Discovering the Word of God
Fearfully I present this teaching. We live in a deceptive
age. The beliefs some of us have embraced are not set in concrete, but in
sliding mud. Because of this, the revelation that God has given to me to
share with you tonight has the potential for divisiveness. It is for the
mature. It is not for public dissemination. I ask that you hear me
out. The edict that constrains me is Ephesians 4:3 that we are to be (diligent
to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace).
If you are in disagreement with this teaching, keep in mind that we do not have
to agree on every detail, but we must stay in the unity of faith.
Martin Luther received his Doctor of
Divinity and was appointed to be a professor of theology at the University of
Wittenberg, Germany in 1512. There he began a course of lectures on the
Bible, which brought him fame as a Bible scholar and teacher. He was made
a district vicar and preached daily in the parish church. In the course of
his own personal study, Dr. Luther realized the truth of the Apostle Paul’s
teaching of salvation by grace through faith. He began a campaign to rid
the church of the practice of paying “indulgences” to the pope that granted
shorter terms in purgatory and even salvation to those who do charitable deeds.
This doctrine robbed the people of the knowledge of their direct access to God
granted at Calvary. Certain that the preaching of indulgences would be
considered contrary to the teachings of the church, Luther nailed a protest
document listing 95 theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg.
The document was printed and spread throughout Europe. This was the
beginning of the reformation, which ultimately led Pope Leo X to excommunicate
Luther, causing a huge schism in the church, known today as the Reformation.
The same spirit of control desires
dominion over the hearts of the faithful today. Some of the current
teachings have led to traditions that are no less heretical and at least have
the potential to once again rob the people of their direct access to the Holy of
Holies, but in a much more sophisticated way. Under the guidance of the
pope and with the Bible unreadable by 85% of the population, the question of
infallibility was never raised in over 1,000 years of church history. The
Reformation ended the exclusive authority of the Catholic Church.
Protestant churches began defining doctrine for themselves. Amidst six
other English translations, the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible was
printed in 1611, and has prevailed from then until today, as The Authorized
Version. Only 75 years earlier, William Tyndale had been strangled and his
body burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English. A
movement arose after the release of The Revised Standard Version (RSV) in 1952
to protect certain doctrines that many ministers felt had been watered down by
the new version. Some ministers were so incensed that they publicly burned
the RSV. One newspaper pointed out that we had made progress since the
Middle Ages by only burning the translation and not the translators. Since
1952, seventeen new major versions of the Bible have hit the bookshelves and now
we have the Internet. The purveyors of the purity of truth have never had
such an uphill battle. There is only one thing to do – proclaim the
inerrancy of scripture, particularly the KJV. But the Bible itself makes
no such claim.
The purpose
of this teaching is:
☺
To bring light to certain deceptive beliefs and
traditions
☺
To build a more mature understanding of the source
of the life we have in Christ Jesus
☺
To discern the real Word of God
Ten years after writing
Dispelling the Myth, I have concluded some interesting points of view
concerning the Word of God (WOG). “Dispelling” is all about how
translators of the Bible mishandled the subject of homosexuality by putting
their own spin of word meanings into our modern versions so that without access
or understanding of the original Greek or Hebrew meanings, you are subjected to
and must rely on their interpretation of scripture.
The information age has vomited forth more data
than any of us would be able to consume in a lifetime, so too did the
aficionados of biblical truth. Since 1525, there has been 90 something
translated and/or paraphrased English versions of the Bible. Over 70 of them
were produced in the 20th century. I personally am in
possession of about twenty of them. This does not include the other than
English versions, commentaries, concordances and Bible dictionaries. The
list is overwhelming.
Paraphrases and Translations.
Several paraphrased versions have become especially dear to our hearts.
Starting with the Living Letters in 1962 and the Living Psalm and
Proverbs five years later, since 1971 The Living Bible, as it is now
known, became popular, but with a stern warning from the purveyors of biblical
doctrine that paraphrasing waters down the truth because it does not regard the
exact meaning of the Greek and Hebrew and introduces the prejudice of the
interpreter.
What the Bible Claims.
Let’s examine the true claims of the Bible about its origins.
Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own
interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,
but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. – 2
Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)
All
Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy
3:16-17 (NASB)
For
the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and
piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,
and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
– Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God. – Ephesians 6:17 (NASB)
But
He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON
EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" –
Matthew 4:4 (NASB) quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have
life, and have it abundantly." – John 10:10
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7
So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door
of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and
robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door;
if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out
and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd
lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired
hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the
wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them
and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand
and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good
shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as
the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for
the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this
fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will
become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the
Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.
18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on
My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority
to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
John 10:7-18 (NASB)
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From this passage, Jesus
uses two analogies to describe Himself – what are they?
-
Who are the “thieves and
robbers” Jesus is referring to? Who are the “hired hands”?
-
What is the result of
entering the “door”?
-
Who is the wolf? What does
he do?
-
Why did Jesus come according
to His own words?
-
What command has Jesus
received from His Father?
-
Who is it that knows the
shepherd? How do they come to know the shepherd?
It is
essential that we hear God’s Word. Life (zoe’) can only be achieved in
abundance through the recognition of the Shepherd’s voice, hearing His Word and
responding in obedience. Only then will you be safe from the thief and the
wolf.
What is the
“Word”? The answer to this question is the beginning of everlasting life.
Jesus revealed that to know Him was everlasting life (John 17:3).
Knowing (epignosis) is an experience of intimacy.
John tells us
that the Word existed before creation and in fact the Word is God Himself and
also with Him. Before the Bible was written or canonized, the Word of God
existed. He tells us that all that was created was because of the Word.
In the Word is life (zoe’) and in the life was the Light that could not be put
out by the darkness.
