Louis, I would like your views on recent translations of the Bible in view of the King James Bible. I struggle with the King James version, It’s harder for me to understand. I prefer the New International Version because it is in a language i’m more familier with. I know their are many translations, and i’m not interested in an opinion of each of them individually. I defend that I can study what God says to me in the NIV, and all scripture is God breathed, and I trust that what I read is true. I would like your reason for using the King James for all the scriptures you quote. One more time I would like to give you praise for the work you do for the Lord. ~ Bill Suffel The King James Version of the Bible is among the reliably translated versions of the Bible available today. The American Standard Version (ASV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) are newer than the KJV and also among the most reliable as well as easily understood translations available today. Every translation of the Bible has its weaknesses (the KJV is no exception) and most of the translations also have their strengths, too (as does the KJV). More reference works and original language resources are keyed to, quote or otherwise explain passages in the KJV than any other translation of the Bible in English; so, from a Bible student’s perspective, there is much to be said for studying from …

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.” I realize that a verse taken out of context may be but a pretext, but although I feel sure that Paul was talking about stealing material things, this verse is a powerful reminder of the fact that stealing is not limited to taking a tangible object that belongs to another. Shakespeare said, “He who steals my purse steals trash. But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed.” There is an old proverb that says, “A person with a bad name is already half hanged.” When a person gossips about another and causes him to lose the second most important thing in his life, he has stolen that which may never be replaced. Probably one of the most despicable kinds of thievery is that of robbing God. Malachi 3:8 is still a haunting question and the answer is as applicable today as it was then. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Any time we owe God something and do not give it to him, we are robbing him. This includes our time, influence, money or any other thing we think we own. The truth is found …

The assumption that God desires women’s role to be determined by culture is false. In no case does the Bible teach that women are to look to society for their religious practices. Paul taught that women are to live by God’s plan for them (1 Corinthians 11:7-9; 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:13-14). Peter presented godly women and Sarah, not culture, as models for Christian women (1 Peter 3:5-6). The women in Paul’s day were involved in leading roles even as women of today want to be involved. Substantial evidence exists to indicate that women held many of these public offices and were expected to exercise their public religious duties just as men were. Woman’s names are recorded in a wide variety of official inscriptions recording-and honoring-their public service and generosity. They maintained temples and sponsored games, procession, and sacrifices (Rose Shephard Kraemer and Mary Rose D’Angelo, Women and Christian Origins, 86). In agreement with this Abrahamsen wrote: Women served as priestesses and other leaders in most pagan cults, including Diana, Isis, Livia, Dionysos and Liber and Libera. They were active participants in liturgies, composed hymns and rites, administered temple and cult finances, organized feast day celebrations, played music and made leadership decisions that affected large numbers of people (Valerie A. Abrahamsen, Women and Worship at Philippi: Diana/Artemis and Other Cults in the Early Christian Era, 194. Nevertheless, the Hellenistic age was generally a time of the emancipation of women…But in spite of the opposition, women in Paul’s day had considerable freedom of movement, rights in …

It’s all about control, isn’t it? Especially the amount of personal security we feel — it’s based on the quantity of control we believe we possess. When Jesus encouraged his disciples to cross the sea with him, “a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling” (Mark 4:37). The disciples, quite understandably, were afraid for their very lives. They asked Jesus anxiously, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). You see, it is natural to be fearful when things are out of control. The disciples must have felt merely an infinitesimal measure of security, for the wind and the waves were beyond their control. They were at the mercy of the forces of nature, and they were afraid. There was One in the ship, of course, who did not fear, but slept peacefully — at least until he was awakened by the nervous passengers. His calmness was, by measure of human nature, inexplicable. There was a storm going on! This ship could have sunk! How could anybody have been sleeping? The Lord slept soundly because he was secure. And he was secure because he knew he had ultimate control. He was the agent through whom everything (including the sea and the laws of nature) was made (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore, he knew he controlled them. He knew the storm was no threat to him. He was the One in control. That makes perfect sense. He arose from …

