Bible - Inspiration and Preservation

The lesson on November 14, 2021 was part 16 and the conclusion of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. In this final lesson, Wayne takes us back to the beginning and reviewed some of the foundational issues that this study answered. After a quick review of the previous lesson, we reviewed Psalm 148:13 and Psalm 138:2 KJV which shows how valuable God views His written word. We reviewed Revelation 13:8 KJV which shows how the modern scribes who gave us the modern bibles choose to push their own personal preference over what the transcripts say. In this example, both the old and new manuscripts agree and the corrupt interpretation was used to push Calvinism. Wayne then provided a list of what we have learned in this study: 1) There are scribes and there are “scribes”! Matt 5:20, 12:38, Mark 1:22. 2) There were many who sought to pervert the scriptures in the early years and after of AD. 3) The Lord corrected false ideas of the scribes Matt 5:21-48, 23:1 ff. 4) Enmity of the scribes Matt 26:57, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:1-2. 5) Not all Bibles are the result of “belief in preservation” and “the scriptures”. 6) The KJV is the best representation in ENGLISH of God’s preservation and inspiration of scripture we have. 7) More understanding of the process of preservation will come to hand as more study ensues. Consequently, Wayne plans to add more articles on RightDivision.com on this subject matter. The scripture reading was from Matthew 23:1-10 KJV "1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

The lesson on November 7. 2021 was part 15 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. As Wayne is winding down this study, we reviewed what we learned in our previous lesson regarding the Genealogical theory that Westcott and Hort put forth as the foundation for their critical review of the Textus Receptus or majority Greek manuscripts of the New Testament as one that falls apart when you try to verify against the data. When you have texts that are a mixture of previous texts, it nullifies the theory. “When there is mixture, and Westcott and Hort state that it is common, in fact almost universal in some degree, then the genealogical method as applied to manuscripts is useless.” Further, they didn’t even use this theory in their criticism of the majority text making all the modern bibles based on their work in error and have led to Christians being deceived. Wayne gives high praise to Wilbur Pickering’s book “The Identity of the New Testament Text”. Although Wayne has looked at many other sources, he liked what was said at the end of the book: “Anyone who wishes to be one should absolutely stop representing his presuppositions as being part of the evidence. Since the original was never lost, there is no legitimate textual criticism of the NT, and therefore no science of such. Since NT textual criticism (as practiced by the academic community during the past 130 years) depends on a false presupposition, it cannot be a science. Those who reject the primary evidence can, and probably will, continue to propound a theory of textual criticism. I suppose they have a right to their theory, but I cannot wish them well.” Pickering, Wilbur. The Identity of the New Testament Text IV (pp. 374-375). Kindle Edition. We were challenged to consider those that are so called “experts” to be mindful before you just accept their guidance. We went through a couple more examples by looking at Mark 1:2-3 KJV. We also learned of the martyrdom of Ignatius, a church father, who was killed in 107 A.D at Rome. On the way to Rome to receive his sentence, he wrote 6 epistles to churches, one of which was to the Ephesian church. In this letter he mentions the teaching contained in 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV. The scripture reading was from Mark 1:1-3 KJV “1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

The lesson on October 31, 2021 was part 14 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. In this lesson, Wayne revealed more of the findings in Westcott and Hort theories on their published work that created the wave of modern bibles. One of the main theories they promoted was on the Genealogical method founded by Hort. Here is Hort’s classic definition of genealogical method: The proper method of Genealogy consists . . . in the more or less complete recovery of the texts of successive ancestors by analysis and comparison of the varying texts of their respective descendants, each ancestral text so recovered being in its turn used, in conjunction with other similar texts, for the recovery of the text of a yet earlier common ancestor. These are the arguments with which W. and H. opened their discussion of genealogical method. . . . They show clearly that a majority of manuscripts is not necessarily to be preferred as correct (which is what the Textus Receptus has). It is this a priori possibility which Westcott and Hort used to demolish the argument based on the numerical superiority of the adherents of the Textus Receptus. It is clear that the notion of genealogy is crucial to Hort’s theory and purpose. He felt that the genealogical method enabled him to reduce the mass of manuscript testimony to four voices— “Neutral,” “Alexandrian,” “Western,” and “Syrian.” Wayne reviewed what those were on the whiteboard. Then we looked at the fact that their Genealogical method was not used in the production of the “Neutral” Greek text! Further we learned that their theory is not valid because of blended manuscripts. Finally, we looked at several passages in John 6:69 KJV; Luke 2:33 KJV; Matthew 5:22 KJV; and Matthew 27:35 KJV (compare with Psalms 22:18 KJV). The scripture reading was from Luke 2:33 KJV “33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.”

The lesson on October 24, 2021 was part 13 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. In this lesson, Wayne takes time to show us why God’s word in not only inspired but preserved. He let us know that he is going back and reading the writings of what Westcott and Hort said in their theories of a better Greek manuscript so he can let us know what is in error. We started with looking at 1 Peter 1:22-25 KJV and recognized that God not only gave us His inspired word but also preserved it. Next, we reviewed 1 Corinthians 5:4-11 where there are all kinds on judgmental instructions are given. If you combine that with 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 KJV, we see that for us who follow right division, it is so important to put these passages into context. The same was in Acts 4. If you mess with the spirit of God, the spirit of God would kill you! Wayne reviewed the gifts that were given in Acts to those that were given when the Mystery was revealed in Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:8,11-12 KJV. We also reviewed Colossians 2:20-22 KJV where it clearly shows how ordinances have changed after the Mystery was revealed. It is so important for those who follow the right division of scriptures trust in the inspired and preserved word of God, even right down to a comma. We then looked at Colossians 1:14 and compared what was omitted in the new bibles which left out the most important part. The scripture reading was from Colossians 1:12-16 KJV “12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

The lesson on October 17, 2021 was part 12 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. This lesson starts with taking us to the beginning and end of the Bible. In Genesis 1:1 Wayne recounts the creation and further adding in Jeremiah 4:23 where it describes the judgment that came upon the original Earth with the judgement against Lucifer, who became Satan. God then started the re-creation process and put Adam and Eve in the Garden and gave them instructions. Satan appeared unto Eve in the metaphor of a serpent and we reviewed how Satan attacks the word of God which caused doubt for Eve. “Ye hath God said…” The Serpent came in questioning God’s Word. Eve misquoted scripture and Satan used that to create doubt. This is what is going on today with the modern Bibles. Wayne ended the Genesis example by telling of the seed of the woman. He then took us to the end of the Bible in Revelation 22:18,19 where a warning was given for those that add word to the prophecy of this book. Clearly God’s Word is inspired and preserved and those that call themselves modern biblical scholars who attack the word of God by using corrupt manuscripts will be held accountable because God is watching. The remaining part of the this lesson looks at specific verses missing in the English Standard Version (ESV). One specifically was in Romans 13:9 where it provides a list to the believer of what not to do, including a false witness. The modern bibles omit this from the list! Perhaps those that have altered the scriptures took that out because it pointed right at them! Matthew 18:11 is another omission. The scripture reading was from Acts 20:30-31 KJV “30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

The lesson on October 10. 2021 was part 11 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. This weeks lesson reviewed a chart from the book “Has God Indeed Said?” written by Phillip Kayser, Ph D. and Wilbur Pickering, Ph D. illustrating the degree of conformity that four types of manuscripts (papyri fragments, uncials, cursives and lectionaries) have to either the Majority Text or to Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (the primary text underlying most modern translations). It was shocking to see how all four categories of manuscripts greatly support the Majority (of which the KJV is based) and how little supported the primary texts. Wayne took us through how the scriptures testify of how the faithful transmission preserved the word of God. We learned how the Apostle Paul had a necessary token in his books to thwart off those who were trying to corrupt the word back then. He even said so in 2 Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” We reviewed the warnings about corrupting the word of God from various passages. There is a protective providence of scripture because God has promised to preserve His word. (Deuteronomy 29:29; Psalms 111:7-8; 119:160; Isaiah 40:8; 59:21; Daniel 12:4; Matthew 4:4; 5:17-18; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; Hebrews 2:2; 1 Peter 1:25; cf. also Psalms 102:18; cf. eg. Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10;10:11). The scripture reading was from 1 Timothy 4:1-7 KJV “1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

The lesson on September 26, 2021 was part 10 of the “Bible Inspiration and Preservation” study. This week we reviewed the Godly factor in the preservation of the scriptures and considered those that were selected to revise the Greek text behind the King James Version of the Bible and were asked if they would be considered godly? The Apostle Paul wrote as if the scriptures were readable and authoritative. We learned that God gave His word to be accountable (as shown in Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15,16 KJV). How can God hold people to account without the preservation of scripture? (Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 6:8 KJV). It comes down to the belief of faithful transmission. As PAul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 KJV “14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” The scripture reading was from Jeremiah 36:1-4 KJV “1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. 4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.”

The lesson on September 19, 2021, was part 9 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. This lesson established the Godly doctrine that we should trust that establishes the preservation of scripture over what other men have said in their textual criticism and opinions. The scriptures are readable and authoritative as it says in Ephesians 3:4 KJV "4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" and in Colossians 4:16 KJV "16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." Paul was asking us to compare his knowledge of the Mystery of Christ to the revelation of The Mystery. The Mystery of Christ runs through all of scripture. If we are to compare it with The Mystery of Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:25, 26 it certainly implies that God had preserved His Word. God had set aside and used Godly people for this as said in Psalm 4:3 KJV "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him." In the Mystery books, we are encouraged to live Godly. 1 Timothy 1:4 KJV says "4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." 2 Timothy 3:12 KJV says "12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." We must believe that God has preserved His word. The scripture reading was from 1 Timothy 3:14-16 KJV "14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 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."

The lesson on September 12, 2021, was part 8 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. Wayne opened thanking everyone for the prayers he received while he recovered from COVID-19. Wayne still is not back to 100% but is glad to get back to this important study. We looked at the preface to the Revised Standard Version and the New International Version from the book by Pickering "The identity of the New Testament Text" and saw that they supposed relied on "better texts" and the principles of textual criticism to come up with the better translation of the Greek. Wayne refutes this. We also looked at quotes from other scholars like Robert M. Grant and Kenneth W. Clark who believe that "... we may be pursuing the retreating mirage of the "original text"" and "it is generally recognized that the original text of the Bible cannot be recovered". Wayne disagrees with these scholars of the "better texts" because the Bible is not only inspired but preserved! How could we rely on the scriptures if it was not so. He used Colossians 1:24-2:3 as an example of how important this is for our proper walk. Wayne then shared what me must do in the coming lessons in that we must find a way to identify the New Testament text that is consistent with what we understand about God’s ways. The scripture reading was from Colossians 2:1-6 KJV "1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:"

The lesson on July 25, 2021, was part 7 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. In this lesson, we get a good review of why having the right Bible is important particularly with the Acts perspective when the Jew was first. In this case, there is so much that is unique during the Acts for the Jew. This included doctrine like signs, wonders, various prayer promises and ordinances. That would include water baptism and the Lord's Supper. This ties in with our modern Bible study because the word broken does not exist in the modern Bibles and it is so crucial to understand that the broken body of Jesus is reflected in the broken bread and communion for the Christians during the Acts period. We must use right division to make since of the doctrines that we find in scripture! Without right division, it is all a combination salad. That is why when we receive from PAul the one baptism is a spiritual work by God the Father where you are identified with Christ and are made complete. We learn of that in Colossians 2:8-15 KJV. We reviewed 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV "13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." We want to do an effectual work! This comes from believing in God's word! The modern Bibles cause unbelief! We reviewed 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV where PAul wrote "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The preserved word of God that we believe allows us to perform these good works. We reviewed page 3 of The identity of the NT Text by Pickering that said "In very broad and over-simplified terms, one camp generally follows the large majority of the MSS (seldom less than 80 and usually over 95 percent) which are in essential agreement among themselves but which do not date from the before the fifth century A.D., while the other generally follows a small handful (often less than ten) of earlier MSS (from the third, fourth and fifth centuries) which not only disagree with the majority, but also disagree among themselves (which obliges the practitioners to be more or less eclectic). The second camp has been in general control of the scholarly world for the last 130 years, at least." The scripture reading was from Matthew 5:17-18 KJV "17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

The lesson on July 18, 2021, was part 6 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. We learned that there has been another attack on the King James translators in that in the original King James translation, in the preface it had some artwork showing key historical biblical characters and the way the hands were drawn suggested that it represented a masonic handshake and reflected the masonic influence of the translators and even of King James. Wayne proceeds to refute these rumors and suggests you research these things before you believe them. Just recently, one of the notebooks of Samuel Ward, a KJV bible translators, was found and there are visuals of his notebook. So even now, evidence is discovered of the translation from the original manuscripts that pre-dates the Wescott & Hort manuscripts that sit in the Pope's library in Rome. We were cautioned of the New King James and how it is not just updating the English. Examples were shown from KJV bible verses comparing it to the NKJV and it was significantly different. We learned that there is an especially important reason for the pronouns and their usage. Specific pronouns in the KJV reflects singular and plural correctly whereas it does not in the NKJV or modern bibles. For example, Exodus 16:28 says "And the LORD said unto Moses, how long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" In the NKJV it says in Exodus 16:28 "And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?". The Ye is plural indicating Moses and Israel. In NKJV, it is singular just referring to Moses. This lesson concludes with the temptation we receive when the new text gives us the “words” that match our beliefs, but this allows us to first believe something and then apply what God said vs. the other way around. In this example, Ephesians 3:9 the word used is Fellowship vs. Dispensation. Wayne shows us how if we dig into that word Fellowship, it is like our communion. The Lord's Supper was uniquely Jewish, and Israel is asked to keep the communion. We are asked to have the communion of the Mystery which is our unique fellowship. The scripture reading was from John 3:7 KJV "7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

The lesson on July 11, 2021 was part 5 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. This lesson looked at a specific example in the revised texts problem with Mark 16:9-20 KJV. There was an article written by Danny Akin entitled "Preacher’s Toolkit: Should I Preach the Longer Ending of Mark?" where it was targeted at Pastors helping them overcome the he felt it wasn't right to teach verses 9-20 because the newer manuscripts (the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus that the new bibles are based on) do not have these passages. In this article, he provides steps to use when preaching to their congregation. Wayne takes us through some of those steps and refutes them with overwhelming internal and external evidence to the contrary. In fact, one of the books he has referenced is "THE LAST TWELVE VERSES OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. MARK" by John William Burgon is the definitive defense on this passage. The majority of the texts have this passage and only 2% don't. We should keep them in and teach them. The scripture reading was from Mark 16:1-8 KJV "1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid."

The lesson on July 4, 2021 was part 4 of the "Bible, Inspiration and Preservation" study. This lesson showed a specific example of how an event in history impacted the so-called neutral texts in relation to the passage in 1 John 5:1-8 KJV. This passage is one of the strongest in the testimony of the trinity, yet most Christian scholars do not use it. We take time to look at the external and internal evidence that puts those verses there. This is commonly referred to as "Comma Johanneum". The bold text is the Johannine Comma: 1 John 5:7-8 KJV "7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. In conclusion, we see that the historical attack by Emperor Diocletian from AD 284-312 who wanted to wipe out the Christian faith by destroying the manuscripts. (His wife Prisca and daughter Valeria converted to Christianity). Secondly, when Constantine made himself high priest over the church – which was an unholy union between church and state - he at the Council of Nicea AD 325 wanted to remove the Deity of Christ to promote himself as the head of the church. Finally, Constantine commissioned Eusebius of Caesarea to make 50 copies of the NT. He was a student of Origen and Origen’s theology fueled the Arian controversy (which is the belief that Christ is a god, not God in the Flesh) Jerome used Eusebius’ works to produce Latin Vulgate (which omits the Comma Johanneum). The scripture reading was from 1 John 5:1-8 KJV "1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

The lesson on June 27, 2021 was part 3 of the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. Wayne took time to review the previous lessons before he focused on the primary content of this lesson, which was the apparent Lucian recension. Wescott and Hort believed that from the very beginning the traditional (Byzantine) text was an official text with official backing and that this was the reason why it overcame all the rival texts and ultimately reigned supreme in the usage of the Greek church. The regarded the "Traditional Text" as the product of a thorough-going revision between 250 A.D. and 350 A.D. They believed that this text was a deliberate creation of certain scholarly Christians at Antiock and that the presbyter Lucian (d. 312) was probably the original leader in this work. We then looked at an example of a wrong reading in the Greek text of the "best manuscripts" in John 5:2 KJV "2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.". There was a copper scroll found from cave 3 Qumran that contains a Hebrew form of the name Bethesda. This was dated A.D. 35, 65. Yet the uncials don't have this and they disagree among themselves. The oldest manuscripts surviving record the incorrect reading and are therefore themselves a result of a recension. So, the KJV reading correct using Βηθεσδά and the critical text is wrong using the Greek Βηθζαθὰ. This was reflected in a letter by one of the church fathers where they quoted this scripture way before the critical text does. We will look at more examples like this in our next lesson. The scripture reading was from 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV "13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

The lesson on June 13, 2021 was part 2 of the introduction in the "Bible Inspiration and Preservation" study. Wayne continued to provide us a tentative outline of what this study will cover. This starts with asking "Is there is an issue?" which we started looking at the results of newer Bibles to see how they have removed some verses because they removed some of the Greek. This is then followed by undertaking "What saith the scripture?" Then we will look into "The manuscripts and history". Next we will take a look at "The identity of the new testament text". Then Wayne intends to wrap up with a "Summary". Today he shared with us other texts that have been written that we may want to collect and use with our own studies. These five parts cover all that will consist of the full study looking into the Bible's Inspiration and Preservation. The scripture reading was from Psalms 12:6-7 KJV "6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

This lesson was taught on June 6, 2021 with Wayne starting a new study on reviewing the Bible, its Inspiration and Preservation. This study is so important to Christianity today because the Bible is under attack. Each Christian who attends a Bible Study and experiences the issue when you have those in attendance read scripture and they don't have the same Bible. In newer Bibles some verse have been omitted or reworded because they have been created from "a better manuscript", which is the explanation that is given for the omission or change. In this first lesson, Wayne shares examples of how modern bibles have omitted very important verses. We learned that God has magnified His Word above the excellence of His name from Psalm 148:13 "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven." and Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." It seems pretty important that we study what we use as the preserved word of God in our Christian walk. The scripture reading was from Psalms 138:1-2 KJV "1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."