Recently I had a conversation with a gentleman who related several instances in his life that seemed to be miraculous interventions. Because of these experiences he ascented to being a believer. When I asked him if he read the Bible, however; he related that he didn’t because of all the different interpretations out there.  In his view, the Bible was not reliable.  His experiences were his authority.

It is always interesting to me when individuals can relate to Jesus, but cannot relate to His written word. The written word is where we get our information concerning Christianity and Jesus Christ.  

If we study how much the Lord quoted the Scripture and how He referenced it’s written authority, we have to conclude that the Lord Jesus identified Himself with Scripture and that the Old Testament Scripture is full of references to Jesus the Messiah.

To believe in Jesus Christ and hold a low view of the Bible at the same time is an oxymoron.  It is a contradiction.  To deny the written word is to deny Christ. 

Speaking concerning the Scriptures, Christ said; “…..these are they which testify of me and ye will not come to me that ye might have life.”

The Bible is reliable and trustworthy.

Up until the middle of the last century, the oldest manuscripts of the Old Testament, that we possessed, were dated about 1000 AD. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, we suddenly had manuscripts that predated Christ.  

As the Bible scholars compared those Old testament manuscripts to the texts we have today, they found them to be ninety-five percent in agreement. The five percent discrepancy had nothing to do with doctrinal teaching.

The New Testament manuscripts are all about quantity and families of manuscripts.  When a holy man of God, an apostle, wrote a letter as he was moved by the Holy Spirit to a particular church, it was copied and redistributed not only to the church for which it was intended, but to other churches as well.  

These letters were treated as they claimed to be, as from God. These letters were instructions from God and were received as such by the churches.

As the letters from the apostles were sent out and redistributed, families of manuscripts were created and preserved.  These letter manuscripts were not always saved complete.  Sometimes there were only pieces of letters that survived, but there were many of them.

The quantities of these families of manuscripts made it possible for scholars not only to study and compare them for authentication and genuineness, but to know with accuracy what the complete letter contained.  

In some cases there are more writings available for authentication of the New Testament books than there are for many ancient secular writings.  In other words, the case for the historicity of many New Testament books is stronger than it is for some of the ancient Greek philosophers.

For those who argue that the Bible, as we have it, is unreliable and subject to the errors of oral tradition, you and I may say with confidence; that is simply not the case.  

The Bible, because of what it claims for itself, has been subject to the utmost skepticism and scrutiny.  Through it all the Scripture has survived as the most printed and published book in the history of mankind.   

As a Christian, you and I need not apologize for believing the Bible. The burden of proof is upon those who would deny it.

When I was a young father, the burden of my responsibility for our four children often weighed heavily on me, making it difficult to go to sleep at night.  

During that time I came across some verses that enabled me to rest in the Lord’s provision and protection.  I’d like to share them with you.

• The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord.  Proverbs 21:31
• What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  Psalm 56:3
• The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe.  Proverbs 18:10
• I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8
• The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.  Psalm 34:7
• Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  Joshua 1:9
• Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10

The verses quoted above from Psalms and Proverbs are general statements of truth that are available for all believer’s benefit.

It is important to understand that many of the promises in the context of Scripture are addressed to specific individuals. The references quoted from Joshua and Isaiah are two examples.

We cannot claim these promises as our own unless there is a general principle or truth taught throughout Scripture common to these promises and therefore available to all believers.  

In Joshua 1:9 God promises that He will be with Joshua wherever he goes.  The New Testament promise from God to believers is; I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5b).  Believers can therefore claim Joshua 1:9, because God’s promise to Joshua is also His promise to all believers.

Isaiah 41:10 has a similiar parallel to Philippians 4:13 where Paul declares; I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Claiming promises in the Old Testament, which were made to Israel concerning the possession of lands, borders, etc, and applying them to your present day purchasing decisions is improper Bible interpretation, and is pulling verses out of context. Don’t be surprised if you regret decisions made under such circumstances.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which was planted;

A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace……Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

…..But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,  Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ……Galatians 4:4-7

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.  Hosea 10:12

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.  Revelation 1:3

For he says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”  Behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

The proper way for a man to pray, said Deacon Lemuel Keys, 

The only proper attitude is down upon his knees.

No, I should say the way to pray, said Reverend Dr. Wise,

Is standing straight with outstretched arms,

And rapt and upturned eyes.

Oh no, no, no! said Elder Snow, such posture is too proud.  

A man should pray with eyes fast-closed and head contritely bowed.

It seems to me his hands should be austerely clasped in front,

With both thumbs pointing to the ground, said Reverend Dr. Blunt.

Last year I fell in Hodgin’s well head first, said Cyril Brown,

With both my heels a stickin’ up, my head a pointin’ down; 

And I done prayed right then and there, best prayer I ever said,

The prayin’est prayer I ever prayed, a standin’ on my head.

                                                             by Sam Walter Foss (1858 – 1911)

Love is a choice.  God is love.  He is without sin.  God is never wrong.  His choices are always right.  He is always perfect and true.  We are not.

In Scripture, God makes the statement; I have loved Jacob but Esau have I hated.  The simple difference between the two brothers is God’s choice.  God chose Jacob over Esau.

Jacob, as crooked and self-serving as he was, still recognized the spiritual value of the birthright that belonged to Esau as the firstborn.  Esau despised his birthright.  He sold it for a bowl of stew.  God chose Jacob to receive His blessing.  God loved Jacob.

