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Reaching forth...

By God's grace, still presenting the same message from the same Book...

Have words saving power? Does the word of God have saving power? 

The Bible is the word of God. 

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Regeneration is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, whereby one is born again. The new birth is accomplished apart from any means, that is, the Holy Ghost works immediately on man with nothing between. Man's own intellect does not play any part in the new birth, for man is passive but God is active. The written word, or preached word does not accomplish the new birth, but the Holy Ghost alone creates new life. Conversion is accomplished by means, and the preached and written word is used to accomplish conversion. When one is born again, the mind is cognizant and discovers that some things are abhorred and some things desired, and that there is a hungering and thirsting of the things of God. These things are not part of the unregenerate man (2Cor 2:14). With the new birth faith is created in the man, otherwise there would be no thirsting, hungering, that hopes for new things, and causes man to think different about some things and act different. While man may not understand what the change is, there is nevertheless a change. Initially the new birth causes repentance and faith, all of grace, and not natural to man. This initial conversion is typically followed by conversion at the hearing of the word being preached (1John 5:10-13; John 3:15-16,18; 5:24; 20:31; 1Thess 2:13; 2Thess 2:13; Acts 13:38-39,48).. 

The preached word is rejected by one, while those same words will be found the power of God to another. It is God that makes the difference. The words are the same. Words, to one the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. We hear, and believe, we are begotten by the word (repentance, increased faith, conversion). It is written, Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Faith is a gift of God (John 6:28-29; Acts 18:27; Romans 3:22; 10:17; 12:3; Galatians 2:16,20; 5:22; Ephesians 1:19; 2:8; Philippians 1:29; Hebrews 12:2), wrought in man by the operation of God. We believe because we have been given new life, a new nature, and therefore we hear, hearing by the word of God, therefore we call upon His name. Before we are born again, we are said to be dead, and the dead to not call on the name of the Lord. God is spirit and those that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth. Unless a man be born again, he is without spiritual life. Those that have the Spirit are begotten by the word in the sense of conversion. Regeneration and conversion should be recognized as two separate events, regeneration wholly by the work of the Holy Spirit with initial conversion the result of the new birth, and then subsequent conversion at hearing the word preached.

2 Cor 2:16-17
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Rom 10:10-14
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Holy Ghost is instrumental in salvation, but the Holy Ghost will glorify Lord Christ, and, as it is written, "He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." The you are those before given the Son by the Father. They are sanctified by the Spirit (Tit 3:5; 1Cor 6:11; 2Thess 2:13; 1Pet 1:2), and with that, it needs to be seen, we are sanctified by the word (John 17:17), the word that is quick, powerful, the word from Jesus, the word that is spirit and life (John 6:63). It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the word of God. 

There is no salvation apart from hearing the word of God (John 6:45), and the Holy Ghost does not work faith in us, apart from the word of God, but the written or preached word is not referred to when I say this. The written and preached word is used for conversion. Being born again does not give one immediate knowledge and understanding of all things. As it is written, Matthew 21:16 (KJV) And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (Matt 21:16) David, it seems, was regenerate while still upon his mother’s breast (Ps 22:9). John Baptist showed evidence of having been born again while still in his mothers womb (Luke 1:41; Gal 5:22). Of Jeremiah, it is said before he came out of the womb he was sanctified (Jer 1:5; 1Cor 1:30; 6:11; Rom 15:16). Then there is the infant son of David (2Sam 12:23). David seems to have had witness that the infant was saved. While there is some reason for questioning if these things are so or not, there is nevertheless reason for accepting these things as being so. God need not make these things open and clear now, but there is some reason for thinking they are so, unless you are inclined to be of the mind man must do the right things to gain salvation. Deal with the Scriptures while considering these things. There is reason for preaching the word of God. Reason enough is that it is commanded. There is also obvious reason to be understood. It is the one with new life, the one that is born again, that comes to Christ. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? When the word of God is preached, the Holy Spirit is at work with the elect, and God's word will not return void, but will accomplish whatsoever He sent it forth to do. Salvation is of the Lord, and He will save those He sets out to save, for God does not simply attempt to save His people, but He instead actually saves them. His word shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it. The Holy Ghost works with the word of God, therefore it matters what is preached.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 16:13-14
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

The word says the Holy Ghost will receive of Christ Jesus, and show it unto you. 

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

It is also written,

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The words given to those with their understanding opened receive the words to the saving of their souls, the word powerful to save. We are begotten by the word. Faith cometh by hearing.