I make no secret of it — my favorite meal consists of fried potatoes, yellow cornbread and home-cooked pinto beans. Oh yeah, and a slice of white onion. [Ladies, if you have ever wondered about what to fix for the preacher the next time he comes over for dinner, now you know. Pinto Beans.] Having become something of a connoisseur of pintos over the years, I’ve made a significant discovery — beans cooked quickly aren’t fit to eat. It’s true! Good beans have to soak overnight in water, then be boiled, then be left to simmer slowly in a pot on the stove. We’re talking hours. And that’s also why I’m not fond of store-bought, canned beans. In my opinion, they aren’t worth the aluminum can and paper label that encases them. [Now that I think about it, that’s pretty much what they taste like — aluminum and paper. Their texture is generally too hard, and they have a decidedly artificial flavor.] Food processing factories leave out the most important ingredient in good beans — time. You just can’t hurry good pinto beans. Gospel sermons are a lot like good pinto beans — they require time. They need hours of mental industry and preparation. A preacher can’t “cook up” a lesson late Saturday night before he goes to bed any more than you can microwave a bag of pinto beans. If a congregation expects a regular diet of well-balanced spiritual meals (John 6:27), then the preacher has to devote large blocks …

More than 3000 years ago it was said that “of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Many of them deserve respect, but reverence should be reserved only for the 66 books which originated in heaven, the Holy Scriptures. Any human being thinks too much of himself who presumes to add or to subtract the words of the Bible. Complete instruction in this regard God gave to the Israelites: Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it (Deuteronomy 4:2). See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it (Deuteronomy 12:32). David was privileged to be one of God’s penmen: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2). He magnified the integrity and the purity of heaven’s communications: The words of the Lord are pure, as silver melted in a furnace, refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). Forever, O Lord, your word is settled [nasab, “set,” “fixed,” “made to stand”] in heaven (Psalm 119:89). David’s son Solomon also was privileged to write inspired books. Of all inspired books he wrote: Every word of God has proven to be true (Proverbs 30:5). Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found false (Proverbs 30:6). Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to “learn through us [the inspired apostles] not to regard men more highly than what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6, FHV). The …

“Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee” (Acts 3:6). When Peter said these words to the lame man that sat begging at the beautiful gate of the Temple, he and John did not have any money to give him. However, they did not use their lack of silver and gold as an excuse for doing nothing. Unfortunately, many Christians feel that since they are not able to do much, either for the poor or the church of the Lord, they end up just doing nothing. This world would be a far different and better place if all gave as they have the ability to do. Let us look at some things we can give in service for the Lord. TIME: One of the most valuable things that each of us has is time. It is also something that each of us has an equal amount of. Each one of us has 24 hours a day, seven days in every week. If you have the idea that you can spend all of your time from morning to night, in business, work or even pleasure and just a little time on Sunday mornings for the Lord and that be pleasing to God, you are sadly mistaken. Much can be accomplished in the helping of others and in the growth of the church of the Lord if we will just put some time into it. What is more important that it will keep us continually away from …

“In the beginning was matter, which begat the amoeba, which begat the worm, which begat the fish, which begat the amphibian, which begat the reptile, which begat the lower mammal, which begat the lemur, which begat the monkey, which begat man, who imagined God.” This, according to atheist Charles Smith, is the genealogy of man. Sadly, he is far from being alone in his views of man’s origin. In fact, a vast majority of modern-day scientists cling vehemently to this Darwinist view of origins as “gospel” on the matter. It has become the light under which all new data is examined. It has become their religion — one for which they will fight in order to secure its place in academia. And it appears that they are winning. While you may find the concept of men evolving from some primordial slime repulsive or sickening, the reality of the current political climate is far worse. For in our country, the only theory about man’s origins allowed in the classroom is this fallacious concept of organic evolution: amoeba to man. And although our country declared its independence with these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (emp. added), we now live in a land where we can no longer discuss that Creator in the classroom. When Thomas Jefferson penned those famous words, he illustrated that from the very beginning, …

