The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New International Version ( NIV ).  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION is a completely new translation of the Holy Bible made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts.  It had its beginning in 1965 when, after several years of exploratory study by committees from the Christian Reformed Church and the National Association of Evangelicals, a group of scholars met at Palos Heights, Illinois, and concurred in the need for a new translation of the Bible in contemporary English.  This group, though not made up of official church representatives, was transdenominational.  Its conclusion was endorsed by a large number of leaders from many denominations who met in Chicago in 1966."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, p. v.  ]

     In Matthew 5:3, Jesus ( see Matthew 4:23 ) said the following:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  He also said the following in Matthew 7:21:  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."  With these two verses from the Holy Bible in mind, it is clear that only those who are willing to be poor in spirit are willing to do God's ( see Matthew 16:13-16 ( especially verse 16, for example ) and John 17:1-5 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ) will.

     God has commanded through His word ( the Holy Bible - see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 14; 3:16; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ) that Christian ( see Hebrews 10:22 and 1 Peter 1:1, 2, for example ) wives have a "gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" ( see 1 Peter 3:4 - please read 1 Peter 3:1-6 to get the context ).  God equates a loud and defiant ( the word "rebellious" - see Proverbs 7:11 ( NKJV, for example )) woman with a prostitute ( see Proverbs 7:10, 11 ):  it is important for women to understand this.  Please also read Proverbs, chapter 7, to get the full context regarding the description of the adulteress.

     To you, the reader, the Bible video ( associated with the following link ) is available for your viewing.  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlZ3FGVWpkdFM4a3M/edit?usp=sharing>.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  Various denominational references are mentioned in the quotation at the top of this weblog posting.  It is important to understand that "religious" denominationalism is not authorized in the Holy Bible.  There is one New Testament church:  it is the church of Christ ( see Matthew 16:18 and Romans 16:16, for example ).  Also, the disciples were "called Christians first at Antioch" ( see Acts 11:26 ): they were not called Evangelicals.

The Holy Bible.

     A copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ), is pictured to the left.  Matthew 22:34-40 read as follows:  "But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they thought up a fresh question of their own to ask him.  One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question:  'Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?'  Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."  Jesus said in Matthew 22:39, "'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  This statement renders racism a sin ( see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, John 1:1, 14; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, 1 John 3:4 ( KJV, for example ), and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).

     This weblog posting is brief so that you, the reader, will have more time to view the Bible video ( associated with the following link ).  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlUjVkWE51N2NBTWM/edit?usp=sharing>.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ).  The apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1 ) recorded the following in Galatians 1:3-5:  "May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.  That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity.  Amen."  From verse 4, we see that it was God's plan that His Son Jesus ( see Matthew 16:13-16 ( especially verse 16, for example ), for example ) would die for our sins.

     We read of Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross of The Skull in Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ), for example.  The Hebrew name, for the place of Jesus' crucifixion, is Golgotha ( see John 19:17, 18 ).  The name "Golgotha" means Skull Hill ( see Matthew 27:33, for example ).  It was at this place that Christ ( see Matthew 1:16; KJV, for example ) died "to sin once for all" ( see Romans 6:8-10 ( especially verse 10, for example ), for example; NKJV, for example ).

     This weblog posting is brief, to allow you, the reader, time to view the Bible video ( associated with the following link ).  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELld2lEX0JYclV6eWc/edit?usp=sharing>.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ). The book of Galatians was written by the apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1; 5:2; 6:11 ). This book was written circa A.D. 49 ( see page 666 ).

     The opening sentence of Galatians 1:3 reads as follows: "May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ."  The apostle Paul used similar statements in his greetings, in all of the other New Testament books he wrote, as follows:  "May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" ( see Romans 1:7 ), "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace" ( see 1 Corinthians 1:3 ), "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace" ( see 2 Corinthians 1:2 ), "May grace and peace be yours, sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord" ( see Ephesians 1:2 ), "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace" ( see Philippians 1:2 ), "May God our Father give you grace and peace" ( see Colossians 1:2 ), "May his grace and peace be yours" ( see 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ), "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace" ( see 2 Thessalonians 1:2 ), "May God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace" ( see 1 Timothy 1:2 ), "May God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace" ( see 2 Timothy 1:2 ), "May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace" ( see Titus 1:4 ), and "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace" ( see Philemon, verse 3 ). There is some debate among Bible scholars, regarding whether the apostle Paul wrote the book of Hebrews.

