ROOTED, BUILT UP, AND ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH

Knowing what the Bible says concerning what God requires of us in order to be saved is extremely important.

The Bible says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov 16:25)

Jesus said in John 5:39 to “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”

I looked up the Strong’s definition of ‘think’ – it means ‘to seem truthfully’

Oxford dictionary defines the word like this – ‘to have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about something.’

 

There are many varying opinions, beliefs, and ideas about how to be saved that seem to be truthful, but there is only one right way – that is God’s way.  And why Jesus instructed us to SEARCH the Scriptures to know what God says. 

Paul instructed the Church in Colossians 2:6-7  the need to be Rooted, Built Up, and Stablished in the Faith, as ye have been taught, ABOUNDING therein with Thanksgiving. 

1. Rooted  (your foundations need to be secure and founded in the Sound
           Doctrines of the Bible so you cannot be swayed.

          The Bible warns against being swayed by every wind of doctrine. (Eph 4:14)

               There will be winds of doctrines that will arise that will try to sway what
                you believe.  Just this past week, I’ve encountered several floating
                around the internet.   But because my foundation is rooted deep, I can  
                not be swayed.  I know what the Bible says and therefore I can discern
                the counterfeit strange doctrines floating around and know they are
                false doctrine.                 

2. Built up in Him 

           Your foundation must be sure, secure and firm before you can start                          building upon it.  
           If it’s not, the house you’re building upon it will not be stable.  It
           may appear to be but in due time, the instability will be revealed as the                   house begins to collapse.

           It is the same in our walk with God.  We need to make sure our foundation
           is secure and firm – that’s why Bible studies are so important, especially
           right after a person gets saved.  Those Bible studies are to help a new                       convert to get rooted and grounded so their Faith can be built upon
           from there.

           If we’re not securely rooted, the building of our faith will eventually come
           crashing down when contrary winds of doctrine get sowed in the heart and
           confusion follows.   Get your foundation secure then it can be built upon to
           stand the tests and trials that come.  

3. And Stablished in the Faith 

          Meaning to be settled or installed relatively permanently in a
          position….proven valid or true.     What you know to be the Truths of God’s
          Word should be firm and unmovable and unshakable.

 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 

There are so many varying beliefs and teachings concerning what a person needs to do in order to be saved.  Some believe that all you have to do is just believe on Jesus and they’re saved. Some believe baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost is optional.  But what does the Bible say? 

We find in Acts 17:11 that those in Berea not only received the Word with all readiness of mind, but they also would search the Scriptures daily to confirm that what they were being taught was accurate.

Acts 17:11

These are more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind,
and SEARCHED the Scriptures DAILY,
whether those things were so.

 

We need to search the Scriptures so we can see whether these teachings and philosophies we hear are so/are correct.  We need to learn to rightly divide the Word.

 

Where do we begin?

If we want to know HOW to be saved, we look to the Book of Acts – that is where the birth of the Church is recorded and we can find evidence of how the first believers came to be saved = They believed, repented, were baptized in Jesus Name, and were filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.

Then to grow as a Believer in Christ and learn how to be a Christian and what we need to continue to do AFTER we’re saved, we look to Romans through Jude = where we find instruction, correction, admonition, and inspiration.

 

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD

We need to know whether these things be so and how to answer. 

There is a belief floating around the internet now concerning salvation and the thief on the Cross.  The post asks how the thief on the cross fits into your theology?  They point out that the thief was not baptized, he was not filled with the Holy Ghost, he wasn’t at Church, yet Jesus said, “this day shall ye be with Me in Paradise.” 

So, how does that fit when we teach and believe according to the Bible that we must repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and be filled with the Holy Ghost? 

We need to keep in mind: It is not ‘my’ theology or ‘your’ theology, but we must look at the Bible, what it says, and rightly divide the Word of God. 

We find the account of the conversation between Jesus and the 2 thieves recorded in Matthew 27:33-44 + Mark 15:22-32 + Luke 23:32-43.

Jesus is being reviled and mocked as He hung writhing in agony on the cruel cross of Calvary.  On one side hung a thief worthy of death.  Despite his agony, he joined in the mockery. 

On the other side hung the other thief who realized they were deserving of death.  He rebuked the other thief for his mockery and for lack of proper fear toward God.  He knew they were getting ready to meet their Maker and give account for all their sins.  He had a healthy fear of God as he humbly asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. 

Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”

At this point, they were still under the Old Testament Dispensation of Law where atonement for sin still came through the sacrifice of a spotless lamb.  That man had no way to offer a lamb to atone for his sins as he hung there dying beside Jesus.  BUT JESUS offered Himself as the spotless Lamb that day and made atonement for that man’s sins.

We have to keep in mind this was still under the Old Testament Dispensation of Law.  Dispensation is referring to way that God dealt with His people down through time.  The Law was more than just the 10 Commandments.  It was an extensive list of rules, laws, and ordinances of God given to Moses.  

The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. (Gal 3:24) Romans 10:4 lets us know that Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness.  The Dispensation of the Church Age did not begin for another 50 days after the Crucifixion when the Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost.

So, is believing all we need to do to be saved?

If all a person needs to do to be saved is just believe on Jesus, then there would be no necessity for Peter to respond on the Day of Pentecost the need to Repent, and be baptized EVERY ONE in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).  The many other Scriptures that discuss the necessity of Baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost would be pointless….if, all we must do is believe or pray a sinner’s prayer. 

We know the first thing we must do to be saved is to believe and the next is to repent. What next? 

Jesus Was crucified in Mark chapter 15.  He resurrected in Mark 16.  After Jesus rose from the grave, He appeared to the Disciples and continued to teach and expound Scripture for approximately 40 more days. 

In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructed His disciples to GO into all the world and PREACH the Gospel. 

Then He taught in the very next verse (vs 16) : he that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved.  But he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Jesus instructed that we must not only believe, but we must also be baptized in order to be saved.

Peter (who was taught by Jesus) also taught that baptism doth also now save us (1 Peter 3:21) and commanded all to repent and be baptized EVERY ONE in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). 

Jesus continued teaching in the next verse (Mark 16:17-18) that there are signs that SHALL follow every believer….they SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES. 

So, we find that Jesus taught after His resurrection and before His ascension up in to Heaven that (1) we must believe (2) we must be baptized in order to be saved (3) signs should follow every believer including speaking with new tongues (which is the sign that a believer has received the Holy Ghost).  Peter preached this as well on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-39). 

The thief on the cross was saved under the Old Testament dispensation of Law.
We are no longer under the law.  We can not have our sins covered in the same way they formally did with the blood of bulls and goats. (Hebrews 10:4) 

We are currently in the New Testament Church dispensation which began on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was first poured out. Our sins are now not only covered by the Blood of Jesus; His Blood now CLEANSETH us from ALL SIN. (1 John 1:7)

We are now commanded to repent of our sins, be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…  I know our go-to verse is Acts 2:38 but there are many more which support and reaffirm this teaching and we need to know them and memorize them so we can aptly teach when questions arise…..

Acts 10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.

 And we shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues. (which again, there are more Scriptures than just Acts 2:38-39.

Some believe the Holy Ghost is optional.  Others believe you receive the Holy Ghost once you pray the sinners prayer without any outward sign or manifestation appearing at that moment. 

We need to know and make sure the Bible agrees with that teaching. Because Romans 8:9 lets us know that if we do not have the Spirit of Christ, we are none of His.  That means we don’t belong to Him.  We’re not His child if His Spirit is not in us.  We need Christ’s Spirit residing in us.  And we need to know what the Bible says will be the sign that we have received His Spirit in us. 

 

Our eternity depends on making sure we are saved just like the Bible says and that we KNOW we have Christ’s Spirit residing in us.

We NEED Christ’s Spirit residing in us. That is where we receive power (Acts 1:8) The devil is deceiving too many into believing they do not need it or that they’ve received it when they haven’t….because He knows the Holy Ghost gives that person power over him and power to overcome sin.

Jesus taught these things to His Disciples who then taught it to every one they came in contact with.

Jesus is coming soon!  We need to be reaching for the lost and we need to know how to give an answer and what to teach them. The harvest truly is plentiful but the laborers are few.  Pray that God will make you a fisher of men.  

I’m giving you the condensed version tonight because it would take too long to go into such an in-depth study of the Scriptures concerning Baptism and the Holy Ghost.  So, we will continue more on this topic next week.

 

The Centurion - who is he?