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1
In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2
He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into
being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has
come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the
Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 (NASB)
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Later in verse 14 we find that “the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us.” What is the Word? Who is the Word?
G3056; λόγος; logos;
log'-os
From G3004; something said (including the thought); by
implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental
faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the
article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account,
cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do,
intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove,
say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things
move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
334 times in New Testament
A proclamation; a statement of fact or belief; an
explanation; a telling.
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Matthew 5:32 (reason)
Matthew
5:37 (statement)
Matthew 7:24-26 (words)
Matthew 8:8 (word)
Matthew 10:14 (word)
Matthew
12:36 (accounting)
Matthew 12:37 (words)
Matthew
13:19-23 (word)
Matthew 15:12 (statement)
Matthew 15:23 (word)
Matthew 18:23 (accounts)
Matthew 19:1 (words)
Matthew 19:11 (statement)
Matthew
19:22 (statement)
Matthew 21:24 (thing)
Matthew 22:15 (said)
Matthew 22:46 (word)
Matthew
24:35 (words)
Matthew 26:44 (thing)
Luke 3:4 (words)
Luke 4:36 (message)
Luke 5:15 (news)
Luke 9:44 (words)
Luke
11:28 (word)
John 1:1
(Word)
John
1:14 (Word)
John 2:22 (word)
John 4:37 (saying)
John 5:24 (word)
John 8:31 (word)
John 12:48 (word)
John 14:23-24 (word, words)
John
17:17 (word)
Acts 1:1 (account)
Acts 4:31 (word)
Acts 6:4 (word)
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Acts 10:29 (reason)
Acts 10:44 (message)
1
Corinthians 1:17 (speech)
1
Corinthians 1:18 (word)
1 Corinthians 2:13 (words)
1 Corinthians 14:19 (words)
1 Corinthians 15:54 (saying)
Galatians 5:14 (word)
Ephesians 1:13 (message)
Ephesians 6:19 (utterances)
Philippians 2:16 (word)
Philippians 4:15 (matter)
Philippians 4:17 (account)
Colossians 3:16 (word)
Colossians 4:6 (speech)
1 Thessalonians 1:8 (word)
1 Thessalonians 2:5 (speech)
1 Thessalonians 4:15 (word)
2 Thessalonians 2:2 (message)
2 Thessalonians 4:15 (instruction)
1 Timothy 1:15 (statement)
1 Timothy 4:12 (speech)
2 Timothy 2:15 (word)
2 Timothy 4:2 (word)
2 Timothy 4:15 (teaching)
Titus 3:8 (statement)
Hebrews
4:12 (word)
Hebrews 13:17 (account)
James 1:23 (word)
James 3:2 (what, says)
1 Peter
1:23 (word)
1 Peter 3:15 (account)
1 John 1:1 (Word)
Revelation 12:11 (word)
Revelation 19:13 (Word)
Revelation22:7 (words)
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NASB
1 Peter 1:22-2:3
BRV
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23
for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but
imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
24
For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF
GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25
BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which
was preached to you.
1
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and
envy and all slander,
2
like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it
you may grow in respect to salvation,
3
if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
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22
Through your faithfulness to live according to the truth, you have
transformed your life to be able to love your brothers and sisters with
diligence from the heart.
23
This has been made possible by the planting and watering of a seed that
is indestructible, which is, the everlasting, constant word of God.
24
The flesh is temporal and despite all its splendor, even though it is
created by God, like a flower it fades and withers and in the end it
dies.
25
But the revealed word of God lasts forever – and this is the word that
was preached to you.
1
Therefore, you must lay aside plans for getting even with others, get
rid of lies and pretentious behavior and stop coveting what others have
and be finished with speaking evil of others.
2
Instead, be like a newborn infant that craves its mother’s milk; long
for the nourishing milk of the word of God which will cause you to be
strengthened and grow up.
3
To mature, you must swallow and digest the Lord Himself.
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Since you have
purified (cleaned) your souls (mind, will & emotions) [decided
on holiness]
Through obedience (faith) to the truth [by receiving His
love by faith]
so that you could love each other sincerely
fervently (diligently with passionate enthusiasm) love one
another from the heart (deeply),
for you have been
born again (made brand new) not of seed which is perishable (temporary)
but imperishable (eternal)
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G4487; ῥῆμα; rhēma;
hray'-mah
From G4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or
specifically); by implication a matter or topic (especially of
narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever: - +
evil, + nothing, saying, word.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
66 times in New Testament
A statement that is understood by those who hear it; a
revelation.
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Matthew
4:4 (word)
Matthew 12:36 (word)
Matthew 18:16 (fact)
Matthew 26:75 (word)
Matthew 27:14 (charge)
Mark 9:32 (statement)
Mark 14:72 (remark)
Luke 1:38 (word)
Luke 1:65 (matters)
Luke 2:15 (thing)
Luke 2:19 (things)
Luke 3:2 (word)
Luke 5:5 (say)
Luke 7:1 (discourse)
John 3:34 (words)
John
6:63 (words)
John
6:68 (words)
John 8:47 (words)
John 10:21 (sayings)
John
12:47-48 (sayings)
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John 14:10 (words)
John 15:7 (words)
John 17:8 (words)
Acts 2:14 (words)
Acts 5:20 (message)
Acts 5:32 (things)
Acts
10:22 (message)
Acts 10:44 (words)
Romans 10:8 (word)
Romans
10:17 (word)
2 Corinthians 12:4 (words)
2 Corinthians 13:1 (fact)
Ephesians 5:26 (word)
Ephesians 6:17 (word)
Hebrews 1:3 (word)
Hebrews 11:3 (word)
1 Peter 1:25 (words)
2 Peter 3:2 (words)
Jude 17 (words)
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