TODAY’S SERMON is on the FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH …
& There’s this OLD LATIN MAXIM that’s being thrown around lately …
& in English, it says: “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
& this a MAXIM that I GENERALLY AGREE W/ …
… but I take issue w/ how it’s being used lately.
… because some are using it to spread false teaching w/out being challenged …
But we are supposed to show our brothers & sisters in Christ …
… LIBERTY in non-essential doctrines of the faith that we disagree on.
We need to give each other room to learn & to grow & to update our beliefs …
… as we gain more in-depth understanding of the Bible …
& So the MAXIM says to give 1 another LIBERTY on non-essentials …
But the question then arises, WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS?
& ESSENTIAL to what?
Essential to Salvation? Essential to Fundamental Doctrines? Essential to Christian growth?
Which “ESSENTIALS” are we talking about?
In other words, which DOCTRINES are we supposed to UNITE ON & have accord on & be dogmatic about …
& which DOCTRINES are we supposed to GIVE 1 another LIBERTY ON when we disagree?
For example …
We can debate about the CUBIC SIZE of the ARC …
… We can disagree on the TIMING of the RAPTURE …
We can disagree on the NEPHILIM (whether they’re HYBRID HUMAN-FALLEN ANGELS or whether we take the SETHITE position) …
… We can disagree on who THE 144,000 are …
… or who the 2 WITNESSES of the APOCALYPSE are …
… We can debate whether JESUS is going to RETURN pre-trib/mid-trib/or post-trib …
(even if we have STRONG OPINIONS on that) …
… so we need to give each other LIBERTY on those kinds of things …
Proverbs 27:17 says: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
By but the same TOKEN …
When someone is in genuine ERROR on a MAJOR FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH …
… especially when it’s a TEACHER who won’t RECEIVE CORRECTION …
… the BIBLE COMMANDS us to CALL THEM OUT …
The APOSTLE PAUL says in Romans 16:17:
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them [that means to IDENTIFY THEM, to POINT THEM OUT PUBLICLY & to EXPOSE THEM] which cause divisions [& SOME PEOPLE STOP THERE].
& they say AVOID THOSE who CAUSE DIVISION in the church …
… that If you’re being a DIVISIVE PERSON …
… & being INTOLERANT of other people’s views …
… & calling people HERETICS …
… Then you’re being DIVISIVE & causing CONTENTION …
… & so we should divide from you!
But they don’t READ ON …
It says: “to mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
So it’s a MATTER of BIBLICAL DOCTRINE.
& there are TEACHERS today who are using this LATIN MAXIM as an excuse to spread FALSE TEACHING …
& if you call them out, you’re accused now of being DOGMATIC & INTOLERANT …
… & not giving your brothers LIBERTY …
… But being DOGMATIC is not a bad thing …
… when it comes to DOCTRINES like the TRINITY or ETERNAL SECURITY or the WORD OF GOD …
…
If somebody DENIES the FUNDAMENTAL, CORE CHRISTIANS TEACHINGS of the BIBLE …
… then we are told to IDENTIFY THEM, EXPOSE THEM, & CUT FELLOWSHIP w/ THEM …
… especially if they’re TEACHERS or LEADERS w/in the CHURCH!
& that INCLUDES ONLINE MINISTRIES as well!
ROMANS 16:18:
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
& FALSE TEACHERS don’t like it when I use words like HERESY …
… well, of course not!
Because they don’t like being CALLED OUT!
But Titus 3:10-11 says:
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
& Paul even named people.
In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, he said to Timothy:
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
So I have NO PROBLEM using the WORD “HERESY” & “HERETIC” …
… when it’s called for.
But I don’t use it lightly — I won’t call someone a HERETIC who doesn’t agree w/ all MY END TIMES views …
… but if you’re denying the BIBLICAL DOCTRINE of the ETERNAL TORMENT of the DAMNED …
… then I consider you a HERETIC on that doctrine.
