5 ways we try to ALTER the word to validate a false belief.
5/5
1. We ADD to the word.
3. We TWIST the scriptures to fit us.
4. We EXPLAIN away clear scripture.
5. We REJECT plain truths.
1. We ADD to the word.
We ADD to the word like Satan did with Eve.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely die: (emphasis mine seb)
In our times people try to ADD that same not to Mark 16:16, but the ADD it in different places.
faith alone.
He that believeth and is (NOT) baptized shall be saved;
Baby baptism
He that believeth (NOT) and is baptized shall be saved;
Universalists
He that believeth (NOT) and is (NOT) baptized shall be saved;
atheists
He that believeth and is baptized shall (NOT) be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Jesus said,
Mark 16:16 KJV
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2. We LESSEN the word of God.
Revelation 22:19 KJV
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Some say, “this verse only applies to the book of revelation.”
I say, “so you’re saying God is ok if we take away from other parts of the Bible?”
Look at what Jehoiakim did…
Jeremiah 36:23 KJV
And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Proverbs 30:5-6 KJV
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
No, we cannot ADD nor LESSEN God’s word. His word…
2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3. We TWIST the scriptures to fit us.
2 Peter 3:16 KJV
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable TWIST, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Psalm 56:5
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
Jeremiah 23:36
But refer no more to the burden of the LORD, for each man’s word becomes the burden, so that you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.
For example…
People TWIST what Jesus said about the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and make it about themselves.
John 16:13 KJV
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
This was spoken to the Apostles and does not apply to us in the same way.
We are guided by the holy Spirit in as much as we study and understand the written word.
Ephesians 3:3-4 KJV
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
John 20:30-31 KJV
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
We need to see what the context is of each passage. Not every passage is about us.
Let’s stop TWISTING the scriptures to fit us.
4. We EXPLAIN away clear scripture.
This one accepts that passages are God’s word, but somehow they don’t mean what they say. It’s a form of denial.
For example, Mark 16:16 KJV
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Folks will use the second half of the verse to EXPLAIN away the first half, or just deny that those verses are even in the Bible.
Some will come up with an unlikely, implausible scenario to EXPLAIN away the command.
For example; “What if you’re on the way to be baptized but die on the way?”
All this shows is a lack of concern for the commandments of the Lord.
Luke 6:46 KJV
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
John 14:15 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Ps. The pic is just to match the topic and is not a solicitation.
5. We REJECT plain truths.
For example; Naaman was given plain instruction about how to be cured.
2 Kings 5:10-12 KJV
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
[11] But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
[12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
Another example from Jesus:
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
We do the same thing regarding baptism.
We REJECT it even though it’s clearly taught to be saved by grace through faith.
BAPTISM.
Is a BURIAL Col 2:12.
ADDS us to the church. Acts 2:41,47
PUTS on Christ. Gal 3:27
TAKES away (washes) or sins. Acts 22:16
It is INTO His death. Rom 6:3-4
SAVES us. 1Pet 3:21; Acts 16:31-33
MADE free from sin, and a new creation through Christ. Rom 6:3-4; 2Cor 5:17.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 