My intention in this series is to call attention to the fact that no religious group is entirely correct in its understanding of the Bible. Of course, no individual person can be entirely correct in his or her understanding of the Bible either.
That fact does not always mean that an individual is not a Christian.
That fact does not always mean that a group is not Christian.
I personally believe that this fact demonstrates that all claims made by any group of Christians to be exclusively the only “One True Church” are therefore proven false.
Logically, this is so because to make the claim of infallibility or to claim to teach the precise doctrines taught by Jesus and His Apostles necessitates that such teaching conforms to what Jesus and His Apostles originally taught. To differ invalidates the claim.
An example of a position taken by some mistaken groups is that they:
(6B) Deny the sufficiency of Scripture, +*2Ti 3:17.
A careful study of the context of 2 Timothy 3:17 will help settle the question of just what the term “scripture” includes.
Paul writes about Timothy’s having known the holy scriptures from his infancy. This is verified by the term in the original Greek text, “brephos,” which Strong defines as “an infant (properly unborn) literally or figuratively.” This reference to Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15 refers, therefore, to the Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament. The term for “known” is “oida,” a reference to intuitive knowledge, full conscious knowledge that cannot be improved upon; to know without effort. Paul tells us how Timothy gained this knowledge when he states in 2 Timothy 1:5 that “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (English Standard Version). Luke tells us a bit more about how Paul met Timothy in Acts 16:1, “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek” (ESV).
When Paul writes, in his next sentence, at 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture,” he writes in a manner that intentionally includes the Scriptures of our New Testament. The Apostles knew that what they wrote was Scripture, as confirmed by what Peter wrote at 2 Peter 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” where “also the other scriptures” refers to others of the same kind, rendering the Greek word “loipoi.”
Paul then proceeds to specify what Scripture is sufficient for, when he writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Now to the key text:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Careful readers of the Bible know that Scripture interprets Scripture. The Bible is its own best commentary. By comparing Scripture with Scripture we gain a more accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches. This is so because the Bible does not speak exhaustively about a subject all at one place. To find out all the places where a particular subject or topic is mentioned it is most helpful to consult a study resource which contains the most complete collection of cross references you can find.
Here are some of the cross references I have found for 2 Timothy 3:17,
that the man of God. Deuteronomy 33:1. Joshua 14:6. Joshua 13:6, 8. 1 Timothy 6:11. 2 Peter 1:21.
perfect. or, fitted. Gr. artios (S# G739, only here), fresh, that is, (by implication) complete (Strong). Job 36:4. 2 Corinthians 13:9. Philippians 3:15. James 1:4.
throughly furnished. or, perfected, or, equipped. Holy Scripture is the only source of doctrinal and spiritual authority for the Christian. This passage teaches the sufficiency of Scripture: Scripture furnishes all that the Christian must know to be saved and to grow in grace, and tells us all we need to know to live a life which is well pleasing to God. This very text of Scripture teaches we must go by Scripture alone. This is a position logically derived from the statements of the Bible itself, starting here (see also Psa 119:104, 105; Psa 119:130, Isa 8:20, Jer 23:28, Mrk 12:24, Jhn 5:39; **Jhn 20:31, Act 17:11, 12, 1Th 5:21 note. 1Pe 2:2, 2Pe 1:19; 2Pe 3:18). The Bible as we now have it is complete: there are no additional sources available today which contain genuine communications from Jesus, his original twelve disciples, or the Apostle Paul, that are essential and necessary for a person to have saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, words which legitimate scholarship agrees are genuine and from the time of Christ. All we have, and all we need, is contained in the 27 primary source first century documents of our New Testament, and the 39 books of the Old Testament, and nowhere else. Psalm 119:104, 113, 128. Jeremiah 23:28. Matthew 13:52. Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, 14.
unto all. Job 23:12. Acts 20:20, 27, 32. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Colossians 2:3, 4, 7, 8. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. 2 Peter 1:3.
good works. 2 Timothy 2:21. Nehemiah 2:18. Micah 2:7. Mark 12:24. Acts 9:36. Romans 12:2. 1 Corinthians 2:13, 15, 16. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Ephesians 2:10. 1 Timothy 5:10. Titus 2:14. 3:1, 8. Hebrews 10:24.
WHAT THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE APPLIES TO:
Notice the expression, unto all. This teaches that Scripture is sufficient unto all things that pertain to the life of the Christian believer.
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about doctrinal truth;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about church organization;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about how God wants us to live;
The Bible is sufficient to adequately guide us in our family life;
The Bible is sufficient to guide us in our church life;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us how to fulfill our responsibilities in each of these areas of life and much more.
As I compiled additional cross references to produce The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, I discovered that the Bible provides sufficient direction even though it does not always provide exhaustive information about a subject of concern.
For example, Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, 20).
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
I learned and discovered that the Bible gives much instruction about how to make disciples. I have placed a note in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at Jonah 4:11 which will lead any serious student of Scripture to the passages in Scripture that provide instruction on how to make disciples.
How can the Church be the “pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15, RSV) if it teaches doctrinal error? Therefore, I believe that there IS “one true Church” because Jesus set it up, and is the cornerstone, along with the apostles and prophets: all of whom were infallible and often inspired as well.
Dear Dave,
For me, your very argument establishes the correctness of the view I expressed in this post!
Nevertheless, I fully respect your choice to become a Roman Catholic.
I believe the Lord can use you wherever He places you for His glory.
My point remains: no religious group, denomination, or individual can logically claim to be the “One True Church” because to be so, they would have to be absolutely correct on every point of their doctrine.
