COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]  MAINSTREAM RELIGION MORE INFLUENCED BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS THAN THE BIBLE.   With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1]  SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 18B]

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  Romans 11:18,  [authorized King James Bible; AV]

The earth will clearly will remain for ever as revealed at Ecclesiastes 1:4, [AV] “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”  But Almighty God (YHWH) will turn it once more into a paradise to fulfill his original intent for it, and as Isaiah 33:24, says, [AV] “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.”  However, we must live a godly life in order to be a dweller in this righteous earth per Luke 21:34 – 36, [AV] “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”  And as Matthew 6:33, [AV] says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”   
   
[2]  MAINSTREAM RELIGION MORE INFLUENCED BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS THAN THE BIBLE:

INTRODUCTION:

Many who claim to be Christian are more influenced by pagan philosophers than the Bible and true teachings of Christ.   Mainstream so called Christian religion has adopted many false pagan teachings of pagan philosophers such as Aristotle and given them importance over the teachings of the Bible.   For example, the so called mainstream Christian religions readily accepted the pagan philosophers beliefs in the Ptolemaic system of astronomy and the Trinity rejecting Bible teachings.   They went so far in believing these pagan beliefs that they even had individuals who disagreed with this pagan concepts of the pagan philosophers burned at the stake and/or killed in other ways and also put under house arrest.   Of course many will say this fact is not believable, but let's look at the facts through one of many examples.

Let's consider the case of Giordano Bruno who was burnt-at-the-stake because he taught earth traveled around the sun, the Copernican system, in opposition to the system from pagan philosophers, the Ptolemaic system where the sun traveled around the earth, which the Catholic church and most of the protestant churches maintained in the 15 century was universal truth even though it came from paganism and NOT the Bible.   Here is what history says with regard to what happened to Giordano Bruno,

"The Inquisition burnt him at the stake on 17 February 1600. Bruno turned his head away from the cross shown at him in sign of disdain. He was executed, guilty of his beliefs, in Campo dei Fiori (The Field of Flowers). There is a statue in that place, reminding Italians and tourists of his incredible story. The Catholic Church was intolerant regarding his beliefs, but he on the other side was uncaring about the situation.... The Vatican had to do something. Giordano Bruno was tried, convicted of heresy, and then burnt at the stake. Killing Giordano Bruno [for teaching the Copernican theory] was not difficult then. While Martin Luther was well protected by the princes of the German states, Bruno was not." [source - A Yet to Be Pardoned Heretic: Giordano Bruno by Laert Dogjani].

ACCEPTANCE OF PAGANISM:

One may ask, how did pagan philosophy become accepted Christian doctrine by so called mainstream Christian churches.   Well in the case of the Trinity for example it was by way of compromise with a pagan Roman Emperor Constantine who needed to unite his empire religiously in order to strengthen it.   This pagan worshiper of the Unconquered Sun called a conference or council in which all known so called Christian bishops were invited, but less than half of those invited actually attended.  This council, known as the Council of Nicea of 325 AD,  went on for a long time with the pagan Constantine who cared naught for Bible truths presiding over it until he got most of the bishops in attendance to compromise [three did not] and accept several pagan teachings thereby bringing a fusion between the so called Christians and the pagans which resulted in bringing religious unity to most of his empire.   Of course as far as being true footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, this was nothing short of gross apostasy; but only one of many apostasies to follow.

One pagan philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) had put forth a false theory that the sun traveled around the earth and the earth was the center of the universe, and this was known as the Ptolemaic system.   Let's learn more about this pagan philosopher.

"To the modern reader, Aristotle's views on astronomy, as presented in Metaphysics, Physics, De Caelo (On the Heavens) and Simplicius' Commentary, will most likely seem very bizarre, as they are based more on a priori philosophical speculation than empirical observation. Although Aristotle acknowledged the importance of "scientific" astronomy - the study of the positions, distances and motions of the stars - he nevertheless treated astronomy in the abstract, linking it to his overall philosophical world picture. As a result, the modern distinction between physics and metaphysics is not present in Aristotle, and in order to fully appreciate him we must try to abandon this pre-conception.
Aristotle argued that the universe is spherical and finite. Spherical, because that is the most perfect shape; finite, because it has a center, viz. the center of the earth, and a body with a center cannot be infinite. He believed that the earth, too, is a sphere. It is relatively small compared to the stars, and in contrast to the celestial bodies, always at rest. For one of his proofs of this latter point, he referred to an empirically testable fact: if the earth were in motion, an observer on it would see the fixed stars as moving, just as he now observes the planets as moving, that is from a stationary earth. However, since this is not the case, the earth must be at rest. To prove that the earth is a sphere, he produced the argument that all earthly substances move towards the center, and thus would eventually have to form a sphere. He also used evidence based on observation. If the earth were not spherical, lunar eclipses would not show segments with a curved outline. Furthermore, when one travels northward or southward, one does not see the same stars at night, nor do they occupy the same positions in the sky. (De Caelo, Book II, chapter 14) That the celestial bodies must also be spherical in shape, can be determined by observation. In the case of the stars, Aristotle argued that they would have to be spherical, as this shape, which is the most perfect, allows them to retain their positions. (De Caelo, Book II, chapter 11)

.....Aristotle's hierarchical model of the universe had a profound influence on medieval scholars, who modified it to correspond with Christian theology. Saint Thomas Aquinas, for example, re-interpreted the prime movers as angels. Backed up by religious authority, Aristotle's model lasted for centuries. Unfortunately, this had the effect of restraining the progress of science, as few people dared to challenge the authority of the church. Nevertheless, we can say of Aristotle that he made a contribution to astronomy simply by starting to ask certain questions about the universe, thereby stimulating other minds to do the same." [source - Aristotle's Astronomy  by Thomas Fowler]

Now how did the pagan concepts of this pagan philosopher Aristotle come to be accepted as more pertinent that the Bible by the so called mainstream Christian church?   Well let's find out from history as detailed in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy which shows which so called church father, Thomas Aquinas, was responsible for the adoption of this, the pagan philosopher's the Ptolemaic system theory.    Let's see what history says with regard this apostasy by the so called mainstream Christian church's adoption of this pagan philosopher's theory by the person of so called Saint Thomas Aquinas.

"Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that had obtained for centuries. This crisis flared up just as universities were being founded. Thomas, after early studies at Montecassino, moved on to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican Order. It was at Naples too that Thomas had his first extended contact with the new learning. When he Johnined the Dominican Order he went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, which had been formed out of the monastic schools on the Left Bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master Thomas defended the mendicant orders and, of greater historical importance, countered both the Averroistic interpretations of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result was a new modus vivendi between faith

and philosophy which survived until the rise of the new physics. Thomas's theological writings became regulative of the Catholic Church and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource which is now receiving increased recognition. The following account concentrates on Thomas the philosopher and presents him as fundamentally an Aristotelian.

Thomas and Aristotle
As a philosopher, Thomas is emphatically Aristotelian. His interest in and perceptive understanding of the Stagyrite is present from his earliest years and certainly did not await the period toward the end of his life when he wrote his close textual commentaries on Aristotle. When Thomas referred to Aristotle as the Philosopher, he was not merely adopting a facon de parler of the time. He adopted Aristotle's analysis of physical objects, his view of place, time and motion, his proof of the prime mover, his cosmology. He made his own Aristotle's account of sense perception and intellectual knowledge. His moral philosophy is closely based on what he learned from Aristotle and in his commentary on the Metaphysics he provides the most cogent and coherent account of what is going on in those difficult pages. But to acknowledge the primary role of Aristotle in Thomas's philosophy is not to deny other influences. Augustine is a massively important presence. Boethius, Pseudo-Dionysius and Proclus were conduits through which he learned Neo-platonism. There is nothing more obviously Aristotelian about Thomas than his assumption that there is something to be learned from any author, if only mistakes to be avoided. But he adopted many features from non-Aristotelian sources.

This has led some to suggest that what is called Thomistic philosophy is an eclectic hodgepodge, not a set of coherent disciplines. Others, struck by the prominence in Thomas of such Platonic notions as participation, have argued that his thought is fundamentally Platonic, not Aristotelian. Still others argue that that there is a radically original Thomistic philosophy which cannot be characterized by anything it shares with earlier thinkers, particularly Aristotle.

The recognition that Thomas is fundamentally an Aristotelian is not equivalent to the claim that Aristotle is the only influence on him. It is the claim that whatever Thomas takes on from other sources is held to be compatible with what he already holds in common with Aristotle. And, of course, to draw attention to the sources of Thomas's philosophy is not to say that everything he holds philosophically can be parsed back into historical antecedents." [source - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy].

Thus the adoption by the so called mainstream Christian church, at the insistence of Thomas Aquinas, lead up to the burning-at-the-stake of  Giordano Bruno for teaching the earth traveled around the sun, the Copernican theory.  In addition, it lead to the eventual house arrest of the great scientist Galileo.   In fact, by the time of Galileo, says Wade Rowland in this book, "Galileo's Mistake,"

"the hybridized Aristotle in the theology of Aquinas had become bedrock dogma of the Church of Rome" [source - Galileo's Mistake by Wade Rowland].

Now keep in mind that is those days there was no such thing as a scientific community as education as such was largely in the hands of the so called mainstream Christian church.    Therefore, the authority on religion and science was often one and the same.

CONFRONTATION WITH GALILEO LEADING TO HIS HOUSE ARREST:

Now circumstances were primed for a confrontation between the leading scientist of the day, Galileo, and the so called Christian church.   In fact it was Galileo's steadfast promotion of the Heliocentric System and his assertion that it harmonized with the scriptures that lead to his arrest and trial by the Catholic Inquisition in 1633.   Here is what history says on this case, the case of GALILEO GALILEI.

"The case of Galileo Galilei not only had a different outcome from that of Bruno,  it was different.   Galileo was summoned before the Inquisition in 1616.  He had earlier stated his opposition to the Ptolemaic cosmology and the Inquisition had become suspicious of him in 1611.  He continued his public defense of the Copernician system as well as his own investigations of the heavens.

In 1613 he wrote an ecclesiastical friend Father Castelli, expressing his view that the theologian should attempt to reconcile Biblical phraseology with the results of science, instead of of attempting to restrict scientific investigation on Biblical authority.  A copy of that letter was given to the Inquisition in 1615.  The following year, the Pope warned Galileo to desist from his heretical teaching or face imprisonment.

When Galileo, in 1632, published a defense of the Copernican system, Dialogue on The Two Chief World Systems, the Inqusition again took notice.   Galileo was arrested and tried.  It was a wearisome and long trial.  On June 22, 1633, Galileo was condemned.  After threats of torture he solemnly abjured his scientific beliefs on bended knees before the tribunal.  The Inquisition sentenced him to indeterminate imprisonment.  That sentence was commuted to a continual residence at Sienna.... Unlike Bruno who defied the Inquisition Galileo acceded to its wishes and lived." [source - http://idcs0100.lib.iup.edu/scirev/newpage11.htm]

From the above we see several things which are:

First, the so called mainstream Christian church was more interested in maintaining the beliefs of pagan philosophers than Biblical truths.

Second, the so called mainstream Christian church cared NOT for truth and reality and the right to speak and write the truth, but for only the maintenance of its perceived so called correct and infallible beliefs which were anything but infallible.

Third, they cared not for the true Christian principle of love as expressed in the Bible many, many times, some of which are as follows,

1John 4:8 - [Revised Standard Version; RSV]
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
1John 4:10 - [RSV]
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.
1John 4:12 - [RSV]
No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1John 4:16 - [RSV]
So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1John 4:20 - [RSV]
If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1John 5:3 - [RSV]
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

For if they had cared for the true Christian principle of love as exposed by Christ and his Apostles they would NEVER have burned Giordano Bruno at-the-stake or treated Galileo as they did.   Their treatment of these two scientist clearly shows that the so called mainstream Christian church is definitely NOT true footstep followers of Christ as clearly they can not be if they do not show love to one another, i.e., Giordany Bruno, Galileo, and many others.

WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM ALL OF THIS?

First, we learn that many who claim to be Christ' footstep followers are NOT what they claim to be.

Second, we learn that Galileo had no quarrel with the Bible, but instead questioned the teachings of the church.   He clearly showed he knew the Bible was correct, but NOT the church.

Third, all of this un-Christian activity by those claiming to be his footstep followers, but instead following the philosophy of pagan philosophers brings to mind the warning at Colossians 2:4-8, " I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ." (RSV).   Pay particular attention to verse 8 as it shows clearly what the so called mainstream Christian church disregarded in favor of their false perceptions.

Yet, even with the 'telling' of history, many in Christendom continue to embrace pagan theories and philosophies that contradict the Bible.   Some such examples are Darwin's theory of the arrival of life which of course does not 'jive' with the account of creation given in Genesis.   In the acceptance of this, many churches have in effect made Darwin a modern-day Aristotle and evolution an article of faith; the Trinity God (YHWH) dishonoring false doctrine that came by way of paganism from ancient Greek philosophy; the false claim that Sunday is actually the Sabbath day proclaimed by God; when in fact, it was actually Saturday as anyone who knows the Spanish language would realize if he/she thought about it as Saturday in Spanish is Sabbado; the false doctrine of apostolic succession; that the Virgin Mary remained ever a virgin which is in sharp conflict with Matthew 1:23-25, "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus." (Douay Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB).   Here the word 'knew' refers to sexual intercourse; etc.

TRUE SCIENCE ALWAYS HARMONIZES WITH THE BIBLE:

Let's face it, true science always harmonizes with the Bible.   One great scientist, Sir Isaac Newton, believed very strongly that true science always harmonizes with the Bible, but rejected false teachings from Greek mythology taught by the Greek philosophers as shown in "Sir Isaac Newton" Microsoft(r) Encarta(r). Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corporation.   Let's look at what was said in this work on this fact,

" Newton also wrote on Judaeo-Christian prophecy, whose decipherment was essential, he thought, to the understanding of God. His book on the subject, which was reprinted well into the Victorian Age, represented lifelong study. Its message was that Christianity went astray in the 4th century AD, when the first Council of Nicaea propounded erroneous doctrines of the nature of Christ. The full extent of Newton's unorthodoxy was recognized only in the present century: but although a critic of accepted Trinitarian dogmas and the Council of Nicaea, he possessed a deep religious sense, venerated the Bible and accepted its account of creation. In late editions of his scientific works he expressed a strong sense of God's providential role in nature." [source, Microsoft Encarta on Sir Isac Newton by Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corporation].

And in The Romance of Bible Chronology by the Rev. Martin Anstey, the following was said of him,

"In his great work The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended, which was published posthumously in 1728, the year after his death, he endeavoured to construct a system on new bases, independent of the Greek Chronologers, whose unsatisfactory method of reckoning by generations, reigns and successions he exposed, laying bare the foundation on which their Chronology rested, and thereby overthrowing the elementary dates of Greek, Latin and Egyptian Chronology. He reduced the date of the taking of Troy from B.C. 1183 to 965. He followed Sir John Marshall in identifying Sesostris with Shishak, whose date he thus reduced from B.C.1300 to 965. Newton cites Thucydides and Socrates, the musician Terpander, and the Olympic disk of Lycurgus, he uses his calculation of the procession of the equinoxes since the time of Hipparcus, and he substituted a reckoning of 20 years each instead of 33 for the succession of the Kings of Sparta. Newton . . . has certainly destroyed the possibility of regarding the Chronology of the Greeks as a stable foundation for any system of Chronology that can be used as a standard by which to judge, and correct, the testimony of the Old Testament. Yet this conjectural Chronology of the Greeks is the foundation upon which the Canon of Ptolemy rests, and the Canon of Ptolemy is the only obstacle in the way of the establishment of the Chronology of the Old Testament." [source - The Romance of Bible Chronology by the Rev. Martin Anstey, B.D. M.A. (London) Published by Marshall Bros. Ltd., 1913, page 49].

Sir Isaac Newton, probably the greatest scientist of all of time was also one of the greatest Bible scholars of all time as brought out by Professor Arthur B. Anderson.

"Isaac Newton was the greatest scientist who has ever lived. It is, in fact, generally accepted that he is the greatest scientist who ever will live, since no one, no matter how brilliant, will ever again be in such a unique historical position....

Isaac Newton believed that the Bible is literally true in every respect. Throughout his life, he continually tested Biblical truth against the physical truths of experimental and theoretical science. He never observed a contradiction. In fact, he viewed his own scientific work as a method by which to reinforce belief in Biblical truth.

He was a formidable Biblical scholar, was fluent in the ancient languages, and had extensive knowledge of ancient history. He believed that each person should read the Bible, and through that reading, establish for himself an understanding of the universal truth it contains.

Only one book of Newton's about the Bible was ever published. In 1733, six years after his death, J. Darby and T. Browne, published Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.

