Daily Bible Nugget #175, James 1:18

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for regenerating. In plain English, the Bible by the will of God Himself is designed to bring us to actual spiritual birth, to saving faith in Christ, so that we know we have been born from above (John 3:3, 5, 7). This has nothing to do with church rituals or sacraments. It has nothing to do with ritual water baptism, whether (as some churches teach) one is baptized as an infant by means of sprinkling, or whether (as some other churches teach) one is immersed as an adult. The water of ritual baptism does not save anyone; it does not produce a transformed life; it does not produce regenerative change. Regenerative change (Titus 3:5), being made a new creature in Christ (1 Corinthians 5:17) takes place when we believe and receive the message of the Bible, which “is able to save” our souls (James 1:21). One must not depend upon participation in the sacraments of a church to either be saved or to stay saved. Our Lord Jesus Christ indeed ordained two so-called sacraments, ritual water baptism (Matthew 28:19, a command that has not been revoked) and the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:15, 17, 19). Some churches practice more than two sacraments. A third sacrament practiced by very few churches is foot washing (John 13:14). The grace of God that brings salvation for all men (Titus 2:11) is nowhere in the Bible said to be received by partaking in the sacraments of the church. The grace of God that brings salvation is applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who enables us to receive the truth (1 Corinthians 12:13; Philippians 2:13) as we either hear or read for ourselves the Word of God (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8, 9).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1447 for James 1:18.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on pages 1465-1466 or in Logos 5 Bible software for James 1:18.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

James 1:18. Of his own will. or, Having willed. Gr. boulemai (S#1014g, Mt 1:19). Je 31:3. Da 11:3. Mt 20:15. **Jn 1:12, 13. **Jn 3:3-5. Ro 4:17. +*Ro 8:29-31. 9:15-18. 12:2. +1 Cor 12:11. Ep 1:5, 19. 2:4, 5. Phil 1:29. Col 1:20, 21. 1 Th 4:3. *2 Th 2:13, 14. Titus 3:5. He 6:17. 8:10. *1 P 1:3, 23. 4:2. 1 J 4:10. begat. Gr. apokueō (S#616g, ver. 15). T#1114. Nu 11:12. Dt 32:18. Ps 7:14. 22:9. 80:18. 87:4-6. 89:26, 27. +*Ps 119:50. Mt 13:38. Mk 4:8. Ro 8:14. 1 Cor 4:15. Ga 4:19. *Titus 2:14. *Titus 3:5, 6. *1 P 1:3, 23. 2 P 1:4. 1 John 2:29. 3:9. 5:1, 18. with. ver. +*Jas 1:21. *Is 55:11. 1 Cor 4:15. Ep 1:12. **1 Th 2:13. +**2 Tim 3:15. **1 P 1:23. *1 John 3:9. the word of truth. ver. Jas 1:21, 22, 23. 1 S 9:27. Ps 17:4. +*Ps 119:43, 160. *Ec 12:10. Da 10:21. Mt 4:4. Jn 6:63. 17:7, 8, 17. **Ro 10:17. 2 Cor 6:7. Ep 1:13. 5:26. Phil 2:16. **Col 1:5. 2 Tim 2:15. *He 4:12. 10:26. 1 P 1:23, 25. that we. Ep 1:12. firstfruits. Ex 4:22. 22:29. 34:26. +*Le 23:10, 17. 27:26. Nu 15:20. 18:12. 28:26. Dt 18:4. 26:2, 10. 2 Ch 31:5. Ne 10:35. Je 2:3. Ezk 20:40. 44:30. Am 6:1mg. Ro 8:19-23. 11:16. 16:5. 1 Cor 15:20, 23. 16:15. *He 12:23. *Re 14:4. of his creatures. Nu 8:17. Ps 8:5, 6. Ro 8:16-21. 1 Cor 6:2, 3. 1 Tim 4:4.

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Daily Bible Nugget #174, 1 Corinthians 2:13

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Corinthians 2:13 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.

My Comment:

Paul did not speak merely on the basis of what man’s wisdom teaches. He spoke and wrote by divine inspiration. The Gospel Paul preached, taught, and wrote was by direct revelation from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Galatians 1:12). Paul wrote words which were taught him by the Holy Spirit. Now the next clause, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” has been understood in various ways. Wesley reads “explaining spiritual things by spiritual words.” Williams gives “in this way fitting spiritual words to spiritual truths.” Noyes renders “connecting what is spiritual with what is spiritual.” The ESV translates “interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” The text of the NLT reads “using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” It is probably this latter sense which is represented by The New Topical Textbook’s heading, “One portion of the Scripture to be compared with another.” This is an often made application of these words. To get at the truth of what the Bible is saying, it is always wise to compare Scripture with Scripture. The best way to do that is to make use of what are called cross references. You cannot suppose you have arrived at the truth of what the Bible teaches about a specific doctrine or matter if you have not carefully considered and taken into account all the evidence in the Bible that touches upon that doctrine. This cannot be done using a concordance alone. Many times there are important passages in the Bible that shed light on a particular verse you are studying that use different words than those found in the passage you started your study from. Those related passages can best be found by using cross references.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1305 for 1 Corinthians 2:13.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1325 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Corinthians 2:13.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Corinthians 2:13. we speak. 2 Cor 11:6. not. ver. 1 Cor 1:1, 4, 6. *1 Cor 1:17-19. 2 Cor 1:12. 2 P 1:16. 3:15. 1 J 2:20. the words. This is a specific claim to verbal inspiration. Divine inspiration of Scripture is asserted also at 2 Tim 3:16, as is the divine inspiration of the Scripture writers, 2 P 1:21. Failure to accept the Bible’s own testimony to itself has closed this Book to so-called “modern scholarship” (a misnomer if ever there was one!). Much modern scholarship is dishonest, for instead of explaining the Bible, it attempts to explain away the Bible, refusing to honestly come to grips with its claims and message. In an effort to escape the Bible’s obvious message, dishonest scholarship has tried to deny its authenticity and authorship, ascribing, for example, the books of Moses to multiple late authorship; denying the unity of Isaiah; asserting that the gospels, particularly John, are of late origin, and do not reflect the so-called “historical Jesus,” but views and traditions of the early Church of the third or fourth century—not explaining, of course, how books can be quoted or translated before they were written, or how such stupendous claims could be foisted upon a gullible public long after the possibility of disproof by eyewitnesses has passed. The only way to get at the message of the Bible is to be completely open to its message. To approach Scripture with humanistic and naturalistic (i.e. anti-theistic) presuppositions is to try to twist Scripture to fit a world view which it most emphatically will not support. The only valid approach to Scripture is to be honest to its claims and message and grant its right to set forth a theistic, supernaturalistic world view. To deny the possibility of miracle (as Hume and his modern counterparts) is to deny the possibility of history, for both are based upon the record of eye-witness testimony, and such denial is absurd. There are more pathways to truth and knowledge than an arbitrarily narrowly defined so-called “scientific method.” Like missing the right exit on a freeway, continued advance in the wrong direction is not progress; genuine progress will require a return to where we went wrong, and a fresh start in the right direction. Much “scholarship” needs to recognize it has pursued a wrong path, and recognize that it needs to return to sound principles of former generations of reverent, truthful, believing scholarship. It is neither truthful nor fair scholarship to approach a work of literature from a consistently unsympathetic and hostile world view in the attempt to legitimately understand its message. Rather, in our attempt to understand a work of literature, we must let it speak for itself. The task of scholarship is to place the reader as close as possible in sympathetic relationship to the viewpoint of the original writer and recipients of the literary work, and not to attempt to explain it away in an effort to force it to agree with popular contemporary philosophical presuppositions. **Lk 8:15. Mt 10:20. **1 Th 2:13. +**2 Tim 3:16. 1 P 1:10, 11. 2 P 1:20, 21. 3:1, 2. man’s wisdom teacheth. Gr. didaktos (S#1318g). 1 Cor 1:26. Ec 8:1. Jn 6:45g. Ro 1:14. but which. FS63I1A, +Ex 12:4. By ellipsis supply “but (things) which.” *1 Cor 12:1-3. 14:2. Mk 13:11. *Lk 12:12. Ac 2:4. 13:32-37. 1 P 1:12. Holy. Gr. pneuma, +Mt 1:18n. Mic 3:8. teacheth. Is 11:3. Je 3:15. +*Jn 14:26. Ac 26:24. +**1 J 2:27. comparing. or, interpreting. Gr. sunkrinō (S#4793g). Note: Or, as Bishop Pearce renders, “explaining (sugkrinantes) spiritual things to spiritual men” (pneumatikois). To this alternative, however, Hodge rightly objects, for it is inconsistent with the context. Paul is rather asserting that he explained spiritual things in spiritual words. The word rendered “comparing” here means interpreting or explaining. T#1033. Ge 40:8, 16, 22. 41:12, 13, 15. Da 5:12, 16, 17. +*Lk 4:18n. +**Jn 5:39. +**Ac 17:3, 11. 2 Cor 10:12g. spiritual things. FS147I, +Jn 1:11. ver. 1 Cor 2:14. 1 Cor 9:11. 10:3-5. 12:1. Ep 5:19. *Col 3:16. with spiritual. +Ro 1:11g.

