UNCOMMON WORDS

UNCOMMON SCRIPTURAL PHRASES

The Holy Language of King James.

[adapted by R. D. Ice from Given O. Blakely]

      One of the devastating losses of our time is that of Scriptural terminology. With the flood of new translations has come  an erosion of meaningful nomenclature-words and phrases that bring great bodies of truth to the mind. One of the primary postulates of Scripture is that God's truth is contained in spiritual words-words used by the Spirit, and invested with both power and meaning.

     [Words are symbols to be decoded.  A word must communicate the message of the Original Bible as it was penned in the Ancient languages by the sacred writers.  It is, only then, the message communicated, that is the words taught by the Holy Spirit.]

      When the Apostle spoke or wrote, he was careful to use proper words. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (1 Cor 2:12-13).  (“We have not received this world’s spirit; instead, we have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us.  So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but by words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit” TEV.)

     The Apostles wrote in the living language spoken by the people on the street.  God spoke to the people to be understood by them.  On Pentecost (Acts 2) the Apostles spoke all the living languages of those who had come there.

      Moulton & Milligan's The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament shows from the New Testament era that the Koinè Greek was in common use as everyday language.  Some words were given meaning by the Septuagint Version (the Old Testament in Greek), which version was extensively quoted by the New Testament writers.  But other words were non religious words used to express a religious truth.  Apostolos was a a naval expedition; a traveler; a messenger; and now an apostle. Ekklesia was an assembly of citizens [note Acts 19:32,39,41]; a corporation; an assembly room; and now a church.

      Here are some Scriptural phrases that are especially weighty, yet are not common. Different standard versions will express them in different ways, but all of them will, if received, register a decided impact upon the soul. The quotations are from the KJV with NASB added. [I have added the TEV which expresses the meaning of those things written.  When the TEV is compared with the original Greek text it will be seen to be an accurate version.]

 

      *       "Election of grace" - "God's gracious choice" (NASB), (Rom 11:5).  “whom God has chosen because of His grace” (TEV).

      *       "Ordained unto eternal life" -"appointed to eternal life" (NASB), (Acts 13:48).  “chosen for eternal life” (TEV).

      *       "Believed  through  grace"  -"believed through grace" (NASB), (Acts 18:27).  “through God’s grace had become believers” (TEV).

      *       "Spirit of faith" - "spirit of faith" (NASB), (2 Cor 4:13).  “the same spirit of faith” (TEV).

      *       "Hearing of faith" - "Hearing with faith" NASB), (Gal 3:2,5). “hearing the gospel and believing it” (TEV).

      *       "Sanctification of the Spirit" -"Sanctification by the  Spirit" (NASB), (2 Thess 2:13).  “the Spirit’s power to make you His holy people” (TEV).

      *       "The faith of Christ" - "Faith in Christ" (NASB), (Phil 3:9).  “through faith in Christ” (TEV).

      *       "The faith of God's elect" - "faith of those chosen of God" NASB), (Tit 1:1).  “the faith of God’s chosen people” (TEV).

      *       "The joy of faith" - “joy in the faith" NASB), (Phil 1:25).  “and joy in the faith” (TEV).

      *       "Patience of hope" - "steadfastness of hope" NASB), (1 Thess 1:3).  “how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm” (TEV).

      *       "Joy of the Holy Spirit" - “joy of the Holy Spirit" ASB), (1 Thess 1:6).  “with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit” (TEV).

      *       "Justified by faith" - “justified by faith" NASB), (Rom 5:1).  “put right with God through faith” (TEV).

      *       "Righteousness without works" -"righteousness apart from works" (NASB), (Rom 4:6).  “whom God accepts as righteous, apart from anything that person does” (TEV)

      *       "The law of faith"- "law of faith" (NASB), (Rom 3:27).  “but that we believe” (TEV).

      *       "Obtained like precious faith" - “have received a faith of the same kind as ours" (NASB), (2 Pet 1:1).  “given a faith as precious as ours” (TEV).

      *       "The righteousness of faith" -"righteousness of faith" (NASB), (Rom 4:13).  “he believed and was accepted as righteous” (TEV).

      *       "Children of promise" - "children of the promise" ASB), (Rom 9:8).  “children born as a result of God’s promise” (TEV).

      *       "According to election" - "according to His choice" NASB),  (Rom 9:11).  “based on His call” (TEV).

      *       "Fitted to destruction" - "prepared for destruction" (NASB),  (Rom 9:22).  “who were doomed to destruction” (TEV).

