Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 165

I have a question. I always lean on the KJV to be an authoritative translation. Is this law referencing the "law" in God's heart instead of the actual law?

1 John 3:4 (KJV) 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

1 John 3:4 (NKJV) 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

1Jn 3:4 The opposite of purifying oneself is found in verse four: "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." The word commits is literally does (Gk., poieo). It is a matter of continual behavior, expressed by the present, continuous tense. It is possible to have sin even if there is no law. Sin was in the world between the time of Adam and Moses, but this was before God's law had been given. Thus it is not entirely accurate to say "that sin is a transgression of the law" (1611 KJV), but rather that sin is lawlessness. It is insubordination to God, wanting one's own way, and refusing to acknowledge the Lord as rightful Sovereign. In essence, it is placing one's own will above the will of God. It is opposition to a Living Person who has the right to be obeyed.

Zechariah 8

This chapter is primarily focused on the Millennium promises of blessings and old age for Jerusalem; peace; and a return from diaspora. It demonstrates how all nations will be blessed and desire the God of Israel as well (v. 22-23).

Verses 2-3 state

2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.3 Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.

God is a jealous God as we see in Exodus 34:14. We are reminded from Christ's zealous behavior in the Temple in Matthew 21:13 of the verse in Isaiah 56:7 and that speaks to these passages as well as to Jerusalem being a city of prayer for the whole earth someday. Later chapters in Zechariah discuss Christ fighting for Israel when they finally recognize that Christ is their Messiah; not before.

Verses 9-10 remind those who built the Temple in that time of the resistance. But verses 11-12 contrast what will happen in the last days. Verses 14-15 state: 14 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not:15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

Verse 19 discusses the subject of fasts and feasts asked about earlier. Apparently these will go on during the Millennium period.

Noah (2 of 2)

Yet for the father of Canaan it was grist for his rumour mill. When Noah got to hear what he had done he curses him, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." This is how many Christians who claim they are born again but still cling on to the ways of the world and of the flesh. How can the member of the body of Christ speak ill of another member? He stands or falls and is for Christ the Head to judge.

Noah (1 of 2)

Heb. Noach meaning rest. Foreshadows Jesus Christ who is the Mediator between God and man. In a similar manner Noah serves as the link between the old world and the new. God did not spare "the old world, but saved Noah (2 Pe.2:5)"

The period "the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing," was one hundred and twenty years (Ge.6:3)) to which the Spirit gives a basis for baptism by water, where in few, that is, eight souls were saved by water'(1 Pe.3:20). Good conscience is equally applied to body, spirit and soul.

Righteousness of Noah came from God, for he testified, "for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."(7:1).. The writer to the Hebrews annotates his faith as thus ,"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."(He.11:7) His faith was such God found him worthy to inherit the new earth. The ark foreshadows the body of Christ, the New Jerusalem.

Noah did not step out of the ark as he went in. Neither did His volume come by the ark. He did according to the word of God, and his body put on Christ as it were by baptism of water. So 12x10 whether you take in days or years is immaterial. He walked with God as Enoch.

He also became a husbandman that connects him to the Son, who would declare, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." The Spirit connects Noah as having put on the mind of Christ. His three sons are like three branches equally representing the soul, the spirit and the flesh. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."(John15:5).

One day Noah lay drunk and 'was within the tent'. Of his three sons Ham representing the flesh was quick to tattletale on his father.

I have nothing more to say, man

Let us all follow our beliefs in the Lord Jesus Christ and pray for our leadership in D.C. as well as our state and local officials.

Father God, let them lean on and follow Your word and worship You.

GOD to shine His face on all who are on this forum and bless us gloriously.

September 9, 2023 Amen!

Part 2

It's important to note that these translations do not use the Westcott and Hort text exclusively but incorporate various critical scholarship and manuscript evidence to produce their editions of the New Testament. Different editions and revisions of these translations may have variations in the Greek text used. Additionally, some translations, like the KJV and the New King James Version (NKJV), continue to use the Textus Receptus as their Greek text source for the New Testament.