No entity now here on earth can make that claim. Any who would venture to make that claim logically invalidate the clearly mistaken claim and prove they cannot be what they assert, the “One True Church.”
Thank you for sharing the link to the list of your writings. I carefully examined your post. I believe you have done very well in defending the positions of the Roman Catholic Church. I have all of your writings that are available in Logos Bible software, and a few others which you shared with me in the past.
As for 1 Timothy 3:15, you will recall I answered the position you take based on this text when I was present in your home in the early 1990s. I shared an example from the writings of the early Christians where this text was applied not to the church, but to the written record of the words and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and His original Apostles in the First Century found in the 27 primary source documents of our New Testament and the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Thus, the Bible is now the Pillar and Ground of the Truth.
* Jerry, I’ve been following this series waiting for an apparent conclusion and being prompted by the Lord to address a relevant issue, and Having asked Him for leave to post, as follows:______________________________________________________________________________
* APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR SOME REDUNDANCY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVE MULTIPLE POINTS.
*
* PICKING UP FROM PREVIOUS ENQUIRIES THAT ARE NOT SHOWN, SO AS TO CUT READING TIME.
*
* FROM PREVIOUS AI ANSWER
* A: Human Fallibility: Humans are fallible and interpret the same Scriptures differently, leading to varied understandings. The Holy Spirit guides, but human free will, cultural context, and intellectual limitations mean a perfect, unified understanding of every single detail across all humanity is not an immediate reality in the visible church.
Q: Because humans are fallible is the church government fallible because they are humans
A: Yes, based on the theological understanding that all humans are inherently imperfect and capable of error (“fallible”), most Christian traditions hold that church government, because it is composed of human beings, is also fallible.
Here is a breakdown of different perspectives:
* General Protestant View: The shared understanding of human fallibility (often rooted in the doctrine of original sin or “total depravity” in Reformed theology) leads to the belief that no human leader or group of leaders is beyond error. This is why many Protestant denominations, such as Presbyterians and Baptists, incorporate systems of checks and balances, collective leadership (e.g., a plurality of elders), and accountability within their church government structures to mitigate the risks associated with individual human frailty and prevent the abuse of power. In these traditions, the ultimate infallible authority is considered to be the Bible (Scripture) alone, not the human leaders or the institutional church itself.
* Catholic and Orthodox Views: The Roman Catholic Church presents a notable exception in specific, defined circumstances. While acknowledging that the Pope and other church leaders are fallible in their everyday human lives and personal opinions, the doctrine of papal infallibility asserts that the Pope cannot err when he speaks ex cathedra (from his official seat as supreme teacher) on matters of faith and morals. This infallibility is attributed to the preservation by the Holy Spirit from errors that would contradict essential doctrines, not to the Pope’s personal perfection.
* General Consensus: Despite doctrinal differences on infallibility, there is a widespread consensus across Christianity that the church as an institution, run by imperfect people, will make mistakes, and its leaders are susceptible to moral failings and errors in judgment. The gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s promises are considered perfect and unfailing, while the human administration of the church is not. Believers are generally encouraged to place their ultimate faith in Christ, not in fallible human leaders.
NOTE: ABOVE IS THE ONLY FAIRLY RIGHT ANSWER SO FAR, BUT STILL NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
NEW
Q: All Christian denominations claim that they are led of a Holy Spirit. Because they are so diverse in their doctrines, do the Baptists have their own Holy Spirit? The Catholics have their own Holy Spirit? The Mormons, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Lutherans the Presbyterians, and so forth, Do all of the denominations who are supposed to be getting led unto all truth by God’s Holy Spirit have different Holy Spirits? The statement they all believe the same thing is not true. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God neither the Holy Spirit. Addressing Different operations: the scripture that says that there are different operations is referring to spiritual gifts only such as miracles, speaking in tongues and interpreting of tongues, not differences in manner of worship or of church organization principles. **
**(THIS SERIES OF QUESTIONS ALREADY LAYERED according to previous enquiries, That is, questions based upon AI’s answers were added to and rolled into the previous question).
A: AI Overview
No, Christian denominations do not have different Holy Spirits; they all believe in one Holy Spirit who is part of the Holy Trinity. Denominations have diverse doctrines and practices because of different interpretations of scripture and the application of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, which leads to different “administrations” or “operations,” but not different divine persons.
One Holy Spirit, different manifestations
* One God, one Spirit: Mainstream Christian theology holds that there is only one Holy Spirit, who is God, equal with God the Father and God the Son.
* Different operations: The diversity comes from the different ways the Holy Spirit works through different people and in different contexts. For example, some denominations emphasize spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, while others focus more on scripture and evangelism.
* Varying interpretations: Some of the differing beliefs arise from human interpretation of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, leading to different understandings of doctrine and worship practices.
* Diverse applications: The Holy Spirit is believed to guide all believers, but human fallibility, differing emphases, and historical contexts result in the variations seen across denominations.
*
Specific examples
* Pentecostals: Emphasize the Holy Spirit as the giver of supernatural gifts, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues.
* Presbyterians: Have a strong doctrinal understanding of the Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity but do not emphasize the practice of the gifts of the Spirit in their services.
* Baptists: Focus on the Bible as God’s word and evangelism, with many holding an aversion to practices like speaking in tongues.
*
Q: SAME QUESTION ASKED AGAIN. SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT ANSWER GIVEN
A: No, different denominations do not have different Holy Spirits; they all believe in one Holy Spirit who may operate through different “administrations” or “operations” as described in scripture, leading to diverse doctrines and practices. This is a central Christian belief, as a single Holy Spirit is understood to unite believers into one body despite their different churches, according to a Facebook post.
