After 400 Years of the King James Version of the Bible: A Plow-Boy Speaks

By Rear Admiral Joseph H. Miller

The King James Version has proved itself for 400 years. The greatest translators in history translated it. A king directed them to translate it into English reproducing the original language of Gods Word as close as possible. One must use a literal translation. My review suggests only three qualify: The King James Version, English Standard Version, and the New Revised Standard Version. The Dynamic Equivalent translations are not recommended because they omit or add words to Gods original Words.
First things are put first with a technique of presenting Gods Word to an individual who has never heard the name of Jesus.
The best criteria for selecting a Bible translation are outlined including a back-up Bible.
Five bits of knowledge needed for Bible study are given.
The spirituality of the translators including Wycliffe and Tyndale are noted. The King James Bible used today is the 1769 edition by Blayney.
Over 50 martyrs who died for Gods Word are reviewed.
One of the greatest military battles for the preservation of Gods Word is reviewed in detail.
There have been no manuscript discoveries that change the doctrine of the King James Bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467049030

Rear Admiral Joseph H. Miller

Rear Admiral Joseph H. Miller (MC) USNR retired from the Navy Reserve in 1986 after 34 years (credited with nine years of active duty) Since retirement with annual Permissive Orders he has had consecutive Navy Orders since 1952 or for 63 years. The Permissive Orders included informal visits to Navy hospitals. RADM Miller completed three years as the first reservist to serve as a Deputy Surgeon General, Pentagon, and concurrently as Commander Naval Reserve Force, Force Medical Officer 1983-1986. On active duty, he served as Chief of Neurosurgery, National Naval Medical Center, and subsequently as Chief of Neurosurgery, US Naval Hospital, Da Nang, Vietnam. As a consultant to the Surgeon General RADM Miller chaired a committee of five prominent civilian leaders of neurosurgery to develop a Navy neurosurgical residency. While in the Pentagon, with Dr. Barry, he wrote and staffed the directive for the establishment of Physician Reservists in Medical Universities and Schools. (PRIMUS) RADM Miller has been to Bethesda over 100 times, Yokosuka, Japan 40 times, San Diego 24 times, Pearl Harbor 22 times, and every other Navy Hospital in the world. (For two months, he personally provided neurosurgery coverage at the Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii) He served in the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J4) war planning section as the only Flag officer. Later, at his recommendation, a Flag officer billet was established in J4. The first assignment was a Navy Reserve Flag Officer. He had duty with the Commander in Chief Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, December 1982, February 1983, and February 1984. RADM Miller’s Military decorations include: Legion of Merit, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Navy Unit Commendations, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Navy Pistol Marksmanship, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V. In civilian life RADM Miller practiced Neurosurgery from 1960 through December 2000. He served as Chief of Neurosurgery at Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery University of Tennessee and University of Tennessee Training Director in Neurosurgery at the Methodist University Hospital. (1983-2000) RADM Miller was Founder and Director of the Memphis Neurosciences Center at Methodist Hospital and the University of Tennessee. He developed an international academic interchange in Neurosurgery with 27 countries. He is currently on the Voluntary Faculty of USF Medical School, Tampa, Florida. He is certified by the American Board of Neurosurgery and his memberships include: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons, The Society of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, The Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces. Civilian activities include: Mission Service Corps, The White House, May 1978, served on the Boards of Union University, Mars Hill College, Samford University, and Regions Bank. He has researched and lectured on the Philosophy of War more than ninety-five times. RADM Miller has been a Christian for 74 years, a Southern Baptist Deacon for 64 years, and taught Sunday school for 58 years. He is currently a member of First Baptist Church, Brandon, Florida. He is a 5,258-hour pilot and recently passed the course to be a Coast Guard Captain. He is married to Cathy Miller and they live in Apollo Beach, Florida. He developed 24 Clinical Teaching Systems as a “cerebral computer model”. He was an invited medical lecturer 56 times and had numerous Medical Journal publications. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia with an M.D. degree in 1955 and Mercer University with an AB degree in 1951. He was also a proud graduate of Ludowici

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Contents

Acknowledgment

Dedication

Part I

A Brief Essence Of God’s Word

Martyrdom

Prologue

Preface

A Brief History Of The English Language

A Short History of the World (3)

Part II

What Are the Best Criteria For the Best Bible Translation?

