What Is This Doctrine Of Jesus Christ?

For many deceivers are entered into the world, 

who confess not that Jesus Christ is come 

in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those 

things which we have wrought, but that 

we receive a full reward. Whoseover transgresseth, 

and abideth not in the doctrine 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 into 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.

     The apostle John is getting to the heart of the matter as what it means to be a believer in Jesus Christ. Many deceivers are come into the world, our world, and they have but one goal, to cause you to lose the true doctrine of Jesus Christ and accept their doctrine as to who is Jesus Christ. The Greek word "πλάοι" is the word we get planet as planets are seen to be wandering and this word is a noun, a nominative in the plural so it means "deceivers," not just one. These deceivers, or wanders are deceiving, or seducing, and are imposters as this word denotes. Here is a deceiver that we all must contend with at times if we are defending our faith and that deceiver is Mormonism. Let us look at that it means: The doctrine of Jesus Christ. John in his book John verse one and following makes it clear that the doctrine of Jesus Christ is that He is God, and that He is the Creator, and that He is the Savior. Mormons teach that Jesus is a god, but is a created being with a body and bones: Section 129: Doctrine and Covenants:  1 There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—

 2 For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Section 139:
22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

     Jehovah Witnesses doctrine of Jesus Christ: "That Jehovah was truly the Father or Life-giver to this firstborn Son and, hence that this Son was actually a creature of God" (Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 918). 

     This teaching by Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses is not the doctrine of Jesus Christ as taught to us by the apostle John and in other passages of Scripture. They are of those deceivers that John was speaking about and who we are to avoid. They do not have God. 

    A problem we have as humans is that we want to be right and will defend our beliefs and actions even if they are not correct. We will do what we should not as believers in Jesus Christ according to Scripture: we will allow those into our homes who bring deception and of those deceivers that John tells us to avoid. Unless you have taken time to study their beliefs and the belief of Authentic Christianity you will have the greater probability to be deceive and out talked.In fact many have succumbed to these deceivers and their deception and have become partakers in their antichrist actions and beliefs. 

    Did not John and Jesus say that we are to "love" even our enemies? Yes! But the love that is being used, the word that we translate love is not some form of brotherly love, a philanthropic love, it is a principled love, a love that is given to us by God so that we do not just "love" someone, we do not just have sympathy for someone, no, we give to them God's principled love. This principled love of God is to be found in His commandments. We do no harm to others just because the do not believe as we do, but we should be able to defend our faith and give them a reason for our faith. We do not associate with non-believers more than is necessary, i.e., a workplace, or even a family member that is not criminal, as in smoking marijuana, or other drugs, but as a family member we giver them grace and mercy without giving up our faith in God and the keeping of His commandments. If they bring another gospel, they must leave, or you must leave and not to associate with them or possibly become a partaker in their apostasy, and sin.

    John ends this letter: "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. (2John 1:7-13).

Moreover the LORD answered Job,

    shall he that contendeth with the

Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth

    God, let him answer it.

                      Job 40:1-2

Prepare now for the time is now

Richard L. Crumb

Love The Foundation Of God: Truth, Is Truth. How Can We Manifest Truth?

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children 

walking in truth, as we have received a 

commandment from the Father. 

An now I beseech thee, lady, not as 

though I wrote a new commandment 

unto thee, but that which we had from 

the beginning, that we love one another. 

And this is love, that we walk after 

His commandments. this is the commandment,

 that, as ye have heard from the beginning, 

ye should walk in it.

2John 1:4-6

     Love: What is this thing called love? Can you love an inanimate object, or just "strongly" like it, and is this thing called "like" love? Truth is truth and it is true or the actual state of a matter, to conform with fact or reality. Truth is the actual, verified, indisputable fact, proposition, principle or the like. Truth is accuracy. Truth cannot be divided as it is being accepted in this pluralistic society. Truth is truth and anything else is not truth, it may even be an out-an-out lie. The example as what to love and if it is an inanimate object that cannot love back and has no real value other than what a person gives it, then that so-called love does not conform to reality. We use this word "love," loosely and many are misinformed as to what is true love. 

