Category: Bible corruption

Benoni and Benjamin #1

Sunday, April 15, 2018

“And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin” (Genesis 35:18 KJV).

Dear friend, look and see—herein lies prophecy!

Bible deriders never sincerely study what they speak evil of; they merely skim and gripe. Dodging the “trouble” of studying, they dismiss Scripture as “a random collection of Jewish campfire fantasies.” There is very little, if any, personal investigation underlying that claim. Rather, something silly was heard at a “Christian” church, something preposterous was read in a “Christian” book, and the skeptic thus embarks on his lifelong, pompous crusade, “Look here and look there, the Bible is riddled with superstition and mistakes everywhere!” (He has no idea that his controversy is not with Scripture, but rather with religionists who distort and complicate Scripture.)

The Bible is no ordinary Book. Friend, you approach it with an arrogant, faultfinding attitude, and you will never get one hint of truth out of it. It will tightly lock so you will not gain its insight. At that point, God will then let you use it (!) to prove whatever you want. You can therefore quote Scripture and mock, “Error, error, error!,” but you will look completely foolish. God already gave you over to error, and looking at the Bible thereafter, all you are capable of seeing is error. This is exactly where atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers have placed themselves. They did not want to know—so now they do not know! However, all hope is not lost. Friend, as long as you are living and breathing, and not in the Devil’s Hell where you belong, you can obtain forgiveness of sins through simple faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). You also still have opportunity to start understanding and enjoying the Bible.

Today’s Scripture, at first glance, seems like easy reading. Some woman died in childbirth after naming her boy, but her husband called their newborn by another name. Big deal! The critic passes over it as trivial, whereas the Bible student pauses and investigates. We are Bible students (yes?), so we now stop and study. There is something downright marvelous here, but ONLY (!) if we are willing to receive and believe it….

Bible Q&A #485: “Can you explain the ‘spot’ in Deuteronomy 32:5?”

How to Know Dispensational Bible Study

Monday, April 9, 2018

“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 KJV).

Friend, have you ever wondered how to know dispensational Bible study?

People often inquire, “Why are there so many churches?” Expectedly, precious few of those tens of thousands of professing “Christian” denominations understand and appreciate the Holy Bible. Unfortunately, they are “lost” in the Scriptures, unable to make any sense out of them. No wonder they are tempted to—or actually do—completely throw out the puzzling and contradictory Bible! Since all groups quote some verses, using the Bible to sort out the confusion appears impossible. Yet, today’s Scripture allows us to not only answer but even avoid those spiritual catastrophes—“study… rightly dividing the word of truth.”

A “dispensation” is simply a particular set of instructions that God gives to man for his faith and obedience during a definite time (see 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25). We must (!!!) recognize and “rightly divide” the various dispensations as God has already done. Verses will become destructive and the Bible loathsome if we ignore dispensational contexts and boundaries (timing). Provided that we want to believe the Word of God, and not promote a denominational agenda, absolutely nothing here is difficult.

Religionists consider “dispensational Bible study” dirty words, curse words, profanity. Their denominational doctrine is threatened, and they know it! If people understand the Bible by themselves, they will no longer depend on the denominational hierarchies for “guidance” (brainwashing)! Dispensational Bible study is simply placing the Scriptures on a timeline. Just as we sort secular history instead of jumbling all the events and peoples together, so we recognize God’s arrangement of the Scriptures to form a wonderful, sequential layout.

Ephesians chapter 2 provides three invaluable timeline markers—“time past” (verses 11,12), “but now” (verse 13), and “the ages to come” (verse 7). Acts 3:21 shares information God has “spoken… since the world began.” Romans 16:25-26 mentions knowledge God “kept secret since the world began” but has now revealed through the Apostle Paul. Unless we organize Bible verses dispensationally—whether history, present-day, or prophecy, and involving either the nation Israel or us the Church the Body of Christ—we will be hopelessly flummoxed by Scripture!

For more information about dispensational Bible study, you may see: https://333wordsofgrace.wordpress.com/whats-dispensational-bible-study/.

How to Know the Holy Bible

Sunday, April 8, 2018

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17 KJV).

Friend, have you ever wondered how to know the Holy Bible?

Years ago, like most, I assumed all Bible versions said basically the same thing; oddly, I was also a King James Bible critic. Then, instead of naïvely repeating hearsay, I began researching. The beautiful leather covers, insightful study notes, contemporary English, extra-wide margins, attractive graphics, “unparalleled scholarship,” and large print aside, something quite sinister underlies the Bible versions issue. God’s chief enemy, Satan, wants to remove the Bible from its place as the final authority. Genesis 3:1-5 captures Satan’s first words spoken in Scripture: if he can question God’s Word, add to it, take from it, water it down, or completely deny it, he has you on his side without you realizing it!

Anglophone (English-speaking) Christians once had one voice because they used one standard set of Bible manuscripts. This ceased approximately 140 years ago with the arrival of contemporary English Bible translations based on completely different manuscripts. Consequently, verses are now removed, words have been inserted, and familiar Christian phrases are watered down. Roughly 200 modern English versions have now been released to the general public. Many Bible translators and publishers—not necessarily Christians but shrewd entrepreneurs—see economic incentives. Moreover, those exalting heretical (counterfeit) Bible manuscripts hide their motives by releasing nocuous yet “easy-to-read” English versions. Sadly, today’s “Bible scholars” are usually not interested in maintaining and defending the integrity of the Holy Bible.

The King James Bible has served the Church the Body of Christ well for over 400 years. A sure foundation in this ever-darkening, ever-depreciating world, it has withstood the test of time. We cannot afford to be waffling between hundreds of English Bibles; alas, to Satan’s delight, much of the professing church is doing just that. Friend, if you are to be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (today’s Scripture), then you must (!) have the inspired, preserved Word of God for English speakers—the King James Bible. Your Christian life depends on having that final authority!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What are the ‘sins that are past’ in Romans 3:25?”

Stabilized!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15,16 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be stabilized by sound Bible doctrine.

Today’s Scripture mentions those who are “unlearned.” It here represents the Greek word amathes, literally “without understanding.” The adjective “unstable” also describes them: the Greek term is asteriktos, or “not fixed.” Ephesians 4:14 strikingly illustrates: “…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.” Think of a ship rocking back and forth as each breeze and wave push it here and there, zigzagging, with no certain course. Imagine a tower swaying in the wind, leaning, ready to topple. Destruction is approaching!

The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Peter about individuals “wresting” the Bible. They distort the meaning of verses to force the Scriptures to agree with their theological system. There is particular emphasis on these “Bible butchers” attacking the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Destruction is imminent!

Notice the example in 2 Timothy chapter 2, particularly verses 16 and 18: “[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” Those who refuse to “rightly divide the word of truth” are in fact those condemned in today’s Scripture.

Unless we understand the Bible dispensationally, dear friends, we will lack internal (spiritual) stability. Our Christian lives will not function properly. When tragedy strikes, we will be unstable… unable to handle it as Father God intended. Right division is not an option!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does God see us Christians as sinners?”

The Wise Masterbuilder #2

Saturday, January 6, 2018

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10,11 KJV).

Who is the “wise masterbuilder?” In what way is he “wise?” What is he building? Where do we fit in?

Chapter 1 of 1 Corinthians says the Holy Spirit is writing to the saints at Corinth through the Apostle Paul (verse 1). The passage also identifies the primary problem that is plaguing the assembly: “[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. [13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

Verse 10 shows us there are “divisions” (Greek schisma, from which our English word “schism” is derived) among the Corinthians. The Apostle has received news that these Christians have become notorious for their “contentions” (quarrels, debates, heated disagreements). From where did these rifts and conflicts stem? Why, dear friend, just read verse 12 again—“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” To wit, one clique here, one sect there, another denomination hither, and still another group yon!

In Corinth, one crowd follows the teachings of Paul, a second group embraces the doctrines of Apollos, a third crowd clings to the teachings of Cephas (Peter; John 1:40-42), and a fourth faction follows the doctrines of Christ’s earthly ministry. All are bickering in their defense of each. Does this not sound like “Christianity” today? Indeed, it does….

The Wise Masterbuilder #1

Friday, January 5, 2018

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10,11 KJV).

Who is the “wise masterbuilder?” In what way is he “wise?” What is he building? Where do we fit in?

My dear friend, have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations claiming to represent Christianity? Why are there so many different churches naming the name of “Jesus Christ?” How can they all use the Bible and yet still manage to embrace vastly dissimilar theological systems?! Notice the succeeding lines, and all will be clear. It would do you well to read them over and over and over again. You should never, ever, EVER (!) forget them. These admonitions will literally save you from a lifetime of confusion, burden, and disappointment. Bearing in mind the following, you will be spared from ever so much surprise and bewilderment.

You can use the Bible to teach anything. How do we know? Why, my dear friend, remember, just look around us. All 38,000-plus “Christian” denominations appeal to and quote Holy Scripture to some extent. Each and every group cannot be right, however, for they all use verses to teach opposing doctrines. How can so much error be?

God values free will. If you do not want His Word to say what it says, if you do not want to believe what it says, God—oh, yes, my dear friend—GOD will give you the liberty to stumble over His Word and break your theological neck! Again, such damage will be inflicted upon your soul, such immense destruction will result, but God will let you go that route if you so choose. You approach Scripture with the attitude of unbelief and scorn—hoping to sustain your system—and God the Holy Spirit will give you over to do just that! You will wind up in eternal hellfire quoting Scripture. Your Christian life, if you have one, will be ruined by you quoting Scripture.

May we not be willfully ignorant. May we be willing to let the Holy Spirit teach us His Word pure and plain….

NOTE: If you want Scriptural advice for 2018, please see our archived Bible study here.

A Book That Will Teach

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us who alone we can trust to teach us God’s truth!

Once, I heard a minister give his self-proclaimed “prophetic” message about top headlines that would appear in the coming year. While he reassured his audience that he received this information directly from “the Lord” (?), he gave a disclaimer: “I do not know, but at the end of this year, we will see if what I say came to pass.” Unlike the inner impressions and hunches of this “Christian” preacher, the Holy Bible is infallible, and we can trust its information completely.

Long, long ago, God Almighty wrote a Book, and He preserved it through history through a multiplicity of manuscript copies, so that it could eventually be translated into English, so we could read it even today! (Of course, Satan, the master counterfeiter that he is, most certainly had his own manuscripts—they still circulate today as corrupt Bible translations.) God promised to preserve His words forever (Psalm 12:6,7; Isaiah 30:8; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25). Consequently, every person will stand before Him one day to give account as to what he or she did with that Bible. Did we reject it in favor of counterfeits? Did we re-translate it to fit our denominational beliefs? Did we apply it to life by faith? Did we even read it at all?

As English-speaking people, we understand—or, at least, we should understand—that we can trust the 400-year-old King James Bible. Sadly, even in many church circles, we are often cautioned not to trust God’s preserved Word. Unfortunately, footnotes, study notes, and seminarians usually attempt to claim that authority by offering “better” readings or “better” manuscripts. Beloved, we can do without unbelieving textual critics and their “scholarship.” God does not need lost people to explain His Word to His children; He never did and He never will (1 Corinthians 2:14). Never forget that!

The Holy Spirit will teach us the King James Bible if we “read” (Ephesians 3:4), “study” (2 Timothy 2:15), and “consider” it (2 Timothy 2:7)!

The Virgin Conception of Christ

Monday, December 18, 2017

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 KJV).

While Christendom speaks of the “virgin birth of Christ,” according to today’s Scripture, a more accurate term would be the “virgin conception of Christ.” There was nothing unusual about Christ’s birth; it was His conception that was unique because there was no human father!

Interestingly, today’s Scripture has been the point of controversy for over a century (to Satan’s delight!). Some modern Bibles (RSV, NRSV, et al.) translate the Hebrew word here translated “virgin” as the vague “young woman,” thereby leaving room for the heretical idea that Joseph was Jesus’ biological father (and denying Christ’s deity)! If someone ever tells you almah (the Hebrew word translated “virgin”) can mean “young woman” or “virgin,” they are right, but point out that the key to choosing the right translation is not up to a translator, but rather the Holy Ghost!