If It Is Not a Literal Translation

It Is A Damaged Bible:

History of the Bible

For The English Translation

Of The Bible the World Looks To

Wycliffe and Tyndale

The King James Bible at 400 Years

Dynamic Equivalent Translations Review

Music In Our Deep Memory

After 400 Years

What Are the Current Comments About the King James Bible?

The 1769 Edition of the KJV

in Use Today

The King James Bible and Handel

The 19th Century, A History (5)

Review and Significance of the Changes in World Populations

Islam

The Rise Of Islam (1979-2007)

The Philosophy of War

References

About the Author

Acknowledgment

To God Be The Glory

(Romans 11:36; Ephesians 3:21; II Timothy 4:18;

I Peter 4:11; II Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6)

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)

"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21)

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (II Timothy 4:18)

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11)

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (II Peter 3:18)

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

Our Armor Is God’s Blessings

God Gives Us Armor To Fight Spiritual Battles:

1.   The Helmet of Salvation

2.   The Breastplate of Righteousness

3.   The Shield of Faith

Faith= Belief in God, trust that He can and will do what He says, and confirm our commitment to Him.)

The Old and New Testament is the inscription on the shield.

4.   The Belt of Truth

5.   The Sandals of Peace

6.   The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God Praying Always

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Ephesians 6:11-18; Genesis 15:1; Exodus 28:29-30; Deuteronomy 33:29; II Samuel 22:3,36; Psalms 3: 3; 5:12; 18:35; 28:7; 33: 20; 59:11; 84:9,11; 91:4; 115:9,10,11; 119:114; 144:2; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 59:17; 61:10; I Thessalonians 5:8; Hebrews 4:12

Dedication

To Dr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Miller, Sr. my father and mother who along with my wife, Cathy and I are among the most dedicated readers of the King James Version of the Bible I have ever known.

Except for when he was fishing I cannot remember my Dad not having a King James Version of the Bible in his hand and even then he always had a New Testament in his pocket. I suspect they will have the most treasures and the most magnificent mansion in Heaven. For the last thirty plus years I have tried to be as good a person as they and I have not even come close.

We hope there will be a REVIVICATION of God’s Word or to bring it back to consciousness, action, and make it fresh and strong again in the minds of men.

Admiral Joe

Part I

A Brief Essence Of God’s Word

Introduction

I have added this introduction to be sure we keep first things first. We do not want to spend so much mental energy on the best translation that it interferes with the massage of God to us. I have identified the King James Version (1769) as the Best Bible. (I know most people will not make an effort to determine the best Bible.) In all the translations that I have reviewed one can find the way of salvation, but can find salvation and all its implications only in the King James Version and it is better than the others in spiritual language. The King James Version has unparalleled form, style, verbal expression, signs, symbols, poems, poetical rhythm, artistic prose, and metrical writings.

The Bible is the great dialogue between God and man. In it we see some of man’s answers to God, but we are given the intellectual and mental freedom to give our own answers to God in our lives and our prayers. Biblical commands began with God and end with God. All the nations, all history, and all creation are subject to the one law and rule. The consequence of man’s rebellion and of his abuse of his knowledge of right and wrong is destruction and death. Being disinterested is rebellion. Saying God is too good for justice in the judgment of his laws is stupidity and ignorance that leads to destruction of one’s soul. God is religion and man is ethics. Don’t confuse the two. Lives become social, then individualized, then they blot out Divine justice, and the waves of the evil of this world overcome them with the whole process never being realized. Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world. Without realizing it their motto is, ‘I believe in myself.’ The soul that sins dies in Hell. The only ethics with an authoritative basis are biblical ethics. One must have God to fight Against the rulers of darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Please note: True knowledge does not chase you down. You must chase it down by study. (Miller) We have many sermons that we are going to die, but my message if you are reading this, is that you are not dead yet! Man needs to know where he came from, what he is, and what will become of him. If one prefers nothing he can be given nothing. Materialism is complete in theory, but crippling in practice. It makes God less divine in one’s life and makes the materials of life greater than the real world of life. The materialistic world is simple and solid and is comparable to the madman that thinks and is quite sure that he is sane. Materialists and madmen never have doubts. The materialist destroys his humanity and his only hope. He has lost the love, kindness, courage, poetry, and initiative in all that is human. In this modern age instead of trying to pass the test, they change the test so they can pass it. Materialism is like the evolutionist in that they both destroy themselves. In both, the human is no longer human. There are some things in life one must do for ones self. (This includes writing ones own love letters and blowing ones own nose.)

