Readers have asked about the author of this blog so...I am an attorney, married for 32 years(1993)with three kids who, in April of 2014, ceased laboring to enhance my legal career in order to study the scriptures intensely. In April of 2015, after exactly one year of exhaustive Bible study, I felt an urgency in my heart to obey Paul's exhortation to preach the word of God boldly,so I began sharing the pure gospel message of Jesus Christ on the streets of Florida every week day in English and Spanish. I look each person I meet in the eye, and with a smile I share the message of sin, repentance and mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ; give out gospel tracts (and offer my email and cell # for follow up if anyone wants it); and I hand out as many KJV/Reina Valera Gomez Bibles as I can...since they, unlike men, do not lie. Some sow, some water, but it is God who gives the increase. Time is short...preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ in gentleness, in truth and in the power of the Holy Spirit, for it alone is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16 I don't explain what I do because I think I'm great. I share it because I know what a wretched, selfish sinner I was and am, yet I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and I will spend my remaining days sharing that priceless message to all who will hear. "And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten from among the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1:5-6 KJV **I make no money from the adds on this site and I have no control over them either.
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“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23 KJB
One of the most important doctrines in all of scripture is the deity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus was not God in the flesh, then his perfect life, his death and resurrection could not save men from their sins. While it would certainly be supernatural (see, Lazarus), it would not have the power of God unto salvation. Only the blood of God can save us from sin, death and hell. Only God himself can conquer Satan (his creation), and deliver us from the eternal wrath we deserve. God did exactly that, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Islam says Jesus was merely a prophet. The New Age claims that Jesus was an ascended master. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists claim that he was nothing more than an archangel (probably Michael). Therefore, as an evangelist, I need every single scripture that clearly and directly states that Jesus is God.
The men who deleted those key verses, Westcott & Hort, wrote the Greek text that ALL new version Bibles use as their New Testament foundation. Unfortunately, they neither liked nor believed the Bible (according to their letters published by their children after their deaths). They were hardcore Catholics (and proud occultists), who dedicated their lives to turning the Anglican Church to Rome via the Oxford Movement, and destroying the true biblical text, which happens to be the oldest and the best, despite the lies and half truths of most seminaries. See, The Tale of Two Greeks, a Brief History of the War Over God’s Eternal Word
Unfortunately, the Greek text used by the new version bibles (the 1881 “critical” Greek text and its progeny) along with the Greek Old Testament text (the corrupt Egyptian Septuagint), delete or neuter at least 6 excellent verses proving the deity of Christ. All of the verses I will comment on below are from either the ESV, which used the 1881 “critical” Greek text, which hails from Egypt, and the KJB, which used the Syrian “Textus Receptus” Greek text along with the Masoretic Hebrew text for the Old Testament. The two manuscripts used by the KJB were also used by every non-Catholic Bible on earth until the 1881, when Westcott & Hort’s critical Greek text was published…and the corrupt Revised Version soon followed.
As I mentioned, the deity of Christ was attacked even in the Old Testament. In the KJB, we see a clear prophecy of Jesus in Micah 5:2. It unambiguously established that a future “ruler,” (meaning the messiah), who will come from Bethlehem, is eternal, meaning that He is God:
“But thou, Beth-lehem 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.” Micah 5:2 KJB
In the ESV, while the coming messiah is prophesied to be REALLY old, ancient even, he is NOT eternal. That implies that Jesus is merely a created being, and thus, cannot be God:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2 ESV
The new version edit to 1 Timothy 3:16 is an excellent example of how textual critics operate. In that verse (below), despite the fact that 253 of the 254 extant Greek manuscripts of 1 Timothy, have the word “God,” rather than the generic “he,” Westcott & Hort, the UBS, and Nestles Aland, reject it. Why would they do this? The answer: the original textual critics, Westcott & Hort, neither liked nor believed the Bible. Hort called the Textus Receptus vile and villainous. They didn’t believe in Eden, the flood, heaven, hell, and the blood atonement. They did however, worship Mary, took part in seances and believed in baptismal regeneration. That is why, in their eyes, one Egyptian/Catholic manuscript can trump 253 Syrian manuscripts:
“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 KJV
“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.” 1 Timothy 3:16 ESV
As we can clearly see, “He” obliterates THE most important point made in a massive portion of the existing manuscripts: the one who was manifested in the flesh wasn’t just a “he.” He was God.
In the passage below, the reference to Jesus as God is clear but can be missed with a quick reading. In Revelation 1:6, Jesus is specifically called God, and then God the Father is named separately. It is one of the best and least cited deity of Christ verses in scripture. In fact, I’ve never seen it listed in any of the vast resources I have on the Bible version issue. There are two more like it, which I will address as well. There was no reason to rephrase any of these verses other than for the purpose of editing out the references to Jesus Christ as God (parentheses and emphasis below are my own):
“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God (obviously Jesus) AND his Father (two separate persons); to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6 KJB
In the ESV, Revelation 1:6 does not put any separation between the reference to God and the Father, making the verse, which originally established the deity of Christ, now only about the Father. The reference to Jesus as God was erased:
“and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6 ESV
A similar nullification of Jesus as God is found in Galatians 1:4. Once again the separation between Jesus and the Father, which is in the Textus Receptus Greek, and thus, the KJB, is edited out.
“who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” Galatians 1:4 ESV
The phrase “our God AND Father” is, like in Revelation 1:6, pointing to a singular being, God the Father, while the KJB (below) unequivocally points to God AND the Father.
“who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God(Jesus) and our Father:” Galatians 1:4 KJB
A third verse that does this exact same thing is found in James 1:27
“Pure religion and undefiled before God AND the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 KJB
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27 ESV
Again, the only logical explanation for the extreme rephrasing in the three verses above is to nullify the references to Jesus as God. Knowing the character and beliefs of Westcott & Hort, it really shouldn’t be a surprise.
There is not a verse in the Bible that has faced more scrutiny than 1 John 5:7, as it is rendered in all 7 of the reformation bibles, including the Geneva, Tyndale and King James bibles. Not only is it an excellent deity of Christ verse, but it also illustrates the Trinity like no other verse in scripture. I believe that is why it is so often maligned.
Because this verse, as rendered in the aforementioned bibles, doesn’t show up in a Greek manuscript until the 15th century, it is dismissed out of hand by textual critics. However, is it in the three oldest existing bibles, which pre date the oldest critical Greek manuscripts by almost 200 years. These are: the Vetus Latina (aka, the original Latin Vulgate, (circa 148-420 AD), the Syrian Peshitta (circa 158 AD), and the Italla Bible (circa 159AD). In order for that verse to be in those bibles, there had to have been even earlier Greek manuscripts with it as well.
Furthermore, there are multiple quotations from early church leaders (Tertullian, Cyprian and Priscillian), which confirm its authenticity and antiquity. If it didn’t exist, they obviously wouldn’t quote it or even refer to it. I would love to write a long, detailed and vigorous defense of what is known as the Johannine Comma, but will save that for a future article.
Below is the rendering of 1 John 5:7 in the KJB, and the other previously mentioned Textus Receptus bibles:
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7 KJB
Here is the verse, as rendered in the new versions, beginning with the 1881 Revised Version, which was translated in conjunction with Westcott & Hort’s 1881 critical Greek text verse 8 is included as well in order to show what was put in its place:
7”For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” 1 John 5:7-8 ESV
This means exactly…nothing. I have no idea what the point of that verse, as rendered, is. The spirit, water and blood testify – and agree?? How exactly do water and blood do that? So, while this verse destroys perfect references to both the trinity and deity of Jesus Christ, it also transforms it into nothing more than nonsense.
Epilogue
I could go on and on about many more of the horrific corruptions in the new version bibles thanks to the fraudulent Greek text they ALL use. Because this issue is so fundamental to our faith and understanding of God, I have written six articles about it (see below). Verses on repentance, false teachers, believer’s baptism, the blood of Christ, dealing with heretics, withdrawing from those who equate godliness with financial gain, the compassion of Jesus, a warning on false science (like evolution), and of course, the deity of Christ have been edited in a way that weakens them in terms of their intended repetition, or they are simply destroyed altogether.
If this topic interests you, I’d encourage you to read the first article below, one that I’ve spent 13 years researching, writing and updating. I actually began my extensive examination of the Bible version issue while I was still a long-time NIV lover. I did not want to switch to the KJB, but the evidence for the Textus Receptus Greek was absolutely incontrovertible. All the arguments against it contains either lies, half truths or critical omissions. Jesus said “thy word is truth,” but not if it’s been intentionally corrupted by proud and notorious heretics.
“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18 KJV
The act of repentance, meaning turning one’s heart to God and away from sin at the moment of salvation, is not a “work.” However, it is a integral part of a saving, heart-faith per Romans 10:9-10. Merely assenting to a set of historical facts about Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, saved no one, including me. I believed those facts (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) for most of my life. However, until I believed, with my heart, that I was a wretched sinner deserving of hell, who desperately needed to receive the mercy of Jesus Christ and the pardon for sin He freely offers the world, I could not be saved.
It continues to shock me that many professing Christians and even pastors, teach that simply agreeing with the facts of the gospel is enough to save a soul. Even demons believe the facts about salvation. James made that point for a reason(James 2:19). He knew that false teachers would infiltrate the church, minimizing sin and neutering the gospel, while maximizing the temporary material blessings of this dying world.
Just like every other verse in scripture, the verses that say something to the affect of: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, must be measured against the whole counsel of God, which includes all the other verses that tie repentance to salvation.
“Repentance unto salvation” is NOT the same thing as sanctification. Sanctification is a completely different concept, one that involves growing in Christ over time, as we read his word, pray and fellowship with others. That process will never be complete until we are safe in heaven with the Lord. We will not be free from the stain of sin as long as we wear this cloak of flesh.
Unfortunately, some people who are truly saved might not change their behavior. However, that should be VERY rare since Jesus made it crystal clear that his children will be known by their fruits(Mathew 7:20; 12:33). Paul teaches us that those saved people who simply bury their gift and don’t seek to honor Christ with their lives, will be saved…but as by fire, with no rewards to enjoy for eternity (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Below is a list of some of the clearest verses describing what scripture says is required for salvation. I’m not dealing with the verses that state that we are saved solely by grace through faith, not of works. That is, of course, a critical concept, but here I’m simply focusing on what is required from the heart of a prospective believer in order to be saved.
“and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15 KJV
”I came not to call the righteous, but sinners… to repentance.“ Luke 5:32 KJV (see also, Matt. 9:13, and Mark 2:17)
Jesus says this – twice! “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, 5 KJV
”I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.“ Luke 15:7, and 10 KJV
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30-31 KJV
The words of Jesus as he instructed the apostles what to preach when he’s gone:
”and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.“ Luke 24:47 KJV
”When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.“ Acts 11:18 KJV
”And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:“ Acts 17:30 KJV
”testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.“ Acts 20:21 KJV
”For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.“ 2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV
”but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, AND do works meet for repentance.“ Acts 26:20 KJV
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 KJV
“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 KJV
“and (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 KJV
In the above verse, being “converted” and becoming like a little child is neither a dispensational matter nor a shallow belief in the gospel. Jesus is speaking of a change of heart…a turning away from the love of sin to seeking forgiveness from God at the very moment of salvation. As previously noted, sanctification is a completely different, life-long process of spiritual growth that has nothing to do with salvation. We will wrestle with sin until the day we die.
However, all salvation requires is a humble heart, joyfully receiving the free gift of grace by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on that cold, bloody cross. It is not a shallow intellectual belief in a set of ancient facts. It is a sincere belief deep in the heart of a new believer(see, Romans 10:9-10 below):
“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 10:9-10 KJV
EPILOGUE
When I read the Old Testament, especially the first 10 or so books, God makes it clear that what he really desires from his children when we fail, is a broken and contrite heart. Although David was long saved, he understood, even in Old Testament times, the kind of brokenness and humility God wants from the hearts of his children. While this passage(below) has nothing to do with salvation it is a powerful illustration of a broken heart, full of contrition, grieving over the selfishness and foolishness of sin. As we grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God, the depth of our understanding and remorse over sin should continue to deepen just as it did in David’s life:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:1-7, 10, 16-17 KJV
“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: BUT…we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;“ 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 KJB
My initial approach to resolving the issue of whether or not the so-called sign gifts of the Spirit continue today, revolved around determining what exactly these verses in 1 Corinthians 13 mean:
”Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away…But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.“. 1 Corinthians 13:8,10 KJB
The primary question that needed to be answered was: what does “perfect” mean in this context? While I loathe going to the Greek to correct my Bible, I do not mind digging deep into my interlinear in order to determine the meaning of an ambiguous or confusing word or phrase. “Perfect” is clearly in need of clarification in this critical verse. Does it mean Jesus, who of course is, was, and always will be perfect, or is there something else that might be a better, or more accurate fit in this context?
“Perfect” is translated from the Greek word “telios” (G5406,Strong’s), which is a neuter word. Jesus is not neuter in scripture – ever. He’s always masculine in the Bible – every single time He is mentioned, either by name or by pronoun. That means, without any ambiguity, that “perfect,” in this context, cannot mean Jesus Christ. It must mean something else…something else that, like Jesus, is perfect. I could (and have before, on this blog) lay out the manifold scriptures which state that the written word of God is perfect, but because most Christians are aware of this critical fact, I will instead leave us with this one, short passage:
”The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.“ Psalm 19:7-10 KJB
God’s point via Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13, is that we won’t need sign gifts, or even more spiritual knowledge, once we have God’s actual (and perfect) words in our hands. Paul alludes to the transition away from the sign gifts (which were required by the Jews in order to prove that a prophet was from God:Moses,Elijah,Elisha, etc.)to the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, when he states:
“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: BUT we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;“1Cor.1:22-23KJB).
Despite the lies of the great Bible destroyers in Rome, the canon of New Testament scripture was generally accepted in Bible believing churches by 126AD (per researcher and author of more than 100 books on Bible and Christian history, David Cloud). Long before that, Paul’s letters (and the gospels) were being copied feverishly and transmitted throughout the Christianized world and beyond. For more detailed information on the early church and the spread of scripture, see, Bill Cooper (1947-2021), a relentless researcher and prolific writer on the validity, historicity, and authenticity of both the Old and New Testament canons, and regarding the dissemination of New Testament manuscripts early in the second half of the first century. His research on Cave 7, Qumran, Dead Sea Scrolls, is unparalleled regarding evidence of pre-68 AD dates for Mark, Acts, Romans, 1 Timothy, James and 2 Peter. (Please contact Guillon’s Christian supply in Statesville and King, N.C., for information about his books).
Now that we have the complete and final word of God via scripture, and have been warned multiple times in the Bible not to add or take away even a single letter (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19) we most certainly don’t need (and shouldn’t want) vain men pretending to have super powers telling us what God is allegedly saying now. We already have the actual, verified words of God in scripture- words that Peter declared were even more certain than the audible voice of God the Father, spoken from a cloud at the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-21)…and we have ALL of them.
HEALING
Not one soul on earth has the gift of healing today, not a single one. While many claim to have the personal power to heal, and then blame the victim’s alleged lack of faith when they aren’t actually healed, only God can heal today, and at His will not ours. If anyone truly had that gift, then the Holy Spirit of God would compel them to clear out all the children’s hospitals in America. Paul couldn’t even heal Timothy, Trophimus or Epaphroditus later in his ministry, as we will see below. If Paul can’t, then no man today can either:
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.“1 Timothy 5:23.
”Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.“ Philippians 2:25-27 KJB
”Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.“ 2 Timothy 4:20 KJB
Obviously Paul would have healed his beloved disciple and son in the faith, Timothy, if he could have, especially given the constancy of his illnesses. Epaphroditus and Trophimus were also his dear friends and fellow ministers of the gospel, but we think Paul callously left them sick and dying?? It defies common sense and is contrary to his character for Paul to have left his beloved brethren suffering. He would have healed them immediately and perfectly if he could have. Therefore, we can know with great certainty that healing rests solely with God, not men.
PROPHECY
Peter does an excellent job of explaining what prophecy was, and what we have from God today in its stead…a more sure (certain) word of prophecy, the holy and perfect scriptures:
”For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“ 2 Peter 1:16-21 KJV
Peter makes the point that, in the days of the true prophetic, the holy men of God who gave us true prophecies, received them directly from God and they were always 100% correct. If they were not 100% accurate, this is what God said should happen to them:
”But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.“ Deuteronomy 18:20 KJB
Despite that clear and deadly prescription for false prophecies in the day of actual God-ordained prophets, we still have the Bill Johnson’s (Bethel Church, Redding Ca.), and his protégés, claiming that their prophecies are only correct around 50% of the time! Yet millions of biblically illiterate thrill seekers from around the world make pilgrimages to Bethel just to hear the kind of foolishness and guesswork that Jeremiah warned us about. The passage below is long, but is the perfect indictment against the NAR and its perverse leaders who claim to be modern day apostles:
”Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.“ Jeremiah 23:16-17, 25-27, 29-32, 36 KJB
It’s much easier to listen to a man with a large and charismatic personality up on grand stage flooded with lights, prophesying pleasant nonsense, then it is to study the actual words of God in scripture with pen and paper, as 2 Timothy 2:15 KJB exhorts us to do:
”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.“ 2 Timothy 2:15-16 KJB (“study” is deleted out of the new versions btw).
