The key to understanding your bible...

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The study below is from Trusting the Lord and explains Right Division--the key to understanding your bible. (To listen to the audio of this message, click here)

  

How Many Times

It is evident in the bible that God went to every possible end to make it known that he put a difference between the nation of Israel and all the other people of the earth in TIME PAST. It is also plain that God went to every extent possible to make us know that today he is not dealing with Israel, and that Israel is fallen, cast away and "Loammi," or "not God's people," as the prophet Hosea said in Hosea 1:9.

But blindness, in part, has happened to Israel for a reason and for a season. It was so that God could offer salvation to unworthy, rebellious, sinful people like you and I. Not on the basis in which he dealt with Israel in time past, but on the basis of his love, mercy and grace.

In order to make the message of grace known to the world, God called a sinful, hate-filled rebel of a man named Saul of Tarsus, and revealed things to him for us today that were never before known. It is called the "preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery."

It is amazing how little attention religion pays to the fact that just as God put a difference between Israel and all other nations in time past, he has also put a difference between the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom by the 12 Apostles, and the preaching of the grace salvation message by Paul.

Over and over, the bible repeatedly says that Paul's message was a secret, and kept secret since the world began, that it was hidden, that it was not made known, and that nobody knew it before Paul.

The message the Lord revealed to Paul beginning on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter nine, and by the abundance of visions and revelations from the Lord that Paul received sits in stark contrast to the conditional, tribulation, endure to the end message of the gospel of the Kingdom, as preached in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and by Peter in the book of Acts.

Today's salvation message was so hidden and unknown, that not only did the Devil not know it, but nobody on the planet knew it or had ever heard of it, or even thought of it. The very fact that people who had once cursed rather than blessed the seed of Abraham could now be saved apart from, and even in spite of the fact that Israel was concluded in unbelief.

So, sometimes you just have to wonder how many times God has to say it. Religion seems to stumble blindly along with their look good, feel good things as if they do not have a clue.

How about you? Have you really searched these things out and studied them? God doesn't do things or say things without a reason, and time and again in ordinary, easy to understand words, God has told us of his love, mercy and grace, and how he wants all men to receive it...free, without cost or obligation, but as a gift, by grace.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Take the time to ponder over these next few verses. There is something very important written in them:

Galatians 1:1-12

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul's Gospel was KEPT SECRET:

Romans 16:25

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Paul's Gospel was HIDDEN:

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Paul's Gospel for today was NOT MADE KNOWN:

Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Paul's Gospel for today was HID IN GOD:

Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Paul's Gospel for today was A MYSTERY:

Colossians 1:26

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Paul's Gospel for today was UNSEARCHABLE:

Ephesians 3:8

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Yes, the Apostle Paul has both a unique ministry from all the other Apostles....and most certainly a unique message...different from that of the others. It was not until Jesus Christ appeared to Paul and gave him this special and unique ministry and message that we were ever told to "rightly divide the word of truth." BUT NOW it is an absolute necessity in order to avoid the religious trap of compromise and confusion which is the lot of most of religion today.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

All scripture references are from the Authorized Version, the King James Bible.

 

+++

Celebrating 400 years...

 

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.  [Psalm 12: 6-7]

Treated like the plague

It has been  three-plus decades of  Sundays (or 1,500+ sermons) since I've personally heard a sermon on the topic of Hell from any denominational or nondenominational pulpit.   Preaching of hellfire seems to have gone out of style in this day of "You are special" and "God has a plan for your life." 

This phenomenon puzzles me.  How can those who proudly wear their degrees of divinity on the sleeve of their robe for their TV audience to revere--or on their office wall to prove they are a bonafide bible scholar--refrain from warning people of an actual, literal place spoken of by Jesus in His earthly ministry more than any other topic?  A place that everyone is rightfully destined (and, by the way, unable to do anything about it on their own) by virtue of the sin nature that has been passed down from every parent to every child since Adam harkened unto his wife [Genesis 3:17].

Romans 5:12 KJV

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:

Here is one preacher* that won't have to answer for not getting the Word out...

+++

Proverbs 1:7 KJV

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

____________________________________________________
*Note: while this video was very well done and tells the message needed to be said, I do not endorse the bible versions used in it. Additionally, the doctrinal views held by this preacher and the church he represents may not necessarily reflect my views.

A Book you can 'bet your life on!'

Although I’ve blogged about this before, I keep coming back to God’s Word.  It is so precious to me!  But ‘me’ aside, it is SO critical that mankind know that the actual WORDS of God are available--not just the ‘idea/concept/thoughts' of God.   If only His thoughts were what we had, then they would be subject to what people perceived them to actually say or mean and then act according to their own understanding! 

Oops!   I guess that is why we have countless denominations out there doing their own thing, according to their denomination’s tenants and traditions.  Hmmm, maybe that is why our Lord Jesus Christ said…

Matthew 15:6b

…Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Mark 7:13

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Three times in God’s Word, at the beginning…

Deuteronomy 4:2

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought [anything] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

…in the middle…

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

…and at the end…

Revelation 22:18-19

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

…He issues stern, no nonsense, warnings about tampering in any way with what He has said…

2 Timothy 3:16a

All scripture is given by inspiration [literally means: that which is breathed out of the mouth] of God [or…God breathed] …

Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

…what He had written down…

Isaiah 30:8

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

…and what He has promised to preserve..

Psalm 12:6-8

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Is it coincidence?  Once the Majority Text (aka, Textus Receptus, or ‘Received Text’) was first brought together within and under one binding cover by Tyndale in 1525; then ten years later in 1535, the Coverdale Bible; 1537, the Matthews Bible; 1539, the Great Bible; 1560, the Geneva Bible; and 1568, the Bishop’s Bible and finally, the Authorized Version--the King James Version emerged as the seventh from the original Greek and Hebrew Textus Receptus! 

The KJV Translators were protestant believers and highly skilled and equipped for the task at hand--standardize the bibles in circulation (mentioned above) into one.  They did not start from scratch but rather, using those other bibles along with literally thousands of authentic pieces of manuscript evidence supporting them, they proceeded to tackle the daunting task to—not rewrite, but—polish and refine, as it were, God's Word into one more excellent.  One could say, as to purify seven times in a furnace; much like gold, silver and precious stones are purified.  The resulting KJV was so widely accepted by the masses that after a mere 40 years, it was the only one of the other six that continued to be published.

Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever

…for ever!!                           

One needs to be aware that one day, all will stand and give an account of themselves and by themselves of their actions (as they won’t have their favorite pastor, TV evangelist, mother or grandmother to back them up), either in accordance with believing His Word, or in accordance with what was ‘right in their own eyes.’

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The Saved:

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we [believer’s] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Corinthians 3: 9-15

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The Lost:

Revelation 20:6-15

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. ... And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the [lost] dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

God is serious about His Word…

Psalm 138:2b

…for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

…Dare we be any less serious about God and His Words to us!?  Man will have no excuse when they stand before Him in that day.

Romans 3:19

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

+++

Dear Reader, do you know if you are saved?  Do you know that without the shed blood of Christ on that cruel Cross where He died for your sins you would have no way, no hope or no chance of going to heaven?  


If so, judge my words above for yourself…

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

However, if my words are nonsensical, it is because…

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural [unsaved, lost, destined to Hell] man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

…but the Good News today in the dispensation of the grace of God is that you CAN be saved from the torments of  Hell, and ultimately the eternal burning in the Lake of Fire.  All you have to do is "believe God" (have faith in His sure Word--not just His thoughts) when He says:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [of the grace of God, as revealed to Paul alone by the risen, ascended Lord Jesus Christ] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

O what a blessed Hope!  What Comfort there is to be had in this present evil world!

It's a gift, my friend, don't turn it down...don't be caught dead without it!

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith [believing God]; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 4:4-5

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him [God] that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For more information regrading the excellency of the King James Version...

Here are additional recommended sites to visit (in addition to the many listed as "A few of my favorite places" to the right):

v  How to Choose an English-translated Bible

"When comparing the KJV Bible to other English translations the differences found are over 5000, which are all “textual not translational” in nature. This means the text that the NIV was taken from is not from the same manuscript that the King James Bible is taken from. Should a devote bible student trust any bible that leaves out the blood of Christ and omits entire verses. Have you trusted religious leaders that seem to think this is OK?"

v  Westcott and Hort

Read the actual words of the men (revealing their disbelief in the inerrancy of the Word of God) responsible for every other (per)version on the market and used in the vast majority of churches today. 

What does God say about man changing His words?

Psalm 62:4 [KJV]

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

Psalm 63:11 [KJV]

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

All the other versions—including popular and favorites versions—have words, added and subtracted, vital doctrines obscured, not to mention blatant lies and downright contradictions to the KJV.  For example…

KJV

2 Samuel 21:19

And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

NIV1984

2 Samuel 21:19

In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.

+++

KJV

Colossians 2:18

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

NIV1984

Colossians 2:18

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

These are only two of the multitude of differences. But don’t take my word for it…study it out for yourself! 

v  http://www.1john57.com/

A great website with a comprehensive listing of perversions committed against God's Word.

v  I’m glad you asked…

Got bible questions?  Want to read answers to others’ questions?  This is a great site to visit and revisit, over and over!

  

Grace and peace, 

Ambassador ;j an  

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ's stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

[2 Cor 5:20 KJV]

_______________________________________________________

Note: Bolding in scripture references are my emphasis!

 

Combat ignorance!

From a fellow grace believer’s blog, Grace Ambassadors…

I hate being ignorant. I battle it every day.

No one talks more about ignorance than Paul. More than any other portion of scripture we find exhortations that we should not remain ignorant (Romans 1:13, 11:25 KJV).

A smart man would make a note of these things.

Ignorance is costly. Get rid of it as soon as you can.  It costs the religious community billions every year.

It will kill you. Pay to have it removed.  If you don't you will pay more in the long run to bad doctrine.

