. As Tavender even states himself and gives verses for later in his booklet, this is the 3rd time Paul delivered this judgment. This means that either there are three dividing lines marked by this proclamation or none.

Also, the nation of Israel has never ceased to be God’s chosen people. Israel has been ‘set aside’ by God temporarily. Israel is not currently the focus of God’s attention. But they are still God’s chosen people. They always will be.

Page 11: “It is obvious that God’s purpose for Israel had not been terminated before Acts 28, because, as Paul said in Acts 28:20, "It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

God’s purpose for Israel has still not been terminated. Even now in the church age, God’s purpose for Israel remains the same and has not been terminated. Again, Israel is not currently the focus of God’s attention. But his purpose for them is the same as it ever was.

“They had not been set aside earlier, at the Cross, as is often claimed and which is clearly incorrect as a reading of Acts shows. It was still Paul's desire that they would repent and thus be blessed with the return of the Messiah (Christ) to become their king in a glorious land. This was the hope of all Jews, and note that this was also their hope some 35 years earlier when two of the disciples were discussing the crucified Lord.”

I also don’t believe that Israel had been set aside at the cross. And I don’t believe that it was at Acts 28. It isn’t absolutely clear from the scriptures when Israel was set aside. I believe it was at Acts 7 when Stephen was stoned. When Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, he “sat on the right hand of God” Mark 16:19. When Stephen was preaching in Acts 7, he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (verses 55-56). He was standing in preparation for flight. He was getting ready to come back. Then Colossians 3:1 says that “Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”. How long Jesus was standing we don’t know. I think he sat down again after Stephen was killed. The Axers think that Jesus stood for 30 years (from Acts 7 to Acts 28). The thing that is certain is that you can’t prove absolutely when Israel was set aside. The fact of the matter is that the time of Israel being set aside is not a dividing line between the ‘kingdom church’ and the body of Christ either. The Axers have the mistaken idea that the body of Christ couldn’t exist until after Israel was set aside. They think that the body of Christ is the result of the postponement of the kingdom. That’s not true. The body of Christ started as a result of the cross. The first people in Christ were the apostles. Peter preached the gospel of the kingdom in Acts 2 & 3 because the kingdom was still being offered to Israel after the commencement of the Body of Christ.

Page 12: “we see that not much had changed since the time of Christ on earth.”

Not much had changed? Yeah? Not much except the most vital change that could take place. As I stated earlier, the conditions or requirements for acquiring eternal life had changed drastically. The change was from a faith and works setup to a faith only setup. This wasn’t before and after Acts 28. It was before and after the ascension of Jesus Christ.

Pages 12-13: “In other words, the messages and conditions at the end of Acts were similar to those much earlier. In the Gospels, the advent of the Messiah to establish His kingdom was what Israel was looking forward to. This hope had not been abandoned or forfeited yet. Thirty or so years after the cross, when the events of Acts 28 took place, Israelites were still looking for the advent of the Messiah to establish His kingdom - and they were right to do so, for the nation of Israel had not yet been set aside by God.”

He says here that “the messages and conditions at the end of Acts were similar to those much earlier.” Only the ones that he wants you to notice are similar. When he says ‘much earlier’, he means “In the Gospels”. The message of Acts 8 is vastly different from the one in Matthew 24. The message of Acts 10 is vastly different from the one in Luke 3:7-14. By noting the similarity of messages in regard to Israel and making that the essential mark for a dividing line, these Axers are ignoring the very thing that is actually essential for marking the start of the church, which is his body.

Then he says this: “Thirty or so years after the cross, when the events of Acts 28 took place, Israelites were still looking for the advent of the Messiah.” Honestly, it doesn’t matter how long the Israelites continued to look for the Messiah. In Numbers 13 and 14, after Israel was set aside from going into the land of Canaan, they still expected that they could go in. If the Israelites were still looking for the Messiah to come in the later part of Acts, that doesn’t prove anything. What if the Israelites were looking for Christ to come now? Does that mean they still have not been set aside today?

Every building block for this wall of partition at Acts 28 is flawed.

Page 13: “This quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 in the Old Testament forms the central part of God's judgement against Israel.”

Page 14: “This portion from Isaiah 6 appears in the New Testament several times and is a real key to understanding this aspect of the plan of God. Isaiah 6:9-10 is quoted on three different occasions.”

I wouldn’t call 3 several. And if this quote is so significant, why aren’t Matthew 13 and John 12 also ‘dividing lines’? And again, a similarity connecting Acts 28 to Matthew 13 and/or John 12 does not negate the differences between the gospels and the book of Acts. Besides that, the quote from Isaiah 6:9-10 in Acts 28:26-27 is still true of Israel today. I can preach that to lost people, to Christians, and also to Israel and make application to all three groups (1 Corinthians 10:32) today.

This portion from Isaiah 6 quoted in the New Testament and in Acts 28 is a key to nothing. I hope Tavender isn’t going to try to tell us that those verses don’t describe Israel today.

Page 15: Why doesn’t Tavender use Matthew 13 and John 12 also as dividing lines? Why don’t we claim that Israel was set aside in the gospels because of these passages? It makes just as much sense as what the Axers are claiming. And as I have already said, if Israel wasn’t set aside until Acts 28, that wouldn’t have any effect on the fact that the church which is his body started at the ascension of Christ (Ephesians 1:20).

Page 16: “A question is often raised with this verse. If, at Acts 28, God set Israel aside, how can it be that His salvation "has been sent" (past tense) already to the Gentiles. We will see that this statement is entirely consistent with earlier portions of Acts.

In each city that Paul visited in his travels, he would visit the Jews first. But, as his message was often given a hostile reception by the Jews, he would then go to the Gentiles of that city and speak to them.

In Antioch:
"... [the Jews] talked abusively against what Paul was saying. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you (Jews) first. Since you reject it ... we now turn to the Gentiles.’" (Acts 13:45,46)

In Corinth:
"But when the Jews ... became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them ... ‘From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’" (Acts 18:6)

As we can see, Paul spoke, and was rejected by the Jews. He then made a point of saying that his words would not be wasted on the Jews of that place, and that the Gentiles will be offered the message. The same thing happened in Acts 28:28.”

This is where Tavender states that Paul had already turned to the Gentiles twice. And I said before there are either three dividing lines or none.

Page 17: “In an attempt to provoke the Jews into repentance and belief, from Acts 10 onwards Gentiles as well as Jews began to be accepted by God.”

“Gentiles as well as Jews began to be accepted by God” because they believed on the name of Jesus Christ and trusted him by faith to get eternal life and they were “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) and reconciled with the Jews unto God in one body by the cross (Ephesians 2:16).

Page 19: “It is natural, then, that the writings before Acts 28 should reflect the fact that Israel was still the chosen nation. Conversely, the writings after Acts 28 should reflect that Israel was no longer the chosen nation, and this is exactly what we find.”

Israel is still the chosen nation now as I have said before. I have to keep repeating myself. At the end of this critique, I will give a comparison of Paul’s writings.

“The letters written after the end of the Acts period speak of a new revelation in God's plan for mankind which only came to light after the rejection of the Israelite nation:”

The new revelation that Tavender is talking about is the revelation of the mystery. He next quotes Ephesians 3:3-6 to point this out. What he fails to show you is that Paul had already mentioned this “revelation of the mystery” in 60 AD when he wrote Romans a few years before Acts 28.

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” Romans 16:25-26

Page 21: “We tend to think of a mystery as being, well, mysterious I suppose! But that is not what the Greek word means here. It really means “secret”. Look at the verses above again, and substitute "secret" where you see the word "mystery"- it will make much more sense.”

It is quite unnecessary to try to correct the Bible with the Greek word. The word ‘mystery’ is much better than the word ‘secret’.

On page 23, Tavender begins his “Comparisons Before and After Acts 28”. Under his first example, he says, “Before Acts 28 The mystery (or secret) of Ephesians was not yet revealed.”

This is not true as I have shown just earlier from Romans 16:25-26.

“Before Acts 28

The term "body" was simply an illustration of the groups of Christians within each locality.”

To make this statement, Tavender had to ignore 1 Corinthians 12:13. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” This verse is not about “groups of Christians within each locality.” Each group is a local body. This verse says “one body”. They were not baptized into a local body by the “one Spirit”. We are all baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28

Tavender is trying to tell us that in the “groups of Christians within each locality” there is “neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female”?

As my father used to say, “I may have fallen off of a watermelon truck but it wasn’t yesterday”.

The two examples he gives on page 24 need no comment here. I have commented already on the hope of Israel. Both of these examples mean nothing in regard to any dividing line.

Page 25: (Before Acts 28) “The Jewish believers rightly continued in following the Law of Moses, whereas the Gentiles had to observe just four rules (Acts 15:19-20).”

Acts 15:11 proves this statement of Tavender’s to be false. “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” This verse shows that both groups were saved the same way all the way back in Acts 15. Being saved “through grace”, the Jewish believers no longer continued in following the law of Moses. Where is Tavender’s example in Acts where the Jewish believers followed the law of Moses?

Page 26: (Before Acts 28) “The hope of believers was linked with ages "since (or from) the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34 KJV).”

This is a rather senseless comparison to make. Notice that not only is this before Acts 28; but it is also before Acts 2. Ha Ha.

(Before Acts 28) “God's administration was not one of pure grace.”

Acts 15:11 proves this statement of Tavender’s to be false. “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” This verse shows that both groups were saved the same way – through grace – before Acts 28.

Page 27:

His example of the difference in Paul’s preaching that before Acts 28, men opposed the preaching and Acts 28:31 says that Paul preached “no man forbidding him” is really ridiculous. The two situations are entirely different. In Acts 13, 17, and 21, Paul was going out to a large group of people mostly of who had not heard his message before and did not receive it. In Acts 28:30-31, no man forbade Paul’s preaching because they “came in unto him” (verse 30). Here Paul preached to people who wanted to hear him.

“During Acts the Lord's coming was to be "soon". We do not find phrases such as "the Kingdom of heaven is near" after Acts 28.” You also do not find phrases like "the Kingdom of heaven is near" in the book of Acts at all. Acts 3 does not say that the Lord’s coming was to be soon. And if it did, that would line up with the postponement of the kingdom taking place in Acts7. And as I already stated, the postponement of the kingdom and the setting aside of Israel took place after the commencement of the Body of Christ. Hebrews 10:37 and James 5:8 both could be applied to before Acts 7 and/or the time of Jacob’s trouble which is still yet in the future. Revelation 22 doesn’t help Tavender’s position either. In the Revelation, John has been taken up to heaven (Revelation 4:1-2) and shown things that will happen in the future. Where John is in time “in the spirit” in Revelation 22 is in the future when Jesus will come quickly.

To make a division between Corinthians and Timothy on the basis of Paul’s advising some widows to marry and some not to marry is really stretching it. The contexts and subject matter of these two passages (1 Corinthians 7 and 1 Timothy 5) are not the same. If you give consideration to the contexts and subject matter, you can easily see why the advice is different or seems to be different.

Page 28:

Tavender claims that after Acts 28 observance of the Lord’s Supper is not necessary. For reference on the Lord’s Supper, he gives you 1 Corinthians 11:20-21 and 34. He wants you to skip verse 26. In verse 26 Paul’s tells you how long to continue observing this ordinance. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” Do you see that? “Ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” We are to continue observing the Lord’s Supper until he comes. We are not to stop observing it after Acts 28.

At this point, I must observe that David Tavender is a very poor Bible student and teacher. We should continue to observe that.

“Before Acts 28 Water baptism was an essential requirement along with faith for salvation for a Jew (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).”

Water baptism was not a requirement for salvation in Acts 2:38. Peter said “be baptized for the remission of sins”. Their sins were remitted when they repented not when they were baptized. He first said “Repent”. Then he said, “be baptized” because their sins were remitted if they repented.

Besides this, in Acts 8, the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized after he believed. He was saved by believing before he was baptized. That’s why Phillip confirmed his faith before baptizing him. Compare Acts 8:37 to Romans 10:9-10. There is no water baptism required in Romans 10.

In Acts 10:44-48, Peter commanded them to be baptized after they had received the Holy Ghost. They didn’t receive the Holy Ghost and then get baptized to be saved. They were saved when they received the Holy Ghost. Then they were baptized.

Paul and Silas, in Acts 16:31 did not give water baptism as a requirement for salvation. They were baptized after they were saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Tavender was to insist that water baptism was required in Acts 2:38 because he thinks that “the remission of sins” was after the baptism, then he would be putting the ‘dividing line’ at Acts 7. He (and you) can’t get around the fact of salvation by faith only without water baptism in Acts 8, 10, and 16. He was just hoping that nobody would point that out to you.

The “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 is referring to the one baptism that saves. The whole context there (verses 1-7) is a spiritual context. So in a spiritual context, Paul says “there is one baptism”. That does not make void our practice of water baptism after a person is saved.

Pages 28-29:

Miracles, Signs, and Healings do begin to fade after Israel has been set aside and eventually by the end of Acts, the signs are altogether gone. This is another very weak argument; that before the end of Acts, Paul still had the sign gifts. There is no reason to think that the miracles and signs could not have continued after the postponement of the kingdom, the setting aside of Israel, and the commencement of the body of Christ.

Page 29: Before Acts 28 “In his messages, Paul only declared that which was also covered by the writings of Moses and the prophets in some way.”

Absolute Nonsense! There is plenty of material in Thessalonians, Galatians, Corinthians, and Romans that is not covered by the writings of Moses and the prophets.

His remaining examples of comparison of before and after Acts 28 are meaningless.

The Church Which Is His Body

“And [God] hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23

This is the “one body” brought about “by the cross” (Ephesians 2:16). After the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), the twelve apostles received the Holy Ghost, were quickened and raised up by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1-6), and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 4:12).

Now, the references in this statement are one example of how the writings of Paul before Acts 28 match the writings of Paul after Acts 28. In fact, saying that Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians apply before Acts 28 and still deny that the body of Christ existed before Acts 28 is a contradiction that can not be ignored!

Ephesians 2:16 says that Jews and Gentiles were both reconciled “unto God in one body by the cross” and Ephesians 1:20 says that this reconciliation in Christ happened when Christ sat at the right hand of God. (Be sure to read all of Ephesians 1:17-23; “the church, which is his body”.)

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28

This is the body of Christ written about in books before Acts 28.

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Paul said to the Corinthians, “ye are the body of Christ” and then says, “God hath set some in the church”. Paul is talking about “the church, which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

In Acts 9:5, Jesus told Paul, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest”. Paul said that he was “persecuting the church” (Philippians 3:6). Paul was persecuting “the church, which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). The body of Christ was in existence even before Paul was saved (30 years before Acts 28).

“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47

“And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” Acts 5:14

Comparing Acts 2:47 to 5:14 shows that “the church” in Acts 2 is defined as “the Lord” in Acts 5. “Believers were the more added to the Lord” – “the church, which is his body” in Acts 2 and Acts 5.

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied” (Acts 6:7). That word of God there is a reference to the Lord (Revelation 19:13). The Lord – the body of Christ – increased as the number of the disciples multiplied.

“For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” Acts 11:24

“But the word of God grew and multiplied.” Acts 12:24

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13:2

“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

These nine verses throughout the book of Acts shows that the “church, which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23) was existing, was active, and was increasing from Acts 2 onward.

For further information on the body of Christ, I refer you to my audio “Answering HyperDispensationalism”. This audio is available. I also refer you to my study on the spiritual birth: http://www.ourchurch.com/view/?pageID=155775.

A More Sure Word of Prophecy

2009-05-21T09:15:00.001-07:00

I recently asked an “original manuscript” only believer for some verses that say the originals were inerrant. His answer: “Here are a few of the verses that CLEARLY state that the originals were perfect: Ps 12:6; Ps 19:9; Ps 119:140; Ps 119:160; Ps 30:5f; Jn 10:35; Jn 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pe 1:20f.”

Mr. Martin: You’re right that it doesn't make sense that God would give the scriptures in a less than pure form that would have to later be corrected. However, it makes no more sense that God would give the scriptures in a pure and infallible form only to allow them to be corrupted by copyists and translators. In other words, I agree with you that if the originals were flawed, then they probably would have remained flawed. But it only makes sense that also if the originals were inerrant that God would have preserved the purity and inerrancy of the scriptures through copies and translations. Just as he used men to write the original scriptures, he surely used men to inerrantly copy and translate. I mean, really, why would God have given us inerrant originals only to have them to be corrupted?

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23

Peter called the word of God incorruptible. I believe that is sufficient evidence for believing that God preserved the purity and inerrancy of the scriptures through copies and translations.

The first verse you listed is Psalm 12:6.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Really, sir, how can you justify applying this verse only to the original manuscripts? Did David have and read the pure words of the LORD? When David wrote this verse, was he not speaking of something that he actually possessed and actually read? I think it should be fairly obvious that this verse applies to the copy of the scripture that David actually possessed, and not only the original. Otherwise was God telling David about the pure words of the LORD that he missed out on by being born too late? (Surely David didn't have the original, did he?)

Psalm 12:6-7
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Now, notice what these verses say. “The words of the LORD are pure words.” If you have the words of the LORD, then, you have his pure words. If you don’t have his pure words, then you don’t have his words.
“as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” This phrase definitely puts the preservation of the pure words of the LORD on the earth.
“tried in a furnace”. What could that mean? Obviously, somebody has tried to destroy God’s pure words. In spite of that, David said that God would preserve them for ever.

Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

This one actually seems a little weak to me. But again, I don't know why it should be applied only to the original scripture. Are the judgments of the LORD in the scripture that I have available to me? Why couldn't I say that the judgments of the LORD that I read are true and righteous altogether?

Psalm 119:140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Here I would repeat my comments concerning Psalm 12:6.

Psalm 119:160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

I am actually having a hard time understanding why or how you are defining "God's word(s)" as 'only the original manuscripts'.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

If only the originals were pure and "Every word of God is pure", then every word of God was lost with the original manuscripts. If a copy or translation was the word(s) of God, then it would have to be pure.

John 10:35
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

[I honestly don't know why you list this one. Perhaps it's just because I'm stupid. I really don't understand what that means- "the scripture cannot be broken;".]

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Here we run into a major problem. This verse in its context could not possibly refer to 'only the originals'. Look at verse 8.
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Here Jesus said that he had given the words, which God had given to him, which is essentially what all the human writers of the Bible did. Then, he says, in verse 20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;". The Lord's prayer in John 17 he prayed for me. He asked God to sanctify ME through his truth. And then he said, "Thy word is truth". I must believe that I have God's word and that His word is truth.

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I don't know how you apply this one to the originals. I'm not really sure how you get inerrancy from this verse, but I do agree that God's word is truth and God would not "inspire" error. This verse however in its context is not only speaking of the original manuscripts. The next previous verse defines scripture as what Timothy knew from a child. Now unless Timothy was a very, very old man, he never saw the original manuscripts. When Paul said ‘scripture', he was not referring to the originals. He was referring to the scriptures that were available to the person that he was referring to at that time. In fact, if you define the word 'scripture' as meaning 'only the original manuscripts', you are not using the Biblical definition of that word. And you are also taking the word out of context every time it appears in scripture.

Now there are at least 2 problems with the verses that you have given. Since you believe that no translation is infallible, then you are using a fallible authority to prove that the originals were infallible. That doesn't make much sense. It would make much more sense, since you believe that the originals were infallible to believe also in an available infallible authority.
Second, all of the verses you have given so far are just as much evidence for the preservation of the purity and inerrancy of scripture as they are for the originals. Some of them are undoubtedly more applicable to available scripture.
You can’t prove inerrancy of the originals without proving inerrancy of some available scripture. I really don't believe you can be sure of one without the other.
I have more faith and scriptural evidence for believing in an available, infallible manifestation of the word of God - [the scriptures] as you have for believing that the originals were inerrant.

I don’t know why you listed 2 Peter 1:20 unless you actually intended to include verse 21. Either way, like I said about all the verses you listed, these apply just as much to available scripture.
Peter said, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy” in verse 19. In the verses before, Peter was speaking of the voice of God from heaven. Then, in verses 20-21, he spoke of the inspiration of scripture. Peter said that because of the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Peter (we) had a more sure word than God speaking from heaven. Peter claimed just as much (or more) inspiration for the scripture that he had [he said, “we have”] as the original scripture. And he actually said that the scripture that he had was “more sure” than the original!

The First Thing A Christian Should KNow

2009-05-21T09:14:00.001-07:00

The First Thing That A Christian Should Know Is That He Is Passed From Death Unto Life
by Gary Alford

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

Passed From Death Unto Life

Jesus said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. " John 5:24

The first thing you should know as a child of God is that you have passed from DEATH unto LIFE. This life, in fact, is ETERNAL LIFE according to John 3:15. " Whosoever believeth in him (Jesus Christ) should not perish, but have eternal life." Eternal life means, of course, life that lasts forever. The reason that this is so important is that this should make clear to the Christian that you cannot lose salvation once you have eternal life.
Furthermore, Paul said (Romans 6:23) that ETERNAL LIFE is the GIFT OF GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If there is still any doubt at all about the doctrine of ETERNAL SECURITY for the believer, study the following and believe the scripture (John 2:22)& then you will know the truth.

According to Romans 3:22, the righteousness of God is by faith and unto all that believe. Notice carefully that there is no mention of works for God's righteousness. Then, read carefully verse 24 and notice that justification is FREE.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is through faith and not of works. Verse 10 goes on to say that we are saved to do good works.
Now to make that clear, read Romans 4:1-5. Notice carefully what Romans 4:5 says. " BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. " I am really amazed that anyone could believe that works is involved in salvation after reading this verse. How much clearer could it be said? There it is in plain English. NO WORKS / BELIEF ON JESUS / FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Next, read Romans 5:10: " SAVED BY HIS LIFE ". Now, do you see that we are saved by the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, not our life, HIS LIFE?
Since I am saved by his life, not my life, then, I didn't get saved by how I live, I can't stay saved by how I live, and I can't lose my salvation by how I live.

I Corinthians 12:13 says, " For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body ". According to Galatians 3:27-28, that body which we are baptized into is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:12-14 tells us further that this happens when you believed. Ephesians 1:13 says, " in whom [Christ] also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise ". So, when a person gets saved, he is baptized into the body of Jesus Christ and sealed in the body of Christ. Verse 14 goes on to say that ye are sealed " until the redemption of the purchased possession ". Ephesians 4:30 agrees, saying, " ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The 'purchased possession', according to I Corinthians 6:19-20 is your body. This is further confirmed by Romans 8:19-23. The redemption of our body is described in I Thessalonians 4:14-17 and is commonly called the rapture.

Now to review, If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour:
1. You have PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.
2. You were SAVED BY FAITH WITHOUT WORKS.
3. Your ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT OF GOD.
4. Your JUSTIFICATION WAS FREE.
5. If you don't do good works after you are saved, YOUR FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
6. You are SAVED BY THE PERFECT LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST & CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION BY HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE.
7. YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
8. YOU ARE SEALED IN THE BODY OF CHRIST UNTIL THE RAPTURE.

NOW IF YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND HAVE READ ALL OF THE ABOVE (INCLUDING CITED VERSES NOT QUOTED), THEN, YOU MUST CONCLUDE THAT SALVATION / ETERNAL LIFE IS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD AND ONCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR, YOU ARE ETERNALLY SAVED, AND " YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE".
(IN OTHER WORDS, ONCE YOU ARE SAVED, YOU CANNOT BE UNSAVED!)

The Certainty of the Words of Truth

2009-05-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

“Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:20-21

All notes and comments in all books, commentaries, etc., along with all comments and expositions by all preachers, teachers, ‘scholars’, and anyone else are to be taken as in subjection to the authority of THE BOOK which we read, study, teach, and preach - THE HOLY BIBLE - THE WORD OF GOD. According to John 12:48, “The word” will judge those who reject God's words. Psalm 119:160 says, “Thy word is true from the beginning.” The Authorized King James Bible is the word of God from “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) to the “Amen” of Revelation 22:21. Jesus said, in John 17:8, "I have given unto them the words which thou gavest." Our Lord also said, Thy word is truth" in John 17:17. If you believe what these verses say, along with Proverbs 22:20-21 (see above), you should see that we have been given the words that God wants us to have, and they are certainly the words of truth that we can be certain of. That is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact. What I just said is stated exactly in the verses above. We have the words that God wants us to have (in a book without error, so that you can be certain of the whole contents), and by believing, you can KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE WORDS OF TRUTH. Now you have two choices - either believe what God says or call him a liar. (Ref. Romans 3:4)

INTERPRETATION

The method of interpretation to be used in Bible study is to believe the word of God (I Thessalonians 2:13), search the scriptures (John 5:39; Acts 17:11), comparing scripture with scripture (I Corinthians 2:11-13). Any other interpretation is " private interpretation " (II Peter 1:20), and subject to correction by the word of God. David asked the LORD to give him understanding according to God's word (Psalm 119:169). Notice that in the Bible nobody ever talked about getting scriptural understanding by studying the original manuscripts. Spiritual understanding is available to every saved person. "We have the mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16). It is not necessary to know Hebrew and Greek to understand the Bible. And it is not necessary to get a college education to understand the Bible. Understanding comes by believing that what the Bible says is the truth. The more that you believe what God says the more revelation and understanding God will give you. And the more idols in a man's heart, the more that man will be deceived (Ezekiel 14:1-11). In other words, God will give you what you want. It is your choice. If your desire is the truth, and you search the scriptures, pray for the truth, and believe the truth (what the Bible says), then God will give you the truth. However, if your desire is to be "as gods" (Genesis 3:5) and your heart refuses to believe the words of truth, then, God will give you delusion (II Thessalonians 2:10-12).

THE PROBLEM OF UNBELIEF

The problem of unbelief is in your heart. You must believe in your heart to be saved (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9). For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, wickedness, deceit, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:21-23). "My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart." (Job 33:3) "Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will I not suffer." (Psalm 101:5) "My heart standeth in awe of thy word." (Psalm 119:161) Apply thine heart to understanding." (Proverbs 2:2) "Let thine heart retain my words." (Proverbs 4:4) "Give me thine heart." (Proverbs 23:26) "He respecteth not any that are wise of heart." (Job 37:24) "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:12) The trouble with unbelief of God's word is in your heart.

MODERN VERSIONS

There are several lies that are told to Christians to keep them in the dark and to make them feel inferior. The most common of these lies is the statement that " Modern versions (the R.V. of 1884 and all English versions printed in this country since 1900) make the Bible easier to understand ". The truth is that you don't make THE BOOK easier to understand by changing the meaning of verses, leaving words out of verses, and leaving out complete verses. Try to find I John 5:7 in the New International and New American Standard versions. I John 5:7 is not in either of those books. Half of Romans 8:1 is also missing, which changes the context of the verse. The context of the verse is them "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit". Leaving out those ten words makes the context to be anyone who is in Christ. That is changing the truth of God into a lie. (See Romans 1:25, which is also altered in modern versions.) The King James Bible, in Acts 3:19, says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord". The NASV says, "in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord". And the 'New King James Version' says, "so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord". The word 'when' (KJV) does not mean the same thing as 'so that' or 'in order that'. These imitation bibles have tried to change the gospel of the kingdom into the gospel of the grace of God. (Again, see Romans 1:25.) Neither the RSV, NIV, NASV, New RSV, nor the NKJV tells you to STUDY the word of truth in II Timothy 2:15. All of those, except the NKJV, do not tell you to make proper divisions in the Bible ("rightly dividing the word of truth"), which is an absolute essential in Bible study. The Authorized King James Bible tells you both. The NASV and NKJV want to provoke you to Jealousy instead of emulation in Romans 11:14. They also want you to imitate Christ instead of following him in I Corinthians 11:1. That's why I call them imitation bibles. If you follow them by imitating Christ (THE DEVIL IMITATES CHRIST), instead of following Christ, then you are following the Devil! Satan always uses partial truth to deceive. Therefore, his bibles have a lot of truth in them. (You can show the gospel to someone using any version.) But the Devil's bibles also have a lot of error. Compare II Samuel 21:19 in the King James Bible to the same verse in the NASV, NIV, and RSV. Who killed Goliath? Was it Elhanan or David? (See I Samuel 17:50 in any version.) Someone is in error. It isn't God. God's word is truth (John 17:17). "Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar"! Romans 3:4

THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF THE WORD "SCRIPTURE"

Another popular lie is defining the word 'scripture' in II Timothy 3:16 as 'original manuscripts' in order to teach that only the originals are inerrant. However, this definition of 'scripture' takes the word out of context every time it appears in the Bible. II Timothy 3:15 says that from a child Timothy knew the holy scriptures. You don't think that Timothy read the original manuscripts, do you? Of course not. But he did read the scriptures that God provided for him. I Peter 1:25 says that the word of the Lord is the word, which by the gospel is preached unto you. The present tense of this statement tells you that the word of the Lord is available to you today. The original manuscripts are not available to you today. Of course, modern versions change the verse (I Peter 1:25) to the past tense to support the lie about the scripture. (Romans 1:25 again.) Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch read the scripture in Acts 8. The Bereans "searched the scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11). None of them read the original manuscripts. And if this is not enough, Jesus told you to "search the scriptures" in John 5:39. You cannot search the original manuscripts. Nobody on this earth can read the original manuscripts. You can search the scriptures in the Authorized King James Bible. So, in your Bible study, follow the example of the disciples in John 2:22 - "THEY BELIEVED THE SCRIPTURE".

And to all scholars, preachers, teachers, and anyone else who chooses to 'correct' the HOLY BIBLE - THE WORD OF GOD (AUTHORIZED VERSION 1611): "Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!" (Ezekiel 13:3)

Other scripture references on the word(s) of truth: Psalm 119:41-43; Ecclesiastes 12:9-12; Acts 26:25; 2 Corinthians 6:1-7; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18.
And other references on the definition of the word ‘scripture’: Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:10 & 24; Luke 24:27, 32, 45; John 2:22; 5:39; Acts 8:32 & 35; 17:2 & 11; 18:24 & 28; Romans 9:17; 10:11; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Galatians 3:8 & 22; 4:30; 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; 1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:19-21. Notice that all of these scriptures listed refer to not the original manuscripts, but the scriptures that were available to the person or people in the context.

Mightv Men's Hearts

2009-05-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

“Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are surprised, and the mightv men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.” Jeremiah 48:41

The extremism of Nic Kizziah is very unfortunate but must obviously be a compliment to Bible critics. Mister Kizziah has an article on the internet called “Believers Beware of Counterfeit King James Bibles” (http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/counterfeit-kjv.html). In this article, he makes a big issue out of spelling differences in different editions of the King James Bible. For example, ‘asswaged’ or ‘assuaged’, ‘throughly’ or ‘thoroughly’, ‘morter’ or ‘mortar’, ‘to day’ or ‘today’, ‘further’ or ‘farther’, ‘musick’ or ‘music’. He goes so far as to call King James Bibles with American spellings (instead of English spellings) and more modern spellings (instead of the older spellings) counterfeit Bibles. I can see proponents of corrupt Bible versions standing off on the sideline, laughing, as they watch ‘Bible believers’ conducting this kind of nonsense and finding so called errors in perfectly good King James Bibles. After giving a list of 28 word spelling differences in a 3 column chart, showing the Scripture Reference, ‘The Real Bible’ spelling, and the ‘Counterfeit’ spelling, he says, “This is just a very short list of the changes being made by some of the worldly publishing companies. If you find one counterfeit word then that is a pretty good indication there are many more. Don't buy that Bible, check elsewhere.”

If this is really an important issue, why doesn’t Brother Kizziah give us the complete list?