The Centurion - who is he?

The Bible is full of so many interesting connections. The more you read it, the more you see it.

As I was reading Luke Chapter 7 this morning concerning a certain Centurion whose servant was near death, I began to wonder if this was the same Centurian in Acts chapter 10?

Jesus had just entered Capernaum.   A certain Centurion, whose servant was near death, desperately sent some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to come heal his servant.

The Jewish elders affirmed to Jesus that this Centurion was worthy to receive a miracle and was a good man. They said he loves the nation of Israel and has built them a synagogue.

Jesus was willing and began to follow them to the centurion's home. The Centurion felt unworthy and sent word by friends that he had faith if Jesus would just speak the word his servant would be healed.  

Jesus marveled at his faith. The friends returned back to the centurion's home to find the servant completely healed.

As I read this, I recalled the good words recorded about Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. Cornelius was also a Centurion and of good report among the Jews, but he resided in the area of Caesarea. Luke records Jesus as being in Capernaum 27 miles away. So, would that rule out any possibility of these two centurions being one and the same? Possibly but not completely.   

The Bible records that Jesus had been in both places (Caesarea and Capernaum) at various times.  Galilee was approximately 144 miles away from Jerusalem yet we know Jesus made that journey at times. Distance was no obstacle to the Savior! 

Cornelius was a devout man that feared God and gave money to the Jews. As he was praying and Acts chapter 10, he saw an angel come to him in a vision. The angel told him to send for Simon Peter who was in Joppa. 

Joppa was approximately 39 miles away from Caesarea. Not a big deal now with transportation but back then that was a long journey.  Yet Peter made that journey to tell Cornelius and his household about Jesus.  

Capernaum was only 27 miles from Caesarea. Not as far a distance as Joppa was from Caesarea.  (See map below)

As Jesus was making the journey to the Centurion's home, that centurion's faith caused his servant to be healed before Jesus arrived. Jesus did not have to make the full journey to Capernaum.  The Bible records that He entered the town of Nain on the day after....a town between Capernaum and Caesarea. 

I believe it is possible that this is the same Centurion and Jesus was willing to make that trip knowing that he and his household would one day be filled with the Holy Ghost ...the Bible said Peter heard them speaking with tongues. And then Peter COMMANDED them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus (Acts 10:44-48). 

That same gift of salvation is available to you, too, if you will receive it.

Eternity is long. Make sure you'll spend it in the right place

Yesterday in Sunday School the kids were trying to guess my age.  One thought I was over 100 years old. 😳  Another thought I was in my 90's. 🥴 One child said her mom is not liking that she's growing up so fast so she pretends that she's still four. I told them I like to pretend that I'm still 21. One child accurately guessed that I was between 40 and 50. I told that I was but to let me live in the delusion that I was still 21.

We all laughed.   We were having fun and just to clarify I am not pretending to be 21.  I am closer to 50 than 40  There's no way I would try to appear to be 21.  I'm a grandmother and enjoying every moment although I wonder where has the time gone?!  

Life is but a vapor and passes all too quickly.

We need to make the most of every moment and make every moment count...with family and for Jesus.  

When we step into eternity, what will be the most important thing? What will be the thing that really matters?   

A job? A Promotion? The hours spent working away from family?  The hours spent away from family even though they're sitting in the same room because a person may be too engrossed in their phone or a movie/tv show that is derived from someone else's imagination? Fame? Fortune? Who won the latest game? Etc....

No, what will matter most is: Are we saved? Are we ready for the Lord's return? Is our family ready? Are we trying to reach out to those who don't know Jesus in the fulness of Truth?

Time is winding down fast.  One day it will be too late to get ready or get right with Jesus.    Today is the day of salvation.   Don't wait another moment.   We're only one heartbeat away from eternity and we never know when that might be.  

In the end, what will matter most is a life lived for Jesus and to hear Him say well done,  enter in!  For us, for our families,  and for others. 

I know this is lengthy.  I was simply getting ready to grab the vacuum when these thoughts filled my mind.  Make sure you're saved and ready.  Do what you can to help your family be ready.  Do what you can to reach the lost.  

Eternity is long.  Make sure you'll spend it in the right place.  

Did Jesus have long hair?

Paintings depict Jesus and His disciples with hair draping over their shoulders.  Many believe that to be true and use it as an excuse for men to have long hair. But that popularly held thinking is inaccurate Biblically and historically.  