With his prodigious knowledge of ancient history and languages and his unequaled mental powers, Isaac Newton is the best qualified individual in this millennium to have written about the prophecies. His study of the Book of Daniel began at the age of 12 and continued to be a special interest throughout his life. Moreover, he writes of the prophecies with a modesty that indicates that he, himself, is in awe of the words he has been given an opportunity to read.
Isaac Newton concluded that it is intended that Revelation will be understood by very few until near the end of history, the time of judgment, and the beginning of the everlasting kingdom of the Saints of the Most High. Here is an excerpt from that book:

This prophecy is called the Revelation, with respect to the Scripture of Truth, which Daniel was commanded to shut up and seal, till the time of the end. Daniel sealed it until the time of the end, and until that time comes, the Lamb is opening the seals: and afterward the two Witnesses prophesy out of it a long time in sackcloth, before they ascend up to heaven in a cloud. All of which is as much as to say, that the prophecies of Daniel and John should not be understood till the time of the end: but that some should prophesy out of it in an afflicted and mournful state for a long time, and that but darkly, so as to convert but few. But in the very end, the Prophecy should be so far interpreted so as to convince many. Then saith Daniel, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

For the Gospel must first be preached in all nations before the great tribulation, and end of the world. The palm-bearing multitude, which came out of this great tribulation, cannot be innumerable out of all nations unless they be made so by the preaching of the Gospel before it comes. There must be a stone cut of the mountain without hands, before it can fall on the toes of the Image, and become a great mountain and fill the earth. An Angel must fly through the midst of heaven with the everlasting Gospel to preach to all nations, before Babylon falls, and the Son of man reaps his harvest. The two prophets must ascend up to heaven in a cloud, before the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Christ.

'Tis therefore a part of this Prophecy, that it should not be understood before the last age of the world; and therefore it makes for the credit of the Prophecy, that it is not yet understood. But if the last age, the age of opening these things, be now approaching, as by the great success of late Interpreters it seems to be, we have more encouragement that ever to look into these things.
If the general preaching of the Gospel be approaching, it is for us and our posterity that these words mainly belong: In the time of the end the wise shall understand, but none of the wicked shall understand. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein

(Daniel XII 4,10, Apoc. i 3).
Sir Isaac Newton and all reputable scientists believed that today's scarred and marred earth was the result of the great Flood. This was the common opinion of the majority of educated people until around the year 1870!!
In conclusion: Sir Isaac Newton was totally correct in his Observations. If the greatest scientist who ever lived had no problem believing the Bible, what excuse will evolutionists, atheists, agnostics, or other so called men of science have on Judgment Day!! " [source - Sir Isaac Newton and the Bible by Professor Arthur B. Anderson.]

CONCLUSION:

The earliest Biblical reference to natural law is found at Job 38:33, "Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof on the earth?" (DRCB), which was written about 1600 BCE.    Clearly showing that God (YHWH) was the author of the Bible and used faithful men as scribes to put his thoughts into the words of men under inspiration.   Therefore, the Bible should be followed all the way, not halfway, since when one truly comprehends it, the bible is entirely consistent - both the New Testament and the Old testament - and practical for our day.

Also, although not extensively covered in this writing, the Protestant attitude was/and is much the same as the Catholic.   Leaders of the Protestant Reformation also backed the Ptolemaic system of pagan philosophers in direct defiance of the Bible at previously quoted Colossians 2:8, " Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ." (DRCB). 

How so?   Martin Luther said of Copernicus, the father of the concept of the Copernican System that the earth revolved around the sun, the following, "This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy." [source - Galileo's Mistake by Wade Rowland and Servetus & Calvin 1877].    Also, other Protestant Reformers such as Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) and John Calvin (1509-1564) agreed with Martin Luther (1483-1546) on this.   Thus the Protestant Reformation may have broke the papal 'yoke,' but it failed to 'shake the essential authority' of the pagan philosopher, Aristotle, and that of so called Saint Thomas Aquinas, since their views were accepted by Catholic and Protestant alike.


LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT  WWW.JW.ORG

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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]  DISCOURSE ON QUICK PROOF THAT THE BIBLE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED.      With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1]  SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 19B]

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.  Jeremiah 10:23,  [authorized King James Bible; AV]

At present we are living in the conclusion of the end times, and Satan the Devil knows he has but a short time so conditions in the world are going from bad to worse just as prophesied at 2 Timothy 3:1 - 5, and 3:12 - 13, [AV] “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.“ and “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”   

[2]  DISCOURSE ON QUICK PROOF THAT THE BIBLE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED:

INTRODUCTION:

The proof that the Bible is divinely inspired, unlike Bible knockoffs, is found in the Bible and confirmed by secular history and archeology as you well should know.   The Bible was written by over 40 divinely inspired men whom the Creator, God (YHWH), the actual author of the Bible but not the knockoffs, inspired these faithful men to put his thoughts into the words of men.   Another proof of course is the amazing candor found in the Bible which is entirely out of line with all other ancient books in which the prophets such as Jonah even recorded their own shortcomings and wrong doings instead of covering them up as was the standard practice of rulers and the false prophets in ancient times.

You will NOT find this candor and honesty in other ancient religious books such as the Rib Veda, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Urial, etc.   Nor will you find it in the Bible knockoffs such as the Book of Morman-Joseph Smith never listed his shortcomings, the Quran-Muhammed never listed his shortcomings, the Writings of David Korash of the Branch Dividians-David Korash never listed his shortcomings, etc.   Why?   Because these were all writings of men and/or of things they had copied from the Bible in distorted form, and not by divinely inspired scribes as were the writers of the Bible who in effect were just secretaries so to speak of the Creator, God (YHWH).

SOME FAIL TO COMPREHEND THE BIBLE WHILE USING BIBLE KNOCKOFFS:

Now with regard to how other none divinely inspired writers such as Joseph Smith and Muhammed 'borrowed' from the Bible is clear when you read either of their work products, i.e., the Book of Mormon or the Quran.   With respect the work product of David Korash, unlike the others, he did give credit to the source for his work.   Now let's look at a passage in the Bible and the equivalent passage in the Quran so this borrowing with out credit can be clearly seen.  Let's look at Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God." (American Standard Version; ASV).  Now let's look at the 'borrowed' passage in the Quran at Sura 3:47, "She said, "My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?" He said, "GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, `Be,' and it is."