Now in his list, only the first one might be of any real importance. This is the difference between ‘heaven’ and ‘heavens’ in Genesis 1:1. I haven’t seen a King James Bible with the word ‘heavens’ in Genesis 1:1. If I did see one like that, I probably wouldn’t buy it. But I have seen a ‘King James Bible’ with the word ‘wot’ changed to ‘know’. I had purchased one like that many years ago. After discovering the word change, I returned the ‘bible’. The word ‘wot’ is in the Bible 10 times. Wot is an acronym for word of truth which is what the Bible calls itself. The definition of ‘wot’ is easily discernable in its context. This is an implication that the word of truth is easily discernable with the Spirit of God. The word ‘wot’ should remain in the Bible. The word ‘heaven’ or ‘heavens’ in Genesis 1:1 would be of concern except for the fact that it could easily be a typographical error.

In the 2nd paragraph of his article, Kizziah calls the spelling changes in his list “minor changes”. If they are minor then they do not constitute counterfeit words and counterfeit bibles. Counterfeit bibles are books like the NIV, NASV, NKJV, etc. These versions have Major word and meaning changes that affect the truth of the text. He also says, in his 3rd paragraph, “To the best of my understanding this [the standard text of the Holy Bible] is the 1769 edition of the 1611 King James Bible with a few minor printing errors and spellings corrected along the way in the 1800's.” Now stop and think for a moment. How was it ok to make spelling changes in the 1800s but spelling differences are not ok today? Mister Kizziah is contradicting himself.

“All the common ordinary Bible believer wants is the same Bible that his grandmother had and the same Bible her grandmother had and the same Bible her grandmother had etc. that's all.” (Kizziah, 2nd paragraph.)

I checked the verses in Kizziah’s list in a 1863 and a 1871 Bible both published by the American Bible Society and a 1870s Bible published by F.M Dillie & Co. The results follow:

1. All three Bibles have the ‘counterfeit’ spelling of ‘assuaged’ in Genesis 8:1.
2. All three have ‘thoroughly’ in Genesis 11:3. (The ABS Bibles also have ‘thoroughly’ in 2 Timothy 3:17.
3. All three have ‘mortar’ in Genesis 11:3.
4. All three have ‘entreat’ in Genesis 23:8.
5. All three have ‘inquire’ in Genesis 24:57.
6-10. All three have ‘basins’, ‘jubilee’, ‘music’, ‘cloak’, and ‘public’.
11. The ABS editions has ‘always’ in Exodus 25:30.
12. The Bible Association Of Friends In America 1831 edition of the New Testament has ‘public’ in Matthew 1:19 but has ‘throughly’ in 2 Timothy 3:17.
13. The Dillie has ‘to-day’ instead of ‘to day’ in Genesis 21:26.
The Dillie also has the following:
14. ‘chesnut-tree’ in Genesis 30:37.
15. Lower case ‘s’ in Genesis 41:38.
16. ‘to-morrow’ in Exodus 8:23.
17. ‘rere-ward’ in Numbers 10:25.
18. ‘two-edged’ in Psalm 149:6, Proverbs 5:4, Hebrews 4:12, and Revelation 1:16.
19. The ABS Bibles have ‘or’ in Joshua 19:2.
20. The Dillie Bible has ‘and’ in Joshua 19:2.

I have yet to see a Cambridge Bible from the 1800s to check. But look at the sad shape my great grand father, Warren Jefferson Alford, Jr. [1863-1925] was in if his Bible was like one of my old ones instead of a Cambridge (or the ‘real Bible’ Cambridge). And my great great grand father, Warren Jefferson Alford, Sr. [1831-1898] could have had a ‘counterfeit’ Bible with the 1831 Friends New Testament. I also have an ABS pocket New Testament dated 1864 with a clasp to keep it closed. This pocket Testament was possibly owned by a Civil War soldier. It is too bad, isn’t it, that a war soldier couldn’t go into battle with a ‘Real Bible’ if he had an ABS. The ABS soldier’s pocket Testament not only has ‘public’ in Matthew 1:19, but it also has ‘thoroughly’ in 2 Timothy 3:17.

Kizziah mentions, in his 5th paragraph, “The Bible of our forefathers”. Then, later, speaking of a Bible he had purchased, he says, “IT’S A COUNTERFEIT! It’s not the Bible of my forefathers!” Now you can see from the information I have given about the old Bibles from the 1800s that I own, the Bibles of our forefathers had the same spelling variations that we have today. The Bibles of our forefathers also had the variation of ‘or’ or ‘and’ in Joshua 19:2. So, Brother Nic Kizziah has obviously failed to do his homework (research) before spouting off a bunch of silly, nonsense about something so unimportant.

My Large Print Cambridge Bible that I have used since 1989 has a few mistakes in it too. The most noticeable one is in Jeremiah 48:41 where the word ‘mighty’ is misspelled as ‘mightv’. This is an obvious spelling mistake and probably just a typographical error. This misspelled word does not constitute a textual error. It does not affect the truth of the text. Anyone can see that the word is ‘mighty’ misspelled.

Now what Kizziah is doing (intentionally or unintentionally) is surprising the strong holds of good Christian men. And this stupid ranting about minor differences which do not change “the truth of God into a lie” is causing “mighty men’s hearts” to “be as the heart of a woman in her pangs”.

Other mistakes in my Bible:

Exodus 23:15 – The ‘.’ should be ‘:’.

Numbers 12:12 – The verse has 2 lines at the bottom left column and 2 lines at the top right column. The word ‘consumed’ is split with ‘con’ in the 2nd line and ‘sumed’ in the 3rd line. The mistake is that there is no hyphen between the two syllables.

Numbers 23:30 – There is no period (.) at the end of the sentence.

Deuteronomy 22:3 – The word ‘thing’ should be plural.

2 Chronicles 13:19 – Should ‘Ephrain’ be ‘Ephraim’ ?

In conclusion, if you will read all the verses in the Bible that have the words ‘err’, ‘error’ or other forms of the word, you should find that the Bible defines an error as a false statement. So, let’s be sensible and defend the truth of God without wasting our God given time and effort on petty, meaningless nonsense.

Spanking A. D. Samples

2009-05-21T08:16:00.001-07:00

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:1-7

In my audio message “Ye Do Err, Not Knowing The Scriptures” [http://www.geocities.com/gna1611/preaching.html], I said that because of 1 John 4:1-3, you can try the spirits of Bible versions. Just check 1 Timothy 3:16 and see if the version confesses that “God was manifest in the flesh”. Other verses concerning God being manifest in the flesh are the following:

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

“Who [Christ] verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1 Peter 1:20

“ (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” 1 John 1:2

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Although all of these verses speak of Jesus Christ’s manifestation in the past tense, A. D. Samples claims that in order to “try the spirits” today, you must insist on getting the present tense “is come” in the confession. Without those two words, you must be speaking to a devil.

If Samples had searched the scriptures and looked at all the verses that contain the exact phrase “is come”, he should have noticed Matthew 17:12. “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.” Jesus here is speaking of John the Baptist some time after his death. In this verse, it is clear that this phrase “is come” is referring to someone who HAS come and HAS GONE. This is true also of our Lord Jesus Christ today. He has come in the flesh and he has also gone in the flesh (Acts 1:9-10). By the way, Samples said, “His flesh didn’t go anywhere”. So then, Jesus Christ is now still here on the earth in the flesh? No, not really. Jesus Christ is not here on the earth in the flesh. Jesus Christ went to heaven in the flesh. “He is not here: for he is risen.” Samples has been smoking pot with his brother-in-law.

Samples also said, “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh in the same way that he was here on earth in front of Nicodemus and in heaven at the same time”. This is another false statement. When Jesus was here on earth, he was here on earth in the flesh. Right now, he is not here on earth in the flesh. So, to make the confession that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is correct today. And Samples is just a bozo for insisting on the present tense “is come”.

Now let’s press the present tense “is come” and study the thing out and then and only then, we’ll see who is devil possessed. In verses two and three of First John, two spirits are mentioned. One is the Spirit of God and the other is the spirit of antichrist. In verse six, two spirits are mentioned. One is the spirit of truth and the other is the spirit of error. Obviously, the Spirit of God is the spirit of truth and the spirit of antichrist is the spirit of error. Another thing that should be obvious to a Christian who compares scripture with scripture, instead of smoking pot, is that to find the context and application of First John 1-3, you need to determine in which time periods would the confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a true confession. There are five time periods to consider.

Before the birth of Jesus Christ, the confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a false confession. It could only be confessed by the spirit of error during this time.

From the birth of Jesus Christ to the Ascension of Jesus Christ in Acts 1:9-10, the confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a true confession. During this time, the spirit of truth could confess it.

From the Ascension of Jesus Christ to the Tribulation, the confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a false confession. During this time, Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh. He is not here: for he is risen. And just to make it clear to stupid people: During this time, Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh – he was come in the flesh. Again, Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh – he is gone in the flesh. One more time, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” (Matthew 28:6) [And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.]

During the Tribulation, the confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a false confession. As a matter of fact, that confession during the tribulation would be a confession that the antichrist is Jesus Christ come in the flesh. It could only be confessed by the spirit of antichrist during this time.

During the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ here on the earth, guess what? You get only one guess. The confession that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh would be a true confession. During this time, the spirit of truth could confess it.

Now, the conclusion of the matter is this: From the Ascension of Jesus Christ to the Second Coming of Christ after the Tribulation, it is truth to say that Jesus Christ “has” come in the flesh; but it is error to say that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh. [One more time for stupid people, “He is not here: for he is risen.] And since only the spirit of error – the spirit of antichrist – would confess now that Jesus Christ “is come in the flesh” instead of “he is risen”, it is A. D. Samples who is devil possessed. He is confessing the confession of error. And in addition to that, he wants you to get the spirit of antichrist too.

Christians are not supposed to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the flesh. He is not here. Christians are supposed to be witnesses of his resurrection. You want proof of this statement. Good. I’m glad you asked.

Acts 1:22:

“Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Acts 2:31:

“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.”

Acts 4:2:

“Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

Acts 4:33:

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”

Acts 17:18:

“Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.”

Romans 1:4:

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

Romans 6:5:

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”

1 Corinthians 15:12:

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

1 Corinthians 15:13:

“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:”

Philippians 3:10:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

1 Peter 1:3:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

1 Peter 3:21:

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

____________________________________________________________

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:10

By his own testimony, A. D. Samples went to Bible Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida and intentionally caused a disturbance in the church between services and after services. And he claims that God told him to do this. If he had wanted to do righteousness, he would have talked to whoever he wanted to, at least, outside the church building if not completely off the church property. And in the case of speaking to Dr. Ruckman, he should have waited until the building was cleared or asked Dr. Ruckman if they could go to his office or somewhere else private to talk about the matter. It is obvious that Samples was not concerned about being decent or orderly. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) And it is also obvious that he was not concerned about doing righteousness. He was concerned about causing strife.

Secondly, if Samples was at all concerned about doing righteousness, and he really thought that Dr. Ruckman was devil possessed, Samples should have given much time to prayer (and I mean very much more than one week – more like months, at least) before publishing his 3 part ‘message’. What Samples has done shows that he is the worst kind of liar when he says that he loves Dr. Ruckman. If he really believed what he says he believes, and was concerned about doing right, instead of gaining advantage from this slander, he would not have done what he has done. That is obvious to anyone who has any sense at all.

According to First John 3:10, Samples is not only devil possessed, but this verse says that he is “not of God”, but is a child of the devil. A. D. Samples “doeth not righteousness” and he “loveth not his brother”. Even if Samples has been born again, he is a dirty rotten low life scum. He is worse than Bible correctors. Samples can go lick up his own vomit! He is a false prophet.

And don’t worry about 1 Timothy 5:1, the verse that says, “Rebuke not an elder”. He’s not anybody’s elder. In fact, according to 1 Corinthians 3:3, Samples is a baby. He is carnal. He is full of envying and strife and conceit. His ‘message’ is packed with conceit, contradictions, and nonsense.

This idiotic jackass thinks he is a David and he is going to take over as “the man of God in these last days” since according to him, Dr. Ruckman is now devil possessed.

____________________________________________________________

A List of Lies, Conceit, and Nonsense of A. D. Samples:

1. “I look across a non devil possessed room this morning and I thank God.”

If the room was not devil possessed, that is evidence that Samples was lying when he gave his message. When the truth is being preached, there are devils all over the place trying to block the airwaves and stop the effectiveness of the preaching. If there were no devils in the room, he must have been in a bar, getting drunk.

2. “I’m not preaching this to bash Dr. Ruckman.”

This is a lie. The only reason he did what he has is to bash Dr. Ruckman for his own personal gain.

3. “Nobody believes this passage but me. I believe it. You don’t believe it.”

4. “Everyone around there except for the exceptions.”

Absolute conceit and Idiocy.

5. “I was going to happily obey the Lord and beat the crap out of him.”

Samples is deluded. He expects you to believe that our Lord told him to “beat the crap out of” somebody. And it was not a matter of self defense. It is a matter of he has a plague in his head (Leviticus 13:44).

6. “God told me I had to go over there and handle this witchcraft seeping into the church.”

Who are you trying to kid? You are a liar.

7. “Even If you know where I’m going, you don’t know where I’m going.”

Yeah. Samples, even if you had a brain, you don’t have a brain.

8. “God’s original plan is he made your body to eat meat.”

Not according to Genesis 1:29-30; 2:16-17. Even after Adam’s sin, God still didn’t give animal meat to man for food until Noah.

9. According to Samples, nobody obeys the command of 1 John 4:1-3 except Samples himself and his buddies and their buddies.

10. At one point, Samples actually said that if a person says “Jesus Christ ‘is come’ in the flesh” without saying “I confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh”, the person failed the test of scripture and is a devil. Talk about stupid. This is beyond stupid. If a man says “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh”, he has made the confession. Does he think that in order to be saved, a person has to say “I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus” etc. (Romans 10:9)?

11. “The one man that outranks me is Dr. Peter S. Ruckman. He is the only man who does.”

Who let this clown out of the circus anyway? He doesn’t outrank anybody. That crap is just his imagination. He must be an only child and desperately needs attention. That is after all what this whole thing is about. He is getting attention for himself.

12. “There are witnesses as I tell you these things. If you think you need more, you don’t.” “If you think you need more witnesses, go get them. Stop the tape and go get them.”

This guy has some real serious problems with his thinking process. Like Doc would say, “The bigger the belfry, the more room for the bats.” I would actually be surprised if Dr. Ruckman didn’t tell him that he is coo coo.

13. He said that if a person eats herbs, he is weak, taking Romans 14:2 out of context.

14. He said that since the beast is cast into the lake of fire in Revelation 19, 1 John 4:1-3 couldn’t apply to the millennium. But Revelation 19 does not say that the spirit of antichrist could not be on the earth at that time.

The Normal Christian Life

2009-05-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Normal Christian Experience (The Thessalonian Epistles)

1. The Gospel Came (1 T 1:5)
2. Receive the Word in Affliction (1 T 1:6)
3. Assurance (1 T 1:5)
4. Become Followers (1 T 1:6)
5. Joy of the Holy Ghost (1 T 1:6)
6. Become Ensamples (1 T 1:7)
7. Become Witnesses (1 T 1:8-9)
8. Wait For Jesus From Heaven (1 T 1:10)
9. Faithfulness (1 T 1:8)
10. Walk Worthy (1 T 2:12)
11. Receive the Word of God as the Word of Truth (1 T 2:13)
12. Suffering (1 T 2:14)
13. Stand Fast (1 T 3:8)
14. Brotherly Love (1 T 4:9)
15. Comfort in Hope of the Rapture (1 T 4:13-18)
16. Comfort and Edification (1 T 5:1-11)
17. High Esteem for Laborers (1 T 5:12-13)
18. Be At Peace (1 T 5:13)
19. Pray Without Ceasing (1 T 5:17)
20. Thankfulness (1 T 5:18)
21. Grow in Faith (2 T 1:3)
22. Abundant Charity (2 T 1:3)
23. Patience in Persecutions (2 T 1:4)
24. Faith in Tribulations (2 T 1:4)
25. Endurance Through Persecutions & Tribulations (2 T 1:4)
26. Jesus Christ Glorified (2 T 1:12)
27. Separation (2 T 3:6, 14)
28. Knowledge of Things To Come (2 T 2:1-12)

The Legend of Jimmy the kid

2009-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Jimmy the Kid

by Gary Alford

For the imagination of a man's heart is evil from his youth.

