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letters to the overseer


Dear Bro. Walker,

Don't know if you will remember me or not. I've written you before and here I am again.

I need you to explain Act 6:1&2 to me if you can. Is it saying that even then, that the people were murmuring because the women were not included in with what the men were doing or am I reading this wrong. I went back up in part of the 5th chapter and read 1-7 in the 6th chapter but I just need some help on this.

Will be patiently waiting for your help answer.

God bless you brother.

Thanks


Acts 6:1& 2


Greetings to Brother Rxxxxxxx in the name of Jesus Christ,

May the grace of God be upon you and your family and may his goodness always endure as we all continue to run this race that is set before us. It was good to hear from you again and thank you for your continued support of 'The True Word website and for this God is sure to bless you.

Now, your question is one that needs to be explained carefully as many writers and ministers have had a lot to say about this NT scripture, while many have gotten it almost right, very few have expressed the revelation that should have been revealed. given below is both the interoperation, and revelation:

To this point in its history we have witness the church’s struggles with her enemies. Also, we (disciples) have triumphed with her in her victories. Now we are at that time in its evolution where we are able to take a view of the administration of her affairs at home. As we examine the first seven verses of the 6th Chapter of Acts, here is what we find.

We find an unhappy disagreement among part of the church-members, which might have been of ill consequence, but was prudently accommodated and taken up in time (v. 1): When the number of the disciples (for so Christians were at first called, learners of Christ) was multiplied to many thousands in Jerusalem, there arose a murmuring. Something that we have not witness in the early church to this point.

Our praises are extended and our hearts are most happy to find that the number of the disciples is multiplied, and it surely vexed the Hebrew priests and Sadducees to the heart to see this taking place in the church of God. All the opposition that the preaching of the gospel of Christ met with, instead of checking its progress, contributed to its success ; and the infant Christian church, just like the infant Jewish church in Egypt, the more it was afflicted, the more it multiplied. The ministers of the gospel, eventhough they were beaten, threatened, and abused, and yet the people received the New Testament Church Doctrine, invited, no doubt, by their wonderful patience and cheerfulness under all their trials, which convinced men that in this dispensation of grace they were borne up and carried on by a better spirit than their own. A spirit that heretofore had not strived with man as it is now with those who are called disciples of Christ.

As believers we feel saddened and a damp is cast upon us to find that the multiplying of the disciples proves an occasion for discord. To this time, they were all with one accord. Often notice had been taken of this (one accord) to their honor; but now that they are multiplied, they began to murmur; just as in the old world, when men began to multiply, they corrupted themselves. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased their joy, Isa. 9:3. When Abraham and Lot increased their families, there was a strife between their herdsmen; so is it here: There arose a murmuring, now this was not an open falling out, but a secret heart-burning.

Now regarding this division, The complainants were the Grecians, or Hellenists, against the Hebrews, that is, the Jews that were scattered in Greece, and other parts, who normally spoke in the Greek tongue, and read the Old Testament in the Greek version, and not the original Hebrew, many of whom being at Jerusalem during the feast embraced the faith of Christ, and becoming believers were added to the church, and continued there. They complained against the Hebrews, the native Jews, that used the original Hebrew of the Old Testament. Some of each of these two groups of Jews became Christians, and, it seems, their joint-embracing of the faith of Christ did not prevail, exactly as it ought to have done, to extinguish the little jealousies they had one of another before their conversion, but they retained somewhat of that old leaven; not understanding, or not remembering, that in Christ Jesus there is neither Greek nor Jew, no distinction of Hebrew and Hellenist, but all are alike unto Christ, and should be, for His sake, dear to one another in love and peace.

Now the complaint of these Grecians was that their widows were neglected in the daily administration, that is in the distribution of the public charity, and the Hebrew widows had more care taken of them. Observe, The first contention in the Christian church was about a money-matter and women; it is not only a shame but also a pity that the little things of this world should be makebates among those that profess to be taken up with the great things of another world. Large amounts of money was gathered for the relief of the poor and needy, but, as it often happens in such cases, it was likewise impossible to please every body in the laying of it (the charity) out. The apostles, at whose feet it was laid, did their best to dispose of it in a way that would answer the intentions of the donors, and no doubt designed to do it with the utmost impartiality, and had no intentions of respecting the Hebrews more than the Grecians; and in spite of their good intentions, here they are complained to. Now, perhaps this complaint was groundless and unjust, and there was no cause for it; but those who, upon any account, lie under disadvantages (as the Grecian Jews did, in comparison with those that were Hebrews of the Hebrews) are apt to be jealous that they are slighted when really they are not ; and in an usual way, it is the common fault of poor people that, instead of being thankful for what is given them and what they own, they are querulous and clamorous, and apt to find fault that more is not given them, or the fact that more is given to others than to them; and there are envy and covetousness, those roots of bitterness, to be found among the poor as well as among the rich, notwithstanding the humbling providence's they find themselves under, and should accommodate themselves to. But, for the understanding which we are seeking, let us just assume there is an occasion for their complaint. Some suggest that though their other poor were well provided for, yet their widows were neglected, because the managers governed themselves by an ancient rule which the Hebrews observed, that a widow was to be maintained by her husband’s children. See 1 Tim. 5:4. But,, I take it that the widows are here put for all the poor, because many of those that were in the church-book, and received alms, were widows, who were well provided for by the industry of their husbands while they lived, but were reduced to straits when they were gone. As those that have the administration of public justice ought in a particular manner to protect widows from injury (Isa. 1:17; Lu. 18:3); so those that have the administration of public charity ought in a particular manner to provide for widows what is necessary. See 1 Tim. 5:3. And observe, The widows here, and the other poor, had a daily ministration; perhaps they wanted forecast, and could not save for hereafter, and therefore the managers of the fund, in kindness to them, gave them day by day their daily bread; they lived from hand to mouth. Now, it seems, the Grecian widows were, comparatively, neglected. Perhaps those that disposed of the money considered that there was more brought into the fund by the rich Hebrews than by the rich Grecians, who had not estates to sell, as the Hebrews had, and therefore the poor Grecians should have less out of the fund; this, though there was some tolerant reason for it, they thought hard and unfair. Note, In the best-ordered church in the world there will be something amiss, some mal—administration or other, some grievances, or at least some complaints; those are the best that have the least and the fewest.

The apostles had hitherto the directing of the matter as all charity was laid at their feet , Applications were made to them, and also the appeals in cases of grievances. It was their obligation to employ persons under them, who for whatever reasons did not take all the care they might have taken, nor were so well fortified (rooted and grounded) as they should have been against temptations to partiality; Because of all these factors it became evidence to the Apostles that some persons must be chosen to manage this matter who would have more leisure to attend to it than the apostles had, and were better qualified for the trust than those whom the apostles employed to handle this matter. As all thing must be done decent and in order, please observe how the method was proposed by the apostles: They called the multitude of the disciples unto them, the heads of the congregations of Christians in Jerusalem, the principal leading men. The twelve themselves would not determine any thing without them, for in multitude of counsellors there is safety; and in an affair of this nature those might be best able to advise who were more conversant in the affairs of this life than were the apostles .

The apostles urge that they could by no means admit so great a diversion, as this apparently had become , from their great work (v. 2): It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. The receiving and paying of money was serving tables, as like the tables of the money-changers in the temple. This was foreign to the business which the apostles were called to. They were to preach the word of God; and though they had not such occasion to study for what they preached as we have (it being given in that same hour what they should speak), yet they considered that was work enough for a whole man, and to employ all their thoughts, and cares, and time, though one man of them was more than ten of us, than ten thousand. If they serve tables, they must, in some measure, leave the word of God; they could not attend their preaching work so closely as they ought. —These minds of ours admit not of two distinct anxious employments. Though this serving of tables was for pious uses, and serving the charity of rich Christians and the necessity of poor Christians, and in both serving Christ, yet the apostles would not take so much time from their preaching as this would require. They will no more be drawn from their preaching by the money laid at their feet than they will be driven from it by the stripes laid on their backs. At he beginning, while the number of disciples was small, the apostles might manage this matter without making it any considerable interruption to their main business; but, now that their number was increased, they could not do it. It is not reason, —it is not fit, or commendable, that we should neglect the business of feeding souls with the bread of life, to attend the business of relieving the bodies of the poor. Note, Preaching the gospel is the best work, and the most proper and needful that any minister can be employed in, and that which he must give himself wholly to (1 Tim. 4:15), which that he may do, he must not entangle himself in the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:4), no, not in the outward business of the house of God, Neh. 11:16.

The Apostles therefore desired that seven men be chosen, well qualified for the purpose, whose business it would be to serve tables, —to be deacons to the tables, v. 2. The business not only must be minded, but must be better minded than it had been, and than the apostles could mind it. Therefore proper persons must be occasionally employed in the word, and prayer, but not so entirely devoted to it as the apostles were; and these must take care of the church’s stock-must review, and pay, and keep accounts-must buy those things which they had need of against the feast (Jn. 13:29), and attend to all those things which are necessary, that every thing might be done decently and in order, and no person nor thing neglected.

In order to do this right the persons must be duly qualified. The people are to choose, and the apostles to ordain; but the people have no authority to choose, nor the apostles to ordain, men utterly unfit for the office: Look out seven men; a total they thought might suffice for the present, while others might be added afterwards if there were occasion. These persons must be, of honest report, men free from scandal, that were looked upon by their neighbors as men of integrity, and faithful men, well attested, as men that might be trusted, not under a blemish for any vice, but, on the contrary, spoken well of for every thing that is virtuous and praiseworthy not coming into condemnation; —men that can produce good testimonials concerning their conversation. As in all occasions those that are employed in any office in the church ought to be men of honest report, of a blameless, nay, of an admirable character, which is requisite not only to the credit of their office, but to the due discharge of it. The second thing, they must be full of the Holy Ghost, must be filled with those gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost which were necessary to the right management of this trust. They must not only be honest men, but they must be men of ability and men of courage; such as were to be made judges in Israel (Ex. 18:21), able men, fearing God; men of truth, and hating covetousness; and hereby appearing to be full of the Holy Ghost. The third thing, they must be full of wisdom. It was not enough that they were honest, good men, but they must be discreet, judicious men, that could not be imposed upon, and would order things for the best, and with consideration: full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, that is, of the Holy Ghost as a Spirit of wisdom. We find the word of wisdom given by the Spirit, as distinct form the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 1 Co. 12:8. They must be full of wisdom who are entrusted with public money, that it may be disposed of, with fidelity, and frugality. The people (the assembly) must nominate the persons: "Look you out among yourselves seven men; consider among yourselves who are the fittest for such a trust, and whom you can with the most satisfaction confide in.’’ They (the assembly) might be presumed to know better, or at least were fitter to enquire, what character men had, than the apostles; and therefore they are entrusted with the choice of individuals.

The Apostles will ordain them to the service for which they are required, will give them their charge, that they may know what they have to do and make conscience of doing it, and give them their authority, that the persons concerned may know whom they are to apply to, and submit to, in affairs of that nature: Men, whom we may appoint. In many editions of our English Bibles there has been an error of the press here; for they have read it, whom ye may appoint, as if the power were in the people; whereas it was certainly in the apostles: whom we may appoint over this business, to take care of it, and to see that there be neither waste nor want, but that all things will be carried out decently and orderly.

The Apostles engage to addict themselves wholly to their work as ministers of the gospel, (v. 4): We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Take notice of, What are the two great gospel ordinances—the word, and prayer; by these two communion between God and his people is kept up and maintained; by the word he speaks to them, and by prayer they speak to him; and these have a mutual reference to each other. By these two the kingdom of Christ must be advanced, and additions made to it; we must prophesy upon the dry bones, and then pray for a spirit of life from God to enter into them. By the word and prayer other ordinances are sanctified to us, and sacraments have their efficacy. What is the great business of gospel ministers—to give themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word; they must still be either fitting and furnishing themselves for those services, or employing themselves in them; either publicly or privately; in the stated times, or out of them. They must be God’s mouth to the people in the ministry of the word, and the people’s mouth to God in prayer. In order to set in place the conviction and conversion of sinners, and the edification and consolation of saints, we must not only offer up our prayers for them, but we must minister the word to them, seconding our prayers with our endeavors, in the use of appointed means. We must not only minister the word to them, but we must pray for them, that it may be effectual; for God’s grace can do all without our preaching, but our preaching can do nothing without God’s grace. The apostles were and are endued with extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, tongues and miracles; and yet that which they gave themselves to continually was preaching and praying, by which they might edify the church: and those ministers, without doubt, are the successors of the apostles who give themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word; and such Christ will always be with, even to the end of the world.

Now look at how this proposal was agreed to, and presently put in execution, by the disciples. It was not imposed upon them by an absolute power, though they might have been bold in Christ to do this (Philem. 8), but instead proposed, as that which was highly convenient, and then the saying pleased the whole multitude, v. 5. It pleased them to see the apostles so willing to have themselves discharged from intermeddling in secular affairs, and to transmit them to others; it pleased them to hear that they would give themselves to the word and prayer; and therefore they neither disputed the matter nor did they defer the execution of it.

An apostle, being an extraordinary officer, was chosen by lot, which is more immediately the act of God; but the overseers of the poor were chosen by the suffrage of the people. We have a list of the persons chosen. Some scholars think they were such as were before of the seventy disciples; but this is highly unlikely, as they (the seventy) were ordained by Christ himself, long since, to preach the gospel; and there was not more reason that they should leave the word of God to serve tables than that the apostles should. It is therefore more probable that they were of those that were converted since the pouring out of the Spirit; for it was promised to all that would be baptized that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; and the gift, according to that promise, is that fullness of the Holy Ghost which was required in those that were to be chosen to this service. We may further conjecture, concerning these seven, [1.] That they were such as had sold their estates, and brought the money into the common stock; —other things being equal, those were fittest to be entrusted with the distribution of it who had been most generous in the contribution to it. [2.] That these seven were all of the Grecian or Hellenist Jews, for they have all Greek names, and this would be most likely to silence the murmurings of the Grecians (which occasioned this institution), to have the trust lodged in those that were foreigners, like themselves, who would be sure not to neglect them. Nicolas, it is plain, was one of them, for he was a proselyte of Antioch; and some think the manner of expression intimates that they were all proselytes of Jerusalem, as he was of Antioch. The first named is Stephen, the glory of these septemviri, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; he had a strong faith in the doctrine of Christ, and was full of it above most; full of fidelity, full of courage (so some), for he was full of the Holy Ghost, of his gifts and graces. He was an extraordinary man, and excelled in every thing that was good; his name signifies a crown. Phillip is put next, because he, having used this office of a deacon well, thereby obtained a good degree, and was afterwards ordained to the office of an evangelist, a companion and assistant to the apostles, for so he is expressly called, ch. 21:8. Compare Eph. 4:11. And his preaching and baptizing (which we read of ch. 8:12) were certainly not as a deacon (for it is plain that office was serving tables, in opposition to the ministry of the word), but as an evangelist; and, when he was preferred to that office, we have reason to think he quitted this office, as incompatible with that. As for Stephen, nothing we find done by him proves him to be a preacher of the gospel; for he only disputes in the schools, and pleads for his life at the bar, v. 9, and ch. 7:2. The last named is Nicolas, who, some say, afterwards degenerated (as the Judas among these seven) and was the founder of the sect of the Nicolaitans which we read of (Rev. 2:6, 15), and which Christ there says, once and again, was a thing he hated. But some of the ancients clear him from this charge, and tell us that, though that vile impure sect denominated themselves from him, yet it was unjustly, and because he only insisted much upon it that those that had wives should be as though they had none, thence they wickedly inferred that those that had wives should have them in common, which therefore Tertullian, when he speaks of the community of goods, particularly excepts: Omnia indiscreta apud nos, praeter uxores—All things are common among us, except our wives.—Apol. cap, 39.

The apostles appointed them to this work of serving tables for the present, v. 6. The people presented them to the apostles, who approved their choice, and ordained them. They prayed with them, and for them, that God would give them more and more of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom—that he would qualify them for the service to which they were called, and own them in it, and make them thereby a blessing to the church, and particularly to the poor of the flock. All that are employed in the service of the church ought to be committed to the conduct of the divine grace by the prayers of the church. They laid their hands on them, that is, they blessed them in the name of the Lord, for laying on hands was used in blessing; so Jacob blessed both the sons of Joseph; and, without controversy, the less is blessed of the greater (Heb. 7:7); the deacons are blessed by the apostles, and the overseers of the poor by the pastors of the congregation. Having by prayer implored a blessing upon them, they did by the laying on of hands assure them that the blessing was conferred in answer to the prayer; and this was giving them authority to execute that office, and laying an obligation upon the people to be observant of them therein.

The advancement of the church hereupon. When things were thus put into good order in the church (grievances were redressed and discontents silenced) then religion got ground, v. 7. 1. The word of God increased. Now that the apostles resolved to stick more closely than ever to their preaching, it spread the gospel further, and brought it home with the more power. Ministers disentangling themselves from secular employments, and addicting themselves entirely and vigorously to their work, will contribute very much, as a means, to the success of the gospel. The word of God is said to increase as the seed sown increases when it comes up again thirty, sixty, a hundred fold. Christians became numerous: The number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. When Christ was upon earth, his ministry had least success in Jerusalem; yet now that city affords most converts. God has his remnant even in the worst of places. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Then is the word and grace of God greatly magnified when those are wrought upon by it that were least likely, as the priests here, who either had opposed it, or at least were linked in with those that had. The priests, whose preferments arose from the law of Moses, were yet willing to let them go for the gospel of Christ; and, it should seem, they came in a body; many of them agreed together, for the keeping up of one another’s credit, and the strengthening of one another’s hands, to join at once in giving up their names to Christ: —a great crowd of priests were, by the grace of God helped over their prejudices, and were obedient to the faith, so their conversion is described. They embraced the doctrine of the gospel; their understandings were captivated to the power of the truths of Christ, and every opposing objecting thought brought into obedience to him, 2 Co. 10:4, 5. The gospel is said to be made known for the obedience of faith, Rom. 16:26. Faith is an act of obedience, for this is God’s commandment, that we believe, 1 Jn. 3:23. (2.) They envinced the sincerity of their believing the gospel of Christ by a cheerful compliance with all the rules and precepts of the gospel. The glorious design of the gospel is to refine and reform all our hearts and lives; faith absolutely gives law to us, and we not only should but, must be obedient to it.

Please feel free to let me know, should you have any questions.

Peace be and may grace abound



Chief Elder Charles Ford Walker





November 10, 1999

Dear Christian Friends, In the name of Jesus Christ:

I want to share with you an amazing experience I had on Saturday, October 30th. My son-in-law ( Elder Charles Ford Walker) was having a "Coming Together Reception" in Titusville, Florida, and he and my daughter (Sister Mary Tyson Walker) just insisted that I come. I have several disabilities to name a few; Arthritis, and wheel chair bound because of it. I have hypertension, Diabetes, and I am on Dialysis (the kidney machine). I felt that I just could not make the trip. I kept thinking, I am 77 years old and I am sickly and have trouble getting around and I would just be in the way if I went. I feel so out of place when I am out in public. I tried every excuse to not have to go to the Apostolic Ministries Reception, but one of my daughters said she had made plans to take me and that I should go ahead; so I did. I was afraid of the Florida-Georgia football game traffic on I-95 and didn't realize God had his plan already in motion. I prayed, and I prayed. I truly feared going on this trip, but when I prayed I thought of what Jesus said in Mark 11:24 I prayed, but I really had trouble believing. 1st. John 3:22 also tells us if we are obedient to his commandments what ever we ask for, we will receive it. I went on the trip to Titusville; I had a very enjoyable day; and was spiritually enriched by all that I witness and by all I heard that day. We journeyed back hoe, arriving around 11 p.m. to find my house had, had a chemical fire, which was started by a can of Black Flag insect repellant exploding underneath the kitchen sink, causing the fire. The explosion was so great until it blew out the kitchen cabinets; blew the control knobs of my gas cooking range; and blew out part of the house ceiling. The fire melted the sink drain pipes and the water supply line to my refrigerator. Somehow the water from this small icemaker line was able to put the fire out, before it could spread to the other parts of the house.

I had a good bit of water damage to my floors, damage to my kitchen, and smoke damage to my entire home. The thing I thank God for is that He had already put his loving arms of protection around me when he laid it upon the hearts of Elder Charles and Sister Mary to insist I attend the reception. God said he would be with us always. When the spirit lead me to accept their invitation that was the key too literally saving my life. I usually sit in my kitchen and eat my dinner. I probably would have been sitting in that kitchen when the explosion happen if I had been at home. If not I would have been in the next room and the fumes and the excitement probably would have caused me to become very ill or worse. The Fire Chief Said that he had never witnessed anything of this magnitude that left the house standing in all his 38 years of fire protection work.

What is it we always hear? God is an on time God, he may not come when we want him to, but he is always right on time. I thank God for Elder Charles and Sister Mary and Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc. It has proven already that God is in the Midst of their Ministry. I encourage them to keep on going in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ so that others may be blessed as I was on Saturday October 30th of this year by "The True Word. Let us remember too that when we pray, Isiah 65:24 tells us God answers while we are yet speaking to him just as he promised he would hear our prayers if it is with hope. And confidence. We as Christians don't witness enough. We don't tell others how good God has been to us, or how good he is being to us in our lives.

May the Lord continue to bless each and everyone who hear this Testimony.

Miriam Tyson,

Starke, Florida







----- Original Message -----
From: Axxxxx Txxxxxx
To: info@apostolic-ministries.net
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 11:48 AM
Subject: What Type of System?

Bishop Walker, please explain what is meant by a "Presbyterian system"; is it a requirement ?

----- Original Message -----
From: Charles Ford Walker
To: Axxxxx Txxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 2:19 AM

Subject: Re: what type of system?

The Presbytery

Greetings to Brother Axxxx Txxxxxx in the name of Jesus Christ, our soon coming King,
Thank you very much for taking the time to view The True Word website of Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc. As our mission is "To Support The Brethren" we do hope that each and every time you visit the AMA website you will find something of interest to you and enhancement to Apostolic Understanding. Thank you for the questions: What is meant by a Presbyterian System and is it a requirement?

Let us look at the requirement for peace in all the churches of the Saints; and what is needed in the church to establish that peace. In order to maintain peace the Apostle Paul said "Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Corinthians 14;40) Now, for all things to be accomplished properly and in order; the church must be decreed with Instructions, Rules, Laws, Procedures and Processes. How does the church come by this in the right way and where does it find those with this knowledge? Remember that the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians "......that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ( I Corinthians 14:37) This establishes the fact that It is necessary, therefore, now we will get an understanding as to what is a (Presbyterian System).

According to the new Testament writings here is the way this should be explained and is what I have in mind when I mention Presbyterian. This is not anything new and was in place during the early church that continued steadfast in the Apostles' Doctrine with the main Presbytery and Synod located at Jerusalem. Many non apostolic Denominations today and over the many years have embraced such a system. However, The Apostolics as a group and as the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ have not had this revelation in our time. This is the most important thing lacking in the Apostolic Faith Community. God has given me this knowledge by revelation and it is for this reason that Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc. was established by the will of God. This System has to be in place and working before the church can have all things common and for all those that believe to be of one heart and of one soul. According to the gospel of Jesus Christ the true church must arrived at this status before it is ready to go home to become the bride of The Christ.

When the revelation of Apostolic Pentecostalism was given to William Joseph Seymour in 1906 at his Azusa Street Revival in downtown Los Angeles, California; his plan was to set up the church under a Presbyterian system and did send presbyters through the world, assisted by his Apostolic Faith publications which became the most sought after church publication in its time. After several years he soon lost control of this effort because most of the Presbyters came into his organization from other faiths and were in it for their own personal gain and not for the gospel's sake. In time they abandoned the true Apostolic Doctrine and established their own doctrine which produced today's Pentecostal Trinitarian Faiths.

Per the Apostolic Doctrine we at AMA do believe that the church is a community or body in which Jesus Christ only is head and all members are equal under him. The church is governed and directed by assemblies of office holders, pastors and elders chosen to provide righteous representation for the church as a whole. The complete church government is divided into four categories.

CONGREGATIONAL:

Within the congregational level are the session, the deacons, and the trustees. Now the session is always made up of the elders and the pastor, who is also the head or the chairman. The session cares for all the religious or the churchly matters. (See Acts 6:1-7) It supervises the calling and election of pastors, receives and dismisses members, exercises church discipline, and determines the order of the services. Now, the deacons, over whom the pastor of that church is their overseer, care for the poor and other temporal affairs assigned to them. Whereas, the trustees, under chairmanship of their own, have charge of property, and all fiscal and legal obligations of the congregation. All elders and deacons are ordained to their offices. Ordination is for life, however, the exercise of any office can be for a term of years. The trustees are not ordained and serve for stated terms.

PRESBYTERY:

A presbytery is formed by all ministers, including those in pastorates, of a given area, along with certain elders appointed by the congregation. The presbytery is responsible for ordaining, installing, transferring, and removing ministers. (See I Tim 4:14) The individual church group may at any time elect its own pastor, however, the presbytery must give its approval and install him in office. Once the pastor has been installed, he cannot be dismissed by the local church group, nor can he leave the local church group without consent of the presbytery. The presbytery has religious, and legal authority over all congregations. (See Titus 1:5) The presbytery also serves as a court of appeal for cases coming from the congregational sessions. (See Acts 15:1-35) The chief moderator is elected annually, and the presbytery can meet as often as it wishes.

SYNOD:

A synod can be made up of several presbyteries; it may be a delegated synod to which only a few representatives from each presbytery are sent; it also can be a synod to which all the members of the presbyteries belong. It is a court of appeal in judicial matters, and maintains a coordinating role in church program matters among all the presbyteries. (See Acts 15:23-29) It would normally meet annually, but the chief moderator who is elected annually, can call a synod conference at anytime.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

The General Assembly is an annual meeting of Apostles, Elders, Ministers and Commissioners, who are elected by all the presbyteries according to the total church membership. The General Assembly elects its own officers; the chief moderator for one year only and the stated clerk for a longer term. The General Assembly has charge of all the general concerns of the church's faith, order, missions, education, and the like. (See Acts 16:4-5) The missionary, educational, benevolent, and publishing work of Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc, shall be under boards elected by the General Assembly, known also, as The Conference of Elders. The General Assembly also functions as the final court of appeal on all cases that come up to it from the congregational sessions, presbyteries, and synods. The Doctrine of Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc, shall never be subject to change or modification by any type of session of the General Assembly as it is clearly the divine inspired word of God and can never be subject to change. The General Overseer of Apostolic Ministries of America, Inc. shall never be subject to the General Assembly, as he is ordained by God as the chief spiritual leader of all, also known as The Chief Elder. However, should the General Overseer fail to name his successor, upon his death the General Assembly is responsible for selecting his successor.

Should you have any additional questions please send them to the Apostolic Minister for answers.

May God continue to bless you and your family,

Chief Elder Charles Ford Walker, General Overseer






letters to the editor




the elders speak



SEARCH THE BIBLE

A computer search throughout all the Bible identifying the words, "one", "two", "three" and their releationship to "Lord" and "God" will prove that the numbers "two" and "three" are never used as descriptors of God. If Trinitarianism were true, there would be at least a single descriptor of God given as two or three. Today's trinitarianism always and constantly uses the numbers three and two as descriptors of God. This is very sad, but we must remember what is written; "Not all men have that knowledge."






director's corner




fire and brimstone




apostolic speech

I Am An Apostolic

Robert A. Herrmann PhD.

In the Beginning

As I mentioned within my Christian Testimony, I made a fundamental scientific discovery that is used to create three different mathematical models. The first model is the Grundlegend Model (i.e. G-model) that, using various descriptions from C. S. Lewis, models the attributes of the Godhead and major portions of Christian doctrine as described by Lewis. I published these mathematically obtained findings in the Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation (March 1982, pp. 17-23). Of course, the findings were actually submitted a year or so earlier than the publication date. The problem was how do I know that the Scriptures actually state that such and such is an attribute of the Godhead, or such and such is Christian doctrine since I had relied mainly upon the C. S. Lewis descriptions?

At the time the G-model was being created (1978-1979), I attended a Lutheran Church near to my home. But, in actuality, I knew very little about the differences between the Christian doctrine proclaimed by various denominations and this situation needed to be corrected. Following 2 Tim 2:15, I began a study of these differences. My conclusion was that these differences, when they are compared one with another, produce logical contradictions and, every now and then, they contradict a straightforward Scriptural interpretation as it is substantiate by the G-model. As is often claimed, many of these differences came about by what is called "revelation." However, for Christians, such "revelations" are but an aspect of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost; a supernatural process I considered somewhat later during my investigations.

Research indicates that the language used within the Old and New Testaments was the common language used at the time the various "books" were written. Further, the "common logic" used is what we now call the "first-order predicate" logic or the classical logic investigated partially by Aristotle. This is the "scientific" logic that is used within most scientific disciplines and is absolute in a certain sense. This logic is a "two valued" logic. This means that a written statement that can be used for a scientific description is either "true" or "false," and not both. A better way to understand this two valued notion is that a statement that describes specific behavior can have only two outcomes. The behavior will occur or it will not occur, and the behavior cannot both occur and not occur. Further, these ideas can be extended to the concept of what is Scripturally described as "good" or "evil." A behavior is either "good" or "evil," and cannot be both "good" and "evil." I point out that this two valued concept need not correspond to objective reality. Indeed, a written statement itself need not describe objective reality.

Due to such doctrinal contradictions, I concluded that in order to determine Christian doctrine, I would reject all such contradictory doctrine and all forms of extrabiblical "revelation" as stated by any and all individuals. The only doctrine I would accept is the doctrine stated explicitly within the Scriptures, starting with the explicit doctrine as stated by Jesus and His Apostles (including Paul.) If I am to be judged by God relative to Christian doctrine, then I and only I will be so judged. I firmly believe that I cannot use the excuse that I accept such and such doctrine without investigation simply because some other individual claims that it is the correct doctrine. If every human being is to be held accountable for basic doctrine, then such doctrine should be obtainable by every human being in a straightforward manner. It should also be comprehensible using everyday common logic. However, an obvious problem presented itself. I was aware that not all "Bibles" are the same. Subtle changes, such as word omissions or additions, different word arrangements, and even variant translations have occurred. Thus I needed what is the best and most unbiased source of biblical information.

Unbiased Scriptures

To ensure that I was not influenced by any form of Christian doctrine as stated by specific church denominations, my investigations were done in a manner that insulated me, as much as possible, from such doctrine. To investigate the Scriptures in as unbiased a format as possible, the oldest and most complete extant copies of the Scriptures that are now in existence were consulted. Specifically these are the Sinaiticus, the Alexandrinus and the Vaticanus Greek manuscripts and some of the oldest fragments. Further, the Septuagint (LXX) as contained in these manuscripts is used for Old Testament concepts as well as the Masoretic text. I point out that the LXX contained in these Greek manuscripts is not a copy of Origen's fifth column taken from his Hexapla as some individuals have claimed. My hope was that these manuscripts would be the least altered manuscripts due to their sacred nature. My investigations indicated that in the early church great care was taken to insure the accuracy of these copies while, at the same time, doctrinal illumination was obtained by re-interpretation rather than by any significance alteration.

The above Greek manuscripts have been reproduced in a combined form, with their ancient editors' remarks, noting where the manuscripts have omissions or additions. Further, a special "literal" English translation has also been created with the express purpose of presenting a translation that is as unbiased as possible relative to doctrinal interpretations and this translation is also insulated from the personal bias of the translator. Much of this material has existed since 1926, and it is published by the Concordant Publishing Concern. Further, I also used twelve distinct well-known English Bibles for comparison purposes and investigated all of the extant writings of the "Apostolic Church Fathers" and other significant "Church Fathers" through Aquinas. [Note: As will be explained later, I have since discovered that this depth of investigation is not necessary.]

The Apostolic Doctrine

The major method of investigation uses the purest form of classical logic as it is represented by the construction of a mathematical theory. Since it can be established that the so-called "dialectic" logic is classically inconsistent, dialectic arguments are not applied. [I note that it is the philosophic dialectic argument that has been used since 130 AD to distort the Bible's contents and is the process that has led to the erroneous concept of "re-interpretation."] The major investigation uses a special technique that attempts to determine, as close as possible by a paper and pencil activity, the doctrine of the original Apostles, including Paul. To the Apostles, who exactly is Jesus, what are the attributes of the Godhead, what is the Holy Ghost, what are the meanings of other Judeo-Christian concepts described within the Scriptures? Does the Apostolic doctrine correspond to doctrine as presented within extrabiblical writings? I firmly believe that adhering to the Apostles' doctrine is not only all that is necessary for a Christian but is also a way to insulate an individual from "cult" concepts.

Do the Scriptures require me to know and abide by the doctrine as taught by the Apostles? Consider what happened after Acts 2:41. The Scriptures state "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine. . . ." Paul instructed Timothy that Timothy should abide at Ephesus and that, while there, Timothy should ". . . charge some that they teach no other doctrine." [1 Tim. 1:3] Indeed, Paul tells us that the doctrine Timothy knows is Paul's doctrine [2 Tim. 3:10] and that Paul's supernaturally verified doctrine, doctrine obtained by revelation [Gal. 1:12] , is apparently the same as the doctrine preached by the other Apostles. [Gal. 2:6] Moreover, Peter indicates that Paul's doctrine, although sometimes difficult to understand, is the correct doctrine. [2 Peter 3:15-16]

Obviously, my investigation would concentrate upon the descriptions as they appear in the above Scriptures. The basic method used is termed the describing set method. Take a concept such as the Holy Ghost. Consider the set of all statements that describe this concept. This set is the describing set. Now use this set as a set of hypotheses and extend this set as much as you wish through the use of classical deduction. From a pure logical point of view, this is all that the ordinary individual could know about such a concept. It is not all that can actually be known, however.

The same describing set procedure can be done with a single Godhead attribute, with the concept termed the Father, and all other such notions. One can apply set theoretic operations to these describing sets, and a great deal of very complex analysis; however, as will be discussed later, such analysis is not, in general, necessary. [I applied these procedures since at that time my only supernatural connection with the Godhead was an external connection.]

It is this technical method, a method to which I was accustomed, that allowed me to produce portions of the Apostolic doctrine; Christian doctrine as it would be understood by the Apostles. I will not state this doctrine here, however, for a reason soon to be delineated. Although I am convinced that I had discovered major portions of the Apostolic doctrine, the doctrine I had deduced mathematically is different, in certain respects, from doctrine expressed by some other Christians. This fact bothered me greatly. Was I the only person in the world that knew this portion of the Apostolic doctrine? I found out that this is not the case. Indeed, I discovered that there are hundreds, thousands, indeed, millions of others who also share the exact same doctrine that I had logically deduced while I was in complete natural-world doctrinal isolation. Some individuals even came to the same conclusions by Scriptural investigation and their investigation took place while they were similarly isolated. But most discovered the Apostolic doctrine by a different means; a means that would have eliminated much of the effort I had put forth for exactly five years. Obviously, such a paper and pencil activity in which I was engaged cannot establish that any supernatural doctrine is "true in objective reality." But, there is a specific Scriptural method that can be used, and that I have since used, to verify that the doctrine I had deduced is, to me, the correct Apostolic doctrine. [If you are not a Christian, then what I am about to discuss will appear to be complete nonsense since it will probably contradict certain basic assumptions to which you adhere. Logically this must be the case; it might not be possible for you to comprehend the next material. However, if you are "open minded" in that you are willing to consider such possibilities, then what follows may be of some interest to you.]

The Holy Ghost

The Scriptures give two and only two specific methods to be used in order to be indwelt fully by the supernatural entity termed the Holy Ghost (i.e. Spirit). I firmly believe that without a supernatural means, no "supernatural" doctrine can be verified. Although I knew these Scriptural processes, I had not sought such an indwelling. I was caught up in my analysis and did not participate in such an activity. However, many individuals have so participated in the exact Scripturally described procedures and claimed to be so indwelt. Indeed, the processes follow the exact same general procedures as used in a laboratory science. Exact natural procedures, as described within the Scriptures, are applied and, if an individual follows the Scriptural rules, that individual will not only be so indwelt but will demonstrate that he/she is so indwelt. The same result will occur every time the procedures are repeated exactly. [Possibly one difficult part of the procedure is for an individual to repent, truly repent.] The fact that millions of individuals have been so indwelt by the Holy Ghost and experience the literal presence of the Spirit of God is absolute scientific and personal evidence for the existence of God. Further, it is a remarkable fact that all the "gifts of the Spirit" including "wisdom" and "revelation" are aspects of such a supernatural indwelling.

In the early morning of 30 June 1983 while my daughters slept quietly, God presented to me an absolute indication that I should seek the full indwelling of the Holy Ghost. This I did on July 17, 1983 at Antioch the Apostolic Church in Arnold Maryland. The procedure I followed is exactly as described in Acts 10:44 - 48. It was only after this supernatural experience that I finally understood what Jesus meant in John 16:13 "Yet whenever that may be coming - the spirit of truth - it will be guiding you into all truth, . . . ."

I now believe firmly that the absolute and simplest path to all truth is as it is stated in 1 John 2:27. I am not guided by any individual, church, creed, domination or, indeed, a religion. I am guided explicitly and personally by a supernatural entity that has verified all of the Apostolic doctrine I had originally deduced and much more. [Indeed, I have a very personal relationship with the God.] Moreover, it is evident that since this is the Spirit of Truth that all verified doctrine must be the same doctrine. But, how is the verification obtained? Does verified doctrine ever contradict, in any manner, the Scriptures and has this verification refined or given, to me, further illumination for significant Scriptural concepts?

The last two questions are answered easily. The verification never contradicts the Scriptures and the verification has given, to me, important doctrinal refinements. If you read my Christian Testimony, then you are aware that for forty years of my life I was controlled by the Adversary. This control was all related to my "mental" voice. I know exactly how this is done and I can discern easily when it is being done to other individuals; especially those individuals who do not believe that they are being so controlled. For me, the Holy Ghost does not verify in this manner. For me, such verification is not some sort of "small, still mental voice." The verification process or manifestation is physical and almost always of the exact same type. It is this personal physical manifestation, a type of "tongues of fire," that also gives absolute evidence that God's Holy Spirit is the actuating agent in this verification process. I will not describe this physical manifestation since my investigations indicate that the manifestation is specifically designed for each individual in such a manner that it cannot be mistaken for any other effect. Note that in Job 4:15, Eliphaz the Temanite describes a physical manifestation that indicated to him that a spirit being was present.

My Theological Writings and Choice

I have in the past written on various theological subjects. I do not want any individual to accept or deny any Christian doctrine based upon these writings. These writings may be interesting but they "prove" exactly nothing relative to doctrinal "truth." These writings are but paper and pencil activities in applied classical logic. (See below.) There is only one doctrine I emphasize continually and this is the "indwelling" of the Holy Ghost in the exact manner as stated in the Scriptures. Notice that, in either case, the manner requires true repentance. Thus one must first know the Scriptural meanings for the terms "good" and "evil" in order to satisfy this requirement. Once an individual obtains this supernatural method of verification and demonstrates its presence, then the individual can easily determine what is truth and what is not through Holy Ghost verification.

It is my firm and absolute belief that one cannot know, with any certainty, the truth about supernatural theological concepts through any form of human secular activity. Such assurance can only be obtained by supernatural means.

It is almost always the case that individuals are presented with doctrinal choices that are not logically equivalent. Indeed, one should always consider different doctrinal possibilities when a specific choice has not been Holy Ghost verified. This is where some of my writings and many others might be helpful. Consider 2 Tim 2:15, "Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Investigate different doctrine and compare it to the Scriptures. Study the Scriptures to determine what the Apostles believed. Study and investigate whatever you wish. [But, please don't accept a doctrine based simply upon some other individual's authority or acceptance or claimed revelation.] Now take your choices and seek Holy Ghost verification. If you don't receive such verification, continue your search. I am confident that if you are sincerely seeking the correct Christian doctrine and are truly indwelt by the Holy Ghost, then this Spirit of Truth will guide you to the correct choice and once this choice is presented to you, it will be verified absolutely.

There are many, many questions you might consider; questions that require Holy Ghost verification due to their importance. For example, can the Christ Jesus be characterized as exhibiting, at the least, the most complete manifestations of the "supernatural" Godhead attributes that can be presented within the natural universe? Although Jesus the man is God manifested in the flesh, when one reads the words that Jesus spoke is it necessary in order to have an in-depth comprehension to know when to interpret these words as statements spoken as a man might speak them, or as God might speak them? Are there actually any logical contradictions within the Scriptures? Did the Apostles believe that God has a personal name? If so, what might it be? Are there really any "mysterious" or "secret" concepts within the Scriptures; concepts that can only be known by a chosen few? Are the Scriptures actually direct and "straightforward" when describing theological concepts? Is it possible that every question one might ask relative to Scriptural concepts has an answer; but a few of these answers, just a few, might not be comprehensible while humankind is in its present fallen mode? [Determining the answer to this last question is rather important since it appears that many "cult" like concepts and much erroneous doctrine come from attempts to answer such questions by worldly means.] Well, as the Scriptures say if you sincerely "seek, then you will find" answers to many, many such questions. The answers you find, if verified by the Holy Ghost, will be the exact same answers that have been found by millions of others.

It is possible that a few of portions of your verified doctrine might be different from that doctrine to which you were originally exposed. Although you should not alter this verified doctrine, you might ask "How is it possible that so many highly educated individuals could have been wrong for so many years?" Well, maybe, just maybe, the doctrine that they propose has not actually been verified by the Holy Ghost but this doctrine has simply been repeated over and over again under the assumption that many years ago it was founded upon such verification. Is this possible? One small example, from what are thousands, will establish that this is indeed very possible even within science. One of the greatest "thinkers" of antiquity was Aristotle. He claimed to have logically deduced many, many aspects of natural-system behavior. However, he did not verify these claims. One such "self-evident fact," was that if two similarly configured bodies, one 100 pounds and another 10 pounds, are dropped from a tower, the 10 pound body will take ten times longer to reach the ground. For 1,800 years, all of the philosophers of nature (i.e. scientists) accepted without question this "self-evident fact." Although Aristotle's "Law of Fall" obviously contradicts observation, it was Galileo who appears to be the first scientist to mention that an actual experiment would demonstrate that this so-called fact is totally false. Indeed, other "self-evident facts" of Aristotle were also shown to be false because no one had, over all these years, attempted to verify Aristotle's claims.

But why should anyone go to this often time consuming effort? Well, all Christians seem to have, at the least, one common doctrine. It states that there is a spiritual life after death. There is "something" supernatural that does exist and is associated with each individual, and it will exist for an eternity. The Scriptures appear to teach that the doctrine you choose is related to "how" your personal supernatural spirit will spend this eternity. Clearly, it is important that you investigate and determine the correct Christian doctrine. I firmly believe that objectively real supernatural verification by means of the fully indwelt Holy Ghost is the only way to know the truth.

Except for the concept of Holy Ghost indwellment and the questions I have posed, I have not discussed any other possible Apostolic doctrine within this article and I will not do so by means of any form of electronic communication. I firmly believe that without Holy Ghost verification such a discussion would be worthless. Unfortunately, I do not have the Spiritual gift that will allow me to determine whether an individual is truly indwelt with this supernatural entity unless the individual is actually in my presence. I will not alter, in any manner, the concepts described within this portion of my "Personal Web site." I may, later, refine some of this material. But, for now, this is all that I will state relative to Apostolic doctrine and how, without extrabiblical influences, one discovers its content. Relative to my 1984 book, "Oneness . . . ," you will find a list of typographical errors and corrections and a note relative to the book's central concern at typos. Finally, I will not "debate," in any manner, the statements I have made above if you might, for some reason or other, disagree with my findings.



27 APRIL 1997

If you wish you can e-mail Dr. Herrmann and congratulate him on this brilliant work or seek to read some of his other outstanding publications.





apostolic poetry


I Know That Some Day
By:
Albert Simpson Reitz, 1915

I know that some day from His heavenly throne,
The blessèd Redeemer of men
Will come in His glory to gather His own;
He is coming, is coming again.

Perhaps in the morning His face I shall see
, The Redeemer and Savior of men;
And oh, what a glorious day that will be!
He is coming, is coming again!

I know when He comes it will be as a King,
Forever and ever to reign;
So watching and waiting for Him will I sing,
He is coming, is coming again.

Some day amid angels of heavenly light
And glorified loved ones He’ll come;
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in splendor and might:
He is coming, is coming again.





apostolic family




apostolic cookbook




apostolic home




day i was saved




i heard God




this is old

Submitted to The True Word by Elder Charles Ford Walker





this is new




what's this


EVIDENCE OF DESIGN
1611 KJV BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD





Evidence of Design:

Beloved Numerologist

by Chuck Missler

The numerical structure of the Bible has been studied closely, being the subject of numerous volumes in the past.1 But none are more provocative than the works of Dr. Ivan Panin.2

Ivan Panin was born in Russia on December 12, 1855. Having participated in plots against the Czar at an early age, he was exiled and, after spending some years studying in Germany, he came to the United States and entered Harvard University. After graduation in 1882, he converted from agnosticism to Christianity.

In 1890 he discovered some of the phenomenal mathematical designs underlying both the Greek text of the New Testament and the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.

He was to devote over 50 years of his life painstakingly exploring the numerical structure of the Scriptures, generating over 43,000 detailed, hand-penned pages of analysis (and exhausting his health in the process). He went on to be with the Lord in his 87th year, on October 30, 1942.

The Heptadic Structure

The recurrence of the number seven--or an exact multiple of seven--is found throughout the Bible and is widely recognized. The Sabbath on the seventh day; the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine in Egypt; the seven priests and seven trumpets marching around Jericho; the Sabbath Year of the land are well-known examples.

Also, Solomon's building the Temple for seven years, Naaman's washing in the river seven times, and the seven churches, seven lamp stands, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, seven stars, and so on in the Book of Revelation, all show the consistent use of the number seven.

But there turns out to be much more below the surface. Ivan Panin noted the amazing numerical properties of the Biblical texts--both the Greek of the New Testament and the Hebrew of the Old Testament. These are not only intriguing to discover, they also demonstrate an intricacy of design which testifies to a supernatural origin!

Vocabulary


One of the simplest--and most provocative--aspects of the Biblical text is the vocabulary used. The number of vocabulary words in a passage is normally different from the total number of words in a passage. Some words are repeated. It is easy, for example, to use a vocabulary of 500 words to write an essay of 4,000 words.

An Example

The first 17 verses of the Gospel of Matthew are a logical unit, or section, which deals with a single principal subject: the genealogy of Christ. It contains 72 Greek vocabulary words in these initial 17 verses. (The verse divisions are man's allocations for convenience, added in the 13th century.)

The number of words which are nouns is exactly 56, or 7 x 8.

The Greek word "the" occurs most frequently in the passage: exactly 56 times, or 7 x 8. Also, the number of different forms in which the article "the" occurs is exactly 7.

There are two main sections in the passage: verse 1-11, and 12-17. In the first main section, the number of Greek vocabulary words used is 49, or 7 x 7.

Why not 48, or 50?

Of these 49 words, the number of those beginning with a vowel is 28, or 7 x 4. The number of words beginning with a consonant is 21, or 7 x 3.

The total numbers of letters in these 49 words is 266, or 7 x 38-- exactly! The number of vowels among these 266 letters is 140, or 7 x 20. The number of consonants is 126, or 7 x 18--exactly.

Of the 49 words, the number of words which occur more than once is 35, or 7 x 5. The number of words occurring only once is 14, or 7 x 2. The number of words which occur in only one form is exactly 42, or 7 x 6. The number of words appearing in more than one form is also 7.

The number of the 49 Greek vocabulary words which are nouns is 42, or 7 x 6. The number of words which are not nouns is 7. Of the nouns, 35 are proper names, or exactly 7 x 5. These 35 names are used 63 times, or 7 x 9. The number of male names is exactly 28, or 7 x 4. These male names occur 56 times or 7 x 8. The number which are not male names is 7.

Three women are mentioned-- Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. The number of Greek letters in these three names is 14, 7 x 2.

The number of compound nouns is 7. The number of Greek letters in these 7 nouns is 49, or 7 x 7.

Only one city is named in this passage, Babylon, which in Greek contains exactly 7 letters.

And on it goes. To get an indication of just how unique these properties are, try the example in the inset.

Gemetria

There are even more features in the numerical structure of the words themselves. As you may know, both Hebrew and Greek uses the letters of the alphabet for numerical values. Therefore, any specific word--in either Hebrew or Greek--has a numerical value of its own by adding up the values of the letters in that particular word. The study of the numerical values of words is called gemetria.

The 72 vocabulary words add up to a gametrical value of 42,364, or 7 x 6,052. Exactly. If one Greek letter was changed, this would not happen.

The 72 words appear in 90 forms--some appear in more than one form. The numeric value of the 90 forms is 54,075, or 7 x 7,725. Exactly.

We will defer other examples of gametrical properties of the Biblical text for subsequent articles, but it becomes immediately obvious that hidden below the surface are aspects of design that cannot be accidental or just coincidence. Remember, the rabbis say that "coincidence" is not a kosher word!

Other Implications


There are words in the passage just described that occur nowhere else in the New Testament. They occur 42 times (7 x 6) and have 126 letters (7 x 18). How was this organized?

Even if Matthew contrived this characteristic into his Gospel, how could he have known that these specific words--whose sole characteristic is that they are found nowhere else in the New Testament--were not going to be used by the other writers? Unless we assume the absurd hypothesis that he had an agreement with them, he must have had the rest of the New Testament before him when he wrote his book. The Gospel of Matthew, then, must have been written last.

It so happens, however, that the Gospel of Mark exhibits the same phenomenon. It can be demonstrated that it would have had to be written "last." The same phenomenon is found in Luke. And in John, James, Peter, Jude and Paul. Each would have had to write after the other in order to contrive the vocabulary frequencies! You can demonstrate that each of the New Testament books had to have been "written last."

There is no human explanation for this incredible and precise structure. It has all been supernaturally designed. We simply gasp, sit back, and behold the skillful handiwork of the God who keeps His promises.

And we are indebted to the painstaking examinations and lifetime commitment of Dr. Ivan Panin for uncovering these amazing insights.



Notes:

McCormack, R., "The Heptadic Structure of Scripture," Marshall Brothers Ltd., London, 1923; E.W. Bullinger, Numbers of the Scriptures; F.W. Grant, The Numerical Bible (7 vols.); Browne, Ordo Saeculoreium, et al. Ivan Panin (various works), "Bible Numerics," P.O. Box 206, Waubaushene, Ontario, L0K 2C0





Why I Personally Feel the 1611 King James Bible is the
True Word of God

Facts: The oldest form of the Bible discovered to date are the 92 papyra, dated 180AD and 220AD and 85% of the text agrees word-for-word with the 1611 King James Bible. Only 15% agree with the other Bible versions.

Of the 5,200 Greek manuscripts that exist today, 99% of the text agrees word-for-word with the 1611 King James Bible. Only 1% agree with the other Bible versions.

Of all the Onicals (which is text written in block capital letters), 97% of the text agrees word-for-word with the 1611 King James Bible. Only 3% agree with the other Bible versions.

Of all the 2,000 Cursives (text written later in history when people began to write in long-hand), 99% of the text agrees word-for-word with the 1611 King James Bible. Only 1% agree with the other Bible versions.

Of all the 2,000 Lexicons, 100% of the text agrees word-for-word with the 1611 King James Bible. Only 0% agree with the other Bible versions. What About The Roman Catholic Bible? The Roman Catholic Bible is also a corrupt document. What many Catholic's don't know is that the Roman Catholic Bible used today originated from Alexandria, Egypt -- and it was composed by a neo-Platoism school. You see, Alexandria, Egypt was a "melting pot" for a wide variety of religions and beliefs. They combined text from the 92 papaya (the oldest known documents to exist of the Bible today which were discovered 80 miles from Alexandria, Egypt), as well as the Greek manuscripts and a variety of other sources, including Aryan. The idea was to publish a Bible that would satisfy the masses.

This may not sound like such a "big deal," but it is my opinion that this was all done deliberately with Satanic influence. Here's why: In 1 Timothy 3:16, the 1611 King James Bible says:

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

But in the New Revised Standard Version, "God" is changed to "He." This small change can mean a big difference when someone is trying to understand about God's plan of salvation. Remember -- Satan is the author of confusion and subtle changes like this can do more damage because they are changes that are hard to find.

Later in this chapter I have listed several New Testament Bible verses omitted in other Bible versions, compared with the 1611 King James Bible. Why then would anyone want to read anything except the original 1611 King James Bible? The facts are right before our eyes. Archeologist's have physically discovered the paprya and Greek manuscripts. They exist today in reality! If they all agree 85% to 99% with the 1611 King James Bible, why dispute the facts? Accept reality and get yourself an original 1611 King James Bible (with no copyright) and start studying it. CLICK HERE TO ORDER A KING JAMES 1611 BIBLE.

My Personal Experience with the Living Bible

For graduation from high school in 1976, I received a Living Bible from Billy Graham Ministries. Because I believed Billy Graham to be the man most "in touch with God" on the planet at that time; and because I had been "brain-washed" into believing that the King James Bible was too difficult to understand -- I made the Living Bible my major source of study in God's Word.

In 1998 I was introduced to the following facts and studies presented to you below. Immediately I dug deeper into the subject myself. I compared different Bible Versions (i.e., New King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, New American Standard Version, Revised Standard Version and The Living Bible.) I then started searching for an original 1611 King James Bible and discovered they were extremely rare and hard to find. I visited Christian bookstores from Ohio to Tennessee and not one of them carried the original 1611 Version. When I walked into the store, every clerk declared they carried a huge line of King James Bible's; however, if you look in the front of the Bible and find it carries a copyright -- you are NOT buying an original 1611.

That's because the original Bible never carried a copyright. Our forefathers -- a group of 88 Godly men, who painstakingly translated the original Greek and Aramaic texts into the 1611 King James Bible Version -- wanted the Word of God to be preached to everyone. Therefore -- anyone could copy and reprint the Bible as long as the words were not changed. But in order for a Bible (or any published book) to carry a legal copyright, the text must differ a minimum of 20% from the original text in order to qualify by law.

When I discovered this fact, I immediately began to research the subject deeper since I naturally wanted to be reading the Word of God. The first thing I had to do was locate an original 1611 King James Version. Like I said before, I didn't have any luck trying to buy one from a Christian bookstore locally, so I started sending away for information from TV evangelists, but still came to a dead end. One day I was visiting my brother and was looking through some of his old books. I jumped for joy when I found an original 1611 King James Bible presented to him in 1953 for perfect attendance by his teacher Lawrence Sproles in St Paul, Virginia. Excitedly I told my brother how hard I had been searching for this Bible and the reason why. Naturally, he gave it to me so I could continue my research.

For those of you who don't believe in spiritual feelings, you will not understand what I am about to say. But as God is my witness -- when I opened that 1611 King James Bible I could feel a power around me like none I had felt before. I started at the beginning -- Genesis -- and after reading the first 3 chapters I had an understanding of the Garden of Eden that I had never read about before in the other Bibles. And as I dug deeper into this powerful Bible, God increased my knowledge of who He really is and began teaching me things I never knew before. Suddenly missing parts of my life, and experiences I had lived through, started making sense. And beyond that -- God increased my chances of witnessing to others about Him by 100 fold. So needless to say, my life completely changed when I started reading the original 1611 King James Bible and I thank God that He revealed the truth to me -- which I am now passing on to you..

So now that I was convinced that the King James Bible was working for me, I decided to investigate others who had researched the subject. The best resource I found was Gail Riplinger's Lecture Series called "Perfection or Perversion." (Purchase from AV Publications Corp, PO Box 280, Ararat VA 24053, 1-800-435-4535.) This 3 hour video-tape source presented me with factual evidence after factual evidence of how the other Bible's were written, who the people were that did the translation and why they specifically omitted important key words like "God," "Jesus," and "Satan" from the other Bible versions. I urge you to get this video and study it because it will provide you with many more facts than I have presented here. And in the process, you will learn more about God -- your Creator -- than you ever thought possible. I guarantee it will change your life forever!

New Testament Bible Comparison

Below is a small sample (just from the book of Matthew) of the Bible version comparison work conducted by Terry Watkins. You can see for yourself, the words and sentences that were omitted from the original 1611 King James Bible. The first column provides you with the Bible verse, so you can look it up for yourself. The second column details the word or words that were removed. The third column tells you which Bible version removed this particular word or words. If you are interested in getting the whole list of over 300 verses CLICK HERE.

Abbreviations used in the third column, to refer to the particular Bible omitting or changing the word or words is as follows:

NI = New International Version
NKJ = New King James Version
NRS = New Revised Standard Version NAS = New American Standard
RS = Revised Standard Version LB = The Living Bible NC = New Century Version

VERSE DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE CHANGE IN:

Matthew 1:25 REMOVE "Firstborn" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 5:22 REMOVE "without a cause" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 5:44 REMOVE 12 WORDS "bless them that curse you.." NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 6:13 REMOVE LAST 14 WORDS (For thine is the kingdom . ." NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 6:27 CHANGE "cubit to his stature" TO "hour of his life" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 6:33 REMOVE "of God" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 8:29 REMOVE "Jesus" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 9:13 REMOVE "to repentance" (see also Mark 2:17) NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 11:23 REMOVE "hell" NI, NAS, NKJ, RS, NRS, NC
Matthew 12:6 REMOVE "one greater" to "something greater" NAS, RS, NRS, NC
Matthew 12:35 REMOVE "of the heart" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, NC
Matthew 12:40 CHANGE "whale" TO "fish," sea monster NI, NAS, NKJ, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 12:47 REMOVE ENTIRE VERSE NI, RS, NRS
Matthew 13:51 REMOVE "Lord" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC
Matthew 15:8 REMOVE "draweth nigh unto me with their mouth" NI, NAS, RS, NRS, LB, NC


Even after reading the above evidence, some of you will still deny the 1611 King James Bible is still a controversial matter. That's your own personal choice to believe whatever you want. If you and I looked up at the sky and I said it was "blue" but you said it was "green," you and I could stand and argue all day about what colors of "green" are borderlined on the "blue" family but you and I would not accomplish a thing, except a loss of time. My suggestion and hope is that this book has sparked an interest in you so that you were personally research the matter on your own. Then find the Bible that you believe to be the true Word of God and study it. Regardless of which Bible version you and I debate about -- it still doesn't matter unless you read it, study it and adapt it's moral and spiritual principles to your life. If you don't plan to find out more about God on a personal level, you might as well forget the research into the true Word of God.

In debating about the 1611 King James Bible being the true Word of God, I have received a lot of the same opposing views. Most of them claim that the Bible was written by "men," not "God." but 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Some believe that the word "correction" in this sentence means that it is perfectly all right to correct and update the Bible. That is NOT what the verse is saying -- read it again. The word "correction" is used for "setting the record straight," such as correcting someone if they are wrong about something.

Others will argue that the 1611 King James Bible was translated from corrupt texts. Some ask, "What was the original Bible written on?" The answer: scrolls. They will continue: "How do you know the King James was translated from the original scrolls?" The answer: you don't -- however, the oldest known documents to exist today are the 92 papyra dated from 180AD and 220AD. And it is known by researchers that 85% of these papyra agree with the 1611 King James Version. But you might argue that only 85% of these texts agree, so the King James could be wrong. Perhaps -- but wouldn't you rather read a text that is 85% accurate rather than one that is only 15%. Come on now -- the law of averages is evident.


Resource Box:

This article was written by author, Victoria Ring, President of WebPrint Publishing. To contact Victoria directly, write PO Box 09654, Columbus OH 43209-0654, call 614-237-0846, email victoriaring@usa.net or visit her website at http://victoriaring.com





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