Chapter Nine
“My words shall not pass away”
Part Two
The fruits of the King James Bible are literacy, knowledge, knowing the truth and reaping the reward of
freedom that our Lord promises to those that continue in His Word and believe on Him (John 8:30-32). No
amount of historical criticism can diminish the fruits of this one man upon four hundred years of world history.
“The two-thousand-year-old contest between the Church of Rome and those she calls "heretics," is basically a
battle for the Bible. When you see a church that abandons the King James Version and begins to uphold the
New International Version or other modern perversions of the scriptures, you know which side they are on.”
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/batbible.html ©2002 Barnabas Ministries, PO Box 3393, Farmington Hills,
MI. 48333, USA)
The history of the Bible over the last two thousand years in itself speaks of the spiritual and moral bankruptcy of the critics
of the King James Version. Yet for those who are not convinced by the history alone, let us continue on with further
illustrations of explanation of the preservation and inspiration of the King James Bible (“But there is a spirit in man: and
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” Job 32:8) The Bible in multiple Scriptures declares His
PROMISE to preserve His Holy Word for ever. In Matthew 5:18, not one “jot or tittle” shall pass from the law “Till
heaven and earth pass.” In Matthew 24:35, we read;
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Two other Gospel writers record this statement in Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33. These are only four of a multitude of
verses in the Old and New Testaments recording God’s PROMISE to preserve His Word for all generations. An in depth
study on this subject by any diligent student of the Bible pursuing God’s truth will confirm this statement. However, a
different study on the method of God’s preservation style will illuminate some interesting points that lay to rest the
contention that we must study the Greek grammar to gain understanding of the Scriptures by now comparing another set of
“spiritual things with spiritual.” In I Corinthians 10:11, we are told that the things that happened to Israel in the
wilderness are for "ensamples" unto us and are written for our admonition:
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come.”
(Webster's 1828: Ensample - An example; a pattern or model for imitation)
The KJV translators were indeed inspired by the definition above from Job 32:8 to make one more exact translation from
the original languages with understanding. That is to say, the hand of God can be seen in the preservation of His Word by
the work of these men as they were inspired to “keep” or carefully copy His Word. There is no need at all to neither deny
the moving of God in this work nor invoke a “new and improved” Scripture as some have wrongly stated.
(The translators themselves never made such a claim!!)
There is much made of the search for the “original autographs” by both sides of this debate. Yet, all readily concede
that there are none of the original autographs preserved. (Unless of course God did preserve them in the Dead Sea Scrolls
that are still held in secret by the Vatican) Nevertheless, what is God’s stand on His own "original" writings given to
man? Here again, the first appearance of the written Word of God is with the Ten Commandments. Moses was given the
Ten Commandments on two tables of stone that came all from the hand of God with the all the writings from just the
finger of God alone. (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:9-11) However, when Moses returned to the camp, he cast them
out of his two hands and broke them because of the sin of Israel. (Deuteronomy 9:17) He later returned to the mountain of
God where he received a second set of tables. But there is a very interesting twist with the second set of tablets. God had
Moses hew the stones as apposed to the fact that God had in the first place provided both stones and done the writing.
Then they were set in the ark of the testimony where they still remain today, preserved forever (Exodus 25:10-22;
Deuteronomy 10:1-5; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 11:19). The message of this example is that God has given the original
Word from Heaven above where it is settled forever and then through inspiration of the Almighty written these same words
by the hand of man which are likewise preserved forever:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89
The Word of God in Heaven is the "original autograph" that so many men in the flesh have searched for without
success. The simple fact that the second set of two tables of stone on which the replica or "copy" of the Ten
Commandments are the tables now kept for all eternity is a text proof of God’s preservation of His Holy word through man
just as He PROMISED! The act of preservation of this copy of the original Ten Commandments was a work both of
God together with the man Moses. It is God that has in His possession not the “original autographs” but instead the
replica of that which is forever in Heaven. There is no original autograph to be found in the flesh here on earth for
ever! This is another search for such things as the “holy grail,” that only exist in the minds of the natural man
who is not able to understand the things of God.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14
To clarify further this most important point, let us return to an expanded detail of this "ensample" to illuminate this
illustration and clarify its importance. With the first two tables of stone on which the “original autographs” were written,
God provided the stones and it was His finger that wrote upon the stones. But with the second set of stone tablets,
Moses provided the materials and Moses was the one that did the writing in the stones by the inspiration of God as we
see in the following text:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a
covenant with thee and with Israel.
And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he
wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant; the ten commandments.”
Exodus 34:27-28
The point that it was Moses that wrote on the tablets the second time has been lost by most commentaries. First, in
Exodus 34:1, God gives Moses the commandment to return to the mount and to "hew" two tables of stone "like unto
the first" on which God states that He will write upon these tablets that words that were on the first tables.