     This weblog posting is brief, so that you, the reader, will have time to view the Bible video ( associated with the following link ).  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlbjNfbmNRU1Zodm8/edit?usp=sharing>.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  The two previous weblog postings have included links to Bible videos stored on SkyDrive ( cloud technology ).  The Bible video, associated with this weblog posting, is stored on Google Drive.  These weblog postings are just a few examples of how technology can be used to glorify God ( see 1 Corinthians 10:31, for example ).  Note also that the number "666" does not always represent evil ( cf. Ezra 2:13 and Revelation 13:18, for example - please read Ezra, chapter 2, and Revelation, chapter 13, to get the context of those two chapters ).

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ).  James 1:26, 27 read as follows:  "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.  Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for the orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us."  Moreover, Ephesians 4:29 reads as follows:  "Don't use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

     If we control our tongue, then we will not use foul and abusive language.  The phrase "foul and abusive language" in Ephesians 4:29 includes: profanity, euphemisms for profane words, and gossip, for example ( see also Proverbs 11:13 and Colossians 3:8, for example ).  Furthermore, Jesus ( see Matthew 15:16 ) said the following in Matthew 15:17-20:  "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body.  But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them.  For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  These are what defile you.  Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you and make you unacceptable to God!"  Jesus said that if we use evil words, we are defiled.

     This weblog posting is brief so that you, the reader, can have more time to view the Bible video ( associated with the following link ).  Please click on the link below:

<https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=6DC6D0B436523EA5!304&authkey=!AH3mUB_5HFTwihU&ithint=video%2c.wmv>.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ).  The apostle Paul ( see 1 Timothy 1:1 ) recorded the following in 1 Timothy 2:9:  "And I want women to be modest in their appearance.  They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes."  The phrase "decent and appropriate clothing" rules out: short-shorts, bikini tops, bikini bathing suits, one-piece bathing suits, short-cut shirts which reveal the bellybutton, shirts or dresses with low-cut tops ( which reveal the breasts and cleavage ), and tight-fitting dresses ( or any other tight-fitting clothing ), for example.

     Women are to dress according to what God has commanded in His word ( the Holy Bible - see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, John 1:1, 14; 7:16; 8:26; 10:25-30 ( especially verse 30, for example ); 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV or NKJV; with center-column references ) to find the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ), and not according to the sinful ( see 1 John 3:4, for example; KJV, for example ) examples of the female supermodels.  To you, the reader, if you have about 30 minutes of time available for viewing, then please click on the following link:

<https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=6DC6D0B436523EA5!254&authkey=!AN_aqphONYm5n6U&ithint=video%2c.wmv>.
This weblog posting is brief in length, to allow time for viewing the Bible video associated with the above-referenced link.  Please study the Holy Bible ( see 2 Timothy 2:15, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Living Translation ( NLT ).  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"The goal of any Bible translation is to convey the meaning of the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts as accurately as possible to the modern reader.  The New Living Translation is based on the most recent scholarship in the theory of translation.  The challenge for the translators was to create a text that would make the same impact in the life of modern readers that the original text had for the original readers.  In the New Living Translation, this is accomplished by translating entire thoughts ( rather than just words ) into natural, everyday English.  The end result is a translation that is easy to read and understand and that accurately communicates the meaning of the original text."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, Holy Bible, Gift and Award Edition copyright 1997 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., p. xiii.  ]

     Mark 10:45 reads as follows:  "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."  The Greek word ( Greek [ 3083 ] ) for the word "ransom," in Mark 10:45 ( KJV ), is defined as follows:

"something to loosen with, i.e. a redemption price (fig. atonement)."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 60. ).  ] 

The phrase, "to give his life a ransom for many" in Mark 10:45 ( KJV; with center-column references ), has a cross-reference to Titus 2:14.  Titus 2:13, 14 ( KJV; with center-column references ) read as follows:  "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

     Moreover, the phrase "Who gave himself for us" in Titus 2:14 ( KJV; with center-column references ), has a cross-reference to Galatians 1:4.  Galatians 1:3, 4 ( KJV; with center-column references ) read as follows:  "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."  Romans 6:3, 4 read as follows:  "Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."  Galatians 3:27 reads as follows:  "And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him."

