What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 7 / No. 18”
What The Bible Says
Vol. VII - No. 17 January 19, 2025
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
No, this is not an article on mathematics although the subject is that of addition and subtraction. The subject is about the word of God, the Bible. It must be rightly divided or handled aright as the American Standard Version states (2 Timothy 2:15). We live in a time that the word of God is not handled as it ought to be. Even Paul spoke of those in his time that "corrupt the word of God" (2 Corinthians 2:17) and were "handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2). The conclusion that has to be reached is not everybody is making the right use of the Scriptures. That is the point of this article.
Numerous additions and subtractions have taken place with God's word. No one is at liberty to do this. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2). "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add there to, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32). "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6). “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another." (1 Corinthians 4:6). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9). "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22: 18-19). Thus, we see a principle that has always been true of God's word. When God has spoken, we must not add anything to what He has said, neither are we to take or leave anything out.
When it comes to such important subjects like salvation, the church, worship, and the work and organization of the church, much has been added and a lot has been subtracted from what God has said about these subjects. This is why book, chapter, and verse is so essential to authorize all we believe and practice (Colossians 3:17). Any changes made to God’s word will pervert it (Galatians 1 :6-10). One quart of dirty oil plus three quarts of clean oil equals four quarts of dirty oil. Sweet milk plus sour milk equals sour milk. Who can deny the logic? Everything we do must be done "according to the pattern" of God's word (Hebrews 8:5). Is there a pattern found in the Scriptures for what you believe and practice religiously? Or must we do some addition or subtraction to God's word to justify it? —E.R. Hall, Jr.
MY CONTEMPORARIES
When I consider my early years, say when I was between the ages of 4 and 8, I still get a chuckle. Why might you ask? Well, like most kids my age, I was fooled by the magic of television. There was no cable or any of the modern gadgetry back then. We had a black and white TV with three channels on a good day. We would crack the window to talk to the one who volunteered to go outside and turn the antenna. On Saturday mornings we would certainly try and catch some cartoons. After this, the TV would normally be turned off. If the weather outside was suitable for children to play, we were off and running.
I always looked forward to Saturday or Sunday matinee times when Shirley Temple or The Little Rascals would be on. I could see myself in their adventures whether they were at school or on the playground. It might be they’re in class or after school activities. I could imagine myself doing the things they were doing. They were just like me. In my mind they were just one town over from me. I had no knowledge of syndications or re-runs. I thought it was real. I did know that Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges were acts, but they seemed to me like older versions of myself.
Contemporary means living or occurring at the same time. As a noun, it means a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another. So now you understand the chuckle. These visions I had been seeing on television were not real. Most were prior recordings that were being replayed for my entertainment. I had been fooled by this modern trickery.
As we look ahead, there's a day coming when all of mankind will for the first time be contemporary. I do mean all of mankind. In 2 Cor. 5:10 the writer describes this as an appearance, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. Everyone will be there. Every man, woman and child ever conceived will be present on that day. We will at last be contemporaries and will remain contemporaries for eternity. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah will be there. Pharaoh and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, yes, he will be there. Samson and all he slew; they will be in attendance. Your grandparents will be there, your mom, your dad, your siblings and your children also. All the loved ones past and present on this day will be required to stand. Jephthah and his daughter will be there. Caleb has always been of interest to me, his attendance will be required, just like yours and mine. The list you might think goes on and on but that's not true. The list ends when all are accounted for. Lists will no longer be needed because there is a book, “The Lamb’s book of life” Rev. 21:27.
We will all be standing before the first born from the dead, Jesus Col. 1:18. He will separate all as sheep and goats Matt. 25:32. He will execute righteous judgment Acts 17:31. His decision will be final. This separation will determine which of our contemporaries we will live with through eternity. The ones separated for condemnation; the goats, will be cast into eternal punishment. The ones separated for rest; the sheep, will be granted entrance into “The kingdom prepared from the foundations of the world” Matt. 25:34. With these considerations in the forefront of our minds, let us not go about our lives as little children, being fooled by the trickery of the devil and men. Syndications will be no more. There will be no re-runs of life Eccl. 9:10. Eternity begins with your contemporaries having been selected and eternal dwelling places having been assigned. Who will your contemporaries be? Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting... —Blind Bartimaeus 23
SENTENCE SERMONS
The storm also beats on the house that is built on the rock.
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It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.
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When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.
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The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
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You are not the first to have happen to you whatever it is that is happening to you.
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--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org