The author of Matthew’s Gospel, filled with the Holy Ghost, knew which translation—“young woman” or “virgin”—was what God had intended in Isaiah 7:14. If we want to know what God meant in Isaiah 7:14, why not ask God?

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold a virgin shall be with child…” (Matthew 1:22,23a). The Greek word translated “virgin,” parthenos, can only mean “virgin,” not “young woman.” Isaiah was prophesying a virgin, indicated by the words “firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7) and “Joseph knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25). Isaiah 7:14 meant “virgin,” as indicated by Luke 1:34, for Mary “knew not a man.” Again, the Bible is clear that Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father.

Matthew 1:23 indisputably proves that almah in Isaiah 7:14 did not simply mean a “young woman,” who may or may not be sexually pure, but “a virgin,” a woman who never had any sexual intercourse. The Holy Ghost, not Joseph, was the Father of Jesus’ body (Matthew 1:18-20).

For more information, see our archived Bible Q&A: “What is the real Immaculate Conception?”

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks #1

Friday, December 8, 2017

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8-10 KJV).

The first and second verses of the classic Christmas carol paraphrase today’s Scripture.

“While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around
And glory shone around.
‘Fear not,’ said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds;
‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind
To you and all mankind.’”

Due to the decree of some pagan Roman emperor, Joseph and pregnant Mary traveled some 70 miles (113 kilometers), from Nazareth to Bethlehem-Judah (Luke 2:1-7)! There, in little Bethlehem—a humble town rather than a magnificent world city—Israel’s King, yea the King of kings and Lord of lords, was born. Micah 5:2, written some 700 years earlier, was perfectly fulfilled: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Note that our King James Bible says Jesus Christ is “from everlasting,” demonstrating His deity. Modern versions water this down, saying “from ancient times/days.” Blasphemy!)

Not far from where Jesus was born and laid in the manger, shepherds were out that night guarding their flocks. (See, contrary to popular belief, Jesus was not born in wintertime. There is additional Scriptural evidence that it was early fall, very late September or very early October.) The angel of the Lord appeared to these shepherds. Angels appearing to Israel was usually some sign of judgment (see 2 Samuel 24:15-17, for example). When the shepherds of today’s Scripture saw the angel of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, they were very fearful.

The angel reassured them with such wonderful news!

Neither Misinformed Nor Uninformed

Sunday, November 19, 2017

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104 KJV).

We are neither misinformed nor uninformed—but informed!

Recently, a man wrote about his distrust of American news media. He raised two strong, important points. Firstly, if he did watch or read news, he wondered if it was true or fake news. He feared being misinformed. Secondly, if he did not watch or read news, he would not learn about current events. He also dreaded being uninformed. What a dilemma!

Dear saints, we certainly should not be uninformed. There simply is no place for ignorance in the Christian’s life. We should be aware of what is going on around us. That knowledge helps us better understand people so we can more effectively reach them with the Gospel and sound Bible doctrine. Of course, we must be informed about the Bible before we can share it with others!

Brethren, we surely should not be misinformed either. God has given us His inspired and preserved written Word, the Holy Bible. Therefore, we have a basis for gauging right/truth and wrong/error. Hence, we should be very careful in keeping one Bible version. Dozens upon dozens of various so-called “English Bibles” are being published and purchased today. How dangerous it is to be so unconcerned with a movement advancing “new-and-improved” Bibles in an age when the truth is being ridiculed, watered down, and corrupted into an outright lie!

For over 400 years, the Authorized Version King James Bible has been the standard English Bible. It has been under attack since before it came off the printing press! Satan’s assault on it increased greatly approximately 135 years ago, when English Bible “scholars” replaced it and its underlying manuscripts with ancient documents the Body of Christ had rejected as depraved and heretical for the previous 15 centuries. Beware of the modern English versions!

It is impossible to guarantee the complete veracity of a news item—unless you witnessed the event first-hand. However, we can and should compare news outlets and articles to minimize error. Moreover, the King James Bible rightly divided is our final authority, the ultimate standard whereby we evaluate everything. That is the only sure way to be informed (neither misinformed nor uninformed).