The year was 1977. FLEETWOOD MAC (who was later to become his favorite rock-n-roll group) released their number one album "Rumors".

Over thirteen years before, when John Kennedy was murdered in Dallas, Texas, he was only three years old.

When America's children were sent to die in Vietnam, he didn't notice it. He had his own problems at home.

Almost a decade had passed since the Woodstock Music Festival. He missed it. He was only eight in August 1969. His family had recently moved into a house in Pearl, Mississippi. He grew up listening to country music and Elvis. He probably never even heard about Woodstock.

And when the peanut farmer was elected for President of the United States in '76, it didn't matter to the kid at all.

Born on November 24, 1960 in Biloxi, Mississippi, he lived on the Gulf Coast, in Ocean Springs, with his parents and five brothers until May of '64. Then, they lived in the Jackson area for the next ten years. He didn't have a happy childhood. After making all A's for six years in school, his grades dropped in 7th grade. In the ninth, school was just a place to go to get away from home. He didn't care about his grades and failed that year, although he enjoyed helping other students in Math class. He was a lonely boy and his best friend was his dog until it died in 1976.

He quit school a couple months before he turned sixteen. Then, his family moved to Plano, Texas and he started listening to rock music. He had almost no parental discipline in '77, and although he wasn't in school, most of the time, he didn't work either. So he spent his time hanging out at 7-11, or at Willowcreek Park, getting high with his friends, or at a party. He got high with somebody almost every day.

He learned to play pinball down at the local 7-11 store. After a while, he would go there, regularly, just before lunchtime and play while waiting for the kids from the nearby high school. By the time any of them arrived, he would have five games racked up. Back then, it was two games for a quarter and he would give three for a quarter. When the first buyers's three games were over, he still had two left, so, he would rack up five again, and the next up got three for a quarter.

He grew his hair long and wore a red bandana on his forhead. The kids that he hung out with thought that was cool. He was 'cool' because he was different. He looked different than anyone else and he had no curfew. (When ever a Plano policeman gave him a curfew warning, his dad didn't give it much attention.) He would sometimes get frustrated because his eighteen-year-old friends had to be home by eight o' clock. He was younger and stayed out as long as he wanted. His peers envied his freedom. Some wished they could be more like him. Most of them, however, were probably better off.

So many kids knew who he was that he didn't know who all of them were. Yeah, they knew who the kid with the long hair and red bandana was. Some said he looked like Jesus Christ. Others said he looked like Charles Manson. They called him "Jimmy the kid".

I don't remember much about living in Pearl. On February 15, 1973, we moved to Lee Drive in Jackson. We lived there for only one and a half months. One evening, some people visited us from Candlestick Baptist Church. This event brought a major change in my life. I don't have memories of church prior to this time although Mom and Dad had taken us sometimes before.

Three brothers and I started going to church at Candlestick. I entered the church scene full force, attending as much as possible. I went on Sundays and Wednesdays. I went on visitation nights, going door to door, telling people how to be saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I attended all other functions in between whenever possible. Finally, my life had some purpose and I had a reason to be happy. I had something to take me away from my unhappy home life.

They had a school at the church and the four of us enrolled the next September. I liked school again. The cirriculum was probably much like home school and it was easy. But then it didn't have to be easy for me. My teacher was one of the preachers. I had a lot of respect for him. We played flag football on the school team. One time, we traveled to Alexandria, Louisiana to compete with a school out there. It had rained and we played on a wet, muddy field. My brothers and I had always played tackle in earlier years in the front yard across the street from us in Pearl. And, I thought that pulling a flag off a runner was a sissy way to play. But we enjoyed it, anyway.

To the best of my memory, I continued to attend church for about a year. There was a record burning at the church one time and another time we had a carnival. We used to laugh at one older member who every week would run his fingers over his ear and say how badly he needed a haircut. We thought it was funny because he barely had any hair. I had learned during that time it was wrong for women to wear pants. I knew that my school teacher professed to believe this. One evening, I was at church and saw his two daughters come into the building wearing cut-off pants. I thought it was odd and later asked him about it. His reply was, "We had just come back from the lake". Maybe his answer should have been sufficient, but I wasn't sastified. I didn't understand why this man who I respected was going against something that he actually taught others. I was very offended by this. Soon after, I quit going to church. In July 1974, we moved to Vidalia, Lousiana and many years passed before I would have much thought about God or the Bible.

In March 1979, Jimmy the kid joined the U.S. Navy. He had a girlfriend who because of her father's transfer, moved to Ohio in December. So the kid went through boot camp and two weeks of apprenticeship training. When he took his leave, he spent a week at home in Texas and then a week with his girlfriend in Ohio. That is when she broke up with him. He was a heartbroken, lonely teenager going to a frightening new world and now with no purpose for being there.

Somehow he pulled himself together and reported for duty on board the USS Roanoke AOR-7 in Alameda, California. He was a likeable personality and soon became known on the ship as "the creeper". Of his many friendships, two of them, Jimmy Eason and Rich Merrill were Christians. The two tried over the next two years to win him to Christ, but the kid just wanted to have fun. He maintained his "sanity" by drinking, smoking pot, dropping acid, and hanging out with the gang.

In reality, he was miserable. After two years serving on this ship and going AWOL twice, he found himself, in May 1981, in a lonely cell in a Navy brig awaiting courts-martial. He was confused and scared. he thought he wanted to die. One day he looked up on the wall of his jail cell and saw some writing. He read these words, "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country." Although he read the whole verse, just the thought of Jesus was what he needed.

As I recalled the gospel of Christ that I knew from my earlier childhood, I bowed my head and with tears, I cried, "Jesus, save me." That is when I truly received the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. And now because of that I know that I have eternal life (I John 5:13). I am free from the power of sin through Jesus Christ my Lord. And I also joy in God through my Lord Jesus Christ.

You too can be saved!!!

You must believe you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

You must believe there is a penalty for your sin.
Revelation 20:15 says, "Whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire".

You must turn from your sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 13:3 says, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

You must believe that Jesus Christ, God's perfect Son paid your sin debt for you.
Romans 5:8 says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. "

You must receive Jesus as your personal Saviour.
John 1:12 says, "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

Please be saved today! Ask the Lord Jesus to come into
your heart and forgive you for your sins.

That if though shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Did The Body of Christ Begin With Paul?

2009-05-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Question: Is ‘in Christ” the same as “in the body of Christ”?

There is a group of Christians who call themselves ‘Bereans’, ‘Grace Believers’, ‘Right Dividers’, (etc.) who teach the heresy that the Apostle Paul was the first person in the body of Christ. When confronted with Romans 16:7 (quoted above) which proves their belief to be false, they had to invent an additional, non-Biblical definition for “in Christ”. This is not surprising since heretics will do anything to prove that they are right once they have built their own system of belief by abusing the Scripture instead of believing it.

In case you are not already aware, I will here list the methods of building any heresy.

1. Subtract words from a Bible verse (or verses).
2. Add words to a Bible verse (or verses).
3. Private interpretation of a Bible verse.
4. Direct contradiction of a Bible verse.
5. Tell a half truth.
6. Tell a truth in order to deceive by misrepresenting the truth you are telling.

All six of these things take place in Genesis 3:1-6.

Now to begin at the beginning, we shall look at 1 Timothy 1:16, the foundational verse for the heresy that Paul was the first person in the body of Christ, and therefore the body of Christ began with Paul.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

First, you should notice that nowhere in the verse is mentioned anybody or anything being “in Christ” or “in the body of Christ”. Notice that instead Paul does mention something being ‘in him’. Do you see that? Paul is speaking and he says “in me”. What is Paul speaking of being in him? It is “longsuffering” and it is “for a pattern to” believers.

Why would God pick Paul to be the first pattern of longsuffering thereafter for believers? Why not one of the other apostles who had been with Jesus and known him for 3 ½ years? If the disciples who had worked with Jesus and been his companions during his ministry did get baptized into Christ and became part of the body of Christ, why not pick one of them to be the pattern of longsuffering for Christians? The answer is in verses 13-15.

1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:15(b) Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Some people teach that Paul is being humble and emphasize that we should all be humble and consider ourselves to be “the chief of sinners”. I don’t disagree with the humility, but I think the truth goes beyond that. Jesus Christ choose Paul to be the pattern of longsuffering for believers because first, the Lord had been quite longsuffering with Paul, and secondly, compare the testimony of Paul, the chief of sinners, the persecutor of the church turned into the vessel of honour, the pattern of suffering, the one who wrote more than ¼ of the New Testament which is (Paul’s epistles except for Hebrews) the primary doctrine for the body of Christ to the testimony of John the beloved apostle or Peter if one of them had been chosen instead. Jesus Christ purposely choose an unsaved Pharisee, a persecutor of the church to shew forth the pattern of longsuffering because he is a better, stronger, more powerful testimony than any of the others could have been.

Now I will requote 1 Timothy 1:16. But this time, I will give it as the ‘hyper-dispensationalists’ read it.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that me first in Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

When these so-called ‘right dividers’ read the verse, they must move the word “in”. They place it in a position to make the verse say what they want it to say; that Paul was the first in Christ or in the body of Christ.

Then when faced with Romans 16:7, as I stated before, they make up this ridiculous idea that ‘in Christ’ is just a term defined as if you are in Christ, that merely means that you are saved. And they say that being ‘in the body of Christ’ is a different thing. This private interpretation gives the explanation that Andronicus and Junia were saved before Paul, but not in the body of Christ before Paul. Now, let us become a man and put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). We will compare scripture with scripture to get the Bible’s own interpretation.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Is this “in Christ” in the body of Christ?

Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Well, we are “one body in Christ”.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

How about this one? Is the new creature in the body of Christ or not?

In the following verses, it will be seen that “in Christ” and “in the body of Christ” are not the same thing. And the conclusion of the matter will be that the teaching of the hyper-dispensationalists is heresy. I am not going to give you my opinion. This is comparing scripture with scripture. This is the Bible interpretation.

Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

If you are “baptized into Christ”, you are baptized into his body, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female. We will compare these verses with 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 in a few minutes.

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Were these “faithful in Christ Jesus” in the body of Christ? Surely when Paul wrote this epistle, he had been in the body of Christ for quite some time. Were there others who were saved after the body of Christ began supposedly with Paul who were merely saved but not in the body of Christ?

The idea that “in Christ” is just a term meaning that a person is saved is not exclusive to hyper-dispensationalists. Most Christians do not grasp the full impact of Ephesians 1:12-13; 2:6; the baptism into his body; and the spiritual circumcision. But these things are real. They are not just theological jargon. When a person receives Jesus Christ as his saviour, his spirit, soul, and body are cut apart on the inside according to Colossians 2:9-14 and Hebrews 4:12. Then his spirit is taken out of his body, risen up to the right hand of God, and immersed into the body of Christ and sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 2:11-13 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Now, finally, if you have not been baptized into the body of Christ, you are not in Christ. Being in Christ and in the body of Christ refer to the same thing. If for some reason, you are still not sure of this by now, the following verses confirm it beyond any shadow of a doubt.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

For ye are all one in Christ Jesus and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. We are one body in Christ; in the body of Christ, that is.

The Spiritual Birth

2009-05-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

Psalms 19:7 says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." "The testimony of the Lord is sure." So it is quite odd for a person who has truly received Jesus Christ as his saviour to doubt his salvation.

When "the testimony of Christ" is confirmed in a believer, he begins "waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ", knowing that the Lord shall also confirm him unto the end (1 Corinthians 1:6-8). Paul thanked God that the testimony of Christ was confirmed in the Corinthian believers.

Since "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy", every born again Christian should be a prophet. At the very least, a Christian should be able to prophesy where he will spend eternity.

This, of course, is only possible if a Christian knows that once he is saved, his salvation is secure in Christ. Therefore, the first thing a Christian should know is the doctrine of Eternal Security.

According to Romans 3:22, the righteousness of God is by faith and unto all that believe. Notice carefully that there is no mention of works for God's righteousness. Then, read carefully verse 24 and notice that justification is FREE.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is through faith and not of works. Now to make that clear, read Romans 4:1-5. Notice carefully what Romans 4:5 says. "BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." I am really amazed that anyone could believe that works is involved in salvation after reading this verse. How much clearer could it be said? NO WORKS / BELIEF ON JESUS / FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Next, read Romans 5:10: "SAVED BY HIS LIFE". Now, do you see that we are saved by the life of the Lord Jesus Christ not our life, HIS LIFE? Since I am saved by his life, not my life, then, I didn't get saved by how I live, I can't stay saved by how I live, and I can't lose my salvation by how I live.

I Corinthians 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body". According to Galatians 3:27-28, that body which we are baptized into is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:12-14 tells us further that this happens when you believed. Ephesians 1:13 says, "in whom [Christ] also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise". So, when a person gets saved, he is baptized into the body of Jesus Christ and sealed in the body of Christ. Verse 14 goes on to say that ye are sealed "until the redemption of the purchased possession". Ephesians 4:30 agrees, saying, "ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The 'purchased possession', according to I Corinthians 6:19-20 is your body. This is further confirmed by Romans 8:19-23. The redemption of our body is described in I Thessalonians 4:14-17 and is commonly called the rapture.

Now to review, If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour:

1. You have PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.
2. You were SAVED BY FAITH WITHOUT WORKS.
3. Your ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT OF GOD.
4. Your JUSTIFICATION WAS FREE.
5. If you don't do good works after you are saved, YOUR FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
6. You are SAVED BY THE PERFECT LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST & CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION BY HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE.
7. YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
8. YOU ARE SEALED IN THE BODY OF CHRIST UNTIL THE RAPTURE.

How Can These Things Be?

After Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born of the Spirit in order to enter into the kingdom of God, "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"

Jesus didn't begin going into details of the matter, but instead replied, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Judging from the Lord's response, I would say that there are some things about the spiritual birth that He expects Christians to know and especially 'masters' or teachers. In fact, Paul had a lot to say about the new birth. In this article, I will show from Paul's revelation what the scriptures say about some of the elements of being born of the Spirit.

First, we will look at ADOPTION. Then, we will examine some verses on the SPIRITUAL BIRTH. Third, we will study SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION. Afterwards, we will continue with THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL, DEATH OF THE BODY, RESURRECTION OF THE SPIRIT, and SPIRITUAL BAPTISM INTO THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST . The SEALING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT has been covered in the article on page one "The Spirit of Prophecy".

Ephesians 1:5 says that we were predestinated unto "the adoption of children by Jesus Christ" Of course, this predestination was "in Christ" (verse 3). In effect, God the Father predestinated that whoever choose to be "in Christ" would get the adoption.

According to Galatians 4:4-7, Jesus Christ paid the price of redemption for us, "that we might receive the adoption of sons". Verse 6 goes on to say, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts". So, when a person receives Jesus as his saviour, he is then adopted into God's family.

These verses match Romans 8:14-17. However, verses 18-30 continue by discussing the coming "manifestation of the sons of God" and verse 23 says that we are "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body".
So when a person receives Christ, he is then adopted spiritually, but not yet physically.

The first mention of the spiritual birth in the New Testament is in John 3:3-8 when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. Jesus said that a person must be born of the Spirit in order to see and enter into the kingdom of God. Then, in verse 8, he says, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

The Holy Spirit goes into the Christian and he is the voice of God - the lost hear the sound thereof (the sound of the Spirit - the Christian's witness/ testimony) but the lost can't tell that he was born from above (whence he cometh) or where that Spirit came from and the lost can't tell that he is going to heaven (whither he goeth).

John 3:14-18 is very clear on the fact that the spiritual birth is brought about by belief on the Son of God. This also explains very well what is meant by "believe on his name" in John 1:12 which defines 'receiving Jesus Christ'.

According to Ephesians 2:1 and 5, a person is dead in sins before God "quickens" him. Since Adam and Eve died spiritually in the garden of Eden, every human afterward is born with a dead spirit. So when a person receives Christ, his spirit is quickened (made alive) [Colossians 2:12-13].

The word of truth is instrumental in the new birth (James 1:18). In fact, Peter says that "the word of God" is the incorruptible seed by which we are born again. So, the new birth is "of the operaion of God" (Colossians 2:12), of the incorruptible seed, "the word of God" (1 Peter 1:23), "of the Spirit" (John 3:5-6), by the quickening of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45; John 5:21), and "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26).

Ephesians 6:17 calls the word of God "the sword of the Spirit". A lost person is "in the flesh" (Romans 7:5). But a saved person "is not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). So, there is a change that takes place when a person receives Christ. Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow". This describes the dividing [or cutting apart] of the soul, spirit, and body by the sword of the Spirit. This operation is further described in Colossians 2:11-15 and is there called "the circumcision of Christ".

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncir- cumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." [Colossians 2:11-15]
As I said, a lost person is "in the flesh" - in other words, his soul is stuck to his body on the inside. The circumcision of Christ takes place and the soul puts off the body of the sins of the flesh. The soul, although it does stay inside the body until death, is cut apart from the body and is loosed from the body. The believer's spirit is also loosed from his body.

When a person believes on Christ, his spirit is raised up and seated in Christ (Ephesians 2:6). So, the believer's spirit is taken out of his body and put in Christ.

At this time, when the soul is cut loose from the body on the inside, the soul is saved (1 Peter 1:3-9). "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (verses 8-9)
When the spirit is taken out of the body, the body dies according to Romans 6 and 8:9-10. The Spirit of God also comes inside the believer to dwell permanently. "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Then, it may be that the body is brought back to life by the Spirit of God unless Romans 8:11 is referring to the rapture which is more likely. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Now we come to the Spiritual baptism into the body of Jesus Christ. There are actually a lot of verses on this. The starting place with Paul is Romans 6:1-11.

"1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" A Christian does not live in sin. A Christian lives "in Christ". "3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

"baptized into Jesus Christ". This is done by the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism that Jesus referred to in Acts 1:5. This is further confirmed by 1 Corinthians 12:13. And this will become more and more clear as we study further.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

"4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3)

"5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is cruci- fied with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So, the old man is dead that we should not serve sin. Being dead with Christ, death has no more dominion over us. We are dead and alive at the same time like before our salvation. The difference is that before salvation, the spirit is dead and the body is alive, but after salvation, the spirit is alive and the body is dead.
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4)

Once you are saved, you are married to Christ by being joined to him spiritually. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)

Immediately after the new birth, a person is a babe "in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

"For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:17)

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it there- fore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one mem- ber suffer, all the members suffer with it;or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

When a person gets saved, he is established with all other believers in Christ, anointed by God, and sealed by God by the giving of the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

A new creature indeed! As we have been seeing from scripture, there is quite a bit new after the new birth.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:27-28)

This matches a couple of verses previously mentioned - 1 Corinthians 12:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:17. Look at them again and compare.

In Christ we are blessed with all spiritual blessings "in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3) "which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). Remember (if you read Ephesians 2:6) that we are seated "together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

Jesus Christ is "the head over all things to the church, Which is his body." (Ephesians 1:22-23) This church, the body of Christ, the Lord added to daily" such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). This is "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) This is the church mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 5:23-32; Philippians 3:6; Colossians 1:18, 24; and 1 Timothy 3:15. This is the Spiritual church which is the body of Christ. This was a mystery before the Lord revealed to Paul; "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:3-6).
The Lord gave gifts to the church - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers; "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

When we get our new glorified bodies - a body like Jesus Christ's body - we will be a perfect man. Then we will no longer be children; we will become a man and put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:10-12).

Again, the Bible says that the church is the body of Christ in Colossians 1:18-24. Colossians 3:9-15 speaks of the church in the same manner as 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Galatians 3:27-28.

Now not all of this is easily understood. But we have to take all of what the Bible says as facts regardless of our lack of understanding.

The Believer' Standing and State

STANDING (Position in Jesus Christ)

Redeemed (I Peter 1:18-19)
Reconciled (II Corinthians 5:18-19)
Righteous (II Corinthians 5:21)
Sanctified (I Corinthians 1:30)
Justified (Romans 3:24)
Citizen of God’s Household (Ephesians 2:19)
Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)

STATE (Position as a sinner)

Conceived in Sin (Psalm 51:5)
Evil (Genisis 8:21; Matthew 7:11; Psalm 39:5)
Unrighteous (Romans 3:10-18)
Foolish (Jeremiah 4:22)
Wretched (Romans 7:24)
The Least of Saints (I Corinthians 15:9)
Chief of Sinners (I Timothy 1:15)
Unprofitable Servant (Luke 17:10)

Salvation in the Church Age

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SALVATION IN THE CHURCH AGE

Although the process of salvation is not the same in other times, the following should make it clear that salvation, in the church age, is strictly by faith and not of works.

1. ROMANS 3:21-24
The righteousness of God is by faith, and verse 22 says unto all that believe, without adding anything to the belief for righteousness (verse 22).
Notice that verse 24 says, ” justified FREELY “

2. ROMANS 4:1-5
Verse 5: His belief on Jesus justified him, and his faith is counted for righteousness, without works.

3. ROMANS 5:9-11

A. JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, the blood of Jesus Christ. (Verse 9)

B. SAVED THROUGH HIM, Jesus Christ. (Verse 9)

C. RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON. (Verse 10)

D. SAVED BY HIS LIFE. We are saved by the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, not our life, HIS LIFE. (Verse 10). Since I am saved by his life, not my life, then, I didn’t get saved by how I live, I can’t stay saved by how I live, and I can’t lose my salvation by how I live.

E. WE RECEIVED ATONEMENT WITH GOD BY JESUS CHRIST. (Verse 11)

4. GALATIANS 3:21-26

The promise of righteousness is given to them that believe with nothing added to it. (Verses 21 & 22)

Notice, “justified by faith” in verse 24.

Verse 26: Ye are the child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Faith with nothing added.

5. EPHESIANS 2:8-9

Notice “saved through faith” in verse 8.

Notice “not of works” in verse 9.

6. EPHESIANS 1:13-14; 4:30;ROMANS 8:23;I CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

“ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. ” Eph 1:13-14

“ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. ”
Eph 4:30

“ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. ” 1 Cor. 6:19-20

“ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ” Romans 8:23

AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION OF YOUR BODY (THE RAPTURE).

This is the list of verses that I noted, as I read the books that Paul wrote, that say that salvation, righteousness, and justification is obtained by faith without works:

Romans 3:20-28; 4:1-5,22-25; 5:1-2,9-21; 9:30; 10:3-10

I Corinthians 1:21; 3:15 Galatians 2:16-3:29; 5:4-6

Ephesians 1:7,13-14; 2:8-10; 4:30 Philippians 3:9

Colossians 1:14 II Timothy 2:11-13; 3:15 Titus 3:4-7

(There is also I Peter 1:3-9; Hebrews 6:4-8; and some verses in I John)

Romans 3:25-28

Definition: Propitiation - peace offering / God gave himself for a peace offering to himself (Genesis 22:8 / Hebrews 9:26) to make atonement for our sins (I John 2:2;4:10)

His righteousness instead of our own righteousness or the righteousness by the law.

The righteousness of God is the substitution of himself taking the penalty of sin for us, the innocent taking the punishment for the guilty, so that, we can have eternal life with him, instead of the eternal death in the lake of fire that we deserve.

“the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” matches 4:5 “believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly”.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Verse 28)

Romans 5:1-2

Justified by faith / Peace with God through Jesus Christ

By Jesus Christ, we have access into the grace of God by faith wherein we stand. We stand in the grace of God by faith.

I Corinthians 3:15

“yet so as by fire” / if all of your works are burned, you shall suffer loss, but you yourself shall be saved.

Galatians 2:16 - 3:5

16: A man is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.

17: Is Christ the minister of sin because he justifies sinners?

18: “I make myself a transgressor.”

19: “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)

20: “Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live” - Romans 6:6-13

21: If we could earn the righteousness of God, then Christ’s death served no purpose, accomplished nothing, and is a vain thing. It frustrates the grace of God to believe that you must work to get saved or work to stay saved. The reason that Jesus died for us is because we don’t deserve God’s righteousness, and can’t do anything to deserve God’s righteousness.

1-5: The Spirit of God was received by faith.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Saved through faith, the gift of God, not of works.

Although we are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works, for we are his workmanship.

II Timothy 2:10-13

The “eternal glory” of verse 10 includes reigning with Christ for a thousand years when we return to the earth with him after the tribulation, if we suffer for him. But if we deny him, he also will deny us our reward of reigning with him. Notice in verses 11 and 13 that while a reward can be lost, salvation cannot.

Titus 3:4-7

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

In verse 8 is an admonition to “they which have believed” (saved people) to “maintain good works”, like Ephesians 2:10.

Paul said, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” (I Corinthians 14:37-38) So, if a man reads the verses that I listed, he must believe in salvation by faith without works, unless he changes the verses to make them say what he wants them to say. And when a man does that, he is willingly ignorant.

And I say if any man will have a zeal of God, let him do so according to knowledge, not being ignorant of God’s righteousness, “that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 1:1-10)

Crowns of the Bible

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Crowns of the Bible

1. Crown of Glory

Proverbs 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Isaiah 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

Isaiah 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

2. Husband's Crown

Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

3. Old Man's Crown

Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

4. Crown of Pride

Isaiah 28:1-4 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

Job 41:1(a), 34 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

5. Crown of Suffering

1 Peter 2:19-24 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
See also the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the gospels.

6. Incorruptible Crown

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

7. Crown of Anointing Oil

Leviticus 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

8. Crown of Rejoicing

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

9. Crown of Righteousness

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

10. Crown of Life

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11. Stones of a Crown

Zechariah 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

The Crown is Fallen From our Head?

Lamentations 5:16 The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

Revelation 3:8-11 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Psalm 119:1-7

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Psalm 119 could certainly be called a devotion - indeed, David's own devotion. One can hardly read a verse of it without being moved. Jeff Adams points out, in his commentary "Psalm 119 A Journey Into The Heart of God", that David is called a man after God's own heart because it was in God's heart to choose David and use him. While this is true, it is certainly also true that David's heart was after the heart of God in that he was ever longing for the heart of his God and truly desired to please him. I began reading Adams' commentary some time ago and read less than 50 of the 400 + pages. It is I that is at fault. It is a moving and enlightening study of the psalm. I highly recommend it. I own somewhere between 1500 to 2000 books. I have read maybe 600 books, if that many. The true count might be closer to 400. I am not sure. I have read some books 2 and 3 times. That doesn't include the twenty something times through the Bible. It is certain that I have spent a lot of time reading. And I am fairly certain that with the exception of the Bible, no book has moved me like the EXPOSITION OF PSALM CXIX by THE REV. C. BRIDGES, M.A., VICAR OF OLD NEWTON, SUFFOLK. This commentary's publication date for the sixteenth edition is 1843. The Subtitle is AS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE CHARACTER AND EXERCISES OF CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.

Psalm 119:1

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

This most interesting and instructive Psalm, like the Psalter itself, ‘opens with a Beatitude for our comfort and encouragement, directing us immediately to that happiness, which all mankind in different ways are seeking and inquiring after. All would secure themselves from the incursions of misery; but all do not consider that misery is the offspring of sin, from which therefore it is necessary to be delivered and preserved, in order to become happy or “blessed”.’

The undefiled character described in this verse marks, in an evangelical sense, “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” – not one who is without sin, but one who in the sincerity of his heart can say – “that which I do I allow not”. As his way is, so is his “walk” – “in the law of the Lord.” He is “strengthened in the Lord, and he walks up and down in his name” – his “ears hearing a word behind him, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it”, when he is turning to the right hand or to the left”. And if pardon of sin, imputation of righteousness, the communion of saints, and a sense of acceptance with God – if protection in providence and grace, and finally and for ever the beatific vision, are the sealed privileges of his upright people, then there can be no doubt, that “blessed are the undefiled in the way”. And if temporal prosperity, spiritual renovation and fruitfulness, increasing illumination, intercourse with the Saviour, peace within, and throughout eternity a right to the tree of life, are the privileges of incalculable value; then surely “the walk in the law of the Lord” is “the path of pleasantness and peace”. “Truly” – indeed may we say – “God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart”.

But let each of us ask – What is the “way” of my heart with God? Is it always an “undefiled way”? Is “iniquity” never “regarded in the heart”? Is all that God hates habitually lamented, abhorred, forsaken? “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Again – What is my “walk”? Is it from the living principle of union with Christ? This is the direct – the only source of spiritual life. We are first quickened in him. Then we walk in him and after him. Oh! that this my walk may be steady, consistent, advancing! Oh! that I may be ever listening to my Father’s voice – “I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect!

Is there not enough of defilement in the most “undefiled way”, and enough inconsistency in the most consistent “walk” to endear to us the gracious declaration of the gospel – “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous”?

Psalms 119:2

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

The “testimony”, in the singular number, usually denotes the whole canon of the inspired writings – the revelation of the will of God to mankind – the standard of their faith. “Testimonies” appear chiefly, to mark the perceptive part of Scripture – that part, in which this man of God always found his spiritual delight and perfect freedom. Mark his language: “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Not however that this blessedness belongs to the mere outward act of obedience; but rather to that practical habit of mind, which seeks to know the will of God in order to “keep” it. This habit is under the influence of the promise of God – “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” And in thus “keeping the testimonies of God”, the believer maintains the character of one that “seeks him with the whole heart”.

Oh! how many seek, and seek in vain, for no other reason, than because they do not “seek him with the whole heart”! The worldling’s “heart is divided; now shall he be found faulty”. The professors “with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” The backslider “hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.” The faithful, upright believer alone brings his heart, his whole heart, to the Lord – “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” For he only has found an object that attracts and fills his whole heart – and if he had a thousand hearts, would attract and fill them all. He has found his way to God by faith in Jesus. In that way he continues to seek. His whole heart is engaged to know and love more and more. Here alone the blessing is enjoyed, and the promise made good – “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

But let me not shrink from the question – Do I “keep his testimonies” from constraint or from love? Surely when I consider my own natural aversion and enmity to the law of God, and the danger of self-deception in the external service of the Lord, I have much need to pray – “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies. Give me understanding - save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.” And if they are blessed, who seek the Lord with their whole heart, how am I seeking him? Alas! with how much distraction; with how little heart-work! Oh! let me “seek his strength” in order to “seek his face”.

Lord! search – teach – incline – uphold me. Help me to plead thy gracious promise – “I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”

Psalms 119:3

They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

This was not their character from their birth. Once they were doing nothing but iniquity. It was without mixture, without cessation – from the fountain-head. Now it is written of them – “they do no iniquity”. Once they walked, even as others, in the way of their own hearts – “enemies to God by wicked works”. Now “they walk in his ways”. They are “a new creatures in Christ; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. This is their highly-privileged state – Sin shall not have dominion over them: for they are not under the law, but under grace. They are “born of God, and they cannot commit sin; for his seed remaineth in them: and they cannot sin, because they are born of God”. Their hatred and resistance of sin are therefore now as instinctive, as was their former enmity and opposition to God. Not indeed that the people of God are as “the saints made perfect”, who “do no iniquity”. This is a dream of perfection – unscriptural and self-deluding. The unceasing advocacy of their Heavenly Friend evidently supposes the indwelling power of sin, to the termination of our earthly pilgrimage. The supplication also in the prayer of our Lord teaches them to ask for daily pardon and deliverance from “temptation”, as for “daily bread”. Yes – to our shame be it spoken – we are sinners still; yet – praised be God! – not “walking after the course”, not “fulfilling the desires” of sin. The acting of sin is now like the motion of a stone upward, violent and unnatural. If it is not cast out, it is dethroned. We are not, as before, “its willing people”, but its reluctant, struggling captives. It is not “the day of its power”.