     Thus, with all of the above-given information in mind, we are made like Christ when we are united with Him in baptism.  We come in contact with the blood of Christ when we are buried with Him by baptism:  a figurative sprinkling of His blood, upon us, occurs during this act of immersion in water ( see Hebrews 10:22 and 1 Peter 1:1, 2, for example ).  We are freed from our sins by the blood that Jesus Christ shed for us ( see Revelation 1:5, for example ).  Since the blood of Jesus Christ frees us from our sins, the blood that He shed at his death is the redemption price for our sins.  Additionally, just as God raised Jesus of Nazareth to life and freed Him from the grip of death ( see Acts 2:22-24, for example ), God loosens us from that grip of death, with regard to our past sins ( see Romans 6:23; 8:11, for example );  the blood of Jesus Christ frees us from them once we are baptized.

     Therefore, when we read the word "ransom" in Mark 10:45, for example, the image of the lifeless body of Jesus Christ, hanging on the cross of Calvary for our sins, must come to mind ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example - see Luke 23:33 ( KJV; with center-column references ) to find the equivalent translation for the word "Calvary" ) and Romans 6:10, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

     

The Holy Bible.

     A copy of the CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION ( CEV ) of the Holy Bible; being entitled: open hearts, open minds, OUTDOORS!, is pictured to the left.  Daniel 2:36-45 read as follows:

"That was the dream, and now I'll tell you what it means.  Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings, and God has highly honored you with power over all humans, animals, and birds.  You are the head of gold.  After you are gone, another kingdom will rule, but it won't be as strong.  Then it will be followed by a kingdom of bronze that will rule the whole world.  Next, a kingdom of iron will come to power, crushing and shattering everything.  This fourth kingdom will be divided-it will be both strong and brittle, just as you saw that the feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay.  This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don't stick together.  During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall.  It will be like stone that was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands-the stone that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold.  Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation."  The four kingdoms being referenced in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible are as follows:  Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman.  Jesus was born during the time of the Roman empire ( see Luke 2:1, 5, 21, for example );  the phrase "Caesar Augustus" appears in Luke 2:1 ( KJV, for example ).  Please read Luke, chapter 2, to get the context.

     Jesus prophesied ( see Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:19-26, for example ) concerning the church in Matthew 16:18.  Luke ( cf. Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1 ) recorded the following in Acts 2:14-17:  "Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd:  Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say!  You are wrong to think that these people are drunk.  After all, it is only nine o'clock in the morning.  But this is what God had the prophet Joel say, 'When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy.  Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.'"  Acts 2:17 ( KJV; with center-column references ) has a cross-reference to Joel 2:28-32.  Thus, what was prophesied by the prophet Joel ( in Joel, chapter 2 ) occurred on the day of Pentecost, as we read in Acts, chapter 2.

     The church which Jesus mentioned in Matthew 16:18 was first established on earth in Jerusalem ( see Acts 2:5, 38, 41, and 47, for example );  the word "church" appears in Acts 2:47 ( KJV, for example ).  Thus, the "eternal kingdom that will never fall" ( as we read in Daniel 2:44 ) is a reference to the New Testament church.  The phrase "eternal kingdom" ( the word "kingdom" in singular form ) clearly implies that since there is only one eternal kingdom, there can only be one New Testament church.  This New Testament church is the church of Christ ( see Romans 16:16 and Ephesians 1:22, 23, for example, and recall Matthew 16:18 );  the phrases "churches of Christ" ( see Romans 16:16; KJV, for example ) and "Christ's churches" ( see Romans 16:16; CEV ) must have the same meaning.

     With all of the above-given information in mind, "religious" denominationalism is not authorized in the Holy Bible.  This means that the Methodist denomination, for example, is not the New Testament church.  The time of Acts, chapter 2, was circa A.D. 33.  The various Methodist denominations were not established until the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries A.D.  [  See Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES:  NEW TENTH EDITION, MEAD, FRANK S., Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press, pp. 194-207.  ]

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  The words "empire" and "kingdom" are somewhat similar in meaning, though the word "kingdom" is specifically used in the phrases "kingdom of heaven" ( see Matthew 5:3, for example ) and "kingdom of God" ( see Matthew 6:33, for example; KJV, for example ), for example.  The word "empire" does not appear in the sacred text of the King James Version New Testament.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ) of the Holy Bible.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"This preface is addressed to you by the Committee of translators, who wish to explain, as briefly as possible, the origin and character of our work.  The publication of our revision is yet another step in the long, continual process of making the Bible available in the form of the English language that is most widely current in our day.  To summarize in a single sentence:  the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is an authorized revision of the Revised Standard Version, published in 1952, which was a revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which, in turn, embodied earlier revisions of the King James Version, published in 1611."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, New Revised Standard Version, Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan  49530, U.S.A., Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, p. vii.  ]

Job 24:1-8 read as follows:

"Why are times not kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see days?  The wicked remove landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.  They drive away the donkey of the orphan; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.  They thrust the needy off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.  Like wild asses in the desert they go out to their toil, scavenging in the wasteland food for their young.  They reap in a field not their own and they glean in the vineyard of the wicked.  They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.  They are wet with the rain of the mountains, and cling to the rock for want of shelter" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

Psalm 61:1-3 read as follows:

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I call you, when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

     Psalm 61:1-3 ( KJV ) read as follows:

"HEAR my cry, O God;  attend unto my prayer.  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:  lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

Romans 12:1, 2 read as follows:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect."

James 1:27 reads as follows:

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:  to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

     From Job 24:7, 8 we learn the spiritual plight of the wicked.  Specifically, they are spiritually naked and, thus, they are exposed to the cold, harsh elements of this sinful world ( see John 16:1-11 ( especially verse 8, for example ), for example ) in which we live.  They have no shelter from these elements.

     The lesson we learn from Psalm 61:1-3 is that God is our refuge ( or the word "shelter"; KJV ).  God will shelter us from the enemy.  Who is this enemy, ultimately?  Jesus ( see Matthew 13:34 ) said in Matthew 13:39 that the enemy is the devil ( please read Matthew 13:34-42 to get the context ).

     With Romans 12:1, 2 and James 1:27 in mind, when one is not conformed to this world, then that one keeps himself or herself unstained by the world.  God, through His will, will shelter us from this sinful world.  1 Timothy 2:3, 4 ( KJV ) read as follows:  "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."  God's will is clearly stated in the preceding passage from the Holy Bible.  See also 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 and James 1:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ), for example.

     Only the "one who believes and is baptized will be saved" ( see Mark 16:16 ).  We know that when one is baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of his or her sins, that such individual puts on Christ ( see Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), and Galatians 3:27, for example ); becoming a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ).

     Therefore, if one is a Christian, he or she lives a sheltered life; being sheltered by God from this sinful world.  Those of us who are Christians must not allow sinners ( see Matthew 26:45, for example ) to try to discourage us ( see Hebrews 12:3, for example ) from living such a sheltered life.  Please study the Holy Bible ( see 2 Timothy 2:15, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  In the bibliography of the copy of the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ) of the Holy Bible ( pictured above ), a national council of Churches of Christ is referenced. It is important to understand that the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:18 and Romans 16:16, for example ) is not a member of any such national council of churches. Such a structure is not authorized in the Holy Bible. Rather, each local congregation ( see Galatians 1:2, for example ) of the universal church of Christ ( see Ephesians 1:22, 23, for example ) is to be autonomous; having elders and deacons in those local congregations where men are qualified to serve as elders and deacons ( see Acts 14:23; 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4, for example ).

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of the KING JAMES VERSION ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible; being entitled: The Scofield Study Bible.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"The last fifty years have witnessed  an intensity and breadth of interest in Bible study unprecedented in the history of the Christian Church.  Never before have so many reverent, learned, and spiritual men brought to the study of the Scriptures minds so free from merely controversial motive.  A new and vast exegetical and expository literature has been created, inaccessible for bulk, cost, and time to the average reader.  The winnowed and attested results of this half-century of Bible study are embodied in the notes, summaries, and definitions of this edition.  Expository novelties, and merely personal views and interpretations, have been rejected."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, KING JAMES VERSION, SCOFIELD STUDY SYSTEM, SCOFIELD, C. I., D.D., NEW YORK, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, The Scofield Reference Bible, Copyright 1909, 1917; copyright renewed, 1937, 1945 by Oxford University Press, Inc., p. iii.  ]

     Job 32:21 reads as follows:  "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Psalm 111:1, 9 read as follows:  "PRAISE ye the LORD, I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.  He sent redemption unto his people:  he hath commanded his covenant for ever:  holy and reverend is his name" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Matthew 19:16, 17 read as follows:  "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?  there is none good but one, that is, God:  but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."  Matthew 23:9 reads as follows:  "And call no man your father upon the earth:  for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

     The lesson from Job 32:21 is clear:  we are not to give flattering titles to any human being.  This means that we are not to call any man "reverend," for example.  Furthermore, women are not to be given such titles either.  To begin with, the same lesson applies to women, as it does to men.  Secondly, women are not allowed to be gospel preachers, and they are not allowed to lead the worship service - period ( see 1 Timothy 2:12, for example ).

