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WHAT IS MEANS TO BE A BIBLE BELIEVER

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By Ken Blue

I believe I can safely say that there has never been a time when I didn’t believe the Bible was God’s Word. I went to Sunday school as a boy where the Bible was taught every Sunday. There was always a Bible on the end table and I witnessed my Grandfather reading it many times. My mother instilled in me faith in the Bible. God bless her memory! However, I am confident she had no idea what a dispensation or biblical age was.

I am not an authority on manual script evidence. I leave that brilliant study to the studious. All I have is the simple faith of my mother. I believe the King James Version is the most accurate version available. I never attempt to correct it, nor do I doubt it. If it were possible to hold the very originals from Genesis to Revelation, there would be no way to prove that they were the originals, and I would be right back to my mother’s simple faith. So, I call myself a Bible believer. I pray that I will be a Bible doer.

There are those out there who insist that if you don’t agree with their interpretation, you are not a Bible believer. However, if one can’t distinguish between believing the Bible is without error, and his interpretation of it, it is not safe for him to read it.

There are many rules of Bible interpretation that must be followed; even then we are not infallible. We must be Bible believers, but let us never assume that our interpretation is the final answer. I know teachers who allegorize everything. Then there are those who make everything literal. Finally, there are those who spiritualize what they choose, and make other parts literal simply to establish a pet doctrine. Conclusion, being a Bible believer does not insure that one is inerrant in his interpretation. Understanding that, may give you some grace toward others.

WHAT APOLLOS DIDN’T KNOW

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QUESTONWHAT APOLLOS DIDN’T KNOW
By Ken Blue

“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Acts 18:25-26.

The dedication of Apollos could not be brought into question. He was eloquent in speech, fervent in spirit and fully committed to the information he had. But, there was a great chasm between what he knew and what he needed to know. The text says Aquila and Priscilla expounded something to him that was more perfect.

Apollos’s ministry consisted exclusively of the ministry of John the Baptist. That is, he was preaching the kingdom of heaven gospel and practicing water baptism for the same reason John had taught and preached it. (“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4).

Now, what was it Apollos did not know? Keep in mind that Aquila and Priscilla had served with the Apostle Paul and had learned of the dispensation of the gospel of grace from him. They also had a church in their house.

First of all, he didn’t know that the ministry of John and the Twelve was over, and that God was rejecting Israel and cutting them off because of their unbelief. Next, he didn’t know that Paul was God’s new Apostle, and that the dispensation of grace was committed to him. Again, he didn’t know that Jews and Gentiles were being baptized by the Spirit into one body, called the church. This truth was not made known from the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 3:9). Neither did he know the gospel message that had been given exclusively to Paul. (See Galatians 1:11-12). Apollos didn’t know that he could now eat catfish without guilt. Last of all, he didn’t know that the writings of Paul would become the body of doctrine for the new church God was building. Like many today, he needed to learn how to rightly divide the Word of God.

We may thank God for His servants who are gifted and zealous for the Lord. But, zeal without knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and it has done great harm to the church through the centuries. Many today are still laboring under the kingdom of heaven ministry of John the Baptist, and they don’t have a clue as to the more perfect or accurate ministry given to Paul.

WHAT INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE DOES NOT MEAN

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By Ken Blue

 

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

There are many who relegate the inspiration of Scripture to the original autographs only, and that it could not exist beyond them. However, able scholars and those who understand the Scriptural meaning of the word put that little child to bed long ago.

Biblical inspiration means that all Scripture is God-breathed. Young Timothy did not have, nor had he ever seen any of the original Scriptures. Yet, the Scriptures he had were given by inspiration, and he had “known them from a child.” 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Notice that he knew “the holy scriptures…” And, if all SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, what he had must have been inspired scripture! We also believe we have the inspired scriptures in the King James English Bible.

Inspiration of scripture means that the words give to the writers were given by God and are a true account of what is written. However, inspiration does not mean that everything that is written was truth. There are many examples of this. “We find lies of Satan and men; false doctrines; and many sins listed in Scripture.  Inspiration simply guarantees that these lies were actually told; these fallacies were taught by certain men; and that these crimes were committed, but it does not make these lies and fallacies the truth or place God’s sanction upon the crimes.  One must find out whether Satan, evil men, or God is speaking in Scripture.  God is not responsible for what others have said just because He causes what they did say to be recorded by inspiration.  All God guarantees is that these things were said and done as they are recorded.  Only what God says or teaches is truth which He requires men to obey.” Dake Topical Index. We should add, believers are only required to obey what God says for those in this dispensation. We must know what truth is for today.

Inspiration of the Scriptures is not difficult to prove. In fact, there is more proof for the inspiration of the Bible than there is that George Washington or the Nebraska Man ever existed. Timothy held in his hand the inspired, Holy Scriptures; so can we.

WHY I DON’T PRAY TO MARY

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NO ONE SHOULD EVER PRAY TO MARY

mary standing on a snake

  • THERE IS NO BIBLE COMMAND TO PRAY TO MARY
  • THERE IS NO BIBLE EXAMPLE OF ANYONE PRAYING TO MARY
  • THE WISE MEN BROUGHT NO GIFTS FOR MARY
  • THE WISE MEN DID NOT WORSHIP MARY
  • MARY WAS A SINNER AND NEEDED A SAVIOUR-  “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:47.
  • MARY ACKNOWLEDGED HER NEED FOR A SAVIOUR, THUS, ADMITTING HER SINFUL NATURE.
  • JESUS IS THE ONE AND ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, NOT MARY-“ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”1 Timothy 2:5.
  • MARY IS NOT IN HEAVEN INTERCEDING FOR SINNERS. (This would contradict the above verse.
  • MARY IS NOT THE MOTHER OF GOD. SHE WAS THE PERSON USED OF GOD TO BIRTH THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS. NOTHING MORE.
  • MARY WAS NEVER CALLED THE “MOTHER OF GOD”UNTIL 331 A. D.
  • NO ONE PRAYED TO MARY OR THE SAINTS UNTIL 600 A. D.
  • PAUL, THE WRITER OF ALL CHURCH EPISTLES, NEVER MENTIONS MARY. THE MARY OF ROMANS 16:6 COULD NOT BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS, BECAUSE CATHOLICS SAY SHE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN.
  • NONE OF THE JEWISH EPISTLES, HEBREWS THROUGH REVELATIONS MENTION MARY.
  • SOME CATHOLICS WORSHIP MARY, OTHERS, ONLY VENERATE HER. BOTH ARE WRONG.
  • TO PRAY TO, VENERATE, OR BOW TO IS IDOLATRY.
  • TO PRAY TO MARY PUTS HER BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND CHRIST
  • KNEELING TO A STATUE OF MARY IS AGAINST SCRIPTURE, AND IS IDOLATRY.
  • AN IDOL ULTIMATELY BECOMES ONES GOD. “And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?” Genesis 31:30.

PRAYER, VENERATION AND WORSHIP OF MARY IS A DOCTRINE OF DEVILS, AND WILL BRING CONDEMN TO ONE’S SOUL.

“…But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Corinthians 10:19-21

WHY MY TOWN DIED

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If you go to Google Earth and type in Boswell, Arkansas, you will get a satellite view of what used to be the small town where I grew up. I discovered recently that the town is as empty at ground level as the picture from above reveals.

What happened to my town? When I was but a lad, it had a one room schoolhouse that was filled with boys and girls. Three small general stores existed. A Post Office and a train depot were buzzing with activity. Houses dotted the hillside on the east side of town and the river bank across the tracks. What excitement! What friendships and what wonderful memories! Now, I ask, what happened?

The school house is empty and cold. All stores are closed and rotting to the ground. No longer does the train stop; there are no people to ride it. The houses on the hill have collapsed or have briers and bushes growing up through them. There might be five houses left where senior citizens live. Like the town, they too are dying. I wonder, what happened?

One thing that contributed to Boswell’s demise was a bridge built across Piney Creek. The citizens discovered that the school in a nearby town offered better opportunities for their children.

Another factor was the phasing out of the “section gang” that worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Once these jobs were eliminated, it was impossible to sustain the stores; so, like the school, they too closed their doors, and people began shopping in others towns. Farming was hopeless for two reasons; the land just did not produce, and you couldn’t find people to work the crop, if you had one. So, like a terminal cancer patient, the town died day by day.

Now, there is nothing to attract anyone to the ghost town. It would be impossible to give one good reason why any young couple would move there. There is nothing for them or their children. All is history. What used to be is only a memory.

There is one possibility, but it is only one chance in a million that it would happen. If someone with enough money and VISION would start a growing factory, families and workers would once again be attracted to the beautiful Boswell valley along White River. But, don’t hold your breath.

Now I understand what happened. The school in the next town provided better programs and education for the children. Jobs that died were not replaced. People began to shop in other stores or just left town. The farmers failed to produce enough harvest to attract and hold workers, so everything collapsed. Come to think of it, I no longer wonder what happened.

Pastor, does this story of Boswell, mirror your church? Are people leaving because a bridge has been built to a better church? Does everyone in your church have a job? Are ministries closing because there is no business? What would attract anyone to your church in the first place? Are the young families moving out? If they are, go to Google Earth and look down at Boswell, and you are viewing the future of your church.