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Daily Bible Nugget #173, Deuteronomy 12:32

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

My Comment:

The Scriptures declare that nothing is to be added to or taken from God’s revealed word as recorded in the Bible. During the time during which the Bible was still being written, God made clear to His people who His divinely authorized prophets and writers were. God did this by attesting to the truth of the message by having a prophet predict things that were to take place in his own day so that when these things took place, his word was confirmed as true prophecy. God also confirmed his messengers in other ways, including the use of miracle. The content of the Hebrew Scriptures was settled before the time of Christ. Malachi, the last prophet, wrote about B.C. 397, thus nearly 400 years prior to the birth of Christ. The book of Revelation was written about A.D. 96. The contents of the Bible was complete when John the Apostle, the last living Apostle, set aside his pen. The book of Revelation at its end (Revelation 22:18, 19) contains the final prohibition against adding to or taking from the written Word of God. Jude 1:3 clearly and unequivocally states that the body of truth we know as the Gospel had been delivered once for all to the saints. Thus there are to be no additions to the content of divine revelation. The whole of the Gospel is contained in the 27 primary sources contained in the New Testament. No one is authorized to add anything to that original deposit declared by Jude, and for which he directs we are to contend.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 193 for Deuteronomy 12:32.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 211 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 12:32.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 12:32. What thing soever I command. Dt 1:18. 26:16. Ex 12:50. 35:29. 39:32, 42. 40:16. observe to do it. Dt 1:18. 11:32. 19:9. Ge 6:22. 21:4. Ex 34:11. Le 8:4, 36. 18:26. Nu 1:54. Jg 13:14. 2 K 17:37. 2 Ch 30:5. +*Ps 119:4. Je 11:7. Ezk 20:19. 44:5. Mt 5:19. 7:21. 28:20. Lk 2:39. 6:46. 8:21. James 1:22. 1 J 5:16, 17. thou shalt not add. Dt 4:2. 13:18. Le 10:1. Jsh 1:7. 8:30-35. Pr 19:27. 30:6. Mt 15:9. 28:20. Mk 7:7. +*Ga 1:9. Re 22:18, 19. nor diminish. Dt 5:32. 17:20. Jsh 11:15. 23:6. Pr 4:27. Je 26:2. Re 22:19.

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Daily Bible Nugget #172, Deuteronomy 4:2

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

My Comment:

The Bible teaches that nothing is to be added to or taken from the Scriptures. But if this teaching given in Deuteronomy 4:2 is true, how did any books get added to the Bible after the time of Moses when the book of Deuteronomy was written? How did Isaiah or the Psalms manage to be added if there is a limitation and command that nothing is to be added? God is able to inspire writers, and did so in both Old and New Testament times, who under the direction of the Holy Spirit were guided to write those further portions of Scripture we now have, concluding with the book of Revelation. Who decided what books should be admitted to the approved books of Scripture? The Old Testament, or the Hebrew Scriptures, were collected by the Jews who lived in Israel. God led them to include the 39 books of the Old Testament. There are other books that have been included with the Old Testament from about two centuries before Christ, books included in the Greek Septuagint that are not found in the Hebrew Bible. All 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures were a part of the Old Testament used by the Jews in Israel before and at the time of Christ. The New Testament books were accounted as inspired Scripture. Each book as it was received by the original recipients was acknowledged as Scripture and received as such by those to whom each book was subsequently shared. By the time Peter wrote his books, he referred to the letters of Paul as Scripture. It is clear from what Peter states that he had a collection of Paul’s letters in his possession. By the time the book of Revelation was written, the “canon” of the New Testament was complete. Some scholars assert (as Townsend in his Analysis) that the Apostle John himself was the one who closed the New Testament canon. In any case, by about the year 160 AD a list of what books belonged in the New Testament, the Muratorian Canon, contains a list virtually the same as the list of books we have in the New Testament today. At this time, therefore, no one has divine authority to add to what is already in the Bible, or of course, to take anything out.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 182 for Deuteronomy 4:2.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 201 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 4:2.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 4:2. not add. Dt 12:32. 18:20. Jsh 1:7. Pr 30:5, 6. Ec 12:13. Je 23:28. 26:2. Ezk 2:5, 7. Mt 5:18, 43. 15:2-9. Mk 7:1-13. Ga 1:9. 3:15. Re 22:18, 19. neither shall ye diminish. Ex 7:2. Le 8:36. 10:1. Jsh 8:35. 11:15. Je 26:2. that ye may keep the commandments. Dt 5:32. 12:1. 17:20. Ex 12:50. 34:11. 35:29. Le 18:4, 26. 19:37. Jsh 22:5. 2 Ch 30:12. *Jb 22:22.

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Daily Bible Nugget #171, Romans 16:26

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

My Comment:

The Scriptures are intended for the use of all men. Of course, that includes the ladies too! The use of “men” is generic and means “for the use of all people.” What “now is made manifest” is the “revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25) spoken of in the preceding most instructive and interesting verse. The “mystery” is made manifest, made clear, by the Scriptures of the prophets. These Scriptures by the commandment of the everlasting God are made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. This is a long, continuing series of Daily Bible Nuggets on the subject of the Scriptures, especially what the Bible says about itself. In Romans 16:26 one central thought is that the Scriptures are intended for the use of all people in every culture throughout the world. Where the Bible is truly known and appreciated, regularly read and studied, as well as practiced as a guide to life, people have a far different most positive character and moral worldview than where it is not. Unfortunately today, some places that were once beacons of light for getting the Gospel out have fallen away from the truth, well depicted by 2 Peter 2:1, 20-22, a chapter of the Bible which describes our condition most accurately as it exists today.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1301 for Romans 16:26.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1322 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Romans 16:26.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Romans 16:26. now is made manifest. Ro 3:21. Dt *29:29. +*30:11. Jb 11:6. Is 48:6. 52:15. Da 2:22. Mt 13:35. Jn 15:15. 1 C 2:7. Ep 1:9. 3:9. Col 1:26. 4:4. 2 T *1:10. 4:17. T *1:2, 3. 1 P 1:20. 1 J 1:2. Re 1:1. and by. Ro +*1:2. 3:21. +*15:4. Ac *3:18. *8:32-35. +*10:43. *26:22, 23. Ga *3:8. Ep 2:20. 2 P *1:19. Re 19:10. the scriptures of the prophets. or, prophetic writings. Gr. graphē prophētikos (S#1124g; S#4397g). Mt 5:17. Lk +*24:27, 44. Jn +*5:39. Ac +*17:11. 2 T +**3:15-17. 1 P +**1:11. 2 P 1:19g. 3:15, 16. according. Mt +*28:19, 20. Mk *16:15. Lk *24:44-47. Ac *13:46, 47. +*26:17, 18. 1 C 7:6. 2 C 8:8. the commandment. Gr. epitagē (S#2003g), an injunction or decree; by implication authoritativeness (Strong). Ro 1:9. Dt 26:18. 1 C 7:6g, 25g. 2 C 8:8g. 1 T 1:1g. T 1:3g. 2:15g (authority). everlasting. Gr. aionios, Mt +18:8. God the Father is eternal. Ro *1:20. Ge *21:33. Dt 32:40. +*33:27. Ps 90:2. 93:2. Is +*9:6. **40:28. 41:4. Je 10:10. Mi +*5:2. Mt 25:46g. +**28:19n. Ep **4:6. 1 T *1:17. He **9:14. **13:8. 2 P 3:8. 1 J *5:20. Re **1:8-11, 17. 10:6. God. 1 C +*8:6. Ep *4:6. made known. Ro 9:22, 23. 10:14. Lk 2:15. Jn 17:20. 1 T +*2:6. to all nations. or, Gentiles. T#1031. ver. 4. Ro +1:5. 10:12, 13. Ps 18:43. 22:27. Is 42:4. *66:18. Mt 13:38. 24:14. Ac 10:11. 22:21. Col *1:6, +*23, 26. 1 T 2:7. 3:16. obedience of faith. See on Ro 1:5. 6:17. 10:16. 15:18. Dt +*26:16, 18. Je +*7:23. Ezk 11:20. Zc 6:15. Mk 1:15. Ac 6:7. 2 C 9:13. *10:5. Ga *5:6, 7. Col 1:6. 1 Th 1:3. 2 Th 1:8. 1 P 1:2.

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Daily Bible Nugget #170, Romans 15:4

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

My Comment:

The Scriptures were written for our instruction. Notice that Paul in this statement explains what the Scriptures are for and what they can do for us. “Patience” is translated “quiet waiting” (Bible in Basic English) or “endurance” (NET Bible). The Scriptures were written for our instruction or learning in order that we might derive comfort from them, and that we might have hope. The Emphasized Bible translates “might have their hope.” Young’s Literal Translation reads “might have the hope.”

Should you need a dose of encouragement, turn to the Bible. Some books in the Bible were written in a manner that provides much encouragement when they are read. The book of Philippians is a good example. Certain Psalms are most encouraging, especially Psalm 34 and Psalm 37. Might as well throw in Psalm 40, especially its last verse, which observes “yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Jesus taught a similar truth when he said we are much more valuable than sparrows (Luke 12:7). He said God knows each of us so well he knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8). He even knows how many hairs are growing on our head! Jesus told us that each individual is worth more than the whole world (Matthew 16:26).

When I taught public school, I emphasized some of these truths from time to time by sharing selected Bible verses scattered among the daily proverbs and quotations I posted on the blackboard. When students truly understand that they each are very valuable–that God did not make any junk–their attitude towards others improves. There are many other avenues of encouraging thought that can be springboarded into your life when you read the Bible for yourself.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1298 for Romans 15:4.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1318 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Romans 15:4.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Romans 15:4. whatsoever. +*Ro 4:23, 24. *1Co 9:9, 10. *1Co 10:11. +**2Ti 3:16, 17. *2Pe 1:19, 20, 21. written. +Ro 3:10. *Ps 102:18. Je 30:2. Da 7:1. *Mt 4:4. Jn 19:35. 20:30, **Jn 20:31. aforetime. Jb 8:8. Ga 3:1. Ep 3:3g. Jude 1:4. for our learning. or, teaching. Note: Rather, “for our instruction.” T#1030. Ro 2:18. 12:7. +*Ps 119:130. +*Is 8:20. Mt 13:44. Mk 1:44. +*Mk 12:24. +*Jn 5:39. **Jn 20:31. 1Co 1:5. *1Co 10:6, 11. Col 2:17. 1Ti 1:16. +**2Ti 3:16. He 10:1. *2Pe 1:19. **1 J 5:13. patience. or, patient endurance. FS134, +Mt 3:9. In Hebrew the words “patience” and “hope” would be sabbar and subar, thus exhibiting the figure Parechesis, or Foreign Paronomasia. +*Ro 2:7. *Ro 5:3, 4, 5. 8:24, 25. *Ro 12:12. Ps 119:81, 82, 83. +*Lk 8:15. 21:19. *1Co 13:4, 5. 2Co 6:4, 5, 6. 12:12. 1 Th 1:3. 2 Th 1:4. *He 6:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. +*He 10:35, 36. *He 13:5, 6. James 1:3. *James 5:7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 1Pe 1:13. 2:19, 20, 21, 22, 23. 2Pe 1:6. Re 2:3. 14:12. and comfort. FS93A, +Ge 1:26. T#1051. Ro 8:28. 2 Ch 31:4. 35:2. Jb 5:19. 6:10. 11:16. Ps 27:5. 30:5. 42:5. 103:13. +*Ps 119:50, **Ps 119:52, 82, 92, 143. 138:7. Is 46:4. 61:3. 63:9. +*Mt 5:4. Jn 14:1, 2, 3. Ac 4:36. 15:30, 31. +1Co 14:3. 1 Th 3:7. 4:13. James 5:7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 1Pe 4:12, 13. Re 2:10. 3:10. 7:14, 15, 16, 17. 14:13. the scriptures. +Ro 1:2. 16:26. Ps 19:7. +Mt 21:42. 22:29. +*Mk 12:24. +**2Ti 3:15, 16, 17. hope. T#1042. Ro 4:18. 5:2, 4, 5, 6. 8:24. 12:12. +*Ps 34:4. *Ps 71:14. +*Ps 119:49, 74, 81, 114, 116. 130:5. +*Pr 3:5. 14:32. Jn 15:16. Ac 23:6. 26:6. 1Co 9:10. 13:13. 2Co 3:12. Ga 5:5. Ep 1:18. +**Ep 2:12. 4:4. Col 1:5, 23, 27. 1 Th 1:3. 2:19. *1 Th 5:8. +*2 Th 2:16. 1Ti 1:1. *Titus 1:2. *Titus 2:13. 3:7. *He 3:6. +*He 6:11, 18. 7:19. +*1Pe 1:3, 4. +*1Pe 3:15. **1 J 3:3.