One Holy Spirit, Diverse Operations
* The Holy Spirit is seen as a single entity, but its “operations” or “administrations” differ based on the needs of local populations, the abilities of ministers, and differing interpretations of scripture, note Reddit users and forum users.
* The diversity in doctrines and worship practices is attributed to these varying interpretations and administrations, rather than to different spirits.
* Scriptural passages like 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 are cited to support the idea that there is “one Spirit” but “many parts” in the body of Christ, which includes the diversity of denominations.
*
What Differentiates Denominations?
* Interpretation of scripture: Different groups have different interpretations of biblical texts.
* Focus and emphasis: Some denominations place more emphasis on certain aspects of faith, such as supernatural gifts in Pentecostal churches, or the role of tradition in Catholicism.
* Historical context: The development of denominations is also tied to different historical eras and the needs of local populations, say forum users.
*
The Holy Spirit and Christian Unity
* The concept of a single Holy Spirit is central to the Christian belief in a unified church, even with the existence of many denominations.
* While the Holy Spirit is seen as the source of unity, different interpretations and practices lead to the formation of different denominations.
*
Q: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 does not speak of different church denomination as members of the body of Christ but of every individual believer that is a member of Christ as Joint- heirs Romans 8:17, who are of his bone and of his flesh Ephesians 5:50, who are all that one bread Hebrews 10:17, individual human members not church organizations **
** QUESTION ASKED INDIVIDUALLY NOW.**
A: AI Overview
No, Christian denominations do not have different Holy Spirits; they all believe in one Holy Spirit who is God. The diversity in doctrine and worship stems from differing interpretations of scripture and the Holy Spirit’s role, not from multiple spirits. The Holy Spirit is considered the same for all Christians who believe, leading to one body of Christ despite denominational differences, which some attribute to human factors like differing interpretations and teaching styles, say Quora users and Reddit users.
One Holy Spirit, Diverse Interpretations
* The same Spirit, different operations: The Holy Spirit is the same for all believers, but the effects or “operations” of the Spirit can manifest differently in individuals and churches, according to Quora users.
* Reasons for diversity: Denominations vary due to different interpretations of doctrine, historical eras, and specific focuses, but they all stem from the one Holy Spirit, say Quora users.
* Unity in the body of Christ: The Apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, that the church is one body made of individual believers, all united by the one Holy Spirit, not by separate church organizations, notes Facebook users and a Quora user.
*
Divergent Doctrines and Worship
* Differing views on the Spirit’s work: While all denominations acknowledge the Holy Spirit, some like the Catholic and Mormon churches see the Spirit as involved in ongoing daily operations, while others believe the Holy Spirit’s main work was in inspiring scripture and focus more on interpreting it, say Quora users and Reddit users.
* Unique worship styles: Even with one Holy Spirit, different groups have different ideas about worship and organization, say Quora users.
*
Addressing the Question of Contradictions
* Different beliefs, one Spirit: The existence of different denominations with conflicting beliefs is a theological challenge, but the common Christian belief is that it does not mean there are different Holy Spirits, but rather different human interpretations and understandings of God’s will.
* Individual responsibility: Regardless of denomination, the Holy Spirit is believed to lead individuals to a closer relationship with God, and a person’s relationship with God is the priority, according to Reddit users
Q: It’s really too bad that AI regards Quora and Reddit more than scripture.
A: No, Christian denominations do not have different Holy Spirits; they all believe there is only one, the Holy Spirit of God. The differences between denominations arise from varying interpretations of scripture and the role of the Holy Spirit, not from the existence of separate spirits. For example, some denominations emphasize the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit (like speaking in tongues), while others may have a more general or organizational interpretation of His work.
* One Holy Spirit: All mainstream Christian denominations agree that there is only one Holy Spirit who is God.
* Different interpretations: The diversity in doctrines among denominations stems from different interpretations of scripture, including the nature and role of the Holy Spirit.
* Spiritual gifts versus doctrine: The scripture mentioning different operations (1 Corinthians 12) refers to various spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit on individual believers, not to different spirits for different church denominations.
* Varying emphasis: Some denominations, like Pentecostals, give particular emphasis to the Holy Spirit as the giver of modern-day gifts, such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. Others, like Baptists, may focus more on other aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work.
* Different beliefs: Some groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, hold different beliefs about the Holy Spirit’s relationship to Jesus and God, placing them outside the mainstream Christian view of the Trinity. However, this is a doctrinal difference about the nature of the Spirit itself, not a belief that there are multiple spirits.
While various Christian denominations, including Baptists, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutherans, and Presbyterians, all profess guidance by the Holy Spirit, they do not claim to have different Holy Spirits. The core belief among these groups is that there is only one Holy Spirit.
Q: SAME QUESTION ASKED AGAIN
A: The diversity in doctrine and practice arises not from a belief in multiple Holy Spirits, but from differing interpretations of scripture and tradition regarding the nature, role, and “leading” of that single Spirit. For instance, as you noted, a key doctrinal difference is the belief that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold that Jesus is God or that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Trinity, a view contrary to most other mainstream Christian denominations.
Theological perspectives generally address the differences in operations and worship in the following ways:
* A single source, diverse interpretations: The belief is in one Holy Spirit who inspires different people and communities to understand and live out the faith in distinct ways. These variations are often seen as different human responses to the same divine source.