     What then, is the true and accurate fact that conforms to true love' object? That fact is God! For God is love and this we have learned by our study of the first book of John: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" 91John 4-7-8). Only God loves in purity and truth for He is Love, it is not simply an attribute for God is Love and the attribute of love extends to His creation. What is this commandment we have learned from the beginning? Jesus gives this: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commanments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40). How can you love your neighbor, your brothers and sisters in Christ if you do not love God with your whole being, your heart, your mind, and your soul. Is this love that is without the love of God only a "like?" Oh, you may be philanthropic and often this is only to satisfy yourself. Who is this neighbor you are to love? Our English word does little justice to the meaning of the Greek word used by Matthew. The Greek word used by Matthew is accompanied by the article can be used literally as "one's neighbor," but this word has a wider meaning than our word "neighbor had a very comprehensive scope and this can be seen from the chief characteristics of the privileges and duties of neighborhood. Therefore, John's use of the word "love" conforms with the facts and the reality that we are to love those who belong to the family of God and are living according to God's commandments. What about loving our enemies? It is true that we are told to love our enemies but who are our enemies? Are we to love the enemies of God? Are we to love the friends of this world? Are we to love the one who is opposed to righteousness? Jesus told us: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thu shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48). The love which is being spoken of is not "brotherly love," it is Agape, God principled love. We are to pray that they would listen to the call of the Holy Spirit calling them to repentance and we are to do nothing that would hinder them from repentance. We do not conform to their lifestyle, or their philosophies, or ideologies, or their theologies, we are to be conformed only to God and have His love manifested in our lives. Furthermore, we should bring to the world the Gospel in every way we can, letter, phone calls, texts, lunches, dinners, and even door to door evangelism. Invite someone to your Church, go and pick them up, and treat them with the love God has extended to you, now you are living Authentic Christian Love. We hate sin, why? God hates sin! We love the sinner. God loves the sinner enough to send to our world Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son to pay this debt of sin we cannot pay. It is free, just for the taking, you or anyone else cannot earn it or get some favor of God by living according to His commandments. No, to live by His commandments is to do what you are supposed to be doing, so why do you expect something special from God? He already has done the special. Now it is your turn! Love and this love is of God and is from God, and God is the actual, the reality of our love. Truth, is truth, and the truth is that God is love. We can "strongly like" and we can even say this is love, but it is not, it is like, but the truth is manifested when we have as our object, our foundation for our love, God. This is truth!

Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man,

     that the righteous sin not, and he doth not

sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned;

    also thou hast deliverd thy soul.

                              Ezekiel 3:21

Love the love of God: you will be blessed

Richard L. Crumb

How Can I Know The Truth?

The elder unto the elect lady and her children,

whom I love in the truth; and not I only, 

but also all they that have known the truth; 

for the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, 

and shall be with us forever. Grace be with you, 

mercy, and peace, from God the Father and 

from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, 

in truth and in love.

2John 1:1-3 

     Did you answer the question posed in yesterday's blog? Is Jesus Christ God and is He God Himself in the Second Person of the Trinity? Peter reminds us in 1Peter 3:15 that we are to prepare so to be ready to give an answer for the faith we have to anyone who may ask: are you ready? Can you defend your faith against those who teach something different from your beliefs? How do you know what is the truth? John speaks of those in the truth. All religions say they have the truth. How can we know for sure if what we believe is the truth? Jehovah Witnesses say that they have the truth. Mormons say they have the truth. Islam says that they are the true religion. Who is right? Here is my way of knowing and deciding the truth of whatever is said to me, especially in any religious discussion. First, and foremost, do they who say they have the truth in their teaching teach that which cannot be verified, or has lies, or is in contradiction to the Bible. Furthermore, does the Bible have error, as some teach? I decided in the past to determine if what I believe was the truth and to do this the Bible itself had to have no errors and that any prophecy that was not in the future tense had to come true as was spoken. I did it! Guess what? I could not find any errors in medicine, in history, in anatomy: i.e., does the teeth have skin? Yes, it has a covering of epithelial tissue which is the same tissue as your skin on your body only it is only a cell wide. Let us look at the Mormons: The teach that God has a body: Doctrines and Covenants 130:22, and that angels are those who are resurrected personages that have skin and bones, one of two types of beings in heaven. Mormons teach baptism for the dead, and teach a word: telestial, which is not to be found in the dictionary, but can be found in the unabridged dictionary for it is a Mormon word for the three worlds, not terrestrial which refers to the earth. Furthermore, Mormons speak about Lammonites, and Nephites, and other such things as never to have been found or known of to be on this earth or anywhere else. I think I would leave them out of the box of truth. Jehovah Witnesses teach soul sleep, and only 144,000 are going to heaven and only those heavenly bound people can take of the sacraments given by Jesus for the Church. I will leave them out of the box of truth. I personally have found that the Bible and the Bible alone has the truth and no one can deny this fact. 

     So John when speaking about the "elect lady" as do the Mormons, he is speaking about those who have come to know the truth and are living by that truth. Furthermore, John speaks of the Holy Spirit living in the children of God forever. 

     Just because a person, a religion, or a Church sound good with words that seem godly, even inspired does not mean that they have the truth. A study of that religion and belief will tell the truth and due to the fact that the Bible cannot be proved untrue, then we can use the Bible as the metric, the rubric, the final answer for truth. 

     This all may be true but it is true for those who have taken time to study, to learn, and to come to ensure their election, to be a true child of God. This life is temporary, but the life of God given to those who have come to convert to Him and have the knowledge of the truth will be saved eternally. Is this important? Is this important to you? I pray that it is!