Posted in Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Education Issues, Practical Application Bible Studies, Proverbs and Quotations, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #169 Hebrews 4:12

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Hebrews 4:12 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.

My Comment:

The Scripture is described as quick and powerful. In today’s English, we would say “alive and powerful.” The Bible is powerful for it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Bible is powerful for it can bring spiritual life to the reader as the Holy Spirit enables understanding.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1427 for Hebrews 4:12.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1446 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Hebrews 4:12.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Hebrews 4:12. the word of God. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. He %6:5 & 11:3 (Gr. rhēma). *13:7. Jb +*23:12. Ps 119:96. Is *40:8. *49:2. Je +*15:16. *23:29. Ho 6:5. Mt *4:4-10. Lk 8:11. Ac *4:31. 16:32. Ro 7:14. +9:6. +*10:17. 2 C *2:17. +*4:2. Ep *6:17. Ph 2:16. Col +*3:16. 2 T +**3:15, 16. 1 P **1:23. 1 J 5:7. Re *20:4. is quick. or, living. Gr. zaō (S#2198g, 2 C 1:8). T#1029. He 3:12. 10:31. Dt 32:47. Ps 110:2. +*119:50, 130. Ec 12:11. Is **55:11. Je **23:29. Jn 6:51, 63, 68. Ac 7:38. Ro +*1:16. 1 C 1:24. 2 C *10:4, 5. Ph 2:16. 1 Th **2:13. Ja **1:18. 1 P +*1:23. 2:4, 5g. powerful. Gr. energēs (S#1756g, Phm 6). Ps 19:8. Je 23:29. Ho 6:5. Mt 7:29. Mk 1:22. Lk *4:32. Ro *1:16. 1 C 1:18, 24. *16:9g. 2 C 10:4, 5. 1 Th **2:13. 2 Th 2:8. Phm 6. sharper. Gr. tomōteros (S#5114g, only here), to cut, as if by a single stroke (see Strong). Ps 45:3. 57:4. 59:7. 64:3. *149:6. Pr *5:4. Is *11:4. *49:2. 51:16. Ho 6:5. Ac *2:37. *5:33. Ep *6:17. Re *1:16. *2:16. *19:15, 21. twoedged. Gr. distomos (S#1366g, only here and Re 1:16; 2:12). He %11:34. Jg 3:16. Ps +149:6. Pr 5:4. Lk %21:24. 2 C 2:15, 16. Re 1:16g. 2:12g. sword. Gr. machaira (S#3162g, Ro 8:35). Jsh 11:11. 1 S 21:9. Ps 57:4. 59:7. 64:3. Is 49:2. Zc 9:13. Ep 6:17g. Re 19:15. piercing. Nu 5:18. 1 K 10:3. 2 Ch 9:2. Ac 2:37. *16:14, 32. 26:27, 28. dividing asunder. Gr. merismos (S#3311g, only here and He 2:4). This clause is often popularly understood to support “trichotomy,” the doctrine that “soul” is distinct and discrete from “spirit,” and that man is a trinity consisting of body, soul, and spirit. There can be no proper analogy drawn between the Divine Trinity of the Godhead who are equal in power and glory and of the same substance, and an alleged trinity in the human nature of body, soul and spirit, for to which Person of the Trinity shall “body” be equated, when the body is considered inferior to the soul and spirit? Likewise, soul being considered inferior to spirit, to which Person of the Trinity shall each be equated? The analogy, when pressed, breaks down immediately, and if held, is a fruitful source of heresy, as it has been throughout church history, though not all trichotomists are heretics! Elsewhere in Scripture man is consistently spoken of as “dichotomous” (Ro +*8:10n; Mt 6:25. Ja 2:26), consisting of two elements, body and soul, sometimes expressed body and spirit, the soul and spirit being the same element (Ge +2:7n). Here, the text in the original does not say soul is divided from spirit, but that soul and spirit are divided from the joints and marrow, speaking of man as dichotomous. Others understand the text to mean “the piercing of the soul and the spirit, even to their joints and marrow” (Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 485), and point out it is not stated that there is a “dividing between soul and spirit” but a dividing of, indicated in Greek by “a series of genitives, each one in itself naming something which is divided” (J. Oliver Buswell, A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion, Vol. 1, p. 243). See related notes (Ge 2:7n. 1 Th 5:23n). Ge +2:7. 15:17. Ro +8:10. 1 C 15:44. Ph 1:27. 1 Th +5:23n. Ju 19. soul. Gr. psychē, Mt +10:28. 1 C 2:14. 15:45. Ja 3:15. Ju 19. spirit. Gr. pneuma, FS121A3, Mt +27:50. Pr 20:27. 1 C +*2:11. 1 Th +5:23n. joints and marrow. Pr 20:27. Jn 2:25. and is a discerner. Gr. kritikos (S#2924g, only here), decisive (“critical”), that is, discriminative (Strong). Ps *139:2, 4. Is 11:4. Je +*17:10. Am +*5:12. Mt 22:11. *23:28. Jn 12:48. 1 C 4:5. *14:24, 25. Ep *5:13. Re *2:23. thoughts. Gr. enthumēsis [(S#1761g), deliberation (Strong): Rendered (1) thought: Mt 9:4. 12:25. He 4:12. (2) device: Ac 17:29]. Jb +*42:2. Is 30:28. *66:18. Ml +**3:16. Mt 1:20. 9:4. Mk 8:17. Lk 5:22. Jn 8:7. Ac 8:22. intents. Gr. ennoia (S#1771g, only here and 1 P 4:1), thoughtfulness, that is, moral understanding (Strong). Mk 3:17. Lk 18:4. Jn 5:42. 1 P 4:1g. of the heart. ver. 7. He 3:8, 10, 12, 15. 8:10. 10:16, 22. 13:9. 1 Ch 29:17. 2 Ch 1:11. Ps 44:21. 90:8. 95:8, 10. Pr 24:12. Je 31:33. Lk 24:32.