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these
tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
There can be no mistaking that the assignment to Moses here was to bring with him two stone tablets on which "God"
would rewrite, or carefully copy exactly what had been written on the first set of the Ten Commandments. It was the hand
of Moses that prepared the new set of tablets. Now, as we shall see later in Exodus chapter 34, it was also the hand of
Moses that did the actual writing on these tablets by the inspiration and direction of God. Many commentaries wrongly state
that it was God Himself that again wrote on these tablets, yet a close look at Exodus 34:27-28 in conjunction with Exodus
34:1, we will see clearly that Moses did write the same words of the covenant the second time as we once again review
these verses:
Exodus 34:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write
upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
Exodus 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have
made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And
he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Exodus 34:1 makes it quite clear that what is to be written on the new tablets is exactly what was written on the first set of
tablets and not the other writings of the law as many contend. This is repeated again in Exodus 34:28 when it specifically
refers to the words of the covenant written here as "the ten commandments." The fact that God states that He will write
on the stones, and then commands Moses to do the actual physical writing is indeed the exact same act of inspiration of the
entire Bible written in this earth by the hand of mortal man, yet completely and perfectly by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost
as He moved Holy men of old to duplicate that which has been with God and is God for all of eternity in Heaven above.
It is this replicated copy of the Ten Commandments by the hand of man that shall be preserved in Heaven for all eternity
showing the continuity from creation to salvation to redemption of mankind that was God's plan from the beginning to bring
God and man into one through His preserved Word. Thus, Exodus 34:28 is quite clear when we understand that the
pronoun "he" used three times in this verse always and only refers to Moses and not God.
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden
pot that had manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:3-4
“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and
there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Revelation 11:19
My fellow brethren in Christ,we have shown that it is the work that the Lord has done through man that is preserved
in heaven forever in these two tables of stones, hewed by the man named Moses and written by the hand of the
man named Moses by the inspiration and preservation of God. Please ponder all of the theological ramifications of
this. It is a statement as profound as the glory that He shall reveal not to us but in us showing how we will one day be one
with God.(Romans 8:18) The message given to us in this text is the importance to God for the preservation of the
Scriptures that He inspired man to write through spiritual understanding. ( I Peter 1:23; II Peter 1:16-21) Why then do we
as believers of the household of God even engage with the barbarous deceivers and enemies of God’s Holy Word in a
debate set in the fleshly mind of the natural man and based on knowledge of the original tongues? When will we walk by
faith and not by sight and accept His Holy Word, as preserved in English in the King James “Authorized”
Version? Is not the Word of God alone enough for all, simple and preserved and given for all men to understand
His will? Do we need a profound understanding of the original languages to understand the Word of God? No,
we simply need to obey the rules of interpretation given in the Bible alone and in faith believing.
Thus, the method of Bible interpretation is revealed in a minimum of three sets of verses. First, II Peter 1:20 states that the
Bible is the only source for finding the interpretation of any prophecy. Thus, all prophecies of the Scripture are interpreted
by the Word of God alone: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are the only source of truth and all interpretations of the Bible must have supporting
scriptural references that are in agreement, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Gen. 40:8).
Second, II Corinthians 13:1 states that every Word is established by two or three witnesses: “. . . In the mouth of two
or three witnesses shall every word be established.” Therefore, no single verse can stand alone to establish a doctrinal
truth by itself. All doctrine and all Bible prophecy interpretations require at least two or three related verses to firmly fix and
confirm the intention, purpose and significance of the Scripture being examined. Third, Isaiah 28:9-13 again confirms the
use of both two or three witnesses and the comparative analysis of similar Scriptures that are consistent and in harmony:
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned
from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
Therefore the method of Bible prophecy interpretation is to first recognize the authority of the Scriptures to interpret
themselves and then compare those Scriptures that are in agreement with the purpose and intent of the precept being
examined, line upon line. In addition, Isaiah 28:9-13 clearly authorizes the use of Scriptures from different sections of the
Bible for these comparisons, “here a little, and there a little.”
The Bible further exhorts all believers to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21). We
are not to accept any work by man without going to the Scriptures to prove it ourselves using the method outlined above. In
I John 2:27, we are taught that we have no need that any man should teach us but the Holy Ghost alone. Therefore it is not
flesh and blood that can reveal the truth of any prophecy, but God alone (Matt 16:17). This is best witnessed by
I Corinthians 2:12-13: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that
we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Therefore, through the power of the Holy Ghost and by diligent study (II Timothy 2:15), the ardent student of the Bible is
assured of the true methods to achieve the correct interpretations.
Let me grant an insight into the insidious nature of some Greek scholars that purport to give illumination of the true meanings
from the "original autographs" through Greek scholarship. Yet, unfortunately, some of these men turn out to be deceivers
with cunning and vain language in that they are actually comparing spiritual things (the Bible) with earthly things (Greek
lexicons which are compiled by man and not by the inspiration of God as is the Bible) and thus fail to find the true meanings.
The first example that fails to illuminate unto true understanding through the study of the original Greek comes from a
scholar named Dr. Thomas M. Strouse who has taught many courses on “Bibliology.” In a quite “insightful” chapter of
his book, he defines and describes what he believes to be true Biblical “inspiration.” However, he only extends Godly
inspiration to the original “autographs” or in other words, the original manuscripts given directly by God to the many
different prophets and writers of the many books of the Bible. In so doing, he does present apparently very sound and
convincing arguments when viewed at first from his perspective.
In fact, his arguments appear quite convincing and illuminating when reading of the meanings of several “original” Greek
words. He does rightly uphold the same documents that were the source of the extensive Greek to English discourse used
by the King James scholars. He further, states that God has only promised to inspire the original autographs. Yet sadly,
none of the original autographs have been preserved! Accepting his theory of inspiration of the Scriptures, and
indeed defining what the Scriptures are leaves the reader with an astounding sense of emptiness about the state of our
current “apographa” (copies) since he believes that they are not inspired. Yet, not one jot or one tittle of the original
autographs can be found. Does this make Jesus Christ a liar? (Matthew 5:17-19). This opens the door to question
whether man has corrupted God's Holy Word and whether we can know its truth today. He first gives his rendering of
II Timothy 3:15-16 as proof of God inspiring only the “autographa” (originals):
“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.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness.”
In verse 3:15, he states that the word Scripture (grammata) actually really means “temple writings” which are only
copies of the Old Testament writings and not the originals. (Strong’s however does list “scripture” as one of the possible
meanings of “grammata”). In verse 3:16, Dr. Strouse states that the word scripture (graphe) in the "original" Greek now
means the original autographs of which they are the only truly inspired Words of God. He presents a very concise
evaluation from the Greek Scriptures showing two different original words for what the King James translators called
“scripture” in both verses. Admittedly, he states that the copies of the Old Testament “temple writings” “have
the ability to save” since they are “the Word of God” yet denies that they are likewise inspired.
The logical conclusion then follows that if only the "original" autographs were inspired, we can not really have any trust
in any of the translations or even in the current Greek “apographa” or Greek copies since none of the original manuscripts
are now in existence. In addition, if the Lord’s words are “spirit and life,” then ALL Scripture HAS to be, by this
definition, INSPIRED, or simply GOD BREATHED. Thus Dr. Strouse is contradictory in calling them “copies” of
the Word of God that can save, but denying that they are also “inspired.”
Cushing-Malloy, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Page 42
Yet, Dr. Strouse's rendering from the original Greek is not “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
(I Corinthians 2:13). It is instead, comparing the Word of God (spiritual) with a Greek lexicon written by the hand of
man alone, (earthly) which can be subject to corruption, where the Word of God cannot due to God's promise to
preserve His Word forever.
However, directly comparing spiritual to spiritual (i.e. Scripture with Scripture), we find a quite different rendering of these
same verses. “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.” (II Timothy 3:15). The first place to start is to note the context in
which this verse is found. In II Timothy 3:10 Paul starts his premise by explaining “my doctrine” to Timothy which he
states Timothy is already fully knowledgeable. “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” Here Paul is reminding Timothy of those things that he has already taught him.
First of all, of his doctrine. Paul’s doctrine is different than any of the other apostles due to the fact that he received it by
revelation and not by physical tutelage. In Galatians 1:11-12, we read: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel
which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul’s “doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”
since his conversion was to preach the gospel of Christ. His whole entire purpose in life was the gospel alone: “Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” (Romans 1:1) He continues in
II Timothy 3:14:
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou
hast learned them,”
Paul’s admonition to Timothy in II Timothy 3:15-16, is first prefaced by his doctrine of the gospel in the above verses. He
clearly states that Timothy fully knew all of these things. He again confirms this in a different manner in verse 3:15: “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." It must first be remembered that Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish
mother. By the Jewish laws of inheritance as noted by the Bible geneologies, inheritance is paternal by the father, thereby
making Timothy a Gentile and not a Jew (Acts 16:1-3). (Note, that the current Jewish laws determining nationality
are by that of the mother allowing the possibility that the antichrist could be considered Jewish and Arab at the
same time by both groups since the Arab nationality is determined by the father. Further, most Christians do
not understand that the Muslims are also taught that Jesus will return, but their Jesus is not the same as the
one of the Bible.) Thus, in the Old Testament, the hope of salvation was given to the Jews and only to the Gentiles
through the Jews. Jesus Himself states such in John 4:22b: “. . . for salvation is of the Jews.” The Old Testament does
emphatically point to the salvation of the Lord, but it is completed only by the shed blood of Jesus Christ in the New
Testament. In Galatians 3:11-12a, the Bible very clearly states that the law cannot save, but only those Scriptures that
teach of faith unto Jesus Christ alone: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for,
The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith. . .”
A further example of the gospel shown in the Old Testament writings is brought forth in the book of Acts. The Ethiopian
eunuch in Acts chapter nine was reading from one of the most profound “Messianic” Scriptures in the Old Testament,
Isaiah chapter 53. Yet, despite his obvious high stature which testifies that he was an educated man, he was confused as to
its meaning. It was only after the Holy Ghost sent Philip to share the gospel of Christ with this man that he understood and
was able to make him “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth
down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of
the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and
sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb
before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken
from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of
some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
Acts 8:26-35
I have often used Isaiah chapter 53 as a foundation to preach the gospel of Christ to many people. But the only thing
that saves is the gospel of Christ that he died for our sins and was raised from the grave on the third day and
that we believe through faith and call upon His name. Thus, the gospel that is contained in Isaiah chapter 53 is not
brought to life until one is made to understand its real life fulfillment by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In
addition, there is not a single doctrine of the Bible that any man can understand, lest the Holy Spirit give him
understanding. Thus, not only were the “original autographs” inspired, and also the copies, but the very act of
understanding for each individual Christian is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and this likewise is another act of
inspiration: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither
to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said,
How can I, except some man should guide me?”
Please consider the full meaning of II Timothy 3:16 in this light: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Thus, not only was the Word
of God inspired to the prophet who spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost, but each Christian born of incorruptible
seed (i.e., the Word of God) lives out another act of inspiration at the time of salvation and at any time that the believer
gains any knowledge of God’s doctrines from the Scriptures: “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the
Almighty giveth them understanding.” His Word is alive and is powerful and IS a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, John 6:63). Therefore, inspiration itself is an ongoing, living and spiritual process given to the
believer only through the Holy Ghost (John 15:5): “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you
into all truth. . .” (John 16:13) If then the Scriptures are understood only through the wisdom and understanding and BY
INSPIRATION of the Holy Ghost, why then do so many pastors use the earthly Greek lexicons as their standard of
preaching for the meaning of our English text instead of comparing it line by line to the Bible itself? Doing this is simply a
work of the flesh and not of the Spirit! Instead, we must compare spiritual things with spiritual! That is, comparing
Scripture to Scripture and through prayer asking for understanding from God alone whether the language is Greek,
Hebrew, Aramaic, French, English or any other tongue!
There are many verses in the New Testament that can make one wise unto salvation alone, but it is only with the gospel of
Christ that any of the Old Testament will make one wise unto salvation, even though the gospel itself is contained in the Old
Testament in many places. Even the disciples who spent three years watching all of His signs and wonders, sitting at His
feet and receiving His teachings daily did not have an understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures unto salvation until the
Lord Himself expounding unto them the meaning of the prophets after He was resurrected:
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things
must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning
me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45
Therefore, for Dr. Thomas M. Strouse to state that: “Paul was ascertaining to Timothy the efficacy of the copies of
the OT in the Temple in Jerusalem. As apographa, or copies, they had the ability to save since they were the
Word of God.” Yet at the same time he denies their divine inspiration which is thus theologically incorrect. Anyone saved is
saved only by the incorruptible, living Word of God, which by definition must be inspired (I Peter 1:23-25). In Galatians
3:22-23, we read: “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterward be revealed.” Peter, likewise, reveals that the gospel of salvation was only revealed in the “last
time.”: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . . Who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Peter 1:3&5). Should the so
called “uninspired Temple Writings” have had the power by themselves to save without the understanding of the
gospel, then the enemies of God would not have crucified our Lord thereby fulfilling the gospel. Instead, God kept this
mystery of salvation hidden until the time was complete:
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
unto our glory.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory.” I Corinthians 2:7-8
Therefore, although the gospel was ordained by God “before the world,” it was a hidden mystery, that is, hidden
wisdom. Paul speaks very plainly of his gospel and his message to the Corinthians of the testimony of God in I Corinthians
2:1-2: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto
you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.” This is as succinct an account of the gospel that Paul preached as found anywhere in the Bible. Most are
familiar with what is commonly called the “Romans Road” for witnessing to the lost. Even here, it is the knowledge of
Christ crucified that will make the lost “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”:
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which
we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-9 & 13
Therefore, the only scriptures “which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.” are those that preach Christ crucified whether found in the Old Testament or in the New Testament. This is the
“word of faith.” This is simply, the gospel!!
Lastly, Paul again reiterates the fact that the saving knowledge of the mystery of Christ has only been given unto the New
Testament prophets and holy apostles by the Holy Spirit: “How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto
his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:3-5). Likewise, the writer of the book of Hebrews gives
credit not only to the apostles but also to the Lord Himself: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also
bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his own will?” The hidden mystery of Christ is that of salvation for all men through His shed blood at
Calvary.
Therefore, the “OT” law does not save in itself. It instead convicts all of sin. It is only by the gospel of Christ
that any man can be saved. In Acts 4:12, Peter states quite clearly that salvation is only by the name of Jesus: “Neither
is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved.” It is only by the gospel of Christ that the Scriptures are able to “make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.” In I Corinthians 4:15, Paul makes clear that all that were saved through his ministry were
saved only by the gospel of Christ: “. . . for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” Likewise,
in Ephesians 1:13, salvation is through the gospel alone: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word
of truth, the gospel of your salvation . . .” In Romans 1:16, Paul states that the gospel is the “power of God unto
salvation.” In the context of II Timothy specifically, Paul leaves no doubt of the doctrine of the saving grace of Jesus
Christ in this age alone:
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, not of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of
the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us , and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality through the gospel.” (II Timothy 1:8-10)
Therefore, by “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” the only Scriptures that Paul could be referring to in
II Timothy 3:15 are those of the gospel of Christ which Timothy knew since he was a child. In Luke 16:29-31, the
Bible states that salvation for the brothers of the rich man is through Moses and the prophets. Likewise in Luke 24:44,
the Lord states that all must be fulfilled which is written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms
concerning Him: “. . .Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third
day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.” Therefore, the Lord Himself confirms the power of His gospel which is foreshadowed in the law,
the prophets and the Psalms "which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus."
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“My words shall not pass away”
Part Two
The fruits of the King James Bible are literacy, knowledge, knowing the truth and reaping the reward of
freedom that our Lord promises to those that continue in His Word and believe on Him (John 8:30-32). No
amount of historical criticism can diminish the fruits of this one man upon four hundred years of world history.
“The two-thousand-year-old contest between the Church of Rome and those she calls "heretics," is basically a
battle for the Bible. When you see a church that abandons the King James Version and begins to uphold the
New International Version or other modern perversions of the scriptures, you know which side they are on.”
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/batbible.html ©2002 Barnabas Ministries, PO Box 3393, Farmington Hills,
MI. 48333, USA)
The history of the Bible over the last two thousand years in itself speaks of the spiritual and moral bankruptcy of the critics
of the King James Version. Yet for those who are not convinced by the history alone, let us continue on with further
illustrations of explanation of the preservation and inspiration of the King James Bible (“But there is a spirit in man: and
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” Job 32:8) The Bible in multiple Scriptures declares His
PROMISE to preserve His Holy Word for ever. In Matthew 5:18, not one “jot or tittle” shall pass from the law “Till
heaven and earth pass.” In Matthew 24:35, we read;
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Two other Gospel writers record this statement in Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33. These are only four of a multitude of
verses in the Old and New Testaments recording God’s PROMISE to preserve His Word for all generations. An in depth
study on this subject by any diligent student of the Bible pursuing God’s truth will confirm this statement. However, a
different study on the method of God’s preservation style will illuminate some interesting points that lay to rest the
contention that we must study the Greek grammar to gain understanding of the Scriptures by now comparing another set of
“spiritual things with spiritual.” In I Corinthians 10:11, we are told that the things that happened to Israel in the
wilderness are for "ensamples" unto us and are written for our admonition:
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come.”
(Webster's 1828: Ensample - An example; a pattern or model for imitation)
The KJV translators were indeed inspired by the definition above from Job 32:8 to make one more exact translation from
the original languages with understanding. That is to say, the hand of God can be seen in the preservation of His Word by
the work of these men as they were inspired to “keep” or carefully copy His Word. There is no need at all to neither deny
the moving of God in this work nor invoke a “new and improved” Scripture as some have wrongly stated.
(The translators themselves never made such a claim!!)
There is much made of the search for the “original autographs” by both sides of this debate. Yet, all readily concede
that there are none of the original autographs preserved. (Unless of course God did preserve them in the Dead Sea Scrolls
that are still held in secret by the Vatican) Nevertheless, what is God’s stand on His own "original" writings given to
man? Here again, the first appearance of the written Word of God is with the Ten Commandments. Moses was given the
Ten Commandments on two tables of stone that came all from the hand of God with the all the writings from just the
finger of God alone. (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:9-11) However, when Moses returned to the camp, he cast them
out of his two hands and broke them because of the sin of Israel. (Deuteronomy 9:17) He later returned to the mountain of
God where he received a second set of tables. But there is a very interesting twist with the second set of tablets. God had
Moses hew the stones as apposed to the fact that God had in the first place provided both stones and done the writing.
Then they were set in the ark of the testimony where they still remain today, preserved forever (Exodus 25:10-22;
Deuteronomy 10:1-5; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 11:19). The message of this example is that God has given the original
Word from Heaven above where it is settled forever and then through inspiration of the Almighty written these same words
by the hand of man which are likewise preserved forever:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89
The Word of God in Heaven is the "original autograph" that so many men in the flesh have searched for without
success. The simple fact that the second set of two tables of stone on which the replica or "copy" of the Ten
Commandments are the tables now kept for all eternity is a text proof of God’s preservation of His Holy word through man
just as He PROMISED! The act of preservation of this copy of the original Ten Commandments was a work both of
God together with the man Moses. It is God that has in His possession not the “original autographs” but instead the
replica of that which is forever in Heaven. There is no original autograph to be found in the flesh here on earth for
ever! This is another search for such things as the “holy grail,” that only exist in the minds of the natural man
who is not able to understand the things of God.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14
To clarify further this most important point, let us return to an expanded detail of this "ensample" to illuminate this
illustration and clarify its importance. With the first two tables of stone on which the “original autographs” were written,
God provided the stones and it was His finger that wrote upon the stones. But with the second set of stone tablets,
Moses provided the materials and Moses was the one that did the writing in the stones by the inspiration of God as we
see in the following text:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a
covenant with thee and with Israel.
And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he
wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant; the ten commandments.”
Exodus 34:27-28
The point that it was Moses that wrote on the tablets the second time has been lost by most commentaries. First, in
Exodus 34:1, God gives Moses the commandment to return to the mount and to "hew" two tables of stone "like unto
the first" on which God states that He will write upon these tablets that words that were on the first tables.
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these
tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
There can be no mistaking that the assignment to Moses here was to bring with him two stone tablets on which "God"
would rewrite, or carefully copy exactly what had been written on the first set of the Ten Commandments. It was the hand
of Moses that prepared the new set of tablets. Now, as we shall see later in Exodus chapter 34, it was also the hand of
Moses that did the actual writing on these tablets by the inspiration and direction of God. Many commentaries wrongly state
that it was God Himself that again wrote on these tablets, yet a close look at Exodus 34:27-28 in conjunction with Exodus
34:1, we will see clearly that Moses did write the same words of the covenant the second time as we once again review
these verses:
Exodus 34:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write
upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
Exodus 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have
made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And
he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Exodus 34:1 makes it quite clear that what is to be written on the new tablets is exactly what was written on the first set of
tablets and not the other writings of the law as many contend. This is repeated again in Exodus 34:28 when it specifically
refers to the words of the covenant written here as "the ten commandments." The fact that God states that He will write
on the stones, and then commands Moses to do the actual physical writing is indeed the exact same act of inspiration of the
entire Bible written in this earth by the hand of mortal man, yet completely and perfectly by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost
as He moved Holy men of old to duplicate that which has been with God and is God for all of eternity in Heaven above.
It is this replicated copy of the Ten Commandments by the hand of man that shall be preserved in Heaven for all eternity
showing the continuity from creation to salvation to redemption of mankind that was God's plan from the beginning to bring
God and man into one through His preserved Word. Thus, Exodus 34:28 is quite clear when we understand that the
pronoun "he" used three times in this verse always and only refers to Moses and not God.
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden
pot that had manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:3-4
“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and
there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Revelation 11:19
My fellow brethren in Christ,we have shown that it is the work that the Lord has done through man that is preserved
in heaven forever in these two tables of stones, hewed by the man named Moses and written by the hand of the
man named Moses by the inspiration and preservation of God. Please ponder all of the theological ramifications of
this. It is a statement as profound as the glory that He shall reveal not to us but in us showing how we will one day be one
with God.(Romans 8:18) The message given to us in this text is the importance to God for the preservation of the
Scriptures that He inspired man to write through spiritual understanding. ( I Peter 1:23; II Peter 1:16-21) Why then do we
as believers of the household of God even engage with the barbarous deceivers and enemies of God’s Holy Word in a
debate set in the fleshly mind of the natural man and based on knowledge of the original tongues? When will we walk by
faith and not by sight and accept His Holy Word, as preserved in English in the King James “Authorized”
Version? Is not the Word of God alone enough for all, simple and preserved and given for all men to understand
His will? Do we need a profound understanding of the original languages to understand the Word of God? No,
we simply need to obey the rules of interpretation given in the Bible alone and in faith believing.
Thus, the method of Bible interpretation is revealed in a minimum of three sets of verses. First, II Peter 1:20 states that the
Bible is the only source for finding the interpretation of any prophecy. Thus, all prophecies of the Scripture are interpreted
by the Word of God alone: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are the only source of truth and all interpretations of the Bible must have supporting
scriptural references that are in agreement, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Gen. 40:8).
Second, II Corinthians 13:1 states that every Word is established by two or three witnesses: “. . . In the mouth of two
or three witnesses shall every word be established.” Therefore, no single verse can stand alone to establish a doctrinal
truth by itself. All doctrine and all Bible prophecy interpretations require at least two or three related verses to firmly fix and
confirm the intention, purpose and significance of the Scripture being examined. Third, Isaiah 28:9-13 again confirms the
use of both two or three witnesses and the comparative analysis of similar Scriptures that are consistent and in harmony:
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned
from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
Therefore the method of Bible prophecy interpretation is to first recognize the authority of the Scriptures to interpret
themselves and then compare those Scriptures that are in agreement with the purpose and intent of the precept being
examined, line upon line. In addition, Isaiah 28:9-13 clearly authorizes the use of Scriptures from different sections of the
Bible for these comparisons, “here a little, and there a little.”
The Bible further exhorts all believers to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21). We
are not to accept any work by man without going to the Scriptures to prove it ourselves using the method outlined above. In
I John 2:27, we are taught that we have no need that any man should teach us but the Holy Ghost alone. Therefore it is not
flesh and blood that can reveal the truth of any prophecy, but God alone (Matt 16:17). This is best witnessed by
I Corinthians 2:12-13: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that
we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Therefore, through the power of the Holy Ghost and by diligent study (II Timothy 2:15), the ardent student of the Bible is
assured of the true methods to achieve the correct interpretations.
Let me grant an insight into the insidious nature of some Greek scholars that purport to give illumination of the true meanings
from the "original autographs" through Greek scholarship. Yet, unfortunately, some of these men turn out to be deceivers
with cunning and vain language in that they are actually comparing spiritual things (the Bible) with earthly things (Greek
lexicons which are compiled by man and not by the inspiration of God as is the Bible) and thus fail to find the true meanings.
The first example that fails to illuminate unto true understanding through the study of the original Greek comes from a
scholar named Dr. Thomas M. Strouse who has taught many courses on “Bibliology.” In a quite “insightful” chapter of
his book, he defines and describes what he believes to be true Biblical “inspiration.” However, he only extends Godly
inspiration to the original “autographs” or in other words, the original manuscripts given directly by God to the many
different prophets and writers of the many books of the Bible. In so doing, he does present apparently very sound and
convincing arguments when viewed at first from his perspective.