For many years now we have been hearing, from those attempting to raise funds for the education of certain persons in this country, that “a human mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Few things which have come from the uninspired minds of men could be more true than that. It is a terrible thing to waste a human mind! Furthermore, it makes no difference what color the body in which the mind resides may be, it is a horrific thing to allow a human mind to be unchallenged and uneducated. Yet, as we look upon the state of education in the western world today, there are many, many areas in which the minds of millions of people are being wasted even while they are in school because there are strong organizations who have decided that they are not going to educate your children and mine, but they are going to brain-wash them. So, they teach little children, who are very likely to respond positively to anything a teacher says since these teachers hold a place of authority, that they are nothing more than the descendants of monkeys, rats or some other specie of animal. They teach this in spite of the fact that there is not one single solitary fact to sustain their claims. As a matter of fact, all the facts point out that human beings are a totally unique kind of specie dwelling upon this earth. But many in these powerful organizations want your children to believe that they are nothing …

(Therefore Stand, Vol. 18, No. 7, July 2002, p. 51.) Acts 1:2 refers to “the apostles whom he had chosen,” and these (along with the selection of one to take Judas’ place) are also listed by name later in the chapter. We shall examine the meaning of “apostle,” their selection, their qualifications and their significant role in the Lord’s church. The Apostles Were Disciples  Although the apostles were also called “disciples,” the names have different meanings. “Disciple” means “a learner, follower;” whereas, “apostle” refers to “one who was sent by another.” “Apostle” is the more specific term. All disciples did not become apostles, but all the apostles were disciples. Luke 6:13 tells us, “He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Since God sent Jesus to this earth, Hebrews 3:1 refers to “the Apostle…of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Since the church at Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul (Philippians 2:25), the word here in the original Greek New Testament rendered “messenger” (in the KJV) is the word that ordinarily is translated “apostle.” It is in this sense that the word “apostle” is applied to both Barnabas and Paul in Acts 14:14. Both had been sent by the church in Antioch (13:1-3). Barnabas was not one of the apostles of Christ as was Paul, but was an apostle (one sent) of the church at Antioch. Their Formal Selection as Apostles At least Peter, Andrew, James, John (Matthew 4:18-22) and Matthew (Matthew 9:9) had been invited by Jesus earlier to, “Follow …

It seems that every doctrine of the Bible has its objectors. There is perhaps no teaching of the Bible which has spawned more objections from people than the doctrine of future punishment. Sometimes people attempt to raise objections based upon Scripture. Does the Bible contradict itself? Not at all! Context consistently proves the disputants wrong. Other objections are based upon human reason and emotion. Simply because a thing offends our sensibilities is no basis for its denial. Please consider three common objections to the Bible doctrine of eternal punishment. After people have made their pleas against it, the Bible still teaches the same on the matter of eternal punishment. 1.”is inconsistent with the love and goodness of God.” That God is good, tenderhearted, loving, benevolent, kind and merciful is not to be denied (Matthew 19:16-17; Titus 3:4-5). People commonly suppose that if they were God they would do things differently: They would not allow for sickness, suffering, death or. However, this sentimental ploy ignores the fact that man is to blame for the consequences of sin (Romans 5:12). It ignores the fact that God’s thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). It shows that many people have no concept of the enormity of sin and the fact that God should decree such a punishment against sin is reflective of the heinousness of it. 2.”The punishment of is disproportionate to the infraction.” We say justice demands that the penalty be proportionate to the crime. We all sin (Romans 3:23). Who is …

One of the most painful lessons in life is to realize that you have taken something for granted, that you have assumed something only to have it disproved in such a way as to make it impossible for you to deny. We often take things, and people, for granted, when we assume that everything will always stay the same or that everyone has what we have.  Sometimes we take it for granted that what we are doing is right. But have we actually proven it so from God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21)?  Sometimes we take it for granted that we understand a passage of Scripture. But are we willing to let it be tested and then accept the truth (Proverbs 23:23; John 17:17)?  Sometimes we take it for granted that certain “church work” will be taken care of, just because someone has always done it. Do we ever consider that that individual may be very weary of bearing the burden all alone (Galatians 6:2)?  Sometimes we take it for granted that there will always be people to do the work. But what if everyone had that attitude (Proverbs 20:4)?  Sometimes we take it for granted that those people that volunteer to help “have more time” than we do. But perhaps they just use their time more wisely or have their priorities properly placed (Ephesians 5:16; Matthew 6:33).  Sometimes we take it for granted that it is easier for someone else to put a lesson together or teach a class, or …