6 – EXPLANATIONS – CTW-2022-E

6 – EXPLANATIONS – CTW-2022-E

CHALLENGED TO WIN by Gregory Fernandez

Chapter 6 – EXPLANATIONS

This chapter is Theo-philosophical. This chapter deals with explaining Terms, Concepts and how Temptation works.

As in all other chapters, I have drawn thoughts based on THE HOLY BIBLE.

Further down in the text, I will describe some terms concerning THE HOLY BIBLE.

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This chapter is in THREE PARTS. They are:

NON-CHRISTIANS – as an introduction to Christian terms in various chapters.

CHRISTIANS – as an introduction to Christian terms that are less familiar.
DIFFICULT topics for CHRISTIANS of how religion and religious people can be misled by evil.

Please keep the following in mind:

Marriage attacks may appear to be the deeds of the husband, the wife, the in-laws, and the people around. However, the actual provocation is from the devil using the near and dear ones to attack each other. He instigates enmity.

He causes people to fight with each other. His effectiveness is on:

Making people look at each other as enemies.
He conceals his involvement, thereby not drawing attention to himself. You do not raise defences if you do not know about an enemy.

The strategy is cunning because if you do not see the instigator, you do not think about him and consequently do not defend yourself.

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The words of this text may sound strainful, but then, the attacks of the evil one are always troublesome.

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The last point in this text is Commercial Greed.

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Let us look at these THREE PARTS.

NON-CHRISTIANS’ introduction.

This part explains Christian terms to Non-Christians so they can follow the Christian perspective and meaning of the words in the text.

CHRISTIANS introduction to Christian terms.

Sad as it sounds, there is a gross lack of Christian Teaching in today’s world. Unfortunately, many of today’s Christians lack Christian knowledge. This book is not a Catechism book; however, it attempts to give some people a general sense of Christian terms.

DIFFICULT topics for CHRISTIANS

The HEADING, a DIFFICULT topic for CHRISTIANS, deals with problematic areas because we are trying to see the INVISIBLE ENEMY that attacks Marriages.

The way to bring out the problems is by EXAMPLES of what has happened to:

Ordinary people and
Religious people.

Ordinary people and Religious people get tempted by the devil, and he uses both outsiders and insiders to bring disturbance.

Now, If the devil can tempt religious people, there is no reason for the devil not to trip ordinary people in all spheres of human activities, including Marriage.

WHY MARRIAGE?

The Bible has not explicitly told us, so we are surmising.

There is a surmise that the devil has a particular GRUDGE because God gave Humans the ability to Pro-Create. But, for reasons best known to God, He did not provide angels with this Pro-Creative power.

He granted a Man and a Woman under the TRIUNE relationship of GOD-Man and Woman the gift of Holy Pro-Creation. The ability to Pro-Create, we figure, is why the devil attacks Marriage with constant determination.

PRIDE and JEALOUSY may be the reason for the devil’s grudge against humanity. His bitterness could be: “Humans can- and I cannot.”

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I want to cite a few examples of how the devil attacks Religious Teachers.

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FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO SOLVE MARITAL OR OTHER CONFLICTS

We need to get acquainted with the reality of Marriage attacks. If our simple terms and understanding were sufficient, no books on Marital Problems would be unnecessary.

If we want to solve a marriage conflict, we must realise that we have no choice but to vault onto a higher plateau of understanding. Otherwise, all efforts towards marriage reunification will only bring us to the same point and conclusions where we now find ourselves. We must often reach beyond our grasp, especially if the goal is challenging. Robert Browning put this beautifully when he wrote: “Man’s reach must exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

THINKING BEHIND THIS CHAPTER

The concept or the idea of this book started in India around 1992. Initially, I thought I would write this chapter, EXPLANATION, so that Non-Christians readers could better understand my text.

97% of the people in India are not Christians. My friends who showed great encouragement for this book are non-Christians. They range from old-school friends to business friends. Some are single; others are married. Many have children. I would not like them to lose their train of thought because they are unfamiliar with some Christian terms. Therefore, I have clarified a few phrases and words.

However, over the years, I felt it necessary to enlarge the explanation to cover a broader range of readers.

Apart from my non-Christian readers, specific terms can be informative even for Christian readers. Defining some terminologies allows me to bring precision to what I want to convey.

As I mentioned, I have oriented my idea on scriptures from the Holy Bible in this book. In most cases, I quoted the entire Bible verse or verses. I have done this first because I want to convey the Bible Text. Secondly, I wanted to present my readers with a handy and on-the-spot reference without cross-referencing to a second book, the Bible.

Almost all the scriptural quotations are from The Open Bible THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION.

By the way, I have translated this book into German and Vietnamese.

The Bible translations for the Bible quotations are from translating THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION into German and Vietnamese. This way, I know what I am translating.

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Language is like a living thing; it evolves all the time. New words get formed, and new phrases come into existence. AND SURPRISINGLY, the words’ meanings and usage may change with time.

Let me illustrate what I mean:

In the 1950s, the word GAY meant cheerful and happy and colourful. Around the 1990s, GAY implied Homosexual.

We see word meaning can change.

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WRITING HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE

It took over 1500 years to write the Bible, and no one is sure how many people wrote it. There is all kind of guesses of possibly 40 to 70 authors. So taking 1500 years and a large number of authors, translations are unavoidable. Likewise, time-related language and word changes are inevitable.

I look at Bible from a STUDY and TEACHING POINT OF VIEW; I am looking for the accuracy of words, phrases, nuances and study perspectives.

From the English language point of view, I feel THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION is the best and most accurate for my teaching work.

THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION is a WORD FOR WORD Writing style. It is conducive to serious study.

The other styles are MEANING FOR MEANING Style. It is for less studious and shallower reading.

The PARAPHRASED style relies on some earthy explanation to amplify the meaning.

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For Technical and Non-Technical reasons, the Vatican did not get into the TRANSLATION activity and left it in a “Free For All” state. As a result, the Commercial World saw an opportunity of immense proportions.

The Bible is the most translated and sold literary work on the planet.

The Vatican had an answer for itself: They said they had the LATIN VULGATE translated by Jerome in 382 AD.

TRANSLATION SLANTS

When the Bible came under Commercial interest, there were MANY WRITING SLANTS to obtain “Advantages.”

Some of the WRITING SLANTS were:

To write in modern English
To write within a limited vocabulary of, say, 5000 words. So that people from non-English-speaking countries can keep up.
Others preferred the exact WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION from the original Bible text.
Yet others preferred THOUGHT FOR THOUGHT TRANSLATION instead of WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION.
The LIST and REASONS for different slants go on and on.

Translations styles are attempts to cater to different groups of people.

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SIMILARITY OF WORDS IN COMMON LANGUAGE AND SCRIPTURAL LANGUAGE.

Some words in Scripture are also the exact words used in everyday language—for example, HEART, MIND, BODY etc. So a Non-Christian may get confused with the Christian Scriptural meaning.

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In this book, I have used the word in CAPITAL LETTERS and BOLDING for the Scriptural usage of the Words. In addition, I have used unbolded, lowercase words when referring to a person’s physical side, like organs of the body or bodily functions.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE

My comments in this chapter are only concerned with words used in ENGLISH – (by certain religious groups.)

My comments are about my limited observance of the English language found in some churches where I have been.

As I mentioned, I am translating this book into German and Vietnamese.

I cannot translate text or colloquial meanings as in other countries, like Germany or Vietnam.

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Back again to the main text of this book:

THE FIRST PART

FOR NON-CHRISTIANS

TERMS that are helpful to get acquainted with different words commonly used in the text, for example:

DOGMA

For the benefit of my Non-Christian reader, there is a term called DOGMA.

A dogma is a term where religious teachers ask us to believe in some event or thing, even though the proof is unavailable. A Dogma is beyond our current human knowledge and understanding. We accept religious teaching because we accept the fact that our expertise and experience are finite. We also acknowledge that the vast realm of truth, knowledge and understanding lies undiscovered. But above all, as believers in religious Faith, we accept a DOGMA because our religion asks us to accept and believe it. There are many such tenets of doctrinal teaching in religion, which we call and receive as dogmas.

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All people have the word GOD and define the meaning. I attempt to explain the term GOD from a Christian way.

GOD

The term GOD.

In the previous chapters, we have used the word, GOD. But in subsequent chapters, we will come across words which differentiate between:

GOD THE FATHER,

GOD THE SON (MEANING JESUS CHRIST) and

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

For brevity, The Church shortened the terms to THE FATHER, THE SON or JESUS and THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Christians believe that GOD comprises three persons – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

These are three distinct ‘SPIRITUAL PERSONS’ with different and separate identities.

TOGETHER THEY FORM ONE GOD THEY ARE NOT THREE GODS! This statement is THE BASES of our belief in the Christian FAITH

The TRIUNE GOD is called the BLESSED TRINITY or the HOLY TRINITY.