God's Word is not going to teach that men are to have short hair and women are to have long hair (1 Corinthians 11) only to have Jesus contradict God's Word by going around flaunting long hair on men. Can you imagine Jesus wearing a 'man' bun? 😳

I am not being hateful or mean nor am I attacking anyone by saying this.   That sly ol' fox has been trying to blur the distinction between male and female for years and now has many so confused that they can no longer define what a baby is nor a female.  The devil is a master at deception and twisting of Truth.

So, back to the question: did Jesus have long hair?

Biblically,  the answer is No!  Jesus was the Word made flesh (John 1:1-10) and is not going to contradict Himself nor His Word. Paul knew the Word of God and taught on it in 1 Corinthians 11.

What about historically? History also proves that Jesus did not have long hair, so again,  the answer is No! 

Look at Sculptures and carvings from that era.  The men had short cropped hair which was above their neck. 

Historically and Biblically,  it is proven that no, Jesus did not have long hair.  

This is not posted to be argumentative but rather informative.   When the lines of Truth and what is right versus what's wrong become blurred, confusion ensues.  God is not the author of confusion,  but the devil is. 

Sin no more lest....

Jesus had come to the pool of Bethesda. There He found many impotent folk (meaning feeble, diseased, sick).  But one particular man caught his attention who had been sick for 38 years.

At a certain season each year, and Angel we come down and Trouble the waters. As soon as the people saw the waters begin to be troubled, if they would make their way to the water and get in, the first one to touch the water would be healed.

Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years if he wanted to be made whole? In other words, he was asking if he wanted to be healed of his sickness. The man wanted to but could not get to the healing waters as fast as others. So, year after year he returned home the same way he came.  

Jesus told the man to rise, take up his bed and walk. He obeyed and was healed that moment.  I imagine he was more than happy to be made well.  His family and friends were likely suprised to see him walking through the town that day. 

Then he went to Church!  Jesus found again in the Temple.  The first time Jesus found him,  the spoke healing.  The second time, Jesus found him, He issued a dire warning as He said, "...sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."

Why did He add that clause? 

We like to revel in the blessings, but when Jesus has done such mighty miracles in our lives, we need to guard our hearts so that we do not sin anymore lest a worse thing come upon us.  

You may think that's negative,  but that is Jesus' words and warning. We do well to listen.  God heals us and saves us so we can walk in the Light as He is in the Light....and the Blood of Jesus Christ  cleanseth is from all sin. 

Scripture ref: John 5:1-16 + 1 John 1:7

WWB 03 - The Bible and various Versions

 

THE BIBLE – The Infallible Word of God

 

Bible reading is just as important and necessary as prayer.

It’s like breathing in or breathing out – you cannot have one without the other.

You must do both in order to live.

You must pray AND read your Bible in order to live spiritually.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4)

Jesus was saying we need the Bible more than our daily food!

 

The Bible is the Living Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12
     For the Word of God is quick, and powerful….

The Bible says the Word of God is ‘quick’
     Quick does not mean ‘fast’ as we define the word today.

When the Bible was being translated to English the word ‘quick’ actually meant 
     ‘to live’ (see Strong’s G2198) which is what the original writing was saying.
    

Paul, who is the writer of the Book of Hebrews, was teaching that the Word of God
     is alive….it is the Living Word of God.

God wants to speak to us every time we open and read the Bible.

The Word of God should never become stagnant to us.

We should never read just to be reading or to say we’ve read it.

It should be a routine (a daily habit) but never just a ritual
     (ritual = actions or behavior regularly followed by someone)

David knew the importance of not just reading the Word but also getting the Word
     into his heart.

Psalm 119:11
     Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.    

You have to get the Word more than just in your head – it needs to be in your heart.

When it’s in a person’s heart, they won’t be quick to sin because they’ll KNOW
     what God’s Word says about it.

Not knowing what God’s Word teaches concerning various topics will not be an
     excuse when we stand before our Maker.

We have the Bible and must read it.

Acts 17:30
     And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
     every where to repent:

There was a time when God overlooked their lack of understanding, but NOW
     He is  COMMANDING all people everywhere to repent.

We must read God’s Word and learn what He is saying to His Church.

Jesus, during His ministry on earth, corrected false teachings.
     Matt 5:27-30   “Ye have heard that it was said…..But I say….”
     Matt 5:31-32    “It hath been said….But I say…..”
     Matt 5:33-37    “ye have heard that it hath been said….But I say…..”
     Matt 5:38-42   “Ye have heard that it hath been said….But I say….”
     Matt 5:43-48   “Ye have heard that it hath been said…But I say….” 

We’re not going to know what God’s Word teaches unless we read and re-read and study it.  Every bit of it.  Not just certain books or certain parts that are interesting to us but we need to read every part of this Book…front to back and then all over again.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
     All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God,
     and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
     for correction, for instruction in righteousness
     That the man of God may be perfect (complete),
     thoroughly furnished (fully equipped) unto all good works.

When the Bible says all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God it is saying
     that all Scripture is divinely breathed by God.                (Strong’s G2315)

Every Scripture in the Bible was given by God to:
     instruct and teach us concerning God’s laws and ways (doctrine)
     chasten and convict us when we’re doing things that displease God (reproof)
     to correct us so that we’ll change our ways and straighten up (correction)
     to educate and train us how to be more Christ-like in every way (instruction in
            Righteousness)
    

As Christians, we have personal responsibilities (things that God requires of us)

Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to…
     STUDY to show thyself approved unto God,
     A workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
     Rightly dividing the Word of Truth

We are to STUDY the Scriptures so we won’t be ashamed, so we can correctly
     understand God’s Word, and please God.

Jesus, Himself, taught in John 5:39 that we are to…
     SEARCH the Scriptures;
     For in them ye think ye have eternal life:
     And they are they which testify of Me.

Search means (through the idea of inquiry) to seek, to investigate (Strong’s G2045)
God WANTS us to seek, to search, and investigate the Scriptures.

There are many who THINK they have eternal life but they’re not studying and reading the Scriptures or they would KNOW God’s plan of salvation is more than just believing.

Every time we open the Bible to read, we need to have an open mind to
     hear what God wants to say.

There’s so much false doctrine and teaching floating around today.

Many are confused as to what’s really Biblical Truth and what’s not.

That’s why hearing the Preached Word can help us to grow spiritually and to
     understand more fully what the Scriptures are saying. 

Titus 2:3
     But hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching.

God gives the Pastor anointing and revelation to expound and explain the Scriptures. 

    

God’s Word never changes. 

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.

 

Man’s ideas, reasoning, and thinking change but God’s Word will stand forever.
    

That’s why it’s important to read the Word, get the Word in our hearts, and know what God’s Word really says.

 

Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Daily Bible reading is important. 

The more you read it, the more you will begin to get the mind of Christ in you. 

Does it matter which Version of the Bible I read?

 

Most everyone at our Church believes and knows the dangers behind the other “versions” of the Bible.

It used to be common and held firmly by most all denominations that the KJV was the closest to the original, but over the years, that belief has diminished as more and more people embrace, read, and own different versions of what is supposed to be the Bible. 

The tide has turned now to where many will question why a person still reads or owns the King James Version instead of the other way around. Some scoff at those who do. 

 

The question many have today is ‘does it really matter which version I read?’

Some will use the reasoning of ‘I can’t understand the KJV so I read these other versions because it’s easier to understand.’

We’re going to examine some comparative Scriptures to see whether it really does matter or not and address some of the reasons given.

We’re also going to study the background of how these other versions came into existence and the history of those behind it.

 

How did the King James Version of the Bible come into existence?

In 1604, soon after King James’ coronation as King of England, a conference of churchmen requested that the English Bible be revised because existing translations ‘were corrupt and not answerable to the truth of the original.’

King James set about to have 47 scholars organized into six companies which were then divided again with 2 of each of those groups working at Westminster, Oxford, and Cambridge on sections of the Bible assigned to them.

An elaborate set of rules was contrived to deter individuals from translating the Scriptures with a bias slant toward what they believed or leaned toward even if that’s not what the Scripture said or meant.

They wanted to preserve the translation’s scholarly and nonpartisan character and keep it as faithful to the original languages of the Bible than previous translations.

The new Bible was completed and published in 1611 and was widely accepted for centuries until people began to look at it as antiquated/outdated and turned toward more modern versions beginning in 1952 (RSV), 1978 (NIV), 1989 (NRSV).

Some will say, “I’ve tried to read the KJV but I can’t understand it.”

The Scripture tells us that the ‘natural man’ cannot understand spiritual things.

1 Corinthians 2:14
      But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
      for they are foolishness unto him:
      neither can he know them (which means: be aware, understand),
      because they are spiritually discerned.

The carnal, natural man will have trouble understanding what God’s Word is saying.  That’s why the Bible says we must be born again.

John 3:3, 7   Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
                       …Ye must be born again.

When you’re born again, God’s Spirit will be living within you.  That Spirit will guide a person into all Truth.

John 16:13
      Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all Truth….

Luke 24:45
      Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.

For the most part, King James Version is understandable.  For the parts you may not fully understand, if you’ll pray and ask, God will help us to understand His Word.  Go to Him with an open heart and ask Him to open your understanding. Or come and ask the Pastor…that’s why God gave us pastors = to expound the Word of God more fully.

Some say: The other versions are easier to understand

Possibly, some important questions to ask and examine are….

* Are they interpreted correctly? 
* Are they omitting important words or phrases?
* Do they change the meaning of the Scripture?

Lately, it seems I’m seeing more and more Scriptures posted from other versions.  It usually peaks my interest because I had never seen (whatever Scripture) from that particular view before so I’ll quickly go look it up in my Bible. 

Time and again, I’ve been shocked and saddened that the meaning has been either somewhat changed or completely changed.

A while back I saw a post on Facebook concerning Jeremiah 9:2 from the Message Bible.  People were having fun with it and it intrigued me because as many times as I had read the Bible, I didn’t recall seeing a Scripture with that inference.

Jeremiah 9:2 MSG At times I wish I had a wilderness hut, A backwoods cabin, Where I could get away from my people and never see them again. They’re a faithless, feckless bunch, a congregation of degenerates.

Jeremiah 9:2 KJV Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

 

HUGE difference!

But wait! - I thought the point of these other versions was to make it easier to read and understand? 

Feckless?!?  Who actually uses that word and what does it mean?  Feckless means: lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible.

There is a HUGE difference between the meanings of faithless/feckless and adulterers/treacherous! 

The MSG version changed the entire meaning of that Scripture and watered down the outcry and outrage that God Himself was feeling against His own people.  

Israel was more than just a faithless and irresponsible people; they were an assembly of deceitful people who were committing spiritual adultery against their God.

“The Message” watered down and changed the true “Message” God was giving!

 

Let’s look at a comparative of Daniel 3:25  KJV vs. NIV

Daniel 3:25 KJV Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Daniel 3:25 NIV Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.

 

Nebuchadnezzar received a revelation that the God of the Hebrews was the one true God as he looked intently into the fire.  Yet, the NIV changed and watered down the message in this passage of Scripture.

 

A comparative between Genesis 3:16 KJV vs. ESV

The NLT (which is recommended for kids) reads, "you will desire to control your husband..."	There is a difference between a woman’s desire/longings to be toward her husband and for a woman’s desires/longings to be contrary to her husband.   While it is true that a husband and wife may not always see things eye to eye and may be opposite to each other, that is NOT what GOD said.
Comparative between KJV and NIV using Luke 9:56 and Matthew 18:11
		Notice the NIV left out an important point mentioned in the KJV in Luke 9:56…   Jesus came to save lives, not destroy them!   …and it completely omitted the verse of Matthew 18:11 which reveals the whole reason why Jesus came!   WHY? Significant changes had to happen in order for the :version” to obtain a copyright in 1973.
		Notice the other versions left out WHO or WHAT we’re to believe on.   Many believe but what do they believe in? and who do they believe in?   The KJV let’s us know we are to believe on JESUS!

False doctrines and theologies are created when Scriptures are changed!

Philippians 2:5-6  KJV vs ESV is a prime example of that….

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  1 Timothy 3:16 ESV Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Reading both of these Scriptures in the KJV, we understand and see that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ Jesus bodily and that He was manifest in the flesh.  But the ESV and many other versions have changed the meaning of Scripture by implying Jesus is less than God.  This brings err and confusion as to who Jesus is.

There’s also a difference between saying He was received up INTO glory and that He was taken up IN glory.

The ESV is a revised version of the RSV which is already a ‘revised standard version’. 