Interestingly although both the Quran's  'Be' and the Bible's (in some translations only) overshadow both refer to exactly the same thing, but use different words, some Muslims do not comprehend this and think overshadow has bad connotations which of course it does not. Both these passages refer to God's (YHWH) using his active force or power referred to in the Bible as Spirit or Holy Spirit to implant the life force of his only begotten Son, that we know as Jesus (Yeshua) into the womb of the virgin Mary as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (ASV). Now some may not understand just what this force or power of God (YHWH) is so here is a brief explanation.

WHAT FORCE OVERSHADOWED MARY?

Now let's get an understanding of what this power or Spirit or Holy Spirit of God's (YHWH's) is his active force or power and emanates from him and is a force completely controlled by him, and is capable of giving him feedback and gathering for him information. 

But first let's see why the Spirit is indeed God's (YHWH's) active force or power from an understanding of the ancient word 'pneu'ma' translated Spirit or Holy Spirit in English.  The neuter Koine Greek word for spirit (pneu'ma) is used with the neuter pronoun "it" since it is lacks gender.   This fact is conveniently over looked or hidden by most Trinitarian translators of the Bible as admitted in the  "New American Bible Catholic Bible,"  regarding John 14:17: "The Greek word for 'Spirit' is neuter, and while we use personal pronouns in English ('he,' 'his,' 'him'), most Greek MSS [manuscripts] employ 'it.'"   So when the Bible uses masculine personal pronouns in connection with pa·ra'kle·tos at John 16:7, 8, it is conforming to rules of grammar, not expressing a doctrine.   And in Ancient Hebrew the word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit."   In Latin, it is spiritus, and in Sanskrit, 'prana' which means both "breath" and "spirit."  And the pertinent definition in the Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary (ISBN 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6) clearly states, (4) <Often Cap.> In the Bible, the creative, animating power or divine influence of God...[etymology-[<Old French, 'espirit' <Latin, 'spiritus' bredth, spirit <'spirare' to breathe].  So we can see it, the Holy Spirit or Spirit is truly God's (YHWH's) active force or power and not a spirit being as are Almighty God (YHWH) and his Son, Jesus (Yeshua).  This point is very well made in the New International Version at Luke 1:35, "The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[1] the Son of God." (The New International Version; NIV). Sure shows that the Holy Spirit is nothing but God's (YHWH's) active force.

Now from the study of science and technology we know that with respect a force there can be four possibilities or possibly five applicable questions, which are as follows:

(1) Is it an uncontrolled force?

(2) Is it a controlled force?

(3)  Is it controlled, but without feedback?

(4)  Is it controlled, but with feedback?

Is it direct or indirect feedback?

However 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 shows it to be a controlled force with feedback that appears to be direct feedback, "But unto us God revealed [them] through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God." (American Standard Version; ASV), clearly showing that the "spirit which is from God,"  and God "revealed [them] through the Spirit," and uses it to search all things, thus showing it is a controlled spirit capable of feedback.  God (YHWH) has complete control over his power or force and can choose its fields of operations as testified to at Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (ASV) clearly showing he can use to lead individuals and that it belongs to him.   And John 16:13 clearly shows it as a force, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." Since it is quite clear that it is a controlled force, "shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak,"

Clearly it is a controlled force used by God (YHWH) to do many things as testified to at Acts 10:19-20, "While Peter was meditationg on the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'There are two men looking for you.  20 Get up and go down, and without hesitation go on with them, for I have sent them.'" (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams); And the fact that it is a closely controlled force is further affirmed at Acts 16:6, "And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:" (ASV); And at Acts 13:2-4, "And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." (ASV); And at Acts 15:28, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:" (ASV) clearly indicating direct feedback to and response by God (YHWH); which is further shown by Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption" (ASV) which once more indicates that is gives direct feedback and it reacts to the feelings of God (YHWH) from which it emanates thus a tightly controlled force or power.

IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE:

But some may ask of what importance has the Bible been through the ages.  This will be done in 6 parts borrowed from "Civilization and the Bible."

1) Our entire civilization as we know it is actually built on the ability to store information in one form or another and to pass it on to others for their use. This storage can take many different forms such as books, memory cores and disks, scrolls, clay tablets, writings on stones and artifacts, etc. Storage of the repository of human knowledge and better reasoning ability are the things that set humankind apart from all other species that inhabits this planet. We know what happened in the past and can learn from the past because of our store of knowledge. Without this ability to store knowledge we would not know anything about the Roman Empire, the various ancient dynasties of the Chinese or the scientific findings of the past that we have built on and developed on in a synergistic way to continually advance. This sets us apart from all the other concurrent inhabiting species of this planet; take the common cat, this animal has coexisted with mankind during are entire existence, but it lacks the ability to pass on anything more than the most rudimentary information to the next generation and it has NOT advanced; we see no great cat cities or developments by this species and we never will.

2) Our advancement was made possible by this ability to build on our collective knowledge in a continuing progressive upward path. We name things and this name is accepted as valid my others and our knowledge is added to. Take for example the color we call red, why is it red? It is red only because we collectively decide to use this term for it and to reference it to artifacts such as color chips, vases, etc. that are that color. Could we prove anything is red apart from our collective knowledge of what is red and our artifacts? Definitely not since it is only red due to our collective knowledge and our artifacts. Without our collective knowledge and our artifacts we would be just like the lesser animals having only a here and now existence. Of course there are those among us that differ with our collective knowledge and question the obvious of what we know or have learned as a society. The Flat Earth Society (London and California) maintain that the earth is flat and not round and there are still some primitive people that believe the earth is not only flat but carried by a great turtle through the cosmos and also those who maintain man has never gone to the moon. However, are their beliefs reasonable in the light of knowledge accumulated by society and the artifacts now possessed by society, the answer is a resounding NO.

3) Also, are advancement is built on our ability to classify our knowledge. Many things are as we classify them. These classifications are not intrinsically right or wrong, but a method of ordering our collective knowledge into a coherent form for better understanding. In other words it is humanities attempt to take a group of disconnected information and put it into some order so we can better understand it. Of course one can disagree with classifications used and maintain that standard classifications are inadequate in one way or another, but he/she does thins strictly on the basis of the collective body of human knowledge. For example, take the classifications of several forms of deviant sex, pedophile, homosexual, and heterosexual deviant sex practitioner. Our collective knowledge is that a heterosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of the opposite gender; a homosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of his own gender; Pedophilia relates to a sexual perversion in which children, either sex, are the preferred sexual object. Now one could maintain that pedophilias are neither homosexual or heterosexual deviant sex practitioners as they are driven by different behavior motivations, i.e., power and control in addition to sex, than deviant sex practitioners who prefer adults. While their behavior motivations are different, they, depending on the gender of the victim and the perpetrator would be either heterosexual pedophiles or homosexual pedophiles; note, as previously mentioned this classification is apart from the differences in underlying motivation due to how we have collectively set up the classification in our collective body of knowledge.

4) Since God created us and everything else in the universe and new our makeup since he had made us, he caused men under his direction or inspiration to write a collective body of information to tell us of his requirements, laws and principles; of the history of his people with whom he had concluded a covenant with; to tell us salient items to occur in the future, prophecy; and to inspire us. For example, the history given in the Bible was intended to show how when his people kept his laws and principles all went well with them and when they disobeyed how he brought punishment on them. This history also showed how punishment was executed on wicked nations before our modern era. All this was for the purpose of adding to our collective knowledge so we could learn from it and act in an intelligent manner on it if we were so disposed. Whereas, prophecy, the foretelling of history in advance, had basically a two fold purpose of first advising us of what would happen in the future and in most cases why and the second was so we would indeed know that his addition to our collective knowledge was indeed from him and the writers of it were indeed inspired. In fact, one mathematician once took the hundred of scriptures in the old testament concerning Jesus, prophecy related to him, and calculated that the possibility of them all being fulfilled by coincidence was so great as to be mathematically impossible.

In addition to prophecy to show the Bible is inspired and from God is the many recorded eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible and elsewhere that relate to the life and times of Jesus. For example, the accounts written by Josephus, a first century Jewish historian employed by the Romans, clearly acknowledge Jesus (see "The Jewish Antiguities" by Josephus) and many of his activities/accomplishments as do other contemporary historians such as Tacitus, a Roman historian in "The complete works of Tacitus, " and numerous others. "The New Encyclopedia Britannica states: "These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus." The Jews, however, did not accept Jesus and the "Encyclopaedia Judaica says, "The Jews of the Roman period believed [the Messiah] would be raised up by God to break the yoke of the heather..." but they did admit his existance and many of the powerful works he did.

5) Some specific examples of its inspiration were the prophecy at Jeremiah 49:17-18 17 "Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it." Note, Jeremiah's recording was finished by 580 B.C. The prophecy was fulfilled when the Edomites were driven from Palesting during the 2nd century B.C. by Judam Maccabaeus, "The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia. There are many more examples such as this that can be found in reference books in all major libraries for any who should care to do further research in the repository of collective knowledge of our civilization.

6) Therefore the Bible is proved as reliable by are repository of collective artifacts, many from archeological discoveries, that verify Biblical facts and details, and our collective repository of recorded knowledge external to the Bible. As previously noted this can be checked out at any major library with a little research on the part of any interested individual who wishes to do his/her homework. [source - Civilization and the Bible  by Iris the Preacher 2001].

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT  WWW.JW.ORG

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]  TRINITARIAN DOGMA, A LATE 4 TH. CENTURY INVENTION.   With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1]  SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY – [VOL 21B]

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.  1 Kings 17:1, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Here Elijah had delivered a very unwelcome to Ahab, the king of Israel at that time of a great drought that would come upon the land.  However, Ahab refused to accept the message and continued to act wickedly worshiping the false god Baal.  Some time later Elijah told Ahab that it would be coming to an end as recounted at 1 Kings 18:22 – 45, [AV] “Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  23  Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:  24  And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.  25  And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.  26  And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.  27  And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.  28  And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.  29  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.  30  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.  31  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:  32  And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.  33  And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.  34  And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.  35  And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.  36  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  37  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.  38  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  39  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.  40  And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.  41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  42  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,  43  And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.  44  And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.  45  And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.”  Here Almighty God (YHWH) clearly showed that He was the true God, Creator of heaven and earth.   

[2]  Trinitarian Dogma, A Late 4 th. Century Invention

INTRODUCTION:

Many think the Trinity was a teaching of Jesus (Yeshua) and the early Christians, but it was not.   This teaching makes the preposterous claims that Jesus (Yeshua) and his Farther, Almighty God (YHWH) are co-equal and co-eternal; that they are just different manifestations of one god, or similar such absurdities depending on a particular creed's Trinity flavor of the day.   But let's look at the historical facts and Biblical facts and find out the truth.

THE TRINITY'S PRE CHRISTIAN PAGAN ORIGINS:

The Bible clearly tells of many pagan gods and goddesses that people worshiped.   These were gods such as Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech as shown at 1 Kings 11:1-8, "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. " (Authorized King James Version; AV).

Also, at various times many people in the ancient nation of Israel even went following other gods such as Baal.   God's (YHWH's) prophet, Elijah even presented a challenge to those who had turned aside to Baal as recorded at 1 Kings 18:17-39, "And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.  21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God." (AV).

This worship of pagan gods was grouped in threes, or triads, and was also common in Jesus' (Yeshua's) day.   In fact, "The encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics"  James Hastings wrote, "In Indian religion, e.g., we meet with the Trinitarian group of Brahma, Siva, and Visnu; and in Egyptian religion with the Trinitarian group of Osiris, Isis, and Horus."    And the great Catholic historian Will Durant stated, "From Egypt came the idea of a divine trinity."   

DID EARLY CHRISTIANS ACKNOWLEDGE A TRINITY?

Let'S see if early Christians acknowledged a trinity from the Bible.   First, when the apostle Paul healed a lame man in Lystra, the people called him a god as recorded at Acts 14:8-14, "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out," (AV).   And in Ephesus the apostle Paul was denounced by the Silversmith Demetrius for teaching against the false goddess Artemis as recorded at Acts 19:24-28, "For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." (AV).

Thus people in the 1 st. Century, like today, worshiped many who are called gods per 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him" (AV), but the apostle Paul clearly said, "But to us there is but one God, the Father."

Although Jesus never claimed to be God (YHWH), his Father (YHWH), he as God's (YHWH's) appointed ruler is identified in Isaiah's prophecy by the terms, " mighty God" and " Prince of Peace," see Isaiah 9:6-7, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (AV).   Isaiah's prophecy clearly states,"of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."    So, as the "Prince," the Son of the Great King, Almighty God (YHWH), Jesus (Yeshua) will serve as the ruler of the heavenly government under Almighty God (YHWH) per Exodus 6:3, "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them." (AV).

Yet individuals will ask, In what sense is Jesus (Yeshua) a 'mighty God,' and did not the apostle John say in the Authorized King James Bible at John 1:1, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. " (AV).   Some will argue that this means that the 'Word," who was born on earth as Jesus (Yeshua) is in-fact Almighty God (YHWH) himself, but let's see if this is true.

If we accept this translational construct to mean that Jesus (Yeshua) himself was God Almighty (YHWH), it would contradict the preceding statement; "the Word was with God."    Why?   Well someone who is 'with' another individual/being can NOT, also, be the same as that other individual/being.

This is clearly shown in many Bible translations that draw a clear distinction that the 'Word' was NOT God Almighty (YHWH) such as "The New Testament," by James L. Tomanek which says, "The Word was a God," "The Emphatic Diaglott, interlinear reading by Benjamin Wilson, based on the Interlineary Word for word English Translation of the Vatican Manuscript #1209 by Dr. J. J. Griesbach which says, "and a god was the word;" and "an American Translation," by J.M.P. Smith and E.J. Goodspeed says, "the word was divine."

It is interesting to note that Bible verses which have a similar construction to that of John 1:1 in Koine Greek use the expression "a god."   To wit, when referring to Herod Agrippa I, the crowds shouted at Acts 12:22, "And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." (AV), and Acts 28:3-6, "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god." (AV).   Therefore, it is in harmony with both Koine Greek grammar and the Bible to speak of the Word [Jesus (Yeshua)] as not God, but 'a god."

This is clearly shown by John 1:14-18, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (AV).   Thus showing "the Word" who became flesh, lived on earth as the man Jesus (Yeshua) and was seen by many people; therefore, he could not possibly be God Almighty (YHWH) since the apostle John said, "No man hath seen God at any time."

Some may ask with respect Thomas's exclaiming at John 20:28, "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." (AV) what does this mean, was not Thomas calling Jesus (Yeshua) God (YHWH)?   However, as already noted, Jesus (Yeshua) is a god in the sense of being divine, but that in no way makes him God Almighty (YHWH), his Father.    In fact, this is made very clear with respect what Jesus (Yeshua) told Mary Magdalene at John 20:17, "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (AV), clearly showing he was not his Father (YHWH), but was ascending to him.   Also, bear in mind why the apostle John wrote the account with regard Thomas; it was to explain per John 20:31, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (AV) that Jesus (Yeshua) "is the Christ, the Son of God," not that he was God (YHWH).

THE TRINITY AND THE CREEDS:

Bear in mind that, as mentioned in the introduction, the Trinity is not a teaching of Jesus (Yeshua) or of the early Christians, but was actually adopted from the pagans by a creedal church to please a pagan Roman Emperor, a worshipper of the Unconquered Sun.   Let's see what some renown and respected sources say about whether the early Christians believed it and when it was adopted as a creedal doctrine in the 4 th. Century.

"The Living Pulpit" in its 1999 issue on the Trinity stated, "Sometimes, it seems that everyone assumes that the doctrine of the Trinity is standard Christian theological fare;" But it added, that it is not "a Biblical idea."

Martin Werner, a professor at the University of Bern, Switzerland, observed, "Whenever in the New Testament the relationship of Jesus to God, the Father, is brought into consideration, whether with reference to his appearance as a man or to his Messianic status, it is conceived of and represented categorically as subordination."

The "New Catholic Encyclopedia, " (1967) discusses at great lengths the Trinity, but admits, "The Trinitarian dogma is in the last analysis a late 4 th. Century invention...  The formulation 'one God in three persons' was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4 th. Century."

The "Christian Century," in its May 20-27, 1998 issue, quoted a pastor who acknowledges that the Trinity is "a teaching of the church rather than a teaching of Jesus."   Now the question is, if it is NOT a teaching of Jesus (Yeshua) is it consistent with what he taught?

IS THE TRINITY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT?

Let's see if the trinity is consistent with what Christ taught.   Jesus (Yeshua) taught his disciples to pray at Matthew 6:9, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." (AV), to his Father (YHWH) and not to him.