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You will have noticed that ‘Person’ is within Quote marks. I have done this because God is a DIVINE PERSON. The Bible tells us that:

GOD IS A SPIRIT. JOHN. 4:24.

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The BLESSED TRINITY:

From various references in Scripture, we have gathered some inkling about these three ‘PERSONS’ in the BLESSED TRINITY. For example, the best known is THE SON, JESUS CHRIST. Because Jesus, The Son, came down to Earth. He was born and lived as a human being. There is historical evidence for this. There is also Scriptural evidence which gives us a fair amount of idea of where He was born, where He moved, taught, how He died etc.

THE HOLY BIBLE

The Holy Scripture is from the Bible. The word Bible comes from Greek, which means a collection of books. The Bible was written over 1500 years by numerous authors under divine inspiration from God.

THE TESTAMENTS

The period up to Jesus’ death on the cross is called THE OLD TESTAMENT, and after the death of Jesus, THE NEW TESTAMENT came into being.

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THE NEW TESTAMENT comprises 27 books written by at least eight authors over approximately 70 years. The New Testament is the best reference we have for who Jesus Christ is.

THE OLD TESTAMENT contains many prophesies about Jesus Christ, and the New Testament confirms these prophecies.

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Number of Books in THE BIBLE:

All authorities agree that there are 27 books in THE NEW TESTAMENT.

The number of books in THE OLD TESTAMENT varies because different Religious authorities agree to a different number of book inclusion and exclusions.

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THE NEW TESTAMENT also gives us the following:

First-hand information about the years that Jesus took human form.
We also come to know why Jesus Christ came down to Earth.
Through The Holy Scripture, Jesus clearly stated that His purpose was to SAVE HUMANITY and PAY FOR THE REMISSION of our sins through His death on the cross.
In other words, He was PAYING THE PRICE OF OUR SALVATION so that we can live on with Him in Heaven for all eternity after we die.

THIS POINT IS ESSENTIAL:

Please note when we die in a STATE OF GRACE, “we live on with Him in Heaven.”

Please note we use the word GRACE.

The word GRACE means it is a FREE GIFT OF GOD.

GRACE is not to be confused as something we earn. For example, We cannot earn our REDEMPTION; we cannot earn Heaven.

When God gives us things beyond our abilities or capabilities, we call it GRACE.

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THE SECOND PART

FOR CHRISTIANS

GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Our knowledge of GOD THE FATHER is also derived from various references in the Holy Scripture. Still, our best impressions are from the numerous citations that Jesus Christ has made about Him as His Father in Heaven. JESUS even allowed us to call Him OUR FATHER in Heaven. This relationship is easy for us to understand because we humans have a similar Father-Son relationship here on Earth.

Our understanding of the HOLY SPIRIT is less because we do not have a physical parallel in our everyday thinking. For this reason, people tend to mention The HOLY SPIRIT less. For many people, the HOLY SPIRIT is like the forgotten ‘PERSON OF THE BLESSED TRINITY’. Holy Scripture, however, has said a fair amount about Him. Before Jesus Christ died and ascended to Heaven, He promised His apostles that He would send the HOLY SPIRIT to enlighten, guide and be with His Church till the end of time. This guidance is necessary for our daily walk with the Lord (God). The HOLY SPIRIT guides the Church as a body; He also directs the person as an individual. There are many ways the HOLY SPIRIT guides the Church and the individual. One of the best-known methods, which everyone knows about, is the human CONSCIENCE. The Conscience acts as guidance, prompting us to choose between right and wrong. We feel tight or uneasy if we willfully and intentionally go against our Conscience. But, on the other hand, if we opt for the right, we get a sense of Peace. God also has different methods for people who diligently seek the Lord’s guidance.

DEUTERONOMY 4:29

BUT FROM THERE YOU WILL SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU SEEK HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.

They are subtle senses of feelings, for example, to decide between marrying or remaining single. The answer can only be specific to a particular person. In this case, while prayerfully seeking a solution, this person may feel ‘Peace’ or ‘Uneasiness’ guiding him (or her) on which way to choose. Holy Scripture has mentioned this kind of guidance as follows:

A) THE INNER WITNESS.

B) THE STILL, SMALL VOICE.

C) SIGNS IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

While there are many Scriptural references to these forms of guidance, I will limit myself to one example each.

THE INNER WITNESS:

PHILIPPIANS. 4:7

7 “THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUIDE YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”

THE STILL SMALL VOICE:

ISAIAH. 30:21

21 “YOUR EARS SHALL HEAR A WORD BEHIND YOU SAYING, ‘THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT’, WHEN EVER YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT HAND OR WHEN EVER YOU TURN TO THE LEFT.”

SIGN IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES:

There are many examples in the Bible where God has shown definite signs. For example, the parting of the Red Sea was a sign for the Israelites to cross over to the other side.

We must have a lot of discernment in interpreting signs because the signs may not be divine inspiration. Instead, they may result from mundane events or our MIND’S explanation. So, prayer and a pure heart are essential.

The three guidance methods mentioned above require we ‘wait’ upon the Lord with devotion. Most of us do when we say prayers because we only tell God our wants, wishes, and needs, and then we go away. We seldom wait in silence to hear what God wants to say to us. Somewhere along the line, we have brought religion down to the level of duty alone. We know a few Stories in the Holy Book, and what to do at a religious ceremony has made us feel adequate, but this is far from a relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. With our natural father, we behave differently we are respectful, talk to him, tell him our feelings and fears, expectations, and aspirations, and listen to what he has to say! Imagine how our earthly father would feel if we volleyed all our sides of talk at him and walked off before he could reply. Maybe He would have told you how He thinks in His love for you, but what use would it be if you were not in earshot anymore? It is never too late to learn how to listen to God. The same idea is good even to hear from our fellow men. Listening is an Art; it only comes through cultivation.

HUMAN

There are many attempts to describe a human. However, we do not know ALL that God put into a human. The following is an analysis as best as we can figure it out. We believe God made humans as a composition. The main groups that compose humans are:

The diagram is on the next page. Unfortunately, this diagram is not in the audio version.

THE BODY

We are generally very clear about what we mean by the BODY. We can describe it in terms of legs, hands, head, etc. In other words, the Body is PHYSICAL. The ancient Greeks used the word SOMA to describe man’s body. They depict the body as a definite material form with distinct boundaries that separate a person from the rest of the material world.

Scientifically speaking, a body cannot occupy the same space with another; more than two cars can occupy the same spot simultaneously, as every collision amply demonstrates. The Physics book also uses a similar definition.

The body accounts for our physical uniqueness.

The body is also at that level of SENSES. With its various organs. We sense our surroundings with our eyes; our ears, we hear; with our nose, we smell; with our tongue, we taste; with our skin, we feel. The body is that level which enables us to move, but this movement is physical. We can move in only one direction and be in only one place at a time. Time has a definite bearing on both our presence as well as our movement. Time for the Body is unidirectional, only towards the future. Events can be simultaneous and related to time.

THE SOUL

The SOUL is where THE SPIRIT OF GOD RESIDES in man. The SOUL surrounds an individual. The SPIRIT OF GOD resides in every aspect of the person. That is from the soles of his feet to the furthermost hair on his head. When the SPIRIT OF GOD lives in man’s “Material Part”, the person has LIFE on Earth. Christians believe that after we die, the SPIRIT OF GOD returns to God, our maker.

THE MIND

Often, some people confuse THE BRAIN to mean THE MIND. They tend to look upon these two terms as one and swap them around.

The unique part is they are two separate things with different functions.

BRAIN

MIND

They also require different skill sets to be treated if something should go wrong.

The BRAIN is the physical part of the body and connects with the Spinal Cord and nerves to form the NERVOUS SYSTEM. The function of the NERVOUS SYSTEM is the CONTROL, REFLEXES and REGULATORY requirements of the physical body.

Items and organs of the NERVOUS SYSTEM have immovable locations within the body.

While the NERVOUS SYSTEM has an immovable presence, The FUNCTIONS OF THE MIND are highly MOVEABLE and DYNAMIC.

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The MOVEABLE and DYNAMIC aspect that we call THE MIND concerns us in this chapter.

The MIND is the seat of the CONSCIOUS. It is the level where our thought processes take place. It is also the level where our ANALYTICAL AND LOGICAL process takes place. The term often used is INTELLECT. Further, it is the level at which we store our acquired information. Finally, we use the term MEMORY.

The functions of THE MIND are ethereal. In other words, it is an immaterial (Non-Material) aspect of a human being.

The MIND is the seat of the CONSCIOUS, which in turn functions in two faculties to include:

Man’s ANALYTICAL AND LOGICAL PROCESS.

Man’s MEMORY FUNCTION.