     Moreover, with Psalm 111:1, 9 in mind, only God's name is reverend.  Psalm 111:9 ( ESV ) reads as follows:  "He sent redemption to his people;  he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name!"  Thus, only God is to be called awesome.

     Jesus ( see Matthew 19:14 ) refused to be called "Good," as we read in Matthew 19:16, 17.  The Greek word ( Greek [ 18 ] ) for the word "Good," in Matthew 19:16 is defined as follows:

"upright, honorable."  [  See THE NEW THAYER'S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON, Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D., HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS  01961-3473, Copyright 1979, 1981, by Jay P. Green, Sr., p. 2.  ]

We know that Jesus is upright and honorable ( see Hebrews 4:14, 15, for example ).  Therefore, we must conclude that Jesus, Himself, refused to be given a flattering title.  Additionally, Proverbs 25:27 ( NKJV ) reads as follows:  "It is not good to eat much honey;  so to seek one's own glory is not glory."

     Finally, Jesus ( see Matthew 23:1 ) said, in Matthew 23:9, to call no man on earth your father.  The same Greek word ( Greek [ 3962 ] ) is used for the words "father," and "Father," in this verse in the Holy Bible; this Greek word being defined as follows:

"a title of honor [cf. Sophocles, Lex. s. v. ], applied to  a.  teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received:  Mt.  xxiii.  9. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. 495.  ]

Thus, Jesus teaches in Matthew 23:9 that we are not to use the name "father" as a title of honor for any man, as is done with priests in the Catholic denomination, for example.  Such a title of honor belongs only to the heavenly Father.  Please study the Holy Bible ( see 2 Timothy 2:15, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of the NEW KING JAMES VERSION ( NKJV ) of the Holy Bible.  The following quotation is taken from this version:

"In harmony with the purpose of the King James scholars, the translators and editors of the present work have not pursued a goal of innovation.  They have perceived the Holy Bible, New King James Version, as a continuation of the labors of the earlier translators, thus unlocking for today's readers the spiritual treasures found especially in the Authorized Version of the Holy Scriptures."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, NEW KING JAMES VERSION, THOMAS NELSON PUBLISHERS, Nashville, Copyright 1988 Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. iii.  ]

     The apostle Peter ( see 1 Peter 1:1 ), in writing to Christians ( see Acts 9:1-22 ( especially verse 20, for example ); 11:19-26 ( especially verse 26, for example ), Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 1:22, 23, Hebrews 10:22, and 1 Peter 1:1, 2, for example ), referred to the church as a chosen generation. Therefore, veterans of the second world war are not members of the greatest generation ( unless they are members of the New Testament church ). The greatest generation is the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:18 and Romans 16:16, for example ). Thus, Christians ( members of the church - see Acts 2:41, 47 and Romans 12:5, and recall Acts 11:26, Galatians 3:27, and Ephesians 1:22, 23, for example ) are the greatest generation.

     Nevertheless, I do not want to be unthankful for the sacrifices that members of the United States military have made for this country in the past.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads as follows:  "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Therefore, as a Christian, I am commanded by God ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ) to give thanks in everything, and that I will do; being most thankful for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary for the sins of everyone ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ), Romans 6:10, and Hebrews 9:23-28 ( especially verse 26, for example ), for example ), since no human sacrifice compares to His.

     However, there are things that this country represents that I, as a Christian, do not represent.  The United States of America represents freedom of religion ( or, more accurately, "religion" ).  Freedom of religion is not authorized in the Holy Bible.  Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  This statement that Jesus made rules out Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, and everyone else.  Jesus is the only way to come to the Father.

     Moreover, freedom of speech is not authorized in the Holy Bible.  The apostle Paul ( see Ephesians 1:1 ) recorded the following in Ephesians 4:29:  "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."  Thus, Christians are not to: use profanity nor euphemisms for profane words ( see also Colossians 3:8, for example ), gossip ( recall Colossians 3:8, for example ), listen to gossip ( see Proverbs 26:22 and Ephesians 5:11, for example ), nor lie ( see Ephesians 4:25, for example ), for example.

     There are other "freedoms" set forth in the United States Constitution, which are condemned in the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, John 1:1, 14; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:8, 9, 1 John 5:6, 7, and recall 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ).  Whatever the case may be, whoever is baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of his or her sins ( see Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), and Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), for example ), will become a member of the greatest generation - the New Testament church.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  It is a sin to fight for freedom of religion ( see Ephesians 4:5, 1 Timothy 6:12, and 1 John 3:4 ( KJV, for example ), and recall John 14:6, for example ), for example.