And here lies the holy liberty of the Gospel – not, as some have feigned, - a liberty to “continue in sin, that grace may abound”; but a deliverance from the guilt and condemnation of abhorred, resisted, yet still indwelling sin. When our better will hath cast it off – when we can say in the sight of an heart-searching God, “What we hate, that do we” – the responsibility is not ours – “It is not we that do it, but sin that dwelleth in us”. Still let us inquire, is the promise of deliverance from sin “sweet to us”? And does our successful resistance in the spiritual conflict realize the earnest of its complete fulfillment? Blessed Jesus! what do we owe to thy cross for the present redemption from its guilt and curse, and much more for the blissful prospect of the glorified state, when this hated guest shall be an inmate no more! O let us take the very print of thy death into our souls in the daily crucifixion of sin. Let us know the “power of thy resurrection” in an habitual “walk in newness of life”.

Psalms 119:4

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

We have seen the character of the Man of God. Let us mark the authority of God, commanding him to a diligent obedience. The very sight of the command is enough for him. He obeys for the command’s sake, however contrary it may be to his own will. But has he any reason to complain of the yoke? Even under the dispensation which “gendereth unto bondage” most encouraging were the obligations to obedience – “that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever”. Much more, then, we, under a dispensation of love, can never want a motive for obedience! Let the daily mercies of Providence stir up the question – “What shall I render unto the Lord?” Let the far richer mercies of grace produce “a living sacrifice” to be “presented to the Lord”. Let “the love of Christ constrain us”. Let the recollection of the “price with which we were bought”, remind us of the Lord’s property in us, and of our obligations to “glorify him in our body, and in our spirit, which are his”. Let us only “behold the Lamb of God “; let us hear his wrestling supplications, his deserted cry, his expiring agonies – the price of our redemption; and then let us ask ourselves, Can we want a motive?

But what is the scriptural character of Evangelical obedience? It is the work of the Spirit, enabling us to “obey the truth”. It is the end of the purpose of God, who “hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”. It is the only satisfactory test of our profession.

Then let me begin my morning with the inquiry – “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” “Teach me thy way, O Lord: I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Let me trade with all my talents for thee; ever watchful, that I may be employed in thy work; setting a guard upon my thoughts, my lips, my tempers, my pursuits, that nothing may hinder, but rather every thing may help me, in keeping thy precepts diligently.

But why do I ever find the precepts to be “grievous” to me? Is it not that some indolence is indulged; or some “iniquity regarded in my heart”; or some principle of unfaithfulness divides my service with two masters, when I should ought to be “following the Lord fully”? Oh! for the spirit of “simplicity and godly sincerity” in the precepts of God. Oh! for that warm and constant love, which is the main-spring of devoted diligence in the service of God. Oh! for a larger supply of that “wisdom which is from above” and which is “without partiality and without hypocrisy!”

Psalms 119:5

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

The Lord has indeed “commanded us to keep his precepts”. But, alas! where is our power? Satan would make the sense of our weakness an excuse for indolence. The Spirit of God convinces us of it, as an incitement to prayer, and an exercise of faith. If, Reader, your heart is perfect with God, you “consent to the law that it is good”; you “delight in it after the inner man” you would not have one jot or tittle altered, mitigated, or repealed, that it might be more conformed to your own will, or allow you more liberty and self-indulgence in the ways of sin. But do you not sigh to think, that, when you aim at the perfect standard of holiness, you should, at your best moments, and in your highest attainments, fall so far below it; seeing indeed the way before you, but feeling yourself without ability to walk in it? Then let a sense of your helplessness for the work of the Lord lead you to the throne of grace, to pray, and watch, and wait, for the strengthening and refreshing influences of the Spirit of grace. Here let your faith realize at one and the same view your utter insufficiency, and your complete All-sufficiency. Her behold Him, who is ever presenting himself before God as our glorious Head, receiving in himself, according to the good pleasure of the Father, the full supply for this and every successive amount of inexpressible need. Our work is not therefore left upon our own hands, or wrought out at our “own charges”. So long as “He hath the residue of the Spirit”, “grace” will be found “sufficient”, - Divine “strength made perfect in weakness”. Without him we can do nothing, - “Through Him all things”. Even the “worm Jacob shall thresh the mountains” when the Lord says – “Fear not, I will help thee”.

In connecting this verse with the preceding, how accurately is the middle path preserved, equally distant from the idea of self-sufficiency to “keep the Lord’s statutes”, and self-justification in neglecting them! The first attempt to render spiritual obedience will quickly convince us of our utter helplessness. We might as soon create a world, as create in our hearts one pulse of spiritual life. And yet our inability does not cancel our obligation. Shall God lose his right, because sin has palsied our ability? Is not a drunken servant still under his Master’s law? and is not the sin which prevents him from performing his duty, not his excuse, but his aggravation? Thus our weakness is that of an heart, which “cannot be subject to the law of God”, only because it is “carnal, enmity against God”. The obligation therefore remains in full force. Our inability is our sin, our guilt, and condemnation.

What then remains for us, but to return the mandate to heaven, accompanied with an earnest prayer, that the Lord would write upon our hearts those statutes, to which he requires obedience in his word? – “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” We acknowledge, Lord, our obligation; but we feel our impotency. Lord, help us: we look unto thee, “O that our ways were directed to keep thy statutes!” “Give what thou commandest; and then command what thou wilt.” Now as if to exhibit the fulness and suitableness of the promises of the gospel, the commands and prayers are returned back again from heaven with promises of quickening and directing grace. Thus does the Lord fully answer his end with us. He did not issue the commands, expecting that we could turn our own hearts to them; but that the conviction of our entire helplessness might be cast upon him, who loves to be sought, and never will be thus sought in vain. And indeed this is a part of “the mystery of godliness”, that in proportion as we depend upon him, who is alike “the Lord our righteousness” and our strength, our desires after holiness will increase, and our prayers become more fervent. He who commands our duty, perfectly knows our weaknesses. And he who feels his own weakness is fully encouraged to depend upon the power of his Saviour. Faith is then the principle of evangelical obedience, and the promises of his grace enable us for duty, at the very time that we are commanded to it. In this view are brought together the supreme authority of the Lawgiver, the total insufficiency of the creature, the full provisions of the Saviour, and the all-sufficiency of “the God of all grace”. We pray for what we want; we are thankful for what we have; we trust for what is promised. Thus “all is of God”. Christ “is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last”. Thus “grace reigns” triumphant. The foundation is laid in grace, and the head-stone will be brought forth with shoutings, crying, “Grace, grace unto it!” – The Saviour’s work is finished, and Jesus is crowned Lord of all for ever.

Psalms 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

The Lord expects our obedience to be not only “diligent”, but universal. Willingly to dispense with the least of the commandments proves that we have yet to learn the spirit of acceptable obedience. Grace is given and suited for all, no less than for one of them, “that we might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing”. One t “regarded in he heart” is sufficient to keep possession for the tyrant, however others may be restrained. Even Herod could “do many things”; and yet his adulterous wife cherished in his bosom, too plainly proved the sovereignty of sin to be undisturbed. Saul slew all the Amalekites but one; and that single exception to universal obedience marked his unsoundness, cost him the loss of his throne, and brought him under the awful displeasure of his God. Reserves are the canker upon godly sincerity. A secret indulgence – “the rolling of the sweet morsel under the tongue” – “the part of the price kept back” – stamps our service as a robbery, not as an offering. We may be free, sincere, and earnest in many parts of our prescribed duty; but this “root of bitterness” renders the whole an abomination.

Sincerity therefore must be the stamp of my Christian profession. Though utterly unable to render perfect obedience to the least of the commandments, yet my desire and purpose will have respect unto them all. I shall no more venture to break the least than the greatest of them; much less shall I ever think of attempting to atone for the breach of one by the performance of the rest. They are indeed many commandments; yet – like links in a chain – they form but one law; and I know who has said – “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” However the professor may confine his regard to the second table (as if the first were ceremonial, or obsolete, or the regulation of the outward man was the utmost extent of the requirement), I would fix my eye with equal regard to both; yet specially marking any command in either of them, that may appear most directly opposed to my besetting corruptions. Thus “walking in the fear of the Lord”, I may hope to walk “in the comfort of the Holy Ghost”; and “hereby shall I know that I am of the truth, and shall assure my heart before God”.

But where, in my strictest walk, is my hope of acceptance, but in Him, whose obedience has “fulfilled all righteousness” in my stead, and whose death “has redeemed me from the curse” of my unrighteousness, when repentance, prayers, and years would have been to no avail? Yet it is only in the path of holiness that we can realize our acceptance. The heart occupied with this world’s pleasure knows nothing of this heavenly joy. Its brightness is dimmed – its freshness fades – its life withers – in the very breath of an unholy world. A godly assurance of the present favor of God must be weakened by self-indulgence, unwatchfulness, allowance of secret sins, or neglect of secret duties. “If thou return to the Almighty”, said a wise man, “thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.”

Let us then carefully examine the character of our assurance. Does it rest simply and exclusively upon the testimony of the Gospel? Will it abide the test of the word of God? Is it productive of tenderness of conscience, watchfulness, and circumspection of conduct? Does it exercise our diligence in adding grace to grace, that we may “make our calling and election sure”, and that “an entrance may be ministered to us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”? How boldly can we plead our Christian confidence in the path of godliness. “I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”

Psalms 119:7

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

The righteous judgments of God include the whole revelation of his word – so called – as the rule by which he judges our present state, and will pronounce our final sentence. David’s attainments here seem to be as nothing. So much remained unlearned and unknown that he could only anticipate the time when he should have learned them. “Thy commandment” he exclaims “is exceeding broad”. When the Apostle, after twenty years acquaintance with the gospel, expressed it as the one desire of his heart – “That I may know Christ” – evidently he entertained the same humbling views of his high attainments, and the same exalted apprehensions of the value of treasures yet unexplored, and progressively opening before him. Thus the wisest saints are only students in the Divine School. Yet whatever their learning be, it casts them into the mould and spirit of their doctrine. Conceit however of knowledge is the greatest enemy to knowledge, and the strongest proof of ignorance; so that, “if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know”. “He deceiveth himself.”

But what is the motive that enlivens the believer in this holy learning? Is it that he may live upon the airy breath of human applause? No, rather that he may “praise his God with uprightness of heart”. When our mind is dark, our lips are sealed. But when “opens our understandings” to “learn his judgments”, he will next “open our lips, and our mouths will show forth his praise”. And this indeed is the end for which his people are formed; for which they “are called out of darkness into marvelous light”. This is the daily frame in which our God will be glorified. Yet must we live as well as sing his praise. The praise of the upright heart will be shown in the holy walk and conversation.

But let us watch that our praise really flows out of the abundance of what our hearts have learned of his righteous judgments. For do we not sometimes speak of our Saviour with a secret lurking after self-exaltation? May we not really be seeking and serving ourselves in the very act of seeming to serve and honour him? Surely the very thought of the selfishness that defiles our holiest earthly praise may well quicken our longings after that world of praise, where the flame burns active, bright, incessant; where we shall offer our sacrifices without defilement, without intermission, without weariness, without end.

The Manner of Paul

2009-05-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

BEGINNING TEXT: Acts 17: 1-10

PAUL, A PATTERN FOR CHRISTIANS: 1 Corinthians 4:6; 11:1; 1 Timothy 1:16

PAUL IS AN INTERESTING CHARACTER TO STUDY INDEED.

PAUL'S MANNER IS DESCRIBED AS:

1. REASONING OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES (Acts 17:2)

2. OPENING AND ALLEGING THE SCRIPTURES (Acts 17:3)

3. PREACHING JESUS CHRIST (Acts 17:3)

4. "TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN" (Acts 17:6)

5. "TO DECLARE UNTO YOU ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD" (Acts 20:27)

6. SHARING HIS CONVERSION EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS (Acts 22:26)

7. "LIVED IN ALL GOOD CONSCIENCE BEFORE GOD" (Acts 23:1)

8. "BELIEVING ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN" IN THE WORD OF GOD. (Acts 24:14 says, "in the law and the prophets". Paul believed the scriptures that God provided for him. To follow his example, you believe the scriptures that God provided for you, the Authorized King James Bible.)

9. HE BELIEVED GOD (Acts 27:25)

10. HE WAS EVERYWHERE SPOKEN AGAINST (Acts 28:22)

11. "TEACHING THOSE THINGS WHICH CONCERN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Acts 28:31)

12. WITH ALL CONFIDENCE (Acts 28:31)

13. "A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST" (Romans 1:1)

14. UNCONCERNED ABOUT MAN'S JUDGMENT (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)

15. FOLLOWER OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 11:1)

16. CONTEMPTIBLE AND RUDE IN SPEECH, YET NOT IN KNOWLEDGE (2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6)

17. NOT A MAN PLEASER (Galatians 1:10)

18. "CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST" (Galatians 2:20)

19. BOLDLY TOLD THE TRUTH (Galatians 4:16)

20. "SET FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE GOSPEL" (Philippians 1:17)

21. "PRAYING ALWAYS" (Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 3:10; Philemon 1:4)

22. "I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH." (2 Timothy 4:7)

When a man follows Paul, "as his manner was", there are seven things that happen (see beginning text):

1. SOME WILL BELIEVE AND CONSORT WITH HIM

2. OTHERS WILL NOT BELIEVE

3. THE SECOND GROUP IS FILLED WITH ENVY

4. THEY GATHER A COMPANY OF LEWD FELLOWS

5. THEY SET PEOPLE ON AN UPROAR

6. THEY ACCUSE BIBLE BELIEVERS OF TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN

I was looking for a church one time. I called a Baptist church (in 1989) and asked if they used the King James Bible. He answered, "Yes". I asked if they believe the King James Bible is the word of God. Then, he replied, "No, there aren't any Peter Ruckman churches around here!" That was a church that professed to believe (in their printed statement of faith) that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God. But when you ask which Bible they mean, you find out they don't believe any Bible is infallible. They believe that only the original writings are inspired. (That of course is as non-Biblical as an infallible pope. See the article "The Certainty Of The Words Of Truth".) Some people get offended so easily when you try to find out what they really believe about the Bible. And if you believe the Authorized Version is the infallible word of God, they will call you a 'Ruckmanite', even if you have never heard of Peter Ruckman. This is the seventh thing that happens:

BIBLE BELIEVERS ARE CALLED A SECT OR A CULT (RUCKMANITES) AND ARE EVERYWHERE SPOKEN AGAINST.

Who is Peter S. Ruckman? He is a man who follows Paul. He opens and reasons out of the scriptures, is not a man-pleaser, declares all the counsel of God, boldly tells the truth, is rude in speech (yet not in knowledge), and is set for the defense of the gospel, preaching and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Peter Ruckman is the president and founder of Pensacola Bible Institute in Pensacola, Florida. He has authored The Bible Believers Commentary Series, Theological Studies, and several other helpful books and booklets. In his books, he defends the authorized King James Bible against its critics. Bible critics and even some Bible believers don't like Dr. Ruckman because he obeys Titus 1:13: "Rebuke them sharply". Some people have never read Titus 1:9-13, I guess. Notice that Paul agreed that those deceivers are "liars, evil beasts, slow bellies". Why get mad at a Christian who follows Paul and talks just like Paul and our Lord Jesus would talk if they were here on earth today? Why? Because they are just like the Pharisees in the time of Christ who were angered by his speech against them and set out to kill him.

DEFINITION OF A RUCKMANITE:

A RUCKMANITE IS SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWS RUCKMAN.
RUCKMAN FOLLOWS PAUL. THIS MAKES US PAULITES.
PAUL FOLLOWED CHRIST. THIS MAKES US CHRISTIANS.
A CHRISTIAN IS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.

So, if some crybaby Bible critic calls you a Disciple of Jesus Christ because you believe the King James Bible is the word of God, just say,
"THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT!"

You're No Daisy; You're No Daisy At All

2009-05-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

You're No Daisy; You're No Daisy At All

[or The Sad Case of David Bates]

David Bates sent me this message titled “My last contact with a Pharisee!!” :

“You can post all you want on me, making fun of me and whatever else you want. Since you say I never answered you on what you did to prompt me saying compassionate, there were two things. #1 would be the attitude it takes to post all my stuff into a group discussion and make fun of it, you said I needed to grow up, well I have a 7 yr old with more sense than that. If you ever in KY look me up and we will definitely talk. #2 being the posts you put up of the Church of Christ guy as your status, asking if he was saved and telling everybody to go look and what he wrote. Let me ask one question OLD MAN, what good did that do to getting him saved or getting him right with God. I can answer that it did not do a thing to get him there, all you did was make him more mad at you, which of course is what you are called to do being the great Gary!! I advise you to take the posts off your site about me. Oh and one more thing answer a couple of questions for me, which you made fun of in your glorious group. What is your calling?? What did God call you to do?? And do you have compassion?? I will never understand the BRETHREN that are like you!! Good bye and please look me up if ever in KY, oh and good luck at the judgment seat of Christ, where I am sure you will get rewards for hammering people on the internet. All you guys are the same you know your Bible and act like babies!!!”

Now you are probably wondering what brought this on. Well, first, I am going to make a couple of comments about this message that he sent me. Then, I will take you back to the beginning. To begin with, this man is a liar. The two things that he listed for reasons that he said I had no compassion didn’t even occur before he said what he said. So those are NOT the real reasons that he said it.

Next, it looks to me like he is insinuating some sort of threat here. Notice some of the statements like that. “If you ever in KY look me up and we will definitely talk.” “I advise you to take the posts off your site about me.” “Good bye and please look me up if ever in KY.” Now, why would you say those things to somebody who you don’t like, can’t get along with, and don’t approve of if you didn’t mean it in a kind of threatening manner? Now, I do realize that on a discussion board, you can’t hear a person speaking and hear their tone, and can’t always know their exact attitude for sure. But I don’t know how else to take this.

Then, another thing is that I never made fun of him on the Baptist 1611 discussion board. I quoted some of his posts that he had posted himself on a different thread (topic). I gave his posts (without naming him by name, by the way) as examples of poorly written posts. I started a new topic called “Posting In Baptist 1611”. I made the first post explaining that posts should be written as clearly and well written as possible. In the next post, I explained that I do not want anyone posting complaints about somebody else unless they make their complaint detailed and clear. Then in the third post, I gave the examples of poorly written posts. And I am very serious about this. I don’t think this is fun and I am not making fun of David Bates. I really don’t want to do anything to keep him crying. Now, to prove what I have just said, I will copy and paste the first three posts in the “Posting In Baptist 1611” Topic.

First Post :

“So far, I think I have only had a real problem reading the posts of one person. But I just thought I would make some requests about posting whether on the Baptist 1611 Wall or on the Discussion Board.

Please, try to think about what you want to say. Please, check your spelling and grammar. And for God's sake, please, use correct punctuation and don't run sentences together.

I can sympathize with people who can't spell well and those who don't know grammar. But if you have a computer, you probably have or can obtain a Word Processor (Microsoft Word, Open Office) that has a spelling and grammar check.

I want this to be a forum that consists of fruitful discussion and the fellowship of Jesus Christ. Communicating properly leads to good communication. When five sentences are run together, separated by commas (or sometimes not even separated) and when quick (or careless) typing causes extra keys to be hit and the spelling is not checked, these posts are difficult to read.

Please, check and think about what you are posting. Think about whether your post makes sense or not. Even after posting your comments, you should read what you said and decide if you need to redo it.

Remember this is not like a telephone conversation. Speaking audibly to each other, you can easily discern each others' intent, mood, attitude, sarcasm, etc. On a discussion board, it is necessary to write as well as possible because these things are not as easily discerned here.

I want to thank everyone who has participated here so far (well, except one person) and I want to encourage you to continue. I believe if these things are kept in mind, it will benefit the forum and our fellowship.

God bless.

Brother Gary”

Second Post :

“Complaints :

If you have a complaint or accusation against someone, DO NOT post your accusation or complaint UNLESS you quote the person who you are accusing and explain what you think is wrong with what was said. You MUST be clear in your complaint. Your complaint must be exact and detailed. If this rule is not followed, your post will be deleted or edited.

There is one person who made several accusations against me, including "GARY, The way you act on here is what gives Bible believers a bad name". Another thing he said is, "You PBI guys are all the same sometimes. Hearers but not really a lot of doers."

This little kid made a judgment about me on something that he knows nothing at all about. He claimed to have read most of what I have written here on the Baptist 1611 Discussion Board. And he is making judgments about my personality, my experience, my social ability, my compassion, my calling, and my overall Christian life based on some things that I wrote. He has no idea of what he is talking about.

I still don't know exactly what I said (or on what topic) that generated his complaint. Why? Because although I asked him several times to quote me and clearly explain his accusation, he refused.

And what is a PBI guy?

We can disagree on some minor Bible issues and not have a problem. We can argue on the discussion board and not have a problem. But I don't have the time or the patience to play silly asinine games.

God bless.

Doc Holliday
(Brother Gary)”

Third Post :

“Examples of poorly written posts :

1) "Have you ever pastored a church????? GARY The way you and some others act on here is what gives Bible believers a bad name...one word...COMPASSION!!!"

Why put 5 question marks? His 'sentence' doesn't make sense. If he had put a period after "name" and then given a complete sentence, it would have been better. The way he has structured it, it looks like "compassion" is what gives Bible believers a bad name.

2) "I am a Bible Believer with every fiber of me since the day I was saved. And I agree with just about everything that is said on here...doctrinally. I have no problem with telling people like it is.. I was fired from pastoring a church in PA because I taught the rapture as pre trib, dont assume anything...what I mean is this, there is time for rebuke, amen and amen, but there is also a time for compassion a little with people who are confused and not purposefully denying any doctrine of the Bible...what I meant in the post was this and I see it an here as well as other groups, most people and I would dare say that this applies here.

There is a right way to be wrong and the wrong way to be right. Even if you are right, and most of the time on here most people are in this group. Even if you are right and you do it with no grace or compassion you have no good and have hurt the cause of Christ. Oh and the next time you say some one has no wisdom check your self for a little compassion, I am sure Christ had that. That is all I am saying guys, and you can’t disagree with that. Deal with people and you will see. Compassion for people is not compromise. All people, even if wrong sometimes, are confused at one point or another. You can rebuke and love and do it Biblically it aint all about the JACK HAMMER, Ruckman was called to pour out acid not everybody that comes from there."

I don't think I need to explain this one. If you read through this one, you can easily see the problems.

3)"I have done answered that, and it is funny none of my questions get answered, huh why is that?? Maybe I am right?? Listen I have been on that side. Right and just happy being right. But let me ask you a hypothetical question>

who is going to suffer lost at the judgment seat of Christ? A person who is wrong on something but seeking the truth or just wrong maybe because they grew up in it and are very confused, or people like you who treat people like that as lesser people and jack hammer them into submission and they quit trying because of the way you treated them...I have been there, I know the answer to that question...Do you?"

Again, I don't think the problems with this post need explanation. But notice that this is one of the accusations referred to earlier. He claims that I treat people like they are lesser people and he claims that I 'jackhammer' people into submission. But he failed to quote me to give an example of his accusations.

4)"What not all saved people are not part of the bride???"

5) "If saved you are in the body of Christ" <--- No punctuation at all.

6)"Man how much clearer do I have to be, I have read almost everything that you have wrote on here and it is true and while amongst people like us is fine but man you need some grace in dealing with people, that is why I wrote and asked have you ever been a pastor? You are almost like and I am guessing here, that you have really never dealt with people a lot. Just one mans opinion, and Rob said that after my post so who do you think he was thinking of, huh, I have been there I am not stupid, can you understand what I mean when I say you can be right the wrong way. You PBI guys are all the same sometimes. Hearers but not really a lot of doers, not intended toward you of course."

I hope it doesn't seem redundant for me to post these examples, but this also gives you most or all of the case of the clown who was complaining to me without quoting me and clearly stating his case.”

So, as I said in that third post, you can see the accusations of this guy. And I still say that he has not quoted me and explained what I said wrong specifically. He has accused me without clearly stating his case. So after all of this, I ran out of patience in this matter. As far as I am concerned, David Bates is a little child playing stupid games that I don’t care to play. I decided, as the Admin of the Baptist 1611 Group, to delete all of his posts and remove him from membership.

After I did this, I received the following message from Bates:

“Listen man, you proved my point by deleting me, and my posts. So if someone disagrees with you, get rid of them . I can understqand if it was a Bible doctrine but what we were talking about was NOT doctrine, so get use to fact that people will disagree with you. Oh and you are not always right, and on the body and bride of HCrist you are definitely wrong”

My reply message to him :

“Look, Sonny, I didn't delete you because you disagree with me. I deleted you because I don't have the patience to play your silly little asinine games. I asked you several times to quote me and explain what you think was wrong with anything that I said. You never quoted me or even referred to any certain writing of mine.

In addition to that, who do you think you are, anyway? You don't run the Baptist 1611 Group! I do. You are the one who needs to learn how to deal with people. I am not going to come into your church and try to tell you what to do. What makes you think you have the right to come into my group forum and treat me with the kind of disrespect that you have displayed?

You made a judgment about me on something that you know nothing at all about. You claimed to have read most of what I have written on the Baptist 1611 Discussion Board. And you are making judgments about my personality, my experience, my social ability, my compassion, my calling, and my overall Christian life based on some things that I wrote. You have no idea of what you are talking about.

We can disagree on some minor Bible issues and not have a problem. We can argue on the discussion board and not have a problem. But I don't have the time or the patience to play silly asinine games.

You need to try growing up, boy. And unless you can control yourself and behave, leave me alone.”

Then, I received this message from him, the one that I started with :

“You can post all you want on me, making fun of me and whatever else you want. Since you say I never answered you on what you did to prompt me saying compassionate, there were two things. #1 would be the attitude it takes to post all my stuff into a group discussion and make fun of it, you said I needed to grow up, well I have a 7 yr old with more sense than that. If you ever in KY look me up and we will definitely talk. #2 being the posts you put up of the Church of guy as your status, asking if he was saved and telling everybody to go look and what he wrote. Let me ask one question OLD MAN, what good did that do to getting him saved or getting him right with God. I can answer that it did not do a thing to get him there, all you did was make him more mad at you, which of course is what you are called to do being the great Gary!! I advise you to take the posts off your site about me. Oh and one more thing answer a couple of questions for me, which you made fun of in your glorious group. What is your calling?? What did God call you to do?? And do you have compassion?? I will never understand the BRETHREN that are like you!! Good bye and please look me up if ever in KY, oh and good luck at the judgment seat of Christ, where I am sure you will get rewards for hammering people on the internet. All you guys are the same you know your Bible and act like babies!!!”

After receiving this message, I decided that after I got all of this information into a document to post in my Doc Holliday blog, then I would go ahead and remove all of the posts about David Bates from the Baptist 1611 Group Discussion Board. Then I changed the settings for the Group to make it a private group instead of open to everybody.

Now, this crybaby has gone to another group discussion board to cry some more. He has started a new topic in the group “Dispensationalist” called “The Brethren”. Here is his post there :

“Well guess what, once again the brethren of this world have showed themselves again!! I have been attacked for simple suggesting that a guy get some compassion in dealing with a lost guy, and he was also wrong on atleast one doctrine in the Bible, the bride of Christ. And I pointed it out to him. So since he was mad at me for saying that he takes my posts and makes a group discussion out of them, where he proceeds to make fun of my lack of punctuation, like I care. On this discussion board I would like you saved people to write and let us know of some run ins you have had or have heard of with the Bible believing brethren that have absolutely no grace or compassion. We will refer to them as the BROW BEATERS, I close with this statement, compassion is not compromise!!”

Now here is another lie from this nut. I DID NOT attack Bates for simply suggesting compassion. He never explained exactly why he thought I had no compassion. He never quoted me. He is the one who attacked me. Next lie : “So since he was mad at me for saying that”. I am not mad at this guy. I really feel sorry for him. And I honestly feel sorry for his congregation. I think he said he is a pastor. I am not mad at him. He is actually starting to be amusing. Before now, I considered him to be quite irritating. But now, he is starting to get funny.

My responding post to him in the “The Brethren” topic in the “Dispensationalist” Group discussion board :

“You might think that I'm just a drunk piano player and seeing double. But "I have two guns; one for each of you".

Doc Holliday”

One final response to Bates in the “The Brethren” topic in the “Dispensationalist” Group discussion board :

“If anyone here wants the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in this matter concerning David Bates' accusation that I attacked him for a simple suggestion, go to this link and read the whole story for yourself. [http://gary-alford.blogspot.com/ ] See the post titled "You're No Daisy; You're No Daisy At All". And now, David, since you lied about your message being your last contact with me, and then you contacted me through this group message, I will remove myself from this group. Are you going to go post messages to all the members in all of the groups that I am a member of so that you can keep pestering me? Please, don't continue to harass me.”

And finally, David Bates, if you find your way to this post and read it, I have one final thing to say. You’re no daisy; you’re no daisy at all.

Why I Am Baptist

2009-05-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27 He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17

The first thing that makes us Baptists is the spiritual birth. I realize that many (perhaps most) Christians know very little about the new birth. This is mainly because of the improper application of a 'spiritual' or figurative interpretation of Bible verses dealing with it. The fact is, however, that every born again son of God has been "baptized into Jesus Christ" (Romans 6:3). This baptism is the Holy Spirit immersing the believer's spirit into the body of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; and 1 Corinthians 6:17. So, the child of God's spirit is presently sitting "in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6).

Since the baptism of the believer's spirit is a part of the new birth, every saved person has been spiritually baptized into Jesus Christ. So every saved person automatically becomes a Baptist by virtue of the spiritual birth.

The second thing that makes us Baptists is that we believe the scriptural truth about water baptism. That truth is water baptism doesn't save anybody, and has no part in anyone's salvation at all. Water baptism is merely a figure (1 Peter 3:20-21). When a person gets saved, we baptize him no matter how many times he was baptized before he got saved. We baptize a Christian to symbolize what God has done to that Christian spiritually. Since he has been immersed into the body of Jesus Christ, we immerse him into a pool of water. We 'rebaptize' if necessary which is what our forerunners, the Anabaptists, did and what their forerunners, the Waldenses, the Albigenses, the Montanists, the Donatists, and the Paulicians did.

Along with believing the truth about water baptism, these Bible believing Christians throughout church history and the Dark Ages believed in salvation by faith only; that is, faith "on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 16:31) without water baptism, sacraments, or works of any other kind. And being sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), all true believers are eternally secure.

Another thing that is an historical Baptist doctrine is the priesthood of all believers with no distinction between clergy and laity. An assembly of Christians should be run by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) through a praying group of elders instead of one or two pastors. And there should be participation in the fellowship that includes many of the members instead of having all of the responsibility, burden, and work being put on just a few leaders. There should be several preachers and teachers of the word of God in a fellowship of believers instead of only two or three while the rest of the members are lazy and inactive.

In the New Testament, a local church is "a local congregation of believers who have been called out of the world system for purposes of assembly (Acts 2), worship (Acts 4), prayer (Acts 4), mutual aid and assistance (Acts 11), teaching and preaching the Bible (Acts 13), missionary endeavors (Acts 16), and as a testimony for Jesus Christ to the pagan population among whom they dwell" [Dr. Peter S. Ruckman, New Testament Church History, Volume One, Chapter Two, page 19].

Our Bible believing forerunners, previously named as the Paulicians, the Waldenses, the Albigenses, the Montanists, the Donatists, and the Anabaptists, were also autonomous local churches. They were against the Roman Catholic Church and any other system which tried to run the lives and faith of other people. They were completely anti-Catholic. They protested the Catholic Church and the pope long before any recognized 'Protestants' thought about a reformation. Actually, these historic groups of Bible believers cared nothing about reforming the Catholic Church. They were only interested in stealing their members by preaching the true gospel resulting in the salvation of Catholics.

Bible believing Christians throughout church history have been Christians who cherished and believed the scriptures. They believed the scriptures that they had in their possession was the word of God. They believed in the final authority of the scriptures. The Syriac and the original Latin Vulgate (not Jerome's) were believed to be the very words of God that God had preserved infallibly through copying and translating for the Christians who possessed them. And on through the centuries Christians who were fortunate enough to have any part of the scriptures cherished and believed them to be God's words. Paul said, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:..." Acts 24:14. Paul believed all things written in the scriptures that God had provided for him and was called a heretic for his faith in the word of God. Bible believing Christians today believe all things written in the scriptures provided for them and we are called heretics for believing that our English Bible that God preserved for us is infallibly given by inspiration of God.

Bible believing Christians also recognized the writings of Paul to the church as the doctrines and ordinances for the local church, not, however, to the complete exclusion of the Old Testament and other New Testament books.

Summary:

A true Baptist in the historical sense, according to what the Anabaptists, the Waldenses, the Albigenses, the Montanists, the Donatists, and the Paulicians believed, believes the following doctrines:

1. Salvation by faith only without works.

2. Eternal security of the believer.

3. Water baptism for believers only after salvation. Rebaptism for believers who were not saved when baptised.

4. Priesthood of all believers with no distinction between clergy and laity.

5. Jesus Christ as the head of the local church.

6. The Bible as the authority for all matters of faith and practice, believing it to be preserved, infallible, and given by inspiration.

7. A militant stand against the Roman Catholic Church and its doctrines.

8. Public preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of Pagans, Infidels, and Heretics.

9. Worshipping and praying to God and only God, purposely ignoring Mary, all the saints, and other idols.

10. Teaching and preaching of Paul's writings as church age doctrines and ordinances.

Defining Independent Baptist - Jeff Williams
Why do you call yourself independent?
By the term "independent" we simply mean that we are not part of any convention, association or union. All of the churches in the New Testament were self-governing, independent churches without any form of outside control. We do fellowship with other churches of like faith and practice, but our guidance comes from the Holy Spirit and the written word of God - not from an ecclesiastical body.

Are you part of the Baptist denomination?

Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a "Baptist denomination" - the "Baptists" do not have a human founder as such. The term "baptist" was first applied to local groups of believers in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries who believe much like we do today. In fact, because we hold to a literal interpretation of God's Word, churches like ours can be found throughout church history, although by various names, all of the way back to the early New Testament churches, as well as around the world today.

So where did the "independents" come from?

At one time, ALL Baptist churches were independent assemblies. Though many formed unions and conventions for various reasons, many others have chosen to remain independent bodies throughout the centuries. Independent Baptist churches are not something new, but something very old and well established in church history.
[Copied from Jeff Williams, Pastor, Marlborough Bible Baptist Church, Blenhiem, New Zealand, http://www.mbbc.org.nz/faq.htm.]

New Line of Thought

2009-05-17T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I requested 20 of my Facebook friends to follow this blog. So I do want to give a sort of introduction to anyone who comes to see what this is. To begin, I started this blog quite some time ago and it has been about a year since I posted on it. I started it for the purpose that Facebook actually fulfills. And I actually like Facebook much better. However, I can still use this blog for a different purpose. This one will be for Bible Studies and maybe also some events and commentaries that may or may not be on my Facebook and on the Baptist 1611 Group Discussion Board. In other words, this blog will be more complete for current studies although some may be included in Baptist 1611. This blog may also include some events or conflicts that I will intentionally exclude from Baptist 1611.

Anyway, I found out about NetworkedBlogs by Dave Noffsinger inviting me to follow his blog. As it turns out, he also uses a Google Blog like this one. At the top of his NetworkedBlog page, it says, "My desire is to be a help and blessing". I know what a blessing it is for me when someone lets me know that they have been blessed by reading something that I wrote. And besides that, it is my duty to pass on to the body of Christ for their edification whatever the Lord teaches me.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

I may at some point change the name of this blog to something more appropriate than "The Life and Times of" etc. God bless.

Networked Blogs

2009-05-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure out this Network Blog thing and how to connect it to Facebook.

Present Course of Study (2)

2008-02-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

Having read through Miller's "Guide to Textual Criticism", and seeing the little amount of Greek language in it, I am reminded that in this and also in the works of Dean Burgon (& Scrivener, Ruckman, and others), there is, at least, some Greek used. And it would be fruitful to be able to read, speak, and understand these references to the Greek language and the Greek New Testament. Although I have given thought to learning the Biblical Greek language a few times in the past, I have never acquired a determination for it as I have now. I feel led to the study. So, I obviously will be making use of J. G. Machen's New Testament Greek For Beginners along with an audio/written Greek Tutor software, 3 Greek New Testaments, and Edward Miller's Greek Primer (1925 Impression produced photographically from the sheets of the Second Edition of 1893 - [First Edition 1887]).

In addition to this, I am still studying the Biblical new testament local church, Dr. Ruckman's Commentary on the book of Acts, and I have added the study of Psalm 119 by way of Jeff Adams' commentary called Psalm 119 A Journey Into The Heart of God. Perhaps this is the Lord's leading me into a structure of several subjects of study simultaneously and I may even continue my previous study of science (Evolution, Creation, Catastrophes, etc.) devoting some time daily or weekly to each. Another thing I might do is pick up again the correspondence course work with Charity Baptist Bible Institute. I pray for the Lord's continual leading.

A Guide to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament

2008-02-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Work of Edward Miller, M. A. [Associate of Dean John William Burgon]

I have finally finished reading Edward Miller's book "A Guide to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament". It is only 137 pages including the Appendix, but I have at the same time been studying other things as the Lord has put in my way and as described in other posts on this blog. I have often wondered since the first time I read Miller's Guide a few years ago why it is not more popular among Bible believers than what it is. For example, "Why isn't it sold at the Bible Baptist Bookstore in Pensacola, Florida along with the five works of Burgon?" Of course, I'm not condemning the bookstore; they have their own right to chose what books to handle and which not to.

Miller's Guide is a very excellent work which perhaps should be read after Dr. Ruckman's "Manuscript Evidence" and "Biblical Scholarship" and then before Dean Burgon's "Revision Revised", "Last Twelve Verses of Mark", "The Traditional Text", and "Causes of Corruption", the last two of which books of Dean Burgon, Edward Miller collected, edited, finalized, and published since the dean died before they could be finished.

Miller, in fact, recommends "those who may be disposed to enter more deeply into the important subject of it to prosecute further research in "The Plain Introduction" of Dr. Scrivener, the learned works of Dean Burgon, and in other well-known sources of information upon Textual Criticism". [Miller's Guide, 1886, Preface, page vii.]

In our case, today, "other well-known sources" would include Dr. Ruckman's material and some of the other works that I have listed in a previous post. Brother Edward goes on to say "that every Reader who would really understand, and form an opinion for himself upon the great questions at stake, must bestow on the problem which has suddenly emerged into prominence a considerable amount of individual, unprejudiced attention." This shows the reason for such widespread acceptance of corrupt modern Bible versions. The fact is that readers of Bible versions do not bestow the deserved attention on the problem of final authority; or else they would "see with which of the contending parties the Truth must lie". [pages vii, viii.]

"It is the duty of all Christians not to sit still when such concerns are in jeopardy. Yet at the present time there are comparatively few persons, clerical or lay, who have an intelligent acquaintance with the grounds on which this important question rests." [Chapter I, page 4.]

"It will be our duty to deduce the main principles that ought to revise and remodel the Sacred Text." [Chapter I, page 5.]

Modern Christianity has accepted corrupt Bible versions by sitting still instead of fulfilling our duty of ascertaining what the true scriptures are and by what right the modern translators have to change our Holy Bible that reigned as the common Bible from 1611 (or sometime shortly thereafter) until 1881.

There are many other things I could quote from Miller's Guide and show what a great work it is. And perhaps at some later time I will but for now, let this suffice.

The Biblical New Testament Local Church

2008-02-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

(Part Three)

Tithing

This is yet another problem with modern churches. Most of them that I have ever attended have put an undue emphasis on giving. The problem that I mentioned in the first part of this series of posts concerning the failure of most Christians to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) is of great importance. The example I gave before is concerning dispensational salvation. Now we are looking at a problem just as vital as that which concerns church pastors who lord over their flock unscripturally. Many pastors take the oversight of the flock of God by constraint for filthy lucre.

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Paul doesn’t mention tithing one time in all his epistles for the church. He does talk about giving but not tithing. The twelve apostles said in Acts 6:4 that they would give themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The thing that an elder should constrain his flock to give (if anything at all) is “themselves”. There really shouldn’t be constraint laid on Christians but the point is that the first and main thing that God wants from you is you, not your money. If fact, if God has you, you will give as the Lord lays on your heart to give without having a pastor taking old testament scriptures out of their contexts in order to rob you of your money.

Acts 7:38 says that Moses “received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Paul mentions “the oracles of God” in Romans 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12. And then Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;” (1 Peter 4:11). Here I think is the responsibility of local church elders and pastors to give the oracles of God to the people of the church.

When Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, he called the elders of the church (Acts 20:17). At this time he gave them the following warning:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:28-35)

He said to “take heed” of a few things. 1) to feed the church of God, 2) grievous wolves shall enter in among you, 3) perverted men will “draw away disciples after them”, 4) watch and remember. Then, he said, “I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.” And when he finally mentions giving, it is in reference to supporting the weak not supporting the church pastor.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;” (Titus 1:7)

As I said before, Paul never even mentioned ‘tithing’. And from what I see, when he talks about giving, it is in reference to “Distributing to the necessity of saints” (Romans 12:13) or in support of Paul himself, being an apostle, a traveling minister (Philippians 4:15).

And also Paul indicated in Romans 12:8 that giving is a gift that possibly not everybody would have.

“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” (1 Corinthians 16:15).

Paul discusses the ministry to the saints in 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 (two whole chapters) and the whole time it is about giving “to the necessity of saints” (Romans 12:13); “the want of the saints (2 Corinthians 9:12).

In conclusion, I see that Christian tithing is unbiblical and especially pastors beating their congregation over the head with verses that don’t apply to them and trying to constrain them to give their money for unbiblical purposes. I don’t believe that Christian giving should be used to build a beautiful building and buy a bunch of junk to put in it. It seems that most of the modern churches and pastors are much, much more concerned with building a pretty and comfortable building to attract lost people and baby Christians than they are concerned about “edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

[If necessary, I might add more to this about tithing and giving in a later post.]

The Denominational System is Unscriptural

“Where in the Bible is such a religious structure found? If a denominational system is so good and needful, then why didn’t God think of it and establish it? Why didn’t Jesus say, “I will build my denomination . . .” in Matthew 16:18 instead of saying that He would build his church?

Denominationalism was introduced to Christianity, not by the Bible, but by men. Rather than follow the simple Bible pattern of respecting the autonomy and independence of separate local churches, men have traditionally given into the temptation to “become stronger and better” by linking churches together into associations, fellowships, hierarchies, and denominations. First, it was the Roman Catholics, then the Greek Orthodox Church, then all of the Reformation groups.

In the book of Acts, there are various local churches established, but there are no denominations or associations. In his epistles, Paul addresses local assemblies, but no denominations or associations are mentioned. In Revelation 1:4, we read these words: “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne.” We do not read anything about denominations, conventions, or associations. Jesus then goes on to address letters to each of the seven churches independently in chapters two and three (Rev. 1:4, 11; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). The Bible simply does not support denominationalism. New Testament churches are independent, autonomous, assemblies of Christians, and nothing more.”

[From “The Sick Southern Baptist System – 13 Reasons To Get Out and Stay Out of the Southern Baptist Convention”, 35 page booklet, Copyright © 2006 James L. Melton - http://www.biblebaptistpublications.org/southernbaptists.html]

(An additional note: the biblical new testament churches didn't have names either.)

Entertainment in Church

(1) Handel was so spirit-filled when he wrote The Messiah that he said he didn’t know if he was in the body or out of the body; (2) every word to the Hallelujah Chorus was taken straight from a King James Bible; (3) Handel was quick to correct a British Lord who commented that The Messiah (Handel’s masterpiece) would make excellent “entertainment” for the people. The dear saint said that he wanted to HELP the people, not entertain them; (4) three thousand people attended the funeral of George Frideric Handel, and he is buried at Westminster Abbey near a statue of himself. The statue is holding a music score reading “I know my Redeemer liveth.”

What I Have Learned About The Biblical Local New Testament Church

2008-02-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

(Part Two)

Problems With Modern Churches

I think I have well explained in my previous post (Getting Out Of The Baptist Camp) why I chose to quit referring to myself as a Baptist. I believe that I also thoroughly explained the problem of opening up the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord to unsaved people and therefore causing a mixt multitude.

Another problem is the Sunday School System. In most churches as far as I know when you go to Sunday School, you and your spouse go to one Sunday School class, your teenagers go to another Sunday School class, and your younger children go to even other Sunday School classes. So what I now see in the Sunday School System is the splitting up of the family. I think this is unbiblical and unnecessary.

So far I have listed three things in modern churches that are unbiblical, unnecessary, and I think also detrimental to the body of Christ. They are as follows.

1) A Mixt multitude of believers with unbelievers

2) ‘Joining’ the local church

3) The splitting of Christian families in the assembly

Another problem with modern churches is the way that they are ruled. I now believe that the Biblical New Testament local church should be ruled by a group of elders instead of by one or two pastors. In support of this, I will give some Bible verses and comments from C. I. Scofield and Peter S. Ruckman.

Elders and Bishops.

“And when they had ordained them elders in every church” (Acts 14:23). “The ordination is for an office exactly as it is found in 1 Peter 5:1,2 and 1 Timothy 5:17; and there is more than one elder per church (Acts 20:17).” [Peter S. Ruckman, Bible Believers Commentary on The Book of Acts (1974; 1984), page 415.]

“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Philippians 1:1)

“The “bishop” is a guardian or inspector. This is apparent from the passages where the word “elder” occurs. The bishop is plainly an ordained elder (Acts 20) in charge of “feeding the flock” and acting as “overseer” of the vineyard (1 Corinthians 9:7-10). All “bishops” and “elders” help oversee LOCAL CONGREGATIONS, and there are several of them in each locality (Acts 20). The bishop is the “pastor” of Ephesians 4; and the pastor is to be “apt to teach” and a “teacher” (Ephesians 4:11). [Peter S. Ruckman, Bible Believers Commentary on The Book of Philippians (1973; revised 1997), page 394.]

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” (1 Timothy 3:1-2)

“The passage deals with the qualifications of a “bishop”, called an overseer in Acts 20:28, and called a pastor by modern Baptists. All three titles apply to an undershepherd of a flock. A pastor or bishop is an ordained “elder” (Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 14:23) whose rulership is spiritual (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17). [Peter S. Ruckman, Bible Believers Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (1989), page 55.]

“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Philippians 1:1)

“A local church is an assembly of professed believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, living for the most part in one locality, who assemble themselves together in his name for the breaking of bread, worship, praise, prayer, testimony, the ministry of the word, discipline, and the furtherance of the gospel. Such a church exists where two or three are thus gathered. Every such local church has Jesus Christ in the midst, is a temple of God, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. When perfected in organization a local church consists of “saints, with the bishops [elders] and deacons.” [Scofield Reference Bible (1909; 1917), footnote for Philippians 1:1.]

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” (Titus 1:5)

“Elder and bishop designate the same office, the former referring to the man, the latter to a function of the office. The eldership in the apostolic local churches was always plural. There is no instance of one elder in a local church. The functions of elders are: to rule, to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error, to “oversee” the church as a shepherd his flock. Elders are made or “set” in the churches by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), but great stress is laid upon their due appointment (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). At first they were ordained by an apostle, but in Titus and 1 Timothy the qualifications of an elder become part of the Scriptures for the guidance of the churches in such appointment (1 Timothy 3:1-7).” [Scofield Reference Bible (1909; 1917), footnote for Titus 1:5.]

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” (3 John 1:9)

“The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. It appears also that he had refused the ministry of visiting brethren (v. 10), and cast out those who received them. Historically, this letter marks the beginning of that clerical and priestly assumption over the churches in which the primitive church order disappeared. This Epistle reveals, as well, the believer’s resource in such a day.” [Scofield Reference Bible (1909, 1917), from the Introduction to Third John.]

To Be Continued ....