BOUNDARIES

Unlike the body, which has a definite boundary, the MIND has none.

The MIND CAN SHIFT ITS GEOGRAPHICAL PRESENCE AT WILL.

For example, a person may be bodily sitting in India, but in his MIND, he could be skiing down the mountains of Switzerland.

Concerning TIME

The MIND can RE-VISIT PAST EVENTS through its MEMORY and FEELINGS along with creativity, analysis, or other similar faculty.

VISIT THE FUTURE THROUGH IMAGINATION, WISHFUL THINKING, OR DAYDREAMING.

For example, a person living in 1981 can revive his childhood memories of the 1950s and go through them with feelings or analysis. Similarly, at will, he can switch his MIND to the future. For example, a child could imagine himself as a spaceship commander discovering new worlds in other galaxies. How far forward or how far back he switches his MIND is a matter of will, memory and imagination. In other words, Time for the MIND is bi-directional. Events concerning TIME can be simultaneously and irrespective of the present.

THE HEART

Like the above point, THE MIND relates to two different aspects representing the Brain and the Mind; THE HEART also has two separate functions here. But in this case, both processes use the same word, HEART.

Heart – As an organ of the body.

HEART – As a seat of EMOTIONS.

They also require different skill sets to be treated if something should go wrong.

The Heart is the physical part of the body and connects with the CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, which nourishes the physical body.

This chapter is concerned with the HEART in a biblical sense.

The HEART is the level of the SUBCONSCIOUS. The HEART is the seat of our EMOTIONS.

Love, for example, is an emotion; hate is also an emotion.

Most emotions are, as a mathematician would describe, A LINE. The line stretches to a POSITIVE EMOTION in one direction and the opposite direction to a NEGATIVE EMOTION.

For example: If we take ‘LOVE‘ as the POSITIVE EMOTION, then ‘HATE’ would be its counterpart as a NEGATIVE EMOTION. There is a mid-point to this line where the emotion is ZERO or neither POSITIVE nor NEGATIVE. The ZERO point on the number line is the “Start” progressing towards more intensity.

The inner movement of our emotions is called FEELINGS.

If we were allowed to use only one word to describe what influences the HEART, it would be DESIRE. The HEART is the place where DESIRE works.

The DESIRE of the HEART moves THE MIND to think and devise methods and commands for the BODY to act.

HEART, MIND and BODY in terms of TIME

The HEART works in the present TIME. It transfers its “DESIRE” to the MIND.

The MIND is bi-directional in terms of TIME. The MIND, in turn, transfers “Commands” to the BODY.

The BODY is unidirectional in terms of time.

The residence of the HEART in the Spiritual sense is pluralistic because the Bible tells us:

“FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.” Matthew 6:21.

So, our treasures could be many in several locations simultaneously. For example, our HEART can simultaneously be with our spouse, our children, our parents, our car, our career, our drinks, our money, our ambitions, our joys, our problems, etc. It can transcend both GEOGRAPHICAL as well as TIME boundaries.

The functions of THE HEART are ethereal. In other words, the Scriptural HEART is an immaterial aspect of a human being.

THE SOUL

The SOUL is an immaterial part of a human. It is the most immersed level within us. And yet it surrounds our person. It is that level that Jesus talked about when He said:

“THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.” LUKE 17:21.

It is the level St. Paul spoke of, saying, “THE HOLY SPIRIT… LIVES IN YOU.” 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19.

In other words, the SOUL is the sanctuary where the SPIRIT given by GOD resides with a person (1 SAMUEL 16:14).

The SOUL’S residence is throughout a person’s entire Body, MIND and HEART.

GOD gives the SPIRIT.

While THE SPIRIT resides in the SOUL, it produces Bodily Life.

The SOUL has no precise location in a person; it encompasses the entire person, from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head.

The SOUL is wherever there is LIFE– even our hair and nails. The hair and nails have no nerves, so we do not feel pain if we cut them. But the fact that they grow means that there is LIFE there.

The SOUL has no material form, so it has no physical boundaries between THE SPIRIT and the SOUL.

If the SPIRIT OF GOD leaves the BODY, death occurs.

The material aspect of the BODY, MIND and HEART die until the resurrection of the BODY,

At death, the SOUL, which keeps the SPIRIT OF GOD, goes to God, who gave it in the first place.

At the RESURRECTION OF THE PERSON, THE BODY AND SOUL UNITE. And live with God forever for all eternity.

Read God’s inspired words through the Apostles in the APOSTLES CREED.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Catholic Church, – – – – – – – ( Inserted Word)

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY,

and life everlasting.

THE WILL

If we could use only one word by which the SOUL uses its influence over the HEART, it would be THE WILL.

Just as the stimulation of the body is what inputs we get through sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, the motivation of the SOUL is THE SPIRIT OF GOD. God controls the acceptance and obedience to this SPIRIT OF GOD. We are free to choose; this choice is called OUR FREE WILL.

After death, we believe the SOUL takes up residence in either HEAVEN or HELL, depending on what good or bad a person did while in this composition of BODY, MIND, HEART, AND SOUL.

These four elements of BODY, MIND, HEART, AND SOUL complement each other. They are distinct, but in no way are they equal.

We know about this composition because Jesus Himself said so,

MARK 12:30.

30 “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.”

THE SPIRIT

The SPIRIT is non-material, which God has planted in man.

GENESIS 2:7

7 “THE LORD GOD FORMED MAN OUT OF THE CLAY OF THE GROUND AND BLEW INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE, AND SO MAN BECAME A LIVING BEING.”

The Greeks referred to this breath as ‘PNEUMA.’

Since this is the least explained aspect of man, I would like to make more than one reference:

PROVERBS. 20:27

27 “THE SPIRIT OF MAN IS THE LAMP OF THE LORD, SEARCHING ALL INNER DEPTHS OF HIS HEART.”

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ECCLESIASTES. 12: 7

7 “THEN THE DUST (BODY) WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH AS IT WAS. AND THE SPIRIT WILL RETURN TO GOD WHO GAVE IT.”

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EZEKIEL 36: 27

27 “AND I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUES, AND YOU WILL KEEP MY JUDGMENTS AND DO THEM.”

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1 JOHN. 4:13

13 “BUT THIS WE KNOW THAT WE ABIDE IN HIM AND HE IN US, BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT.”

The SPIRIT is supernatural and influences our SOULS.

This SPIRIT makes us seek divine things. Therefore, the binding between man and his God is principally due to the Spirit.

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE BODY, THE MIND, THE SOUL and THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

Just as the BODY needs food, water, air, clothing, shelter, etc., to function,

The MIND needs intellectual input,

The SOUL needs scriptural inputs to orient its well-being, and

We need the SPIRIT OF GOD to work correctly.

From the earliest times and in the world’s remotest parts, man has tried to seek God. Not because of man’s intellect but because of a drive or inner yearning of his Spirit. He may have mistaken God for Fire, Water, Earth, Air, the Sun, Moon, Stars, or anything else. But the anthropological fact remains that he has searched relentlessly for God.

God also put ETERNITY in the HEART of man.

ECCLESIASTES 3:11

HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME. ALSO HE HAS PUT ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS, EXCEPT THAT NO ONE CAN FIND OUT THE WORK THAT GOD DOES FROM BEGINNING TO END.

Somewhere in the vast modern jungles of civilisation and High Technology, the fundamental part of Man still searches relentlessly for God. In the process, he may mistake Money, Sex, Power, Bank Balances, and Political connections for God. The Spirit goes beyond the physical and intellectual grasp. That the Spirit goes beyond the physical understanding is clear, but beyond the intellectual comprehension may have to be explained. Many people are genuinely holy, devout, and pious, but this does not mean they must be able to solve a mathematical equation. They may be unsuitable. The other way around is equally valid; a good mathematician may not be able to be similarly pious, devout, or holy if he cannot put religion into a kind of intellectual grid. He may have difficulty having FAITH – not because of the intellect, but because he does not spend time listening to Scripture. Maybe, you are wondering: from where does Faith come? Faith is a gift from God. The Bible answered that:

ROMANS 10:17

17 “SO THEN FAITH COME BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.”

The study brings us to the question: WHAT IS FAITH?

HEBREWS 11: 1-3

1 “NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.

2 FOR BY IT THE ELDERS OBTAINED GOOD TESTIMONY.

3 BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORLDS WERE FORMED BY THE WORD OF GOD, SO THAT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN WERE NOT MADE OF THINGS WHICH ARE VISIBLE.”

Just as the term “THE HOLY SPIRIT” in the “BLESSED TRINITY” is complex for us to understand, likewise, the word “SPIRIT” in human beings is also not easy for us to understand. However, the reason is simple we do not have a perfect analogy for non-material things.

We do not know enough about many things in LIFE. Because we have not seen them, and we cannot describe them. But we know of their presence through their effects. We may also know something about them through the absence of their action.

Let us take a few examples: Take the word “LIFE”, for instance; what is LIFE? Try to provide a crisp description! When we look for a definition, it should universally apply to all life forms, from unicellular organisms to complex beings like humans. Many intellectual people have tried to define Life from various angles. They have only come somewhere near this complex phenomenon.

Everyone knows what LIFE is, yet it is not easy to define it explicitly. Yet, despite the lack of complete knowledge, we still attempt to describe it. In a way, we try to answer the question from the effects of absence and presence.

Electricity is another typical example. We know the bulb glows because of the electricity in the bulb. If we switch it OFF, the bulb does not shine. The reality is that we have not seen electricity – we have merely seen the effects of electricity. We have advanced sufficiently far in technology to know how to generate and produce electricity. Yet, the term electricity is technically still not adequately defined. We can only describe it as “a form of energy” – That is the best hypothesis we have. This description is generally good enough for everyday usage.

The term ‘LIFE’ for a human being means that THE BODY, MIND, HEART, SOUL and SPIRIT are actively united. If they are not, we speak of ‘death’.

Interestingly, the figures of speech we sometimes use in a language reflect some recognition of the Spirit. For example, we may say, His (or her) Spirits are down. meaning discouraged, downhearted, etc. We may also say, He (or she) is in high spirits meaning happy, joyous, and motivated. The emotions are not the Spirit. The manifestation is the effect because the Spirit is neither ‘Happiness’ nor ‘Sadness’. These can only be effects. If we want to improve our spirits, we may resort to encouragement or motivation if approached physically or intellectually. If we come to the Spirit on a spiritual level, we may resort to prayer, devotion, friendship, fellowship, exhortation, encouragement, and motivation. Regardless of how we approach the SPIRIT, we are still only on the effect level; we are not on the level of definition.

Our limitations are finite.

Most authors of books on Marriage try to explain the unification of Marriage through the MIND and BODY. Their proliferation of ideas is through the improvement of Sex, Money, Rights, Division of Work, Division of Duty, and Opinions. They are even warding and fending off Disturbances, catching up on annoyances like neighbours and in-laws. Etc. But really, any book that confines itself only to the Body and the Mind is incomplete. Man is a Composite of BODY, MIND, HEART, SOUL and SPIRIT. No amount of, Penmanship or ‘PhD., Writing can counterbalance the SPIRIT FACTOR’S absence in a Marriage book. To keep this dimension out is to ignore an aspect of the man himself. Regardless of one’s views on religion, it is impossible to write a book leaving one of these constituents of man’s personality out of the picture. The author may leave it out, but the people concerned will consciously or unconsciously bring this dimension into effect in their intra-personal relationship with their spouse or fellow persons. This dimension will interact with CONSCIENCE, regardless of whether they admit or deny a relationship with God.

—

When problems occur in our lives, we and the medical or counselling professions tend to classify the problem under three broad categories:

If it only involves the body, we may use the term SOMATIC.

If it involves the Body because of influences from the MIND or HEART, it is called PSYCHOSOMATIC.

If the trouble with the SPIRITUAL LIFE influences it, for example, an undesirable conscience, it is referred to as PNEUMO-SOMATIC.

The components of MIND, HEART and SOUL constitute an overlapping grey area.

Therefore, it seems easier to group THE MIND and THE HEART closer to the Body and the SOUL closer to GOD.

In the chapter on SIN, we look at Temptation; we find that Temptation attacks the MIND process along with the emotional interplay with the ‘HEART’ and the WILL to reject the God-given Conscience. The SOUL is that ethereal container that contains the SPIRIT OF GOD that God has placed within each one of us.

—

THE THIRD PART

DIFFICULT topics for CHRISTIANS of how the devil can mislead religion teachers and religious people.

This HEADING, DIFFICULT topic for CHRISTIANS, deals with a problematic area because we are trying to see the INVISIBLE ENEMY that attacks Marriages.

The way to bring out the problems is by EXAMPLE of what has happened to:

Ordinary people and
Religious people.

Both groups get tempted by the devil, and he uses both outsiders and insiders.

Now, If the devil can tempt religious people, there is no reason for the devil not to trip ordinary people in all spheres of human activities, including Marriage.

—

This book is not a full-blown book about Temptation, so I will briefly point out a few examples of ATTACK BY THE devil.

The intention is only to make the reader aware that we are up against a highly tricky adversary;

—

This area of DIFFICULTIES is split into TWO BROAD GROUPS because each group has different temptations.

The Groups are:

ATTACKS ON PEOPLE IN GENERAL (as opposed TO RELIGIOUS TEACHERS)

ATTACKS ON RELIGIOUS TEACHERS

—

We will first look at ATTACKS ON PEOPLE IN GENERAL (as opposed TO RELIGIOUS TEACHERS)

—

ATTACKS ON PEOPLE IN GENERAL (as opposed TO RELIGIOUS TEACHERS)

In GEN 3, the whole chapter deals with the following:

The Temptation and Fall of Man.

Adam and Eve knew God. They were sinless.

The devil tempted sinless Adam and Eve, who knew God face to face.

—

The devil even tried to tempt Jesus, the SON OF GOD!

This incident is known as SATAN TEMPTS JESUS – or – TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS

MATTHEW 4:1–11

LUKE 4:1–13

—

The Bible has many examples of how the devil tempted good people. Names like Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, and many more. Compared to these great people, we are nowhere on their level of Faith or goodness.

Marriage is also the devil’s target. So as people wrestle with Marriage problems, they need to know that we need God’s whole armour to withstand the devil’s wiles. Pure human effort is not enough against such a tricky enemy.

Here is an effective PRAYER.

EPHESIANS 6:10-18

THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

10 FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.

11 PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.

12 FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE, AGAINST SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.

13 THEREFORE TAKE UP THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND.

14 STAND THEREFORE, HAVING GIRDED YOUR WAIST WITH TRUTH, HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 AND HAVING SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH WITH WHICH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE.

17 AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD;

18 PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, BEING WATCHFUL TO THIS END WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR ALL THE SAINTS—

—

HERE IS A POINT THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DO NOT KNOW.

THE DEVIL CAN NOT READ ANYONE’S MIND. God never gave the devil that ability.

In a human sense, only Jesus had that ability:

The Bible informs us that Jesus Christ could read the minds of others.

In MATTHEW 9:4, and Luke 9:47, we read:

Jesus directly states He has the power to read minds when He says,

4 BUT JESUS, KNOWING THEIR THOUGHTS, SAID, “WHY DO YOU THINK EVIL IN YOUR HEARTS?

Nowhere does it say the devil OR EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN have the power to read a person’s MIND.

If the devil could read a person’s MIND, he would not waste time tempting Eve, Job, Jesus, or anyone else. Instead, he would go out and make mischief.

IF THE DEVIL CAN NOT READ THE HUMAN MIND, WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

(This is a far-stretching topic. I will summarise)

The devil does:

Satan will approach three areas of our lives to gain insight and influence our thoughts.

1. AN APPROACH TO OUR FLESH.

FOR EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD—THE LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE—COMES NOT FROM THE FATHER BUT FROM THE WORLD. – 1 JOHN 2:16

Typically, when we fall into sin, it will come under one of these categories, the FLESH being one of them. The WORLD and the devil are the others.

2. TO APPROACH TO OUR FEARS.

BE ALERT AND OF SOBER MIND. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. – 1 PETER 5:8

He will seek TO APPROACH OUR FEARS because he knows that when fear kicks in, anxiety and worry go up, and we will often shrink back from what or who we are supposed to be.

3. AN APPROACH TO OUR FAITH.

He will seek to get us to question, as he did with Eve, did God really say?

I want you to understand why he uses these tactics and how they play into his ultimate goal.

Let me sum these three up like this.

WHEN YOU FALL INTO SIN, IT WILL DESTROY YOU.

WHEN YOU ARE OVERWHELMED WITH FEAR, IT WILL FRIGHTEN YOU.

WHEN DOUBT OVERTAKES YOU, IT WILL DISCOURAGE YOU.

The bottom line is that his goal is to render you ineffective for the kingdom of God, whether it is a SIN, FEAR, OR DOUBT.

He knows he cannot have you if you are in Christ, so he opts for the next best thing. He tries to make your witness and testimony of no value or to discourage you with fear and doubt, so you lose all desire to share your testimony with anyone else.

He cannot do that by reading your mind – – – – but by influencing your thoughts.

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THE INCOMING INFLUENCES

Can Satan read our minds?

The answer is NO.

But he will attempt to INFLUENCE YOUR THOUGHTS,

– But he is a crafty opponent, and it is up to us to be aware of his methods and schemes.

When you recognise this, you can create a barrier and be aware of thoughts flowing in and out of your MIND. That is why God’s word is so important and why you must pay attention to everything you allow and what you spend time on.

You set up a defence by guarding your HEART so Satan cannot break through.

While he cannot read your MIND, he will try to influence your thoughts.

If you let your guard down, it will eventually show up in YOUR ACTIONS. So, guard your HEART and MIND because this is one way you can overcome the schemes of the enemy.

—

THE OUTGOING INFLUENCES

He waits to HEAR, SEE, or DO what you like and designs his TRICKS accordingly. Then he makes these points as HIS METHODS OF TEMPTATION.

The devil knew about the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE of GOOD AND EVIL. He also knew that God told Adam not to eat the fruit of that particular tree. So he also told Eve about it. The devil is an expert in observing human beings. He must have gathered that Adam and Eve admired God’s ability to KNOW things. So in GEN1:4, he said, “you will be like God, KNOWING good and evil.”

Verse 7: She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Eve’s FREEWILL test:

OBEY GOD AND DON’T EAT THE FRUIT and not have knowledge or
EAT THE FRUIT AND GET KNOWLEDGE.

The test was OBEY GOD.

KNOWLEDGE was merely the carrot dangling on the string.

The consequence brought them and all their generation into a position to be REDEEMED.

—

Let us look at the 15^th Century

—

In the 15 Century, a practising Catholic king faced a test. He desired to have a male heir. It is an understandable desire.

However, when his wife (and later wives) could not produce a living male heir, that setback was difficult for him.

No male heir was His TRIAL.

His Temptation was to CHOOSE either to: Let God have His Divine way or take matters into his hands.

Long story short, Since the Pope would not annul his marriage, the advisor told the king to declare himself as the head of the Church. This way, he could act like the Pope and annul his marriage.

The advisor put it to the king as an option. Both the advisor and the king knew about MATTHEW 19:4

4 AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID TO THEM, “HAVE YOU NOT READ THAT HE WHO MADE THEM AT THE BEGINNING ‘MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,’ 5 AND SAID, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? 6 SO THEN, THEY ARE NO LONGER TWO BUT ONE FLESH. THEREFORE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE.”

The test was OBEY GOD.

FORMING A NEW CHURCH and PRONOUNCING himself the head of the Church was not the way to go. Disobeying God is a sin. And has consequences.

Sin brings consequences, even to the innocent. For instance, many senseless wars resulted.

To behave like the Head of his Church, he had to have some of the Church text altered to claim some originality.

So, he made a “LOOK-ALIKE BIBLE TEXT”.

—

Now, we come to the second half of the topic.

===

I need to say a few words on this part of the text:

I am pointing out two texts used by two of the most significant and prominent MAIN STREAM CHRISTIAN GROUPS* that show how the evil one misled the teachers of both groups.

For information, MAIN STREAM CHRISTIAN GROUPS* is a term that represents Christian groups that acknowledge and believe in the BLESSED TRINITY or HOLY TRINITY.

Some other groups call themselves Christians but do not acknowledge all THREE PERSONS of the HOLY TRINITY. The MAIN STREAM CHRISTIAN GROUPS* denounce them as fellow CHRISTIANS.

I am not criticising any group’s ideas.

I have always been Catholic, at least from my great-grandparent’s time.

In my ancestral region of GOA, India, the body of St. Francis Xavier has lain without embalming and has been visible to the public for over 450 years.

On 11 December 1553, St. Francis Xavier’s body was in Goa – in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

On 2 December 1637, the Church put his body under a glass canopy.

—

I do not want to give the impression that One Christian group is speaking wrong about another Christian group. We are all children of God. We do not differ or disagree on GOD, the Bible or the Word of God. There are, however, human aspects and practices that are different. These differences are trifle and inconsequential to the Christian Faith.

I read and follow God’s word as best as I can. I refer to Catholic and Denomination Christians for my Bible Study classes. THE HOLY SPIRIT does not divide goodness when He inspires teachers of either group.

What I write below is only to show how the evil one influences people in general and those who teach religion regardless of the Christian group.

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ATTACKS ON RELIGIOUS TEACHERS

Note I have not written BY THE RELIGIOUS TEACHERS, but ON RELIGIOUS TEACHERS

In the examples cited below, the religious teachers did not create wrong text by their capabilities; instead, the devil worked ON them by TEMPTING THEM to write DEFECTIVE words.

As we go through the article, we see that different groups word things wrongly. The devil tempts all religious groups to write wrong things. Then the devil instigates the other group about the bad writing —the other group comments. Soon there are ill feelings on both sides. They are a division. Creating divisions is his goal. We, as Christian groups, need to recognise the troublemaker. – Guard ourselves – and pray for each other.

—

USING TRICKY WORDING

The next point concerns the tricky wording involving the English language in the PRAYER TEXT.

The WHO – NOT WHICH or

The I BELIEVE – NOT WE BELIEVE or

BODY – NOT DEAD

THE DEVIL-USED CORRUPT MEANINGS USING ENGLISH done by INFLUENCING ENGLISH-SPEAKING RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES.

The following examples deal with how the devil uses learned people to CORRUPT MEANINGS USING ENGLISH using ENGLISH-SPEAKING RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES.

—

AT THIS POINT in the writing, I WANT TO INTERJECT ON A PERSONAL NOTE.

I love the ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Let me emphatically point out: I love the ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

I consider English as the most effective Man-Made COMMUNICATION TOOL.

Besides living in six countries and practising Engineering, working and teaching on three continents, I also had the good fortune to lead Bible study on two continents.

I owe everything to GOD.

In unison with GOD’s help, the ENGLISH LANGUAGE made my work enjoyable and effective.

I feel offended when the Temptation comes from using the ENGLISH LANGUAGE to make people write the wrong things. I find this both offensive and deplorable.

—

ATTACKS ON RELIGIOUS TEACHERS

WHY DOES THE DEVIL PICK OUT RELIGIOUS TEACHERS TO DO HIS CORRUPT WORK?

THE REASON is that the devil influences and corrupts the work of the teachers. When the devil corrupts teachers, people mistake ‘wrong teaching’ for ‘correct teaching’.

When the devil steers the Temptation, it is difficult to distinguish between correct and incorrect.

Do not forget the devil knows Scripture very well. We see his knowledge when he tempted Jesus in the Wilderness. He threw a suggestion at Jesus, But Jesus replied using a passage from Scripture. The devil used Scripture verses for the rest of the incident.

SO-CALLED WELL-EDUCATED TEACHERS

Religious teachers often have degrees in theology, divinity, philosophy and other subjects.

Some could easily be in ministering and have pastoral occupations as well.

There are plenty of devil-influenced teachers right from Biblical times to today. But, as Christians, we must connect with God all the time.

It is not enough to pray for yourself; you HAVE to pray for your leaders regardless of whether they are religious, political or any other leaders.

—

I am not mentioning points to say who is wrong. My idea is only to point out how good and educated people are tricked by the devil. There are many defective teachings. I am only pointing out FOUR:

EXPLAINING THE BLESSED TRINITY
WHO – NOT WHICH in the LORD’S PRAYER
I – NOT WE usage in prayer. For Example, IN THE APOSTLES’ CREED
“THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY” – NOT “THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD”

—

I’m not eager to write in this area because the examples show how the devil tricked good people.

In humility, I have to say we ordinary people are even more susceptible.

I have no intention to sound judgemental but only be cautious.

—

Example 1

DEFECTIVE TEACHING

A MYSTERY SPIN by the RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE.

BLESSED TRINITY or THE HOLY TRINITY

Earlier in this chapter, we spoke about the BLESSED TRINITY or THE HOLY TRINITY.

The devil conjured up a MYSTERY SPIN about “How difficult it is to understand the BLESSED TRINITY“. Then, he used RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE to explain how difficult it was for the public to understand.

His lie is that the BLESSED TRINITY is too difficult for people to understand.

The RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE will oust anyone who says the BLESSED TRINITY is not difficult to understand. The RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE feel violated.

The explanation is downright simple:

For example, take the word: ‘FAMILY’; the family could consist of a father, a mother, and a child. Of course, these three are distinct and different persons, but this composition is still only one family, not three.

So,

GOD THE FATHER,

GOD THE SON (MEANING JESUS CHRIST) and

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Three distinct ‘Persons’ make up GOD. Simple.

Please note that GOD’S WORDS are simple, direct and correct;

The wrong mystified explanation is the devil’s work through man.

The problem is that the so-called ‘Deceived educated” conjured a MYSTERY SPINS.

Their “Downlines” have to agree with the “Boss’ ” mystified explanation.

If anyone questioned or disagreed with the Bosse’s thinking, that person was sacked or called a heretic or something similar.

—

The problem is not of Religion or the FACTS but one of the Boss’s EGO feeling wounded.

The devil worked by using the Boss’s ego.

