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Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?
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The majority of church members in this world at some time in their lives have taken a Bible in their hands, and attempted reading the Scriptures. Then, certain confused thoughts would arise within their minds because the Words they read just do not agree with what they have been told by their Sunday school teacher, or the sister in the convent. (Also included are the messages they receive from the priest, minister, or the fiery preacher announcing that the judgment day is at hand!) In fact, these “captive congregations” are so conditioned, that they become so dependant upon the “preacher” in their church. So many of these members are warned by their shepherds, who quote to them: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any Private interpretation, 2nd Peter 1:20. This text is all very well, but why do we see hundreds of different churches, all having their own agenda? Yet they say that the Bible is the Holy Word of the Almighty, and their guide. We must understand these religions have broken the very law they quoted to their followers. They themselves, through the years of manipulating, and panel-beating Scripture, whether maliciously, deliberately, or blindly, but blatantly gone and interpreted Yahweh’s Word to suit themselves, are not allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture! Many worldly churches boast of that power over its followers, using the saying: “Teach children from a young age and they will never depart from it.” I have witnessed ministers telling devout followers that, “If they read their Bible alone, without the help of a ‘qualified’ minister, the devil, or false thoughts will enter their minds.” People would wonder as to how all this could be possible, where we read: “Yahweh is not the author of confusion,” 1 Cor 14:33. |
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Mysteries of This World The sad part of all this is when the confused member asks awkward questions, and is told: “It is a mystery, and it is not for us to understand yet!” or “It is a sealed Book.” Have you identified a “mystery religion,” of which according to Scripture, is in existence today? And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH, Rev. 17:5. On the other hand, the member may be told that too much learning could make you mad! And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad, Acts 26:24. But Festus did not admit this could mean the other way around! Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim 3:7. (This applies to those who resist the Truth) For Yahweh is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Assemblies of the saints, 1st Cor. 14: 33. Yet we read in the Apostle John’s lifetime, Yahshua instructed him to write letters to the Assemblies in Asia Minor, because they had become corrupted with false pagan doctrines. They even had ministers who lied to them! I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars, Rev. 2:2. Even in these days so many religions in this world lie directly to its members, so as to control them from straying away, out of the “organization.” They say, “We are keeping our people straight.” May we add, “To the way of death?” |
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What Lies? One would say: “What lies?” Try telling any Sunday going Christian that Messiah was not born on the 25th of December! Or Yahweh’s human priesthood does not exist; at least not until Yahshua returns, and re-instates the New priesthood in His Kingdom, HERE on EARTH! Try telling these people that the dead are asleep in their graves, until Messiah returns to this world. They are certainly not up there in heaven with the “Lord,” as they have been so misled to believe that lie! By confronting people with these statements would cause them very quickly to accuse us of lying. Ministers of this world do not warn their people that they could easily believe lies. But they are very well warned against listening to doctrines that are not of “their own” preconceived belief. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Yahweh shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe lies: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks always to Yahweh for you, brethren beloved of Yahweh, because He hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth, 2nd Thess. 2: 10-13. Only Yahweh’s Spirit opens the minds of His chosen; no church, worldly organization, or any human intervention is able to do that. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Yahweh: because many false prophets are gone out into the world, 1st John 4:1. Through Yahweh’s guidance, our only way to test any doctrine, or teaching, is through total compliance with Yahweh’s Word. People may ask: “But are there not contradictions in Scripture itself?” The first question you should ask is, “Show me a contradiction.” Scripture has been translated into nearly all the languages of the world. Above that, Scripture has been translated into English by many different translators, who all believe they are correct to every word of the original Hebrew and Greek writings. But when going deeply into some of these translations, we come to the understanding that man, endowed with human nature, and as we have mentioned before, having certain pre-conceived beliefs, would translate Scripture with words to uphold certain doctrine that a particular translator had in mind. Thanks be to Yahweh, if the believing Bible student truly looks into these isolated mistranslations, he, or she, will always come up with the basic Truth which leads to salvation through Yahweh’s Spirit. That is why we always recommend the Bible student to be ready to test with a number of reliable translations. If there arises an important question on a doctrinal matter, 99% of the time the answer is found in the very same chapter! |
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Contradiction? To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Did we read a contradiction? But the law says thou shalt not kill. Yes, we are not to commit murder. (Editor’s note: “kill” is the translation of the Hebrew “harag” which means, By Strong’s Concordance, “to smite with deadly intent.”) Thus, a soldier fighting to defend his people is not committing a pre meditated killing. Here we note that there are misunderstandings with certain translations. A person found guilty by two or three witnesses of committing murder, shall be put to death, an everlasting Law set by Yahweh. Then Yahshua called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of Yahweh, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where, Luke 9:1- 6. And Yahshua said unto them, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?” And they said, “Nothing.” Then said He unto them, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this which is written must yet be accomplished in Me, And He was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning Me have an end.” And they said, “Master, behold, here are two swords. And He said unto them, It is enough,” Luke 22:35-38. Here we see that there is a so-called contradiction between Luke 9 and Luke 22. But we must understand that these are in two totally different circumstances. Many people accuse parts of Paul’s writings, saying that they are full of contradictions. We do understand that there are difficult passages in his writings. Even Peter mentioned this, but he gives us the reason why! And account that the longsuffering of our Master is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 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 wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Master and Saviour Yahshua Messiah. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen, 2nd Peter 3:15-18. |
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Parables We often hear of ministers telling their congregations that Yahshua spoke in parables so as to make the message clearer, but read for yourself His Own Words: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not give. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them, Matthew 13: 10-15. So few Biblical scholars have truly understood the message Yahshua was giving in the case of when children came up close to Him for blessings, while He was speaking to His disciples. The disciples were upset about this. But Yahshua made a statement which is very well known, yet very misunderstood by so many. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Yahshua called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of Yahweh. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of Yahweh as a child shall in no wise enter therein, Luke 18:15-17. Read that again, Yahshua is telling us that, unless we, that is you, and I, approach Yahweh’s Word as a little child there is NO WAY of entering His Kingdom. (We must understand a young child has no preconceived teachings or agendas in its mind to be confused) In coming to Yahweh’s Word as Yahshua instructs us, the true obedient believer will see all those so called contradictions fade away! And Messiah will say to you, But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them, Matthew 13: 16-17. May Yahweh Bless, and Guide you in your study of His Word through Yahshua the Messiah. |
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-Elder Lionel Gets |
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