* Differing emphases: Various denominations might emphasize different aspects of biblical teaching or historical tradition, leading to diversity in organizational principles, manner of worship, and specific doctrines.
*
* (((. NOTE ** ORIGINAL QUESTION REGARDING AI”S MIS-INTERPRETATION OF 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-13 FINALLY ANSWERED BY AI BELOW AFTER REPEATED ENQUIRIES. THIS RAISES A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION: WOULD AI LATER NOTIFY A STUDENT WHEN IT FINALLY REALIZES THAT IT GAVE A WRONG ANSWER? I THINK NOT. )))
* Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12): Most interpretations of this passage support your view that it refers to diverse individual spiritual gifts (miracles, tongues, etc.) rather than endorsing denominational structures. These gifts are seen as different manifestations of the single Spirit working through individual believers for the common good.
*
In summary, despite the vast doctrinal diversity, the common theological belief among Christian denominations is in one Holy Spirit, with the differences in doctrine attributed to varied human interpretations and traditions, rather than the existence of multiple Holy Spirits.
FINAL NOTE ON THIS:
THAT THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU.
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead men unto all truth, John 16:13. Emphasis “all truth”. Does the Baptist Church have a different Holy Spirit from the Catholic Church? Does the Lutheran Church have a different Holy Spirit from the Jehovah’s Witness Church? The Presbyterian? The Mormon? The problem is not with the Holy Scriptures. The problem is not with God or with Christ Jesus or with the Holy Spirit. The problem is with the institutions that call them selves led of the Holy Spirit and are not.
If the Holy Spirit was teaching them they would be unified in their beliefs, Ephesians 4:3. If the Holy Spirit was teaching them there would be no divisions among them, 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3, Romans 12:16; 15:5-6. If the Holy Spirit was teaching them they would know to mark them which cause divisions in the true church and avoid them, Romans 16:17.
TO whom was God speaking, by the mouth of Paul, when he said to ‘mark those which cause divisions among you’, and OF whom was he speaking in Romans 16:17?
The Baptist church causes divisions and offenses against the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church causes divisions and offenses against the Jehovah’s Witness Church. The Jehovah’s witness Church causes divisions and offenses against the Mormon Church. The Mormon Church against the Presbyterian. The Presbyterian against the Universalist Church. And the Universalist Church against the Pentecostal Church. And they all, in so doing, cause divisions and offenses against the truth of the word of God. IMPOSSIBLE TO FATHOM THAT GROWTH IS AN EXCUSE WHEN AFTER ALMOST TWO THOUSAND YEARS THEY CANNOT EVEN AGREE UPON AND OBEY THE DOCTRINE OF GOD IN CHRIST IN IT’S SIMPLEST FORM, 2 Corinthians 11:3, TO THIS DAY. AND YET THEY SEEK ECUMENISM, BUT CAN’T FIND IT.
I think that if Paul were alive on this Earth today he would tell the true body of believers who worship God in Spirit and in truth and loathe the thought of doing any thing against the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and who loathe the thought of acting on and believing any lie, to avoid all of the different divisions of ways because none of them are right in their form of worship.. Paul went to length to express the division in unity among those who call themselves Baptist or Lutheran or Catholic or Jehovah’s Witness, expressing this by saying that, One says I am of Paul, or I am of Cephas, or I am of Apollos, and I of Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:12, Describing different ways of worshipping that are not worshipping the one and only true and living God in Spirit and in truth according to the leading of the Spirit of God that leads faithful believers unto all truth.
If they are not of one mind and of one accord with the mind of Christ then they are divided. And no one divides in this way but satan. The Churches are divided and they divide God up also into three persons, if they are Christian, and into seventy two if they are Christian Cabbalists or Jewish Kabbalists.
God look upon it and require it.
Did Paul report any lies having been taught by the Holy Ghost? Did Peter? John? James? How about David? Elijah? Were they not all of one accord with God’s truth? Yet they were different persons all with different life experiences living even in different times. If they are led of God’s Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit makes no error and makes no division in beliefs or manner of worship. 1 Peter 1:21
Again another question that still goes unanswered by the Church institutions: If they are not led of God’s Holy Spirit which gives perfect unity, then by what spirit are they led?
Dear Doug,
I have read your very interesting comment all the way through!
Thank you for participating here.
I find it very interesting to read the results of using AI and other Internet sources to seek information about Bible-related subjects.
So far as I have seen, such resources often get some things very wrong!
Thank you for reading my series of posts so far.
I write all my material “from scratch,” based upon my many years of carefully studying the Scriptures.
As for the validity of any modern or ancient churches, denominations, religious organizations–they are all mistaken about something when we compare what they teach and believe and practice with what is taught in the Bible itself.
Division and misdirection started very early. It can be seen in the pages of the New Testament itself. Jesus warned about the problem. Paul warned about the problem. Peter warned about the problem. John warned about the problem. Jude warned about the problem.
I often wonder if in early times until now whether professing believers and leaders in the Church forgot what Jesus said about hierarchy in Matthew 20:25-28.
Paul knew about the principle Jesus commanded and makes indirect reference to it. Likewise, Peter makes reference to it also.
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (KJV)
Notice, especially, Matthew 20:26, “But it shall not be so among you.”
I have compiled cross references for every verse in the Bible. Here are the cross references I have for Matthew 20:26 as given in my Bible study resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. Note especially the references that have the emphasis marks “*” and especially “**” which lead directly to the clearest verses relevant to the clause, “it shall not be so.”
