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What Bible to Use?
by Wayne Childress I know that this can be a very touchy subject for some but I ask that you read it through and think on it some. Let the Spirit inside you be your guide and not the traditions of men even if that causes you to be mocked. It may seem redundant to some but I will start simple. I think, hope, we all agree that the Bible is as close as we can get to a record of the infallible Word of God. Moreover, that Jesus is the Word made flesh. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1:1 We as Christians must let Jesus into our heart. We are converted and healed we are to see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and understand with our hearts. For this people's heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:15) (Reference to Isaiah 6:9/10) We have the Holy Spirit in us. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him for he dwells with you and shall be in you. (John 14:17) The Holy Spirit is always with us. And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. (John 14:16) We have the Holy Spirit to guide us to truth. So when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you in all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but, whatever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13) We have the Holy Spirit to tell us about Jesus who is the Word. ` But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. (John 15:26) We have the Holy Spirit to tell us about Jesus who is the Word who is the truth. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me. (John 14:6) God's word is truth. Sanctify them through your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17) Jesus is the light of the world. We also have and are of that light. Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world. He that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14) Now if you add that all up it tells me that we all, Christians, have Jesus, the truth, the light, the word, the word of God, in us hence the one true Bible is in us. Bear with me here please an analogical twist is coming. What if you consider the book you hold before as a mirror. It reflects what is inside you the truth, the word, the light, which is untouched by the hand of man. Your mirror may differ from your neighbors but it reflects the same truth, same word, same light. But, no mirror made by man is perfect. My research shows that chapters were not introduced to the Bible until 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro and verse divisions were not added until 1551 by Robertus Stephanus. Most of the original documents would not even have had punctuation. Hence, no modern version is a match to theirs Satan must be laughing when Brothers argue over where God "really" put the comma! Now for some questions: Can any Christian believe that there was no truth, no word, no light, until a king, just a man, said so in 1611? Did not the earlier Christians have a "New Testament" from which an English version was later translated before, during, and after 1611? Can any Christian believe that there was no truth, no word, no light, until man recently discovered more scrolls or learned better language skills and "updated" things? Is the NKJV less than the KJV because it translated Old English to Modern English? Is a repentant sinner who accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior and confesses Christ before man in danger because he only had access to one "version" of the Bible? What if they had no Bible at all? The Bible itself reveals that we are missing many Old Testament books that were once a part of Scripture. What if the "books" are all just mirrors? Some mirrors are better than others; but, each may have slight imperfections. God did protect His Holy Word from man - we carry it in us and it is perfect! Our manmade mirrors probably aren't. Hence the warning: For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add to these things God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 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, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18/19) I personally love e-sword. Why? Because it lets me see in multiple mirrors at the same time! I can compare what I see. Moreover, e-sword has mirror cleaners too dictionaries, concordances, and encyclopedias. These cleaners help me figure out which mirror might be reflecting a little unclear in a given area. In addition, e-sword has a swivel stand too commentaries I can use to see the mirror at a different angle so as to see multiple views of the reflection. Now, here is another question for you. Would you buy a product from a company that had several of their own sales reps running down the product of the other? Doubtful. However, the competitor of that company would love it! What do you think happens in the mind of an unbeliever when he sees or hears all the internal company squabbling over whose "version" is the only "good" one? Show the unbeliever the real one- it's in you. Let them see your light. Share it and maybe they will want the light for themselves. Study whatever version you have at hand and do so with prayer and the guidance of the Spirit within you. Finally, what is the only perfect thing in this world God. We are imperfect vessels carrying within us a perfect light reflected by imperfect mirrors. Why cast a shadow on a fellow believers light? Jesus warns us: Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. (Luke 11:35) In Brotherly Love, Wayne A Challenge If you still believe the book you hold is the only true and complete word of God please help me (and thousands of believing scholars) find the precise Old Testament passages quoted in the New Testament for all the following: 1. James 4:5 - Or do you think that vainly the Scripture says, The spirit which has dwelt in us yearns to envy? 2. John 7:38 - The one believing into Me, as the Scripture said, Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water. 3. Matthew 2:23 - And coming, he lived in a city called Nazareth, so as to fulfill that spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. 4. Luke 24:46 - and said to them, So it is written, and so the Christ must suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. and that He was buried, and that He was raised the third day, according to the Scriptures, 5. Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when He brought the First-born into the world, He said, "And let all the angels of God worship Him." For a compilation of New Testament references to the Old Testament or a compilation of Jesus' references to the Old Testament visit the free downloads section of my website. Copyright 2013 Thepathtolight.com thepathtolight.com [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |