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Jul 03

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DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT MEAN THE SAME THING TODAY— – AS IT DID WHEN WRITTEN? (2)

If the New Testament does not mean what it did when first delivered, then it means nothing at all! It was important in the first century delivery to the lost and clearly seen in Paul’s words to the Galatian “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal.1:6-7). Why was such rebuking language used if it was only going the change in a few years?
Truly the words of Paul could not be spoken at any time from the year Paul wrote them, as each generation would have to settle what it means to them! Then, why all the written warnings found in the New Testament, given only them in the first century? Here the words of John: “And if man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22”10). It is a total waste of time and effort to read and study any of the New Testament, if the truth stated by the inspired writers of the New Testament was only good for those in the first century group of Christians. Just “take away” as you please, as the words are not for you, as they were written for the first Christians! The first century Christians were given warnings which apply only to them and not to any person living today. You know, we could make the New Testament a lot smaller by removing all that does not mean anything to us today but only to them! They received warning after warning, but these mean nothing to us today! We just think it away.
Let us take a few words found in the New Testament and see what they mean today if anything at all! We have some “good” examples to look at. The denominations can help us here, as they have done for us what would be totally acceptable per-this new movement among us. Look at the word “baptism,” the meaning of which has been changed, first by the Roman Catholic Church “baptism”. We have debated this subject for years, only to learn today, that it was a total waste of time and effort to those living today. The Catholic Church told us long ago, that the word means pouring or sprinkling. Other denominations have followed their action. Not all denominations believed this, take the Baptist, which also debated other denominations on this subject. Correctly pointing out, that the Greek word translated baptism did not mean sprinkling or pouring! Of course, that was then, and we are living today. This means, that their debates were a total waste of time and effort, as they were removed from the first century. You are begining to get the idea by now!
Now, look at the Lord’s Supper and when it should be taken. Does the New Testament address the subject of when it should be taken? Yes, but only if you desire to “speak where the New Testament speaks,” do you know any denominations that speak out about this subject? If yes or no, it matters little, as this only relates to the first Century! So, all those churches about us are right and we have been wrong, as if the New Testament does address the subject, of when the Lord’s Supper should be taken, it matters little to nothing, as we are not under those examples anyway!
You may be wondering why we pay any attention at all as to what the apostles wrote as the meaning has changed hundreds of times. So, with this view of things, that is that words in the New Testament do not mean what they did in the first century! At the same time, we need to give little to no attention, as to what the apostle wrote, as it surely cannot mean the same thing to us today!
The warnings are a waste of time, as we need not pay any attention to them as they were written in another time and to another people. It is, however, a false thinking and denominations will be the result! Take down the sign and put up whatever anyone may desires. After all, this is what the denominational churches have been telling us all along! Just look about yourself and see all the words used to identify those who worship there!
Are you one of them? Do you question the New Testament; do you revolt against those who say, “The New Testament means today the same thing it did when it was written and delivered in the first century?” If you do not like what the gospel meant in the First Centuy, then, don’t concern yourself, as it does not mean what it did then, anyway; and should you be able to live into the next generation, maybe they will change the meaning to fit you!

Frank R. William

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