What is the Royal Law?

What is God’s command to all of his human creation? I first became interested about this when I recruited a young Chinese doctor who was to spend five years in our research lab to obtain a Ph.D. degree and return to China, which he did. He had never heard the name, Jesus. (Chairman Mao did away with all religion, not just Christianity.) This young doctor came from a small place in Central China. How does one tell him about Jesus? (He was highly educated.) I have asked several people trained in theology this question. Most of then swallow their tongues. One of those whose answer was so delayed that I thought I might have to resuscitate him and even after the delay he sounded like a talking mummy. I have studied this for several years and I am continuing to search for the right answer. I have had what I feel is limited success with my approach. I have had only one person who one month after returning to his native country that happily related to me that he had become a Christian.

My approach was to let God do the talking. With an introduction and a silent prayer I provided six handouts, given one at a time for study each time is noted:

A. Handouts For A Person Who Has Never Heard The Name, Jesus

To Learn of Jesus Christ, The Savior of the World, Read As Follows:

I.   The Royal Law (68, p.14)

II.   The Ten Commandments

III.   Jesus’ 24 Teachings on The Mountain

IV.   (Matthew Chapters 5, 6, 7 in the Bible)

V.   The Christian’s Model Prayer Given to Us by Jesus Himself as noted in Matthew 6:9-13

VI.   Being Born Again

VII.   (Having a new life)

VIII.   Other Bible Scriptures that changed the World

IX.   The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, King James Version, Fifth Improved Edition, 2010, with 600 Pages of a Complete System of Biblical Studies and with 14 Biblical Maps

1.   Text Cyclopedia

2.   Bible Readings

3.   Outline Studies of the Bible

4.   Studies of Prominent Bible characters

5.   Bible Harmonies and Illustrated Studies

6.   Archaeological Supplement

7.   Concordance

8.   Colored Bible Atlas

Dr. Frank Charles Thompson spent his entire life developing this Bible with his name. It was copyrighted in 1908, 1917, 1929, 1934, 1957, 1964, 1982, and 1988. (My first copy, the 1934 edition was given to me by my parents in 1953. I still have this Bible and continue to use it at times as I have these last fifty-eight years.

I. The Royal Law: (68, p.14)

1.   Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.(Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

2.   "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matthew 22:36-40)

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.(John 13:34)

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Leviticus 19:18)

3.   He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?(Micah 6:8)

4.   The Ten Commandments

II. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17)

I.   Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (20:3)

II.   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

III.   Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. (20:4-5)

IV.   Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (20:7)

V.   Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.(20:8)

VI.   Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (20:12)

VII.   Thou shalt not murder. (20:13)

VIII.   Thou shalt not commit adultery. (20:14)

IX.   Thou shalt not steal. (20:15)

X.   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (20:16)

XI.   Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (20:17)

Discussion

I. No other gods

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (20:3)

Whatever your heart and faith clings to and confides in is your true God. Mammon or material wealth is the universal idol on earth. He with riches feels secure with his own wisdom, power, influence, skill, friends, and honors. The love, belief, and trust must be in God alone.

II. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (20:4-6)

God is a jealous God. This commandment includes a terrible warning, visiting the iniquity to the first, second, third, and fourth generations.

Idolatry does not consist merely in the act of erecting an image and praying to it. It is a state of the heart that depends on something else for help or consolation. Another false divine service is one that reigns in the world, which sways the conscience to seek its own works or help and life’s salvation. This is common with those who boast about works; attend mass, and other things. Do not depend on material wealth, power, honor, favor, or any comfort in the eyes of this world. When the head is right toward God as the source of all good things and honor Him then the whole life will be right.

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (20:7)

We must not misuse God’s name. Our speech must point upward to God. Its greatest abuse is when false teachers in spiritual matters present untruthful teachings as the Word of God. We are to use the name of God in the right sense. It cannot be used in any falsehood, wickedness, or for a profit. It is to be used only in the service of His truth.

IV. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (20:8)

This is a day above all other days. It is a day of rest. It is a holy day that we keep to worship with the congregation. This is the day to learn God’s Word. The Word of God is the holy of holies. It is the only holy thing we Christians have. God’s Word is the treasure that sanctifies everything. When God’s Word is taught, preached, heard, read, or called to mind, we are sanctified. Our worship publicly exerts and accentuates the power of our worship.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (20:12)

God had exalted fatherhood and motherhood above all other relations. We are not merely to love them, but also to honor them. We are to love others, but God had established that we also honor father and mother. He places them next to Himself. It is a greater thing to honor than to love. It includes obedience, reverence, and humility to them. Their way of living and their failures cannot rob them of their honor. We are not to regard the manner of their person. They are still ordained as our parents and must be honored according to God’s command. We honor them as the most precious treasure in our conversation, words, and actions. We are to do it cheerfully with humility and reverence unto God. Parents should consider those that are under that obligation. We are to obey God and are to consciously and faithfully discharge all our duties as parents. This is not only to feed and provide, but also to train them to honor and praise God. God has commanded and trusted the duty of parents to you and you must give account.

VI. "Thou shall not murder." (20:13)

Government is not mentioned and this does not take from them the power they have to put to death. Government has been delegated the right to punish evildoers.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. (Matthew 5:21 ESV) It also forbids anger. God with this knowledge has placed the commandments as a defense of godly people against the wicked. Things that lead to murder such as revenge are forbidden. There remains a heart of gentleness toward our enemies, who would arouse our wrath. We are not to kill except in self-defense. The government can execute for the sake of justice.

VII. You shall not commit adultery. (20:14)

To the Jewish people marriage was obligatory. One is not to disgrace his wife. The betrayal of chastity is the most common thing that breaks the marriage vow. There is a mixture of vice among us that this commandment is directed against. Not only is the active deed forbidden, but also the incentive toward it. The whole body and mind must be chaste. In marriage man can and is expected to keep his lust in bounds.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal. (20:15)

Stealing is a widespread, universal vice. Employees act wantonly to cheat their employers in many instances. Many species of fraud make it a universal art. Thieves are said to be the largest collection of people on earth. They include rich people and poor people known as gentlemen robbers to stealers of petty cash. To harm or take advantage of ones neighbors incurs God’s extreme displeasure. It is said that if one steals from another, another will steal from you. God punishes one thief by means of another. We know that the righteous will not want, and the greatest injury one can do to ones self is to steal. Stealing from the poor is like putting one foot into Hell. (My interpretation.)

IX. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (20:16)

God honors the character and possessions of our neighbors as His own. We and our possessions are His own. The tongue that injures a neighbor is forbidden. False witness is a sin of the tongue. This may involve erroneous doctrines and blasphemes of false teaching (Calvinism), injustices by corrupt judges, and falsehood and evil words of those of authority. It is said that Satan himself corrupts us with that despicable vice of slanderous gossip. It is a common vice of human nature. That one would rather hear evil than good about another is a big test of character. Unless one has the authority to judge and reprove even if we know of another’s sin it is forbidden to make a public judgment of that person. Every report that cannot be legally proven is a false witness report. In short keep your mouth shut except for civil authorities, parents, close loving relatives, and loving friends who are under mutual obligation to reprove sin in a loving way when it is necessary and is expected to produce good.

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (20:17)

Envy and excessive desire for wealth or more than one has is the purpose of this commandment. To have a pure heart one must not covet.

The Ten Commandments are God’s Teachings. No deed or conduct can please God unless it is in keeping with the Ten Commandments .Our hands are full keeping them. It must be done in practicing gentleness, patience, love toward our enemies, chastity, kindness, and all the other virtues. We have nothing, but Jesus paid it all for us.

