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JUNE 2009

To the true brethren, Grace to you and peace through Abba Father and His Son Jesus Christ,

It has been amazing to discover how much the church has drifted away from its early beliefs and understandings. Most of this change came because carnal men wanted to inject their personal views into the translations from the original languages. These writers were compelled by official church doctrines that were established by religious beings disregarding the inspired Word of God. Most of the official doctrines were designed to control the people through fear. Since no one had a Bible but the leadership, how could the laity know any different?

Men are tampering with our Bibles by rendering their own interpretations and not literally translating the script as written. There are almost countless translations today with more coming out every year. It has come to the point of confusion to know which translation to use. Some of the translations have doctored particular passages that do not agree with certain popular beliefs. As a result of this mess, there are those folks who insist that the Old King James Bible is the one and only translation to use, and if you use any other Bible, you are in serious error, maybe even a heretic.

After only a few centuries, the early church legitimized financial schemes such as having members pay penance for certain favors, torturing those who disagreed with the doctrine and even justified killing defectors from the faith.

Today, the religious kingdoms bilk believers of their monies with slick promises of prosperity if they give to their ministry and invisibly kill their gullible audiences with constructed fantasies of the carnal mind such as the popular “rapture” teaching that appeals to those who hope to escape the work of the cross in their lives.

Although most of the words are still there in everyone’s Bible, it has been abridged by false teachers building into the listeners and readers minds their interpretations of what they want the Word to say. So now we no longer must observe Pentecost with silly tongue speaking. God no longer wants to heal but prefers we submit to a faulty and inferior system for our cures.

A preacher recently wrote in his article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

“As the New Testament draws to a close, there are fewer and fewer recorded miracles, because once the truth had been delivered, confirmed and recorded, there was no more need for them (Jude 3). Satan does ‘lying wonders, miracles and signs that deceive’ (2 Thess. 2:9-10). There are no genuine miracles (raising the dead, restoring withered arms, etc.) performed today because there is no need.”

In other words, all miracles today are satanic. The Lord doesn’t do them. God has stopped such. Incredible! Even more incredible is how many, many Christians believe this.

Perhaps, most subtle of all is the strongly held belief of eternal hell, a view that was developed in the third century or so by religious leaders who disregarded the Greek language and saw a way to control dissidents through fear. This doctrine is loaded with emotional and irrational anger to the point that we have Christians who say they will enjoy looking to hell and seeing the wicked unbelievers being tormented in anguish. But, remember they say, “God is love.” Is there a hell—yes. Will souls remain in hell—no.

Before you burn or delete this writing, please, get your Bible (even the King James edition) and do a comprehensive study on the word “eternal” and “hell.” Ask the Lord to know the truth and listen for His answer.

We have a recent teaching on our website www.keyministries.org called “Eternity and Hell” that has more about this.
What is a sincere, truth seeking believer to do?

The answer, as always, is found in the Scriptures, regardless of the translation. These verses are from the more reliable Young’s Literal Translation .

And when He may come—the Spirit of truth—He will guide you to all the truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but as many things as He will hear He will speak, and the coming things He will tell you; He will glorify me, because of mine He will take, and will tell to you. (John 16:13-14 YLT)

And the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and remind you of all things that I said to you. (John 14:26 YLT)

The key element to understanding the Word of God is the Holy Spirit. I believe this is one reason Jesus breathed on the disciples (see John 20:22) before the day of Pentecost. They needed enough of the Holy Spirit to begin to better understand the Scriptures as they waited for the fulfillment of the baptism of Holy Spirit. Remember Jesus said to them in Matthew 13 that they had been given to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom. Five thousand on a hillside did not get it because it had not been given to them to do so. Truly understanding God’s Word to us, even in written form, is a supernatural thing; otherwise, we are left with so many of the screwy teachings and doctrines of the day.

Should I throw away most of my different translations of the Bible? Certainly not. Just realize as you read you need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. He’s the perfect interpreter and will warn you when something has been tampered with. He will lead you into the truth. That’s part of His commission.

Obtain a literal translation and compare the passages you read with other translations. Most students of the Word know about Strong’s Concordance and use it to go to the original language’s meaning, but even the good brother’s work has been contaminated by religious influence.

For instance, compare the two following passages from the King James Bible and Young’s Literal Translation:

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11 KJV)

“That there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly places, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, according to a purpose of the ages , which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11 YLT)

“But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. ” (Matthew 3:29 KJV)

“But whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness—to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment .” (Matthew 3:29 YLT)

As you can readily see, there is quite a difference in the two translations. The word “eternal” as injected into our Bibles is interpreted to mean without ending; on the other hand, we see the true translation of the original language has the meaning of having ending. Of course, God is an everlasting God, but He has a plan for the ages. We now live in one of these ages.

If you do not have access to a Young’s Literal Translation, you can find a literal translation of the New Testament on the internet at http://concordant.org/version/CLNT_Intro.htm .

People are deceived because they are not students of God’s Word. It is too easy to listen to a preacher or teacher and not verify what has been said or written. I tell the brethren I teach to always check me out and let me know if I miss it. I have always wanted the truth, no matter what. I have no reputation to protect and no fear of correcting anything I have taught or written. So much of the teaching today is B.S., which means “Better Study.”

Finally, be aware that you have to really want to know the truth even if it reveals that what you have believed has been wrong—even if it came from your denominational position. Majority does not rule here nor does IQ. Humility, desire and submissiveness make-up the soil of good ground where there is one-hundred, sixty and thirty-fold return of the fruit of the Spirit.

Be teachable and be ready to change.

Stephen