NOW that being said... Here is the REAL issue now.

Even if a NEW KJV version would be done using the Textus Receptus TODAY! It would not be as good as the KJV for ONE reason. The men and now "women" translating it are viewing it through the lens of a POST-Feminist Western culture. So they can't help but misinterpret its true meaning. Telling women to submit to their husbands for example in 2023 is NOT socially acceptable.

Part 1

I'll touch on this as briefly as possible...

1. The KJV uses the Textus Receputs other translations don't.

2. Some of the other translations use the Wescott & Hort Greek New Testament those too guys were heretics.

The Westcott and Hort Greek New Testament, also known as the "Critical Text," was a significant edition of the Greek New Testament published in the late 19th century. It represented a departure from the Textus Receptus, which had been the basis for many earlier English translations, such as the King James Version (KJV).

Many modern Bible translations use the Westcott and Hort text or a revised version of it as the basis for their New Testament. Some of the popular Bible translations that use the Westcott and Hort Greek text or a similar critical text include:

1. **Revised Standard Version (RSV)** - The RSV was one of the first major English translations to incorporate critical text principles, including the Westcott and Hort Greek text, when it was published in 1952.

2. **New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)** - The NRSV is an update of the RSV and also uses the Westcott and Hort text as a basis for its New Testament.

3. **English Standard Version (ESV)** - The ESV is a more recent translation that has its roots in the Revised Standard Version and the Westcott and Hort text.

4. **Common English Bible (CEB)** - The CEB, published in 2011, also relies on the critical text tradition, which includes the Westcott and Hort Greek text.

5. **New International Version (NIV)** - While the NIV is not based directly on the Westcott and Hort text, it incorporates elements of modern textual criticism and is influenced by critical text principles.

6. **New American Standard Bible (NASB)** - The NASB is another translation that relies on modern critical editions of the Greek New Testament and is influenced by the Westcott and Hort text.

When we abide in the Christian doctrine, we give proof of the reality of our faith.

Jema thank you so much for your concern and kind words. I understand the reason for your concern, as well as Ronald's.

But Jema I have been a believer that the KJB is the pure preserved Word of God for many years, I just recently found that channel (Truth is Christ) and the one thing it did for me was confirm that the KJB is the Inspired Word of God! God has put His signature throughout the KJB, and only in the KJB. If God did preserve His Words in a book then don't you think He could, or would leave proof in that book in ways we really don't understand with our human minds? ( Dan 12:4) says "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased". The book is sealed until the time of the end, then knowledge shall be increased! We are living the time of the end NOW!

( Isa 55:8-9) Our thoughts cannot compare to the thoughts of God.

Here is just 2 examples of God's signature in the KJB.

1st) The words God + Jesus + Holy Spirit are mentioned 777+777+777 times in the New Testament! The word (seven) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) charge (by an oath, with an oath) take an oath. ( Ps 12:6-7) The words of the LORD are pure words, purified ((seven)) times!

2nd) Jesus says in ( Rev 22:13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

The first word in the first verse of the Bible is (In) the last word in the last verse of the Bible is (Amen) these two words are mentioned in the Bible 777 times!

Do you think a man's mind did that, or do you think that God did that?

Ronald was concerned about divination, Isn't divination witchcraft? I believe this is the way God signed His Name in His pure, preserved Words, it has nothing to do with witchcraft. It is IN the Word of God!

This is Conformation that God was in control of the KJB being translated into the English language in 1611!

God Bless you Jema.

Thank you for your reply, all I know for me since I have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit it has brought me closer to the Lord. When I pray for things after awhile I get to a point I just do not know what to pray for, or how to pray after spending time with God, or how to get even closer while praying and singing, then that's when I begin to speak in other tongues, and it may go on for quite a while, but it gives me power and strength from within and more confident to do God's will for my life. I have been to a smaller church many years ago, where the gifts of the Spirit were at work in the church, and God's Spirit moved so freely within that church and lives were changed for the better, I sure miss that church. Take care, and may God bless you.