III. The Teachings (Sermon) on the Mount

Jesus’ 24 Teachings on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7)

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Teachings on the Mountain

I.   Introduction

II.   Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

III.   The Salt, The Light, The Law: (Matthew 5:13-20)

A.   The Salt

B.   The Light

C.   The Law

IV.   More Ways Outside the Beatitudes to Be Blessed

V.   Woes

VI.   Jesus Raises the Standards of Morality (Matthew 5:21-32)

A.   Murder-Anger

B.   Adultery

C.   Divorce

VII.   Jesus Describes Our Actions with Our Fellow Man (Mathew 5: 33-48)

A.   Do not Swear

B.   Eye for an Eye

C.   Love your Enemies

VIII.   Acts of Righteousness (Matthew 6: 1-18)

A.   Give to the Needy

B.   Pray

C.   Fast

IX.   Our Heart, Our Eyes, Our Loyalty (Matthew 6:19-34)

A.   Treasures, Heart, One Master

B.   Good Eyes, Bad Eyes

C.   Worries

a.   Life Worries

b.   Body Worries

c.   Little Faith Worries

X.   Judge Not, Ask to Receive, Enter the Narrow Gate (Matthew 7: 1-12)

A.   Do not Judge

B.   Ask to Receive

C.   Enter the Narrow Gate

XI.   Beware, Listen to Jesus (Matthew 7: 13-27)

A.   False Prophets

B.   Not Everyone is Saved

C.   Wise and Foolish Builders

Summary   (Matthew 7:28-29)

A.   Teachings End With a Great Crash

B.   His Teachings Amazed the People

C.   He Spoke With a Voice of Authority

Jesus’ Teachings on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 represent the briefest essence of His ethical and moral teachings. It is the central element in the Lord’s Teachings and Christian Ethics. This is a summary of Christ’s Commandments to His disciples. It is a guide of conduct, a kind of new law for Christians. The ethics of the Teachings is comparable to the words in the book of the Covenant. It is to show how we judge other men. It is what is required of our active selves. This is issued from Jesus Himself. The authority of Jesus Christ is derived from Himself. He repeatedly says, You have heard that it was said to the men of old…but I say to you… His Words are a direct command. There are no references. These teachings show what is required of a true Christian character. It is the little faith of men that makes non-obedient conduct seems rational. Little faith takes one away from God and into the activities of the world. It reveals a non-obedient attitude or in street language, I don’t care about God’s ethics for me. I am my own person. God’s position is fixed in that God’s history is one of holy love. A study of Jesus’ Teachings reveals that He speaks for God and God is God. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

It is not only actions toward ones neighbor, but also attitudes toward ones neighbor. One must note that the character of God rules over all men. All men are God’s Creation. Men are to live as God directs, which is by mercy and love. Man’s relation to God is determined by man’s relation to other men. Sincerity in all of man’s actions is of decisive importance. Don’t be a hypocrite. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:5,6)

In summary the Beatitudes (5:2-12) are the way to blessedness and happiness. Our influence is shown by our salt and light to the world. (5:13-16) Our righteousness brings our actions to expressions. (5:17-48) How do we fulfill the law? We must note that murder is wrong, adultery is wrong, marriage is permanent, not being honest is wrong, and we must love our enemies. Our gifts to the poor are secret, out prayers are secret, and our fasting is secret and should be a spiritual experience. (6:1-18) No man can serve two masters. One cannot serve God and wealth or material things. (6:19-24) We must have a single–minded devotion to the values of God’s kingdom if we are to be His followers.

He tells us how to pray with the Lord’s Model Prayer, which is the most frequently quoted Scriptures in all history. Jesus tells us how to speak to God.

