COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]  PART 2 OF ‘1 TIMOTHY 3:16 AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD IMPORTANT SCRIPTURE:’.     With the Scripture of the Day first.
 
[1]   SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 179A]
 
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.  7  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  Job 1:6 – 7, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
We must resist the Devil as stressed in James 1:2 - 7, [AV] “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”  Yes this quality of not wavering is shown to be of utmost importance in the critical times we are living at 2 Timothy 3:1 – 5, [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.”  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]   PART 2 OF ‘1 TIMOTHY 3:16 AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD IMPORTANT SCRIPTURE:’
 
Preached unto the Gentiles. This is placed by the apostle among the "great" things which constituted the "mystery" of religion. The meaning is, that it was a glorious truth that salvation might be, and should be, proclaimed to all mankind, and that this was a part of the important truths made known in the gospel. Elsewhere this is called, by way of eminence, "the mystery of the gospel;" that is, the grand truth, which had not been known until the coming of the Saviour. See Barnes "Eph 6:19"; See Barnes "Col 1:26", See Barnes "Col 1:27"; See Barnes "Col 4:3". Before his coming, a wall of partition had divided the Jewish and Gentile world. The Jews regarded the rest of mankind as excluded from the covenant mercies of God, and it was one of the principal stumbling-blocks in their way, in regard to the gospel, that it proclaimed that all the race was on a level, that that middle wall of partition was broken down, and that salvation might now be published to all men. Comp. #Ac 22:21 Eph 2:14,15 Ro 3:22 10:11-20. The Jew had no peculiar advantage for salvation by being a Jew; the Gentile was not excluded from the hope of salvation. The plan of redemption was adapted to man as such-without regard to his complexion, country, customs, or laws. The blood of Christ was shed for all, and wherever a human being could be found salvation might be freely offered him. This is a glorious truth; and, taken in all its bearings, and in reference to the views which then prevailed, and which have always more or less prevailed, about the distinctions made among men by caste and rank, there is scarcely any more glorious truth connected with the Christian revelation, or one which will exert a wider influence in promoting the welfare of man. It is a great privilege to be permitted to proclaim that all men in one respect-and that the most important-are on a level; that they are all equally the objects of the Divine compassion; that Christ died for one as really as for another; that birth, wealth, elevated rank, or beauty of complexion, contribute nothing to the salvation of one man; and that poverty, a darker skin, slavery, or a meaner rank, do nothing to exclude another from the favour of his Maker:
 
Believed on in the world. This also is mentioned among the "great" things which constitute the mystery of revealed religion. But why is this regarded as so remarkable as to be mentioned thus? In point of importance, how can it be mentioned in connection with the fact that God was manifest in the flesh; that he was vindicated by the Holy Ghost; that he was an object of intense interest to angelic hosts; and that his coming had broken down the walls which had separated the world, and placed them now on a level? I answer, perhaps the following circumstances may have induced the apostle to place this among the remarkable things evincing the greatness of this truth:
 
(1.) The strong improbability arising from the greatness of the "mystery," that the doctrines respecting the incarnate Deity would be believed. Such is the incomprehensible nature of many of the truths connected with the incarnation; so strange does it seem that God would become incarnate; so amazing that he should appear in human flesh and blood, and that the incarnate Son of God should die, that it might be regarded as a wonderful thing that such a doctrine had in fact obtained credence in the world. But it was a glorious truth that all the natural improbabilities in the case had been overcome, and that men had accredited the announcement.
 
(2.) The strong improbability that his message would be believed, arising from the wickedness of the human heart. Man, in all his history, had shown a strong reluctance to believe any message from God, or any truth whatever revealed by him. The Jews had rejected his prophets, and put them to death, #Mt 23 Ac 7, and had at last put his own Son-their Messiah-to death. Man everywhere had shown his strong inclination to unbelief. There is in the human soul no elementary principle or germ of faith in God. Every man is an unbeliever by nature-an infidel first, a Christian afterwards; an infidel as he comes into the world; a believer only as he is made so by grace. The apostle, therefore, regarded it as a glorious fact that the message respecting the Saviour had been believed in the world. It overcame such a strong and universal reluctance to confide in God, that it showed that there was more than human power in operation to overcome this reluctance.
 
(3.) The extent to which this had been done may have been a reason why he thought it worthy of the place which he gives it here. It had been embraced, not by a few, but by thousands in all lands where the gospel had been published; and it was proof of the truth of the doctrine, and of the great power of God, that such high mysteries as those relating to redemption, and so much opposed to the natural feelings of the human heart, should have been embraced by so many. The same thing occurs now. The gospel makes its way against the native incredulity of the world, and every new convert is an additional demonstration that it is from God, and a new illustration of the greatness of this mystery.
 
Received up into glory. To heaven. Comp. #Joh 17:5. See Barnes "Ac 1:9". This is mentioned as among the "great," or remarkable things pertaining to "godliness," or the Christian revelation, because it was an event which had not elsewhere occurred, and was the crowning grandeur of the work of Christ. It was an event that was fitted to excite the deepest interest in heaven itself. No event of more importance has ever occurred in the universe, of which we have any knowledge, than the re-ascension of the triumphant Son of God to glory, after having accomplished the redemption of a world.
 
In view of the instructions of this chapter, we may make the following remarks:-
 
1. The word bishop in the New Testament never means what is now commonly understood by it-a Prelate. It does not denote here, or anywhere else in the New Testament, one who has charge over a diocese composed of a certain district of country, embracing a number of churches with their clergy.
 
2. There are not "three orders" of clergy in the New Testament. The apostle Paul, in this chapter, expressly designates the characteristics of those who should have charge of the church, but mentions only two-"bishops" and "deacons." The former are ministers of the word, having charge of the spiritual interests of the church; the other are deacons, of whom there is no evidence that they were appointed to preach.-There is no "third" order. There is no allusion to any one who was to be "superior" to the "bishops" and "deacons." As the apostle Paul was expressly giving instructions in regard to the organization of the church, such an omission is unaccountable if he supposed there was to be an order of "prelates" in the church. Why is there no allusion to them? Why is there no mention of their qualifications? If Timothy was himself a prelate, was he to have nothing to do in transmitting the office to others? Were there no peculiar qualifications required in such an order of men which it would be proper to mention? Would it not be respectful, at least, in Paul to have made some allusion to such an office, if Timothy himself held it?
 
3. There is only one order of preachers in the church. The qualifications of that order are specified with great minuteness and particularity, as well as beauty, #1Ti 3:2-7. No man really needs to know more of the qualifications for this office than could be learned from a prayerful study of this passage.
 
4. A man who enters the ministry ought to have high qualifications, #1Ti 3:2-7. No man ought, under any pretence, to be put into the ministry who has not the qualifications here specified. Nothing is gained in any department of human labour, by appointing incompetent persons to fill it. A farmer gains nothing by employing a man on his farm who has no proper qualifications for his business; a carpenter, a shoemaker, or a blacksmith, gains nothing by employing a man who knows nothing about his trade; and a neighbourhood gains nothing by employing a man as a teacher of a school who has no qualifications to teach, or who has a bad character. Such a man would do more mischief on a farm, or in a workshop, or in a school, than all the good which he could do would compensate. And so it is in the ministry. The true object is not to increase the number of ministers, it is to increase the number of those who are qualified for their work, and if a man has not the qualifications laid down by the inspired apostle, he had better seek some other calling.
 