I will answer this in reverse at first to make a point. What evidences to we have that show that the churches which do openly practice tongues (in particular) are living in more holiness than church members elsewhere who don't practice this? Generally speaking; it seems the same number of parishioners divorce; conversations often are on worldly things outside services; etc. There seems to be no more impact in new converts or evangelistic street witnessing efforts as well as other venues. We don't see healings occuring when preaching in hospitals; prisons; etc at any greater level than with other churches in many cases.

First off; I don't tell God what "signs and wonders" gifts He is capable of doing today; nor use the verse 1 Cor. 13:10 to justify cessation of gifts (just new scriptures after Revelation). On the other hand; when we look at medical verification of healings (also valid with such verses as Luke 17:14 when the Priests were to ascertain a true healing) we see few healings corroborated beyond hearsay. We cannot deny megachurches and the "fithly lucre" ( 1 Peter 5:2) that often shows bad fruit of the Pastors and leaders there motivating individuals to name "healing ministries" after themselves. We also cannot ignore how rarely most churches attempt any interpretation of tongues; and how often the same pattern of babbling seems to infect a crowd; rather than an unknown earthly language that edifies others; or a heavenly language that seems distinct. If we keep in mind Paul's admomitions about a few clear words than 10,000 unknown (1 Corithians 14:19) and things are done decently and in order; OR in our personal prayer alone then I certainly am open to tongues.

As far as teaching and wisdom most believers certainly seek these gifts. Those on the mission field have for decades reported more dramatic things such as visions and dreams particularly among Muslims about Christ. God will perform works in His timing to suit His purposes.

Agape.

um, ok.. so in your ark of noah statement, you meant to say it took 120 days to build the ark?.. instead of 120 years?.. hey man, I was just pointing out you may want to change the "mistake".. geesh man, read it for yourself..

Richard,

Thank you for your comments, but I don't think that you are understanding what I'm trying to articulate. Look at my comments to Jimbob: Jimbob was saying that the true translation is the KJV. I responded that the holy bible is only a book, and that the TRUE Word of God is The Holy Spirit not a book of paper and ink, thus translation doesn't mean much because God (The Holy Spirit) makes things make sense rather than a book. Jimbob replied back that the holy bible is more than just a book, (true by the way). Then I said in response to that, that I Love the holy bible and that I only speak against it, NOT out of any I'll will, but ONLY because many people can't tell that the holy bible is NOT God, for God created the holy bible and we are to Worship The Creator NOT the created!

Now, to your response: You go on about how important accurate translation is from the original text so that we may accurately get all patterns and mysteries (cryptic messages numbers of letters etc). To all that I see where you are coming from, in fact I had a conversation with God about this very issue! I point to Jeremiah 8:8-9 and ask, "Father! How can I believe the holy bible when you rebuke the lying pen of the scribes!" My Father said to me "Am I God?", to which I replied "Yes Father." Then He said, "Then accept that though man has changed scripture, I Am God and they have not changed it beyond usefulness." Thus, The True Word of God, (that which He placed in my heart) is intact. Let me be even clearer, The Holy Spirit tells me what to pay attention to and how to lose" it!

Forgot to add the Firebible which is where I got what I posted for you. I think you'd love the KJV Firebible notes.

Brother John ray,

No worries... The most IMPORTANT thing to do is read your Bible. Those are God's Holy words that speak to our hearts and help us grow. As you study His Words you will grow spiritually and it will help you defend yourself from false teaching. Take it one book at a time. Attending a good Protestant church preferably where the bible is preached at the pulpit. Don't hate the commentaries... I've used them and I've learned a lot. Matthew Henry's Commentary is nice, C.I. Scofield's notes and BBC Bible Believer's Commentary are all pretty popular.

We are here to help also if you have questions.

May the blessings of the Lord be upon you.