So we can disagree on NON-ESSENTIAL, NON-FUNDAMENTAL doctrines of the faith …
… we HAVE to give each other a measure of LIBERTY …
… to refine & to re-asses our understanding of the Bible as we gain more knowledge …
On non-essential topics …
… But we have to DEFEND the FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH against ALL HERETICS.
SO WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS of the CHRISTIAN FAITH?
So depending on how you organize it …
… there are many FUNDAMENTALS …
But I came up w/ a LIST of 7 CORE FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS of the FAITH …
& I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR …
… that this is not an EXHAUSTIVE LIST …
… it’s just a BARE-BONES MINIMUM …
& out of these 7 MAIN DOCTRINES, you can also derive probably another 7 related main doctrines …
… that are absolutely essential to the CHRISTIAN FAITH.
For EXAMPLE …
1 of the FUNDAMENTALS is SALVATION by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE …
& that 1 FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE also implies the DEATH, BURIAL, & RESURRECTION of CHRIST …
… & from that we also get the SUBSTITUTIONARY BLOOD ATONEMENT …
… & also the DOCTRINE of the RESURRECTION of the DEAD.
So just out of that 1 FUNDAMENTAL …
… we get 3 or 4 FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES associated w/ it.
So in actually, there’s probably more like 14-15 FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH …
… (depending on how you organize them) …
(& let me again give the disclaimer: because this is NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST …
I just SAT DOWN & thought about WHICH DOCTRINES we have to be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR about …
This is based on my PERSONAL CONVICTION obtained by DECADES of the STUDY of GOD’S WORD …
… on DOCTRINES that I ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT MOVE ON or COMPROMISE …
DOCTRINES that I am absolutely DOGMATIC about.
& ALL OF THESE DOCTRINES are ultimately derived from the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.
& that’s the 1ST FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH.
The WRITTEN WORD OF GOD is our FINAL AUTHORITY …
… on all MATTERS of DOCTRINE, FAITH & PRACTICE.
2 Peter 1:19-21 says:
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [that means that there’s only 1 CORRECT INTERPRETATION of EVERY BIBLICAL DOCTRINE …
… THERE ARE ABSOLUTES in the WORD OF GOD …]
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
& In the ENGLISH LANGUAGE, I believe that the KING JAMES VERSION of the BIBLE …
… is PERFECT & w/out ERRORS …
… That it is the INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD.
… Now as a SECONDARY SOURCE …
Once in a while, if it’s necessary to convince a gainsayer …
… I’ll sometimes also REFER BACK to pre-KJ Bibles …
… such as the TYNDALE, WYCLIFFE, & GENEVA Bibles …
… All the PRE-KING JAMES BIBLES that are based on the MAJORITY TEXT & ERASMUS’ GREEK COMPILATION:
… the TEXTUS RECEPTUS …
& which have not been CORRUPTED by the WESTCOTT & HORT & Nestle Aland underlying manuscripts …
… because the PROBLEM of BIBLE TRANSLATIONS began AFTER the KING JAMES VERSION …
… There have been no completely RELIABLE ENGLISH BIBLES after the KING JAMES …
… because they’re using DIFFERENT & OPPOSING UNDERLYING MANUSCRIPTS …
& that’s what people fail to understand …
After the KING JAMES BIBLE …
… TRANSLATORS went to a DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEM …
… They’re not using the same SOURCE as the KJV & before.
& So people today are getting confused …
… because they don’t think there is a PERFECT BIBLE TRANSLATION …
… so they’re starting to LEAN AWAY from the BIBLE as their FINAL AUTHORITY …
& they’re saying things like that GOD has WRITTEN the WORD in their HEARTS …
… & that the HOLY SPIRIT will GUIDE THEM into ALL TRUTH apart from the BIBLE!