As Peter taught us, the scriptures are even more certain than the voice of God the Father speaking from a cloud at the transfiguration! If I have those perfect words on my phone and by my bed, why would I ever even want some vain and proud man claiming to be a prophet, tell me anything about God’s will or my future? The scriptures contain all things necessary for life and godliness. ALL things. See, 2 Peter 1:2-4.
EPILOGUE
I could have gone on and on about how the Holy Spirit NEVER testifies about Himself, but only about Jesus (John 15:26), how the spirit of prophecy isn’t fortune telling but the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10), and how no apostle ever taught us to call on the Holy Spirit to come to us or fall on us. If we are saved, He is in our hearts…forever! (Ephesians 1:13). But I’ve been deceived too….
When I attended a charismatic church as a pre teen, I faked speaking in tongues just like everyone else in that church did. We were told to open our mouths and just start blabbering. That we did – and it was sort of fun, feeling exceptionally spiritual at age 10, even though I had a haunting feeling that it was all fake. It turns out that several in leadership at that little church outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, including the founder, dumped their families for lives of wanton homosexuality. Child abuse and neglect were also rampant in that church. Sexual sin is not a stranger to these churches and ministries. (See, Kathryn Kuhlman, Todd Bentley, Bob Jones (NAR guy), Amy McPherson, IHOP, Benny Hinn, the Crouches (TBN TV) and many, many, more).
Looking back, the sin issues in my charismatic church doesn’t surprise me it all. We were taught little to no Bible doctrine, and every church service or prayer meeting felt like a crazed emotional roller coaster … up and down, up and down, based not on the movement of Holy Spirit of God, but based on the rising and falling of the music, and the cadence of the “pastor’s” voice. He knew well how to manipulate, not just a ten your old boy, but a congregation of 60 – 70 adults, many of whom pretended to get slain in the spirit, a wholly unbiblical concept.
Unfortunately, I attended other similar churches in two different states. They all had the exact same emotional, manipulative, fleshly feel, clearly controlled by a spirit, but definitely not a holy one.
I encourage everyone who reads this article to cease from the words of men, and to flee from emotion, to the perfect words of the living God.
”Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.“ Jeremiah 17:5-8 KJB
For an excellent analysis of what “tongues” was, please listen to the sermon below by pastor Jim Blalock:
My pastor asked me to share with my church how I spend a typical day on the streets (or Home Depot) with the goal of stirring the church folks to support my ministry and to consider boldness. Below is my very brief talk on that subject four days ago:
Pride and Reproof: the Life Changing Power of a Proverb
There are three passages of scripture that had an immediate and permanent impact on my young, newly saved soul, at age 18.(I will link my blog posts regarding the other two passages at the end of this article). All three forever altered the way I viewed my purpose in life, the way I related to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and they revealed to me the heart-transforming power of God. That is exactly what scripture is supposed to do. It was specifically designed by God to pierce through the lies we have been fed by this godless world all of our lives…to, slay them, and open our hearts to the glorious and eternal truths of the living God, gently conforming us to His likeness, as we slowly and purposefully walk the long and difficult road home.
Nothing communicates the purpose and power of scripture quite like the verse below:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV
Six months after I got saved (1986), not only from an eternity in hell, but from alcoholism, serious suicidal thoughts, and what appeared to be a dead end life. I moved into a house near Washington DC with a group of 15-20 young men, most of who were from political families, both domestic and international.
The leaders consisted of a handful of mature men of God who’s goal was to turn a bunch of young, rebellious and often affluent punks, into responsible, honorable men who were willing to serve both God and man with our lives. They were sharp, athletic and full of life. In my ignorance and snobbery, I had no idea Christians could actually be fun.
These men taught us to study the Bible and memorize scripture regularly. They also supervised us as we worked on a large manor house at the end of the street. We were given daily chores, and occasionally helped out at political gatherings. It was an exciting place to be in the late 1980’s, with the Cold War quietly raging behind the scenes. However, I was rebellious and immature. I didn’t respect authority or want anyone merely a decade older than me to tell me what to do. I waved off, and even mocked constructive criticism, and led others to cynical, uncooperative attitudes. It was ugly, and so was I.
At the time, I had not taken a moment to consider that, by the mercy of God, I had been delivered from severe childhood abuse, and I had been pulled from the gnawing flames of alcoholism. I had found a wonderful discipleship house, with young guys who had had the same life experiences as me, and leaders who were worthy of great respect. Yet, my rebellious heart persisted….
The day that I got saved was the first day I ever picked up a Bible willingly. I prayed that, if God were real, he would help me to understand scripture and make it more then stories about a bunch of former fisherman running around the desert. I opened it randomly to Psalm 1, and my life was changed forever. (See, Favorite Scripture #2, following this article).
I studied the psalms hungrily because David’s honesty and earnestness with God was a wonderful and unexpected revelation. I had no idea we could talk to God as if He’s actually listening, like a man talks to his father or to a trusted friend. I also began to study Proverbs slowly and methodically, and one day, I stumbled across this sharp two-edged sword, and it slew me on the spot:
“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee…”Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee….” Proverbs 9:8 KJV
I was immediately and deeply convicted by this pithy, two-line bolt of spiritual lightning. I knew that, not only was I not a wise man, but even worse, I was both a scorner…and a fool. The Lord had placed wonderful men in my life, men whose only desire was to teach me how to be an authentic and honorable man of God, not only for my sake but also for my future family’s sake. My attitude changed on the spot. All the foolishness and pride of an obnoxious young man who thought he knew everything was washed away.
Through the profundity and power of the word of God, I was finally ready to grow into the man God wanted me to be, and that growth won’t end until I make it home.
EPILOGUE
It’s rarely easy to accept constructive criticism, especially if it involves a behavior pattern we practice regularly without giving it a second thought. My hope is that the Lord will always place men in my life who are more concerned about my character before God then they are about maintaining my approval. There is nothing I respect more then a friend who loves me enough to gently but directly, confront me when I’m not hitting the mark. It may hurt, and I may even reject it initially, but the Holy Spirit will have His way in me. Eventually, I will recognize the truth, seek forgiveness and thank the one who has proven to be the truest and closest of brothers. Let us be authentic, Christ-focused friends to each other, so that we may assist our brothers and sisters as we grow together in the knowledge and grace of God.
“…speaking the truth in love, (that we) may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15 KJV
As many of you know, I, by the grace of God, have been doing self-funded street evangelism every week day, in central and south Florida, for almost 9 years (May 2, 2015, was day 1). It has been one of the great joys of my life. However, I’m now at the point where I am willing to request that my friends, blog readers and church family prayerfully consider supporting my little ministry. I trust the Lord fully, but my pastor and other trusted friends think it’s time to put my needs out there.
Modern Day Missions have given me the opportunity to raise money through their platform, in order that donors can receive a tax deduction. Please check out my link below. Thank you and never hesitate to ask questions via the contact page if you have any.
This lady (Nina) was a Jehovah’s Witness. After we talked she agreed to throw away all of her JW literature, and trust the KJB. Ronald. We had bible study together for three years, til he moved to Minnesota. I met him sitting in his car in a Wal mart parking lot, depressed over the death of his brother and a recent arrest. We still keep in touch.
“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Romans 9:13
“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:” Romans 9:22
I’ve read Romans 9:13 (above) countless times, and have never once thought that it meant that God capriciously decided that he was going to love Jacob from the womb and despise his brother Esau. The reason for my certainty was that, I am and always will be convinced, that the Calvinist view of this scripture as a reflection of God’s sovereignty over the souls of men, and as a pillar of support for their doctrine of unconditional election, is false, based on the enduring character of God exhibited from Genesis to Revelation. The God of the Bible is a God of mercy, love, and long-suffering, and the Old Testament in particular, is a tour de force on His faithfulness despite man’s relentless disobedience and idolatry. God has always longed, yearned even, for the hearts of men, without distinction. There are numerous examples in the Old Testament where His beloved Jews rejected Him, but pagan Gentiles received Him with a surrendered heart (Nineveh, Rahab, Namaan, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Ruth, Ittai, etc). His love is infinitely deeper and wider then we could possibly comprehend.
While I never understood what exactly God meant with this statement about Esau and Jacob, I knew that God loved them both and that some day it would all make sense. While studying the minor prophets a few weeks ago, it finally became clear. Paul exhorted us to study the whole counsel of God for a reason. We need every single word that proceeds from the mouth of God in order for us to grasp the big-picture of God’s love of and labor for the souls of sinful men.
It’s important to note that God’s statement about hating Esau was never made during Esau’s lifetime. In fact, God’s anger with “Esau” doesn’t appear in scripture until the book of Obadiah, well over one thousand years after his death. In Genesis, Scripture actually records the tender moment when a cowardly Jacob, afraid that Esau might kill him (despite his covenant with God), divides his family into three groups as he prepares to be greeted by the brother he so wickedly deceived (Esau). Shockingly, Esau welcomes Jacob home with heartfelt-tears, and a warm, sincere embrace. (Genesis 33:1-16) That…is an example of the character of God. Esau had removed anger and bitterness far from him, and received his deceiver with mercy, kindness and joy.
While God was obviously disappointed with Esau’s carnal decision to trade his birthright for a single meal decades earlier, it’s unlikely that his emotional reunion with Jacob would have been recorded with the details Moses provided if God truly despised him as a person. It’s also likely, based on how Issac’s death and blessings went down, that Esau did not even take his bargain with Jacob seriously, since it was such a ridiculously unfair trade. Evidence to this effect is that when Isaac was dying, Esau clearly believed that he was the one who was rightfully entitled to his family’s birthright. (Genesis 27)
In order to fully understand the meaning of the statement in Romans 9:13, we must first return to Genesis and the time of their gestation:
“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.” Genesis 25:21-24
Here we see that God, when speaking of Jacob and Esau’s future, states with great clarity, that two nations will arise from the seed of these brothers. We later learn that God anoints Jacob as the father of Israel, the small and insignificant tribe that God used to reveal himself to the world, for better and for worse, while:
“…Esau is Edom.” Genesis 36:8
As we come to find out, Edom, as it grows over the generations, becomes a proud, wicked and murderous nation, one that constantly wars with Israel and even pillages their land after the northern kingdom is carried off to Assyria. In Obadiah, we see God’s fury at this wicked nation (Esau, which is Edom), which gloats at the harsh but necessary judgement of God on his chosen people. Not only is Edom brimming with pride, but it rejoices at Israel’s calamity and plunders them when they are weak and scattered. Just a as God refered to Israel as “Jacob” throughout the Old Testament (including 16 times from Isaiah chapters 40-49), so he referred to Edom as “Esau” in multiple books of the Old Testament. I encourage you to read the entire one-chapter book of Obadiah. Below is the most relevant portion:
“1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.8 Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.15…18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it.” Obadiah 1:1-14, 18
It’s clear from the passage above, and the passage I will quote below in Malachi, that God isn’t talking about two individual men, but two nations in conflict, Edom and Israel. God’s fury with “Esau” aka Edom, is clearly justified. The prophet Obadiah notes God’s hot displeasure at their pride and violence,”against thy brother Jacob(aka Israel).” There are few things God despises more than pride. Also, He abhors when the strong take advantage of the weak, even if their weakness is a consequence of their own sin. Edom has done both of these things, and he has done it against God’s chosen and beloved nation, Israel. Vengeance and judgment belong to God, not men, and especially not to wicked, murderous, and godless men.
In Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, we finally see the source of the quotation used by Paul in Romans 9:13:
“I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, ***The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.***And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.” Malachi 1:2-5
As in Obadiah, God is clearly speaking of a people…a nation, the nation that sprung from the loins of Esau…the Edomites. God despised them, not because they came from Esau, but because they were proud and delighted in evil. We have all seen in Jonah where one of the most abominable cities on earth, Nineveh, is given an opportunity to repent and escape judgement. While even Jonah, God’s hand-selected prophet, loathes them and does not want them to be saved, our God, who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, does. (2 Peter 3:9) The God of the Bible loves sinners, is rich in mercy and wants everyone, everywhere to repent.(Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4; Acts 17:30) Given these examples, and many, many more, it is truly abominable to teach that God doesn’t love all of humanity. For we were once just as wicked as the Ninevites, yet God offered His strong and loving hand of mercy to each one of us. May we never forget what we once were, until the word of God, and his transcendent love, saved us from the hell we deserved:
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
VESSELS OF WRATH
After reading of God’s great mercy towards Nineveh, and His dealings with vain, pagan, power-hungry Nebuchadnezzar, how could we ever assume that God randomly decides to make one person for salvation and another to burn for eternity with no hope of redemption? God was rich in mercy, even towards that wicked nation and that outrageously arrogant king – and He is merciful today towards ALL men. Sadly, few care. While God made Nebuchadnezzar suffer mightily and eat the rancid fruit of his vanity for seven long, cold, humiliating years, God did not cast him out entirely, but gave him an opportunity to repent…and that he did, and with great humility and eloquence. (see, Daniel 4:34-37)
While Romans 9 says this:
‘What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:” Romans 9:22
…2 Timothy 2:20-21 teaches us, without equivocation, that even vessels of wrath or dishonor, can be saved when they TURN their hearts to God for mercy:
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21
2 Corinthians 3:13-16 is a comparable passage, stating that, even the spiritually blind will have the veil lifted from their eyes when their heart turns to Him:
“but their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-16
The 2 Timothy 2:20-21 passage could not be more self-explanatory. Even if a vessel was created for dishonor, that vessel could still choose repentance, humility and salvation. I could quote many verses on God’s death for all and love for all, but that would take up too much space here.(I do have a list of such verses at the very end of this article) I suggest that we simply study our New Testament WITHOUT using a commentary** and you will see His all-surpassing love for the souls of men…all men everywhere.(Acts 17:30) Sadly, you will also see men angrily, and even violently, rejecting it.
** I am not against commentaries. However, I think they should be reserved only for the most difficult or confusing passages, lest your entire theology be destroyed by the particular view of one man. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. (1 John 2:27b; John 14:26; John 16:13) I did not consult any outside resources when writing this article.
ISRAEL, GOD’S CHOSEN VESSEL
Calvinists often use God’s selection of Israel as his chosen nation, as evidence of the Augustinian doctrine (which he purloined from pagan Manicheaism) of unconditional election, but this could not be further from the truth when the Old Testament text is carefully examined.
God did not randomly chose Israel so that every single Jewish soul would be saved, to the exclusion of the rest of the earth’s population. No. God chose this small, weak and insignificant people group in order to show the world His incomparable glory and power. (Deuteronomy 7:6-9; 9:1-6) Of course, many Israelites were saved, but sadly many more were not, choosing the pagan gods and goddesses of the Canaanites or Babylon over the ONE who delivered them from slavery, parted the Red Sea and destroyed the most powerful army on earth. (Romans 11:3-4) We see in Luke 13:34 how much this hurt the heart of God:
“34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! ” Luke 13:34
His chosen people, beloved and protected by God himself, chose their own will, their precious sin, and the wicked and idolatrous practices of the vilest nations on earth over the God who dwelt among them and did mighty works year after year after year. Other nations saw His mighty works and feared, sometimes even more than the Israelites did.
We saw this when Caleb and Joshua snuck into Jericho. Rahab informed them that the people of Jericho were terrified when they discovered that the Israelites were approaching. They had heard that the God of Israel had, not only parted the Red Sea, but had unilaterally and thoroughly defeated the greatest, most powerful army on earth – the army of Egypt. God’s hope and purpose, of course, was that the pagan nations who learned of these incomparable deeds, might turn from their manmade idols, to the God who parted the sea and annihilated an entire army, without the assistance of man. Rahab, for one, did and God rewarded her faith by placing Jesus in her lineage.