Matthew 20:26
it shall not be so. *Mat 15:1 note. *Mat 23:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Ezk 34:21, *Mrk 9:35; *Mrk 10:43, 44, 45, Luk 9:48; Luk 14:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; Luk 18:14; *Luk 22:25; *Luk 22:26, Jhn 18:36, **+2Co 1:24; 2Co 10:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Eph 3:8, +*Php 2:3, **1Pe 5:3, 3Jn 1:9, 10, Rev 13:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; Rev 17:6.
This post is part of a 26 part series I have planned. I am only as far as part 6B at this time. Lord willing and enabling, there is more to come.
Jerry,
A very good reminder that there are no ‘Great Ones’ among the body of believers, the body of Christ. But we are all each others ministers who walk in the Spirit and are led of the Spirit of God. God give perfect unity and lead all unto all truth.
However, it should also be noted that the ability of the diverse church hierarchies to lay hold on truth in doctrine is limited because of the very establishment of church hierarchies. Those who make themselves lords over God’s heritage are not led by the Spirit of God. They have a basic knowledge that Jesus is the son of God and that there is one God, but that doesn’t mean anything when the scripture says on that point, Even the devils believe and they tremble, James 2:19.
Be that as it may, it is also written that there must be heresies among you that those that are approved among you may be made manifest, 1 Corinthians 11:9. Who would have guessed that it is manifest that the church leadership itself would have been proven to be the heresies that were being spoken of in that verse.
But as it is also written that Paul said that howsoever Christ was preached that he would glory in God that Christ is preached, Philippians 1:18
But not to forget that it is commanded to come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing, and be ye separate, and I will receive you, and you will be to me sons and daughters, and I will be your God, 2 Corinthians 6:17.
I believe the time is short enough to consider, and it is always the right time, to account the unclean thing as being the sin of Achan, Joshua 7:20; 22:20, who fell because of covetousness, the same as those who preach for gain, which is what Paul gave up. Galatians 1:14, Luke 9:25.
Consider what I say. There will be a time, and it is now approaching, when the true church will see the false church plainly and act accordingly.
Dear Doug,
I’m thankful to learn that you see that church hierarchy is a major problem. It certainly seems to be evidence of disobedience to the direct teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Some denominations, or at least local congregations within them, make an effort to study the Bible and follow what it teaches. I have had to tread very carefully when attending and sometimes joining churches. Many years ago I was welcomed and well-received in such local churches. More recently, I have had to avoid church attendance altogether because churches local to me are not structured for fellowship. They seem not to realize that Romans 15:7 is still in the Bible.
Rom 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
I would rather worship God at my house, or while I’m driving down the road, Ephesians 5:19 KJV, and especially rejoice for His instruction in righteousness and ordering the steps of true believers even as they sleep, Job 33:15, than attend a house where God is not being worshiped in Spirit and in truth in sincerity and where I am subject to having fellowship with darkness. Because I have come to know that where two or more are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, there he is in the mids’t of them, Matthew 18:20. There they are gathering together, and even the more so as they see that day approaching, and are not forsaking the assembling of themselves together, Hebrews 10:25, as those who wave a basket under you’re nose like to say to guilt trip you into doing that which was abolished, Hebrews 7:8,12,18, and 2 Corinthians 3:13.
This I say knowing that some of Paul’s sayings were hard to understand, 2 Peter 3:16.
Let him that is able to receive it receive it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jerry.
Dear Doug,
My wife and I have come to the same conclusion so we would agree with you. We read the Bible together each evening after supper. She plays hymns on the piano.
I noticed that Hebrews 10:25 includes the word “together.”
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
together. Gr. episunagōgē (S# G1997, only here and 2Th 2:1). Some true believers have been improperly shunned and excluded from fellowship when a local church, its pastor, elders or other leadership, and the congregation itself fail to obey the commandment to “receive one another” (+**Rom 15:7). Gen 49:1, Dan 11:33, +Mal 3:16, *Mat 18:20, Act 19:9, 10, +**Rom 15:7, 1Co 14:26; 1Co 14:29; 1Co 16:15, 16; 1Co 16:19, Eph 5:19, 20, 21, *1Pe 4:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, +*2Jn 1:10.
one another. A properly functioning local church must provide the opportunity for those gathered for worship and fellowship to have genuine fellowship. Sitting in a pew looking at the pastor and the backs of the heads of those seated in rows ahead doing the same is not fellowship. Few opportunities are given, if any, for mutual sharing of faith and concerns. No one gets to know the person sitting next to them. Churches need to find better ways than those practiced now to encourage actual fellowship. Fellowship cannot occur in groups much larger than eight. See +**Exo 18:21 Note. We must change the culture and structure of our churches to match the divine design for them taught in Scripture. Failure to do so is what is driving down church attendance and successful local outreach to the surrounding community with the Gospel. +*Jon 4:11 note. **+Rom 12:5.
Jerry,
You and your wife are ‘together’ and have gathered for that purpose. That is my point. where two or three are gathered together in the name of the Lord then there he is in the midst of them.
There will be four or five in the outer branches or two or three in the uppermost fruitful boughs, Isaiah 17:6
The narrow gate will be sparse. The broad gate full of many, Matthew 7:13-14
If one who has spent a lot of money going to school is present in a gathering, that person thinks that for their purchase they should have the preeminence, and they think that their card says so.
Who taught Peter? Who taught Christ Jesus?, ( John 7:16, 8:38 ), What seminary did Melchisedec attend? They were all taught of God. Paul was schooled under Gamaliel, same teacher who taught Kabbalah to the high priest. Paul threw away all that he learned of the way of the Jewish religion, which if you ask the rabbis today they will tell you that the religion of the Jews is not Judaism but Kabbalah. But that may be for another discussion.
At any rate, we are having fellowship right now. This is where we are edified one of another. This is where the true church is built up upon the holy faith.
We both have much to learn. As I have said in another writing, I will never be so foolish as to say that I know it all. I constantly beseech God to show me things that I have not yet seen, and to give me understanding of that which I have not yet known, the balance of which is far greater than that which I have seen and that which I have understood to this point.
To submit to one another is not something that federal card carrying preachers have been taught in schools where men teach men how to herd cattle.
I asked God to teach me 28 tears ago on the basis that I could not afford to go to a Bible college. I stayed in churches and made notes on every thing that the preacher, who learned from men, said. This I have learned; That one of the best ways to learn truth is to hear lies and then hold them up to the truth of scripture that God wrote and not men.
The twenty two years since my wife and I said good by to our last church experience is where true schooling and growth in the knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ began.
We know who our teacher is and with Him is no lie.
We have not lost faith because we stopped attending houses of worship that do not honor the word of God. Much to the Contrary our faith has Grown exponentially. It is God who gives the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:7.
First believers have to know to rely on God and not on men for their salvation. Then the church will be formed as Christ is formed in them, Galatians 4:19.
Jerry,
Continuing on the thought that got this conversation started:
When a person who feels called into ministry decides to pursue, why is it made into a career choice? Why do they need a paying job at it when Paul said that if a man doesn’t work he shouldn’t eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 4;11. Paul was a tent maker, Acts 18;1-3. When Paul said that he would repay a debt, Philemon 19, He would do it out of his own pocket, not with the congregations money, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Paul would rather spend and be spent of his own substance rather than make the word of God void by preaching for gain, 2 Corinthians 12:15, 1 Corinthians 9;14-18, Including verse 14 for the purpose of not skewing the scriptures that also say that a workman is worthy of his hire, Luke 10:7. However, this scripture is also pulled out of context oftentimes used to extract money from the congregation. The Lord spoke of food and drink and lodging not money, Mathew 6:19, 1 Timothy 6:6-11.
Now, to the original point of the present conversation: When a minister or preacher went to Bible school was he taught by the Baptist Holy Spirit, The Catholic Holy Spirit, The Pentecostal, the Mormon? He learned the psychological approach to keeping sheep, and he learned how to lead sheep, but he did not learn how to feed the sheep. He learned how to incline their minds toward the institutional church but he did not learn how to incline their hearts toward God.
God gives His true church that dwells not in a house made with hands, Acts 7:48-49, 17:24, and who know that God is not worshiped with men’s hands as though He needed anything, Acts 17:25, The discernment to know the difference. For which cause He did say, Come out from among them, 2 Corinthians 6:17,18, Isaiah 52:11, Revelation 18:4, Jeremiah 7:23,
The sin of Achan was covetousness which is idolatry, Colossians 3:5. The woman who had the spirit of divination that Paul cast out, Acts 16:16, who brought her masters much gain by the devil in her, Acts 16:19., was only able to get her masters gain by idolatry.
Now back to Achan. The stuff that Achan coveted was not only valuable in it’s own right but had another value even greater, the potential to get more gain by the divination practices of the people of Jericho in that not only gold was taken but a wedge of gold specifically, some silver and here is the tell, a goodly Babylonish garment, Joshua 7:21. Now let’s go deeper into that. What Garment are the Children of Light clothed with?, Ephesians 5:27, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The garment of salvation, Matthew 9:16, Isaiah 61:10. Those who keep those garments faithfully are exalted by God, Revelation 3:4; 15:16. But those who do not were upbraided as spiritual adulterers by James, James 4:4; 5:2.
The goodly Babylonish Garment are what the great men of the Earth are clothed in, Ezekiel 23:12, Luke 7:25. The diviners, the soothsayers, the sorcerers who feed their rulers the bread of wickedness, Proverbs 4:17, 1 Corinthians 5:8. The kings dainty meat, Job 33:14-20, Proverbs 23:6. By which, as it was shown, the masters of the woman that had the spirit of divination that Paul cast out, the kings and rulers of this world, the very principalities and powers of the world, spiritual wickedness in high places, the rulers of the darkness of this world, Ephesians 6:12, are made fat (financially) and rich is this worlds goods, which very things John wrote not to love, 1 John 2:15.
And now this: the Sanhedrin was reformed in about 2006. It is required of the Nassi, the top chief of the Sanhedrin, and all of the total of seventy one of the rabbis that make up that body, that they be steeped in Kabbalah. This issue has filtered into and is a driving force behind the idolatry of the churches as they engage Christian Cabbalah. A problem that was identified early on in the Church as being a scourge of false Jewish converts to the Institution that calls itself the only true church on Earth; See Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 parts 67-71 for this documentation. ( And Paul and John were already ahead of it long before that by their sayings in Acts 20:29 and 1 John 2:18,19. the discernment that is given unto the church to know these things identified in verse 20, 1 John 2:20, this leading being by the baptism of and walking in the holy Spirit of the living God, Galatians 5:16,25, who also gave that Spirit unto Christ Jesus, Acts 10:38 ). This scourge continues in the Institution to this day and influences the Magisterium ( the church’s body of witches. Look up the history and particularly the etymology for Magisterium given by Oxford ) to make doctrine that opposes God’s word.
And so what better way to continue doing this than to train your own ministers?, 2 Corinthians 11:14, for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
So Jerry, seeing the origination and modus operandi of the world visible church, How much closer will you look at the political motives behind the formulation of many of its doctrines?