     * "Riches of His glory "-"riches of His glory" (NASB), (Rom 9:23 a).  “prepared to receive His glory” (TEV).

      *       "Prepared unto glory" - (Rom 9:23b NASB).

      *       "Law of righteousness" - "law of righteousness"   (NASB), (Rom 9:31).  “a law that would put them right with God” (TEV).

      *       "Word of faith" - "word of faith" ASB), (Rom 10:8).  “the message of faith” (TEV).

      *       "Spirit of slumber" - "spirit of stupor" (NASB), (Rom 11:8).  “their minds and hearts dull” (TEV).

      *       "Reconciling  the  world"  -"reconciliation  of the  world" ASB), (Rom 11:15).  “changed from God’s enemies into His friends” (TEV).

      *       "Standest by faith" - "stand by faith" (NASB), (Rom 11:20).  “you remain in place” (TEV).

      *       "In heavenly places" - "in the heavenly places"  (NASB), (Eph 1:3).  “in the heavenly world” (TEV).

      *       "Predestinated unto adoption" -"predestined us  to  adoption" (NASB), (Eph 1:5).  “already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His sons” (TEV).

      *       "Accepted in the Beloved" -"bestowed on us in the Beloved" NASB), (Eph 1:6).  “For the free gift He gave us in his dear Son” (TEV).

                "Riches of His grace" - "riches of His grace" NASB), (Eph 1:7).  “How great is the grace of God” (TEV).

      *       "Mystery of His will" - "mystery of His will" (NASB), (Eph 1:9).  “the secret plan He had already decided to complete by  means of Christ”  (TEV).

      *       "Counsel of His own will" -"counsel of His will" NASB), (Eph 1:11).  “God’s plan and decision” (TEV).

      *       "Spirit of wisdom and revelation" -"Spirit of wisdom and revelation" (NASB), (Eph 1:17).

      *       "Eyes of your understanding" -"eyes of your heart" ASB), (Eph 1:18).  “your minds may  be opened to see His light” (TEV).   

      *       "Old man with his deeds" - "old self with its evil practices"  (NASB), (Col 3:9).  “the old self with its habits” (TEV).

                "Election of God" - "His choice of you" (ASB), (1 Thess 1:4).  “has chosen you to be His own” (TEV).

      *       "Rich in faith" - "rich in faith" (NASB), (James 2:5).  “to be rich in faith” (TEV).

      *      "The trial of your faith" - "proof of your faith" ASB), (1 Pet 1:7).  “to prove that your faith is genuine” (TEV).

      *       "The end of your faith" - "outcome of your faith" (NASB), (1 Pet 1:9).  “which is the purpose of  your faith in Him” (TEV).

      *       "Calling and election" - "His calling and choosing you" (NASB), (2 Pet 1:10).  “God’s call and His choice of you” (TEV).

      *       "The elect's sake" - "sake of the elect" NASB), (Matt 24:22).  “For the sake of His chosen people” (TEV).

      *       "Love in the Spirit" - "love in the Spirit" (NASB), (Col 1:8). “the love that the Spirit  has given you” (TEV).

      *       "Wisdom  and   spiritual understanding" - "spiritual wisdom and understanding" (NASB), (Col 1:9).  “wisdom and understanding that His Spirit gives” (TEV).

      *       "Longsuffering with joyfulness" -"steadfastness  and  patience; joyously" NASB), (Col 1:11).  “able to endure everything with patience.  And with joy give thanks” (TEV).

      *       "The power of darkness" - "domain of darkness" ASB), (Col l:13a).  “the power of darkness” (TEV).

      *       "The Kingdom of His dear Son" -"kingdom of His  dear  Son" NASB), (Col 1:13b).

      *       "The Image of the invisible God" -"image of the invisible God" (NASB), (Col 1:15).  "the visible likeness of the invisible God." (TEV)     

      *       "The dispensation of God" "stewardship from God" (NASB), (Col 1:25).  "this task to perform" (TEV)

      *       "Riches of full assurance" - "full assurance  of understanding" (NASB), (Col 2:2).  "full wealth of assurance" (TEV)

      *       "Treasures  of  wisdom  and knowledge" - "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (NASB), (Col 2:3).  "hidden treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge" (TEV)

      *       "Rudiments  of the  world"  -"elementary principles  of this world" (NASB), (Col 2:8).  "worthless deceit of human wisdom handed down by men and from the ruling spirits of the universe" (TEV)

      *       "The handwriting of ordinances -"certificate of debt consisting of decrees" (NASB), (Col 2:14).  "unfavorable record of our debts" (TEV)

      *       "This present evil world" - "present evil age" (NASB), (Gal 1:4).  "this present evil age" (TEV)

      *       "Apostleship of the circumcision" -"Apostleship to the circumcised" (NASB), (Gal 2:7-8).  "the task of preaching the gospel to the Jews"  (TEV)

      *       "Frustrate the grace of God" -"nullify the grace of God" (NASB), (Gal 2:21).  "to reject the grace of God" (TEV).

      *       "Ministereth to you the Spirit" -"provides you with the Spirit" (Gal 3:3 NASB).  "You began by God's Spirit" (TEV)

      *       "The curse of the law" - "the curse of the law" (Gal 3:13 NASB).  "the curse that the Law brings" (TEV)

      *       "The hope of righteousness" -"hope of righteousness" (Gal 5:5 NASB).  "our hope is that God will put us right with him"  (TEV)

      *       "The marks of the Lord Jesus" -"brand-marks of Jesus"  (Gal 6:17 NASB).  "the scars...show that I am the slave of Jesus"  (TEV)

      *       "The day of redemption" - "day of redemption" (NASB), (Eph 4:30).  "that the day will come when God will set you free"  (TEV)

      *       "Children of disobedience" - "sons of disobedience"  (NASB), (Eph 5:6).  "those who do not obey him" (TEV)

      *       "The day of Jesus Christ" - "day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6 NASB). 

      *       "The bowels of Jesus Christ" - "the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:8 NASB).  “the heart of Jesus Christ Himself” (TEV).

      *       "The fruits of righteousness" - "fruit of righteousness"  (Phil 1:11 NASB). "the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce" (TEV)

      *       "Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" - "provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:19 NASB).  "the help which comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (TEV)

      *       "Evident token of perdition” - "a sign of destruction" (Phil 1:28 NASB). “that they will lose” (TEV)

      *       "Fellowship  of the  Spirit"  -"fellowship of the Spirit" (Phil 2:1 NASB).  “fellowship with the Spirit” (TEV)

      *       "Service of your faith" "service of your faith" (Phil 2:17 NASB).  “that your faith offers to God” (TEV)

      *       "Companion in labor" - "fellow worker" (Phil 2:25 NASB).  “who has worked and fought by my side” (TEV)

      *       "That I may win Christ" - “in order that I may gain Christ" (Phil 3:8 NASB).  “so that I may gain Christ” (TEV)

      *       "Fellowship of His sufferings" -fellowship  of His  sufferings" (Phil 3:10 NASB).  “to share in his sufferings” (TEV)

      *       "Enemies of the cross of Christ" -''enemies of the cross of Christ'' (Phil 3:18 NASB).  “enemies of Christ’s death on the cross” (TEV)

      *       "Whose god is their belly" - “whose god is their appetite" (Phil 3:19 NASB).  “their god is their bodily desires” (TEV)

      *       "Our vile body" - "the body of our humble state" (Phil 3:21 NASB).  “our weak mortal bodies” (TEV)

      *       "Knew the grace of God in truth" -"understood the grace of God in truth" (Col 1:6 NASB).  “heard about the grace of God and came to know it as it truly is” (TEV)

      Every person is Christ is obligated to pursue spiritual understanding. This is distinguished from academic learning. Spiritual understanding is granted by God, and cannot be developed by men. That is why Paul prayed for early believers, that they would "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). The objective of this understanding was not pedagogical acumen, but acceptable living: i.e., "So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10 NASB). It is also the prelude to being "strengthened with all power" in order to joyous steadfastness and endurance (Col 1:10). These are areas in which intellectual powers alone are powerless.

 

A Proper Vocabulary

      A proper vocabulary is essential to "spiritual understanding." It provides the  container in which  spiritual perception is attained. It allows the individual to think in heavenly, rather than earthly, patterns. A nomenclature that reflects the world's wisdom and way is an inappropriate vehicle for the conveyance of the truth of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT DENOMINATION ARE YOU?

Rhoderick D. Ice

      "Don't you want to be sure you belong to the true church?"  Two "Jehovah Witnesses" stood at my door.  My answer to them was: "I was baptized into Christ.  God added me to His church.  I'm sure He did not add me to the wrong one."

