The Bible- the Book for our time

Welcome to Pastor Yo's blogs!

In addition to prayer letters, there will be a series of Bible studies on a variety of subjects, as well as, issues and answers. I would appreciate your feedback and invite you to follow me. Once you respond you will automatically receive my blogs. You can unsubscribe at any time.
On this primary blog I want to address an important issue concerning the Bible and our understanding (or misunderstanding) of it.
So, buckle your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

The Bible – the Book for our time

There are at least 135 complete English Bible translations and 293 English NT’s, and the number is increasing almost daily as new “translations” come on the market.

Which Bible? Is the title of a book written by Dr. Otis Fuller several years ago. We need to ask and answer that question carefully and cautiously. The danger we face today is that we do not have a Standard Bible in the English language today - though we had one for over 400 years and should continue in that tradition.

We are admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The word “study” is the act or process of applying the mind in order to acquire knowledge, as by reading, investigating,  giving careful attention to, and critical examination of any subject, event, etc.

A synonym  is “to peruse” or ex amine in detail; scrutinize, to read carefully and thoroughly.

It is more than a rapid, cursory, hasty, superficial reading without giving enough attention to details.  

Unfortunately, the average Christian doesn’t study the Bible personally. They depend on what they hear from others, via radio, TV, or a pastor. If the main source of your Bible information comes from TBN, you’re in trouble. You are feeding on a diet of false teaching and a perverted gospel. (Gal. 1:6-7) I know this is true because from time to time I hear Baptist’s parroting what they have heard on TBN, or even from other Baptist’s. Personally, I think it’s shameful.

Let me illustrate with a few simple Examples of Misunderstanding:

• Do you know a verse in the NT that teaches us that faith is the gift of God?

Two of the most frequently mentioned verses are:  Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:17

 Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.”

             Please note Romans 6:23 – “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our 

            Lord.”

           

            What is the subject of the verse? (salvation)  grace and faith  are modifiers salvation.

            The “it” refers to salvation – i.e. Salvation is the gift of God, not of works. (cf. Titus 3:5 – “Not by

            works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the 

            washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

            Romans 10:17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

            Examine the context from v.8 – 17. W hich we will look at shortly.

            Scofield explains faith as it relates to salvation: “Faith is personal trust, apart from meritorious works,

            in the Lord Jesus Christ, as delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification.”

           

            You can search the Bible through and will not find one verse stating that faith is a gift of God. I have

             been preaching for 49 years and have not found such a verse. If you know of one, please let me 

             know.

            Consider the following dialogue I had with a tract publisher:

(Re: Tract # 157 of Faith, Prayer & Tract League)

3/18/11

I am writing in regard to the above mentioned tract. As I was reading several tracts to use in our upcoming Tent Meeting, I became aware of an unscriptural statement that concerned me, especially considering the wide distribution of your tracts. The statement reads: "JESUS GIVES US THE FAITH WE NEED TO BE SAVED" - and the corresponding verse is Eph. 2:8-9. However, the verse doesn't teach that faith is the gift of God - rather it teaches that salvation is the gift of God, not of works ... Salvation is the subject of the verse, not faith - the words Grace and faith are modifiers of the world "saved". Titus 2:11 tells us that the "grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men ..." In response to that grace when we exercise our personal faith in Christ, God gives us the wonderful gift of salvation. Rom. 6:23 states, "... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Eternal life is synonymous with salvation. I have been preaching for over 46 years and have yet to find a verse that teaches faith is a gift of God. If you can give me one, I would be grateful. The statement as given in the tract lends support to the unscriptural doctrine of Calvinism. I would appreciate a response from whomever is responsible for this type of inquiry. I am not a crank with nothing else to do, but I am one who has great esteem for the integrity of the scriptures. I hope you don't just ignore my concern, but will honestly consider the validity of it.

Awaiting a prompt reply, I remain,

Repsectfully,

Dear Brother: Thank you for your graceful comments regarding the text in Ephesians. I recognize that the Bible's answer to 'where did faith come from?' is not clear. My own answer as to where did my faith come from? I have to say it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Never, on my own, would I be able to generate something as valuable and as precious as faith. So I
reckon, on that score, I'm a Calvinist.

Blessings! Some day soon these questions won't matter. And some day, soon, I hope, we won't need to use tracts anymore.

In Christ,
Calvin Hekman mgr

Where does faith come from?             4/2/2011

Bro. Heckman:

Thanks for your reply. However, I am a little concerned about the statement that "the Bible is not clear as to where faith comes from." That's an incredible statement considering the fact that God gave the Bible so that we may know, and has also given us the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Truth, to guide us into all truth. I don't think the problem is with the Bible. More than likely it is our pre-conceived ideas that we place like a grid over the Bible and interpret everything through that grid. Not a very honest approach to understanding the Bible, I must say.

Faith is not a direct gift from God given to some but not others. Take, for example, Rom. 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." That verse tells us where faith comes from - it comes from hearing the word of God. The " So then" is a conclusion of what was said before. The context is very clear; beginning at verse 13 and concluding with verse 17.

Paul makes a statement in v.13 - " For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Then he asks some pertinent questions: " How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? " Paul is explaining where faith comes from. It comes from a God called preacher, preaching the gospel; those who hear the gospel now have the information they need to believe in Christ, and when they exercise their personal faith, they call on Christ to save them. Faith is a human response to a Holy Spirit prompted conviction of the truth of God’s Word. So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So, the Bible is very clear on where faith comes from after all.

That is the clear, unmistakable, undeniable, unalterable Bible truth of the matter. (cf. John 20:31)

There are other things that could be said to demonstrate the clarity of the Bible as to where faith comes from, but this will suffice for now, and should be sufficient to settle the matter in your heart.

That's enough for now, and should get  your thought proceeses working. We will pick up here next time.