—

GOING WITH THE BOSS’ DRUM BEAT

This case of going on with the “Boss’s” wrong explanation is like the fairytale of THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES. By Hans Christian Andersen

—

Example 2

WHO – NOT WHICH in the LORD’S PRAYER

The CORRECT VERSION says: “OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN – – – -“

The DEFECTIVE VERSION says: “OUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN – – – -“

Now, I know millions of people say AND TEACH, “WHICH IS IN HEAVEN – – -” and are feeling offended.

OK, bear with me.

The proper usage of WHO – NOT WHICH in English is to refer to GOD as a LIVING ‘Being or Person’. Therefore, the correct PRONOUN when referring to GOD is WHO.

This usage of PRONOUNS is Rudimentary English Lesson 101!!!

—

The English language uses WHICH for OBJECTS and THINGS.

It is deplorable that this corruption of THE LORD’s PRAYER was not the work of heathens and heretics but by the devil corrupting so-called Christian theologians from within the framework of Christian institutions.

Knowing teachers’ unique distinction, the devil influenced the church leaders to teach this corrupt LORD’s PRAYER version to thousands of innocent people in many countries.

—

HOW DID SUCH AN GLARING LANGUAGE MISTAKE HAPPEN?

A long time had passed since 1534 AD when there was an ego drive to form a separate text.

The devil could have instigated the RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE of the day to change many words. But, instead, it was his ultra-diabolic cunning to change the LIVING GOD into a lifeless Thing. The devil instigated A SINGLE WORD to transform the living God into an inanimate object. This DECEIT was way beyond the capabilities of any of those teachers.

The devil was the crook.

He instigated the Christian faith’s custodian to change WHO with WHICH and corrupt Jesus‘ LORD’S PRAYER. Therefore, fulfilling the king’s order to satisfy everyone, they have a separate text. The wording was different and looked harmless.

After all, how many people have an analytical bend of mind? Moreover, man is a creature of habit, If you repeat the text at every meeting, soon that becomes the ‘Standard’, and no one questions it.

Initially, there would have been people who objected, but rough handling or chasing them away would enable unopposed continuity.

For five centuries, the custodians have done the devil’s work of misleading innocent followers. The devil made the mischief once a long time ago, and the custodians of the faith perpetuate it. So they have been doing the devil’s work for five centuries.

—

Recently a Head of State died and was buried. The funeral was televised all over the world. The head preacher said the LORD’S PRAYER and said, “OUR FATHER, WHICH IS IN HEAVEN – – – “. This utterance was a worldwide pronouncement that GOD is just a THING.

The devil leads the Authority figure of the Church by the nose. They refer to GOD as A THING in front of the whole world. And no one spoke up. The entire collection of Religious COMMITTEE was silent, and the Masters of the English Language of the top-most universities, who were present, were silent.

—

Some would like to say that is not what the words meant.

—

OK, try exchanging WHO and WHICH in your English Test and see if you get full marks!

Rule 1. WHO and sometimes THAT refers to PEOPLE.

WHICH and THAT refer to GROUPS or THINGS.

WHO: When describing PEOPLE

THAT: When describing OBJECTS or GROUPS

WHICH: When describing OBJECTS

The above text is Junior School children’s English!

Using “OUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN – – – -” is hitting RELIGION and EDUCATION in one bat swing.

See how the devil used highly positioned people in some educational and religious circles to bring GOD down to the level of an OBJECT or a mere THING.

—

Example 3

This example tackles three points:

THE APOSTLES’ CREED by The Religious COMMITTEE.

TRADITION tells us the APOSTLES WROTE APOSTLES CREED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDED EACH APOSTLE TO WRITE AN ARTICLE.

Let us start by looking at The CORRECT WORDS OF THE APOSTLES’ CREED.

INSPIRATION

The true Creed composed by the APOSTLES professes “THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY”.

I believe in God,

the Father Almighty,

Creator of Heaven and Earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

He descended into hell;

on the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended into Heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Catholic Church, – – – – – – – ( Inserted Word)

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY,

and life everlasting.

—

FIRST POINT

I – NOT WE

I believe in God,

The CORRECT WORDING OF THE CREED IS I. Not WE. Unfortunately, some So-Called RELIGIOUS TEACHERS teach their flock incorrectly. This wrong teaching is rampant among certain groups and has national proportions. Sadly, this false teaching has polluted entire denominations and foreign countries who have converted to their education.

This FALSE TEACHING has crept into CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS TEACHING.

SHAMEFULLY THESE FALSE TEACHING are the WORK OF THE DEVIL using people who are highly trained and respected in THEOLOGY.

To reiterate:

The devil prompter, their RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE, to add a so-called “democratic inclusion”, and the teachers complied.

The devil had them sidestep RELIGIOUS correctness and include a secular outlook. We are not talking about untrained and uneducated people; we are talking about highly trained people with degrees from so-called religious institutions. In Theology, Divinity, and other related disciplines.

The above APOSTLES’ CREED is the Catholic Version. The Catholic Version professes Faith as “I Believe – – “

—

DOWNRIGHT ERRONEOUS creeds use the words “WE Believe – – “. Therefore, the teachers who teach the WE need elementary Bible Study lessons.

The First point is GOD IS NOT A THING.

The Second point is a “democratic inclusion” is out of place.

A similar “democratic inclusion” happened before.

Peter got the point skewed, and Jesus had to correct him.

JOHN 6:68-69

68 BUT SIMON PETER ANSWERED HIM, “LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.

69 ALSO WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.”

Peter was wrong about one thing. Notice that he says “We.” because he was the APOSTLES’ leader.

He means the twelve apostles: “We have believed, and we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus corrects that, saying, “No, Peter, that is wrong. There is one (of you- Meaning Judas) here who does not fit.”

JOHN 6:70-71

70 JESUS ANSWERED THEM, “DID I NOT CHOOSE YOU, THE TWELVE, AND ONE OF YOU IS A DEVIL?”

71 HE SPOKE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, THE SON OF SIMON, FOR IT WAS HE WHO WOULD BETRAY HIM, BEING ONE OF THE TWELVE.

In any church activity, there is a possibility that some person in the group is not truthful in God’s Mission. Therefore, Jesus had to correct Peter when he used ‘WE’.

There is more to this point as we read further.

Peter, we can understand; In those days, there was not much schooling.

Peter is a nice person and was also a divinely appointed leader.

Peter was talking from his human perspective.

By contrast, the WE BELIEVE in the APOSTELS’ CREED is devil inspired.

—

LET US KEEP OUR FOCUS. – WE ARE REFERRING TO THE APOSTLES CREED

THE APOSTLES CREED WAS THE ‘WORD STRENGTH’ FOR THE APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS ALL DOWN THE AGES

The CREED is the WORD EQUIPMENT given to a soldier of Christ to face the WAR AGAINST THE FLESH, THE WORLD and THE DEVIL.

THE CREED is AS THE APOSTLE’S STRENGTH

THE CREED gave the Saints, Missionaries, and Evangelists the strength to EVANGELISE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

When the Apostles decided their PURPOSE to follow one of JESUS’ last messages, they wrote down the HOLY SPIRIT’S INSPIRED WORDS OF THE APOSTLES CREED. Each Apostel contributed an article of the creed as directed by the HOLY SPIRIT,

To what Bible passage are we referring?

ACTS 1:8

8 BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”

The apostles understood Jesus was telling them BE HIS (GOD’s) WITNESSES to take the Gospel AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”

They would face unknown territories, language barriers, money requirements, ongoing tests and trials, and problems they had never encountered or known.

The HOLY SPIRIT inspired them with DIRECT, CLEAR CUT STRENGTH to carry and proclaim GOD MESSAGE. Therefore, to be GOD’S WITNESSES and go with strength TO THE END OF THE EARTH.

The Apostle would often go individually to different countries. Their faith journey was invariably ALONE. Hence the words “I”; “I BELIEVE.“

When the Apostle encountered questioning, martyrdom and the like, they invariably faced the ordeal ALONE. Hence the words “I”; and “I BELIEVE.“

—-

The CREED AS THE EVERYBODY’S STRENGTH

FOR EVERYONE AT THE JUDGEMENT THRONE OF GOD

When a person dies and comes before the Judgement Throne of God,

The person comes as an individual. The person comes as ‘I’ and only as ‘I’.

Regardless of how many die together, the person answers God in the SINGULAR.

People do not bring their friends, parish priest, or anyone to the judgement seat.

There are only four people at the trial. They are:

GOD,

JESUS,

The Person and

The devil.

GOD is the presiding judge – JESUS is the defence lawyer – the devil is the accuser, who says why he should take the person to hell. The person to be judged is silent. The person has NO SAY in his defence.

He can only answer “I” when asked. Analogous to I BELIEVE.

There is no WE BELIEVE.

Now, do you see how the devil deceives so-called Christian teachers?

—

Unfortunately, the Catholic Church also let mistakes and inventions happen like:

The Nicene Creed. This term does not deserve to be bolded.

There are at least four “Boo Boos” here.

Those in Nice around 325 AD missed the idea of the CREED

It was a wordy prose, poetry, play script.

Like the WHO and WHICH switching we saw earlier, the devil switched the word BODY for DEAD.

“THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY” – NOT “THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD”

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The Nicene Creed uses the words “the resurrection of the DEAD”.

DEAD or DEATH is a “Hinge” between Life as a human on Earth and eternal Life in HEAVEN. The situation is like a door between earthy Life and heavenly Life. The Nicene Creed has missed the “Door” and is amplifying the “Hinge”.

If you want to understand more on this point, please read:

1 CORINTIANS 15

THE RISEN CHRIST, FAITH’S REALITY

15 MOREOVER, BRETHREN, I DECLARE TO YOU THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED TO YOU, WHICH ALSO YOU RECEIVED AND IN WHICH YOU STAND, 2 BY WHICH ALSO YOU ARE SAVED, IF YOU HOLD FAST THAT WORD WHICH I PREACHED TO YOU—UNLESS YOU BELIEVED IN VAIN.

3 FOR I DELIVERED TO YOU FIRST OF ALL THAT WHICH I ALSO RECEIVED: THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, 4 AND THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, 5 AND THAT HE WAS SEEN BY CEPHAS, THEN BY THE TWELVE. 6 AFTER THAT HE WAS SEEN BY OVER FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE, OF WHOM THE GREATER PART REMAIN TO THE PRESENT, BUT SOME HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. 7 AFTER THAT HE WAS SEEN BY JAMES, THEN BY ALL THE APOSTLES. 8 THEN LAST OF ALL HE WAS SEEN BY ME ALSO, AS BY ONE BORN OUT OF DUE TIME.

9 FOR I AM THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES, WHO AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD. 10 BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM, AND HIS GRACE TOWARD ME WAS NOT IN VAIN; BUT I LABORED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL, YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME. 11 THEREFORE, WHETHER IT WAS I OR THEY, SO WE PREACH AND SO YOU BELIEVED.

THE RISEN CHRIST, OUR HOPE

12 NOW IF CHRIST IS PREACHED THAT HE HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, HOW DO SOME AMONG YOU SAY THAT THERE IS NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD? 13 BUT IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, THEN CHRIST IS NOT RISEN. 14 AND IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN, THEN OUR PREACHING IS EMPTY AND YOUR FAITH IS ALSO EMPTY. 15 YES, AND WE ARE FOUND FALSE WITNESSES OF GOD, BECAUSE WE HAVE TESTIFIED OF GOD THAT HE RAISED UP CHRIST, WHOM HE DID NOT RAISE UP—IF IN FACT THE DEAD DO NOT RISE. 16 FOR IF THE DEAD DO NOT RISE, THEN CHRIST IS NOT RISEN. 17 AND IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN, YOUR FAITH IS FUTILE; YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR SINS! 18 THEN ALSO THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST HAVE PERISHED. 19 IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE ARE OF ALL MEN THE MOST PITIABLE.

THE LAST ENEMY DESTROYED

20 BUT NOW CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND HAS BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP. 21 FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN ALSO CAME THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. 22 FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST ALL SHALL BE MADE ALIVE. 23 BUT EACH ONE IN HIS OWN ORDER: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS, AFTERWARD THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. 24 THEN COMES THE END, WHEN HE DELIVERS THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, WHEN HE PUTS AN END TO ALL RULE AND ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER. 25 FOR HE MUST REIGN TILL HE HAS PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. 26 THE LAST ENEMY THAT WILL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH. 27 FOR “HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET.” BUT WHEN HE SAYS “ALL THINGS ARE PUT UNDER HIM,” IT IS EVIDENT THAT HE WHO PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIM IS EXCEPTED. 28 NOW WHEN ALL THINGS ARE MADE SUBJECT TO HIM, THEN THE SON HIMSELF WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO HIM WHO PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIM, THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.

EFFECTS OF DENYING THE RESURRECTION

29 OTHERWISE, WHAT WILL THEY DO WHO ARE BAPTISED FOR THE DEAD, IF THE DEAD DO NOT RISE AT ALL? WHY THEN ARE THEY BAPTISED FOR THE DEAD? 30 AND WHY DO WE STAND IN JEOPARDY EVERY HOUR? 31 I AFFIRM, BY THE BOASTING IN YOU WHICH I HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, I DIE DAILY. 32 IF, IN THE MANNER OF MEN, I HAVE FOUGHT WITH BEASTS AT EPHESUS, WHAT ADVANTAGE IS IT TO ME? IF THE DEAD DO NOT RISE, “LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE!”

33 DO NOT BE DECEIVED: “EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS.” 34 AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND DO NOT SIN; FOR SOME DO NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. I SPEAK THIS TO YOUR SHAME.

A GLORIOUS BODY

35 BUT SOMEONE WILL SAY, “HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED UP? AND WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME?” 36 FOOLISH ONE, WHAT YOU SOW IS NOT MADE ALIVE UNLESS IT DIES. 37 AND WHAT YOU SOW, YOU DO NOT SOW THAT BODY THAT SHALL BE, BUT MERE GRAIN—PERHAPS WHEAT OR SOME OTHER GRAIN. 38 BUT GOD GIVES IT A BODY AS HE PLEASES, AND TO EACH SEED ITS OWN BODY.

39 ALL FLESH IS NOT THE SAME FLESH, BUT THERE IS ONE KIND OF FLESH OF MEN, ANOTHER FLESH OF ANIMALS, ANOTHER OF FISH, AND ANOTHER OF BIRDS.

40 THERE ARE ALSO CELESTIAL BODIES AND TERRESTRIAL BODIES; BUT THE GLORY OF THE CELESTIAL IS ONE, AND THE GLORY OF THE TERRESTRIAL IS ANOTHER. 41 THERE IS ONE GLORY OF THE SUN, ANOTHER GLORY OF THE MOON, AND ANOTHER GLORY OF THE STARS; FOR ONE STAR DIFFERS FROM ANOTHER STAR IN GLORY.

42 SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. THE BODY IS SOWN IN CORRUPTION, IT IS RAISED IN INCORRUPTION. 43 IT IS SOWN IN DISHONOR, IT IS RAISED IN GLORY. IT IS SOWN IN WEAKNESS, IT IS RAISED IN POWER. 44 IT IS SOWN A NATURAL BODY, IT IS RAISED A SPIRITUAL BODY. THERE IS A NATURAL BODY, AND THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BODY. 45 AND SO IT IS WRITTEN, “THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING.” THE LAST ADAM BECAME A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT.

46 HOWEVER, THE SPIRITUAL IS NOT FIRST, BUT THE NATURAL, AND AFTERWARD THE SPIRITUAL. 47 THE FIRST MAN WAS OF THE EARTH, MADE OF DUST; THE SECOND MAN IS THE LORD FROM HEAVEN. 48 AS WAS THE MAN OF DUST, SO ALSO ARE THOSE WHO ARE MADE OF DUST; AND AS IS THE HEAVENLY MAN, SO ALSO ARE THOSE WHO ARE HEAVENLY. 49 AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE MAN OF DUST, WE[L] SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY MAN.

OUR FINAL VICTORY

50 NOW THIS I SAY, BRETHREN, THAT FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NOR DOES CORRUPTION INHERIT INCORRUPTION. 51 BEHOLD, I TELL YOU A MYSTERY: WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED— 52 IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, AND THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED. 53 FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY. 54 SO WHEN THIS CORRUPTIBLE HAS PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL HAS PUT ON IMMORTALITY, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?

O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?”

56 THE STING OF DEATH IS SIN, AND THE STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW. 57 BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

58 THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.

4. In 325 AD, the composers were where they were in their education, but today we expect some educational advancement.

Unfortunately, even after seventeen centuries, the RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE have pussyfooted the doctrinal point – And continues.

Using the word DEAD instead of BODY may sound like a tame watered-down version of the facts.

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Let me re-stress this point.”

To the untrained person, BODY and DEAD is a harmless swap. However, we are not talking about the ordinary person on the street; we are talking about highly qualified people in Scripture, Theology and the like from the finest Seminaries and Universities.

First, God inspired the Apostles to write the APOSTLES CREED.

As an argument, some Nice COMMITTEE in 325 AD wish to say that their text included more Scripture and looked more poetic and impressive.

It is like a piece of literary art during the church mass.

The people who consented felt:

A wordy text will impress the opposers of the Christian Church during the days of persecution.

