“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” -Acts 17:11. Bold type added.
Take this as an urgent alert going out to ALL Christians; you must study God's Word for yourself, and examine the entire passages your religious leaders teach from, finding out for yourself if what they claim about it is true (supported by scripture), or opinion. Let us not be deceived by those preaching/teaching Another Gospel into turning aside to lies.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” -Galatians 1:6,7.
“...there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them...” -from 2 Peter 2:1.
For centuries the church in Rome kept the world in the dark by controlling the Bible, twisting meaning and adding to it while at the same time telling their adherents that ordinary laymen couldn't understand the Bible-the church would burn their manuscripts and murder those who held them.
But the Reformation came about because large numbers were reading the true Word of God for themselves; it was this truth that made them free from the tyranny of Rome, and free by a salvation that came from faith in Jesus Christ as a gift, and not by religious works.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:31,32.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ephesians 2:8,9.
This Reformation came with a price of blood, because Rome sought to control the masses by controlling the Bible, and then ruling through fear. Yet ultimately out of this struggle God's Word came forth for everyone through the King James Bible. This is our heritage; which is to KNOW God's true Word for ourselves; something our adversary the devil fights desperately against. He is a relentless foe, and we must learn from history to not allow our freedom in God's Word to be taken from us again.
“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life...” -Revelation 22:19A.
Christians today have largely put away any meaningful Bible study of their own out of a respect of persons, and their opinions (James 2:9); blindly trusting in leaders whom people respect to lead them aright in the ways of God. We have high regard for them as being smarter and more learned than most; seldom questioning anything they teach. This will have to change soon, or we're doomed.
First of all, each of us is responsible for the handling of God's Word (2 Corinthians 4:2), primarily for our own lives, but also for others. This 1st point naturally implies the second, that we are well able in Christ to understand God's Word without assistance (1 John 2:27) from people.
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” -John 12:48.
A third point to consider is that the Bible has extensive warnings about false prophets Matthew 24:24,25) and teachers in the last days, and our need to test them (1 John 4:1). The fourth point flows from the third, which is that on judgement day we will account for ourselves (Romans 14:12), without being able to shift blame toward others.
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” -Acts 20:28-30. See also 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
So how is it that we've become so careless in handling God's Word? It all basically comes down to changing God's Word; continually re-translating it on many levels. This undermines the believer's spiritual foundation of FAITH (Psalm 11:3, Matthew 7:24-27), for they won't be able to stand on God's promises if they're unsure of the actual words.
When you combine this with all the fast-paced technology by which we are kept so busy, people won't take the time for any serious study; sacrificing several hours at church each week is about all they can bring themselves to do. They then blindly trust their pastors & teachers to do the studying, bringing them closer to God. In a real sense, man-made church organizations have become another mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). In a way, you could also say churches have taken the place of the HOLY SPIRIT, because many just follow the general leading toward of what the church is doing, instead of seeking the Lord's will for them individually.
These church leaders then take it upon themselves to re-translate even further when teaching; telling congregations what a passage really means, or could mean, but they're never questioned due to our respect of persons, and an unwillingness to study for ourselves.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15.
Be warned about teachers who are constantly re-translating scripture; examine those teachings, and be ready to either confront them, or turn away (2 Timothy 3:5). Especially be wary when their re-working of scripture looks nothing like the plainly translated text; God wants EVERYONE to understand His preserved Word, not just a special few, for that would lead us into bondage again.
NOTE: please don't be confused because of many Bible versions, thinking, “How can the KJB be right, and all others wrong?” There are really just 2 translations of the Bible, the Authorized Translation (AT) and the Revised Translation (RT). The AT is the King James Bible, but all other versions come from the RT, whose translators are encouraged to, “put it in their own words”; and so there are many different versions; both for opinions' sake, and for copyright profit. Remember also that the RT was established supposedly only to update some “out-dated” language in the KJB, but instead it exchanged the very manuscripts our Bible comes from. Simple side-by-side comparison will tell you that the versions stemming from the RT are NOT saying the same thing as the KJB. I'd like to suggest www.chick.com as a good resource for the Bible version issue.
Don't be intimidated by those of great education in men's eyes; God chooses few of that type for His service. The Word of God is our standard, and the Holy Spirit our teacher; the leading of those will have an eternal standing.
Below you'll find more scriptures to encourage your deeper studies.
“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 John 2:27. See also Romans 8:26.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16,17.
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” -Psalms 119:98-100.
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” -1 Corinthians 7:23. Also Galatians 1:10.
“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.” -James 1:5.
“...Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” -from Colossians 2:2,3.
God uses those of low esteem, Acts 4:13;
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
“...the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” -Ecclesiastes 9:16B.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” -1 Corinthians 1:26-28; please read 1:18-30. Bold type added.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things...” -from John 14:26. Please remember that Matthew 4:4 tells us,
“..Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” so
it's vital to know what these words are, and act upon them. Dig deeply into the Bible to be sure of the doctrine you're learning is truly from God.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” -John 3:21.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:2-4.
Here is a link to the YouTube video that I did on this subject https://youtube.com/shorts/dB2y5FMZgIo?feature=share.
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