Born Again: What Does That Mean?

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Understanding and Communicating
the Born Again Experience

No man merits, works, or earns his way into the salvation, the family of God, the body of Christ. The only entrance is to be born into Christ’s kingdom, to be “born again,” to be “born of God,” a work done by God Himself as the sinner is drawn in by Him and bows in repentance and faith (John 3:3, 7; Acts 20:21; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 5:4, etc.).

ATTN: Religion and being good enough are a farce. If you are not born again, you are not in God’s family. But you can be – today. WHAT does “Born Again” mean?

John 3:1-7

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh (1st birth); and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2^nd birth).” John 3:1-7

The Bible speaks of 2 births not just one. Every person reading this message has been “born of the flesh” – when your mother’s water broke, you came forth and were birthed into the world and this is what is referred to here as “born of water” in verse 5 and also “that which is born of flesh” in verse 6. Being “born of water” or “of flesh” is the first birth, but to become a child of God and go to Heaven, one must be “born again”(again born) or experience the second birth which is spiritual not physical. There is no other way. This is a non-negotiable eternal truth.

1^st Birth – “born of water.” Every human being is “born of water” when he comes forth from his mother’s womb (as her water breaks).
2^nd Birth – “born…of the Spirit.” This happens as one is brought to repentance for his sins under the conviction of the Holy Ghost and chooses to fall upon the mercy of God through the shed blood of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ who bled once for the sins of the world on the cross of Calvary. As that person confesses his sin and Christ as LORD, he is saved or born again. He arises a new creature in Christ and is never the same – he has a whole new life which bears fruit unto the LORD (2 Cor. 5:17-18).

Just “confessing Christ” is not enough. To be born again one must fully and without reserve throw himself upon the mercy of God as a hopeless sinner. Being born of the Spirit will always yield the fruit of a completely changed life – from the inside out and is the miracle of regeneration only the LORD Himself can perform.

The “water” Jesus speaks of here when He spoke with this religious leader has nothing to do with water baptism. When the mother’s water breaks a child is “born of water.” He is then “born of the flesh” and in need of the second birth or being “born of the Spirit” or “born again.”

Recently I received an e-mail concerning being born again and water baptism. Here is a portion. The writer says:

“How can you say that Catholics are not born again? I mean, I’m not a Catholic, but the Catholics I know are all baptized. You mentioned John chapter 3, and I read it, and verse 5 says that we must be born of water and the Spirit. So, according to Jesus, the way we are born again is through being baptized. The verses you mentioned from Titus also seem to point at baptism with the ‘water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.’ If Catholics are baptized, then how can you say they are not born again? Your statement doesn’t make any sense to me. If we aren’t born again through baptism, as the Bible seems to say pretty clearly, then how are we born again? What other ‘water’ are Jesus and Paul talking about in those texts? It sounds like baptism to me.”

Here is My Response:

First off no catholic gets baptized (the Bible way) only sprinkled (doctrine of men) at 8 days old. The Greek word for the biblical experience of being water baptized is BAPTIZO which means to dip, submerge; to make whelmed, fully wet. Baptism is a burial or full immersion. It signifies the complete immersion of the subject into the LORD and His death, burial and resurrection life. No child, below the age of accountability, is found being baptized or sprinkled in the Bible. No person in Scripture is found being water baptized before believing fully upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation and being born again which is the miracle of God inside of the person who repents, falling upon His mercy while calling upon the LORD to be saved (Acts 16:30-34; Rom. 10:9-13). Actually sprinkling or “christening” is not biblical at all but water baptism is. But water baptism does not save the soul. Water cannot and does not save any person from eternal hell, only the blood of Jesus can do that and the only way to contact His blood is through obedient faith (Rom. 5:1-2,9; Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 9:22, etc.). Water baptism does no good until one is first saved by the blood. All one is doing is getting wet if he is water baptized without having been brought to full repentance and salvation which happens in the heart of men and not by wetting ones outer skin. Hell is full of people who got wet or “christened” in the name of the LORD but did not know Him which can only happen by obeying Him and being born again (Jn. 3:3, 7). Anyone who goes to Heaven instead of eternal damnation in hell (there is no purgatory) will do so by obeying the One who is the only door to Heaven (John 10:1-9).

“Regeneration”

Before going to the cross and being raised again into Heaven and sending the Holy Spirit, Jesus foretold the necessity of being regenerated, born again.

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

“the washing of regeneration”

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace…” Titus 3:3-7

“Regeneration” here can only occur by the miracle of God. We are all born into this world “dead in trespasses and sins” according to Ephesians 2:1 and verse 8 says that our salvation is “that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” “The washing of regeneration” we see above in Titus 3:5 can only be done by the LORD and has nothing to do with dipping ones outer body in water (water baptism). If mere water could save ones soul, everyone who took a shower or bath would become a Christian. Look again at these words above in Titus 3 and that it is only “of the Holy Ghost” who is the third and divine Person of the Godhead that one can be regenerated or “born again.” Because the spirits of men are born “dead” or separated from God because of sin, he must be generated to live again or generated again back to life (resuscitated). This is the ultimate form of mouth to mouth resuscitation – or bringing a dead person back to life. Being born again or regenerated is when Christ raises a person up from his dead state back to spiritual life where he is reunited in communion with God.

The Greek word for “Regeneration” here in Titus 3 is paliggenesia which is defined in the Strong’s Concordance this way: (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (fig.) spiritual renovation; spec. Messianic restoration: – regeneration.

What happened on the cross? Why did Jesus Christ come to the earth? What was shed to wash away the sins of the world and regenerate those who would believe upon Him? – nothing but the blood of Jesus!

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Can there possibly be the forgiveness of sin without the shedding of the sinless blood?

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.“ Hebrews 9:22

Any person or organization who says that it takes water to be saved is heretical and despises the very blood of the New Covenant.

At the end of Romans is a marvelous passage of how men have all sinned against the Almighty who is holy and exactly how individuals must be justified – “through faith in his blood.”

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:23-28

Romans 5:12 must be in the mind of the believer. The saint must possess a working knowledge of this fundamental truth or he will inevitably err. Jesus came on a mission from Heaven to pay the price for something. What is that something?

“Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12

We all died in Adam when he, the first man, sinned against our Maker. So, the Messiah was immediately and graciously promised and prefigured in the shedding of animal blood to cloak the man and woman (Gen. 3:15, 21). Our Redeemer would come and defeat sin and the evil one who caused the first sin and enable men to be alive unto God again, rescued and revived or resurrected from their spiritual dead state (Gen. 3:15; Matt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29). This is the re-generation or quickening spoken about in Scripture (Tit. 3:5-6; Rom. 8:11). To re-regenerate or to quicken is to make alive again, breath life into, or give life to.

“Regeneration” is when the LORD re-generates (generates again to life) or makes alive the dead soul that was born “dead in trespasses and sins”! This is where eternal life and the Christian life begin and not before. The unchanging and eternal Word of God said this is a “must.” (John 3:7)

Beloved, remember that Jesus Christ told us: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (Jn. 11:25-26) Christ raises to life those born dead in sin! Hallelujah! He resurrects the dead – bringing them back to life in His Spirit and grace to live lives pleasing to Him. There is no more glorious truth or miraculous experience than this one He came to give that we might know Him and His Father and be forever with them (Jn. 17:3).

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:1-7

Many have sought to re-define this all important, essential born again experience that Jesus told us all is a “must.” Water does not wash away sin, only the blood can do that. The Church of Christ denomination erroneously teaches that water baptism brings salvation. In this writer’s estimation this doctrine which denies the need of the very blood of Jesus is antichrist and makes the Church or Christ denomination a cult. The Roman Catholic Church has its own distorted redefining of what it means to be born again. These are diabolical heresies which seek to rob the truth from the hearts of men in order to misguide and mislead people to eternal damnation by the one who has come to steal and to kill and to destroy (Jn. 10:10). So, read God’s Word concerning this matter of being born again and let divine truth imbue your heart that you might understand and be instantly ready to share the blessed hope of this glorious Gospel of Christ (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:15).

Most of the time one just needs to speak the Word and it is self-explanatory as the Holy Spirit is fully involved in each heart (Jn. 14:26; 16:13). Sometimes, due to the evil twisting of truth by pawns of the enemy, we must define and defend truth as the LORD has revealed it in His Word. The LORD has called each and every one of His children to be “able ministers of the New Testament.” (2 Cor. 3:6) Here is a good place to start in knowing and understanding the born again experience and being able to communicate the truth of it when needed. Write on an index card and memorize verses 3 and 7 of our text in John 3. These are the words of our LORD who is our Salvation:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2^nd birth).” John 3:7

Are You Ready to be Saved?

Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you. And confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this okay … Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:…. Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, open up doors for the ministry of Your Word. Open the hearts of men as You bless me to communicate Your truth in Your love to those You send to me! Glory to God in the Highest! Lead men to be born again, a miracle You alone are capable of performing. Use me Jesus! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“Born Again?” Says Who?! | PEACE with GOD | Born Again Audios [podcast]

PASS It ON! For the glory of God and the sake of precious souls, please bookmark this site – SafeGuardYourSoul.com – and use it as a tool to win lost souls and as a ready, universally-accessible Scripture-Rich resource to help you disciple other members of Christ’s body.

Do you need to be born again? PEACE with GOD

Jesus [tract] Read, Download it Here

[JESUS tract ENGLISH (click to download print-ready PDF) this is the actual text of the JESUS tract of both the English and JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF] [Okay here’s the text also:] The most astounding event of human history occurred when this man, Jesus Christ, died on a Roman cross. When He died, an untimely darkness covered the land at 3 p.m., and an earthquake occurred as He took His final breath. This man called Jesus was crucified. Three days later He was raised from the dead! Here’s why He died: “But your iniquities (sins) have separated […]

Born Again Audio [podcast]

This is a narration of the Born Again book which is an explosive small book and a powerful soul winning tool! Order your copies of this small book here. | Store | Order on Amazon Download/Read the contents of the Born Again book here: Born Again Book PDF

“Born Again”? Says Who?

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … Ye must be born again.” (John 3:3, 7) ONLY GOD can forgive a sinner. No sinner can forgive a sinner. And, God will only forgive the sins of those who come to Him – on HIS terms. IF in your past there has never been repentance and faith rendered and a life change due to divine regeneration, being born again, you are not yet God’s child. The good news is that today is your […]

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit [podcast]

If you are saved and yet not baptized with the Holy Ghost, you are naked in the battle. Jesus made full provision for you to be fully, divinely empowered and He’s calling you to Himself in fresh repentance and gratitude for finding you, washing, and saving you into His family by the precious blood of His only begotten Son. Then, ask Him to fill, to baptize you in the Holy Spirit….. No, being filled with the Holy Spirit does NOT save you, the blood of Jesus does. Yet, the baptism with the Spirit will empower you! The apostles of Jesus […]

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More Good News! Mission Mexico Part 42

IF YOU SAINTS WEREN’T SO FAITHFUL TO JESUS, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING…..

So while going to bring a good supply of food and household essentials to Clara and her boys, by divine ordination I tracked and spoke God’s Word to a Holy Spirit filled sister in Christ. Her name is Maria La Luz. She eagerly took about 100 or more JESUS tracts with her to distribute!!!! That’s how Mexican people are – If they have something good to give, they give it!

Boom. Oh, and Maria LaLuz are in touch by phone so she will be letting me know when she needs more. Thank you for continuing to pray as Jesus instructed in Matthew 9:35-38 – that the Father would send forth labourers into the harvest!

Working with, supporting, equipping, fueling, and supply indigenous missionaries in key to exponential kingdom momentum in the spread of Christ’s Gospel in this beautiful nation.

Just think if this kingdom operation can be duplicated throughout Mexico and Latin America! (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20) Do we think God has a plan? Yes He does!

Because you care, prayed, and gave, another sister who was just saved recently, was given (purchased) a brand new study Bible (Life in the Spirit Study Bible) KJB. She is elated and devouring God’s Word and growing daily! (2 Peter 3:18)

Also, once again Clara was elated that you prayed and gave. She just now texted me the following after receiving your gifts today:

“Seriously, thank you very much for helping me, it means a lot to me that you help me because I have not been able to find a good job and with this we survived a few days my children and I but just like if you have work do not hesitate to send me a message and I will also go it would be very helpful since the day comes when I have to pay my rent. And again, thank you very much, you are an angel that our Lord sent me, thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏻” Clara

Okay now get this…. Clara has been ministered to directly and she has read the JESUS tract. I don’t think she’s saved yet. She has seen your love for Christ in action by your prayers and giving. At first I didn’t know how she was receiving the Gospel but now, from above, it’s obvious that she is being ministered to by our LORD. Perhaps she’s already saved. I don’t know due to the language barrier. But we do know God is showing her His love and power! (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Here’s some of the food you purchased for this single mother today! See pic.

*More than half the 10,000 JESUS tracts are already passed out or in the hands of Christ’s witnesses!!! Yes more than half in just 2 weeks.

God is hearing your prayers and honoring your giving to Him!

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

In Christ

Todd

Mission Mexico Updates

Ever feel like just hitting the eject button and leaving the USA? If so, why not consider a town in Mexico? Pray. Ask God where HE wants you on His planet. Rest.

Also, perhaps begin research Mexico or Latin America on youtube.

A few days ago ….. WHEN we first arrived to refresh and minister to our LORD servant Maria, she was not her usual self, not overflowing with joy. Then when the body of Christ ministered to her, including replenishing her supply of JESUS tracts, there was a notable difference. See if you agree. Your prayers and support make this possible. | Mission Mexico Updates

“Wow!! I think of Jesus when he marveled at the faith of the centurions faith! Luke 7:9. I marvel at all the Lord is doing among the Mexican people! And now He is raising up Labourers into the harvest who emanate the joy of the Lord and His fruits! Some are crying when receiving these Jesus tracts and some are actually kissing the picture. Actually kissing the son (Psalm 2:12). Fills my heart with so much joy and I am not even there! But I am part of Team Jesus!” Karen Cochran | Mission Mexico

The meeting fellowships with Juan and Maria the evangelists continue. They are both, for the time being, stocked up on their supply of JESUS tracts and distributing them daily!

Over breakfast, when I brought the first shipment of the Spanish Bibles to Juan, he asked me if he could give them away to people who are not in prison. Of course I said “Yes” and that these Bibles are for him to be used of God to give wherever he wishes, as he ministers.

Juan is a man who is filled with God’s Word. He speaks verbatim Scripture in Spanish perpetually. The reason I know that is that when we sit down to talk at length he speaks and it’s translated into English and is pure Scripture. He has volumes of Holy Scripture memorized.

Here is Juan ministering to a dear lady. And remember, most Mexicans it seems, do not have a Bible in their home. They greatly treasure God’s Word.

“PRICELESS, LIKE OUR SAVIOR!!! She reminds me of my Great Grandma…she glowed with God’s love. It was written all over her face. She brightened the room, and you KNEW she loved you! It wasn’t till I knew the Lord, that I realized where that glow and love came from. This little light of mine, I’m a gonna let it shine… The tragedy is when that light goes out, and you can see and feel that also. VERY SAD. It’s like shutting off a light switch…from light to darkness. And they can’t see it?! So, I thank God for those who are sharing that light of God’s love, and sharing with them. Will keep praying for Maria, you, your ministry, and the family of God. Felipe, Mark, all the brethren. I keep wondering about Paul and Carol Galloway–will keep praying. God knows. May the LORD bless you Brother Todd….What a wonderful first E-mail of the day! GOD’S JOY.” Crystal

Message from brother Juan on the Spanish communications group (WA whatsapp).

“There are many injustices in life; the Word of God says so. Many receive no visitors. God works in us both to will and to act according to His good pleasure. We are called to be doers of God’s Word. And knowing the good we ought to do, yet failing to do it, is sin. To Him be all glory and honor.” Brother Juan

RECENTLY: Immediately upon beginning to hear God’s Word spoken to him in Spanish, this man began to weep and to profusely thank God, to call out to Jesus, to kiss the Jesus tract he was given, to kiss my hand and cheek. Need I state the obvious, of how hungry these beloved people are to hear and believe Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel? …. Beloved Filipe was given the Gospel of Christ and instructed to go home and repent and receive Christ for the forgiveness of his sins and that only Jesus can forgive him and that it’s not about religion but relationship. Like the vast majority of Mexicans (99%), Filipe had never heard the Gospel of Jesus till today. Please lift beloved Filipe and the Mission Mexico heavenly operation in prayer. Thank you.

WHERE does God want you in this last hour – doing HIS will, being about the “Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49) Are you surrendered and therefore crying out to the LORD to put you on HIS EARTH exactly where you can please Him the most? | Mission Mexico

It’s all because of God’s love in Christ and your prayers and support…. This homeless man received God’s love in the form of the spoken Word, a JESUS track in Spanish, and a warm breakfast and hot coffee! Jesus is moving!

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Mission Mexico

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/mexico-mission/

Issidro asked for prayer. He’s catholic but he’s open, a little bit. He received an abundance of truth from God’s Word today and a JESUS tract in Spanish. Thank you for lifting these precious souls in prayer saints.

“Praise the Lord ! She is shining for Jesus! Overflowing Joy! It’s a blessing to see how God is moving in the ministry, Mexico for Jesus, Glory to God!!” Darlene

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

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Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible

MESSAGE GIVEN:

“I’m reading the apocrypha now and you can tell it’s definitely from the Bible and seems like it should be in there. I guess that is why God said in revelation if anyone changes or removes or adds anything to this Holy book all the plagues in it will come on them, cos he knew that it would happen.” V.

REPLY:

You are missapplying Revelation 22:18-19. God oversaw the canon of His Word, just as He promised to do in Ps 12:6-7. It’s exactly how He desired, ordained it to be in the King James Bible. To say God checked out, was negligent, is a lie, is bearing false witness, and is an indictment against the Almighty (Psalms 121:4; Daniel 4:32, etc.). There were specific reasons those apocryphal books were not included in the real Bible, as opposed to the catholic “bible.”

Roman Catholics may tell you, “You Protestants are missing part of the Bible. We have the rest of it.” [Note: These people’s leaders (popes, priests, etc.) have led them astray to this wrong belief.] This comment about missing books can throw people off, but it no longer has to. These popish additions to the Bible are commonly called the Apocrypha or sometimes the Deuterocanonical books. This is a short treatise on WHY these books are not in the Bible.

What is the Apocrypha anyway?

The Apocrypha is a collection of uninspired, spurious books written by various individuals. The Catholic religion considers these books as scripture just like a Bible-believer believes that the 66 books in the 1611 Authorized Version of the Bible are the Word of God, i.e., Genesis to Revelation. We are going to examine some verses from the Apocrypha later in our discussion.

At the Council of Trent (1546) the Roman Catholic institution pronounced the following apocryphal books sacred. They asserted that the apocryphal books together with unwritten tradition are of God and are to be received and venerated as the Word of God. So now you have the Bible, the Apocrypha and Catholic Tradition as co-equal sources of truth for the Catholic. In reality, it seems obvious that the Bible is the last source of truth for Catholics. Roman Catholic doctrine comes primarily from tradition stuck together with a few Bible names. In my reading of Catholic materials, I find notes like this: “You have to keep the Bible in perspective.” Catholics have been deceived into not believing that the Bible is God’s complete revelation for man [but they can come out of these deceptions in an instant if they will only believe the Bible as it is written].

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC APOCRYPHA

Tobit
Judith
Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus
Baruch
First and Second Maccabees
Additions to Esther and Daniel

Apocryphal Books Rejected by the Catholic Religion:

First and Second Esdras
Prayer of Manasses
Susanna*

*A reader says: “Susanna is in the Roman Catholic canon. It is Daniel 13.”

Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible.

Not one of the apocryphal books is written in the Hebrew language (the Old Testament was written in Hebrew). All Apocryphal books are in Greek, except one which is extant only in Latin.

None of the apocryphal writers laid claim to inspiration.

The apocryphal books were never acknowledged as sacred scriptures by the Jews, custodians of the Hebrew scriptures (the apocrypha was written prior to the New Testament). In fact, the Jewish people rejected and destroyed the apocrypha after the overthow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

The apocryphal books were not permitted among the sacred books during the first four centuries of the real Christian church (I’m certainly not talking about the Catholic religion. The Roman Catholic “Church” is not Christian).

The Apocrypha contains fabulous statements which not only contradict the “canonical” scriptures but themselves. For example, in the two Books of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes is made to die three different deaths in three different places.

The Apocrypha includes doctrines in variance with the Bible, such as prayers for the dead and sinless perfection. The following verses are taken from the Apocrypha translation by Ronald Knox dated 1954:

Basis for the doctrine of purgatory:

2 Maccabees 12:43-45, 2.000 pieces of silver were sent to Jerusalem for a sin-offering…Whereupon he made reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.

Salvation by works:

Ecclesiasticus 3:30, Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms maketh atonement for sin.

Tobit 12:8-9, 17, It is better to give alms than to lay up gold; for alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin.

Magic:

Tobit 6:5-8, If the Devil, or an evil spirit troubles anyone, they can be driven away by making a smoke of the heart, liver, and gall of a fish…and the Devil will smell it, and flee away, and never come again anymore.

Mary was born sinless (immaculate conception):

Wisdom 8:19-20, And I was a witty child and had received a good soul. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.

It teaches immoral practices, such as lying, suicide, assassination and magical incantation.

No apocryphal book is referred to in the New Testament whereas the Old Testament is referred to hundreds of times.

Because of these and other reasons, the apocryphal books are only valuable as ancient documents illustrative of the manners, language, opinions and history of the East.

Wasn’t the Apocrypha in the King James Bible?

The King James translators never considered the Apocrypha the word of God. As books of some historical value (e.g., details of the Maccabean revolt), the Apocrypha was sandwiched between the Old and New Testaments as an appendix of reference material. This followed the format that Luther had used. Luther prefaced the Apocrypha with a statement:

“APOCRYPHA–THAT IS, BOOKS WHICH ARE NOT REGARDED AS EQUAL TO THE HOLY SCRIPUTRES, AND YET ARE PROFITABLE AND GOOD TO READ.” KING JAMES VERSION DEFENDED, PAGE 98.

In 1599, TWELVE YEARS BEFORE the King James Bible was published, King James himself said this about the Apocrypha:

“AS TO THE APOCRIPHE BOOKES, I OMIT THEM BECAUSE I AM NO PAPIST (AS I SAID BEFORE)…” KING JAMES CHARLES STEWART BASILICON DORON, PAGE 13

In his, “A Premonition to All Most Mightie Monarches,”–found in his Workes (a collection of the king’s writings)–King James said this–

“…IS IT A SMALL CORRUPTING OF THE SCRIPTURES TO MAKE ALL, OR THE MOST PART OF THE APOCRYPHA OF EQUALL FAITH WITH THE CANONICALL SCRIPTURES…?”

Not only this, but the sixth article of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England (1571 edition. The Church of England published the Authorized King James Version) states that

(1) the Old and New Testaments are the Bible–

IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY, WE DO VNDERSTANDE THOSE CANONICAL BOOKES OF THE OLDE AND NEWE TESTAMENT, OF WHOSE AUTHORITIE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT IN THE CHURCHE…

(2) the apocrypha is not the Bible–

AND THE OTHER BOOKES, (AS HIEROME SAYETH), THE CHURCHE DOTH READE FOR EXAMPLE OF LIFE AND INSTRUCTION OF MANNERS: BUT YET DOTH IT NOT APPLIE THEM TO ESTABLISH ANY DOCTRENE. PHILIP SCHAFF, CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM. GRAND RAPIDS: BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1977, VOL. III, PP. 489-491.

The Hampton Court Document came as a result of the famous Hampton Court Conference of 1604 when King James specially commanded the translation of the Bible that would one day bear his name. Concerning the apocrypha and the Church of England, it states–

THE APOCRYPHA, THAT HATH SOME REPUGNANCY TO THE CANONICAL SCRIPTURES, SHALL NOT BE READ…

Select Statutes and Other Constitutional Documents Illustrative of the Reigns of Elizabeth and James I, edited by G.W. Prothero, Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, 1894, p. 416

The Apocrypha began to be omitted from the Authorized Version in 1629. Puritans and Presbyterians lobbied for the complete removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible and in 1825 the British and Foreign Bible Society agreed. From that time on, the Apocrypha has been eliminated from practically all English Bibles–Catholic Bibles and some pulpit Bibles excepted.

Not even all Catholic “Church Fathers” believed the Apocrypha was scripture.

Not that this really means anything. The truth is not validated by the false. Nevertheless, this may be of interest to some… Jerome (340-420) rejected the Apocrypha:

“AS THE CHURCH READS THE BOOKS OF JUDITH AND TOBIT AND MACCABEES BUT DOES NOT RECEIVE THEM AMONG THE CANONICAL SCRIPTURES, SO ALSO IT READS WISDOM AND ECCLESIASTICUS FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE PEOPLE, NOT FOR THE AUTHORITATIVE CONFIRMATION OF DOCTRINE.” JEROME, JEROME’S PREFACE TO THE BOOKS OF SOLOMON

According to Edward Hills in The King James Version Defended p. 98 other famous Catholics with this viewpoint include Augustine (354-430 who at first defended the Apocrypha as canonical), Pope Gregory the Great (540-604), Cardinal Ximenes, and Cardinal Cajetan.

There are other spurious books.

These include the Pseudepigrapha which contains Enoch, Michael the Archangel, and Jannes and Jambres. Many spurious books falsely claim to have been written by various Old Testament patriarchs. They were composed between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D. There are lots of these spurious books like The Assumption of Moses, Apocalypse of Elijah, and Ascension of Isaiah.

Concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls, there may be some information in them that parallels the Masoretic Text, but there are fables in them, too. I went to see the scrolls a few years ago with great expectation but found a bunch of fables. The best defense against error in any form (unauthorized Bibles and religions) is a solid knowledge of the AUTHORIZED (King James) Version of 1611 of the Bible. If you read it, forgeries become readily apparent.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

King James VI & I Page

The Workes of the Most High and Mightie Prince Iames [James], By the Grace of God, King of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

Translators Revived, Alexander McClure, p. 142

Bible Believing Study, Edward F. Hills, p. 15

The King James Version Defended, Edward F. Hills, p. 96, 97, 98

God Wrote Only One Bible, Jasper James Ray, p. 90

An Understandable History of the Bible, Dr. Samuel Gipp, p. 245

Why Did the 1611 KJV Include the Apocrypha?

Why Did the 1611 KJV Include the Apocrypha? QUESTION: Didn’t the King James Bible when first printed contain the Apocrypha? ANSWER: Yes. EXPLANATION: Many critics of the perfect Bible like to point out that the original King James had the Apocrypha in it as though that fact compromises its integrity. But several things must be examined to get the factual picture. First, in the days in which our Bible was translated, the Apocrypha was accepted reading based on its historical value, though not accepted as Scripture by anyone outside of the Catholic church. The King James translators therefore placed it between the Old and New Testaments for […]

God’s Word is Inspired and Preserved

Divinely Inspired and Preserved Many things establish that the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God for the English speaking peoples. Here’s one of those indicators. “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalms 12:6-7 See the fulfillment of this prophecy? 1. Tyndale Bible (1525) 2. Coverdale Bible (1535) 3. Matthews Bible (1537) 4. Great Bible (1538) 5. Geneva Bible (1560) 6. Bishop’s Bible (1568) 7. King James Bible (1611) […]

LIST OF CATHOLIC HERESIES And HUMAN TRADITIONS

LIST OF CATHOLIC HERESIES And HUMAN TRADITIONS ADOPTED and PERPETUATED by the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE COURSE OF 1600 YEARS (Compiled by Rev. Stephen L. Testa) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” —Jesus in John 8:32Notice: These dates are in many cases approximate. Many of these heresies had been current in the Church years before, but only when they were officially adopted by a Church council and proclaimed by the pope as dogma of faith, did they become binding on Catholics. And doctrine to be true must conform to the Word of God. “To the […]

Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]

The 4 Pillar Purposes for the Holy Scriptures There are 4 reasons detailed in 2 Timothy 3:16 for the Holy Scriptures being given to us by God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the apostle Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 According to this verse, the Bible, God’s very Word, has been given to the people of God for 4 reasons: Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Let us take a brief look at these 4 reasons for […]

Articles

What is the difference between a “Textus Receptus Man” and a “King James Man?”

It’s not so much about King James. It’s about the manuscripts from which it was translated. The Received Text, or Textus Receptus.

QUESTION: What is the difference between a “Textus Receptus Man” and a “King James Man?”

ANSWER: A “TR Man” gets his manuscripts from Antioch and his philosophy from Egypt.

EXPLANATION: Under Question #8 concerning Alexandria and Antioch it was pointed out that we derive two things from each of these locations. We derive manuscripts and an ideology through which we judge those manuscripts.

From Alexandria we receive corrupted manuscripts, tainted by the critical hand of Origen. We also receive an ideology that believes the Bible to be divine, but not perfect, not without error.

From Antioch we receive the pure line of manuscripts culminating in what is known as the “Received Text” or Textus Receptus. We also receive the ideology that the Bible is not only Divine, but perfect, without error.

1. Most Bible critics do not believe that the Bible is perfect (The Alexandrian Ideology). They usually also accept the Alexandrian manuscripts as superior to those of Antioch.

2. A King James Bible believer accepts the Antiochian manuscripts or Textus Receptus as superior to the Alexandrian. They also accept the Antiochian Ideology in that they accept the Bible as infallible and do not believe it contains any errors or mistranslations and that it cannot be improved.

3. A Textus Receptus man also accepts the Antiochian manuscripts or Textus Receptus as superior to the Alexandrian. But a Textus Receptus man accepts the Antiochian manuscripts yet he views them with the Alexandrian Ideology.

He does not accept any translation as perfect and without error. He generally feels that the King James is the best translation but can be improved. He usually stumbles at Acts 12:4 and states that it is a mistranslation.

This contradiction is NOT the result of a bad or dishonest heart so much as it is the result of a bad education. Most Textus Receptus men have been taught by others who have been deceived into accepting, unconsciously, the Alexandrian Ideology.

Bible Versions Category

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