Category: King James Bible Authority

The Left Boot of Fellowship

Friday, December 9, 2011

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16 KJV).

We who “rightly divide the word of truth” have quickly learned to deal with being ostracized. When we share the rightly divided Word of God with denominational “Christians,” they hurriedly escort us out the front door (I speak from experience!). They encourage others to burn our “heretical” literature. They want nothing to do with us because we prefer God’s Word instead of their church tradition. Quite frankly, they give us the “left boot of fellowship,” kicking us away from their midst. (Compare this to the “right hand of fellowship” of Galatians 2:9). Beloved, take comfort; we do not belong in those religious systems anyway (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Just as the Galatians disliked the Apostle Paul for correcting their doctrinal error (see today’s Scripture), so today’s denominationalists and religionists consider us enemies (of their church tradition). Sadly, the doctrinal problems in Galatia still confuse Christendom today… and like the Galatians, denominational church members are angered when we teach them God’s truth!

Denominational Protestant and Roman Catholic churches are alike. Although their sincere members claim the name “Jesus Christ,” they are all guilty of blatantly rejecting the truth of God’s Word that they may keep their tradition. Jesus said it best in Mark 7:9, speaking to Israel’s religious leaders who gave Him the “left boot of fellowship:” “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

Denominationalists hate dispensational Bible study because it exposes their doctrinal error. Instead of believing the Bible dispensationally, they enjoy taking passages that God never gave them (that is, Israel’s doctrine). They give us “Paul-worshippers” the “left boot of fellowship” because they have already given God’s Word to them (Paul’s epistles) the “left boot of fellowship.”

Brethren, be not afraid of the denominationalists. Approach them in love, but do not compromise the rightly divided Bible. If they refuse (and they probably will), find someone who will listen to you.

“The LORD said… for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me…” (1 Samuel 8:7).

I Pray Thou Discardest Thy Prayer Books #3

Saturday, December 3, 2011

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8 KJV).

Sadly, religion has totally confused the issue of prayer. You do not have to kneel, fold your hands, speak out loud, close your eyes, or go to a church building to pray. We need not cross our hearts or pray in an “unknown tongue” (see 1 Corinthians 14:14-19). You can pray anywhere, anytime.

Today, billions of church members pray in the name of “God” and/or “Jesus.” How many are truly praying with hearts of faith, and how many are just mindlessly repeating words to pacify the preacher or priest? Furthermore, of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, how many know what grace-oriented prayer is? Unfortunately, precious few.

Intelligent, grace-oriented prayer is based on us understanding our purpose and place in God’s program. As we study and believe God’s Word “rightly divided” (dispensationally), we are storing up in our inner man (soul) wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual understanding: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16a).

Prayer is us pouring out our hearts before God (Psalm 62:8) and if we have faith in God’s Word to us (Paul’s epistles), our prayers will be acceptable to God. Why? Grace-oriented prayer is not reciting a prayer book, but repeating to God what is in your heart…the sound doctrine you read in Paul’s epistles and have believed! God wants to hear sound doctrine (His Word to you), not a denominationally-biased prayer book.

When we pray for the things for which our Apostle Paul prayed—Ephesians 1:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9-12, et al.—we know we are praying according to God’s will. Remember, the exact words are not the issue. As today’s Scripture says, God looks at your heart (if you have faith in His Word rightly divided, and you are praying in accordance with it).

One thing for which I pray is that thou discardest thy prayer books! 🙂

I Pray Thou Discardest Thy Prayer Books #2

Friday, December 2, 2011

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 to describe the religious Jews of His day. These individuals spoke like believers and claimed to love and obey the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their lips and mouths praised His name, yet God was unimpressed. Why? Because “their heart is far from [God].” It was all put-on (hypocritical, faithless activity)!

Psalm 62:8 says: “Trust in him [God] at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah [Rest].” God wants you to “pour out your heart before Him.” Tell Him your thoughts/heart. Prayer is simply you speaking to and fellowshipping with God in light of His Word. It is not mindlessly uttering some prescribed phrases in a prayer book.