In fact, his arguments appear quite convincing and illuminating when reading of the meanings of several “original” Greek
words. He does rightly uphold the same documents that were the source of the extensive Greek to English discourse used
by the King James scholars. He further, states that God has only promised to inspire the original autographs. Yet sadly,
none of the original autographs have been preserved! Accepting his theory of inspiration of the Scriptures, and
indeed defining what the Scriptures are leaves the reader with an astounding sense of emptiness about the state of our
current “apographa” (copies) since he believes that they are not inspired. Yet, not one jot or one tittle of the original
autographs can be found. Does this make Jesus Christ a liar? (Matthew 5:17-19). This opens the door to question
whether man has corrupted God's Holy Word and whether we can know its truth today. He first gives his rendering of
II Timothy 3:15-16 as proof of God inspiring only the “autographa” (originals):
“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.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness.”
In verse 3:15, he states that the word Scripture (grammata) actually really means “temple writings” which are only
copies of the Old Testament writings and not the originals. (Strong’s however does list “scripture” as one of the possible
meanings of “grammata”). In verse 3:16, Dr. Strouse states that the word scripture (graphe) in the "original" Greek now
means the original autographs of which they are the only truly inspired Words of God. He presents a very concise
evaluation from the Greek Scriptures showing two different original words for what the King James translators called
“scripture” in both verses. Admittedly, he states that the copies of the Old Testament “temple writings” “have
the ability to save” since they are “the Word of God” yet denies that they are likewise inspired.
The logical conclusion then follows that if only the "original" autographs were inspired, we can not really have any trust
in any of the translations or even in the current Greek “apographa” or Greek copies since none of the original manuscripts
are now in existence. In addition, if the Lord’s words are “spirit and life,” then ALL Scripture HAS to be, by this
definition, INSPIRED, or simply GOD BREATHED. Thus Dr. Strouse is contradictory in calling them “copies” of
the Word of God that can save, but denying that they are also “inspired.”
Cushing-Malloy, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Page 42
Yet, Dr. Strouse's rendering from the original Greek is not “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
(I Corinthians 2:13). It is instead, comparing the Word of God (spiritual) with a Greek lexicon written by the hand of
man alone, (earthly) which can be subject to corruption, where the Word of God cannot due to God's promise to
preserve His Word forever.
However, directly comparing spiritual to spiritual (i.e. Scripture with Scripture), we find a quite different rendering of these
same verses. “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.” (II Timothy 3:15). The first place to start is to note the context in
which this verse is found. In II Timothy 3:10 Paul starts his premise by explaining “my doctrine” to Timothy which he
states Timothy is already fully knowledgeable. “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” Here Paul is reminding Timothy of those things that he has already taught him.
First of all, of his doctrine. Paul’s doctrine is different than any of the other apostles due to the fact that he received it by
revelation and not by physical tutelage. In Galatians 1:11-12, we read: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel
which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul’s “doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”
since his conversion was to preach the gospel of Christ. His whole entire purpose in life was the gospel alone: “Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” (Romans 1:1) He continues in
II Timothy 3:14:
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou
hast learned them,”
Paul’s admonition to Timothy in II Timothy 3:15-16, is first prefaced by his doctrine of the gospel in the above verses. He
clearly states that Timothy fully knew all of these things. He again confirms this in a different manner in verse 3:15: “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." It must first be remembered that Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish
mother. By the Jewish laws of inheritance as noted by the Bible geneologies, inheritance is paternal by the father, thereby
making Timothy a Gentile and not a Jew (Acts 16:1-3). (Note, that the current Jewish laws determining nationality
are by that of the mother allowing the possibility that the antichrist could be considered Jewish and Arab at the
same time by both groups since the Arab nationality is determined by the father. Further, most Christians do
not understand that the Muslims are also taught that Jesus will return, but their Jesus is not the same as the
one of the Bible.) Thus, in the Old Testament, the hope of salvation was given to the Jews and only to the Gentiles
through the Jews. Jesus Himself states such in John 4:22b: “. . . for salvation is of the Jews.” The Old Testament does
emphatically point to the salvation of the Lord, but it is completed only by the shed blood of Jesus Christ in the New
Testament. In Galatians 3:11-12a, the Bible very clearly states that the law cannot save, but only those Scriptures that
teach of faith unto Jesus Christ alone: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for,
The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith. . .”
A further example of the gospel shown in the Old Testament writings is brought forth in the book of Acts. The Ethiopian
eunuch in Acts chapter nine was reading from one of the most profound “Messianic” Scriptures in the Old Testament,
Isaiah chapter 53. Yet, despite his obvious high stature which testifies that he was an educated man, he was confused as to
its meaning. It was only after the Holy Ghost sent Philip to share the gospel of Christ with this man that he understood and
was able to make him “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth
down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of
the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and
sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb
before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken
from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of
some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
Acts 8:26-35
I have often used Isaiah chapter 53 as a foundation to preach the gospel of Christ to many people. But the only thing
that saves is the gospel of Christ that he died for our sins and was raised from the grave on the third day and
that we believe through faith and call upon His name. Thus, the gospel that is contained in Isaiah chapter 53 is not
brought to life until one is made to understand its real life fulfillment by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In
addition, there is not a single doctrine of the Bible that any man can understand, lest the Holy Spirit give him
understanding. Thus, not only were the “original autographs” inspired, and also the copies, but the very act of
understanding for each individual Christian is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and this likewise is another act of
inspiration: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither
to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said,
How can I, except some man should guide me?”
Please consider the full meaning of II Timothy 3:16 in this light: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Thus, not only was the Word
of God inspired to the prophet who spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost, but each Christian born of incorruptible
seed (i.e., the Word of God) lives out another act of inspiration at the time of salvation and at any time that the believer
gains any knowledge of God’s doctrines from the Scriptures: “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the
Almighty giveth them understanding.” His Word is alive and is powerful and IS a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, John 6:63). Therefore, inspiration itself is an ongoing, living and spiritual process given to the
believer only through the Holy Ghost (John 15:5): “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you
into all truth. . .” (John 16:13) If then the Scriptures are understood only through the wisdom and understanding and BY
INSPIRATION of the Holy Ghost, why then do so many pastors use the earthly Greek lexicons as their standard of
preaching for the meaning of our English text instead of comparing it line by line to the Bible itself? Doing this is simply a
work of the flesh and not of the Spirit! Instead, we must compare spiritual things with spiritual! That is, comparing
Scripture to Scripture and through prayer asking for understanding from God alone whether the language is Greek,
Hebrew, Aramaic, French, English or any other tongue!
There are many verses in the New Testament that can make one wise unto salvation alone, but it is only with the gospel of
Christ that any of the Old Testament will make one wise unto salvation, even though the gospel itself is contained in the Old
Testament in many places. Even the disciples who spent three years watching all of His signs and wonders, sitting at His
feet and receiving His teachings daily did not have an understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures unto salvation until the
Lord Himself expounding unto them the meaning of the prophets after He was resurrected:
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things
must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning
me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45
Therefore, for Dr. Thomas M. Strouse to state that: “Paul was ascertaining to Timothy the efficacy of the copies of
the OT in the Temple in Jerusalem. As apographa, or copies, they had the ability to save since they were the
Word of God.” Yet at the same time he denies their divine inspiration which is thus theologically incorrect. Anyone saved is
saved only by the incorruptible, living Word of God, which by definition must be inspired (I Peter 1:23-25). In Galatians
3:22-23, we read: “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterward be revealed.” Peter, likewise, reveals that the gospel of salvation was only revealed in the “last
time.”: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . . Who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Peter 1:3&5). Should the so
called “uninspired Temple Writings” have had the power by themselves to save without the understanding of the
gospel, then the enemies of God would not have crucified our Lord thereby fulfilling the gospel. Instead, God kept this
mystery of salvation hidden until the time was complete:
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
unto our glory.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory.” I Corinthians 2:7-8
Therefore, although the gospel was ordained by God “before the world,” it was a hidden mystery, that is, hidden
wisdom. Paul speaks very plainly of his gospel and his message to the Corinthians of the testimony of God in I Corinthians
2:1-2: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto
you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.” This is as succinct an account of the gospel that Paul preached as found anywhere in the Bible. Most are
familiar with what is commonly called the “Romans Road” for witnessing to the lost. Even here, it is the knowledge of
Christ crucified that will make the lost “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”:
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which
we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-9 & 13
Therefore, the only scriptures “which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.” are those that preach Christ crucified whether found in the Old Testament or in the New Testament. This is the
“word of faith.” This is simply, the gospel!!
Lastly, Paul again reiterates the fact that the saving knowledge of the mystery of Christ has only been given unto the New
Testament prophets and holy apostles by the Holy Spirit: “How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto
his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:3-5). Likewise, the writer of the book of Hebrews gives
credit not only to the apostles but also to the Lord Himself: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also
bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his own will?” The hidden mystery of Christ is that of salvation for all men through His shed blood at
Calvary.
Therefore, the “OT” law does not save in itself. It instead convicts all of sin. It is only by the gospel of Christ
that any man can be saved. In Acts 4:12, Peter states quite clearly that salvation is only by the name of Jesus: “Neither
is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved.” It is only by the gospel of Christ that the Scriptures are able to “make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.” In I Corinthians 4:15, Paul makes clear that all that were saved through his ministry were
saved only by the gospel of Christ: “. . . for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” Likewise,
in Ephesians 1:13, salvation is through the gospel alone: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word
of truth, the gospel of your salvation . . .” In Romans 1:16, Paul states that the gospel is the “power of God unto
salvation.” In the context of II Timothy specifically, Paul leaves no doubt of the doctrine of the saving grace of Jesus
Christ in this age alone:
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, not of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of
the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us , and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality through the gospel.” (II Timothy 1:8-10)
Therefore, by “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” the only Scriptures that Paul could be referring to in
II Timothy 3:15 are those of the gospel of Christ which Timothy knew since he was a child. In Luke 16:29-31, the
Bible states that salvation for the brothers of the rich man is through Moses and the prophets. Likewise in Luke 24:44,
the Lord states that all must be fulfilled which is written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms
concerning Him: “. . .Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third
day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.” Therefore, the Lord Himself confirms the power of His gospel which is foreshadowed in the law,
the prophets and the Psalms "which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus."
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