But, unfortunately, the Nice COMMITTEE have missed the purpose of a CREED:

The purpose of the CREED is a PRONOUNCEMENT OF FAITH – DIRECT – SHORT – SIMPLE – CUT AND DRY – TO THE POINT and no jazz.

The CREED is the WORD EQUIPMENT you give a soldier of Christ to face the WAR AGAINST THE FLESH, THE WORLD and THE DEVIL.

THE CREED is STRENGTH, not sing-song poetry.

The devil told those people in Nice fancy words, and they listened, even mistook the primary purpose of CREED.

In peacetime, if they wanted a manufactured composition, that was OK. Call it Church poetry, song, hymn and the like. And leave the CREED for what the CREED is.

Have you heard or seen any country or military creed that is wordy poetry?

For example, when a military person comes. He says, for example, “Rank – Name – Reporting.”

He does not say, “HI, I am RANK – NAME – I came over hills and dale, – through scorching heat and mosquito-infested swamps – – – -“. Even if it were true and sounded poetic, that is not how a person on duty presents himself.

Or, as in the case of the Apostles, appearing before the enemy king.

When asked by what authority do you do these things? – – – why should we not execute you?

Do you think the soldier would answer, “Back at home, we learned this poetry. Shall I recite it for you?” and give his executioner a wordy recital?

The Apostle would have SHOWN CONVICTION as TO WHY and UNDER WHOSE AUTHORITY HE STANDS, and say:

I BELIEVE IN GOD,

THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, – – – – –

PRONOUNCEMENT OF FAITH – DIRECT – SHORT – SIMPLE – CUT AND DRY – TO THE POINT and no more jazz.

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In 325 AD, someone felt there was a need to combat persecution. Someone suggested A CREED. They felt they could tweak the creed better than the Apostles composed under the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.

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OK, let us move on.

Some groups had a leisurely life and time to compose fancy text and show it to their Boss for approval.

Now comes the big Boo-Boo

As they mellowed down the text, they sidestepped the Cardinal Aspect of CHRISTIAN FAITH.

For example:

The APOSTLES CREED clearly states:

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Catholic Church,

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY,

and life everlasting.

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THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY,

The influenced COMMITTEE changed the text to THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD,

The word DEAD looks harmless and trivial and sounds less dramatic than BODY.

They betrayed both FAITH and ignorance with one sentence: THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD,

I do not think the fellows in Nice were so clever to exchange such a tricky word selection.

Like the WHO and WHICH were SINGLE WORD changes, in the LORD’s PRAYER, Now, Again, we have a SINGLE WORD CHANGE BODY with DEAD in the APOSTLES CREED.

And seventeen centuries later, the present group is unaware of what is wrong. The devil was behind both sets of theologians. Just like his trickery with:

The WHO – NOT WHICH or
The I BELIEVE – NOT WE BELIEVE or
BODY – NOT DEAD

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WHY IS THIS SEEMINGLY HARMLESS EXCHANGE OF WORDS, DEAD WITH BODY, SO IMPORTANT?

Here is why.

POINT 1

THE WORDS OF CONSECRATION at the HOLY MASS – said all around the world by Catholics for centuries — a church of approx 1.3 faithful PLUS additional Denominational Christians.

MATTHEW 26:26-28

JESUS INSTITUTES THE LORD’S SUPPER

26 AND AS THEY WERE EATING, JESUS TOOK BREAD, BLESSED AND BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO THE DISCIPLES AND SAID, “TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY.”

27 THEN HE TOOK THE CUP, AND GAVE THANKS, AND GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING, “DRINK FROM IT, ALL OF YOU.

28 FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.

Jesus is stressing THE BODY.

The BODY is what is RESURRECTING.

The DEAD is not the stress – this is the automatic result of THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY.

POINT 2

We go to Heaven with BODY and SOUL just as Jesus ascended to Heaven with Body and Soul.

ACTS 1:9

JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

9 NOW WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY WATCHED, HE WAS TAKEN UP, AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT.

Jesus ascended completely. Not in bits and pieces, Like Body and Soul as separate items.

2 KINGS 2:11

11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; AND ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND INTO HEAVEN.

Elijah was taken up to Heaven completely. Not in bits and pieces, Like Body and Soul as separate items.

The devil cleverly slipped a “sitting on the fence” between BODY and SOUL.

The devil deviated from the CREED LIKE CONVICTION OF FAITH IN GOD’S WORDS to a pagan-sounding SLOGAN!

In craftiness, The devil was cleverly hoping that no one would notice THE LACK of FAITH AND TRUTH in the forthright pronouncement of the original CREED.

An example of highly trained people in Theology, Divinity, and Scripture not even aware that they were “Sitting on the Fence” or “Lack of FAITH AND TRUTH.”

The devil’s attack is all around regardless of which Church group or country.

THIS POINT IS ESSENTIAL:

Please note, “we continue to live on with GOD in Heaven, for all eternity.”

Another point wrongly implied is OUR SOUL lives on with GOD in Heaven.

WRONG. – DOWNRIGHT WRONG

The point is a RELIGIOUS ERROR: WE ARE BODY AND SOUL WHEN WE ARE IN HEAVEN.

These influenced SINGLE WORD CHANGE to give the impression that the SOUL goes on to Heaven and lives like a spook or ghost.

The devil does not say wrong things. He only influences people TO THINK WRONG, so at the judgement, when he comes as the accuser, he will say, “HE SAID IT – SO, THEREFORE, HE IS MINE – AND I AM TAKING HIM WITH ME, TO HELL.”

– THE devil makes these poor RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE a downright embarrassment to THEIR THEOLOGY DEGREES, DIPLOMA or CERTIFICATES.

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While we are on the subject, I have to interject with a side note.

As a Side note:

There are times when people ask a question like:

There are so many versions of bibles. Which one should I consider?
And why are there so many versions in the first place?

Besides Language diversities and the challenges of TRANSLATION CORRECTNESS, we encounter GREEDY COMMERCIAL CROOKS. THESE CROOKS use their superior education to be CROOKED.

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Here is the Situation:

The Bible is the ‘MOST SELLING BOOK’ in the world. It is also the MOST translated book.

As the ‘MOST SELLING BOOK’, this fact attracts people with a commercial interest. In certain so-called developed countries, a COPYRIGHT protection system exists, complete with Copyright lawyers.

Some publishers have made a text and registered it in a Copyright office. Anyone who uses the text for commercial gains is liable for prosecution for Copyright infringement.

So, ‘Other Publishers’ change words here and there to avoid Copyright infringement. But, in this process, they come very close to TAMPERING with the ‘SHADES OF MEANING’ or the ‘NUANCES.’

Here are points to think about:

Typically Copyright laws in civilised countries state that the author is awarded Copyright protection for up to fifty years after the author dies.

All the books of the Bible happened before the first century AD. Everyone knows that. So Legal Tricksters are pulling a fast one, hoping that the general public has not heard about the fifty-year copyright protection.

Please let me know whether Moses, Peter, Paul and ALL the bible writers are still alive. The 50-year stipulation after writing their works has passed by a factor above 2000 years.

So, claiming a Copyright for the Holy Bible is a ‘White-Collar Trickery.’ It is a downright manipulation of the provisions of the Law by educated yet greedy individuals.

Clever Tricksters argue that they are not infringing the fifty-year protection moratorium of the Bible authors but rather protecting their word composition as composed by their publishing client’s firm.

It is like saying,

“My client has written words to mimic the words of Jesus and other Bible writers.

The Copyright lawyers are claiming the right of their client’s word composition but telling the general public that they are Jesus’ words and the words of Scripture. AND THEY HAVE RIGHTS and OWNERSHIP—a slippery deception by the so-called educated.

Back again to the term RIGHTS.

They have RIGHT and OWNERSHIP over Jesus’ words, as also all the other Bible author’s words”. “Therefore, they claim to be within their RIGHTS and OWNERSHIP”.

– RIGHTS and OWNERSHIP OVER WHAT?

– Do these inferior individuals think they can be Rulers over God and His teaching?

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS

If the general public believes the Publishers and their Lawyers and offers no resistance, they have got away with a lot of unchallenged money.

If the general public offers the Publishers and their Lawyers resistance, they threaten the opposing person with a Law suite. But, if the opposer listens to money or something else, they have solved the obstruction to their greed.

Sometimes, a “hint” is: “If you fight, you fight with your money; if we fight, we fight with the company’s money, and we have much more than you.”

If the outside person has a “Water-Tight Case”, The publishers and Lawyers call that oppose a CROOK.

Once again:

Copyright protection has given rise to many wrong slants in translations.

The sad part is not innocent mistakes based on ignorance of the language but rather downright ‘White-Collar Trickery and Protection of Greed.’

This ‘White-Collar Trickery and Protection of Greed’, Could be manipulated to look like being correct in the Law, but it is NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

God Bless You.