5. The church is the guardian of the truth, #1Ti 3:15. It is appointed to preserve it pure, and to transmit it to future ages. The world is dependent on it for any just views of truth. The church has the power, and is intrusted with the duty, of preserving on earth a just knowledge of God and of eternal things; of the way of salvation; of the requirements of pure morality:-to keep up the knowledge of that truth which tends to elevate society and to save man. It is intrusted with the Bible, to preserve uncorrupted, and to transmit to distant ages and lands. It is bound to maintain and assert the truth in its creeds and confessions of faith. And it is to preserve the truth by the holy lives of its members, and to show in their walk what is the appropriate influence of truth on the soul. Whatever religious truth there is now on the earth, has been thus preserved and transmitted, and it still devolves on the church to bear the truth of God on to future times and to diffuse it abroad to distant lands.
 
6. The closing verse of this chapter #1Ti 3:16 gives us a most elevated view of the plan of salvation, and of its grandeur and glory. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to condense more interesting and sublime thought into so narrow a compass as this. The great mystery of the incarnation; the interest of angelic beings in the events of redemption; the effect of the gospel on the heathen world; the tendency of the Christian religion to break down every barrier among men, and to place all the race on a level; its power in overcoming the unbelief of mankind; and the re-ascension of the Son of God to heaven, present a series of most wonderful facts to our contemplation. These things are found in no other system of religion, and these are worthy of the profound attention of every human being. The manifestation of God in the flesh! What a thought! It was worthy of the deepest interest among the angels, and it claims the attention of men, for it was for men and not for angels that he thus appeared in human form. Comp. See Barnes "1Pe 1:12".
 
7. How strange it is that man feels no more interest in these things! God was manifest in the flesh for his salvation, but he does not regard it. Angels looked upon it with wonder; but man, for whom he came, feels little interest in his advent or his work? The Christian religion has broken down the barrier among nations, and has proclaimed that all men may be saved; yet the mass of men look on this with entire unconcern. The Redeemer ascended to heaven, having finished his great work; but how little interest do the mass of mankind feel in this! He will come again to judge the world; but the race moves on, regardless of this truth; unalarmed at the prospect of meeting him; feeling no interest in the assurance that he has come and died for sinners, and no apprehension in view of the fact that he will come again, and that they must stand at his bar. All heaven was moved with his first advent, and will be with his second; but the earth regards it with unconcern. Angelic beings look upon this with the deepest anxiety, though they have no personal interest in it: man, though all his great interests are concentrated on it, regards it as a fable, disbelieves it all, and treats it with contempt and scorn. Such is the difference between heaven and earth-angels and men!
 
{a} "mystery of godliness" #1Co 2:7
{1} "manifest" "manifested"
{b} "flesh" #Joh 1:14 1Jo 1:2
{c} "Spirit" #Mt 3:16 Joh 16:8,9 Ro 1:4 1Pe 3:18 1Jo 5:6
{d} "seen of angels" #Mt 4:11 Lu 2:13 Eph 3:10 1Pe 1:12
{e} "believed" #Ac 13:46,48 Ro 10:12,18
{f} "world" #Col 1:6
{g} "into glory" #Lu 24:51 Ac 1:9[source - Barnes New Testament Notes] 
 
And the world renown Eclectic Notes
God has been manifested in flesh The secret which is hidden in the heart of the Father, has become Man. St Thomas, Commentary on Timothy.
 
Thomas Merton, Turning toward the World... Journal vol 4, HarperCollins, New York, 1999, p207
 
God has been manifested in flesh "Every sentence of the sources bears witness to (unique events)... every verse of our Gospels hammers it into us: something has happened, something unique, something which has never before come into existence... The more we multiply analogies, the clearer it becomes that there are no analogies to the message of Jesus." {J. Jeremias, Expository Times, 69 1957-58, p336} We can find parallels to this or that aspect of Jesus' teaching, and to this or that incident in the Gospels. But there is no parallel to the authority with which Jesus spoke, nor to the impact of His life as a whole. The Gospels must be understood in terms of their claim to describe a unique series of happenings... There is, of course, a sense in which everything in history is unique. History never repeats itself exactly. There is only one Napoleon. There is only on Black Death. Every happening is unique...
 
Leon Morris, Studies in the Fourth Gospel, p99
 
God has been manifested in flesh In Christ the human and the divine have been inseparably united together, and there cannot be the least discordance between the two.
 
FWG NB 2Tim 1
 
God has been manifested in flesh The phenomenon is the coincidence of opposites (coincidentia appositiorum) of which Nicholas of Cusa wrote and which he believed to be characteristic of God himself. In a coincidence of opposites, which we might also call a 'paradox', we find ourselves situated between two truths wich appear to be incompatible, yet each of which appears to have a powerful claim. We cannot simply dismiss the one and retain the other, yet we may not be clear about how they can be reconciled. An obvious example is provided by the apparently conflicting claims that Christ is human, and Christ is divine (this was called by Kierkegaard the 'absolute paradox').
 
John Macquarrie, Christology Revisited, Trinity Press International, Harrisburg, PA, 1998, p13f
 
God has been manifested in flesh... the cosmic significance of the incarnation and of redemption. For historic Christianity the human body of Jesus is the point at which the divine Word has, so to speak, keyed himself into the material universe; it is the organ through which he has not only become a member of the human race but, while remaining the creator and sustainer of the universe, has become part, and the supremely significant part, of the universe itself; as St Paul told the Colossians, he is not only the image of the invisible God, but also the firstborn of all creation, through whom and for whom all things were created and hold together. The resurrection and the transformation of the human nature of Jesus in its totality, which the biblical accounts describe, are the first stage in the transformation of the whole created world in him; and the limitlessness of the prospect which this opens up is only enhanced by the amazing discoveries of modern physical science about the dynamic spatio-temporal energy-field which has superseded the mechanistic continuum of post-Newtonian physics... The bodily resurrection of Jesus implies the full reintegration of his human nature, and with that reintegration its transformation and glorification. On it, and the descent of the Spirit which followed it, depends the very existence of the Church and of the Sacraments, for it is the guarantee of his continuing presence in the world. On it depends the Church's concern with the political and social order, for it means that he has become and remains, a member, as well as the Lord, of the human race.
 
E L Mascall, Jesus, who he is and how we know him. Darton, Longman and Todd, 1985 p50f
 
has been received up in glory He is gone up to heaven and He did not take sin with Him. [source - Eclectic Notes on the Bible, 1599]
 
And People New Testament Notes says,
#1Ti 3:16
 
   Without controversy. Undoubtedly.
 
   Great is the mystery of godliness. The mystery that God has revealed to us in the gospel in order to make men godly. The great things revealed in this mystery are next named, certainly wonderful things, well called "great."
 
   God was manifest in the flesh. Was manifested in Jesus Christ.
 
   Justified in the Spirit. When, after his condemnation to death, the power of God raised him from the dead.
 