Pray to God in an intelligent, understandable manner (1 Corinthians 14:15): pray as a grace saint, a member of the Body of Christ, not as a member of Israel. We need not pray Israel’s prayers like the “Lord’s Prayer” of Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 (that was God’s will for them, not for us). Also, let us not be guilty of stealing Israel’s prayer promises (i.e., Matthew 18:19; John 14:14; et al.).

Paul’s epistles describe what God is doing today, so let us pay attention to the things for which our Apostle Paul prayed. Ephesians 1:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12 are valid things for which to pray in our dispensation (these describe God’s will for us). Pray for 1 Timothy 2:3,4 to come to pass—that lost souls would be saved, and Christians would be edified (strengthened, built up).

Exact words to pray are not the issue: the heart attitude (faith in God’s Word to us) is the issue. Note that God has given us some model prayers in Paul’s epistles. Thus, if we pray in accordance with them, we will be praying for God’s will to be accomplished. So, I pray thou discardest thy prayer books!

I Pray Thou Discardest Thy Prayer Books #1

Thursday, December 1, 2011

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8 KJV).

Recent news in Christendom surrounds a controversy resulting from the re-translation of decades-old prayers. Church members complain that the re-wording is “difficult” and “confusing.” One dear congregant voiced his frustration: “I am so tired of being told exactly what I have to say, exactly what I have to pray!”

How our souls mourn that these sincere people are not being taught the truth of God’s Word. Not only are they commanded to work their way to heaven, but they are also led to believe that prayer is nothing more than mindlessly repeating a catchy creed that some man wrote! Like the religionists in today’s Scripture, these poor people “draweth nigh unto [God] with their mouth,” yet “their heart is far from [Him].”

Today, you can purchase a variety of prayer books. Oftentimes, these “Christian” books are the devil’s way of having you follow Israel’s program (steal Israel’s prayers, claim the promises God only gave Israel, et cetera). As long as you focus on what God did in time past, you will be totally ignorant of what He is doing today in the but now, our Dispensation of Grace!

God only speaks to us through His written Word, the Bible. Prayer is our way to speak to God. God can certainly read our hearts and minds, but He wants us to verbalize. He wants us to talk to Him personally, not mindlessly recite vain religious tradition. Talk to Him about your life. We who have trusted in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we have the assurance that we can come to our heavenly Father at any time in prayer.

Pray as a grace believer, in accordance with what God is doing today, and not praying for things that God did with Israel. For instance, notice what our Apostle Paul prayed for in Ephesians 1:16-23, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12. Exact words are not important—the attitude of the heart is. I pray thou discardest thy prayer books!

Fables and Endless Genealogies

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Timothy 1:3,4 KJV).

Ephesus was in trouble. Instead of sound Bible doctrine, certain individuals were teaching “fables and endless genealogies.” Questions were arising in the Christian assemblies. Doubt, confusion, and discouragement proliferated. Incidentally, some years earlier, Paul had warned the Ephesian church leaders that “grievous wolves” of their own selves would infiltrate the flock and mislead the brethren (Acts 20:17,28-31). It happened!

So, in today’s Scripture, Paul informs us that he has left Timothy in Ephesus so Timothy can correct the doctrinal error. A sobering thought is, How could Paul decide where to send Timothy today? Millions of Timothys would be needed because, since then, doctrinal error has spread worldwide and waxed worse and worse (2 Timothy 4:3,4).

God designed His Word to edify (build up/strengthen and enlighten). But Satan and sinful man cooperate to silence its message or greatly dilute it with “fables and endless genealogies.” “Genealogies” refers to pagan and/or Jewish stories passed down through families, information that would profit no one spiritually, and only generate contention (arguing) and doubt (cf. Titus 1:14; Titus 3:9). Their modern-day equivalent is the empty church tradition passed down from “church fathers.”

The Apostle Peter mentioned “cunningly devised fables” (2 Peter 1:16) and the Apostle Paul referred to “refusing profane and old wives’ fables” (1 Timothy 4:7). These exaggerated, fabricated stories (legends) sought to replace sound Bible doctrine, and Timothy was sent to command the Ephesians not to teach such nonsense. “Godly edifying which is in faith: so do” is explained in Acts 20:32 (Paul had already told the Ephesians this!): “Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up….”