      "True church" may help to confuse the matter.  Jesus built One Church in the sense in which Israel in the wilderness was God's church [Acts 7:38]. Churches of Christ use denomination in a pejorative sense (a "cuss word"). But a "denomination" is often a "brotherhood," a group of congregations who hold basically similar beliefs and practices, who work together is some ways, and who hold themselves distinct from other groups of churches.  This may not be wrong - and it's almost impossible not to be a "denomination" in this secondary sense.

      Sometimes denominations arise because followers emphasize their favorite teacher and reject those who disagree.  Paul was horrified when the Christians at Corinth began splitting up to follow "Paul," "Apollos," "Peter," and "Christ."  (Perhaps the Christ Party was led by some who had been eyewitnesses of Christ during His earthly life, and who claimed power because of this.) The Corinthian church would have fragmented into competing factions if Paul had not put a stop to this.

      It is my intention to be a Christian - nothing more and certainly nothing less.  But I exist and live in a Christian environment which has certain "distinctives" which are part & parcel of our religious identity.  When I visit a church, I unconsciously listen for familiar shibboleths.  Are these the people I know and love???

      Our uniqueness is Christ Jesus.  Yet our world thinks in terms of "denomination" and "gimmick."  It is almost impossible, even for a strong Christian, to avoid thinking in worldly terms.  We are "proud" of certain "distinctives," and we tend to "identify" through certain external forms. We know little of what "others" are doing.  We have "our ideal," and we measure ourselves by ourselves."  We choose ~ sides according to the latest issues and concerns.  To our shame we are sometimes guilty before God of dishonoring the oneness of the body of Christ.

      "I hear of some things going on that are like the 'denominations.'" What does this mean???  Is anything done by a "denomination" automatically wrong even when it is scriptural???  Someone said: "If the denominations go in and out the door, we will go in and out the window."  Would this be correct???  Is some of our cherished "tradition" based on "just trying to be different?"

      Some things we do could be misidentified, at least in certain parts of the USA.  Some might think us "Baptists," because we baptize only believers [those old enough to believe for themselves]  and by immersion.  "Missionary Baptists" baptize for the remission of sins.  So does the "Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith."  And others do also.

      "Plymouth Brethren  were a "restoration movement" originating in England. Some might think us "Plymouth Brethren," because we eat the Lord's Supper weekly in an open and sharing style.  Individual churches of various groups also observe weekly communions.  Wesley believed in weekly communion.  A Methodist Church in Kentucky "immersed" all who would accept it, and had "weekly communions."

      In Pittsburgh, "Orthodox Catholics" sing without musical instruments [and permit their priests to marry and have families].  Churches of Christ make an issue of singing "a capella."  So also do the Reformed Presbyterian Church; and others.  Most Churches in Russia sing "a capella."

      Some might think of us as "Primitive Catholic" because we attempt to reproduce the faith and practice of the early [primitive] church.  ["Catholic" means "Universal."]  There have been at least 176 movements in the Western World to "restore" the primitive church   But the New Testament shows a variegated local church, doing the same things in worship, but with individuality.

      The Presbyterian Church is so named because of their practices in local church government.  Some might think of us as "Presbyterian," since we believe the church should be guided by elders [presbyters] and deacons.

      Our insistence on the "authority of the Bible," might identify us with various "Bible Churches" which abound.  A "Bible Church" preacher said: "I am not calling you to be a Baptist, or a Methodist, or a Presbyterian.  I am inviting you to be a Christian.  I encourage you to be part of a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, Bible-practicing church and to get involved in it."

      Even though some of us have been "anti-charismatic," we do believe in the Book of Acts and the Power of the Holy Spirit of God.  We could, then, be identified with the "charismatic movement."  But not by those who know much about us.  In fact, since some of us reject the Holy Spirit, we might be misidentified with the Jehovah Witnesses.

      Stone & Campbell wanted to be part of the "Church of Christ at large," and included in fellowship more than we do today.  In our wish to avoid being a "denomination," we should not "denominationalize" ourselves by just being against others and not for Christ.

      Our goal is to be a Christ-centered fellowship, bringing people to Jesus, whose Name is above all names (Acts 4:12).  We are bound together with "chains of love" to those of like precious faith in Christ Jesus.  We believe that to be a "Christian" is to be in a living relationship with a living PERSON - Jesus Christ God's Messiah.

 

 

 

THE TENTH ANNUAL REFRESHING WATERS RENEWAL - UPDATE                      The Word of Truth, Summer 1999

 

 

 

* The Holy Spirit is a Person - Leon Bates, Longview, TX

*  His Role in the Giving of Scripture - Phil Poe, Dayton, OH