Further comment

In regard to the previous conundrum; it is clear that there is no perfect word for word translation from the Hebrew; Greek or Aramaic to the English language. Therefore; we can get closer to the original text; or closer to understandable English for sentence composition and keep a balance to preserve the basic integrity of the text. Greek has MORE meanings to the same word so that often we can say several different words for the meaning. Certain words such as and; but etc can be added to make more sense; and Paul's famous "run on" sentences can be shortened a bit to maintain sanity.

Obviously the 1611 version and older Tyndale etc are very hard to understand. The biggest issue for other more modern versions is care needs to be taken so that Christ isn't somehow reduced from being part of the Godhead. Certain politically skewed versions clearly are spurious and need to be avoided.

One other issue is older vs newer commentaries; for instance before the 20th Century no one knew Israel would become a nation again although some were able to ascertain the fact from prophetic truths. The church was often subtituted for Israel; and a Pope said to be Antichrst (who today is more apt to be the False Prophet). There is no doubt that many justified Holy Wars based on a militant church rather than holding to the admonition of Christ that His Kingdom is not of this world. I would say that concepts of Predestination the Reformers revisited are crucial points; but again any doctrine can't be divorced from the rest of scripture (such as the need for Repentance; and Holy living).

In the end; the countless thousands of cross references between the Old and New Testament show how it functions as one book; despite centuries between the lives of the authors we see numerous fulfilled prophecies and many yet to come for the Millennium and beyond related to Christ; Israel and the church.

Hope some of this helps.

Agape; Rich P

There seems to be a lot of communication issues here! If we are to study scripture; we of course can start with the Pantateuch (or the first five books of the O.T. from Genesis to Deuteronomy. In the ORIGINAL hebrew scrolls things were copied and counted letter for letter; and if the copy was off by even ONE letter the whole manuscript would be trashed and it would be started again!

With the prophecies and other quoted references in the New Testament so well integrated and inextricable from the Old testament; as well as similar patterns seen in the New Testament (some of these relating to mysterious patterns of repeated cryptic messages skipping the same number of letters); not to mention historical proofs show the New Testament as well is the Word of God.

We of course have the immense number of manuscripts which remain; ultimately we have to trust the 1st Century scholars who rejected spurious texts such as the Gospel of Thomas or Judas and other such things; much as the Apocrypha was correctly left out of Holy Writ because of either errant doctrines (such as praying for the dead in Maccabees).

The New Testament accounts vary based on the emphasis of the author; and certain books have details about events that aren't i others. A few examples exist where the original manuscript may have an issue with a section (such as the later part of the woman at the well). It is possible at tines that similar events could seem the same. Many things are in more than one Gospel; such as His rule on divorce (not allowed in Luke and Mark); mentioned twice in Matthew with the "fornication" clause for an exception. Matthew has the complete sermon on the mount; others parts of it. The Lord's prayer is in Matthew with a slightly abbreviated version in Luke (again this is only a model or type of prayer). Geneology is emphasizing different things in Matthew and Luke as well; (Joseph in Matthew; Mary in part for Luke). Each Gospel writer is verified by historical record.

Thank you for responding I think when I text that I was standing a little bit unknown the Lord for two decades I've not been a good server I've only really got into learning scripture in the last 7 years I read what I text and I realized that it would be nice to have somebody to talk to in person but there is nobody sorry I wish that I could give you scripture to let you know that I do know some stuff but I'm not good in that thank you for the scriptures I will look them up thank you again

Zechariah 7

Verse 3 states:

"And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?"

Verse 4-6 state: 4 Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying, 5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

We are reminded here of parallel passages in Isaiah 58; verse 4 states "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."

Zechariah 7:9-10 goes on to say 9 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: 10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

Again in Isaiah 58:6-7 we see simiilar admonitions: 6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

We can see here in the rest of this chapter in Zechariah the results which were the captivity; in the Isaiah passage the end of that chapter talks about blessings should they heed a correct fast in their worship. These are all things we should take into consideration if we find ourselves going through the motions of worship without putting our heart into it. Revelation 2:4 is a good warning for our example in this matter.

Science after the days of Galileo wants to believe the truth only after it is proved correct. Whereas God is only knowable through his word which is inerrant. So Science and religion speak altogether different things. In Christ is the fulness so even stemcells cloned or a cyborg is created must come under his sovereignty. A man with heart valves taken from a pig in the lab does not mean whether pigs have a soul or not. It is man's faith that determines the question of his salvation. Fellowship of God is with Man, his Son and whsoever believes in him.

PART 5

(7) It must be emphasized that while spiritual backsliding is a danger for all who drift from faith in Christ ( Heb 2:1-3) and turn away from God (6:6), ultimate apostasy resulting in the hopeless condition described in the previous point does not occur without constant and deliberate resistance against the Holy Spirit (see Mt 12:31, note on sin against the Holy Spirit). Just as we are not saved by our own works and efforts, but by God's grace (see Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5), neither are we fully condemned to separation from God by our actions alone (although we will be judged by them; 2Co 5:10). People are saved spiritually by accepting God's grace and putting their faith in Christ; and people are condemned spiritually by rejecting (or simply not accepting) God's grace and refusing to put their faith in Christ (cf. 12:15, 25; Ac 19:19; 2Th 2:10; Rev 16:9). Refusing to have faith in God can be expressed in several ways, including refusing to believe in God, refusing to rely on God, refusing to take God at his Word, refusing to admit the wrongness of our own way, refusing to accept God's way of spiritual salvation through Christ alone and refusing to accept God's help and involvement in our lives. A person who allows his or her heart to become hardened or rebellious toward God by refusing him in any of these ways is in serious danger of rejecting God permanently (3:12).

PART 4

(6) If spiritual "backsliding" (i.e., neglecting or abandoning one's faith and personal relationship with Christ) continues on its course without change, individuals may eventually reach the point where no new beginning is possible. That is to say, they will not be able to start over and renew their faith in God because no one is able to do this on their own apart from God's grace and the power of his Holy Spirit. (a) Those who once had a saving experience with Christ but deliberately and continually harden their hearts to the Spirit's voice ( Heb 3:7-19), continue to sin willfully ( Heb 10:26) and refuse to turn from their own way back to God may reach a point of no return where repentance and salvation are no longer possible ( Heb 6:4-6; see Dt 29:18-21, note; 1Sa 2:25, note; Pr 29:1, note). There is a limit to God's patience (see 1Sa 3:11-14; Mt 12:31-32; 2Th 2:9-11; Heb 10:26-29, 31; 1Jn 5:16). (b) This point of no return cannot be defined in advance. The only safeguard against the danger of ultimate (i.e., full and final) apostasy is to take this warning seriously: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" ( Heb 3:7-8, 15; 4:7).

PART 3

(4) Examples of actual apostasy can be found in Ex 32; 2Ki 17:7-23; Ps 106; Isa 1:2-4; Jer 2:1-9; Ac 1:25; Gal 5:4; 1Ti 1:18-20; 2Pe 2:1, 15, 20-22; Jude 1:4, 11-13; see article on The Age of the Antichrist, for comments on apostasy predicted to occur within the church in the last days before Christ returns to take the faithful in his churches from the world.

(5) The steps that lead to apostasy are as follows:

(a) Believers-those who have accepted God's forgiveness and entered a personal relationship with him through faith in Christ-become spiritually unconcerned, resistant or outright rebellious. These individuals show their unbelief by failing to take seriously all of the truths, challenges, warnings, promises and teachings of God's Word ( Mk 1:15; Lk 8:13; Jn 5:44, 47; 8:46).

(b) If the realities and desires of the world become a higher priority than the realities and desires of God's kingdom and purposes, then believers gradually cease to recognize and experience companionship with God through Christ ( Heb 4:16; 7:19, 25; 11:6).

(c) Because of the deceitfulness of sin (i.e., anything that offends or defies God or falls short of his standard), believers become increasingly tolerant of sin in their own lives ( 1Co 6:9-10; Eph 5:5; Heb 3:13). They no longer love what is right and hate what is wrong (see Heb 1:9, note).

(d) Their hearts become spiritually hardened ( Heb 3:8, 13), resistant and unresponsive to God. Eventually, they openly reject his way (3:10), ignoring the repeated inner voice and rebuke of the Holy Spirit ( Eph 4:30; 1Th 5:19-22).

(e) The Holy Spirit becomes grieved ( Eph 4:30; cf. Heb 3:7-8), his fire is "put out" ( 1Th 5:19) and his temple (i.e., the person's body and life) is violated ( 1Co 3:16). As a result, the Holy Spirit eventually departs from the believer's life (Jdg 16:20; Ps 51:11; Ro 8:13; 1Co 3:16-17; Heb 3:14).

PART 2

(2) The Christian faith is primarily about relationship to and companionship with God. The Bible speaks of God as the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son and those who accept Christ by faith as God's family and children (Ro 8:14-17). This means that spiritual salvation through faith in Christ is personal, relational and requires our individual response. God's grace (i.e., his unearned and undeserved favor, love and spiritual enablement)-made available through the personal sacrifice of Christ-is enough to forgive and save us spiritually and to sustain our relationship with God. In Jesus' illustration about the vine and the branches ( Jn 15:1-8), the believer (branch) who remains united in relationship with Christ (vine) is spiritually secure and has life. However, if that believer becomes spiritually rebellious or faithless toward God and chooses to break from his or her grace-union with Christ, then he or she becomes cut off from the source of life. A person who remains in this condition will, in the end, lose the privilege of living eternally in the presence of God, just as one who never accepted Christ (cf. Jn 15:6).

(3) The Bible gives urgent warnings about this serious and sobering possibility. These warnings are designed both to alert us to the deadly danger of abandoning our union with Christ and to motivate us to remain faithful and obedient to him. We must not ignore or treat lightly God's purpose for these warnings and develop the attitude that says, "the warnings are real, but the possibility of actual apostasy is not." Rather, we must take these warnings seriously, realizing that they apply in a very real sense to how we use our time on earth until we receive our full, complete and final salvation in eternity with God. A few of the many NT passages that warn us are: Mt 24:4-5, 11-13; Lk 12:46; Jn 15:1-6; Ac 14:21-22; Ro 11:17-21; 1Co 15:1-2; Col 1:23; 1Ti 4:1, 16; 6:10-12; 2Ti 4:2-5; Heb 2:1-3; 3:7-19; 4:1, 6-7; 6:4-9; 10:26-31; 12:25; Jas 5:19-20; 2Pe

PART 1

Heb 3:12 "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."

Apostasy (Gk apostasia) appears twice in the NT as a noun (Ac 21:21; 2Th 2:3). But here in Heb 3:12 it is used as a verb (Gk aphistemi, meaning to "turn away"). The Greek term literally means "standing away" from God, and it relates to spiritual rebellion, abandonment, withdrawal or turning from what one has previously believed and experienced in a relationship with Christ. It typically involves denying a once sincere faith, disowning Jesus and abandoning the body of Christ (i.e., the church community), although some who have turned their backs on a relationship with Christ may still pretend to be part of the church. Apostasy is the consequence of a willing and deliberate choice to "turn away from the living God" (3:12).

(1) To apostatize means to break off from one's saving relationship with Christ or to withdraw from union with and faith in him (see article on Faith and Grace). For this reason, individual apostasy (as differentiated from a group, church, people or nation rejecting God) is possible only for those who have first experienced God's forgiveness and been spiritually "born again" ( Jn 3:3-7) and renewed through a personal relationship with Christ (cf. Lk 8:13; 6:4-5; 10:29). Apostasy is not simply a denial of NT belief and teaching by those in the church who do not truly have a personal relationship with Christ. In fact, apostasy may involve two separate but related stages of rejection: (a) theological apostasy, which is a rejection of all or some of the original teachings of Christ and those used by God to write his Word ( 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 4:3) and (b) moral apostasy, which involves a former believer willingly breaking away from a personal relationship with Christ and becoming spiritually enslaved again to sin and its lifestyle ( Isa 29:13; Mt 23:25-28; Ro 6:15-23; 8:6-13).

Ronald Whittemore

I do appreciate your opinion Ronald but I really do need to reply, but not to debate. I only hold the KJB high because I see it as the True Word of God. Wouldn't you if you believed that?

You said these videos are using numerology to prove an opinion. Ronald these videos are using the Words in the KJB to prove those Words are Inspired by God Himself.

These patterns work only in the KJB, and they show us God's number of perfection, the #7 or 77, or 777 connecting in many many different ways with His name. In ( Ps 138:2) It says "for thou hast magnified (THY WORD) above all thy name".

Why is it so hard for people to believe that God would Inspire and preserve His Word in a Bible for the last generation just like He did in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts?

If the preservation is only in the manuscripts then what good does that do us today?

I think the Spirit of truth is the KJB! ( Jn 16:13-15) "when the Spirit of truth is come "he will guide you into all truth"; for he will not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come".

The Comforter is the Holy Ghost in ( Jn 14:26) "he will teach you all things".

If the Spirit of truth is the KJB then the only way for the Holy Ghost to teach us all things is for us to have or be using the Spirit of truth!

John chapters 14 through 16 are very worthy of deep studies.

The English language is the second language of pretty much every single nation in the world. If God did preserve His Words doesn't it make sense it would be in the English language which also is connected with the greatest Christian nation in the world?

( Mt 24:14) "And this gospel of the kingdom SHALL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come".

The greatest Christian nation in the world is the only way this verse could be fulfilled in this world today!

This is not meant for debate Ronald.

And I really do appreciate your comment.

Blessings to you.

Rainwalker,

We are subject to earth time while with Omnipresent God time is of no concern. The Spirit gives us a reconstituted time where the Son who was with God from the beginning as well as his humanity are to be integrated. This calls for time on a different scale. This is what St Peter writes, "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Pe.3:8) Moses also refers to it. " For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Ps.90:4) Now is the day of Salvation, is a warning for us. Whereas our calling in his Son is set in His time. So we are nitpicking to speak of time that we cannot really understand. Faith is what we require.

Why do so many churches not believe or teach the 9 gifts of the Spirit, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking with other tongues?

Hi Jimbob,

I considered greatly whether to reply, I read and study the KJV, and I believe it is one of the best English translations. This is in love, and I am not looking to debate, I understand how high you hold the KJV and that should not be debated. I watched the video you listed, and I watched a couple more, do not know his name. You asked for other opinions on it and this is my opinion not to debate or insult but just my opinion.

My opinion is this is using numerology to prove an opinion. Do not know if you remember the Torah code it was years ago. It used a program that picked every fourth or seventh letter of the Torah to predict an event or a name in history and it did. Come to find out this can be done using any book that has many pages. The symbolic numbers found in the Bible are easily identified and plainly understood.

Numerology is a part of divination that we are told not to deal with. Why would someone spend so much time going through the Bible counting words trying to prove something that does not do anything but mystify and say Wow? Acts 8:9-11 not directed at you it is just the feelings I got from watching the videos.

I have read other Bibles and I choose the KJV, but we have to admit it is a translation and it is not perfect. I will not get into what manuscripts they used but whatever Bible we study the Spirit of Truth is our only teacher and only through the Spirit, we will have understanding.

I know my opinion may not be what yours is but think about this. The KJV is an English translation, in the world today 20 percent or less of people can speak English much less read it. If the KJV is the only true translation, what about the other 80 percent of the people in the world?

This is just my opinion you asked for, please do not reply to debate it.

God bless,

RLW