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Daily Bible Nugget #168, Psalm 19:10

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are described as precious. God’s Word, found only in the Bible, is something we should desire even more than gold. From what little I read these days about gold, it must be very precious. It surely is very expensive. To the consternation of several European countries, particularly Germany–who wants its gold back, there is no more gold in Fort Knox. Apparently that gold must have been very desirable, for the “banksters” and who knows who else have apparently absconded with it. Now where are the people who have a stronger desire for the Bible than gold that perishes (or disappears!)? A number of Scriptures (given in the cross references below) indicate that the Bible provides delectable food. In the New Testament Peter wrote “taste and see that the Lord is good.” If you have been serving up some spiritual meals for yourself from the Bible, you too know the joy and pleasure of reading and studying the Bible.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 544 for Psalm 19:10.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 596 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:10.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 19:10. desired. T#1028. Ps +*119:14. Jb **+23:12. 28:13. Pr 2:4, 10. 22:18. 24:14. Je +*15:16. than gold. Ps 119:72, 127. Jb 28:15-17. Pr 3:13-15. *8:10, 11, 19. 16:16. Ac 3:6. 1 C 3:12. 2 C 6:10. sweeter. Ps 63:5. *119:103. Ex 15:25, 26. Jb **23:12. Pr 3:17. 24:13, 14. SS 5:16. Ezk 3:3. Re 10:9, 10. honeycomb. Heb. the dropping of honeycombs. 1 S 14:26-29. Pr 16:24.

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False religions versus Bible Authority

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jerry

There are many religions and churches today claiming to be of God. Some religions even make the exclusive claim that they are God’s “one true church” or they are God’s one true present dispenser of God’s truth.

Their common claim is that you as a reader of the Bible do not have the right and authority to judge the truthfulness of their claims by the Bible. They claim that you cannot go by the Bible alone. They claim you must submit to their teaching authority.

For example, in its publications the Watchtower bases its claim upon Matthew 24:45 as I recall. I placed many cross references for that verse in the The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:45. Who then is. FS121I1, +Ge 3:7. Lk 12:35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44. *Lk 16:10, 11, 12. *Lk 19:17. +*Ac 20:28. 1Co 4:1, 2. 1Ti 1:12. **2Ti 2:2. He 3:5. 1 P 4:10, 11. Re 2:13. faithful. +*Mt 13:52. +*Mt 25:21. +*Ge 18:19. 30:29. 2Ki 12:15. Ne 7:2. Ps 101:2, *Ps 101:6. +*Je 23:28 note. %**Ezk 13:7. *Ezk 48:11. Ro 12:7. +*1Co 4:2, 17. +*Col 1:7. 1Ti 3:3. +*2Ti 2:2. Titus 2:10. *He 3:5. 1Pe 4:10. 3 J 5. wise. +Mt 25:2. Ex 36:4. Pr 14:35. +*Da 11:33 note. **Da 12:3. 1Co 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Col 1:28. servant. +*Mt 10:24, 25. +*Mt 20:27. +*Mt 23:11. Ru 2:6. Mk 13:34. Lk 12:37. *Ro 12:3. *Php 2:3. Titus 1:7. his lord. Mk 13:34. Lk 12:37. hath made ruler. Gr. kathistēmi [(S#2525g), to place down (permanently), that is, (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy (Strong): Rendered (1) make: Lk 12:14. Ac 7:10, 27, 35. Ro 5:19. He 7:28. 2 P 1:8. (2) make ruler: Mt 24:45, 47. 25:21, 23. Lk 12:42, 44. (3) ordain: Titus 1:5. He 5:1. 8:3. (4) be: Ja 3:6. 4:4. (5) appoint: Ac 6:3. (6) conduct: Ac 17:15. (7) set: He 2:7]. *Mt 25:21. +*Ps 149:9. %**2Co 1:24. *1Ti 3:5. *1Ti 5:17. 2Ti 2:12. *He 13:7, 17, 24. **1Pe 5:1, 2, 3. Re 2:27. over. or, at the head of. Gr. epi (S#1909g). household. Jn 14:2 note. +Ro 16:5. Ga 6:10. Ep 2:19. He 3:5, 6. to give. +*Mt 13:52. 16:19. **Mt 25:35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. Ge 47:23. Pr 31:15. Ezk 34:2. Jn 21:15, 16, 17. +*Ac 20:28. *1Co 3:1, 2. 2Co 4:1, 2. Ga 4:15. +*Ep 4:11, 12, 13. 2Ti 2:2. 1Pe 4:10, 11. 5:1, 2, 3. meat. FS121D4. Meat put by the Figure Metonymy (of Cause) for all kinds of food. Mt 4:4. 6:11. 2 K 25:29. Jb 36:31. +Ps 104:27. 145:15. +Pr 27:27. 31:15. **Je 3:15. Ezk 46:24. +*Da 11:33. 1Co 3:2. *Ja 3:11. due season. +*Mt 21:41, 43. *Ge 17:21 (+S#4150h). Le 23:2 note. Nu 28:2 note. 2 K 25:30. +*1 Ch 12:32. *Ps 1:3. *Ps 104:27. Ec 10:17. %*Je 8:7. *Da 12:4, 7, 9, 10. +*Lk 12:42. *2Ti 4:2. +*He 3:13. +*He 4:16.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses and their organization arrogate to themselves the position of being the “faithful and wise servant.” Their organization is the only organization on earth in this day authorized by Jehovah to dispense “meat in due season,” that is, spiritual truth from the Bible as correctly interpreted only by them. They alone are Jehovah’s designated “ruler over his household,” hence their claim to exclusive divine authority.

When such truth-claims are asserted, we must examine them in the light of what the Bible itself actually teaches. To understand what the Bible teaches at Matthew 24:45 it is necessary to carefully compare this verse with all the other verses in the Bible that shed light on it. I have furnished above as complete a collection of cross references as you are likely to ever find for this verse. If this is a matter of interest to you (and if you are a Jehovah’s Witness, or if you are reading their literature or are being visited by them from time to time you ought to be!), you are invited to search the Scriptures carefully by consulting these references. You will be surprised by just how much light is shed on this text by comparing each phrase or word with the related Scripture passages.

We are not obligated by Scripture to follow some supposed official “teaching authority.” I find no Scripture justification for such a notion. JWs themselves use Romans 14:12 to warn that we all must examine our religion carefully to be sure it agrees with the Bible. They need to subject themselves to the same examination. They are proven absolutely mistaken by considering carefully the cross references given for even one verse, Isaiah 55:3.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12. every one. ver. 10 (Ro 14:10). give account. *Ec 11:9. +*Mt 12:36. *+Mt 16:27 note. Mt 18:23, etc. +*Mt 25:19. +*Lk 12:48. *Lk 16:2. 19:15. Ac 24:25. *Ga 6:5. He 4:13. 13:17. *1Pe 4:4, 5. of himself. Dt 24:16. *Jb 19:4. Pr 9:12. Je 31:30. Ezk 14:10 note. +*Ezk 18:20 note. Ga 6:5. Re 2:23. 22:12. to God. ver. 10 (Ro 14:10). *Jn 10:30.

Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:3. Incline. Is 51:1. Ps 78:1. 119:112. Pr 4:20. 15:31. 22:17. Zc 7:7. come. *Mt 11:28. **Jn 6:37, 44, 45. 7:37. He 11:6. 1Pe 2:4. hear. Is 44:1. 48:12. 49:1. Dt 28:1. 30:10. 2 Ch 24:19. Ps 81:8. *Ps 95:7. Pr 1:33. 2:2. +**Pr 18:17. Mt 13:16. 15:10. 17:5. +**Mk 4:24. Lk 6:47. +**Lk 8:18. *Lk 9:35. **Jn 5:24, 25. 8:47. **Jn 10:27. Ac 3:22. He 3:7. 5:9. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 12:13. shall live. +*Ge 15:6. 19:20. +*Le 18:5 note. Pr 4:4. 7:2. Je 38:20. Am 5:4. +*Hab 2:4. **Jn 10:27, 28. and I will make. Is 54:8. 61:8. Ge 17:7. 2 S 23:5. Je 31:33, 34. 32:40. *Je 50:5. Ezk 16:60. 34:25. 37:26. Da 9:27 x. *He 13:20. everlasting. Heb. olam, +Ge 17:7. +Ge 9:16. +Is 44:7 note. covenant. Is 54:10. 56:4. 59:21. Ge 15:18. Ex 6:4. Le 26:9. Dt 28:1. Jg 2:1. **2Sa 7:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. 1 Ch 16:17. +*Ps 74:20. **Ps 89:34. 111:9. Ro 11:27. He 8:8. 12:24. the sure mercies. +*Is 41:9. +*Is 54:8, 9, 10. +*Is 59:21. +**2Sa 7:10 note, 2Sa7:15. 23:5. 1 Ch 17:13. 2 Ch 1:8. 6:42. +*Ps 89:3, 28, 33, 35, 36, 37. +*Ps 132:11. +*Je 33:20, 21 note, Je 33:25, 26. **Ezk 37:24, 25. +**>Ac 13:34. of David. FS181E, +Ge 3:24. Is 38:5. 1 K 11:34. 2 K 20:5. +*Ps 89:49. Je 30:9. Ezk 34:23. 37:24. Ho 3:5. $+*Ac 13:23.

Jesus repeatedly challenged the religious authorities of his day as well as the common people by the question, “Have ye not read…” (Matthew 12:3). That question is recorded about ten times in the Gospels. Jesus expected people to know the Bible and to have read it. That, then, must be our authority.

Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

Matthew 12:3. Have ye not read. ver. 5 (Mt 12:5). Mt 19:4. +Mt 21:16, 42. 22:31. Mk 2:25. 12:10, 26. Lk 6:3. 10:26. Jesus appealed repeatedly to the Bible alone as the source of spiritual authority. Notice the preceding cross references which document Christ’s repeated question, “Have ye not read?” Jesus expected his hearers to have read the Bible. He expects them to understand what they read (Mt 24:15 note). His question, “Have ye not read?” is recorded ten times! Jesus referred to seven distinct passages (Ge 1:27 at Mt 19:4; Ex 3:6 at Mt 22:31, 32; Le 24:6, 7, 8, 9 at Mt 12:3; Nu 28:9, 10 at Mt 12:5; 1 S 21:6 at Mt 12:3; Ps 8:2 at Mt 21:16; Ps 118:22 at Mt 21:42). Jesus appealed to the Bible as His authority many times, but never once did he appeal to the authority of the religious leaders in Israel (Pharisees or Sadducees), or to religious tradition. He commanded to “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39). Two dozen times Jesus cites the Old Testament Prophets as recorded in the New Testament (Lk 24:27n). Even during His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus cited the Scripture, not tradition, when he resisted the Devil successfully. It seems we could learn something from that (Mt 4:4, 6, 7, 10). That the New Testament was written by the authority of Christ may be legitimately inferred from the fact that: (1) John explicitly records that Jesus Christ commanded him to WRITE (Revelation 1:19). (2) Jesus directly promised that the Holy Spirit would guide his apostles into all truth and bring all things to their remembrance (Jn 16:12, 13). Thus, as they wrote the writings we now have in the New Testament we are assured of their accuracy for they were written under divine inspiration (2Ti 3:16. 2Pe 1:21). Peter called the letters written by Paul “Scripture” (2Pe 3:16), and clearly possessed them as a well-known collection. Paul cites the words of Jesus, quoting them exactly, from Luke 10:7 in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18. The book of Revelation makes at least four direct quotations from the Gospels. By John’s death, the entire New Testament as we have it today was available and being read by or to all genuine Christians. Thus the claim by some Roman Catholics that Jesus gave us the Church, not the Bible, as our teaching authority and source of spiritual truth, the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1Ti 3:15 note), is untrue, for Jesus himself appealed to the authority of Scripture, not tradition or the religious institution of his day. Mt 9:13. +*Mt 22:29. Le 10:16, 17, 18, 19, 20. +Dt 17:19. Ps 119:139. Ac 13:27. what David did. *1Sa 21:3, 4, 5, 6. Mk 2:25, 26. Lk 6:3. and they. 1Sa 21:1, 2.

Jesus never appeals to so-called Tradition (like the Roman Catholics do) or to an official teaching authority like both the Roman Catholics and the Jehovah’s Witnesses do. On that basis I think these groups are false to the Scripture, and possibly false cults, and were predicted as long ago as the warning Paul gave to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27, 28, 29, 30. See also 1 Timothy 4:1 and 1 John 4:1.

Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

I would particularly note that false claimants to spiritual authority started very early, being here spoken of in the book of Acts. Therefore, any claims based on the ability to trace an institution back to apostolic times are most suspect and actually invalid when their teachings do not match the apostolic record in the New Testament and the Bible as a whole. A good test of the truthfulness of any claim to supposed authority is to match the teaching of an institution, denomination, church, organization, theological system, or religious cult to the truth conveyed in Scripture as pointedly revealed by the cross references given for Isaiah 55:3 furnished above.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The Watchtower denies the right of every individual to judge the correctness of a proposed (by them) interpretation of Scripture. Contrast 1 John 2:27 and 1 Corinthians 14:29. But Scripture plainly places the responsibility for judging the correctness of doctrinal teaching upon the believer according to Galatians 1:8.

1 John 2:27 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.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

1 Corinthians 14:29. the prophets. ver. 32, 39 (1Co 14:32, 39). 1Co 12:10. +Ac 13:1. 15:32. Ro 12:6. *1 Th 5:19, 20, 21. 1 J 4:1, 2, 3. two or three. ver. 27n (1Co 14:27 note). the other. Rather, the others, io alloi. judge. or, discern, or discriminate. Gr. diakrinō (S#1252g, Ja 1:6). 1Co 2:15. 10:15. 12:10. *Jb 12:11. +*Is 8:20 note. +*Mk 4:24. +Lk 12:57. +*Ac 17:11. *1 Th 5:20, 21. *1 J 4:1.

