1 Corinthians 15:2c (AKJV) “unless ye have believed in vain.”
How does one come to believe in vain? Are there preventions for one to incorporate too prevent believing in vain? Will God go side saddle on a few lesser points of doctrine and scripture, as long as one tries, i mean really tries, is really sincere in their doings? After all “For God so loved the world”.
Last week had an occurrence take place that left me questioning my own beliefs, even more so. It’s good to have one’s beliefs questioned from time to time, so as to keep one in God’s Word. Be advised though one must be sure that what one holds too is in fact “God’s Word”.
i was in a retail facility making purchases, while in the check-out line i observed a family also in line, behind me. Man/husband, Woman/Wife, three children, aged from about 5 to 10. They were not extravagant nor modest in their attire but dressed appropriately. After some lite conversation with the man, i believed they had been at fellowship. It being Saturday, hadn’t realized that they may have been of Seventh Day, Latter Day or maybe of the Jehovah’s Witness persuasion, what ever. As is my nature, and seeing the dress of this family, asked the young boy a question, then his sister. Was impressed with their answers; they were quick to reply, forthright, respectful. i saw this as a family with good values and that i should commend the father of his family’s conversation and behavior. i asked quietly if they, him, his wife and children were Christian. His reply was “Yes, we’re Jehovah’s Witness.” i have never delved into Jehovah’s Witness’s beliefs much, other than what i have heard second hand, and a little bit of religious programing condemning their understandings. Quickly in my spirit asked God what i should do. i didn’t receive any direction and now later see that this meeting was for my learning and not them. One is not Christian when their belief is contrary to what is given in canonized scripture. Some may ask then “How do you know that the Bible then is actually God’s Word?” My answer is “The Jew”. If one hasn’t any knowledge of Old Testament scripture and world history, i can see how this answer would be confusing.
Jehovahs Witnesses (JW) have their own bible expressing what they believe as a denomination. Most likely, most known passage of theirs is John 1:1. The (JW) bible is as given in the “New World Translation” also having a periodical published as “The Watch Tower”.
Here are a few scriptures from their denominational translation: Do you see the differences?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This one was in the beginning with God. All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence. What has come into existence by means of him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light is shining in the darkness, but the darkness has not overpowered it.” John 1:1-5 New LivingTranslation (NLT)
“and the Word was a God” denying the deity of Jesus Christ as the third member of the trinity, although “trinity” isn’t in scripture, but God has revealed Himself in three persons, i.e. “trinity”; in form known as an theophany: “And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,” Genesis 18:1-2. John 16:5-12 concerning the “Comforter”. Jesus then says:
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” i don’t know by scripture but could this be referring to that coming dispensation of the grace of God Paul writes of in Ephesians 3? We are also aware of the “Transfiguration”. His, Christ’s baptism, hearing the Father, seeing of the dove (like) of John and Jesus in body.
But don’t by any means say that Jesus, the Christ was a theophany. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1-2
Can one spot the differences in these following verses that are different from the King James and other creditable versions?
“This will take place in the day when God through Christ Jesus judges the secret things of mankind, according to the good news I declare.” Romans 2:16 (NLT)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15 (NLT)
“But all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of the reconciliation, namely, that God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not counting their offenses against them, and he entrusted to us the message of the reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.” The one who did not know sin, he made to be sin for us, so that by means of him we might become God’s righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NLT)
“Therefore, since the “young children” are sharers of blood and flesh, he also similarly shared in the same things, so that through his death he might bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil, and that he might set free all those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14 (NLT)
“For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NLT)
“By this undeserved kindness you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; rather, it is God’s gift. No, it is not a result of works, so that no one should have grounds for boasting. We are God’s handiwork and were created in union with Christ Jesus for good works, which God determined in advance for us to walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)
So in fellowship last week this comment was made while discussing the gospel given by Paul. This was given as Paul’s gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Then this was added to that scripture “and ascension”. Later i asked this individual what was their authority for adding ascension to the death, burial and resurrection. “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. i asked for book, chapter and verse. They didn’t give me book, chapter or verse but did give me that it is what they believe as being part of the gospel. If God by the Holy Spirit wanted ascension to be part of the gospel that was given to Paul to be believed for salvation, life, eternal life, wouldn’t one think that it would have been given to Paul then? But this individual would have me to believe that they had been given a further revelation of what God wants to be believed for salvation. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;” Colossians 1:25. If one would and has a Stong’s concordance (#4137) one will read that part of that word “fulfil” is to complete. i understand that Paul was to complete that Word (God’s Word) which was given to him “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That then was for Paul, “to fulfill (complete) the word of God.”
That being true how is this any different than what the Jehovah’s Witness have done by writing their own version or someone just adding their beliefs; one, few or some to what the scripture says. One must be very careful in what they and to whom they agree; “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” Romans 3:4; this also by the Holy Spirit given to Paul. Meditate on that passage and let it speak to your spirit concerning these truths.
iv’e been told when points of contention arise that it could just be semantics. What’s to be considered semantics in scripture? Who will make that determination? Do i or do you? Who? That’s why God gave us His Word written out. Not to say it’s the paper or the ink; but it is the Spirit of truth given to those who are in Christ, accepting through Christ and by the LORD Jesus Christ; given to absorb, meditate on, exercise in love to all those who will hear “What saith the scriptures”.
Lastly: “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is
not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:5-8. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.” Galatians 5:7-10.
Thank You LORD Jesus for loving me and giving me Your life. Thank You for giving us Your Word written out for us to hold and believe. i need You, i need for You to show me Your truths. Open my heart as You did Lydia’s, that i would attend to those things given by You, written of Paul to me. i can question but i’m not to change what You have given us. Thank You for Your written “WORD” to us. In Jesus’s name, Your name Amen.
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