Not all hear. But the word of God is quick, powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword (Ps 119:50, 93; 1Pet 1:23).

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Some are given illumination, ultimately to the saving of their souls, while others are not. That premise that some are given life by our Lord to the saving of their soul while others are not has been a bone of contention with some. Some say it is of man, if a person is saved. I say salvation is of the Lord. The matter of the Lord being central in salvation, or man is central is a topic of dispute with some. But still, that the Lord is wholly and alone instrumental in our being saved is pertinent to this letter, I think. With it settled that the Lord is central and that the Lord alone wholly saves a man, apart from anything man does, the Lord totally of Himself brings a man to repentance of dead works with faith toward God. We are born of incorruptible, and the written word is said to be corruptible, therefore we are born again, wholly by the Spirit of God apart from means, nothing between the man and the Holy Spirit. The preaching of the word can corrupt the word, the printing of sermons is liable to be with corruption, and the doctrine that is taught is liable to be a corruption of what the word has to say. We are born again, by incorruptible, and while we have a perfect Bible, nevertheless our conversion in some ways can be faulty, therefore we are told to search the Scriptures to see if the things said are so.  

I say it does matters what we receive, regarding the written and preached word. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him (Ps 18:30; 19:7; 12:6-7; 19:8-10; 119:140; Prov 30:5; 2Sa 22:31). Let a man say of himself he is not sure, but let no charge be made against God. There are very many readings that are the same between the various versions, but there are also those that are clearly not the same. In such a case, I cannot say they are the same, but I am able to simply receive what the old Bible says, and so I rest with the King James Version, and proclaim, “It is written....” Let a person use what he will, and I will use what I use. I don’t want to pick at the matter till there is a festering sore, but instead, I would simply seek to have the word applied, and preach the word.

That's how I see it.

The true words are life

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

They are life. That is the testimony of Scripture from John 6:63 about the words of God. 1 Peter 1:23 tells of the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

That is an amazing truth. It is evident, that something without life, does not beget life. Life begets life, and the word is said to be life. As far as the Spirit of God testifying, there must be true words.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Very clearly, I testify there are those that use different versions that are strong in the faith and hold to a large extent good doctrine, but that are using different and contradictory readings. Regarding the question of the Bible version, I think they are wrong. Regardless of which version one would use, heed the warning. The Scriptures warn of those that corrupt the word of God, that change the words. Satan subtly dealt with the word (Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Matt 4:3, 6), and Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works (Gen 3:3; Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32; Prov 30:6; Gal 1:4-9; Rev 22:18). We are begotten by that received of Christ Jesus, the sure word of God. The word is sometime hard to understand, and beyond that words are able to be manipulated by men of corrupt minds. Regardless of what you would use (I hope you would use the King James Version) consider these warnings about those that go about changing the words of God:

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:1-4
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Cor 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Jeremiah 5:26, 30-31
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Jeremiah 23:21, 30
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Galatians 1:6-7
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

We that are saved are born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

The notion is also perpetuated by some that the Holy Ghost is separated from the very word of God, for the word of God is incorrectly said to be without power of itself. But the word of God says, it liveth and abideth for ever, and in fact is quick and powerful, further it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: and as Jesus Christ says, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." 

The Lord our God is one, and the Holy Ghost is not separated from the word of God.

2 Tim 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

A reason for this message is God opens the understanding that men can understand truth. Our Lord is found by those that do not seek Him, but when one is saved they seek out the things of God (1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby). That is all the more reason to appeal to the sure written word of God, pure words.

I see value in opening the Scriptures, looking on the word of God. I do not endorse the study of heresy, as we are admonished to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, not feed the mind with poison, so instead be looking at the word of God. Error of my own might be discovered while I study the Scriptures. I don't pretend to have arrived, as if I understood everything in the Bible, and as if I were without fault, but I know, we have the sure word of God. It is written, we are sanctified by truth, and His word is truth.

1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

That being said, His word being truth, I am passionate about the word of God. The Holy Ghost is not working contrary to the word of God, and the word of God is not contrary to the Holy Ghost. There is no salvation discovered apart from the testimony of the word of God. 

With that said, there is another matter, something to be resolved between a man and our Lord. A man ought to come to the understanding of just what the Bible is, and be convinced in his own mind that there is a Bible, wholly the word of God. That is very pertinent to the content of this message.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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