   Seen of angels. The angels were at the open tomb and told the women of his resurrection.
 
   Preached unto the Gentiles. A wonderful fact in the mind of a Jew like Paul, who had been trained to believe that the Gentiles were accursed.
 
   Received up into glory. At the Ascension. Six elements enter into this mystery of godliness, elements all of which were fully revealed in the gospel. The mystery is not something incomprehensible, but the hidden wisdom of God revealed in the gospel; a sense similar to that in which mystery is always used in the Scriptures. Compare #Mt 13:11 Re 1:20 17:5,7. [source - Peoples New Testament Notes]
 
CONCLUSION:
 
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ was NOT acting on his own, but strictly as his Father's, Almighty God's (YHWH's) representative; therefore, what he did could be properly spoken of as his Father's doing as shown in 1 Timothy 3:16.
 
LEARN MORE AT   WWW.JW.ORG
 

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]  EXAMPLE OF MISLEADING WRITINGS THAT DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN APOSTATE (COUNTERFEIT) CHRISTIANS AND GENUINE (TRUE) CHRISTIANS:.   With the Scripture of the Day first.
 
[1]    
SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 182A]
 
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.   Psalms 97:10, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
King David acknowledged this truth at 2 Samuel 22:1 - , [AV] “And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:  2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;  3  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.  4  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  5  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;  6  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;  7  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.”  And Psalms 4:3 – 6, [AV] “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.  4  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.  5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” 
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]   EXAMPLE OF MISLEADING WRITINGS THAT DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN APOSTATE (COUNTERFEIT) CHRISTIANS AND GENUINE (TRUE) CHRISTIANS:
 
INTRODUCTION:
 
A long article was sent to me and it has a lot of truth with respect the apostate (counterfeit) Christians, but in no way addressed either the truth and/or reality with respect to the two paths that Christianity took. The first path which was very bad was going apostate by the so called Christians, the apostate counterfeit group, which encompasses most of Christendom, and committing many atrocities and expressing intolerance, and the second, the genuine (true) Christians, the footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ which preaches only Truth per the commandment of Jesus (Yeshua) at Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Authorized King James Bible; AV), and 'cons' no one. But treat all per Jesus' (Yeshua's) guidance given at Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (AV).
 
Most religions of the world take a two part single path as they have some good and some bad. However, so called Christianity did NOT follow in the mold of other religions such as the Hindus, Islam, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, etc. Instead, so called Christianity took two different paths. These two paths are as follows:
 
[1] In 325 AD the greater part of the so called Christian faith went apostate to when the good favor of a pagan emperor, a worshipper of the Unconquered Sun. And this branch of apostate Christians went on to commit many atrocities such as the rape of Goa, the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the burning of individuals at the stake for disagreeing with them including one Bruno for simply saying that the earth revolved around the sun; whereas, they said the sun revolved around the earth.
 
[2] A second and much smaller group of Christians that remained genuine Christians and did NOT go apostate, but followed in the footsteps of Christ their leader and savior. These did NOT commit any atrocities.
 
THE MISLEADING ARTICLE WITH CORRECTION COMMENTS [[ COMMENT ]]:
 
Title: Unethical craft of conversion
Author: Francois Gautier
Publication: Daily Pioneer
Date: Apr 26, 2002
URL: www.dailypioneer.com/arch...am=apr2602
 
I was born and brought-up a Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ is an Avatar of Love, and that now more than ever, specially after the 11th September terrorist attacks on America, we need his message of compassion, charity and kindness for one another.
 
Many Christians have taught the world that the first precept of Christ is to look after the deprived and the needy: Missionaries, such as Father Ceyrac, a French Jesuit who has lived for more than 60 years in Chennai, have understood this principle, tending to the poorest sections of this society, while respecting their culture (Father Ceyrac, who speaks fluently Tamil and Sanskrit, often quotes from the Upanishads).
 
Unfortunately, there has crept in the purity of the early Christianity an exclusiveness, a feeling of sole proprietary right over God. This exclusiveness, this feeling amongst Christians, that "we are the only true religion, and all other gods are false gods", has had the most catastrophic and bloody consequences: Millions have been killed in the name of Christ, entire civilisations, such as the Atzecs and Incas, have been wiped-out, "to bring them the word of Jesus". Even Christians have savagely murdered each other, whether in France or England. One would have hoped that this intolerance, this fanatical and militant drive to convert, forcibly or otherwise, pagans to the "True" God, had ceased in this new millennium of "enlightenment". Unfortunately, it is not so. For nearly three centuries, India has been the target of a massive conversion drive. It is even more so today, as Christianity is dwindling in the West: There are less and less people going to churches and very few youth willing to become priests and nuns, without speaking of the paedophilia scandals racking the American Church. The Vatican is thus looking for new converts in the Third World, particularly in India, where people have such an innate aspiration to spirituality. Indeed, the Pope has earmarked this new millennium as "The Evangelisation of Asia". And it is in the North-East that this evangelisation is meeting with the most success. [[Note: The writer fails to define the so called Christians he is talking about as the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians. Genuine (true) Christians have at no time practiced atrocities against others, but have often had atrocities committed against them by false apostate (counterfeit) Christians with some having been burnt at the stake by these apostate (counterfeit) Christians.]]
 
 
But conversions in India of low caste Hindus and tribals by Christian missionaries are sometimes nothing short of fraudulent and shameful. American, Australian, or Norwegian missionaries are investing huge amounts of money in India, which come from donation drives in their countries, where gullible Christians think their dollars or Euros are going towards uplifting "poor and uneducated Indians". It is common in Kerala, for instance, particularly in the poor coastal districts, to have "miracle boxes" put in local churches. The innocent villager writes out a paper mentioning his wish: A fishing boat, a loan for a house, fee for child's schooling... And lo, a few weeks later, the miracle happens! And, of course, the whole family converts, making others in the village follow suit! Missionaries also make extensive use of "miracle" prayer meeting trick, where a glib preacher persuades naive tribals that a miracle is happening in their midst, while encouraging them to convert. [[Note: Genuine (true) Christians practice no such deceit. This is practiced exclusively by the apostate (counterfeit) Christians]].
 
One such fake "miracle" prayer meeting, called the "Gangtok Prayer Festival 2002", is being organised in Gangtok (at Guards Ground), from April 26 to 28. It will be conducted by Dr Paul Dinakaran (he runs Jesus Calls from Chennai), who is famous for leading these "miracle" meetings all over India. Who is behind the drive? There are three US-based Christian fundamentalist organisations. The first is Bible for the world; second, Common Global Ministries Board; and third, United Church Board for World Ministries.[[Note: all of these three mentioned groups are apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians.]] These foreign missionaries could be quietly pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Where does the money for organising these costly meetings come from? Only the Government of India can answer these questions. Sikkim is a sensitive border area, which is claimed by China. Does, for instance, the reader know that China encourages foreign missionaries to convert Tibetans in Tibet [[Note: Only encourages missionaries of the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians.]] and that the Dalai-lama is very concerned about this fact? Although it is learnt from reliable sources that Governor Kedarnath Sahani of Sikkim, as well as Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, are very concerned, the State Government seems unable to do much, as many of its Christian ministers are involved in this meeting. Conversions have been taking place in Sikkim since long. Earlier, the North District of Sikkim was targeted in places like Janghu where the Lepcha community lives. But it is happening now in all the districts of Sikkim (West-Sombaria/ Soreng, South-Namchi, East-Gangtok). [[Note: Once more all the items mentioned as taking place are by missionaries of the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians.]]
 
