Summary:
...Some man will say "The devil can quote scripture as well as the next man!" or, "scripture can be made to suit a personal view, or, expressed with partiality," or, "if interpretation is offered, then it should be in one's own words." If this were so, then there should be as many different interpretations as there are readers of the scriptures. Does not this undisciplined approach lead to confusion; otherwise called Babel, or, Babylon?
...Does not confusion make opportunity to depart from original text, in the name of modernisation? Do those who read from the alternative translations have a better understanding? Does it imply that all those who died since Christ, are lost, because they had no modern translation of the scriptures?
...Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power, Col0208-10.
...How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, Heb0203. Jesus said, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free, Jhn0831,32.
...For the mystery of iniquity doth already
work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out
of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord
shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,
2Th0207-12. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect, Mat2424.
Further reading
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God, Jhn0842-47.
Repent of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I (Peter) perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity, Act0822,23.
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, Eph0421-24.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever, 1Pe012. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures, Jas0118.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble, Jas0219.
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, 1Co1203.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children (Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein, Luk1817), abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him, 1Jn0223-29.
Jesus saith, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, Jhn1406.
Jesus said, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, Jhn1423-26.
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him, Jhn0718.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you, 1Pe0124,25.
And I (Paul), brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1Co0201-08.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural 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 he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ, 1Co0209-16.
God, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (the Spirit is truth, 1Jn0506), 2Tm0204. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you, Jhn1417.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, 1Jn0406.
He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not myword like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer2328,29.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, Heb0101,02. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, Heb0203.
If any man teach otherwise,
and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and
strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute
of the truth, 1Tm0603-05.
Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true, Jhn0524-31.
It is the spirit (of truth) that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life, Jhn0663.
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, Pro3005,06. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, 1Pe0411.
Of these things put them
in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive
not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
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,
2Tm0214-16. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest
not in him
the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand
his way: but the folly of fools is deceit, Pro1407,08.
O ye simple, understand
wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear;
for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips
shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness
is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in
righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They
are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that
find
knowledge, Pro0805-09.
But I (Paul) fear, lest
by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is
in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom
we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received,
or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear
with him, 2Co1103-05.
But I (Paul) 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, Gal0111,12. And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also, 2Tm0202.
Jesus said, He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me, Mat1040.
Jesus cried and said, He
that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent
me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come
a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should
not
abide in darkness. 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. 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. For I have not spoken of myself; but
the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should
say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment
is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the
Father said unto me, so I speak, Jhn1244-50. For judgment I am come into this world, that they
which see not might see (with the eyes of your understanding,
Eph0118); and that they which see (that which is outward in the
flesh, Rom0228) might be made blind, Jhn0939.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2Co0403-06.
To whom sware he that they
should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let
us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into
his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto
us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it, Heb0318-0402.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, Mat1507-09. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God, Pss5023.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, Mrk0707,08.
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Isa2911-15.
Whom shall he teach knowledge?
and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned
from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be
upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line,
line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering
lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom
he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to
rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But
the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept
upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and
there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be
broken, and snared, and taken, Isa2809-13.
Though he (Jesus) were a
Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest
after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to
say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one
teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of
God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to
them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (and the
difference, cf.Jona0411: Eze2226), Heb0508-14.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isa0520,21.
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, Eph0420-24.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they 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? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? Rom1013,14.
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, Jhn0334.
As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world, Rom1015-18.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 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; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, 1Co0117-31.
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe, 1Th0211-13.
As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up
in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding
therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of
men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For
in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye
are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and
power, Col0206-10.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them, Eph0208-10.
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Mat0404.
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? Jer0236.
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken, Jer0616,17.
Look to yourselves, that
we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive
a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there
come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth
him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds, 2Jn0108-11.
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e-mail: bryanspencer@precepts.org