I doubt very much that this commanded practice is followed in very many churches or congregations today! The others (note the plural, hidden by the King James Version) were directed to judge of the correctness of the teaching presented, apparently then and there, on the spot! But that demonstrates that the hearers were judged fully capable and were authorized, even directed, to make such judgments.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8. though we. or, even if we. FS102C, +Mt 5:29. FS185B, +Ga 6:1. ver. 9 (Ga 1:9). Is 9:15. Je 16:20. *Je 23:16. 1Co 16:22. *2Co 11:13, 14. 1Ti 1:19, 20. Titus 3:10. **Re 22:18, 19. an angel. *1Ki 13:18 note. +*Ro 8:38. **2Co 11:14, 15. preach any other. T#1120. Individual Christian believers are here deemed competent to judge the doctrinal correctness of the preaching of an inspired apostle or even an angel from heaven, a very clear assertion of the Bible doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture (Ps 119:104, 105. Pr 8:9. +Mt 12:3). This doctrine holds that, in all essential matters pertaining to faith and practice (Ps 19:7. 119:9, 11), the Bible is clearly understandable upon careful study to even the humblest believer (Ps 119:99, 100), without the interposition of an institutional or ecclesiastical authority to interpret the Scriptures for him (1 J 2:20, 27). Closely allied to this is the doctrine of the right and necessity of private judgment (Ac 17:11. 1Co 14:29. **1 Th 5:21 note), which holds that the individual is responsible directly to God for his beliefs (Ro 14:12), and that God will hold him responsible only to believe what is taught in Scripture (Is 8:20), apart from the teachings of humanly devised creeds and institutions, or unwritten traditions however hoary with age. The doctrines of perspicuity and private judgment having been clearly established as scriptural (see the following reference passages and their notes), the conclusion to be drawn is that the ultimate authority in spiritual or doctrinal matters is the written word of God found in the Bible, not the teachings of any man or group of men. Thus there can be no “one true church,” for any church is only “true” insofar as its teachings rest squarely upon and are in accordance with the teachings of the inerrant and infallible verbally inspired word of God in the Bible. +Ps 102:18 (T#49). **Ps 119:105, 130. +*Pr 8:9. +**Is 8:20 note. +*Je 23:28 note. +*Da 11:33 note. Mt 7:15. +*Mt 15:14. Mk 7:7, 8, 9. +Lk 12:57 (T#420). +**Jn 5:39 note. Jn 16:13 note. Ac 8:31 note. Ac 15:15. +**Ac 17:11. **Ro 14:12. +*Ro 15:4. 1Co 10:15. 14:29. 2Co 3:14. +*Ep 4:14. +*Col 1:23. 2:18. **1 Th 5:21. +**2Ti 3:15, 16, 17. **2Pe 1:19, 20 note. *1 J 2:20, 27. **1 J 4:1, 2. +*2 J 10. gospel. 1 Th 1:5. 1 P 5:12. than that. or, contrary to that. *Dt 4:2. *Dt 12:32. *Dt 13:8. Jsh 1:7. +*Pr 30:6. 2Co 11:4. **Re 22:18, 19. have preached. FS147A, +Ge 50:24. 1Ki 13:20 note, 21. let him. Ga 3:10, 13. 5:12 note. Ge 9:25. +*Le 15:8. +*Dt 27:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Jsh 9:23. 1 S 26:19. *Ne 13:25. Pr 28:10. +**Je 10:25. +*Mt 15:14. 25:41. 2Pe 2:14. accursed. Gr. anathema (S#331g, Ac 23:14). Ga 3:10, 13. Jsh 7:1, 12. Mk 14:71. Ac 23:14. +Ro 9:3. +*1Co 12:3 note. *1Co 16:22g.

Check out references at Isaiah 8:20; 1 John 2:27; Matthew 12:3 and/or Matthew 24:15; John 5:39; 5:46; Acts 17:11; Luke 16:29-31; Mark 12:24. Note that last reference: Jesus did not charge them with error because they failed to accept the teaching from the authorized teaching authority (those that sit in “Moses’ seat” as Mt 23:2), or because they failed to know the official Traditions maintained by the one true Church. He roundly denounced them because they “knew not the Scriptures.” For the criticism by Jesus to be valid, it must have been possible then and now to know the Scriptures. The Scriptures, therefore, must be the sole authority, not a supposed “one true church” (like Roman Catholics would claim for their institution), or one true God-authorized organization (like the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim for their organization). God’s word issues stern warnings against giving heed to false teachers and false prophets. See the notes in the New Treasury at Jeremiah 14:14 and Ezekiel 14:10. See also Jeremiah 23:23, 28.

Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jeremiah 14:14. The prophets. Je 5:12. 5:31. 7:8. 8:11. 18:18. 20:6. +Je 23:25, 26, 30. 27:10, 14. 28:13. 29:21. 37:19. **Dt 18:20, 21, 22. 1Ki 22:6. +Pr 4:18 note. Is 9:15. La 4:13. Mic 2:11. 3:5. Zec 13:3. *Mt 7:15. 24:5. Mk 13:6. **1Ti 4:1, 2, 3. *Re 13:13, 14, 15. in my name. Dt 18:20. I sent. Je 23:14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. 27:14, 15. 28:15. 29:8, 9, 31. Ne 6:12. Is 30:10, 11. **2 Th 2:9, 10, 11. commanded. Je 7:22. neither spake. *Je 23:21. false vision. There are several marks of false cults.

False cults and mistaken religious faiths typically:

(1) Appeal to the wrong basis of authority, +*Is 8:20 note.

(2) Make exclusive claim to the truth, +*Pr 4:18 note.

(3) Claim superior experience or knowledge, Is 65:5 note.

(4) Distort the balance of Biblical truth, Is 43:10 note; Jn 16:13 note; **Ac 2:24 note.

(5) Deny the perspicuity of Scripture, +*Is 8:20 note; +*Pr 8:9.

(6) Deny the sufficiency of Scripture, +*2Ti 3:17.

(7) Deny the right of private or individual judgment and interpretation, Pr 18:1 note; Ro 14:12; %2Pe 1:20 note.

(8) Deny the full, eternal deity of Jesus Christ as the Second Person of the triune Godhead, or Trinity, Pr 8:22 note.

(9) Add to the written word of God additional revelation, whether in the form of authoritative writings or publications, or unwritten traditions, or new revelation, as from supernatural dreams, and supposed revelation through supernatural gifts of the Spirit, +*Je 23:28 note.

(10) Approach Scripture deductively with their closed system of belief, rather than inductively to learn its truth, 2Pe 1:20 note.

(11) Possess an innate, tenacious inability to receive new or corrective spiritual insight based upon additional light received from the continuing inductive study of Scripture, Ps 25:9; 119:18; +*Pr 4:18 note; 2Pe 1:20 note.

(12) Wrest Scripture, and handle it deceitfully, in a persistent effort to ignore, suppress, explain away, circumvent, or evade those texts which do not “fit” their deductively developed, arbitrarily imposed, system of belief upon Scripture, 2Co 4:2; 2Pe 3:16.

(13) Exert lordship over their follower’s faith, +*2Co 1:24, rather than encouraging submission to the Lordship of Christ, +**Ac 10:36.

(14) Fail to teach the obligation of each believer to carefully judge the truth of what is being taught, Ro 14:12; 1Co 14:29; Ga 1:8, 9; 1 Th 5:21.