We must not have anxiety about life. (6:25-34) Take no thought for your life, etc. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Do not judge others. Judge only ourselves in terms of God’s expectations. (7:1-6) Be persistent in our commitment to God. Ask God to give us the power to persevere. (7:7-12) We have two choices, the broad way to destruction or the narrow road to life. (7:13-14) Jesus Teachings should lead us to the right actions. Put truth into action. (7:15-23) Most people do not seem to understand the house built on the sand and the house built on the rocks. This is not about houses, but about the builder. (7:24-27) The teachings are summed up in, For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.(Matthew 7:29) The people were amazed because He spoke as one with authority. Jesus Christ as God and as God’s Son has the only authority. Read, listen, and learn from the Teachings on the Mount. I have memorized and quoted it over fifty times. I have learned something else each time. God speaks to us according to the effort we put into learning. The more effort one makes the more God speaks to you.

We not only learn about God, but of God’s intention for us.

There is no reference in the Scriptures that the Sermon on the Mount was actually a Sermon. Matthew and Luke both describe this dissertation as Teaching. Jesus was teaching or telling them His words. Words that He later wanted them to teach others. Jesus was teaching His disciples and a large multitude who had come to be physically healed.

(I like the term Teaching instead of the term Sermon since I believe it better fits what actually happened. A preacher delivers a Sermon, which is a religious discourse, speech, part of worship or a lecture on God’s teachings. Jesus was teaching God’s word as the voice of authority and the origin of its contents. When one gives a speech and quotes someone they must give the reference or they will be plagiarizing. Jesus was not quoting someone else. These were His own words and teachings.)

The exact location of the Teachings on the Mount cannot be proved. However, tradition relates down through the centuries a certain hill on a plateau that is known as the Mountain of the Beatitudes. It is northwest of the Sea of Galilee, close to Capernaum. It is the site of a church that can still be visited.

The exact time of these teachings is not known. My study suggests that it was rather early in His ministry, but others disagree with this. It appears to me that Jesus began His ministry at the time of the death of John The Baptist with the Sermon on the Mount.

IV. Born Again

To me one must get down to the basics and use the term that Jesus used,One must be Born Again.

"Born Again: To the true Christian and a Bible scholar the term born again" is a clear and recognizable syndrome in ones life. To those close to us it is also recognized by them. The point that makes it so important is that if you have to be born again, you are NOT A CHRISTIAN! This made Cornelius think, it makes me think, and if understood it will make everyone think! Being born again is not just an acknowledgment of the true faith or going from one denomination of Christianity to another. Many Christians when they have been convicted and heard the true faith think they have been converted. The term to be born again is usually avoided or ignored. This is like an immigrant that was essentially born into a church and comes to a new land, but is still the old person, a slave to sin. To them there is no outward advantage of the gospel that would interest the secular world. Since the persecution of Christians is over for most of us the title has become one of honor. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."(I John 4:15-16) Saying this has become a test of being a Christian.

As with all biblical subjects one must specifically deal with the Scripture and eliminate tradition. One must climb over the high wall of the prejudice of tradition. This is always present whether one is educated or not educated. I have repeatedly said, Let the Bible preach its own sermon! I have heard it said that those who shout and jump up and down in church have been born again so many times that their soul shows stretch marks.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Born Again?

John 3:3

"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."

If not he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

John 3:4

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?

How can this be?

John 3:5

"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."

born of the Spirit.

John 3:6

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:7

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Marvel not

John 3:8

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Wind here is the same as Spirit in Hebrew and Greek.

John 3:9

"Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Jesus knows about the hear nots We can’t see it, but we must hear it.

Galatians 4:29

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

I Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

I John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1; 4, 18

29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

3:9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

4:7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him…

5: 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith…

5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Being Born Again is thus a spiritual rebirth or regeneration. Jesus understood that there was a radical transformation in our lives. He also understood that it would be difficult for us to understand. As noted in the above scriptures it is repeated over and over and we must understand it because if we have not been "born again we are not a Christian. We must be born again" to enter the kingdom of heaven. We must begin with faith, which is the same as belief and trust.

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" (John 1:12) Being "born again is a spiritual experience and is what we also call conversion. The new birth" is a spiritual condition in us and in our soul. This is not redemption which is Jesus paying our ransom or justification which is Jesus making us justified and reconciled to stand before God. This is a condition in us, which through sanctification we have a part in becoming better all our lives.

