On my e-mail (magnifiedword@aol.com), I am usually on the ‘answering end’ of Bible questions. But this evening, I e-mailed a few Bible questions to some of my friends. I am hoping to receive answers from these fellow Bible students. After all, we’re supposed to study, not just for ourselves, but also to help each other. The subjects in my letter briefly covered issues that are basic to understanding what the gospel is, and the men who preached it, as well as when the resurrection of the dead will take place. I believe it is important to be clear on these doctrines. For many years, I unintentionally misused verses. Under the banner of ‘Rightly Dividing,’ I was guilty excessive wrongly dividing in many areas, making two of nearly everything. Now I am admitting my errors, and trying to correct them. My questionaire was designed to produce thoughtful responses from my brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope it works.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
I still believe we should rightly divide the word of truth, but the context of 2 Tim 2:15 (so-called ‘right dividers’ theme verse) actually has to do with the timing of the resurrection. Two men put it in the wrong place and overthrew some people’s faith. It is certainly a lesson for us not to be caught unprepared for what lies ahead.
I still believe Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, but the context of Rom 11:13 has to do with the cutting off of the Gentiles when their fulness comes in, and salvation for Israel.
But now I believe the main division in the scriptures is between the old and the new testaments, because those are the two things that are consistently contrasted in the scriptures (Heb 8:6-9,13, 9:15-18; 7:19,22; 2 Cor 3:6-11; Rom 7:6, 2:28-29; John 1:17).
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us
able ministers of the new testament;
not of the letter, but of the spirit:
for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Holidays or Holy Days?
Whatever you do .... or don’t do .... during this ‘season’ ....
Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
.... my prayer is that you will have an intense interest to listen to the scriptures and not change them. For nearly thirty years, I was swept away with dividing Paul out of the rest of the Bible, when close comparison of his writings with other prophets actually reveal that he often speaks of the very same things as they do. I hope you will use the audio and/or text messages on my website www.magnifiedword.com to help you ‘think about it.’ You will see verses linked together in ways that are probably unfamiliar to you, but never-the-less, make good sense. We have been so focused on things that are different .... that we have overlooked many things that are the same. Any reasonable student of God’s word should not be afraid to ‘check it out.’ It certainly won’t hurt you to investigate issues for yourself.
2 Cor 13:7-10 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
Remember who among you was faithful to the KJV with the verses concerning what God, through PAUL, calls the office today:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Phil 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Whatever you have heard .... or not heard .... about changes I have made .... get it straight from the horse’s (or pig’s) mouth .... so to speak!
I still believe in the importance of rightly-dividing, however, I am convinced by verses that I (we) have been creating divisions that God did not make. On judgment day, we will alone stand before God, to have our works either approved or not .... so we ought to be careful to let the scriptures say what they say (2 Pet 1:20) .... without interference, tampering, or wresting (2 Pet 3:16).
Now that I have accepted 2 Tim 3:16 as it is written ....
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
.... I am able to close my blog with application from John:
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
I hope you and your family will purpose to win souls to Christ in 2010.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Monday, November 23, 2009
Numerically Challenged
I’ve come to believe that ‘grace preachers’ have some mathematical issues .... which come from their lack of adherence to the KJV Bible, which they claim to believe are the very words of God preserved in the English language. I think they should practice what they preach!
For example, when the scripture says, “This is the first resurrection,” .... they go ahead and make up ‘a secret, mystery resurrection’ way before the first resurrection. They classify the ‘secret, mystery resurrection’ as distinct and even ‘outside’ what is termed the ‘prophecy program’ .... as if that assignment somehow makes it ‘not count’ in the numerical sequence. It is commonly called the ‘rapture.’ ‘Grace preachers’ are staunch promoters of what they refer to as ‘the integrity of grace’ .... as if to say their ‘right division’ doctrines must be preserved at all costs:
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
In the ‘grace preachers’ view, the ‘rapture’ is a foundational principal and one of the seven unities of the Spirit listed in Eph 4:3-6, being the ‘one hope.’ Anyone who disagrees would obviously be excluded from their platforms.