I have looked. But will not expound further at this time.
All the glory to the one and only true and living God who alone gives life to all who will receive it.
Dear Doug,
In your first comment above you made reference to John 16:13.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (KJV)
Upon reading this verse again, I think there is much more to be understood about this passage.
Consider the words “he will guide you.”
Who are the “you” to whom Jesus makes this promise?
It is possible that the promise is valid only to the original Apostles during their lifetimes.
I have presented a list of Bible cross references at Matthew 17:20. As much as I have been studying the subject of prayer in the Bible, I am frequently finding more cross references that apply to Matthew 17:20.
It makes for a fascinating study, which I believe is most helpful and instructive.
In brief, when studied with other passages, I have learned that the promise in Matthew 17:20 was expressly intended to apply to the Apostles and disciples of Jesus who were alive at that time. It is possible to trace a change reflected in the New Testament itself where the great miraculous answers to prayer the Apostles experienced at the start of their ministries, whether to get out of prison, or for healing, including being raised from the dead or raising another from the dead, became less frequent over time. Paul left Trophimus at Miletum sick (2 Timothy 4:20), but earlier in Paul’s ministry many were healed of their sicknesses and infirmities. The clue to all this is Luke 4:18 when Jesus read from Isaiah and stopped at a point mid-sentence in the text. This also ties into the matter of the “Silence of God,” a subject for study that I do not recall ever learning about in church or Sunday school, but it is definitely taught in Scripture.
Looking forward to more of your thoughts! I always enjoy your comments here. Just now, the clock is stopping me again.
Are you implying that the gospel was only for the Apostles and not for the rest of the body of Christ? That only the Apostles could know the truth that makes men free? Jesus said freely have you been given so freely give, Matthew 10:8, does that mean that the Apostles were the only ones who could Know the truth and they decided not to tell any one else and now they are all gone so there is no one to teach truth any more? Then God said that it is because of ignorance His people are destroyed, Hosea 4:6. Did God purpose that his people would be destroyed for lack of knowledge by His own design? Then how are the words of John applicable when he said; I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth, 3 John 1:4. John was not speaking of his own children of his own bowels even as Paul, who had no children, was not speaking of his own children from his own bowels in 1 Corinthians 4:15. And how do we then Grow in the knowledge of God and of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ if the Holy Spirit does not teach us?, 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18, and how do we do this : all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13? And this: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him? If we cant know God’s truth by the Spirit of God in us then how do we worship God in Spirit and in truth, John 4:24? And this: By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:13. Then why did Jesus say that a man must be born of water and of the Spirit. John 3:5? And why were about three thousand souls all filled with the Holy Ghost just on the day of Pentecost,( Acts 2:37,38,39,40,41 KJV )?
If the Holy Spirit does not teach men today then the scriptures all lie. But if the Holy Spirit does teach men today then somebody else lied. God knows.
Don’t know whether to be surprised at this posit that you have made as more of a statement than a question: “It is possible that the promise is valid only to the original Apostles during their lifetimes.” or if I should have expected it?
I am set for the defense of the gospel, if it is the will of God that I engage any further.
Dear Doug,
I am not implying at all that the Gospel was only for the Apostles!
That the Gospel is for everyone is directly asserted by our Lord Jesus Christ when He commanded that we are to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (KJV).
Mar 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (ESV)
Mar 16:15 He said to them, “Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)
Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
King James Version
My question was and is, IF John 16:13 is understood as primarily a promise directed to the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth so that when they preached and taught the Gospel He would also guide them as they committed the truths to writing that is now confined and preserved in the New Testament, then that aspect of the Promise was limited to them exclusively. There is no further divine revelation in that sense. All the truth God desires us to have is contained in the Bible itself.
God is now silent in the sense that He will not provide us any further divinely revelatory content in addition to what He has already provided in the Bible.
There are some other faiths or world religions that make claims to have additional revelation, such as Islam. Some Christian groups that claim to be “the One True Church” claim to have preserved all truth which is now contained in their unwritten tradition as in Roman Catholicism, or to be the only presently appointed dispenser of God’s truth today, as in the publications of the Jehovah Witnesses.
When Jesus preached His first recorded sermon as given in Luke 4:16-21,
Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Luk 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
In Luke 4:20 we are told “And he closed the book.”
I have placed the following explanatory information at Luke 4:19, citing De Burgh, page 174:
of the Lord. Note.—On referring to this Prophecy in Isa 61:1, 2 it will be observed that the Lord in quoting it broke off abruptly at these words, the reason of which is that the remainder—And the day of vengeance of our God, etc.—did not belong to the object of his first coming but of his second, when the whole shall receive another and plenary accomplishment. Compare with the remainder Isa 63:1, 2, 3, 4; Isa 52:1, 2, 3; Isa 60:21, and Psa 102:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (De Burgh, p. 174).
A further careful study of Luke 4:18 and its context using the cross references and notes in my resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, will lead careful readers to the important matters of (1) the unannounced time gaps in Bible prophecy, and (2) the fact and reason for the Silence of God and its extent.
For example, consider Psalm 50:3 and the explanatory note I have placed there:
Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
not keep silence. Now He is keeping silence. But He will speak again, and here we are told what He will say (CB). The silence of God is spoken of under several different terms and in some other not so obvious ways. The silence of God is spoken of in reference to prayer, when prayer is unanswered (**Psa 28:1; +**Psa 66:18). Today it may be that in mercy God is intentionally silent such that we do not see the miraculous interventions experienced in certain periods of Old Testament history and in the beginning of the church in Acts when its membership was still entirely Jewish and God still extended His mercy to the nation of Israel if they would repent (Act 3:19, 20, 21). Miracles of healing were prominent in the early ministry of Peter (Act 5:15; Act 9:34) and Paul (Act 19:11, 12; Act 20:10). But Paul later left Trophimus at Miletum sick (2Ti 4:20). Peter and Paul experienced miraculous Divine Intervention earlier in their ministries when they were released from prison (Act 12:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; Act 16:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40), but Paul later spent much time in jail. A clue as to why God does not now intervene in such outwardly visible ways in answer to prayer may be suggested by the manner in which Jesus read aloud the Scripture from Isaiah as recorded in Luk 4:18, 19, 20, where Luke records “And he closed the book.” Jesus stopped reading at a most significant place in Isa 61:2, in the middle of the verse, for He did not read “and the day of vengeance of our God,” which came next. This stopping point in the text of Isaiah is one of many places where there is an unannounced time gap in the prophecy (See the notes and references at Isa 61:2 note). The stopping point may also signify that when God next visits this earth it will be for judgment, not mercy. In accordance with that promise, His silence now exhibits His mercy. Peter speaks of this very matter when he says God’s apparent “slackness” is rather evidence of His mercy, for He is “not willing that any should perish” (2Pe 3:9). Study of the cross references given for such texts as 2Pe 3:9 and the subject of God’s longsuffering (see also the cross references at +**Mat 17:20; Mat 21:43; Mat 23:39) may further explain the nature and reasons for God’s present public silence. Psa 50:21, +Psa 28:1; Psa 83:1; Psa 109:1, Exo 19:16, 2Ki 19:7, Job 16:21, Isa 8:17; *Isa 42:13; *Isa 42:14; *Isa 65:6; *Isa 65:7, +*Hab 1:13.
I trust that what I have written above will clarify what I stated in shorter form before.
I appreciate your great concern and your reaction to my comment here. That elicits further careful response on both our parts. In that way we both benefit as we share our insights into Scripture.
Dear Doug,
Returning to the discussion as reflected in your comment of November 9, 2025, above, you stated:
//When a person who feels called into ministry decides to pursue, why is it made into a career choice? Why do they need a paying job at it when Paul said that if a man doesn’t work he shouldn’t eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Paul was a tent maker, Acts 18:1-3. When Paul said that he would repay a debt, Philemon 19, He would do it out of his own pocket, not with the congregations money, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Paul would rather spend and be spent of his own substance rather than make the word of God void by preaching for gain, 2 Corinthians 12:15, 1 Corinthians 9:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, Including verse 14 for the purpose of not skewing the scriptures that also say that a workman is worthy of his hire, Luke 10:7. However, this scripture is also pulled out of context oftentimes used to extract money from the congregation. The Lord spoke of food and drink and lodging not money, Matthew 6:19, 1 Timothy 6:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Now, to the original point of the present conversation: When a minister or preacher went to Bible school was he taught by the Baptist Holy Spirit, The Catholic Holy Spirit, The Pentecostal, the Mormon? He learned the psychological approach to keeping sheep, and he learned how to lead sheep, but he did not learn how to feed the sheep.//
I believe your ending statement about the training of pastors and other Christian workers in Bible school is lacking in that they have not been taught “how to feed the sheep” is a very accurate insight.
I recently read a report of either Pew or Barna research that found 85% of Evangelical pastors have never read all the way through the Bible.
In my own experience locally I have unfortunately learned that a Baptist pastor in a nearby town was unable to effectively answer the serious questions asked concerning why a family should not join the Seventh Day Adventist Church instead of continuing in the Baptist Church. The family, long time friends of ours, left the Baptist church and joined the Seventh Day Adventists.
Unfortunately, they informed me of all this well after the events took place. I think they avoided consulting me for they knew I had the answers to their questions. I had helped them many years ago when they were being convinced to join the Jehovah Witnesses. I shared from Scripture the answers to their questions, and they did not do so.
There is a great and continuing need for instruction in apologetics and hermeneutics.
Interestingly, I once learned of the testimony of a now former Seventh Day Adventist of her deliverance from that mistaken group as a result of studying the notes I furnished in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I had been asked by one of my former students from Cass Technical High School about what the Bible taught about tithing. I placed the results of my study in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
After thorough study of the subject, I informed him that tithing is not commanded in the New Testament for believers today. Tithing was both a pre-Mosaic and Mosaic institution. A careful study of the subject will reveal that the Jewish nation was subject to three different tithes, and what many churches teach about the tithe and “store-house tithing” (a reference to Malachi 3:10) is not correct and does not apply to today.
In direct reference to your questions, Paul did indeed support his own missionary efforts by maintaining employment as a tentmaker. Reading 1 Corinthians 9:14 and context demonstrates Paul allowed for those who “preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” Paul chose not to exercise that privilege or authority, “lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12).
In the same vein I also explored the issue of sabbath keeping and worship on the sabbath, claimed by some to also be a pre-Mosaic institution.
On each of these issues I presented the best evidence I could find supporting each side of the question. The unnamed lady on the Internet left the Seventh Day denomination and came to a true belief in our Lord Jesus Christ, according to her testimony.
I believe that if even one precious soul has been saved from fatal doctrinal error and brought to true faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the work I have done to provide more cross references for serious Bible study, that alone is worth more than all the time and effort and expense involved in producing The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. All glory, praise, and credit belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ alone.