& this is the FRUIT of the MODERN BIBLE corruptions …
& you know, JESUS is the WORD …
… & so if you’re AUTHORITY isn’t in the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD …
… then you’re AUTHORITY isn’t in JESUS either …
& that’s the 2nd FUNDAMENTAL OF THE FAITH.
You have to believe that JESUS CHRIST is LORD!
If you don’t believe that JESUS is GOD you cannot be saved!
That’s the 2ND FUNDAMENTAL – that JESUS is GOD!
JESUS said in John 8:24: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
You have to believe that JESUS is GOD in order to be saved.
This speaks of the EXCLUSIVITY of FAITH in CHRIST for Salvation..
John 14:6 says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
There was a VIDEO out this week about Pope Francis …
… where a little CHILD whose ATHEIST FATHER had recently died …
… asked the POPE if his father is in heaven …
… even though he was an ATHEIST …
… & the POPE LITERALLY LIED to the child …
… & said that GOD wouldn’t SEND a GOOD FATHER to HELL …
… because the atheist father had baptized his children.
That’s a DELIBERATE LIE that goes against the fundamentals of the faith …
So there’s a DELIBERATE PUSH towards ECUMENCALISM w/in the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH of today …
… which is the exact opposite of what they used to stand for …
3. BUT IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND how JESUS, who was also a MAN could be GOD @ the same time …
… you need to understand the doctrine of the TRINITY …
… This is the 3rd FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE of the CHRISTIAN FAITH.
1 John 5:7 says: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
So the WORD existed in heaven from the beginning …
… (notice it doesn’t say he SON) …
… but the WORD who is ETERNAL …
… & It was the WORD who was BEGOTTEN in the FLESH as the SON of GOD …
… 2,000+ YEARS AGO & given the name of JESUS & the TITLE, the SON.
John 1:14 says: “And the Word was made flesh [the WORD which existed in heaven], and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
(When was the WORD called the “only begotten”?
When He was MADE FLESH & DWELT AMONG US …
That’s what the BIBLE TEACHES …
… Jesus wasn’t in HUMAN FORM from the BEGINNING …
… He was BEGOTTEN as on the SON …
… Now, Jesus, of course, existed from all eternity …
… but not as the SON – but as the WORD.
& So the FATHER was not made flesh …
The SPIRIT was not made flesh …
… the WORD was made flesh …
& dwelt among us …
& so the doctrine of the TRINITY is A FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE …
& by implication, we also get the DOCTRINE of the INCARNATION OF GOD …
& the VIRGIN BIRTH of CHRIST …
These are 2 MORE ESSENTIAL, FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES …
… which FLOW OUT of the DOCTRINE of the TRINITY —
The JEWS of ANCIENT ISRAEL were taught to RECITE a SINGLE VERSE DAILY from the TORAH …
… from the MOMENT that they could form complete sentence!
Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
It was HAMMERED into the ISRAELITES from the time they were LITTLE CHILDREN … that the LORD GOD is 1 ONE GOD.
But @ the same time, you had the NAME OF GOD mentioned 3 times in that same VERSE …
… HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD (1) our GOD (2) is one LORD (3).
That’s essentially the same as 1 John 5:7: “For there are three that bear record in heaven … and these three are one.”
& so the JEWS had a PRIOR REVELATION of the TRINITY …
… as stewards of the LAW.
… but their UNDERSTANDING was PARTIALLY VEILED.
The TRINITY hadn’t been REVEALED yet in its fullness …
… because JESUS hadn’t yet been begotten in the FLESH.
There were pre-incarnate APPEARANCES of CHRIST …
… & we had HINTS about the TRI-UNITY of GOD …
… as early back as GENESIS 1 …
… when GOD said LET THERE BE LIGHT …
… when GOD (the FATHER) SAID (that’s the WORD) let there be LIGHT …
… & the SPIRIT hovered over the WATERS.
… or when GOD said LET US make MAN in OUR IMAGE.
& so it’s important to SAFEGUARD this CRITICAL, FUNDAMENTAL TEACHING of the FAITH.