As Paul told Timothy and Ephesus, sound Bible teaching (dispensational Bible study) is the key to the confusion and heresy that still plague Christendom today.

Like the Most High

Sunday, November 27, 2011

“…I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14b KJV).

Satan (Lucifer speaking in today’s Scripture) is the arch-nemesis of God. The devil is the master counterfeiter. Notice:

  1. False witnesses (Psalm 27:12; Matthew 26:60,61) cf. the Lord’s witnesses (John 8:14; Acts 5:32).
  2. False visions (Jeremiah 14:14) cf. the Lord’s visions (Ezekiel 1:1).
  3. False dreams (Jeremiah 23:32) cf. the Lord’s dreams (Matthew 2:12,13).
  4. False prophets (Mark 13:22; 1 John 4:1) cf. the Lord’s prophets (Ephesians 3:5).
  5. False Christs (Matthew 24:24) cf. the Lord’s Christ (Psalm 2:2; Luke 2:26).
  6. False apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13) cf. the Lord’s apostles (Luke 11:46).
  7. False brethren (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4) cf. the Christian brethren (Philippians 1:14).
  8. False ministers (2 Corinthians 11:14,15) cf. the Lord’s minister to us, Paul (Romans 15:16).
  9. False gospels (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4) cf. Paul’s Gospel (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8).
  10. False doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1) cf. Paul’s doctrines (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Timothy 2:7).
  11. False wonders, miracles, and signs (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13,14) cf. the Lord’s wonders, miracles, and signs (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:22).
  12. False spirits (1 John 4:1-6) cf. the Holy Spirit/Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 1:21).
  13. False Bibles (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:2)—“as from us” indicates a letter appearing to be from the Apostle Paul, but it was actually a forged epistle because it contained false doctrine that troubled the Thessalonians—cf. God’s Bible (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).

Satan knows that as long as you focus on his counterfeits, you will ignore God’s original. To Satan’s delight, whenever Israel would worship pagan gods, she would ignore the true God. As long as the Church the Body of Christ does not believe or know of the things that God has specifically for us, then God cannot use us for His glory and purposes. Saints, be discerning, for Satan’s “cunning craftiness” abounds (Ephesians 4:14; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3,4) and hold fast to the rightly divided King James Bible so you will not be deceived by the counterfeits.

The New Testament Scriptures

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

During Christ’s earthly ministry, there were no New Testament Scriptures. In fact, according to Luke 24:44, the only Scripture at that time was “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms” (Old Testament). But, God’s Word still needed 27 other books—what we call the New Testament—in order to complete His revelation to man.

In today’s Scripture, Jesus explains to His apostles that the Holy Ghost will later bring to their mind the words He spoke to them. It is generally agreed that the first New Testament books written may have been the Four Gospel Records (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), written no more than 40 years after Calvary. These four books record the very words that Jesus Christ spoke during His earthly ministry.

During the 40-year period between Calvary and A.D. 70, the Holy Ghost revealed the New Testament Scriptures. For instance, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1). Paul understood that Jesus Christ would appear to him at later times to reveal further information (see Acts 26:16).

Moreover, the spiritual gifts of Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28-31 held together the early Body of Christ, until the canon of the Scripture was completed. The term “canon” (from the Greek “kanon,” meaning “rule”) collectively describes the 66 books of the Bible. Consequently, the 39 Old Testament books and the 27 New Testament books comprise the Biblical canon.

There would come a point, however, when that spiritual gift program would cease operation, as God’s full revelation (the completed Bible) would be accomplished (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Colossians 1:25). Once Paul wrote 2 Timothy, the Bible was completed (see 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Thus, revelations from God have stopped. Today, illumination is the method whereby God the Holy Spirit, through His written, completed Word, teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:9-16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 3:4).

The Hebrew Bible

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ opens the minds of His apostles so that they understand what happened to Him on Calvary (His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection, as foretold by the Old Testament prophets; cf. Acts 8:26-35 and 1 Peter 1:10,11). Notice how He made specific reference to the organization of the Old Testament Scriptures.