(15) Fail to encourage the right of each believer to independently submit to the written word of God, Ps 119:18, 105; Ac 17:11, 12; 2Ti 2:15; +*2Ti 3:15, 16, 17; 1Pe 2:2.

(16) Impose a uniform system of belief upon all followers, rather than allow for individual differences in depth of knowledge to be reflected in honestly held differences of interpretation of Scripture and doctrinal understanding, Jn 16:12; Ac 18:24, 25, 26; Col 1:10; He 5:12; 2Pe 3:18.

(17) Deny legitimate Christian liberty by restricting the reading of followers to their own group’s publications, providing no open forum for the discussion of doctrinal differences, and not allowing participation in Bible studies not conducted by their own group, Jn 8:31, 32; 1Co 14:29; Ga 5:1; 3 J 9.

(18) Deny the Incarnation, that Jesus Christ is God come in flesh, the Second Person of the Trinity, 2 J 7 note.

(19) Have developed a very elaborate and quite convincing Biblical defense of their heresies, Pr 18:17.

(20) Mischaracterize the nature of God by ignoring the attributes they do not like and which do not harmonize with their system of doctrine, +**Ge 18:25 note.

(21) Accept and defend the materialist positions in theology in their denial of consciousness after death and eternal punishment, punishment that is eternal in duration not merely effect (Ge 2:17 note; Ge 3:4 note; +*Mt 10:28 note; +*Mt 25:46; Lk 23:43 note).

(22) Are characterized by proselytizing individuals already in the fellowship of genuinely Christian groups rather than winning unevangelized lost souls to faith in Christ, just like the Judaizers Paul roundly condemns (+*Ga 5:12; Jn 10:10; **Ac 20:30).

(23) Promote doctrinal distinctives which are generally not in accord with Bible teaching that properly follows the rules of interpretation (2Pe 1:20 note). Je 23:16. Is 28:7.

(24) Teach a mistaken doctrine of the Atonement of Christ (+**1 J 2:2 note).

(25) Fail to adhere to the Apostolic teaching regarding the eternal reign of Christ upon this earth (+**Lk 1:33; +**Is 9:7; +**2Ti 4:18 notes).

(26) Deny the continuing validity of the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants with reference to the Land Promise made to Israel (Mal 3:6; **+Lev 26:42 note; +**Ac 7:5 note).

divination. Je 27:9, 10. 29:8, 9, 31. +Pr 16:10 mg. +Is 44:25. Ezk 12:24. 13:6, 7, 23. 21:29. Mic 3:11. Zec 10:2. and the deceit. Je 4:10. 23:26. Ge 3:5. Is 30:10. 56:10. La 2:14. their heart. Je 23:17. +Nu 16:28.

Posted in Dave Armstrong Discussions, False Religions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Daily Bible Nugget #167, Psalm 19:7

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

My Comment:

This short verse is a favorite of mine. I hope it will become a favorite of yours too, if it is not already. The Scriptures are described as perfect. They were designed by God for a specific purpose. They always accomplish that purpose, and do not “return void,” as it states in Isaiah 55:11,

Isa_55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

One of the evidences that God’s Word in the Bible is perfect is that it accomplishes God’s purpose for those who will read and believe it, for it converts the soul. I believe this indicates that anyone who will read and believe the Bible will become rightly related to God as a result, and will be supernaturally transformed for the better in their life.

I have noticed quite a few Google search “hits” on this site for people looking for help in overcoming discouragement. This verse addresses that concern. The expression “converting the soul” is given in the margin by the translators an alternate translation which reads “restoring the soul.” God through the power of His written word in the Bible will indeed both convert and restore your soul, literally person, if you take the time and make the effort to let God speak to you by reading the Bible for yourself. The rest of Psalm 19:7 states that “the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” The term “the testimony” is another word the Bible uses to name or describe itself. Therefore, God’s word is sure–that is, certain, for it will make the unassuming person wise. When you possess the wisdom God provides in His word the Bible, you will be much wiser, and equipped to better address the problems of life. That ought to dispel most of your discouragement, and give you a bright and positive outlook on life.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 544 for Psalm 19:7.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 596 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:7.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 19:7. law. or, doctrine. Ps +*1:2. 78:1-7. *119:72, 96-100, 105, 127, 128. 147:19, 20. Dt *6:6-9. *17:18-20. 31:12. Jsh **1:8. 2 S 16:23. Ezr *7:10. Ne 9:13. 13:3. Jb **23:12. Ro 3:2. 7:7, 12. **15:4. Ep 6:17. 1 T 1:8. 4:6. 2 T +**3:16. perfect. T#45.2; T#1027. ver. 8, 9. Ps *18:30. 111:7. Dt 32:4. Pr 30:5. Mt +5:48 (T#548). Ro *12:2. Ja 1:17, 25. converting. or, restoring. Meshivah:—used of restoring from disorder and decay (Ps 80:19),—from sorrow and affliction (Ru 4:15),—from death (1 K 17:21, 22) [Kay]. T#47. Ps *23:3. +*51:13. 56:4. *119:9, 93, *150. +126:5 (T#431). Jb 33:27. Mi 2:7. Mk +4:14 (T#428). Jn +**5:39. 6:63. 15:3. 17:17, 19. Ac 11:14. +27:31 (T#429). Ro 1:16. **10:17. 1 C +1:17 (T#430). +4:15 (T#432). Ep 6:17. 1 Th **2:13. 2 T **3:15. Ja *1:18, 21-25. 1 P *1:23. +*2:2. soul. Heb. nephesh, Ge +34:3. testimony. Eduth:—frequently used of the Decalogue,—which was God’s standing protestation to Israel. Ex 25:16, 21, 22, 26, etc. Hence the Tabernacle is called “ohel eduth;” Nu 9:15; 17:23; 18:2 [Kay]. FS132C. Parallelism, Simple: Synthetic, or Constructive F/S 351. This is where the parallelism consists only in the similar form of construction. There is neither gradation nor opposition of words in the several lines; which are independent, and depend for their parallelism on their construction. Here, in Ps 19:7-9, the lines are simply parallel, and are chiefly in pairs. See the terms law/testimony, statutes/commandment, fear/judgments. Ps *89:37. *93:5. 119:14, 24, 111, 138, 152. Ex 32:15. 1 K 2:3. 2 K 23:3. Is 8:16, **20. Jn 3:32, 33. **5:39. Ac *10:43. 2 C *3:7. 2 T 1:8. 1 J *5:3, 9-12. Re *19:10. sure. Ps *111:7. 2 S 23:5. Mt +*24:35n. Mk 13:31. Jn 17:17. 2 T *2:19. He *6:18, 19. 2 P *1:19. making wise. T#1039. Ps **119:98-100, 130. Dt 4:6, 8. Ezr 7:25. Pr *1:4, 5, 22, 23. 2:6. *8:9. Is +**8:20. 35:8. 45:19. Je %+*8:9. Ezk 18:9. Lk 10:21. Ro **15:4. Col *3:16. 2 T **3:15-17. 1 P **2:2. simple. FS108K54, Pr +1:4. Ps 116:6. Pr 7:7. *8:5, 6. 9:4. Ro 16:18.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment