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Michael Pearl: "My zeal hath consumed me because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it."
Let me ask you right now, could you say to the Lord, "Lord, your word is very pure. I love it. I love your words. They're very pure." You say, "Yeah, I love the original Greek manuscripts. They're the words of God."
Where are those original Greek manuscripts?
By the way, did you know there are 24 original Greek Bibles? Just like there are different English versions, there are 24 Greek versions. The version that I had when I was in Bible college—I believe it was Nestle-Aland’s 23rd edition—when they came out with the 26th edition, they changed over 400 of the Greek words to different Greeks words.
It depends on which edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament you have. If you go back and read some Greek word study, it may be that the Greek Bible that is being published today doesn't match the word study you had back then, because the Greek Bibles are evolving, just like the English Bibles are evolving. You can't trust Greek anymore than you can trust the New International Version. Now, there is a reliable . . . I'm going to come to that next time, about the Greek textbook. We’ll keep going here.
He said, "Thy word is very pure." "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." "All the kings of earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth." God's Word is exalted above his name. That means that the Word of God—God holds it higher than the name Jesus. God holds it higher than Jehovah. The Word of God, which we're talking about, a book we can hold in our hands, made of words—Gods holds it higher than I AM.
I didn't write that. That wasn't written by some King-James-only nut. The Word of God says that. God says that. His name is "Word of God." "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." His name is "Word of God." "In the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God."
God could have chosen many different titles, names, descriptions for himself, but He chose for the Lord Jesus Christ, in eternity past, he chose the name "Word." "In the beginning, was the word." There are several hundred names that he has assumed since then—we're going to go through that tomorrow—not all of them, but most of them. There are several hundred names, but he chose that name "Word" because that's the Logos, the speaking, the oracle of God. That's God's message to us—words.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
He could have said the Father, the Holy Ghost, and the eternal one, or the mighty one, or the savior. He could have used any number of names, but when he wanted to express the Godhead, he said "Father, Word, and Holy Ghost" bear witness in heaven.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4
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Hi,
I was just reading your issue here. Very interesting. I have been a Christian 25 years. I have always read from the New International Bible. Your opinion of the New International, I do not understand. Through my studies, I understand that the King James Version was written by several scholars that King James himself had appointed to switch things around - to basically justify some of his sins- or make it easy to his eye. People back in biblical times of course spoke Hebrew, Arabic- the King James was written in terms with the way people spoke in the era of King James (old English). I have several friends and family members who have attended various divinity schools, mainly Harvard, Church of Christ colleges and Baptist bible colleges. Respectfullly, they all to have varying opinions about translations , as do you. If you would - could you direct me to a more detailed explanation of your opinions.
Thank you so much and God bless your family
Denise
Hi Denise!
If you listen to Mike's message on how the Greek word "sarx" is translated into "sinful nature" instead of the English word "flesh," that may open a door for you regarding translations, and translations where God has guided the translating with His Holy Spirit. None of us speak Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek today, but I trust a God who can speak a universe into existence to get His word to me accurately. For several months, my children and I would do our Bible study with the KJV, NIV and ESV, each of us reading our version and compare the verses side by side. The results were, where there was a distinction, the KJV verses always pointed to God's power instead of our own, and any verses regarding "blood" were not watered down to keep us from appreciating God's wrath and Christ's sacrifice. A comparison of KJV versus NIV "blood" verses can be found with an online search. God bless your journey!
I was reminded of my dear preacher husband who was promoted to glory in 2009 when you quoted the verse that he repeated many times. "Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name.' He often quoted that verse and preached on the wonder of that truth. It is truly amazing when you stop and think about it---it is actually deemed higher and more exalted than the Name of Jesus or Jehovah! Thank you for bringing it to our attention.