The Hebrew Bible that exists today in Judaism is identical to the one of which Jesus spoke in today’s Scripture. Like in Jesus’ day, it is divided into three elements: “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms.” Basically, it is the text of our Old Testament, just with combined books and a different book order. For instance, Chronicles is the last book in the Hebrew Bible, whereas the last book of our Old Testament is Malachi.

Moreover, there are 24 books in the Hebrew Bible compared to our 39 Old Testament books. (This is because 1&2 Samuel was originally one book; same with Kings and Chronicles.) (Ezra and Nehemiah comprise one book, not two like in our Old Testament.) (Hosea to Malachi is one giant book.)

These 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, as Jesus indicated, are divided into three sections:

  1. The Torah/the Law/Chumash—Moses’ five books of Genesis to Deuteronomy
  2. The Prophets/Nabum—Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets of Hosea to Malachi
  3. The Writings/Psalms/Kethubim—Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles

Notice how the above list correlates with today’s Scripture: “(1) in the law of Moses, and (2) in the prophets, and (3) in the psalms.” What is missing? The apocryphal books! According to Jesus Christ, and today’s Hebrew Bible, Rome’s seven to thirteen apocryphal books were never part of the Old Testament.

Save Thyself and Thy Audience!

Monday, November 21, 2011

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16 KJV).

Timothy, according to 1 Timothy 1:1,2, was already saved (having trusted in Jesus Christ’s shed blood and resurrection). So, why did Paul write in today’s Scripture that Timothy could save himself and those who heard him?

Paul instructed Timothy to continue in sound Bible doctrine (see 1 Timothy 4:12-15). In doing so, Timothy would save himself from false teaching (religion), and Timothy teaching the Bible “rightly divided” would save others from false teaching. Hell and religion destroy your soul. You need to be saved from both.

Today, sound Bible teaching is scarce, even within many so-called “Bible-believing” churches. Over 2,000 years’ worth of church tradition and human viewpoint have muddled and obscured the Bible’s glorious truths. Many Christians quote the Bible, claiming passages given to someone else (Israel).

There are many true, Holy Spirit-indwelt believers whose souls have been saved by Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, but who have never been saved from false teaching. The Galatians were saved from hell, yet they did not believe sound doctrine. So, they struggled to obey Israel’s program (Galatians 3:1-3).

We want to save ourselves from disappointment and deception. Our faith should rest in God’s Word to us, not God’s Word to someone else (Israel). Moreover, we should not trust in man’s word, but God’s Word.

How do we save ourselves and our audience from vain religious tradition and denominationalism? The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:24-26: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

The key to saving thyself and thy audience from false teaching is to study, believe, and teach the Bible God’s way, using dispensational Bible study, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Unbelief, the Idiocy of Academia

Monday, November 14, 2011

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

Of the ten major problems in Corinth, human viewpoint (wisdom) is the one that the Apostle Paul addresses in today’s Scripture. Understand that God is not anti-education: learning in and of itself is not evil. But, as the Holy Sprit through Paul teaches here, never expect to gain God’s wisdom by using human viewpoint (human intellect). Why?

Seminaries and Bible colleges are prestigious in man’s eyes, but God despises most of them because they are breeding grounds for unbelief. These institutions, where we would think faith in God’s Word would be encouraged, are oftentimes nothing more than glorified pagan temples that promote doubt in God’s Word! Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of the non-extant (non-existing) original Bible manuscripts instead of trusting the Bible’s existing manuscript copies.

For 2,000 years, heretical, educated minds have misled Christians, but Christians could retaliate by fleeing to the Bible’s doctrine. So, especially within the past 130 years, sinful academia (coupled with satanic influence) began to infiltrate the Bible itself! Bible scholars, “textual critics,” have emphasized scholarship and education to the extent that they have changed the Bible text! This is why Christendom has been deluged with nearly 200 modern “revised” (corrupted) English Bibles.

Textual critics believe that errors crept into the Bible over the centuries of its text’s transmission. Accordingly, they claim that God has commissioned them to “purify” His Word to its original readings. This is a blatant rejection of the promise that God would preserve His words perfectly forever (Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 33:11; Psalm 100:5; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33; et al.). God can do (and has done) without these arrogant, Bible-correcting “scholars.”

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain” (1 Corinthians 3:19,20).

Beloved, clutch your King James Bible tightly, and never let it go!