While we’re on the subject of oneness in Christ .... here is another number where the ‘grace preachers’ have trouble. Although they recognize the ‘one body’ now for the dispensation of grace .... they take special care to clarify ‘the church, the body of Christ’ as an entirely separate entity from the church, in Israel’s ‘prophecy program.’
Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
What they fail to recognize is that God merged us Gentiles into the church that was primarily made up of Israel. God made us ‘one body’ all right .... but not a different body from the church that was already in existence .... for that would have been ‘two’ bodies .... except they won’t classify Israel’s church as a body because the term wasn’t used before Paul. But they won’t acknowledge the truth in a very passage they tout:
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
It is clear from verses that we are not a ‘one body’ separate from Israel .... but rather we are ‘one body’ together with them, being among them:
In Acts 26:18, we Gentiles are given ‘inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me’ (Christ).
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Yet another ‘timing is everything’ event that ‘grace preachers’ invent is the last trump. A hallmark theme of their Bible study method is to let other verses shine light on verses. But they surely don’t follow their own advice on this one:
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Rather than going to the SCRIPTURE to locate a series of trumpets, and then find the last one, they completely fabricate three toots. That is because they do not like where the last trump puts them in the end times. The last trump is the seventh trump that comes after the close of the 70th week of Daniel .... and their paradine will not accept that. So they squirm out and create three trumps not even in the scripture.
I will give credit where credit is due, so I must tell you that ‘grace preachers’ DO recognize the ‘third heaven’ as having two heavens preceeding it. Congratulations!
In summary, ‘grace preachers’ don’t let the first resurrection in the verses be the first resurrection. They don’t let the ‘one body’ in the Bible be the only body. They don’t let the last trump be the last trump in the scripture. Maybe they should go back to kindergarten to pick up some elementary math skills.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Gal 1:10, Rom 4:3
For example, when the scripture says, “This is the first resurrection,” .... they go ahead and make up ‘a secret, mystery resurrection’ way before the first resurrection. They classify the ‘secret, mystery resurrection’ as distinct and even ‘outside’ what is termed the ‘prophecy program’ .... as if that assignment somehow makes it ‘not count’ in the numerical sequence. It is commonly called the ‘rapture.’ ‘Grace preachers’ are staunch promoters of what they refer to as ‘the integrity of grace’ .... as if to say their ‘right division’ doctrines must be preserved at all costs:
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
In the ‘grace preachers’ view, the ‘rapture’ is a foundational principal and one of the seven unities of the Spirit listed in Eph 4:3-6, being the ‘one hope.’ Anyone who disagrees would obviously be excluded from their platforms.
While we’re on the subject of oneness in Christ .... here is another number where the ‘grace preachers’ have trouble. Although they recognize the ‘one body’ now for the dispensation of grace .... they take special care to clarify ‘the church, the body of Christ’ as an entirely separate entity from the church, in Israel’s ‘prophecy program.’
Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
What they fail to recognize is that God merged us Gentiles into the church that was primarily made up of Israel. God made us ‘one body’ all right .... but not a different body from the church that was already in existence .... for that would have been ‘two’ bodies .... except they won’t classify Israel’s church as a body because the term wasn’t used before Paul. But they won’t acknowledge the truth in a very passage they tout:
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
It is clear from verses that we are not a ‘one body’ separate from Israel .... but rather we are ‘one body’ together with them, being among them:
In Acts 26:18, we Gentiles are given ‘inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me’ (Christ).
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Yet another ‘timing is everything’ event that ‘grace preachers’ invent is the last trump. A hallmark theme of their Bible study method is to let other verses shine light on verses. But they surely don’t follow their own advice on this one:
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Rather than going to the SCRIPTURE to locate a series of trumpets, and then find the last one, they completely fabricate three toots. That is because they do not like where the last trump puts them in the end times. The last trump is the seventh trump that comes after the close of the 70th week of Daniel .... and their paradine will not accept that. So they squirm out and create three trumps not even in the scripture.
I will give credit where credit is due, so I must tell you that ‘grace preachers’ DO recognize the ‘third heaven’ as having two heavens preceeding it. Congratulations!
In summary, ‘grace preachers’ don’t let the first resurrection in the verses be the first resurrection. They don’t let the ‘one body’ in the Bible be the only body. They don’t let the last trump be the last trump in the scripture. Maybe they should go back to kindergarten to pick up some elementary math skills.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Gal 1:10, Rom 4:3
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Little Piggys
This little piggy went to verses.
This little piggy stayed wrong.
This little piggy had an office.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy cried, "Toot! Toot! Toot! Peanut Butter."
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Pigs have never made good pets. I like them best as pork barbeque! But we should not bite off more than we can chew!
This little piggy stayed wrong.
This little piggy had an office.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy cried, "Toot! Toot! Toot! Peanut Butter."
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Pigs have never made good pets. I like them best as pork barbeque! But we should not bite off more than we can chew!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Moving On
For some time I have been studying verses that seemed difficult to understand, and I found myself ‘re-arranging’ the phrases to fit my doctrine, as other men do, but I am only responsible for my own. It’s a typical situation to fall into, just like some traditional denominational brethren change, for example ....
Mark 16:16-a He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
.... to be ‘He that believeth shall be saved and should be baptized.’
I was doing the same thing by twisting ....
1 Thess 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I turned it into ‘We shall be caught up in the clouds to ever be with the Lord in the air,’ in order to preserve a paradine that we will live eternally in the heavens. But the verse says we will be forever ‘with the Lord’ .... not ‘in the air’ forever. The verse does not say that we will be in heaven forever with the Lord. We will be in His presence, in a different sense than we experience it now spiritually, for we will actually see Him when He appears. So if we want to know where we will be .... we can find out where He will be. Does anyone have any idea where He desires to live?
In my moving on, I realize that if verses are hard for us, it may be because we are trying to force them into pre-conceived agendas, rather than hearing what they say. We must listen to the verses and be careful not to tamper with them. Regardless of whether we have charts, books, tracts, schools, friends, etc. we must be true to the Holy Scriptures, even if it means we have to admit to being wrong on some issues. I am not saying that we should not invest in those things, but that we should make revisions as needed. Whatever the cost to face the verses, financial or prestigious, it is always right to do the right thing right away and certainly better than being stubborn or proud in error because of publications or groups.
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Certain protestant religions have trouble with ....
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
.... because they practice water baptism and also believe in spiritual baptism. It is difficult for them to acknowledge that 1 + 1 = 2. But that verse does not strain us who understand the one baptism.
In my moving on, I must admit that for several years I have been greatly disappointed by self-called ‘grace pastors’ who have refused to accept the title of the office of a bishop that GOD gave and said was a good work. They made excuses rather than submit themselves to the simple English KJV word ‘bishop’. Citing demographics, they don’t want to be associated with certain religions that call their ministers ‘bishop’ .... yet they are aligned with women claiming to be ‘pastors’. To call out for grace while opposing plain scripture is not being faithful to the word. If they had cards printed, or stationery, or pamphlets, or a church sign that said ‘Pastor’ .... making the change would be a good opportunity to witness. How often I heard them preach messages saying saints were not ‘sheep’ .... yet they use the title of ‘pastor’ that means ‘shepherd’. What hypocrisy! Telling others not to substitute the KJV word ‘dispensation’ .... while they used The Living Bible’s word ‘pastor’ to replace the KJV’s ‘bishop.’ With their mouths they claimed to be KJV, but in practice, they were not. Quite honestly, I was embarrassed for them and by them. They were a stumblingblock to the men who desire the office of a bishop.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
In my moving on, I have done much closer ‘word’ examination. I have discovered that ‘going to the Greek’ (although not necessary) can be helpful, especially in preventing the building of doctrines on premise. Lesson learned. I accept responsibility for trusting some studies of preachers that I respected. I was guilty of believing what I thought had been researched by someone else, rather than relying on my own digging. I allowed myself to be persuaded by someone else that I thought studied as much as I did, and that I trusted to be a true KJV person. I understand anyone can be wrong and make mistakes, but when we are confronted with ‘the words on the page’ of scripture, we should let it move us in line with it. Working the ministry is important to me, and I still believe in right division and the dispensation of grace committed to the apostle Paul. However, I am being careful not to divide things that are not divided by God.
In my moving on, I wish ill toward no one. I intend to display my ‘convictions’ publically and not ‘shut my mouth’ about them, even if it means dying on a hill.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Mark 16:16-a He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
.... to be ‘He that believeth shall be saved and should be baptized.’
I was doing the same thing by twisting ....
1 Thess 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I turned it into ‘We shall be caught up in the clouds to ever be with the Lord in the air,’ in order to preserve a paradine that we will live eternally in the heavens. But the verse says we will be forever ‘with the Lord’ .... not ‘in the air’ forever. The verse does not say that we will be in heaven forever with the Lord. We will be in His presence, in a different sense than we experience it now spiritually, for we will actually see Him when He appears. So if we want to know where we will be .... we can find out where He will be. Does anyone have any idea where He desires to live?
In my moving on, I realize that if verses are hard for us, it may be because we are trying to force them into pre-conceived agendas, rather than hearing what they say. We must listen to the verses and be careful not to tamper with them. Regardless of whether we have charts, books, tracts, schools, friends, etc. we must be true to the Holy Scriptures, even if it means we have to admit to being wrong on some issues. I am not saying that we should not invest in those things, but that we should make revisions as needed. Whatever the cost to face the verses, financial or prestigious, it is always right to do the right thing right away and certainly better than being stubborn or proud in error because of publications or groups.
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Certain protestant religions have trouble with ....
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
.... because they practice water baptism and also believe in spiritual baptism. It is difficult for them to acknowledge that 1 + 1 = 2. But that verse does not strain us who understand the one baptism.
In my moving on, I must admit that for several years I have been greatly disappointed by self-called ‘grace pastors’ who have refused to accept the title of the office of a bishop that GOD gave and said was a good work. They made excuses rather than submit themselves to the simple English KJV word ‘bishop’. Citing demographics, they don’t want to be associated with certain religions that call their ministers ‘bishop’ .... yet they are aligned with women claiming to be ‘pastors’. To call out for grace while opposing plain scripture is not being faithful to the word. If they had cards printed, or stationery, or pamphlets, or a church sign that said ‘Pastor’ .... making the change would be a good opportunity to witness. How often I heard them preach messages saying saints were not ‘sheep’ .... yet they use the title of ‘pastor’ that means ‘shepherd’. What hypocrisy! Telling others not to substitute the KJV word ‘dispensation’ .... while they used The Living Bible’s word ‘pastor’ to replace the KJV’s ‘bishop.’ With their mouths they claimed to be KJV, but in practice, they were not. Quite honestly, I was embarrassed for them and by them. They were a stumblingblock to the men who desire the office of a bishop.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
In my moving on, I have done much closer ‘word’ examination. I have discovered that ‘going to the Greek’ (although not necessary) can be helpful, especially in preventing the building of doctrines on premise. Lesson learned. I accept responsibility for trusting some studies of preachers that I respected. I was guilty of believing what I thought had been researched by someone else, rather than relying on my own digging. I allowed myself to be persuaded by someone else that I thought studied as much as I did, and that I trusted to be a true KJV person. I understand anyone can be wrong and make mistakes, but when we are confronted with ‘the words on the page’ of scripture, we should let it move us in line with it. Working the ministry is important to me, and I still believe in right division and the dispensation of grace committed to the apostle Paul. However, I am being careful not to divide things that are not divided by God.
In my moving on, I wish ill toward no one. I intend to display my ‘convictions’ publically and not ‘shut my mouth’ about them, even if it means dying on a hill.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Back Home
We’ve been traveling for nearly three weeks, and just returned home. The trip had several agendas, business, pleasure, and ministry. We toured a factory with a possibility of purchasing new equipment; we enjoyed some fun in the sun in sunny Florida; and we attended and preached at the Bible conference at Royal Grace in North Carolina. So we’ve had some leisure time to study the Bible with friends, as well as minister the gospel to folks we met along the way in our travels. We were happy to have a company of saints with us the entire time! Now, it’s back to work! It all waited on us, so we have lots of ‘catching up’ to do where we’ve been gone!
We’ll leave you with this thought:
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Think about it!
We’ll leave you with this thought:
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Think about it!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Still Rightly Dividing
For some time now, I have observed some ‘grace preachers’ refusing to acknowledge their ‘KJV God-given’ office of bishop. They fill the office, but they substitute the title of it, opting for The Living Bible’s traditional word ‘pastor’ instead. As I watched their objections to the word ‘bishop,’ it caused me to look carefully at other words they use, misuse, or change. I listened closely and found that some of the doctrines being taught were not what the verses actually say. So I had to back up, and study the scriptures, without inserting a pre-conceived spin on them. When I read verses afresh this way, I discovered some over-looked or avoided things that are really the same, whereas for many years, my preaching has focused on divisions and contrasts in the scriptures. I am thankful for my renewed appetite, and as I digest God’s words, I intend to share them with others who are also hungry for meat. We need to eat a balanced, spiritual diet .... as we still rightly divide the word of truth.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Do We Mean What We Say?
Many times we ‘grace preachers’ have said, "The Bible says what it means .... and it means what it says!" A similar phrase is even printed on the front of my book. Yet sometimes we are guilty of inserting concepts into verses or drawing doctrines out that are not even there. So for awhile now, I have focused on having a renewed sense of reading the (KJV Bible) words .... and listening to them .... without imposing pre-conceived teachings into them. To my surprise and horror, I have found that I have been injecting a spin, even though it was unintentional.
At a recent conference, I listened to one of the nightly ‘big guns’ (who doesn’t even know what the office he holds is called) repeatedly talking about ‘defending the integrity of grace.’ It sounds like a good idea, and I do not mean to pick apart the message, but it seems to me that he was promoting various doctrines he believed, without careful attention to what the verses actually say.
Twice, Paul wrote about his defence of the gospel:
Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
I suppose you could make a connection between defending the gospel, and it being the gospel of the grace of God:
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
However, it is the pure and simple gospel that should be defended, and not the ‘attachments’ that are often linked to it. Other ‘relevant’ doctrines are studied for edification and establishment .... but not for salvation. We should always assume the natural meaning of Bible words, unless the sentence or context makes an illustration obvious. For example, we should not force ‘clouds’ to be ‘angels’ because they are both located in the air.
From now on, I hope to be more cautious about the precise words. A dear bishop showed me a case in point. Although I have a habit of singing "He set me free" .... I am now trying to remember to express myself with the proper KJV words, such as:
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
It is repeatedly clear, we are made free .... not set free. Let us be accurate in our study of God’s word, and not add to it. May I encourage you to mean what you say.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
At a recent conference, I listened to one of the nightly ‘big guns’ (who doesn’t even know what the office he holds is called) repeatedly talking about ‘defending the integrity of grace.’ It sounds like a good idea, and I do not mean to pick apart the message, but it seems to me that he was promoting various doctrines he believed, without careful attention to what the verses actually say.
Twice, Paul wrote about his defence of the gospel:
Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
I suppose you could make a connection between defending the gospel, and it being the gospel of the grace of God:
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
However, it is the pure and simple gospel that should be defended, and not the ‘attachments’ that are often linked to it. Other ‘relevant’ doctrines are studied for edification and establishment .... but not for salvation. We should always assume the natural meaning of Bible words, unless the sentence or context makes an illustration obvious. For example, we should not force ‘clouds’ to be ‘angels’ because they are both located in the air.
From now on, I hope to be more cautious about the precise words. A dear bishop showed me a case in point. Although I have a habit of singing "He set me free" .... I am now trying to remember to express myself with the proper KJV words, such as:
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
It is repeatedly clear, we are made free .... not set free. Let us be accurate in our study of God’s word, and not add to it. May I encourage you to mean what you say.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Monday, August 24, 2009
A Hill Worth Living On
We 'gracers' often sing,
"I’m gonna die on the battlefield,
I’m gonna die in the war ...."
I’d always thought of that song in a positive way, to say I’m willing to take a stand for the Lord and His holy word, even under pressure and ridicule from opposition.
With all the commotion swirling about the "pastor-bishop" issue, I find myself questioning, "What’s all the fuss?"
1) We have plain, clear KJV verses .... GOD’s holy, true word.
2) The verses are found in the epistles of OUR apostle Paul .... that tell us the name (or title, if you will) for the office we man-preachers in local congregations of churches hold. It is the office of a bishop:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
3) This is a good work,
which we may abound in, by God’s all-sufficient grace (2 Cor 9:8),
which we might be fruitful in (Col 1:10),
which we may be stablished in (2 Thes 2:17),
which we should be ready to (Titus 3:1),
which we ought to be prepared unto:
2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Aren’t we the group who fearlessly proclaims, "The Bible says what it means .... and it means what it says!"? We bravely defend our grace fortress and insist to others, "Don’t change that word ‘dispensation’!" It appears to me like we won’t take our own medicine that we boldly cram down the throats of "born-again, Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking, faith-healing, (maybe even back-slidden) disciples."
When we are wrong about something, the best plan of action is to do the right thing, right away. We should admit our mistake, correct it, and go on. After all, that’s what we ask others to do, who aren’t "right-dividers" like us.
I can’t imagine why anyone would think ‘bishop’ is a ‘flattering’ title, and so avoid it .... but then think ‘pastor’ and ‘deacon’ are okay and acceptable titles. That is a double standard.
Job 32:21,22 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
I’ve listened to recorded messages on the ‘pastor-bishop’ issue. I’ve heard audio excerpts or clips on the subject being passed around over the internet. I’m aware that some grace ‘pastors’ want to continue to hold on to their Living Bible title (pastor in 1 Tim 3:1), by claiming the word ‘pastors’ is a ‘good KJV’ word (7 times in Jeremiah, 1 time by Paul).
Eph 4:8,11 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
It is generally understood that the super-natural gifts are not still being given today, however, there are some that insist their ‘work’ is still going on. So .... I can’t help but wondering, who are the apostles among us? Was it a prophet's prediction that everybody must choose the hill they’re willing to die on? Well, I personally think standing for the final authority of words in the KJV is as good a hill as any! So whether one is willing to live or die or be thrown under the bus .... right here is a perfectly good place. What better cause?
God knows I’ve tried to sound an alarm and wake up sleeping ‘pastors’ who, for years have been following traditions of religious denominations, maybe even unwittingly, instead of the pure KJV words. It is a dis-grace for ‘grace preachers’ who constantly teach the saints ‘who they are in Christ’ .... to be confused about the title of their own office. What nonsense!
What does all this have to do with being a servant? Let’s let the scripture provide the answer:
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
As servants of the Lord, I believe we are doing a dis-service both to Him and to those people we serve .... by not desiring the title of the office in which we’re serving.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Paul stood on a hill and said some hard things to his audience:
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
It is the office of a bishop (1 Tim 3:1). I’m standing on the word of God (the final authority). Wow! What a hill worth living on!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
"I’m gonna die on the battlefield,
I’m gonna die in the war ...."
I’d always thought of that song in a positive way, to say I’m willing to take a stand for the Lord and His holy word, even under pressure and ridicule from opposition.
With all the commotion swirling about the "pastor-bishop" issue, I find myself questioning, "What’s all the fuss?"
1) We have plain, clear KJV verses .... GOD’s holy, true word.