There Is A Change Of The Whole Man

Being born again, regeneration, or salvation is a change of the whole man. A sinful nature has been replaced or supplanted by God’s supernatural grace, which is a state of nature becoming a state of grace. Now we stand before God. Our habits, our conversations, and our personalities have been changed. The old man has not been made over, he has been re-created spiritually and born again. Our heart has been changed towards God and God’s heart has been changed toward us. We have been acquitted, accepted, and justified by God’s grace. We are a sinner that has been forgiven before God and have become a son and heir. We have been adopted by God’s grace. God’s graces are now working in us by the Holy Spirit. We have been showered with faith, love, patience, self-denial, meekness, knowledge, temperance, and many other godly characteristics. They are like stars that shine in a Christian’s life. The horror of darkness has become a beautiful light. God’s Spirit is fixed in our hearts. We are a new man. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.(Ephesians 4:24) We are a new creature. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.(Galatians 6:15), we are transformed into the image of God For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.(I Corinthians 11: 7) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (I Corinthians 15:49) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Corinthians 3:18) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Colossians 3:10) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3) There is now a participation of the divine nature "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."(II Peter 1:4) With faith and repentance the new man is created born again, and regeneration has occurred. The new man means that he has been entirely changed and is a miracle of God’s Almighty Power. The only contrast with the old and new life that I can think of is that of life and death. The image of God and the divine nature has given us the knowledge of His holy will. His nature has become part of our nature. We have returned to God and have begun sanctification through speech, habits, and God’s grace. Our weakness has become our strength. Sanctification continues all our lives with one grace being added to another, and on and on. So to speak we begin to climb Jacob’s ladder. (Genesis 28; 12) Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We are born again to a new life. We are glorified. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (II Corinthians 3: 17,18) Glory to glory is the continuing process of sanctification toward holiness.

Sometimes man’s hope for Heaven is based on fantasies. Due to his lack of knowledge, he has the hope of a hypnotic who is trapped into a "spider web./So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web." (Job 8: 13, 14) Men spin out their hopes in foolish cobwebs. If one is a soul winner they quickly learn that when you ask people Are you a Christian? the answers include, I belong to the church on the corner, I am a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc. They rarely answer with a quick and glorious, Yes. With the 100 Baptist denominations and the thousands of other denominations the price of Heaven seems to have fallen. The new nature is hidden under an old life. Instead of seeing the image of Jesus Christ one only sees the picture of the devil. With the new man (Born Again) the soul has been ransacked. There is now a resemblance of godliness, divine purity, and happiness dependent only on God. There is a boldness and confidence of life.

We Take On The Divine Nature

God took on human nature to come to earth and die for our salvation. The second greatest change is man taking on the Divine Nature. In the born again person all the old things are done away and all things in us become new. This does not mean we are sinless, but it means that our attitude and approach to all things are new. We hate sin and know that sins, big or little, step on the blood of Christ. If one does not have a new heart, a newness of life in God, and a new mind and conversations they are still without Christ and have no hope of Heaven. If you are not born again what do you trust? Do you put trust in good works? Christ is not a Savior except for those who have been "born again. It is ignorance to expect God’s mercy and violate his truth that unless one is born again they have no place in Heaven. God is merciful, but thousands have already condemned themselves to hell. The bottom line is that, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."(Proverbs 28:9) Do not think one can born again (regenerate) themselves. Do not think that one can form a new nature in themselves. We cannot make the shift into the new spirit without passing through Christ. These are lazy conceits that send your soul to Hell.

Do not use a few yawning words in church and expect divine grace to drop down out of Heaven and change your heart while you are asleep. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die…Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?(Ezekiel 18: 21, 31) This may be your last chance of not losing your soul forever. The ten thousand flames of the wrath of God surround the unbeliever or those not born again. One is covered by a thin wall of flesh hanging over a bottomless pit held up by a weak thread of life. If one does not repent he will curse the day he was born. (Jeremiah 20:14) or be like Judas whom Jesus said It had been good for man if he had not been born. (Matthew 26:24; Mark 14:21)

The term born again is not fashionable today and, I believe is neglected. To try and repair an old model is lost labor. Our hearts must be changed. An old fabric cannot be made new. An old building painted does not become new. "Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow