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Jul 23

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DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT MEAN THE SAME THING TODAY— – AS IT DID IN THE FIRST CENTURY? (4)

Is the New Testament true or is it an ever-changing book? This is an important question to all who believe the New Testament and who live their lives according to it. What if you are one of those who believe that it is true from beginning to the end, from Matthew to the end Revelation, just what are we to do? What about it, are you one of those who believes that the New Testament is the inspired word of God? These questions need an answer!
Let us start answering these questions by going to the words of Jesus. He said to those Jews who believed in him: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). First, Jesus starts with those who “believed on him” and this is a most important point. Jesus is not addressing the Jews who did not believe on him; Jesus was not telling them that they would know the truth, which would make them free.
Second, this is before the revelation of “the truth” was made known to the twelve disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). At that time, Jesus made known by the Holy Spirit, “the truth,” that would have the power to make those who believed on him free. He did so by the preaching of the twelve. At that time, they, those who believed, had the opportunity to obey it and be free from their sins! How beautiful are the words of Peter as recorded by Luke; Luke wrote of these who did believe on Jesus: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Truly they were searching, and they were ready to hear the words that would make them free! Luke continued to write: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” How soul/spirit striking are the words of the apostles!
Third, those who did believe were allowed to hear and obey the inspired words; as Luke wrote of it: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (verse 41). What did they now do? Luke will answer this: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (verse 42). They were now free from sin, and they worshiped God!
Now, Jesus having told the lost Jews who did believe on him and they having received and obeyed the truth, which Jesus had said they would “know;” salvation belonged to them! However, we have the question before us, is that truth which these who heard and obeyed the truth on the day of Pentecost, which is over two thousand years old still truth today? They heard the apostles preach it and we read it! Is it still truth, or has it changed over the years? Can we today preach what the apostles preached and get the same salvation? If not, just what can we preach to the lost?
But this is not all we have before us. Jesus said to the men who would be apostles, that they would receive the truth. Here is what Jesus said to them: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). Did Jesus tell them the truth, or not? Who would dare say, “no!” Who would stand against Jesus? Who would say, that the apostles did not receive the Holy Spirit, who in turn gave them the “truth,” which “truth” they preached on that day of Pentecost; which truth those on the day of Pentecost heard and obeyed it; would jump to their feet and it was truth then, but is it not truth today?
At some point, those who say that the New Testament was truth, but it has changed; owe us an answer. If it was truth but it is no longer truth; just what is the truth?? If the New Testament is no longer the truth, what part of it is not true today. Who has the wisdom to know what is true and what is not true? I have no such wisdom; therefore, just like you, I need for those who think they have such wisdom to stand up and speak? But they had better prove to the rest of us, that they now have the Holy Spirit, for there is no other kind of person who would have the power to reveal the “modern day truth?”

Frank R. Williams

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