2) The verses are found in the epistles of OUR apostle Paul .... that tell us the name (or title, if you will) for the office we man-preachers in local congregations of churches hold. It is the office of a bishop:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
3) This is a good work,
which we may abound in, by God’s all-sufficient grace (2 Cor 9:8),
which we might be fruitful in (Col 1:10),
which we may be stablished in (2 Thes 2:17),
which we should be ready to (Titus 3:1),
which we ought to be prepared unto:
2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Aren’t we the group who fearlessly proclaims, "The Bible says what it means .... and it means what it says!"? We bravely defend our grace fortress and insist to others, "Don’t change that word ‘dispensation’!" It appears to me like we won’t take our own medicine that we boldly cram down the throats of "born-again, Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking, faith-healing, (maybe even back-slidden) disciples."
When we are wrong about something, the best plan of action is to do the right thing, right away. We should admit our mistake, correct it, and go on. After all, that’s what we ask others to do, who aren’t "right-dividers" like us.
I can’t imagine why anyone would think ‘bishop’ is a ‘flattering’ title, and so avoid it .... but then think ‘pastor’ and ‘deacon’ are okay and acceptable titles. That is a double standard.
Job 32:21,22 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
I’ve listened to recorded messages on the ‘pastor-bishop’ issue. I’ve heard audio excerpts or clips on the subject being passed around over the internet. I’m aware that some grace ‘pastors’ want to continue to hold on to their Living Bible title (pastor in 1 Tim 3:1), by claiming the word ‘pastors’ is a ‘good KJV’ word (7 times in Jeremiah, 1 time by Paul).
Eph 4:8,11 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
It is generally understood that the super-natural gifts are not still being given today, however, there are some that insist their ‘work’ is still going on. So .... I can’t help but wondering, who are the apostles among us? Was it a prophet's prediction that everybody must choose the hill they’re willing to die on? Well, I personally think standing for the final authority of words in the KJV is as good a hill as any! So whether one is willing to live or die or be thrown under the bus .... right here is a perfectly good place. What better cause?
God knows I’ve tried to sound an alarm and wake up sleeping ‘pastors’ who, for years have been following traditions of religious denominations, maybe even unwittingly, instead of the pure KJV words. It is a dis-grace for ‘grace preachers’ who constantly teach the saints ‘who they are in Christ’ .... to be confused about the title of their own office. What nonsense!
What does all this have to do with being a servant? Let’s let the scripture provide the answer:
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
As servants of the Lord, I believe we are doing a dis-service both to Him and to those people we serve .... by not desiring the title of the office in which we’re serving.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Paul stood on a hill and said some hard things to his audience:
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
It is the office of a bishop (1 Tim 3:1). I’m standing on the word of God (the final authority). Wow! What a hill worth living on!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Sunday, August 9, 2009
An Open or Shut Case?
There are some things we ought to ‘open up’ about! Paul requested the saints at Ephesus to pray for him to ‘speak out’ the mystery revelation God gave him. He was already imprisoned for it .... but he still did not want to cease and desist, even in jail:
Eph 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me,
that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds:
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Many of us quit defending every word of God in the KJV or we stop talking about sound doctrine, if we just suspect others are whispering about us. At even the slightest hint we may be ruffling some feathers, how quickly we drop the sword of the Spirit and retreat! But not so with Paul:
Acts 16:19-25 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Being cheerful during great distress and persecution (bodily harm) is certainly noble, and entirely possible, when walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In the context of writing about a bishop’s responsibility, Paul described some folks that should keep their mouths closed:
Titus 1:9-11 (vs. 7, "A bishop must be" ....) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Paul told ‘who’ needs to shut up. It is certainly not the bishops!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
Eph 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me,
that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds:
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Many of us quit defending every word of God in the KJV or we stop talking about sound doctrine, if we just suspect others are whispering about us. At even the slightest hint we may be ruffling some feathers, how quickly we drop the sword of the Spirit and retreat! But not so with Paul:
Acts 16:19-25 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Being cheerful during great distress and persecution (bodily harm) is certainly noble, and entirely possible, when walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In the context of writing about a bishop’s responsibility, Paul described some folks that should keep their mouths closed:
Titus 1:9-11 (vs. 7, "A bishop must be" ....) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Paul told ‘who’ needs to shut up. It is certainly not the bishops!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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