It is especially the tribals and Hindus living below the poverty line who are being targeted. It's not just that conversion is an unethical custom; it also threatens a whole way of life, erasing centuries of tradition, customs, wisdom. It teaches people to despise their own religion and look westwards to a culture which is alien to them, with disastrous results. Look how the biggest drug problems in India are found in the North-East, or how Third World countries, which have been totally Christianised, have lost all their moorings and bearing, and are drifting away without nationalism and self-pride. It is time that Indians awoke to the threat of Christian conversions here. [[Note: Once more the writer fails to define the so called Christians he is talking about as the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians.]]
 
 
The argument that Christians are only 3 per cent in India, and therefore cannot be a threat, is totally fallacious: The influence that Christians exercise in this country through their schools, hospitals and the enormous amount of money being poured in by Western countries for the purpose of converting Hindus, is totally disproportionate to their numbers. [[Note: Once more the writer fails to define the so called Christians he is talking about as the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians. What is needed is a heart felt conversion to genuine (true) Christianity and not the false, apostate (counterfeit) Christianity that is taking place per what the writer says.]]
 
 
Western missionaries (and their governments) would like us to believe that democracy includes the freedom to convert by any means. But France, for example, a traditionally Christian country, has a Minister who is in charge of hunting down "sects". And by sects, what is meant is any group that does not fall within the recognised family of Christianity, specially anything that is a Hindu flavour: There is not a single Hindu temple in France and all recent applications for the construction of one have been rejected. [[Note: People everywhere should have complete freedom of religion as long as they do NOT interfere and harm others, be they right and/or wrong. There is of course no excuse for the action of either France and/or Saudi Arabia with regard to restricting religious freedom, their actions are unacceptable intolerance.]]
 
It is sad that Indians, once converted, especially the priests and nuns, tend to turn against their own country and help in the conversion drive. There are very few "White" missionaries left in India and most of the conversions are done by Indian priests. Last year, during the Bishops' conference in Bangalore, it was restated by priests from all over India that conversion is the first priority of the Church. But are the priests and bishops aware that they would never find in any Western country the same freedom to convert, that they take for granted in India? [[Note: FIRST, Once more the writer fails to define the so called Christians he is talking about as the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians. What is needed is a heart felt conversion to genuine (true) Christianity and not the false, apostate (counterfeit) Christianity that is taking place per what the writer says. SECOND, What the writer says, "that they would never find in any Western country the same freedom to convert," is prima facia untrue as one look at Dearborn, Michigan, USA would prove where Muslims have found complete freedom of religion to be the case.]]
 
Do they know that in China they would be expelled, if not put behind bars? Do they realise that they have been honoured guests in this country for nearly 2,000 years (the first Christian community in the world is that of Syrian Christians, who have prospered in peace in India since 1st century AD) and that they are betraying those who gave them peace and freedom? [[Note: Factual problem, the people here spoken of are NOT "guest" but also Indians, but Indians with a different religion, so the writer is intentionally misleading once more.]]
 
The message of Christ is one of Love, of respecting other's cultures and creed - not of utilising devious and unethical means for converting people. It is false to say that Jesus is the only "true" God. The Divine has manifested Himself throughout the ages under different names and identities, whether it is Christ, Buddha, Krishna or Mohammed. Let this be the motto of the 21st century. Only then will true spirituality emerge, beyond all religions and intolerances. [[Note, as said before: FIRST, Once more the writer fails to define the so called Christians he is talking about as the apostate (counterfeit) Christian groups, and NOT genuine (true) footstep followers of Christ, i.e., genuine (true) Christians. What is needed is a heart felt conversion to genuine (true) Christianity and not the false, apostate (counterfeit) Christianity that is taking place per what the writer says. SECOND, What the writer says, "that they would never find in any Western country the same freedom to convert," is prima facia untrue as one look at Dearborn, Michigan, USA would prove where Muslims have found complete freedom of religion to be the case.]]
 
LEARN MORE AT   WWW.JW.ORG 

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Discourse on Some Do Not Comprehend Matthew 10:34
[1]   SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 184A]
 
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.   1 Peter 4:3 – 5, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
It is imperative in this critical time that all remember what the Apostle Peter wrote at 1 Peter 4:7 – 8, [AV] “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  He went on to admonish all, per 1 Peter 5:5 – 7, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God   esisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  And he went on at 1 Peter 5:9 – 10, [AV] “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]   Discourse on Some Do Not Comprehend Matthew 10:34:
 
INTRODUCTION:
 
Many fail to comprehend Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
 
One Muslim took this scripture to mean, and these are his exact words,
 
"Jesus saying that he is not here to bring peace to humanity, but war and destruction, and history is full of untold number of incidents of brutality by the followers of the Jesus, Whome our respected friend has declared as apostates.
 
But point direct finger at Islam and Muslims for action of any individual that may have similar names with Muslims and may profess to follow Islam.  This is double standard, as Christians Know that more they vilify Islam the more Christians are converting to Islam."
 
But this individual made two elementary errors.    The first was NOT comprehending the Bible, and the second was taking a scripture out of contest.   Let's look at this scripture in context, Matthew 10:32-35, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
 
Now the first thing we can ascertain is that this scripture deals with situations that may exist in family and not to external situations such as war between nations and acts of destruction.   So it is important to ascertain exactly what family situations it is referring to.   Since Jesus (Yeshua) is the Prince of Peace, it is obvious that it would NOT be his intent to deliberately cause strife in the family unit; therefore it must refer to divisions that may occur over belief within a family.  So let's look at the facts in the next part.
 
UNDERSTANDING OF MATTHEW 10:34 AND ITS APPLICATION:
 
Let's look at the true meaning of this scripture through numerous well respected sources, as follows:
 
* Now let's look at what a Bible Dictionary and Encyclopedia says on it.
The man used as an overseer in the Christian congregation, if married, must exhibit high standards as a family head, presiding properly and having his children in subjection, these not being unruly or charged with debauchery, for, asks Paul: "If indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of God's congregation?" the congregation being similar to a family. (1Ti 3:2-5; Tit 1:6) Wives are exhorted to love their husbands and children, to be workers at home, and to subject themselves to their own husbands.-Tit 2:4, 5.
 
Jesus foretold that opposition to God's truth would split families. (Mt 10:32-37; Lu 12:51-53) But the apostle Paul strongly admonished believers against breaking up the marriage relationship, appealing on the basis of the welfare of the unbelieving mate as well as of the children. He stressed the great value of the family relationship when he pointed out that God views the young children as holy, even though the unbelieving mate has not been cleansed from his sins by faith in Christ. The unbeliever may, in fact, be practicing some of the same things that Paul says some Christians had practiced before accepting the good news about the Christ. (1Co 7:10-16; 6:9-11) The apostle also guards the unity of the Christian family by giving instructions to husbands and wives regarding the rendering of marriage dues.-1Co 7:3-5.[source - Insight, Volume 1]
* And the renown Bible scholar John Gil had this to say of Matthew 10:34:
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
Matthew 10:34
Think not ye that I am come to send peace on earth...
The Jews had a notion of great outward peace and prosperity in the days of the Messiah; which was grounded on several prophecies of the Old Testament, not rightly understood by them; and the disciples of Christ had imbibed the same notion: wherefore our Lord thought fit to let them know the contrary; and that they must not expect outward ease and quiet, and worldly tranquillity would attend their ministry; for though he came to be a peace maker between God and sinners, by the blood of his cross; and was both the author and donor of spiritual peace to his people; and the Gospel he brought with him, and sent them to preach, was the Gospel of peace; which, accompanied with his power, would produce peace in the consciences of men, and be the means of cultivating and maintaining peace among the saints; yet "peace on earth" in a temporal sense, whether in the world in general, or in Judea in particular, must not be expected as the consequence of his coming; so far from it, that he subjoins,
I came, not to send peace, but a sword.
 
By the "sword" may be meant the Gospel, which is the means of dividing and separating the people of Christ from the men of the world, and from their principles and practices, and one relation from another; as also of divisions, discords, and persecutions arising from it: not that it was the intention and design of Christ, in coming into the world, to foment and encourage such things; but this, through the malice and wickedness of men, was eventually the effect and consequence of his coming; see (Luke 12:51) where, instead of a "sword", it is "division"; because the sword divides asunder, as does the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. [source - The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible]
* And the renown Bible scholar John Darby had this to say on Matthew the 10 chapter:
John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament
Matthew Chapter 10
So long as God gives Him access to the people, He continues His labour of love. Nevertheless, He was conscious of the iniquity that governed the people, although He did not seek His own glory. Having exhorted His disciples to pray that labourers might be sent into the harvest, He begins (chap. 10) to act in accordance with that desire. He calls His twelve disciples, He gives them power to cast out devils and to heal the sick, and He sends them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. We see, in this mission, how much the ways of God with Israel form the subject of this Gospel. They were to announce to that people, and to them exclusively, the nearness of the kingdom, exercising at the same time the power they had received: a striking testimony to Him who was come, and who could not only work miracles Himself, but confer power on others to do so likewise. He gave them authority over evil spirits for this purpose. It is this which characterises the kingdom-man healed of all sickness and the devil cast out Accordingly, in Hebrews 6, miracles are called "the powers of the world to come."
 
They were also, with respect to their need, to depend entirely on Him who sent them. Emmanuel was there. If miracles were a proof to the world of their Master's power, the fact that they lacked nothing should be so to their own hearts The ordinance was abrogated during that period of their ministry which followed the departure of Jesus from this world (Luke 22:35-37). That which He here (Matthew 10) commands His disciples appertains to His presence as Messiah, as Jehovah Himself, on the earth. Therefore the reception of His messengers, or their rejection, decided the fate of those to whom they were sent. In rejecting them they rejected the Lord Emmanuel, God with His people.  But, in fact, He sent them forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. They would need the wisdom of serpents, and were to exhibit the harmlessness of doves (rare union of virtues, found only in those who, by the Spirit of the Lord, are wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil).
 
If they did not beware of men (sad testimony as to these), they would but suffer; but when scourged and brought before councils and governors and kings, all this should become a testimony unto them-a divine means of presenting the gospel of the kingdom to kings and princes, without altering its character or accommodating it to the world, or mixing up the Lord's people with its usages and its false greatness. Moreover circumstances like these made their testimony much more conspicuous than association with the great ones of the earth would have done.
 
And, to accomplish this, they should receive such power and guidance from the Spirit of their Father as would cause the words they spoke to be not their own words, but His who inspired them. Here, again, their relation with their Father, which so distinctly characterises the sermon on the Mount, is made the basis of their capacity for the service they had to perform. We must remember that this testimony was addressed to Israel only; only that, Israel being under the yoke of the Gentiles since the time of Nebuchadnezzar, the testimony would reach their rulers.
 
But this testimony would excite an opposition that should break all family ties, and awaken a hatred that would not spare the life of those who had been the most beloved. He who in spite of all this should endure to the end should be saved. Nevertheless the case was urgent. They were not to resist, but if the opposition took the form of persecution, they were to flee and preach the Gospel elsewhere, for before they had gone over the cities of Israel the Son of man should come. They were to proclaim the kingdom. Jehovah, Emmanuel, was there, in the midst of His people, and the heads of the people had called the master of the house Beelzebub. This had not stopped His testimony, but it very strongly characterised the circumstances in which this testimony was to be rendered He sent them forth, warning them of this state of things, to maintain this final testimony among His beloved people as long as possible. This took place at that time, and it is possible, if circumstances permit, to carry it on until the Son of man comes to execute judgment. Then the master of the house will nave risen up to shut the door. The "to-day" of Psalms 95 will be over. Israel in possession of their cities being the object of this testimony, it is necessarily suspended when they are no longer in their land. The testimony to the future kingdom given in Israel by the apostles after the Lord's death, is an accomplishment of this mission, so far as this testimony was rendered in the land of Israel; for the kingdom might be proclaimed as to be established while Emmanuel was on the earth; or this might be by Christ's returning from heaven as announced by Peter in Acts 3. And this might take place if Israel were in the land, even until Christ should return. Thus the testimony may be resumed in Israel, whenever they are again in their land and the requisite spiritual power is sent forth by God.
 
Meanwhile, the disciples were to share in Christ's own position. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, much more they of His household. But they were not to fear It was the necessary portion of those who were for God in the midst of the people. But there was nothing hid that should not be revealed. They themselves were to hold nothing back, but were to proclaim on the housetops all that they had been taught; for everything should be brought into the light; their faithfulness to God in this respect, as well as all other things. This, while it met the secret plottings of their enemies, was itself to characterise the ways of the disciples. God, who is light, and sees in darkness as in light, would bring all out into the light, but they were to do this morally now. Therefore were they to fear nothing while performing this work, unless it were God Himself, the righteous Judge at the last day. Moreover the hairs of their heads were numbered. They were precious to their Father, who took notice of even a sparrow's death. This could not happen without Him who was their Father.
Finally, they were to be thoroughly imbued with the conviction that the Lord was not come to send peace on the earth; no, it should be division, even in the bosom of families. But Christ was to be more precious than father or mother, and even than a man's own life. He who would save his life at the expense of his testimony to Christ should lose it; he who would lose it for the sake of Christ should gain it. He also who should receive this testimony, in the person of the disciples, received Christ, and, in Christ, Him that sent Him. God, therefore, being thus acknowledged in the person of His witnesses on earth, would bestow, on whoever received the latter, a reward according to the testimony rendered. In thus acknowledging the testimony of the rejected Lord, were it only by a cup of cold water, he who gave it should not lose his reward. In an opposing world, he who believes the testimony of God, and receives (in spite of the world) the man who bears this testimony, really confesses God, as well as His servant. It is all that we can do. The rejection of Christ made Him a test, a touchstone.[source - Darby, John. "Commentary on Matthew 10". "John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament" ]
 
*  And the Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament said the following on Matthew 10:34:
Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament
I came not to send peace, but a sword (ouk hlqon balein eirhnhn, alla macairan). A bold and dramatic climax. The aorist infinitive means a sudden hurling of the sword where peace was expected. Christ does bring peace, not as the world gives, but it is not the force of compromise with evil, but of conquest over wrong, over Satan, the triumph of the cross. Meanwhile there will be inevitably division in families, in communities, in states. It is no namby-pamby sentimentalism that Christ preaches, no peace at any price. The Cross is Christ's answer to the devil's offer of compromise in world dominion. For Christ the kingdom of God is virile righteousness, not mere emotionalism. [source - The Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament].
 
Therefore, the statement of one individual given in the INTRODUCTION is both out of harmony with the facts and reality, but also completely false and NOT in line with history.
 
THE TWO PATHS OF CHRISTIANITY:
 
In fact, The statement completely overlooks the very important fact with regard to Christianity as follows:
 
Most religions of the world take a two part single path as they have some good and some bad. However, so called Christianity did NOT follow in the mold of other religions such as the Hindus, Islam, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, etc. Instead, so called Christianity took two different paths. These two paths are as follows:
 
[1] In 325 AD the greater part of the so called Christian faith went apostate to when the good favor of a pagan emperor, a worshipper of the Unconquered Sun. And this branch of apostate Christians went on to commit many atrocities such as the rape of Goa, the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the burning of individuals at the stake for disagreeing with them including one Bruno for simply saying that the earth revolved around the sun; whereas, they said the sun revolved around the earth.
 
[2] A second and much smaller group of Christians that remained genuine Christians and did NOT go apostate, but followed in the footsteps of Christ their leader and savior. These did NOT commit any atrocities.
 
His second statement, which follows, fails to recognize the two paths of Christianity.
 
"Christianity is a story written in blood of its own god, so how can it offer peace to the world, and it does not and history proves it."
 
First, He has to mention which so called path of Christianity he is speaking about.
 
Second, He fails to recognize that if all followed the principle set down by Jesus (yeshua) at Matthew 22:37-40," Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  38  This is the first and great commandment.  39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (AV).
 
CONCLUSION AND REFERENCES TO THE BIBLE AS A STANDARD FOR LIVING:
 
Some will say in error that reference to the Bible is 'circular reasoning,' but this is absolutely not so. Reference to a standard is never 'circular reasoning' as a standard by its very nature is an accepted metric to be used to judge the acceptance and/or rejection of the matter at hand. For example, in the metrics of weight, referring to the international standard for the kilogram in Paris, France, by its nature is an appeal for guidance or a standard and by its nature is NOT 'circular reasoning.' To say otherwise is to admit to utter chaos. Now, that we have established that the Bible is a standard for guidance of our lives, it offers a disciplined wholesome life with items on health, hygiene, etc.  Therefore, God (YHWH) in his infinite wisdom caused over 40 individual writers who wrote under divine inspiration/guidance to put his thoughts into the words of men much as transcribing secretaries today taking transcription and then later typing it out. In other words one real author, God (YHWH), and many scribes each of whom wrote in his own style over a period of approximately 1,600 years, and this book was to act as a standard of guidance for all of obedient mankind. All of what people call or consider inconsistencies are really not such, but most often just a problem of translation and/or understanding, i.e., lack of understanding of what the original writer writing in his own language and culture meant/said in his original writing. What is remarkable, is the writers over such a period of time all wrote in harmony when even most individuals and/or groups can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks. This fact of harmony over a period so great as to almost stagger the imagination shows that it had only one guiding force or author who divinely inspired its scribes as humans of their own volition can not keep on track over even short periods of time.  God (YHWH) did this to provide a standard or ultimate guide for all obedient men.
 
LEARN MORE AT   WWW.JW.ORG

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Discourse on Matthew 16:18
[1]   SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 186A]
 
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.   1 Peter 4:1 – 2, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
We must be careful NOT to depart from the faith as made clear by the Apostle Peter iN 2 Peter 3:4 – 10, [AV] “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  9   The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]   Discourse on Matthew 16:18:
 
THE SCRIPTURE - MATTHEW 16:18:
 
Let's first look at the scripture in several different translations:
 
" And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18 AV - Authorized King James Version)
 
"And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18 ASV - American Standard Version)
 
"And, I also, unto thee, say-Thou, art Peter,-and, upon this rock, will I build my assembly, and, the gates of hades, shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18 Rotherham Bible)
 
"'And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;" (Matthew 16:18 Youngs Literal Bible)
 
As clearly can be seen here some translations say "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" and others say "upon this rock, I will [will I] build my assembly, and [the] gates of hades, shall not prevail against it."   Two different renderings, but of the same basic significance.  Now what is that significance?
 
TWO DIFFERENT ROCKS - 'PETROS' AND 'PETRA', DEFINED:
 
Let's see how one renown Bible Scholar, Theodore Baez, differentiated the two different rock entities and who they apply to as this is very important in understanding what Jesus is saying as English word 'rock' leaves a lot of the meaning out:
 
16:18 5 And I say also unto thee, That thou art l Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the m gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(5) That is true faith, which confesses Christ, the virtue of which is invincible.
(l) Christ spoke in the Syrian tongue, and therefore did not use this discourse to distinguish between Petros, which signifies Peter, and Petra, which signifies a rock, but in both places used the word Cephas: but his meaning is what is written in Greek, in which the different word endings distinguish between Peter, who is a piece of the building, and Christ the Petra, that is, the rock and foundation: or else he named him Peter because of the confession of his faith, which is the Church's as well as his, as the old fathers witness, for so says Theophylact. That confession which you have made, shall be the foundation of the believers.
(m) The enemies of the Church are compared to a strong kingdom, and therefore by "gates" are meant cities which are made strong with wise preparation and fortifications, and this is the meaning: whatever Satan can do by cunning or strength. So does Paul, calling them strongholds; (2 Corinthians 10:4).  [Beza, Theodore. "Commentary on Matthew 16". "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". 1600-1645].
Another, renown Bible scholar, Barton W Johnson, stated it evem more clearly:
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. This is the first time Jesus speaks of his church, and here, as not yet founded. Three terms are to be noted: (1) Peter, in the Greek, Petros, meaning a single stone; (2) Rock, in the Greek, Petra, which means the solid, immovable bed-rock, a great mass like a cliff, and (3) church, Greek, ecclesia, those "called out," the fellowship of believers, the organized society of Christ, the kingdom of heaven on earth. There is probably no passage in the word of God that has called forth more discussion. The Papal church insists that Peter is the rock upon which Christ founded his church. The Catholic position is based upon the fact that Peter means a stone (see John 1:42), and the Savior's language might be rendered, "Thou art a stone, and upon this rock I will build my church." The Catholic view is untenable, for 1. The Savior does not say, "Thou art a stone, and upon thee I will build," etc., or "Thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build." He changes the word in the Greek from Petros (Peter, a stone) to Petra, a rock, or ledge of rock--a solid bed-rock. 2. Every saint is a stone (see 1 Peter 2:5). The Lord declares that Peter is one these living stones, made such by his confession of faith, and ready to be built into the church, the spiritual temple, formed of living stones, and built upon the rock. So is every confessor of Christ. In order to settle what the Savior does mean by the rock, we must consider the 18 and 19th. verses together, and keep in mind the entire figure. This figure portrays (1) a Builder, Christ; (2) a temple to be built, composed of lively stones, the church; (3) a foundation for that temple, the rock; (4) the gates of an unfriendly city or power which shall seek its destruction, hell, or more correctly, Hades, the unseen abode of the dead, the grave; (5) a door-keeper of the church, or spiritual temple, with his keys, Peter. Peter's place in the figure is not that of the foundation, but that of the key-holder, or turnkey. The only difficulty is in settling what the Lord means by the rock. Since this rock is the foundation of the church, the central principle, the fundamental idea, we are aided to a correct decision by the teachings of the Word elsewhere. We learn from 1 Corinthians 3:11, "That other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." This excludes Peter or any human platform. Christ is often called a stone: "the stone that the builders rejected," "the chief corner stone," "the stone that is the head of the corner," "the spiritual rock which is Christ." Faith in Christ held in the heart, and confessed with the lips is the very foundation of the spiritual life and of the church. This constituted the fundamental difference in apostolic days between Christians and unbelievers, the church and the world. It does still. It is the essence of the teaching of the New Testament that the platform or foundation of the Christian society, the church, is this belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is then Peter's grand confession, faith in the Spiritual Rock, the faith that lays hold of Christ, belief that he is the Anointed of God, the Divine Savior, that the Lord pronounces the rock upon which he will found his church. That this view is correct is shown by a correct understanding of the declaration, The gates of hades shall not prevail against it. From the gates of the city always marched forth its armies. The powers of hades are represented by its gates. Hades is not hell (Gehenna), but the unseen abode of the dead that holds the departed within its gates. Just after these words the Lord talks of his death, or entering hades. Six months later the Sanhedrim sent him to death for making the same confession Peter had just made. See Matthew 26:64-67. They expected to demonstrate that the confession of his divinity which he had made was false by sending him to hades, which they supposed would hold him and prevail against the confession of the ROCK. He was sent there from the cross, but the gates of hades did not prevail, for they could not hold him, and the living Savior, rising triumphant from the tomb, was the unanswerable argument that his own and Peter's confession was a rock that could never be moved. His resurrection demonstrated that he is the Rock. Hades did not prevail.
[Johnson, Barton W. "Commentary on Matthew 16". "People's New Testament". 1891].
 
CONCLUSION:
It is clear that in the original language that Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) spoke in there are two different words with entirely different meanings that are commonly, but wrongly, translated as 'rock' which causes them to lose their true meaning and significance.  This is quite unfortunate for genuine followers of Christ as whole religions base their doctrine and existence on translations that do not correctly differentiate the very significant difference between the two words translated by one word in many languages that does NOT carry in any way the meanings of the original two words, 'petros' -  stones and 'petra' - rock mass.
 
Jesus Christ (Yeshua or YHWH saves) was clearly saying in the original language,
"And, also I say to you, you are Peter [the stone or 'petros'], and on this rock mass [Jesus Christ (Yeshua or YHWH saves) or 'petra'] I will build my assembly [congregation] and, the gates of Hades will not overpower it" clearly showing that he was the rock mass ['petra'] upon which the assembly or congregation of his would be built.  This is important to understand as our salvation depends on becoming and remaining a faithful follower of Jesus Christ (Yeshua or YHWH saves) the only mediator between God Almighty (YHWH) saves and mankind, " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5 AV)
 
He, is the mediator of a new covenant that makes our salvation possible, " And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15 AV).  He initiated this covenant by permitting his execution as a human [flesh and blood] ; thereby, giving up his life to provide a ransom sacrifice that made our salvation possible  " Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28 AV) and  " For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 AV) and  " Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:6 AV).
 
After his execution, he  " What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" (John 6:62 AV), and takes his rightful place at the right hand of his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) " Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;" (Hebrews 8:1 AV).  Here is is able to make intercessions on our behalf directly to his Father (YHWH) on our behalf in his role as the ONLY mediator between mankind and Almighty God (YHWH).  This fact is vitally important as our [genuine Christian] salvation depends on it.
 
LEARN MORE AT   WWW.JW.ORG

COMBINATION OF [1]  THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2]   FACTS ON BOOK OF MATTHEW
 
[1]   SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 188A]
 
But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.  Jeremiah 10:10,  [authorized King James Bible; AV]
 
Jesus (Yeshua) tested his followers with respect the depth of their faith in him and his Father by telling them truths hard to understand as recorded at John 6:54 – 61, [AV] “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.  59  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.  60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  61  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?”  But we see that he was not talking of his literal flesh or blood at John 6:66 – 69, [AV] “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  69  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Simon Peter herein uttered a great truth, “whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”  
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO, 
 
1) http://iris89.conforums.com/ 
 
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/ 
 
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/ 
 
4) http://religioustruths.boardhost.com/ 
 
5) http://religioustruths.forumsland.com/ 
 
6) http://religioustruthsbyiris.createmybb3.com/ 
 
7) http://religioustruths.forumotion.com/ 
 
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/thread/1417398076/last-1417398076/Digital+Book+On+18+Part+Follow+Christ+Bible+Study 
 
Your Friend in Christ Iris89 
 
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
 
[2]   FACTS ON BOOK OF MATTHEW:
 
This book has proved difficult to date due to a belief for a long time that the Book of Matthew was originally written in Hebrew and the wrong claim by some higher critics that Matthew had used the book of Mark for his information.   However, both of these claims have been proven wrong.
 
First, the long standing and formerly believed claim that the Book of  Matthew  had originally believed had been in written in Aramaic a off shoot version of Hebrew.    Recently this claim has been proven to be completely wrong.
 
Second, with regard to some higher critics claims that Matthew had gotten his information from the Book of Mark.    Of course these higher critics were completely wrong.   Why?    Matthew was an Apostle and was with Jesus (Yeshua) and had his information first hand and would NOT require input from any other source.    He was an individual, who being a former tax collector was given to detail and in his book adherence to detail is seen throughout.   This was noted specifically in many publications, one of which details it as follows.   "As a tax collector, Matthew possessed a skill that makes his writing all the more exciting for Christians. Tax collectors were expected to be able to write in a form of shorthand, which essentially meant that Matthew could record a person's words as they spoke, word for word. This ability means that the words of Matthew are not only inspired by the Holy Spirit, but should represent an actual transcript of some of Christ's sermons. For example, the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in chapters 5-7, is almost certainly a perfect recording of that great message. [source - Got Questions Ministries. www.gotquestions.org - Gospel of Matthew].
 
Third, the adherence to detail is for example clearly shown with regard to Matthew's detail regarding the fig tree lesson given by Christ as recorded at Matthew 21: , "Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.  19  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.  20  And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!  21  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
 
Jesus' (Yeshua's) purpose in this miracle was to teach his Apostles a lesson as noted by the world renown scholar, Theodore Beza, as follows, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and i doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
(5) How great the force of faith is.
(i) The Greek word signifies a fixing or wavering of mind, so that we cannot tell which way to take"
[source - "Commentary on Matthew 21". "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible".by Theodore Beza in 1600-1645].
 
And, another world renown scholar, John Wesley, said, "Jesus answering, said, If ye have faith - Whence we may learn, that one great end of our Lord in this miracle was to confirm and increase their faith: another was, to warn them against unfruitfulness." (AV) confirmed this as does a look at Matthew 17:20, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (AV), also dealing with Jesus' (Yeshua's) efforts to build faith in his Apostles.
 
And, another world renown scholar, John Gill, said, "Ver. 21. Jesus answered and said unto them,.... His disciples wondering at his power, in causing the fig tree to wither so suddenly:
 
"...verily I say unto you, if ye have faith; that is, in God, in his power, which reaches to all things: the object of faith is expressed in Mark, and by way of exhortation, "have faith in God", that he will enable you to perform whatsoever ye shall desire; which must be understood, not of spiritual faith in the promises of God, and person of Christ, but of, the faith of miracles, or faith in the power of God to perform things that are above the strength of nature:
 
and doubt not; either of the power, or will of God to do for you, and by you, the thing desired; for this kind of faith would not admit of the least degree of doubting: there must be no hesitation in the mind, no reasoning upon the thing, how it can be performed; the mind must not be divided between the power and will of God, and the difficulties and discouragements which attend the case, but must believe in hope against hope, with a full persuasion of accomplishment: for want of this faith, without doubting, the disciples could not cure the child that was lunatic.
 
Ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree; cause one to be dried up, and wither away by a word, as Christ had done to this, which, comparatively speaking, was but a lesser sort of miracle;
 
but also, if ye shall say to this mountain; the Mount of Olives, where Christ and his disciples now were, and were passing over, or, at least, were very near it; or any other mountain wherever they might be, to which they should, upon any occasion, think fit to say,
 
be thou removed, and cast into the sea; which was many miles off from Mount Olivet, and must he a very surprising performance for a mountain to be rooted up, so large as that was, and be carried several miles from its former situation, and be thrown into the sea; and yet, as difficult and amazing as this may seem,it shall be done: that is, provided the person doubts not; or, as it is said in Mark, "shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things, which he saith, shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith": for this must not be confined to the particular instances of drying up a fig tree, or removing a mountain, but the doing of any sort of miracle, how great soever. Nor is it our Lord's meaning that they should do these particular things; nor is it certain that they ever did: but his sense is, that, had they faith, they should be able not only to do such lesser miracles, as, comparatively speaking, the withering of the fig tree was, but they should be able to perform things much more difficult and surprising, whenever the good of the souls of men, the propagation of the Gospel, and the glory of God required them." (AV)[source - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible].
 
Whereas, Mark was NOT a detail oriented person and had not been a companion of Jesus (Yeshua), and wrote his Book of Mark strictly on the basis of what he had heard from others; he being a lot younger man than Matthew and the other Apostles.   His account of the same event is lacking in detail with in comparison to the detailed first person account of the Apostle Matthew.   To see this, let's look at his account of the same fig tree miracle and see how it lacks detail and even really does not cover the purpose of the event.
 
Mark 11:12-14, "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:  13  And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.  14  And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it." (AV), and Mark 11:20-22, "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.   21  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.  22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." (AV).
 
As can clearly be seen, Mark's account lacks the clear, concise, clarity of Matthew's account and never could be the basis or source for it regardless of what some higher critics wrongly claim.    These same wrong higher critics often claim that the Book of Matthew was written after the Book of Mark so as to back up their self-serving false claim that Matthew copied from Mark which has been proven wrong by Matthew's detail that is lacking in Mark's writings on the subject.   Also, Matthew, as previously mentioned was with Jesus (Yeshua) while he was preaching on earth; whereas, Mark was not.
 
Now the reason these higher critics can get away with making such outlandish claims is clearly shown in "THE BOOK OF MATTHEW," written by an Anonymous writer, per the CCN source which says, "Like all the Gospels, Matthew is not easy to date: suggestions have ranged from A.D. 40 to 140. The two expressions "unto this day" (Matt. 27:8) and "until this day" (Matt. 28:15) indicate that a substantial period of time has passed since the events described in the book, but they also point to a date prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24 and 25) also anticipates this event. The strong Jewish flavor of this gospel is another argument for a date prior to A.D. 70."
 
So they are taking liberty from reality due to the fact that it is difficult to accurately ascertain the exact date that the Gospel of Matthew or any other of the three Gospels were written.   However, the range of dates given is preposterous as Matthew died before 100 AD.
 
Also, the question of when the book of Matthew was written is a question much debated, one writer expresses it as a debate that centers on Matthew 24:2: and which says, "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (AV).  This verse speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem as a future event, and this destruction took place in 70 AD; therefore any higher critic citing a later date than 70 AD is clearly citing an impossibility.   Yet many higher critics do just that; therefore, any dating claims by higher critics are nothing but self-serving guesses and NOT even good ones.
 
Hal Lindsey, in a WorldNetDaily Exclusive ((c) 2003 WorldNetDaily.com ) made it clear that what he called "new thinkers" were wrong with respect to their false claims that Matthew was not the author, that he was not an eyewitness, and that Jesus (Yeshua) did not do many of the claimed things.   Hal went on to note that the favorite tactic of these self proclaimed "new Thinkers" was to assign later dates than was reasonable to seemingly back up their false claims.   And he quotes a parody on the Book of Matthew by a leading first century Rabbi as follows, "In an essay written for the book, "Passover and Easter: Origin and History to Modern Times," Israel J. Yuval of Jerusalem's Hebrew University, reports the Star, writes about a leading rabbinical scholar of the first century named Gamaliel, who is mentioned in Acts 5:34 and 22:3. Yuval declares that Gamaliel is "considered to have authored a sophisticated parody of the Gospel according to Matthew."
 
Because the date of Gamaliel's death is known, it places the publication of the Book of Matthew some time before AD 73. The fact that it was a parody demands that the Book of Matthew had extensive circulation and was well known. Otherwise, no one would have gotten the joke. "   And Hal Lindsey went on to note the facts about Jesus (Yeshua) and the crucifixion were so well known only 27 years after the event as shown by Acts  26:26, "For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner." (AV), the Book of Matthew would have had to be written before 57 AD.
 
Hal Lindsey also noted that Dr. Simon Greenleaf, one of the greatest legal minds of American history and head of the Harvard Law School for some 30 years wrote a definitive work, "The Testimony of The Four Evangelists," and concluded that the evidence in support of the four Gospels is better than the evidence supporting any other history of antiquity.   He also noted that the higher critics are best described by 2 Timothy 3:1-7, " 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.  6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (AV).
 
The general best current thinking by none higher critic Bible scholars is that the Book of Matthew was written around 41 AD since if it had been written much later, Matthew could not have detailed the events therein in such clarity and with such exactness.   This is based on very recent research with respect how humans remember detail.   The writer of this article, Iris the Preacher, is one of the sincere none higher critics that is in harmony with the best available credible evidence pointing to a date around 41 AD.
 
LEARN MORE AT    WWW.JW.ORG