Unfortunately, there are countless example’s throughout the Old Testament, where the Jews rejected God and were swallowed up by the earth, killed by fiery serpents, executed by the sword at God’s order, or were carried off to be slaves in strange and distant lands. Meanwhile, the pagan and murderous city of Nineveh repented and turned to the God of Israel after hearing the reluctant words of a single prophet! Other examples of non-Jews turning to the Lord include Ruth, Nebuchadnezzar, King Darius, Ittai, Naaman, the centurion who’s son Jesus healed(Luke 7:1-10), the centurion who found God at the cross(Luke 23:45-47), and many, many more.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article is to refute the claim that God irrevocably chooses certain individual people or groups for salvation, while others are blindly and irrevocably sentenced to hell with no chance of salvation. Not only does Calvinist soteriology (doctrine of salvation) slander the character of God, but it nullifies the unmitigated power of His eternal word, which was designed to pierce and turn a soul from a life of willful sin, to a life of simple, humble faith. (Hebrews 12:9-10; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 10:13-14,17) Our God truly is rich in mercy. As scripture says so clearly, God: loves the world, died for all, tasted death for every man, and gave himself as a ransom for all, and WHOSOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. I will post verses establishing this, below. This list is not even close to exhaustive but should be sufficient to prick the heart of even the most steadfast Calvinist, and confirm the unalterable truth, that the one and only God has a generous, merciful and loving heart towards a lost and sinful world, and for that, this forgiven sinner is eternally grateful.
“15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36
“35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst…40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:35,40
“37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51
“24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
“9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9
“25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.” John 12:32-33
“46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:46-48
“29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29
“31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51 (God wants everyone, but everyone doesn’t want him. His grace IS resistible.)
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34-35
“43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43
“24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:24-28
“30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent“. Acts 17:30
“16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
“18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:18
“33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 9:33
“4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every onethat believeth.” Romans 10:4
“9 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.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (The condition for salvation is laid out here. It has nothing to do with being chosen. It has to do with faith…a deep faith from the heart. The next two verses below explain how we may obtain a saving faith)
“14How then shallthey call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?…17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:14,17
“14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
“…God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:3-6
“10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10
“9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9
“2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
“17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
I was recently approached by someone on Twitter who wanted to interview me about my seven plus years as a street evangelist. He had seen some of my posts asking for prayer for homeless people or those who requested Bibles, and knew that I had been an attorney for many years before I became a street evangelist. I agreed and, thankfully, even though I talk fast, I believe that I was able to communicate why I do what I do in as clear a manner as is possible. I hope you will consider listening and will be encouraged. The photos below are a small sample of the precious souls to whom I have been able to minister and give Bibles, tracts and when necessary, food, socks and water(provided by my church).
Richard, Joshua and Jeffrey listened to the gospel, asked lots of excellent questions and were encouraged to study the Word and get their sins washed clean in the blood of the lamb. pray for them. ✝️🙏🏾✝️There is nothing more rewarding then seeing someone intently studying one of my tracts. I pray he gets saved. ✝️
Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, philosopher and priest, was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on October 28, 1466. Despite being illegitimate, he received an excellent education in a series of catholic schools, which at the time, were the most prestigious pre-university academic institutions in Europe. He ultimately entered the catholic priesthood as a means to provide for himself, but there is little evidence that he was active in the church outside of his scholarly pursuits. He was a staunch critic of ecclesiastical abuses and pushed hard for reform inside the catholic system from his earliest days as a priest.
Erasmus is, without dispute, the father of the modem Greek biblical text used by Martin Luther’s German Bible; and the Tyndale, Geneva and King James Bibles. He was considered to be one of the most brilliant scholars of his age, and he was sought after by kings and intellectuals around Western Europe. He is frequently attacked for being Catholic, but his multitude of written works prove him to be the least Catholic Catholic of the 16th century, outside of Martin Luther, whom he influenced greatly, as I will discuss in detail.
Erasmus was a “humanist” but in the classical sense, meaning that he was a student of history, literature and languages in the tradition of Ancient Greece and Rome. He was NOT a secular humanist, as the term implies today. He is intentionally labeled a “Catholic humanist” in order to slander him and mislead the masses about who he truly was as THE major force behind the biblical Greek text we call the Textus Receptus today. He truly was the match that lit the fuse of the Reformation.
As proof of his discontentment with Rome, Erasmus publicly criticized a recently deceased Pope (Julius II) in 1514, and constantly attacked the corruption of the Catholic Church publicly and through thinly veiled anonymous tracts. He despised indulgences and any type of “pay for pray” scheme, and most importantly, he rejected and exposed as a fraud, Jerome’s fabled Latin vulgate. Few realize that Jerome stole the name vulgate from the Vetus Latina, the original Latin vulgate, circa 147 AD-420 AD, which used the Textus Receptus Greek and was (along with its progeny), wildly popular outside of Catholic circles for 1000 years. Over 10,000 of still exist today.
Erasmus was indeed the spark that ignited the Reformation via his 2nd edition Greek text(and corresponding Latin Biblical text across the page),which proved that Rome had intentionally mistranslated the Greek word “metanoia” as “doing penance” rather then what it truly means: “to repent.” I will discuss this error and others, further along.
Luther, while reading Erasmuses 2nd edition Greek New Testament(which he privately referred to as his “wife,” due to his devotion to it), in direct violation of papal decrees, came across the line in Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith.” He immediately realized that everything he had learned about salvation via the Catholic machine, was a lie. He knew that, in order to be true to the God of Scripture he must vigorously oppose his Catholic masters. He did…and the Reformation was born. A popular saying of the era was that Erasmus laid the eggs and Luther hatched the chickens of the Reformation. Luther even used Erasmuses Greek New Testament biblical text as the foundation for his 1522 German New Testament, commonly known as the Luther Bible.
Erasmus ultimately authored 5 editions of his Greek New Testament text between 1516-1535. His 1519 2nd edition (the one used by Luther) is the one that consisted of a Greek translation on one side of the page with a corresponding Latin translation on the page next to it(side by side). Erasmus made his Greek and Latin texts using the Antiochan Greek manuscripts that came to the west after the fall of the Byzantine empire to the Ottomans in 1435. These manuscripts, and other similar manuscripts that had also originated from Antioch, Syria, were appropriately labeled the “Byzantine text.” (Today this manuscript family is also referred to as the Traditional Text, the Majority Text, the Syrian text or the Textus Receptus)
The 1519 Greek/Latin New Testament of Erasmus was designed to prove that the Catholic Latin vulgate was full of intentional doctrinal errors in favor of Rome. I previously noted the outrageous change in meaning given to metanoia, the Greek word for repentance.
Few people of the day, outside of the most educated scholars, could read Greek, but they could read Latin, and thus, were limited by Rome to Jerome’s vulgate. Due to Erasmuses Latin translation, all literate laymen were finally able to see, first hand, the corruption of the Jerome’s Catholic vulgate by Rome. “Vulgate” means “common” thus, all early Latin translations which were made for the general public (like the Vetus Latina, circa 147 AD)were called “Vulgates” since they were used by the common people. They ALL used the Antiochan family of Greek manuscripts(the Byzantine Text) as their foundation, which Rome despised since there were many verses and passages which directly convicted Rome of high treason against God.
** Please See the links at the end, which address the textual differences
As a result, Rome cleverly stole the term and created their own common Latin text, often called Jerome’s Catholic vulgate, which contained much doctrinal error since it was built on the foundation of very few, highly corrupt, heavily edited(by gnostics Origen, Philo or Marcion) Alexanderian Greek texts. Rome called it “vulgate” so that your average reader would assume it was from the same source text as the original Latin vulgates. Interestingly, few seminaries even mention the real Latin vulgate(even though 10,000 exist today!), and quickly skip to their beloved catholic fraud.
Several examples of intentional, pro Catholic, doctrinal errors contained in Jerome’s Latin vulgate are: the Greek word “metanoia” should be translated “repentance” but Rome translated it “penance.” “Repentance”from a heart belief in what Jesus did on the cross to pay for our sins, is what saves our souls. “Penance” is a catholic “work” assigned to the people by priests, in order for them to pay for their sins themselves, under the supervision of Rome,since the blood of Christ wasn’t good enough. It was often free labor for the church, or money paid by the sinner to the church for absolution. They obviously changed it to maintain control over the people,rather then have them go directly to Jesus, our high priest and savior, for absolution.
Also, in Luke 1, Jerome’s faux Latin Vulgate says “Mary full of grace,”thereby, making her a source of God’s grace, and justifying prayer to her. Erasmus translated that same passage, “hail one who has found God’s grace.” Once again, the goal is to get the peoples eyes off of Jesus and into a Catholic fable. Bible believers should know, without doubt, that Jesus alone is full of grace and truth. As we know, Mary even calls God her Savior in Luke 1:47, proving that she too was a sinner.
Jerome’s Latin Vulgate also claims that Jesus went to purgatory to help pay for our sins. Erasmus proved that the verse in question should say that Jesus “purged” our sins. That…is an outrageous heresy, minimizing His work on the cross, and ignoring three of the greatest words ever spoken on earth: “It…Is…Finished.”
The catholic priest, martyr and brave Bible warrior William Tyndale, used Erasmuses 1522 Greek New Testament text to create his legendary English bible. 83% of the KIng James Bible lines up with Tyndale’s text, proving Erasmuses monumental influence on English Bibles even today. The Matthews and Geneva Bibles also relied heavily on his work.
Later in life Erasmus made it clear that he rejected many key Catholic doctrines such as infant baptism, baptismal regeneration, transubstantiation, and he, like Wycliffe and Tyndale, strongly believed that all Christians should have direct access to the scriptures. He was a bitter critic of the inquisition, and as previously noted, he despised the sale of indulgences.
As obvious as it sounds, Erasmus was also a strong proponent of freewill and ended up in a long and bitter feud with Luther over doctrine. He died in Basel Switzerland (a stronghold of the reformation) with his anabaptist friends in 1536. To further prove his disconnection with Rome,The council of Trent banned all of his writings (that ban is still in effect today!), and he was not permitted to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Any claim that he was a lifelong catholic ignores the reality of his life. Some, like Luther, attempt to create change from the outside. Erasmus believed that he could be a more effective agent of change inside the catholic machine.
In my ten year study of the Bible version issue, I can think of no single person who has had more of a positive impact on proliferating the word of God in its purest form, unedited by gnostics or Rome, then Desiderius Erasmus. He is slandered, misrepresented and maligned by many, but I believe we will all understand his brave and under appreciated labor for the Lord when we cross over to the other side. I’ll see you there…hopefully, soon.
** Below is a link to my primary Bible version article establishing, with great clarity, why the Greek Text used by the: Luther, Tyndale, Great, Bishop’s, Matthew’s, Geneva and King James Bibles is vastly superior to the Greek text used by the ESV, NASB, NIV, and all other new version bibles:The Bible Version Controversy: The Tale of Two Greeks
No physical activity, outside of surfing, gives me more joy, then free diving in my home town of Jupiter, Florida. I try to do a long, hard swim in the inlet every afternoon, post-evangelization. Each day I see the beauty, glory, power and unparalleled creativity of God as I quietly slip under the warm, azure sea. So…I made a little YouTube channel to post my very poorly executed, but fun to make, underwater videos. I hope you enjoy them. 🌴☀️🌊🐠🐟🐠🏊🏿♀️ 🦈🌴
(It’s much better watching it on an iPad or computer(more fish), then on a phone.)
Thy Word Alone is Truth: Examining All Things in the Refining Furnace of Scripture 