 

Most other versions omit an important part of this verse….

ROMANS 8:1 KJV– There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.

NLT, NIV, ESV, RSV, NASB, CSB, AMP just to name a few omit the last phrase of this verse….there is no condemnation to those who WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. 

Denying your flesh and following after the Will and Way of the Spirit is a key part in our walk with God!

 

NIV vs KJV Mark 9:46 - Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

NIV originally completely omited this verse explaining the agony and torture of hell. Yet now they’ve added it back.  How can you trust a Bible that changes what is within?

Copyright versus No Copyright

Why are there such drastic changes and omission to these Scriptures? – the original KJV does NOT have a copyright while the ESV and other versions DO.  Yes, current KjV Bibles may have a copyright date in them placed by the publisher due to footnotes added but the Scriptures were not changed.  Significant changes had to be made in these various versions of the Scripture in order to obtain copyrights. 

If the Bible is God’s letters to us, then why would and how could someone copyright the Word of God?

The King James Version is an English translation of the Bible which was translated for the Church of England.  It was commissioned under the sponsorship of King James VI in 1603 and completed as well as published in 1611.

The Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew and Aramaic in which it was originally written and the New Testament was translated from the Greek in which is was originally written (for that was the universal language used during that time when the N.T. was written).

The KJV has been used and accepted since 1611, so why the need to change now?

 

Changing just one word can change the whole idea!

Some would reason that the KJV language is outdated.  Perhaps the ‘thee’s’ and ‘thou’s’ are, however we can understand what it’s meaning. 

Students are made to study Shakespeare in school because his literature is considered ‘classics’ so why feel the Bible is outdated and needs to be updated and changed?

The change in wording is also bringing about a change in understanding of Scripture and creating false doctrine.

The devil is so clever to mix Truth with a little bit of lie in order to twist Truth and deceive just as he did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

They are Counterfeits!

The other versions are made to look real, they’ll have some Truth within, but they were created to deceive and lead people astray into false doctrine.

 

Colossians 1:14 – most or all other versions omit ‘through His blood’

Mark 11:26 – NIV and ASV omit this verse about needing to forgive to be forgiven.

Hosea 11:12 – KJV says Judah yet ruleth with God. While NIV, AMP, NASB call him unruly.

Ephesians 3:9 – most all versions except KJV omit that it was ‘by Jesus Christ’ that God created all things.

1 John 5:7 – The other versions except KJV omit that ‘these three are ONE’

These other versions omit important words, verses, and topics such as: hell, blood, and repent.
I could show so many more examples. These are only a few examples of omissions and changes made in these various Scriptures.   *  Normally, I use Blueletterbible.org to look at a Scripture, but you can see the comparitives between several versions on one page by using BibleHub.com WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED OR WERE INVOLVED IN CREATING THESE OTHER VERSIONS?

The ESV is actually another translation from the RSV, which was denounced by elder men of God who recognized that the translators of the Revised Standard Version were actually modernistic and liberalistic scholars who do not believe or embrace the revealed truths of God’s Holy Word, including the plan of salvation.

The NIV – Virginia Ramey Mollekott is openly gay and was the stylistic consultant for the NIV.  She wrote a book titled Omnigender: A Trans-religious Approach.
(Info confirmed on Wikipedia)

Many or all (?) of the modern Bible version are derived from the work of two men, Westcott and Hort, who founded secret societies known as the Hermes Club and The Ghostly Guild.  They were leading figures in the occult revival in the 19^th century.

 

We need to be careful whose counsel we’re receiving. (Psalm 1:1)

Changes to the Bible lead to the creation of false doctrines and open a person up to receiving a spirit of error.

1 John 4:6
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.

History proves that satan couldn’t destroy the Bible so he decided to use scholars who claim they can ‘fix’ the Bible.

 

Be careful what version you read because changes in wording will also bring about a change in understanding of Scripture and create false doctrine.

Especially when it comes to children.  We’re trying to lead and guide them into the Truths of God’s Word.  These other versions can lead to a spirit of err and misunderstanding when it waters down, omits, and teaches contrary to the doctrines of the KJV Bible.

The devil is so clever to mix Truth with a little bit of lie in order to twist Truth and deceive.   That is how false doctrine is created.

 

Adding this....

These are the terrified words of the man involved in the creation of the NASB...