Also, Jesus (Yeshua) taught that is Father, God Almighty (YHWH) was greater than himself; whereas the Trinity doctrine declares them co-equal.   At John 14:28, "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. " (AV) he clearly states this fact, and we all know Jesus (Yeshua) does NOT lie.   And Colossians 1:15 clearly shows that he is the image of, but not Almighty God (YHWH) as we all know what an image is, and that he is "the firstborn of every creature," "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: " (AV).

Also, the Trinity doctrine states they are co-eternal, but Colossians 1:15, just quoted, clearly show he is "the firstborn of every creature," as does Revelation 3:14, "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans  write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" (AV).

And of course, we all know that a father comes before a son and/or exist before a son, thus to say they are coeternal is just plain foolishness and clearly not in accordance with Biblical facts just shown.   So in conclusion,  Jesus (Yeshua) although definitely a divine being is neither co-equal nor co-eternal with his Father, God Almighty (YHWH).   What is the significance of this fact?   Well it is stated at 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (AV).

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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND  [2]  WHEN INDIVIDUALS DO NOT GRASP EVEN WHO THE SPEAKER IS ERROR IS UNAVOIDABLE.   With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1]  SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [ 23B ]

You will see this, and your heart will rejoice, Your bones will flourish just like new grass. And the hand of Jehovah will become known to his servants, But he will denounce his enemies.”  Isaiah 66:14  [New World Translation Revised; NWTR] 

We should realize that Almighty God (YHWH) is observing everything we are doing.  And Jesus (Yeshua) said at Matthew 5:8, [AV] “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”  To understand what is the meaning of this, we need to look at Bible examples of those who saw Him in action, and those who refused to do so.  Let’s look at Mathew 26:6 - 13, [AV] “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,  7  There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.  8  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?  9  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.  10  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.  11  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.  12  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  13  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”  In this, Jesus (Yeshua) revealed the hand of his Father.

[2]  When Individuals Do Not Grasp Even Who The Speaker Is Error Is Unavoidable

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we have over 33,000 creeds that apply the label Christian to themselves, but when Christ was on earth, he spoke not of  many creeds, but one faith.   This is clearly shown by Ephesians 4:2-7, "with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift." (Revised Standard Version; RSV).   

So the question can rightly be asked, why so many creeds that claim to be Christian?   This is NOT of course in keeping with the scriptures, but is the result of worldly thinking.   It is not in keeping with the admonition given in Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, 12 training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, 13 awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds" (RSV) , so from what source is it?   2 Corinthians 4:4 reveals the source, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (RSV).

Now what are the immediate apparent causes of breaking off into many creeds serving the ruler of this world?   There are two principle reasons, first, the egocentric attitude of some strongman that wants to acquire followers and/or can not get along with a strongman then in power of the creed; second, when some can not understand and/or let scriptures interpret itself per 2 Peter 1:20-21, "First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (RSV).

Let's look at an example with reference to the second of the two reasons for the formation of many creeds.

FAILURE TO COMPREHEND WHO THE SPEAKER IN A SCRIPTURE IS:

Many false concepts and creeds have their start and/or basis on something simple such as failure to comprehend who the speaker is and thus get wrong, none-scriptural ideas.   One instance is the understanding some have of  John 10:25-38.   One such individual with regard this scripture actually said the following:

"...unfortunately in attitude seems still to be  among those Jews reaching for stones and Pharisees grumbling that Jesus identified Himself as God."

As can readily be seen from this statement, this individual thinks that Jesus identified himself as God (YHWH), when God (YHWH) is actually Jesus' (Yeshua's) Father (YHWH).   But is this so?   We will see that this individual arrived at this wrong concept by failing to comprehend who the speaker(s) were at verse 33.

Now let's look at  John 10:25-38, " Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." (Revised Standard Version; RSV)

First, it clearly says in verse 33, "The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God."   It clearly says the Jews, NOT Jesus (Yeshua) said that he was making himself God.   As can be readily seen this individual could NOT even identify the correct speaker.

Second, it clearly says in verse 36, "36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? that Jesus (Yeshua) said, "I am the Son of God."    Here it is clear that Jesus (Yeshua) is the speaker and not the Jews previously mentioned, and he is NOT saying that he is God, but the Son of God, something very different.

So as we can see, even the failure of some individuals to comprehend the elementary item of who the speaker is can cause divisions which Jesus (Yeshua) and the apostles warned against in Jude 18-25, " they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." 19 It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And convince some, who doubt; 23 save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen." (RSV).
It is a 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 says, "But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." (RSV).   Why does this occur?   It occurs due to failure to follow the principle set forth at Acts 17:10-11, "The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroe'a; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessaloni'ca, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (RSV), and Titus 2:1, "But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine." (RSV).

CONCLUSION:

Of course this falling away into creeds was foretold by Jesus (Yeshua) himself when he showed that his flock would be small in number, i.e., true footstep followers that is.   This was shown as follows.   First let's consider both Luke 13:24 and Matthew 7:13-14, it is in both of these that the road followed by true believers would be narrow and cramped, Luke 13:24, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Authorized King James Bible: AV); And Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, abroad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (AV); thereby, clearly showing few would be entering the narrow gate "which leadeth unto life." In reality, it will be difficult for even true Christians to enter as testified to at 1 Peter 4:18, "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear." (AV). In order to enter, we must have the right sort of guide, Luke 1:79, "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (AV). Now, if one picks the wrong group, just because it is popular or the so called 'one to belong to in a community' and not because of Bible Truths, there is an important warning given at Matthew 15:14, "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (AV). In fact, being with the wrong group can mean you are NOT having fellowship with the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) as testified to at 1 John 1:6, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not [have] the truth." (AV). This danger is made abundantly clear at Luke 12:32 when Jesus (Yeshua) spoke of his true followers as a little flock and not a large one, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (AV). Simply stated, his true followers will be relatively few in number which should cause all sincere individuals to question whether mainstream religion with its vast membership is heading for the narrow gate!

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