… It wasn’t the FATHER who DIED & shed His blood for us …
… it wasn’t the SPIRIT who shed His blood for us …
… IT WAS JESUS, the SON …
& that makes Him DISTINCT from the FATHER & from the SPIRIT.
They’re all 1 BEING …
… 1 ESSENCE …
… made of 1 SUBSTANCE …
… They’re CO-ETERNAL …
CO-SUBSTANTIAL …
… The PERSONS of the GODHEAD have existed from ALL ETERNITY …
… as UNCREATED ENDLESS BEINGS …
… They SHARE the same SUBSTANCE, they’re 1 UNIT …
… they’re not SEPARATE BEINGS …
But they EXIST in 3 DISTINCT, CO-EQUAL PERSONS …
… who are completely aligned in MIND, WILL & SPIRIT.
They are as CLOSE as they can be, without being each other …
… they literally LIVE & MOVE & HAVE their BEING in 1 ANOTHER …
… but they’re not the SAME PERSON.
John 14:9-10:
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
[notice that He doesn’t say that I am the FATHER …
… He says that He is IN the FATHER].
the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
So the FATHER LIVES inside of JESUS.
& JESUS LIVES inside the FATHER.
& the same is true of the HOLY SPIRIT.
& so you have this TRI-UNITY among the PERSONS of the GODHEAD.
& within this CO-EQUALITY of BEING …
… there is also a PERFECT, AUTHORATATIVE HIERARCHAL STRUCTURE …
… between the 3 PERSONS of the GODHEAD.
1st the FATHER …
… (since He is unbegotten) …
Next the SON …
… (who is begotten & sent by the FATHER) …
& finally, the SPIRIT …
… who PROCEEDS from the co-UNION between the FATHER & the SON …
… not as a MYSTICAL ENERGY or IMPERSONAL FORCE …
… but equally GOD in HIS OWN PERSON.
& Although they’re CO-EQUAL, they have SUB-ORDINATED 1 to another …
… in that order …
… except for the FATHER, who is ABOVE ALL …
… as the 1ST PERSON of the GODHEAD.
We see this in 1 Corinthians 15:27-28:
[speaking of God the Father].
27 For he hath put all things under his feet [speaking of Jesus]. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted [who is excepted? God the Father], which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him [that’s unto Jesus], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [that’s God the Father] that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
So God places EVERYTHING in subjection to JESUS …
… except for Himself …
& JESUS SUBMITS to the FATHER.
& out of the DOCTRINE of the TRINITY & the INCARNATION of the WORD …
… also FLOWS out the DOCTRINE that JESUS is 100 fully GOD & 100% fully MAN!
You can’t say the same thing about the FATHER or the SPIRIT …
… because neither the FATHER nor the SPIRIT took on HUMAN FLESH.
The 4th FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH is:
SALVATION by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE.
& the QUINT-ESSENTIAL Bible Passage for GRACE THROUGH FAITH …
… is Ephesians 2:8-9:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
In this passage we have GRACE, we have FAITH …
… we have that SALVATION is a GIFT OF GOD …
… not of WORKS, not of OURSELVES …
… lest any man should boast!
So SALVATION is clearly obtained through the FINISHED, REDEMPTIVE WORK of JESUS CHRIST …
… on the CROSS.
We have nothing to do w/ PROCURING our own SALVATON …
… other than BELIEVING & RECEIVING the FREE GIFT.
That is the 4TH FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH …
& it implies w/ it …
… the DEATH, BURIAL, & RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST …
… as well as the doctrine of the SUBSTITUTIONARY BLOOD ATONEMENT.
SALVATION by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE means …
THAT SALVATION cannot be WORKED for …
… it can only be ATONED FOR!
The ONLY WAY to get to HEAVEN …
… is to receive JESUS (the WORD MADE FLESH, the 2nd Person of the Trinity) …
… as your SUBSTITUTE & your SAVIOR!
Romans 3:20-22 says:
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [so you have to understand that you’re a sinner – that’s another fundamental].
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:
& FROM the FUNDAMENTAL of GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE …
… we get to ANOTHER FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH …
… which is the ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER …
… or ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED.
& so that’s the 5th FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH: ETERNAL SECURITY.
Romans 8:38-39, 1 of the most re-assuring BIBLE VERSES on ETERNAL LIFE SAYS:
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That’s an ALL-INCLUSIVE LIST.
When PAUL says: “… neither death, nor life [that includes everything we do in this life, everything we encounter], nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present [nothing today], nor things to come [nothing tomorrow],
39 Nor height, nor depth [now he’s being symbolic. he’s saying NOTHING no matter how big how small, how far & or how wide …
… can separate us …: “from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The BIBLE also SAYS that we are GOD’S PURCHASED POSSESSION.
When we were REDEEMED by the blood of Jesus …
He literally PURCHASED US.
We can CHOOSE to RECEIVE or to REJECT CHRIST.
… because we HAVE FREE WILL.
… But once He REDEEMS US by HIS OWN SHED BLOOD …
… we NO LONGER BELONG to OURSELVES.
… we VOLUNTARILY GAVE OURSELVES over to CHRIST to be REDEEMED (as His PURCHASED POSSESSION).
Ephesians 1:13-14:
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [so we’re sealed forever by the HOLY SPIRIT]
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
So ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED is the 5th FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH.
& It’s always been about GOD & whether you’re going to HEAVEN or HELL.
It’s always been about ETERNAL LIFE w/ GOD …
… or ETERNAL TORMENT & PUNISHMENT in the LAKE OF FIRE.
& that’s the 6th FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH:
The CONSCIOUS, ETERNAL TORMENT of the DAMNED.
& 1 of the MAJOR BATTLES that we’re fighting today …
… is the FALSE TEACHING of ANNIHILATIONISM …
… which is the BELIEF that NON-BELIEVERS will be BURNT UP instantly in the LAKE OF FIRE …
… so that they will CEASE to EXIST or be ANNIHILATED.
& this is now coming from some SAVED CHRISTIANS.
What used to, in modern times, be the doctrine of JEHOVAH’S FALSE WITNESSES & 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS …
… has now invaded the CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Speaking of the Separation of the SHEEP & GOATS @ the FINAL JUDGMENT (which is itself another FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE) …
… Jesus said in Matthew 25:46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
But ANNIHILATIONISTS take MATTHEW 25:46 & similar passages …
& they say that the everlasting part of the PUNISHMENT …
… is that you CEASE to EXIST.
Now I only need REVELATION 14 from the KJV to PROVE ETERNAL TORMENT.
But I’m going to do something a little different today …
… because I’ve gone over Revelation 14 w/ ANNIHILATIONISTS …
… & they still dismiss it as SYMBOLIC …
… or they give an EMOTIONAL, EXTRA-BIBLICAL RANT about how GOD wouldn’t TORTURE NON-BELIEVERS …
… or they begin to change BIBLE WORDS & say that “FOREVER” doesn’t mean “FOREVER”.
So I’m going to show you MATTHEW 25:46 from the most popular PRE-KING JAMES Bible …
… from the TYNDALE, the WYCLIFF, the GENEVA Bible etc. …
… but before I do, let’s look quickly @ REVELATION 14.
… which describes the LAKE OF FIRE:
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation [so GOD is ANGRY, He’s not showing mercy here]; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [God is present when they’re being tormented].
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever [try not to dispute words like ALL, ALWAYS, FOREVER, ETERNAL, EVERLASTING. These are CLEAR, ABSOLUTE WORDS]: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
So if you’re in a state of UNREST, by definition, you have to be AWAKE & CONSCIOUS & COGNIZANT.
But now let’s look @ the major PRE-KJV versions of MATTHEW 25:46 …
Because I’ve shown ETERNAL TORMENT to ANNIHILAIONISTS from Revelation 14 …
… & they still reject it …
So let’s find out if they’re AUTHORITY is REALLY in the WORD OF GOD or in their own philosophy.
Let’s start w/ the WYCLIFFE TRANSLATION of the late 1300s.
This was pretty much the 1ST MAJOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION of the Bible.
When WYCLIFF died, the ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS dug up his bones & burned them …
… because they considered him a HERETIC for TRANSLATING GOD’S WORD into ENGLISH …
Here’s what John Foxe, author of the FOXE’S BOOK of MARTYRS said about WYCLIFFE:
“though they digged up his body, burnt his bones, and drowned his ashes, yet the Word of God and the truth of his doctrine, with the fruit and success thereof, they could not burn; which yet to this day…doth remain.”
& here’s what the WYCLIFFE VERSION says in Matthew 25:46: “And these shall go into everlasting torment; but the just men shall go into everlasting life.”
Let’s look @ the TYNDALE TRANSLATION.
WILLIAM TYNDALE was BURNT @ THE STAKE for TRANSLATING GOD’S WORD into ENGLISH!
His last words were a prayer to GOD: “OPEN THE EYES of the KING OF ENGLAND” —
… a prayer which led to the TRANSLATION of the KING JAMES VERSION …
Bible scholars teach that nearly 1/3 of the KING JAMES BIBLE …
… is word for word from the TYNDALE TRANSLATION.
THESE ARE A GOOD LINE of ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS of the BIBLE …
… which led to the KJV.
… Every translation of the Bible up to the KING JAMES …
… was based on ERASMUS’ GREEK COMPILATION of the RECEIVED or MAJORITY TEXT …
… this is the vast majority of GREEK manuscript copies which agree w/ one another …
& The TYNDALE TRANSLATION of MATTHEW 25:46 says: “And these shall go into everlastinge payne: And the righteous into lyfe eternall.”
So WYCLIFF says TORMENT, TYNDALE says PAIN …
… & both of them say it’s EVERLASTING!
Look @ the GENEVA BIBLE …
This is the BIBLE that came directly before the KING JAMES …
Matthew 25:46: “ And these shall go into everlasting pain, and the righteous into life eternal.”
See the problem is that some people think that when the BIBLE TALKS about ETERNAL LIFE …
… that only the SAVED are IMMORTAL & that the DEAD simply cease to EXIST …
… but the BIBLE DESCRIBES ETERNAL LIFE as RECONCILIATION & PEACE w/ GOD …
… & regeneration of the SOUL …
… for people who were PREVIOUSLY DEAD in their TRANSGRESSIONS & TRESPASSES.
& The BIBLE defines the DEAD as those who have not been RECONCILED w/ GOD …
… who remain SPIRITUALLY DEAD in their sins …
… even though they’re walking around CONSCIOUS TODAY.
So both the LIVING & the DAMNED are IMMORTAL …
… the soul & the spirit will continue on FOREVER.
& So we have CLEAR TEACHING from the WORD OF GOD.
Every ENGLISH TRANSLATION of the BIBLE …
… says UNBELIEVERS will be TORMENTED NIGHT & DAY & FOREVER in ETERNAL PAIN & TORMENT.
& so we come to the 7th FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH.
Which is that we are CURRENTLY, TODAY …
as CHRISTIANS, living under the terms of the NEW COVENANT.
When you received LORD JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR …
… you entered the NEW COVENANT of HIS SHED BLOOD.
Hebrews 9:14-17 says:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 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.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
So the TESTAMENT is the SPIRITUAL CONTRACT by which you entered into the NEW COVENANT w/ GOD.
They’re pretty much interchangeable WORDS.
… except that TESTAMENTS usually refer to a WRITTEN CONTRACT …
… which is the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD …
… which is why we call the BIBLE the NEW TESTAMENT & not the NEW COVENANT.
But when we’re speaking about our SPIRITUAL AGREEMENT w GOD …
… it’s referred to as the NEW COVENANT.
This is important because it REFUTES FALSE TEACHINGS like …
… DISPENSATIONALISM …
(especially mid-Acts & HYPER-Disp.).
… some of which teach that the NC is only for ISRAEL!
or that JESUS & PAUL preached a DIFFERENT GOSPEL …
… & that it’s PAUL’s GOSPEL that saves & not JESUS’ …
But there’s only 1 GOSPEL!
ANOTHER FALSE RELIGION that the NC refutes …
… is the HEBREW ROOTS CULT or JUDAIZERS …
… who want to put every CHRISTIAN into the bondage of TORAH OBSERVANCE.
… but the TORAH or the LAW was given under the TERMS of the OC!
… which we are no longer under.
& so understanding that we are living today under the TERMS of the NC ….
… is I believe the 7TH FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH …
& LOOK — I BELIEVE there are MANY MORE!
For example, the RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST @ the END OF THE AGE …
… If you don’t believe JESUS is RETURNING, you’re a HERETIC.
… so these are just the bare essentials & FUNDAMANTALS of the FAITH.
This is by NO MEANS an exhaustive list …
& btw: you can get SAVED & fall into heresy …
I know CHRISTIAN MODALISTS who are SAVED …
But these are the MAIN 7 …
… along w/ their SUB-BRANCHES of FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE that flow out of them …
… such as the EXCLUSIVITY of the GOSPEL, the VIRGIN BIRTH, the INCARNATION of GOD …
… the BLOOD ATONEMENT & SUBSTITUTION …
… REGENERATION of the SPIRIT (which is being BORN AGAIN) …
… the RETURN of CHRIST & the FINAL JUDGMENT …
… you already have at least 15 FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH!
… when you look @ all the RELATED DOCTRINES pertaining to the 7.
& Notice, I didn’t mention your POSITION on the PRE-TRIB or POST-TRIB RAPTURE …
… while I have STRONG OPINIONS on that …
… that’s not something we DIVIDE FELLOWSHIP over …
& notice I didn’t mention you how FEEL about the NATION OF ISRAEL or the JEWS in the END TIMES …
I have my OPINIONS on that also …
… but it’s not a FUNDAMENTAL of the FAITH where I can’t go SOUL WINNING w/ you …
… or as long as your STRONG OPINION on these things …
… doesn’t turn into IDOLATRY or RAILING or HATRED …
IN CONCLSUION …
The ONLY UNITY that we can HAVE as the CHRISTIAN BODY …
… is when we are in ACCORD w/ the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.
(that’s why I listed it as the 1st FUNDAMENTAL).
& it’s perfectly legitimate to call out HERESY & to CALL OUT ERROR …
… when a CHRISTIAN goes against these CORE, CHRISTIAN, FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES of the FAITH.
Especially today, as we see the rise of the 1-WORLD ECUMENICAL RELIGION of the ANTI-CHRIST …
… we HAVE TO stand FIRM on the FUNDAMENTALS!
They’ve become MORE IMPORTANT than ever.
& if you don’t like being called a HERETIC –
If that’s OFFENSIVE to you …
… then stop teaching MODALISM …
… & stop teaching ANNIHILATIONISM …
… & bind yourself to the WORD OF GOD!
I’ll close w/ these passages:
Romans 15:4-6:
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Phil 3:16: “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
Phil 2:1-2:
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
In all this, don’t forget the last part of the MAXIM, “In all things charity”.
“In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
We have to stand as CHRISTIANS for the ESSENTIALS & the FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH …
… especially now as we see heresy abounding daily …
… we must give each other liberty on non-essential issues …
(but this goes well beyond only doctrines of Salvation, but also the fundamentals of the faith) …
… but in all things & in all times, we must continue to show forth Christ’s Love & Charity to one another.
