Exposing False Biblical Teachings
(“Truth Does Not Contradict Truth”)
It is our duty commanded by God to search for the truth path and walk in it but many people refuse to do so...
Textual Scholastic Criticism & the Bible
It is imperative to understand that when the Iglesia Ni Cristo or (Church of Christ) cites a biblical scholar’s reference, its main objective is to demonstrate how a particular passage may be interpreted. Providing third-party validation shows that our interpretation is not just our own bias or conclusion of what a verse or passage may imply. However, it’s important to note that when the Iglesia Ni Cristo uses a biblical scholar’s reference to substantiate a biblical position, it does not indicate that the scholar who is being referenced that his doctrinal stance coincides or aligns with any particular church denomination or non-denomination beliefs, practices or doctrines, especially the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). Furthermore, we often see scholars who contradict the viewpoint of other scholars and have disagreements among themselves regarding various passages of the Bible; thus, ultimately, we must refer back to the Holy Scriptures to weigh the gravity of their interpretation to see if one scholar’s interpretation will conflict or create contradictions with other passages of the biblical text compared to the other scholar’s interpretation of the same passage in view, before selecting to use such a scholarly reference. We know that “truth does not contradict truth, and God, the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles will not contradict their own written words throughout the scriptures, for God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33). Thus, ultimately we must seek spiritual truth by comparing “spiritual things with spiritual.”:
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
(I Cor. 2:10,13,New King James Version, Emphasis Mine)
But how does one compare spiritual things with spiritual to find spiritual truth by using the above guiding principle? One example is Acts 20:28 (King James 2000 Bible), which renders the passage as follows:
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.”
(King James 2000 Bible, Emphasis Mine)
The problem with the above biblical rendition and any rendition that uses the word “God” to “which he has purchased with His own blood” is that it creates a biblical contradiction, for God has no blood; God “Spirit” (Jn. 4:24). A “spirit” has no flesh and bones (Lk. 24:39). God is immortal, He can not die, (I Tim. 1:17). The one who died and purchased the church with His blood was Christ who gave His Life for the Church, (Eph. 5:25, Good News Translation). Christ is a man (Jn. 8:40). Based on these biblical facts, we know that the correct preferred rendition for Acts 20:28 would be either the “American Standard Version” or the “Lamsa Bible,” which renders it as such:
“…to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his own blood.” (ASV)
“…to feed the church of the Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (LB)
(Reference 1. [American Standard Version -ASV], Emphasis Mine), (Reference 2. [Lamsa Bible-LB], Emphasis Mine)
Therefore, it is clear that it was Christ who died and purchased the church with His blood, not God. Now, we have found “Spiritual truth” by comparing “spiritual things with spiritual,” as instructed by Apostle Paul (I Cor. 2:13, NKJV).
By adhering to the spiritual guidelines outlined by Apostle Paul, comparing “spiritual things with spiritual,” we can avoid inconsistencies and contradictions in scripture.
Accepting any rendition that implies the phrase “God, which he has purchased with his own blood” would suggest that God has a physical body with flesh and bones, died on the cross, and is a man in nature who purchased the church with his blood. This would gravely contradict the teachings recorded in the Bible.
TAKE NOTE: The original writings that God inspired His chosen writers were written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and the (New Testament) primarily in Greek with some sprinkles of Aramaic, then later interpreted into the many bible versions we find today. One may argue that any Bible version is sufficient and accurately translated from the original manuscripts. However, this is not the case. Using only one Bible version in both written and oral discourse seems practical and expedient. This would not pose any problem if and when those who translated various languages were completely free of bias and theologically neutral. Unfortunately, they are not. This has resulted not only in differences in shades of meaning in some portions of the verse, like in the example of Act 20:28, but also differences in interpretation of the entire passage.
Robert Martin, a Professor of Biblical Theology, has this to say:
All translations involves interpretation. Interpretation, of course, involves the influence of theology; and as all translation involves interpretation, so all translation involves theology… Translators cannot avoid totally the necessity of making interpretive decisions, nor can they avoid completely the influence of personal views of truth on their work. Translation is not hermeneutically neutral and translators are not theologically neutral.”
(Reference: Accuracy of Translation, by Robert Martin, p.41)
For these reasons, there are times when it is necessary to choose the version that is not only easier to comprehend but, most of all, renders the precise meaning — thus, the need to use more than one version of the Bible.
To determine which particular version of the Bible to use, as pointed out earlier we must adhere to Apostle Paul’s guiding principle when it comes to the teachings written in the Holy Scriptures. This principle should serve as the foundation for our selection process, as we seek to obtain Spiritual truth:
“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For
the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
(I Cor. 2:10,13,New King James Version, Emphasis Mine)
Spiritual truth must be compared with spiritual truth when a passage is in question, and in doing so, there must be no contradiction. Hence, if a term or phrase in a particular version contradicts the true doctrine, then there is an error in the translation. Therefore it behooves us to use a version that does not contradict the biblical truth.
However, an important thing must be understood when it comes to comparing spiritual truths with spiritual truths. A preacher of the gospel must be sent or duly commissioned by God for him to receive the Holy Spirit and be able to compare spiritual truths and spiritual things correctly. Hence, not everyone can rightfully explain the mysteries and content of the Bible; They must be commissioned because the words of God in the scriptures are hidden in mystery, and only God’s commissioned messengers of the true church are capable of declaring Gods words:
“For I am a minister of the Church by divine commission, a commission granted to me for your benefit and for a special purpose: that I might fully declare God’s word — that sacred mystery which up to now has been hidden in every age and every generation…”
(Col. 1:26 J.B. Phillips New Testament, Emphasis Mine)
This is why the mystery is only given to God’s true messengers because for those who are outside the true church all things to them come in parables:
“To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand…”
(Mark 4:11-12 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
This is the very reason why Apostle Paul emphatically decalred:
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent.”
(Romans 10:15 ibid., Emphasis Mine)
Thus, one must be commissioned or sent to preach the words written within.
John the Baptist also taught the importance of being sent by God:
“The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit.”
(John 3:34 Today’s English Version, Emphasis Mine)
God gave the knowledge of His words only to His messengers who have the fullness of His Spirit. They are the ones entrusted with the ministry and the message of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18-20), and thus, they are the ones who can rightfully teach the contents of the Holy Scriptures. People should listen to their preaching to know and understand God’s will expressed in His Holy book; otherwise, by listening to those who do not have the commissioning will be led by the untaught and unstable people who twist the scriptures to their own destruction:
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”
(II Pet. 3:16 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
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Reach Out
If you wish to acquire a deeper understanding of our Church Doctrines and have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be delighted to direct you to one of our local resident ministers in your vicinity. Kindly include any queries you may have so that we may forward your inquiry in advance. Thank you.
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“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”
(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)