Forgiveness is something that can only be given to the guilty.  If you’ve never done anything wrong, you will not able to experience forgiveness.  When God forgives, He removes our sin as far from us as the east is from the west.  He remembers our iniquity no more.  If we know God, we are to forgive.  He that cannot or will not forgive, will not be forgiven.

At another time and in another place, not long after becoming a Christian, God gave a young man an opportunity to help a friend and neighbor.  This new Christian had just come home from work one evening when he encountered a friend and neighbor coming from his parked vehicle.  The neighbor was crying.

Knowing something was not right and being concerned for him, the young man asked what was wrong.  His neighbor shared with him a gut wrenching story.

The neighbor’s “best friend” had called the neighbor’s wife and told her that she was the one he had always loved.  Foolishly she agreed to meet him at a motel.

Overcome by grief and guilt, she confessed to her husband that evening what she had done.  Enraged, he had ripped off his wedding ring, thrown it at her and left.  It was then that the young Christian met him outside.

The young Christian had no counseling experience.  Having just gotten right with God himself, the only thing he knew to tell his neighbor was that he should forgive his wife.  After what seemed to them like hours of walking up and down the road, the neighbor finally decided that he would forgive her.

In the days and weeks following, there was never a happier couple with their little one.  The neighbor took his wife and child, moved to another part of the country and their family grew.

What made this possible?  Well, they were both Christians.  She made a terrible mistake, but she could not continue in it.  He was devastated, but he was able to forgive as he had been forgiven.

They both chose to do the right thing.  She chose to repent and confess, even though it was a terrible thing to acknowledge.  He chose to forgive and to love her even though he was devastated by her actions.  God can and will bless obedience and faith.

Incidentally, the young Christian’s neighbor later told him that when they met outside the apartment that evening, he had just put a gun in his car, and he was going to visit his “best friend”.

God likely saved a man’s life that night, as well as a father, a marriage, and a family, with her choice to repent, and with his choice to forgive.

Love never fails.

                                            My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus blood and righteousness; 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood; 

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in Him be found.  

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand

All other ground is sinking sand. 

All other ground is sinking sand.

                                                                     WORDS: Edward Mote, 1797 – 1874

Giving thanks is a characteristic of being filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:20).

As a characteristic of being filled by the Holy Spirit, giving thanks is not a once a year thing.

Spirit filled thanksgiving is always being thankful for all things. That takes in a lot of territory.  It is also very convicting.

If we believe that God is sovereign, that He is always in control, then we can be thankful for the bad, as well as the good, if we love God and are the called according to His purpose.

Note:  What is the opposite of being thankful? 

Does this mean that griping or complaining is sin?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

Holy Bible, Book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine:
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to show a Saviour’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard;
Mine to punish or reward.

Mine to comfort in distress,
Suffering in this wilderness;
Mine to show, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine!

                                                                                           – John Burton

Note: This is one article in a series which builds on one another.  It would be helpful to the reader’s understanding to scroll back and review the previous articles in this series.

Neo-orthodoxy uses biblical terminology but assigns other meanings to biblical terms.  The only way to detect this error is to ask an individual what he means by what he says.

 One must know which Bible doctrines are load bearing walls for the house of Christianity.  The definition of load bearing doctrine must not be compromised, else the house of “Christianity” become red tagged.  

There are some Bible doctrines that Christians can agree to disagree about.  Changing a fundamental (load bearing) doctrine will cause the house of Christianity to collapse, and change what was a church into a religious cult.

Calling a pastor to your church is not to be taken lightly.  The candidate must be examined and asked to define what he believes. He should have the endorsement and recommendation of Bible believing individuals and/or ministries.  He should be proven in his obedience to the written word.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (II John 6, 7, & 9-11)

• The social gospel (elimination of social injustice) is what is left when one ceases to believe in the Biblical message of redemption through the shed blood of Christ.  We are saved by grace through faith in the literal death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus plus nothing.  
• I have literal sin which produces literal guilt, which results in literal judgment, and produces literal death.  I need a literal God who literally loves me enough to literally save me from my literal sin, by literally sending His literal Son to literally die in my literal place, and to be literally buried and literally rise again from the literal dead, and who will literally dress me in His literal righteousness, thus literally forgiving me my literal sin, and literally granting me eternal life, literally making me a literal son and literally allowing me literal access into His literal presence.
• Do you take the Bible literally?

It is my understanding that your religion believes that the Jesus of Scripture is a prophet.  A prophet is a messenger from God.  Do you know what message Jesus Christ delivered to mankind?  What did He say about mankind?  What did He say about Himself?

If your religion believes that Jesus is a prophet, don’t you think you should know what His message is?   You can find that message by reading the Bible.  Obtain a translation of the Bible to study this. Do not use a paraphrase.

It will be helpful for your study to get a red letter edition of the New Testament.  A red letter edition has all the words that Jesus spoke high-lighted in red letters.  A red letter edition of the New Testament will make it easier for you to find His specific message.

Be sure to examine the context around His specific words, because the context always sheds light on the meaning of the passage.

If you have access to the internet, it will be easy to find a red letter edition translation.  Just search for “KJV – New Testament red letter edition” and you can begin your study today.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God…….And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.  John 1:1,2 & 14.