Moreover He said unto me, Son of man,

     all My words that I shall speak unto

thee receive in thine heart, and hear

    with thine ears. And go, get thee

to them of the captivity, unto the children

    of thy people, and speak unto them, and

tell them, "Thus saith the LORD God; 

    whether they will hear, or whether 

they will forbear.

                    Ezekiel 3:10-11

Turn off the TV: Take time to study God's word

Richard L. Crumb

 

     

Did John Call Jesus God In First John?

And we know that the Son of God is come, 

and hath given us an understanding,

that we may know Him that is true, 

and we are in Him that is true, even in 

His Son Jesus Christ. This is

 the true God, and eternal life.

1John 5:20 

     Context, context, context, is the only way to arrive at truthful translation. No other way! Any other way is only supposition an assumption, a hypothesis. When this is the way to translate Scripture then whatever a man or woman may say is not to be true necessarily even though it sounds true. If a saying cannot be substantiated by Scripture rightly translated then it is a lie. 

     The Trinity has been and is hotly debated. Is there a Trinity, or not? Is Jesus God? Or not? Is Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God? Or not? This theological battle has been going on from the beginning of Christianity. Arius fought against the Trinity and taught that Jesus was a created being, and the Jehovah Witnesses agree with Arius. So do the Mormons as they too make Jesus to be a created being albeit they have a different theological view of Jesus than Jehovah Witnesses. The last line of verse 20 here in 1John is of importance: "This is the true God, and eternal life." (1John 5:20b). Is John speaking about God the Father or Jesus the Son when he uses the word "He?" 

     Let us learn a little about the problem(s) of translating. Question: Did Ancient Greek use punctuation? Herein lies the problem: Ancient Greeks did not have an equivalent as we do for punctuation. Sentence punctuation came several centuries after the beginning of Christianity. The oldest copies of both Greek and Hebrew are written with no punctuation. Let me add to the problem: Ancient Greeks used no spaces between words or paragraphs and the text was a continuous string of letters. At time an occasional blank line was inserted to set off the end of a major section.In addition, the ancient Greeks used no spaces between words or paragraphs. Texts were a continuous string of letters, with an occasional blank line inserted to mark the end of a major section, though even this was not always done. Need more salt in the wound of translating? Texts were written in all capitals. Here is a test:
WHATAMISAYINGBILLOWNSABLUETRUCK
     I am sure you can read those letters and know what words are included and what punctuation is needed. Native speakers would be able to do the same. A problem lies in the translation as the translation has an element of subjectivity in the process. Bible scholars live their lives reading Biblical documents in the original languages and come to a good understanding of the style and preference of each author. We can develop the skill also to see what an author would most likely have intended where in those lists of letters that form words to see where a division is likely and what punctuation should be used. We may not come to a correct answer but in doing this study you will have a valuable learning experience. So how can we study in this way? Context, context, context, and reading other works by an author. 
     Test: "ANDWEKNOWTHATTHESONOFGODISCOMEAND HATHGIVENUSANUNDERSTANDINGTHATWEMAYKNOWHIMTHATIS TRUEANDWEAREINHIMTHATISTRUEEVENINHISSONJESUSCHRISTTHISISTHETUREGODANDETERNALLIFE. Divide the words into sentences and punctuate. Is John referring the "He" to God the Father or to Jesus Christ? Is John calling Jesus God? Read to aid you the Book of John and compare it with this first letter of John and see what answer you come up with. Context is more than at the area of the verse or words alone, it takes in the Book, the Author, and other works by him and the Bible as a whole, that is other writings. 
     If you do this your faith will grow and become strong, you will: CHANGEINSIDE/OUT!

Behold, God is my salvation;
     I will trust, and not be afraid:
for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength
    and my song; He also is become 
my salvation.
                Isaiah 12:2

God saves: you speak the Gospel

Richard L. Crumb

'What Is This Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit?

If anyone should see his brother sinning sin 

a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, 

and He shall give life for them that sin 

not unto death. There is a sin unto death: 

I do not any that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness 

is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 

We know that whatsoever is born of God 

sinneth not; but he that is begotten 

of God keepeth himself, and that wicked 

one toucheth him not. And we know that 

we are of God, and the whole world lieth 

in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God 

is come, and hath given us an understanding, 

that we may know him that is true, and we are 

in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. 

This is the true God, and eternal life. 

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen

1John 5:16-21

     Question: Is there more than one sin? Answer: NO! Is there a sin that is worse than all other sins? Answer: YES! Jesus spoke these words: "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5;14). Jesus will save a person who repents and commits to Him, but, if a person will not continue in the commands of God then worse things can happen to that person: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26). The Greek word translated as "knowledge" is but one of the words in Greek for knowledge. This word speaks of one who has experienced Jesus and then turns away unto sin. Now as to a sin that is greater than all sins: "Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men" (Matthew 12:31). How can a person blasphemy the Holy Spirit? Jesus gives us the answer: "And whoseover speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoseover speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Mathew 12:32). The Greek word "κατά" used here and translated "against" has a big meaning, first down, or upon, or even concerning and is used here as a pointed allegation, that is, to speak down upon someone, or something, and in our English to speak down is to blasphemy, to speak and impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things. Blasphemy is an act of cursing or reviling God. This sin is not forgiven! A blasphemer against God tells us much about that person for that person denies God, that God exists, and that he has no need for God. Out of that person Jesus tells us something about that person: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33). A man, a sinner as are all men will even in their philanthropy are able to blaspheme God, the Holy Spirit and deny the Son of God. Why? They have not come to believe that they are sinners, and that there is no God and that they are "good" people and in need of nothing spiritual. In the end, their fruit will be seen and known for what it was and is: bad. Jesus warns: "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth" (John 9:31). The only pray that we can be assured that God will hear is: "Forgive me a sinner, and save me." Jesus came to save sinners: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1Timothy 1:15). 

     The Greek word for "knowing" is different inasmuch as it speaks to perception, a knowing within one's mind. We can experience Jesus but it is that internal knowing that is important as it speaks about a person's commitment not from some experience but a true knowledge of Him. This comes not by just experience but by a thorough study of God's word, and allowing the Holy Spirit through the word of God to lead you and reveal to you Him who saves. Some Churches rely almost solely on experience and forget to teach that a person must come to a person knowledge of Him and make Jesus Christ their personal Savior and then live by what the Savior has committed to us as how to live. Oh! You might, and will, sin, you may even blasphemy a blasphemy that is not one against the Holy Spirit. Ask, ask for forgiveness, that it the starting point, and you will be forgiven. Now that are forgiven then live as one who is forgiven. No person becomes perfect in this life. The soul that is corrupted by original sin is still corrupted after salvation, the only thing now different is that the Holy Spirit lives within you and will overcome that corruption of the soul, that is, if you will allow yourselves to be led. Perfection comes when you arrive in heaven and then a new world, a new life, an eternal life without the corruption of your soul is you and the blessings of God waiting for you will be yours. 

     Tomorrow I will complete this book and speak about the last verses of this book, they are important for you to know and understand so that you will be a light for the Gospel. 

Let thine ear now be attentive and thine eyes open,

     that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant,

which I pray before thee now, day and night, for thy

    children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee:

both I and my father's house have sinned.

                       Nehemiah 1:6

Keep God's commandments and sin not

Richard L. Crumb

What Does It Mean: To Believe On The Name Of The Son Of God?

These things have I written unto you 

that believe on the name of the Son of God; 

that ye may know that ye have eternal life, 

and that ye may believe on the name of 

the Son of God. And this is the confidence

 that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything 

according to His will, He heareth us: and 

if we know that He hear us, whatsoever

 we ask, we know that we have 

the petitions that we desired of Him.

1John 5:13-15 

     Before I begin I will give the results of yesterday's test. It was both good and bad. The Good: I do not have to have surgery. The bad: I do not have to have surgery. In other words: surgery will not help so I must choose between door b or c. I chose b. That it, I will have to live with the problem. Ok! I will move on! It is what it is and I know that whatever the case: God is with me and that as John wrote: if we believe on the name of Jesus Christ I have eternal life, now, and forever. Amen!

     Scripture is our guide to the truth. No man has the truth1 Scripture alone has the truth. Therefore it is most important to use a translation that is translated from manuscripts that do not leave out verses, and does not contain variations of Gnosticism, and is correctly translated. For me only those Bibles translated from the Textus Receptus meet that criteria, to be translated correctly and does not leave out verses, and does not contain any variation of Gnosticism. This means such Bibles as the King James Version, the New King James Version, the Stephanus Bible, the Geneva Bible and others translated from the Textus Receptus. The Greek used by the Hebrew writers as it was the common language of the day were words that a common person who was Greek or understood Greek and would know as we know English.  

     John informs us as to why he wrote: So that we could believe on the name of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, that we could know and believe that all of God's children have eternal life. That we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, not some angel, not come created being even if for a special purpose, no, that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God. God came, God saves, God creates, God gives eternal life for those who believe that He came, incarnate, to die, to save, and to make intercession eternally for all who believe that Jesus is God, that Jesus by His death saves. 

     What does it mean: To believe on the name of Jesus? This belief is not as it is with Jehovah Witnesses who only use the name "Jehovah" and for them by this name, as in John, or Bill, or Sally, etc., names that they are called by, this name Jehovah has power. It does in this sense: God, Jesus Christ who have a name given to us so that we know to whom we worship and believe is about them, not just some noun, a name. We say, so and so made a name for himself or herself, and we mean the same thing, it is about them, what they are, what they do, what the believe, it is about them not just a name. There is more: you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. You are not a son of God other than by adoption, this is not true of Jesus for He is the Only Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of God. We can have confidence in that name for as the Son of God, God, His words are true and factual and effective. Yes, believe the noun, Jesus, but believe greater in the name of Jesus. 

      What does it mean that if we ask we receive? Oh how this is tossed around wrongly. We will receive from God if we ask in and according to His will..... no other way. Furthermore, if we ask and do not believe why should we think that God will hear us? If we are living contrary to the will of God, why should we believe that He hears us? God, first and foremost hears this prayer: God forgive me a sinner! That is the will of God, that you believe on Jesus Christ the One He sent forth to save. Next, if we ask for anything after that it must according to His will. How do we know if it is His will? We examine what we want from a study about it in Scripture. We pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us into the truth and answer to a matter. Are you loving as John has so succinctly pointed out that any true believer should be doing? Christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life. Yes, according to the world's definition it is a religion, but they have it wrong. Christianity is all about Jesus Christ and our living according to what He has taught us how to live and what is His will for us. 

     Changing from the inside/out is all about faith, but more, it is about changing the way we live and think. This life of a Christian is hard when we only see it from eyes that long for what this world has to offer. Christian life is easy of you keep your eyes on Jesus Christ and the prize (heaven). Fun is one thing, it is temporary, joy, is another thing and it is eternal. Choose one or the other and you will have your chose. I for one: choose joy!

     Sunday is coming, the Sabboth, how will you use it, to play, or to take time to worship and meditate on Him?

For as the new heavens and the new earth,

     which I will make shall remain before me,

saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your

    name remain.

                             Isaiah 66:22

Live according to the the will of God

Richard L. Crumb

What Does It Mean To Believe And What Is The Witness Of God?

If we receive the witness of men, 

the witness of God is greater: for this 

is the witness of God which He hath 

testified of His Son. He that believeth 

on the Son of God hath the witness in 

himself: he that believeth not God hath 

made Him a liar; because he believeth not 

the record that God gave of His Son. 

And this is the record, that God

 hath given to us eternal life, and 

this life is in His Son. He that hath

 the Son hath life; and he that hath 

not the Son of Go hath not life.

1John 5:9-12 

     Yesterday's blog I attempted to prove that 1John 5:7-8 belongs in our Bibles. In fact, if those verses were not recorded then many other verses in other books of the Bible would have not meaning. The word "record" in verse seven has a connection to verses 9-12. What is that record that the Three in heaven witness too? In Jesus Christ eternal life is possible, possible for those who believe God who reveals to us this fact: Believe on the Son of God and you will also have the witness of the recorded words, the record: eternal life is yours. John under inspiration does not mince words and in all his writings Jesus is announced as the Only Begotten Son of God, and in fact is God Himself incarnate. Furthermore, the word "believeth" in the King James Bible is clear for to add "eth," is to make the verb to be a present tense verb that means continually, so to be a believer is to always believe. 

     Some will say: "I believe." Really, even Satan believes so what does it mean to Believe according to the Greek word? The Greek word is: πιστεύων in verse 10 is a nominative singular masculine participle in the present tense from  πιστεύω and means to have faith upon, or with respect to, a person or thing and means not to just believe, but also to be persuaded of, and hence, to place confidence in, to trust, to have reliance upon, and here is the crux: not to just have mere credence, so it means to be committed. So, here in verse 10 the Greek word means to be presently, at all times, believing. The same verb form is used by John at 3:16 of the book of John. Anyone can just believe, but it takes a special connection to be committed. 

     Here is a fact: You and I are not created beings! You are made from the dust of the ground! God created all that would be needed for things to exist, therefore by His creating you were able to be formed, and this form was to be human. God gave to man something He never gave to any other of His works: His image! On the other hand: Jesus Christ is not created either, but He is God's Only Begotten Son. Remember: to be begotten is to be of the same nature, same physicality, to be one with the One who begot. An angel would not be God's Only Begotten Son for an angel is made as you and I and all other things made. So it would be wrong to say that Jesus is just, even though special, an angel, and we all know from Scripture, angels can rebel. So would God who is Just and will have His justice satisfied, a debt owed to Him that man, even though in the image of God, man who has a fallen nature, would not be ensured that this debt would be paid. Therefore, God came Himself and this be sending His Wisdom to be a Man and to be God in the form of a man. Jesus could not sin as God, and could not sin even with a human soul for His soul was not from the line of Adam and if so then would carry the corruption caused by Adam. Yet, Jesus, as God in human flesh, would suffer all than man suffers. Jesus even though God/Man died on the cross with all the pain that any human would suffer and this not due to sin, but due to the sinfulness of man. 

     This is the witness of God revealed to us in Scripture unadulterated and void of man's semantics, and presuppositions: you can have faith in the pure unadulterated word of God. So, if you have a faith, and are committed to Jesus Christ you have the witness about Jesus Christ and what Jesus Christ has done for all who believe upon Him as the Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of God. Believe this and you will have life, life eternal.

     No blog tomorrow as I will be traveling to the hospital in Sacramento to have a test to see if surgery will help me in my present situation. I could use your prayers for strength from God to endure the test as it is very painful, no pain meds will be used. My trust and commitment is to God but I do know that God answers prayers. I do hope that the doctors will have the answers so I can go forward in whatever is necessary. Thank You!

LORD, I cry unto thee:

     make haste unto me;

give ear unto my voice,

    when I cry unto thee. 

Let my prayer be set forth

    before thee as incense;

and the lifting up of my hands

    as the evening sacrifice.

                 Psalm 141:1-2

Be committed unto our Savior Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb

Should First John 5:7,8 Be In The Bible?

This is He that came by water and blood, 

even Jesus Christ; not by water only,

 but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit 

that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, 

the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: 

and these three are one. And there are 

three that bear witness in the earth, 

the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: 

and these three agree in one.

1John 5:6-8

     We are now entering into a most controversial subject: Does verses 7 & 8 belong in the Bible as it is written in the Authorized Versions or as it is written in the NIV, ESV, ASV, and other versions using the Sinaticus and Vatanicus manuscripts. I John 5:7 is probably the most controversial verse in the Bible. Why? All modern translation do not include this verse, except the New King James Version and even the New King James Version has a footnote stating that this verse is not found in the oldest manuscripts. This verse, until the modern translations was never controversial. The footnote can cause doubt so we must examine the right to include or exclude this verse. Where does the problem lie? The modern translations come from different Greek manuscipt(s) than does the King James Version. The King James Version uses the Greek Textus Receptus (The Received Text) and many modern scholars reject this manuscript. So, if one will see, the translations used are important if one is to have the truth and not any manipulations or removal of unwanted verses. I believe and this by my study of these verses that the modern translations have tampered with the word of God. Question then: is 1John 5:7 the very word of God given to John by the Holy Spirit and belongs in the Bible? It is serious to tamper with the word of God and if any translations do tamper with Scripture then we should not use them except to aid in our study for the do not have the truth, only partial truth. The modern translation are missing and enormous amount of verses and even go so far as to change or alter the meaning of words. Here is an example: 

KJV: Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
NIV: Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,...

This is missing: "he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted"  and these missing verses are found so many of them in the manuscripts, not a few but many but are not found in those manuscripts that omit those words. The words admitted are to be found in the majority text (among others:i.e.; the Vulgate the Latin the Boheric the family one,...) that has the status of consistently cited witnesses in the first order. Those not admitted are to be found in manuscripts of the 4th, 7th, 12th centuries and differ from the Majority Text. The Sinaiticus and the Vetus Syra are used because they have come to be believed due to their good condition and age to be better translations. That belief that due to condition and age are better is a belief that is wrong for age and condition do not make a thing better. So then, what is the evidence to include 1 John 5:7? Presuppositions and semantics preclude the reasoning to admit that this verse belongs in Scripture, that it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Look again at this verse:"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1John 5:7. This verse admits of a Trinity when this verse is admitted and fits with the other writings about Jesus Christ, read Ephesians. The NIV and other versions using the Sinaiticus and other such version deny the Trinity and Deity of Jesus Christ. Here comes semantics that have a foundation of wrong presuppositions: They call this 'The Johannine Comma.' The versions that include this verse are called the "famous Trinitarian Proof text." Modernists want us to believe that this passage should not be in the Bible, why, because is is not in the most Greek manuscripts. Is this true? Only six Greek manuscripts before the 7th century omit v. 7,8. (14 manuscripts before the 9th century). http://www.defendproclaimthefaith.org/1_john_57_and_the_record_in_heaven.html
   Bringing this to a conclusion: can we then be supposed that when the apostle who is representing the Christian's faith in overcoming the world, and the foundation it relies upon in adhering to Jesus Christ, and the various testimony that was given, even so much by the apostle John, about Jesus Christ in the world that he should omit the supreme testimony about Him. To disconnect or to remove this verse causes the earlier verses to be without fact for John here is supporting what he has earlier written. Throughout the centuries godly men held to the truth that these verses are Scriptural inspired of God. They then have every right to be in the Bible. 

     Here is a list of those Bibles that do not include this verse: Included in the English versions which omit the passage without note are the American Standard Version, the New Century Version, the Revised Standard Version, the Good News Bible (which some Bible societies use as the basis for their modem translations into other languages), the Revised English Bible, the Modem Language Bible, the New English Bible and the New Testament in Modern English by Phillips. Additionally, some versions add to the confusion over this passage by renumbering the verses. Among these are the American Standard, the New American Standard Bible and the Revised Standard Version.

     Now that you have the information and how to find more, then it is up to you to decide: will you use a translation that has a true foundation or one that does not. You are what you read and learn, therefore it is best to learn from the truth.

Good understanding giveth favor:

     but the way of transgresors is hard.

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:

    but a fool layeth open his folly.

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief:

    but a faithful ambassador is health.

                      Proverbs 14:15-17

Pray, study, pray, study....meditate (not New Age type)

Richard L. Crumb

 

How Can You Know That You Are An Overcomer?

For this is the love of God, that we 

keep His commandments: and His 

commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever

 is born of God overcometh the world: and 

this is the victory that overcometh the world, 

even our faith. Who is he that overcometh 

the world, but he that believeth that

 Jesus is the Son of God?

1John 5:3-5

     There is an interesting phrase used by John: Whatsoever is born of God, not whosoever. You would think that John would have used "whosoever" but he did not and the reason is that everything, that includes those who believe upon Jesus Christ as the Son of God is included in the "whatsoever." God is Good, and all that is of God is good. If you are of the "whatsoever" then you are included in the good of God. Secondly, His commandments, the "whatsoever" are good, good for you to live your life by and furthermore, those commandments are the path to victory over the bad. The "world" in this sense and use is to tell us that the world is "bad" and that we need to overcome it and this we can do by our faith, a faith that determines whether or not you are included in the "whatsoever is of God." 

     "Son of God." Mormons teach that Jesus is the Son of God, so do Jehovah Witnesses, and other religions that attempt to be Christianized. Mormons teach that Jesus was created and in their teaching is a brother to Satan. Jehovah Witnesses teach that Jesus was created and is "a god." Most Christian Churches teach that Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Who is right? Is just believing that Jesus was and is the Son God all that is needed? John was not writing to the world, no, he was writing to Christians who were taught that Jesus is God, yes, He is also the Son of God. Sound confusing? It does! But it is not! God who is Love, Who has love for His creation gave of Himself to bring a way for people to be restored to what God had intended for people to be: a child of God who worships only Him. Yet, God did not make us puppets, no, we have the ability to choose, to choose whether to believe upon Him or to not believe upon Him. This we all can do if we simply allow God to lead us in His word, not some mysterious revelation as some teach, but in His word God is revealed and His purpose for coming to earth as the Son of God, not a separate god, but God Himself to do for this world what this world cannot do for itself. Yes, the human Jesus Christ is separate from God in His humanity, but Jesus was and is more for He is God, the Only Begotten of God. To be begotten of something is to be that something, a part of it as it is with your children. God sent His Wisdom clothed in flesh to become a man, to suffer as a man, to demonstrate that we have the ability to overcome this world. How? Keep His commandments! In the Book of John Jesus is revealed to us that He is God. These little letters come after the writing of John therefore the Church knew that Jesus is God and this from the apostle who walked and talked with God, was there when He was crucified, and saw Him after He was resurrected from the dead. This is hearing from the "horse' mouth." God said that He created, and Jesus is told to us that He created, so who created? It was God, and this includes all that God is the complete Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

     If we cannot or will not understand this fact then we will never be a believer who overcomes this world. If Jesus is not God, then our salvation lies in the hands of someone who can fail. God cannot fail, and will not fail, and will accomplish His purpose. God did not fail in the beginning when man failed, no, God allows all to happen according to our will, but God is greater than our will and has and will finalize and accomplish to have a people for His name. In time, man will show what man is made of and God in time will end this world and all its evil. We have an example that God will do this, the Great Flood. Yet, in this God shows His great mercy and love: He saved eight people, our great,.........great.....grandfather, Noah. He will save you too if by faith you believe in Him, in the fact that He sent His Son to die for Sin(s) and that by keeping His commandments you too can overcome this evil world and be saved. God has not turned His back on His creation no matter how bad it is or will become. This is God's world and it is under His control and when the Last Day comes all will know, that includes us, that God is God and that He is Love and is Merciful, and Saves, others will know that they failed to acknowledge what God has provided for our salvation and at that time it will be too late: it is over! 

     What side will you find yourself on?

And at that time shall Michael

     stand up, for the great prince

which standth for the children of

     thy people: and there shall be 

a time of trouble, such as never 

    was a nation even to that same

time: and at that time thy people

     shall be delivered, every one that

shall be found written in the book.

                    Daniel 12:1

Make your election sure

Richard L. Crumb

How To Be An Overcomer Of The World

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, 

he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother 

whom he hath seen, how can he love God 

whom he hath not seen? And this

 commandment have we from Him, 

that he who loveth God love his brother also.

 1John 4:20-21

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ i

s born of God: and every one that loveth 

Him that begat loveth Him also that is 

begotten of Him. By this we know that

we love the children of God, when 

we love God, and keep His commandments.

1John 5:1-2 

     Over and over the apostle John reminds us that if we are Authentic Christians we love God and if we love God then we also love the children of God. The Love for God and the love for His children are two sides of the same coin. To say: "I love" him or her, is only words even if they are true. It is easy to say: "I love" him or her, but it is hard to actually do loving things for another. The words of Jesus give us the answer as to how we are to show love for our brothers and sisters: "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited me I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a stranger, and took Thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? Or when we saw you Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say into you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:34-39). If we say that we are reborn into the image of Jesus Christ then we have to live that image. The image of love, love of God, is a love of the brethren. When was the last time you visited the sick? Or when do you make sure that a brother or sister had clothing, not just clothes, but clothing that is an improvement from the old dirty and dusty clothes of one who has little income or discretionary money? When was the last time you invited someone from your congregation to a lunch, or a dinner, or even a breakfast? What about those strangers, visitors that come to your Church? Are they met with a firm and glad handshake welcoming them to the Church? Do you aid them to find a seat, or even infant rooms for a mother and a crying child? If none of this is true or lacking then it is possible that your love of God is questionable. I am not speaking of your salvation, only the love that you say you have but do not put into action. John admonishes us: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God" (1John 4:3-5). 

     By faith we show we love God. It is our faith in God that enables us to overcome the world, and to be loving for our brothers and sisters. The Greek word which is a present tense participle, translated into English is "believes" and we must note the "s" at the end of the word for that "s" makes this word to be in the present tense; therefore we must now, at all times be believing and that believing is shown in our Love for God and for His children.  

Defend the poor and fatherless:

    do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of

    the hand of the wicked.

                Psalm 82:3-4

Love is an Action verb

Richard L. Crumb 

What Does It Mean To Confess That Jesus Is The Son Of God?

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, 

God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And 

we have known and believed the love that 

God hath for us. God is love; and he that

 dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and 

God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, 

that we may have boldness in the 

day of judgment: because as He is, 

so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; 

but perfect love casteth out fear: 

because fear hath torment. He that 

feareth is not made perfect in love. 

We love Him, because He first loved us.

1John 4:15-19 

     Love: this is the theme of First John, in fact it is the theme that John carries throughout all his writings. Here in this letter love is carried out to its fullest meaning. While love is at the top of the list it is not the top for John the top is who is this man Jesus. Many Churches and religion who claim to be Christian say and agree that Jesus is the Son of God: all cannot be right as there are as many differences about the Son of God as there are so-called Christian organizations. The Mormons say and teach that Jesus is the Son of God, so do the Jehovah Witness, the Christian Scientists, the Seventh Day Adventist, the World-wide Church of God, the Baptist, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Calvary Churches....etc... so and so on. So what is John teaching us when he says that we must confess that Jesus is the Son of God. The Greek word is derived from two Greek words that mean the "same," and the "word(s)." This Greek word carries the meaning to speak the same thing, or to assent, to confess but there is more to the meaning of this word. To confess by way of admitting oneself guilty of what one is accused of, the result of inward conviction: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). To confess according to this Greek word is also to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts: (Matthew 7:23, 10:32, and Luke 12:8: John 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; Romans 10:9-10). We are as Authentic Christians to be willing to speak openly about our faith in Jesus Christ. Some Churches denounce or denigrate in some way those Churches that have an altar call where people come forward to show that they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. Is this not an open confession? Is this not following the Greek meaning to confess whereby a person openly shows those present then and to others later that they know for a fact that they are guilty of what the Bible accuses them of and that inward conviction of their sin(s). This may not be the modus operandi of your Church but sometime, somewhere you must openly confess your faith, that is if your faith is Authentic. Luke reminds us: "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8-9). Authentic Christianity is seen by all who are the real Christians and that are being identified in thought or language as to whom they believe, they are confessing allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our salvation, our conversion to Jesus Christ is not to be some silent inward, quiet belief: it is to be loud, spoken to all, lived according to His word and to have the right and true belief in who Jesus Christ is for He is not only our Savior, He is what John so clearly writes as to who He is: "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. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:1-3). Here lies the truth as to who Jesus Christ, to whom we make our allegiance, and to to whom we make our confession. Jesus is God. PERIOD! Jehovah Witnesses make Jesus to be an angel, so do the Mormons, others make Jesus to be a spirit, a ghost, or some other being, but they do not confess that Jesus is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity. Read John again: "All things were made by Him: and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). If nothing that was made could only be made by Him and through Him then how did Jesus be made? He wasn't1 John 1:1 tells clearly that Jesus is God. When God says that He dwelleth in You, this includes Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In you resides, abides, dwelleth God, that is, if you are true to what God has declared and revealed about Himself. If this is true of you and you have not succumbed to the false teaching(s) about Jesus Christ you can have boldness when you are in front of the throne of God and your life is being revealed. 

      This is all possible, no fear, boldness, and salvation because God first loved you and now in return for His great and unsurpassing love, you love Him.

As righteoussness tendeth to life:

    so he that pursueth evil persueth 

it to his own death. 

              Proverbs 11:19

Who or what is the object of your love?

Richard L. Crumb