It is a disease that horribly infects people. It seems that it is more contagious among Christians.

Inoculate your children against it! Teach them the gospel and mid-Acts Pauline dispensational right division.

What's that? You don't know what that is? Quick! You've got it already! You can fight this.

Take it from a survivor, there is a cure!. It takes work; but, you can do it (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

For his glory,

Justin Curtis Johnson

Another great resource:  The Ignorant Natural Man

What Scripture has to say about baptisms...

[Article posted on Romans thru Philemon Blog  ...view in chart form]

Water Baptism of Christ

 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.  [John 1:31]

Christ was water baptized, not as an example to us, but to be made manifest to Israel.

Water Baptism of Israel During Christ's Earthly Ministry

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. [Luke 7:29-30]         

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. [Matthew 3:6]           

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark 16:16]

Justification before God came through water baptism.  Did the baptism provide the justification?  The baptism simply served as an identification of the repentant Jew with the Gospel of the Kingdom.  It was the sign that God required to prove they had sufficient faith. 

Water Baptism of Israel Post Ascension

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  [Acts 2:38]

Unlike John's baptism, after the ascension of Christ, water baptism now brought the promised Holy Ghost.  Note in Acts 19:2-5 that there were Kingdom Saints who had been baptized under John's baptism but didn’t know if there was a Holy Ghost. They were commanded to be rebaptized in the name of the Lord so they could receive the Holy Ghost.  

Baptism of Cornelius

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  [Acts 10:44-47]

Peter was given the vision of the descending sheet that had meat on it that as a Jew, Peter wouldn't touch.  God tells him that he is now calling that meat common.  God was showing that Peter there had been a change in programs.  Peter didn't understand it until Galatians 2 when Paul explained what was going on.  Notice Peter still baptizes Cornelius, as he would have been accustomed to, but note that the Holy Ghost fell prior to the water baptism.  This indicates that God was going to be giving the Holy Spirit now without the need of water baptism. 

Body of Christ Baptism

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  [Ephesians 4:4-6]

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  [Romans 6:3-5]  

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  [Galatians 3:27-28]

Baptism today is not performed by water.  It is performed by the Holy Spirit to place into the Body of Christ.  Paul tells us in Ephesians that there is ONE baptism.  1 Corinthians 12 tells us we are baptized by the Spirit into ONE Body.  Romans tells us that we have been baptized into His Body and therefore have been baptized into his Death.  Galatians tells us that because we have been baptized into Christ's Body, we are now clothed in the skins of our sacrifice.  God sees us in the righteousness of his Son. 

+++

As we must ALWAYS do...

     ...Let God be true, and every man a liar!   [Romans 3:4]

Or else...

     ...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

                                                                                                             [Matthew 15:6]



"I change not!"

Malachi 3:6

For I am the LORD, I change not;

The attributes and character of God do not change. 

But, the way He deals with mankind and the instructions He has 'dispensed' to mankind throughout history has changed. 

A Dispensation is a specific set of instructions given by God for man’s obedience and benefit. (Not unlike a doctor writing a prescription for a patient's benefit to be 'dispensed' from a pharmacy.)  It is not a specified period of time but rather specified guidelines given to God's spokesman: e.g., God dispensed the Law to Moses for Israel to obey, but Paul was given the doctrine of grace whereby Jews and Gentiles alike could be saved, sanctified, edified and perfected (made mature) as members of the Church, the Body of Christ.  Man is to conduct himself according to guidelines given during his lifetime. 

 There are many doctrinal subjects that need to be viewed dispensationally in order to keep from being confused, or (worse yet) think that the Bible contradicts itself.  Take the subject of eating...God clearly and plainly throughout the last 6,000 years has specified how and what mankind is to eat. 

Ø  In the Garden of Eden:  Adam was a vegetarian, eating herbs and fruits (Genesis 1:29-30)

Ø  After the Flood: hunting animals for food was instituted (Genesis 9:1-3)

Ø  At the giving of the Law:  peculiar dietary restrictions were given (Exodus 12:30; Leviticus 3:17; 11)

Ø  At the giving of the revelation of the grace of God to Paul: all restrictions were removed (1 Timothy 4:4-5; Colossians 2:16)

Ø  In the Ages to Come: eating of fruit will be restored. 

However, today, some denominations will forbid the eating of meat on Fridays and others will forbid the eating of various foods, e.g., pork, shrimp, etc.  They take such 'ordinances' from the Bible, but they take them out of a Dispensation that is not for us in this present "But Now" dispensation of time. 

Mark 7:9, 13
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Romans 3:4

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Today, God in His grace encourages mankind to ‘consider’ the commandments of Christ as given to Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, by rightly dividing the word of truth. [See Right Division 101] 

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

When we do, then the Lord has given us a promise.

2 Timothy 2:7

Consider what I [Paul] say; and the Lord [will] give thee understanding in all things.

I pray that you take God's Word for it--study it out for yourself-- and not rely on the religious traditions of men to help you understand your King James Bible.

…Yea, let God be true, but every man [whose words do not line up with God's Word, be] a liar!!