Energy!

 

Butterfly Nebula - God's Creation

We have no way to fathom the energy of this cloud (nebula) and the galaxies are beyond comprehension. The Star of Bethlehem is so impressive and real that some sour-puss astronomers resent the popularity of the Star at Christmas.

How much more personal is the energy of the Scriptures and its message across the Ages! Jesus stopped at a famous well and let a Samaritan woman listen to the truth. He displayed the power of God Himself - opening up the wall between the paganism of the woman and the truth of eternity.

No one should be surprised about energy, a Greek word we use so often - whether good or bad at the moment. The Word of God is energy, always at hand. For those who disparage and reject, the Gospel is annoyance and worse. For those who pursue and hold onto the Divine, nothing is greater, more powerful and gentle.

When ELCA voted against the truth of the Scriptures, a powerful wind almost tore the cross off the steeple, where the blaspheme was praised. Very effective! ELCA reduced itself from 5.3 million to 2 million members.

Reading the Word of God with Child-Like Delight

 

I had the enjoyment of teaching world religion and Old Testament at two online universities, University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University. 

Old Testament was especially worthwhile because anything from the outline could also be used in discussed for the New Testament. 

KJV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This is simple in language but vast in its meaning. Nothing is better than translating one language (Greek) into English, especially because Jesus undoubtably spoke Greek, the language that would influence the Western world and therefore English itself.

My GCU students enjoyed the cross-over from Old to New Testament. Nothing quite equals Creation, Genesis 1, and John 1 - the opening Gospel of Creation, the Triune God expressed in both Testaments, how many centuries apart? 

Both Genesis and John clearly express the Holy Trinity, but the befuddled mainline minds of seminary professors and students always cloak the Word of God with their opposition to the efficacious Holy Spirit (hardening rather than enlightening). 

I did some Greek study at Augustana College, Rock Island, but Waterloo Seminary was not keen on Greek or Hebrew, the later giving me the Hebrew award because I was the only one to take the class. 

Plain English (KJV) is very easy to understand in simple words that carry the power of God's Word. I taught Genesis 1 just as I covered John 1 to graduate students and confirmation students. "All things were made" is quite impressive, even more with All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The openings of Genesis and John are the same truth with slightly different terms. The Son of God and the Holy Spirit are in both beginnings and many more passages together throughout the  Testaments. 

I quoted Luther on this point - "The Old Testament is the foundation. The New Testament is a series of sermons that teach us what the Old Testament means." (paraphrased)

 

Portable Efficacy - Blessings of the Holy Spirit

One of the prime benefits of the Holy Spirit is the use of it at any time or place. That by itself is calming and good for understanding matters during the work of the day. That could be resting, considering crucial parts of the Bible, or wondering about doctrine of the Bible.

Thinking is often efficient for learning because the normal distractions are left alone for the blessings of the Holy Spirit instead. Someone can read without paying much attention, but that is not efficient for the reader, the believer, or the one struggling. 

Someone can feel the emphasis when no books are open and it strikes the person - "I would like to spend time on that reading or that significant passage when I get a quiet time and a good source."

People will notice  - or maybe not - that their lives have gone by without depth in Biblical discovering. Clergy are often the worst, even with wall shelves of hundreds of books, all in perfect order and rank. 

The simplest and most profound - even though the wording is plain and clear - is the Gospel of John, 

• ignored by the modernists 
• but loved by the ancients 
• for the fourth Gospel 
• soaring above all the rest.

The Gospel of John should be read thoroughly, honoring the simplicity in the Holy Spirit.

Not the Person But the Efficacy of God's Word

 

So many dwell on people and things, thinking they are effective and delightful. Only the Word of God can have an effect - truthfully - either positive or negative.

I reminded Tom Fisher today that we are simply the ones who share the Word, the power and influence coming from the Holy Spirit. That is how the original Walter Maier produced the radio ministry of the Scriptures, far ahead of its time.

If the congregations cannot tolerate the truth of God's Word they will drift away and become even more lukewarm, like their brethren in Laodicea. 

The Real Issues Are Buried in Management by Objective (MBO)

 

As they said on the bus going to the LCA-ALC-AELCA meeting, just as ELCA was being formed, "I know, but it's the process!"

The leaders du jour had to bop the subordinate heads together so they could unify their new corporation. Three Lutheran groups would become one, but more like a paper bag leaking out all the overly ripe vegetable products...onto the floor.

The beloved process found that MBO would squash themselves (there he goes again) into a unity without substance.

The entire Christian Church is based on the Efficacy of the Word through the Means of Grace. When that is ignored and shunned, nothing is left but some kind of business matter.

Call Me Pentecostal

 

The Pentecostal label may have dwindled or merged - hard to tell. When Christianity Today phoned me about Cho - the Korean felon, years ago, he asked me how I obtained a particular statement. I said to the editor, "I got that from your magazine!" Christina found the reference for me - at the Luther Seminary library. 

Pentecostalism was hot in all the mainlines, which I noticed in Midland, Michigan, including the LCMS congregations to some extent. Those days were the birth pangs of "Church Growth, sometimes expressed as Church Growth." (I heard a WELS DP say that without projectile vomiting.)

I learned the reason for the LCMS being so infatuated with themselves. The lies about Stephan and CFW Walther were a Fort Knox of dishonesty. Even worse, the delusional clergy and laity distorted the Gospel horrendously to gild the statues and statutes of The Great Walther with constant praise. 

Granted - the Lutheran Church in America was tepid at best and Marxist at the upper levels. Each glob of Lutherdom praised itself (ALC versus LCA versus LCMS, etc). 

This turmoil got me to pursue the Biblical issues in relation to the Book of Concord, even when the LCMS Michigan District President asked me about serving one of his Pentecostal congregations. I quoted Luther - "They act as if they swallowed the Holy Ghost, feathers and all." 

?!

Pentecostal

I suggest that people study the Holy Spirit in the KJV, Luther, and such authors as Melanchthon and Chemnitz. I am afraid that 99% of Lutherdom today is empty, whether radical in its gay atheism (not just ELCA) or sweating for a replacement for Church Growth - packaged, putrid, programs.

The Lutheran synods do not know where they are going because they have so many baubles to play with, so little content. As one stupefied WELS leader said, "Isn't it great that we had three pastors and three churches! Now we will have two pastors in one church with more attendance." Yay!!!! What???? 

"Wuz I smart or not?"

He is really onto something, but what it is, I can't tell.

The Denominations Are Gone

The man-made earthworm - breaks down easily, costs a bundle.

 The most ignored item in the garden is free.

 

Luther's sermon on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany is quite detailed and powerful, doubtless because the Church of Rome had completely abandoned the message of the text - the energy of the Word.

I was going to write "the efficacy of the Word" for those who nod their heads in solemn response. The phrases in English are parallel to the Greek text, which is so important - now that seminary students no longer translate or use the original wording. 

So let's use "the energy of the Word" because energy is Greek for "working in." A gardener will say at the hardware store, "Is this fertilizer effective?" That depends on whether the magical stinky formula comes from a chemical company - or  - from earthy Creation itself (earthworms, moles, decaying wood, leaves).

Remember "The Word never without the Spirit, the Spirit never without the Word"?That was taught in Hoenecke's dogmatics book, which remained German only until around the late 1980s. WELS liked Pieper's exotic blend of Justification without Faith, a clever ruse.

The denominations - especially the soi-disant Lutherans - are dead in the water and sinking because they have no concept of energy in the Word of God. So they waste everyone's money with store-bought schemes from famous clergy of momentary fame.

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us become unstuck." That is a certain sign of spiritual blindness, where a salesman sells a sales product, on people who have tried everything else. That describes most of the Lutherans today (to be precise) and the mainline denominations. 

1. They meet together at Fuller Seminary and other houses of ill-repute. 
2. They deny Schuller three times (as Rick Warren did). 
3. They sob into Willow Creek and its food court.

What marketing! the lop-sided smile of contradiction.

Luther's Sermon on the Word - The Whole Story in One

 

This is the link below - which leads to the entire sermon.

One WELS pastor named his blog - The Main Thing Is the Main Thing.

I thought the title was excellent, because it expressed the hippy-dippy advertising loved, promoted, and exhausted by the maggots of Fuller Seminary, Willow Creek, Jeske Incorporated, and other pest-houses.

The effective Word of God is not all about the personality of the pastor, the purity of his inbred DNA, and his sure and certain hope of everlasting synodical titles. 

I realize very little will be noted here, because the American clergy have foolishly straight-armed the truth of the Bible in favor of slimy slickness of fads. 

Charlie Sue was expecting her main meal, and her main meal is the main meal, whenever needed.

The Word of God is the Foundation Wrecked by Man

Old Testament, Pristine Text, False Translators

Note the disparity in the two great texts - the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament remains the Hebrew text, 100%, because the Jewish scholars have preserved the text even to the point of destroying any book that has even one error, down to counting the total numbers of letters and words in any given book.

Translators, drunk on their Princeton and the Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic), plus many more, turn the precision of the Old Testament into the laughter of their Father Below.

New Testament Greek - 

Abused by the Really Cool

The New Testament Greek text is the plaything of anyone with a degree, an attitude, and a lust to oppose "My Word will last forever." Their revelations come from rejection of the Trinity, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His Assumption. They have the traditional text - called the Byzantine - and they know the ancient confession of its truths, but they must rule over their academic seminars, conferences, and little-read "scholarly" wingdings.

The King James Version does not deny the resurrection of Jesus in Mark 16:9-20, nor does it omit "the Son of God" in Mark 1:1 - beloved by Westcott and Hort, adored by all. 

I gathered the basics for a book about the King James Version. The Otten-Beck New Testament is packed with such nonsense (see above) and treated as the Holy Grail for Waltherian addicts. As they said about a backed-up sewer, "I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was that bad!"

What They Are Now Teaching - 

The Brain-Dead Kids in Seminary

Think about this, before writing an angry letter to Christian News (if they are still printing). The seminaries do not teach Jesus Christ the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, risen from the dead and assumed into Heaven. They do not have faith in Him so they do not teach faith.

They teach how to start new churches because the denominations are sinking fast from their lack of faith.

They emphasize personality because everyone wants to have happy-clappy-chappy congregations that fund the endless numbers of overpaid denominational staff, who also take whatever loot they can get from Thrivent. I went to two different seminary graduations. Both "gave away" cheap little portable home communion hardware sets (but no KJV).

They avoid touchy topics because of their ignorance and their need to make people calm and sedated.

They can provide worship for anyone via a computer, but they do not care to pay the small Zoom fee and its minor complications.

Proving how Roman Catholic the twin Missouri seminaries are, they lust for all the trivia, fish-hats, shepherd's crooks, and genuflections possible. 

Carravaggio

Rolf Danger Preus edited this book by his father, Dr. Robert Preus.

Ah yes, but Robert Preus repudiated OJ before he died, and two of his sons edited Justification and Rome.

The Efficacy of God's Word Is Not Hidden in the Bible - Just Ignored

 

Luther

"The world is now full of sects which exclaim that Baptism is merely an external matter and that external matters are of no use. However, let it be ever so much an external matter; here stand God's Word and command which institute, establish, and confirm Baptism. However, whatever God institutes and commands cannot be useless but must be an altogether precious matter, even if it were worth less than a straw."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 43. Large Catechism, Matthew 28:19.

"We should be on our guard against the Anabaptists and sectarian spirits, who speak contemptuously of Baptism and say that it is nothing but ordinary water, which helps no one. They look at the sacred act as a cow looks at a new door; for they see a poor preacher standing there or some woman who baptizes in an emergency, are offended at the sight, and say: Indeed! What might Baptism be? Moreover, they state: Whoever does not believe is really not baptized. In this way they dishonor and blaspheme the most worthy Sacrament, not seeing any farther than a horse or a cow sees...."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 45. John 1:30‑32.

"But here it is written that when Christ was baptized, all three Persons of the Trinity were present‑‑God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit...and that the heavens stood open, too. In fact, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit daily stand about and at the side of our own Baptism....For this reason we should highly esteem and honor Baptism and say: Baptism was not devised by any human being, but God instituted it; and it is not simple water, but God's Word is in it and with it, which makes of its water a washing of the soul and a washing of regeneration."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 45. John 1:30‑32.

"One must not make the sweeping assertion: God is not worshiped by anything external. Therefore we should not ridicule all things that are external in the worship of God. For when God speaks about a splinter, His Word makes the splinter as important as the sun. It is, therefore, profane language to say that the water of Baptism is only water; for the water of Baptism has the Word added to it. Therefore it is like a glowing or fiery iron, which is as truly fire as it is iron and does all that fire usually does. But only the pious see and appreciate the Word in the water; a cow or a dog sees only water."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 45. Psalm 122:3.

"Whoever is baptized in Christ is baptized through His suffering and blood or, to state it more clearly, through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins. For this reason St. Paul calls Baptism a "washing of regeneration" (Titus 3:5); and according to what Christians say and picture, the Sacraments flow from the wounds of Christ. And what they say and picture is right." [Plass footnote: "Thus Jerome (d. 420) sees the Sacrament symbolized by the blood and water that flowed from the side of the dead Christ (John 19:34). Similarly St. Augustine (d. 430). In Luther's days pictures and woodcuts presented the same view. See W 30, II, 527, note; SL 13a, 491f.]
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 46. to Duke George, 1533 John 19:34; Titus 3:5.

[endangered infant not baptized in womb] "But the women who are present at the birth should kneel down and with a prayer of faith commit the endangered infant to God who is mighty and able to do more than we ask. Without a doubt He will accept the infant for the sake of the prayer of the believers."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 49. J. Aurifaber, undated 


"I still maintain, as I have maintained in the Postil (SL 11, 496f.) that the surest Baptism is infant Baptism. For an old person may deceive, may come to Christ as a Judas and permit himself to be baptized. But a child cannot deceive. It comes to Christ in Baptism as John came to Him and as the little children were brought to Him, that His Word and work may come over them, touch them, and thus make them holy. For His Word and work cannot pass by without effect; and in Baptism they are directed at the child alone. If they were to fail of success here, they would have to be entire failures and useless means, which is impossible."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 50. Letter to two ministers, 1528

"To be sure, Baptism is so great that if you turn from sins and appeal to the covenant of Baptism, your sins are forgiven. Only see to it‑‑if you sin in this wicked and wanton manner by presuming on God's grace‑‑that the judgment does not lay hold of you and forestall your turning back. And even if you then wanted to believe and trust in your Baptism, your trial might by God's decree, be so great that faith could not stand the strain. If they scarcely remain in the faith who do no sin or who fall because of sheer weakness, where will your brazen wickedness remain, which has challenged and mocked God's grace? Let us, therefore, walk with care and fear that we may hold fast the riches of God's grace with a firm faith and joyfully give thanks to His mercy forever and ever. Amen."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 57. Treatise on Baptism, 1519 [advocates infant immersion or something similar] Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 58.

"Thus we see what a very splendid thing Baptism is. It snatches us from the jaws of the devil, makes us God's own, restrains and removes sin, and then daily strengthens the new man within us. It is and remains ever efficacious until we pass from this state of misery to eternal glory. For this reason everyone should consider his Baptism as his daily dress, to be worn constantly. Every day he should be found in the faith and its fruits, suppressing the old man, and growing up in the new; for if we want to be Christians, we must practice the work whereby we are Christians. But if anyone falls from baptismal grace, let him return to it. For as Christ, the Mercy Seat, does not withdraw from us or forbid us to come to Him again even though we sin, so all His treasures and gifts also remain with us."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 61. Article on baptism, 1529

"There is on earth no greater comfort than Baptism."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 61.



The Effectiveness of the Word

1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV) I have planted, [Apollos] watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6.

Revelation 19:13 (KJV) And he clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The [Word] of God. Revelation 19:13.

Revelation 12:10 (KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:11 (KJV) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the [word] of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:10‑11.

Revelation 1:9 (KJV) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the [word] of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9.

1 John 5:7 (KJV) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the [Word], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7.

1 John 2:14 (KJV) I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the [word] of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14.

1 John 1:10 (KJV) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his [word] is not in us. 1 John 1:10.

1 John 1:1 (KJV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the [Word] of life; 1 John 1:1.

1 Peter 2:7 (KJV) Unto you therefore which believe precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1 Peter 2:8 (KJV) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, which stumble at the [word], being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Peter 2:7‑8.

1 Peter 1:23 (KJV) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the [word] of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the [word] of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the [word] which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1 Peter 2:1 (KJV) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the [word], that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord gracious. 1 Pt. 1:23‑25; 2:1f.

James 1:21 (KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted [word], which is able to save your souls. James 1:21.

James 1:18 (KJV) Of his own will begat he us with the [word] of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18.

Hebrews 13:7 (KJV) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the [word] of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of conversation. Hebrews 13:7.

Hebrews 11:3 (KJV) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the [word] of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) For the [word] of God quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebews 4:12.

Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) Who being the brightness of glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the [word] of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3

Titus 2:5 (KJV) discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the [word] of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:5.

Titus 1:9 (KJV) Holding fast the faithful [word] as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9.

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Preach the [word]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn awayears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:2‑5.

2 Timothy 2:9 (KJV) Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, unto bonds; but the [word] of God is not bound. 2 Timothy 2:9.

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the [word] and doctrine. 1 Timothy 5:17.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the [word] of God which ye heard of us, ye received not the [word] of men, but as it is in truth, the [word] of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (KJV) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the [word] in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Colossians 3:16 (KJV) Let the [word] of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16.

Philippians 2:16 (KJV) Holding forth the [word] of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16.

Ephesians 5:26 (KJV) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the [word], Ephesians 5:27 (KJV) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26.

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the [word] of God: Ephesians 6:17.

Ephesians 1:13 (KJV) In whom ye also , after that ye heard the [word] of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13.

2 Corinthians 5:19 (KJV) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the [word] of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the [word] of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV) 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. 2 Corinthians 2:17.

Romans 10:8 (KJV) But what saith it? The [word] is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the [word] of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:8.

Acts 20:32 (KJV) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the [word] of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32.

Acts 19:20 (KJV) So mightily grew the [word] of God and prevailed. Acts 19:20

Acts 17:10 (KJV) And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the [word] with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10‑11.

Acts 13:48 (KJV) And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the [word] of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:49 (KJV) And the [word] of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Acts 13:48‑49.

Acts 13:26 (KJV) Men brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the [word] of this salvation sent. Acts 13:26.

Acts 12:24 (KJV) But the [word] of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24

Acts 11:1 (KJV) And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the [word] of God. Acts 11:1.

Acts 10:36 (KJV) The [word] which sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Acts 10:37 (KJV) That [word], (I say), ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Acts 10:36‑37.

Acts 8:25 (KJV) And they, when they had testified and preached the [word] of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Acts 8:25.

Acts 8:4 (KJV) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the [word]. Acts 8:4.

Acts 6:7 (KJV) And the [word] of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7.

Acts 4:29 (KJV) And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy [word], Acts 4:30 (KJV) By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the [word] of God with boldness. Acts 4:29‑31.

Acts 2:41 (KJV) Then they that gladly received his [word] were baptized: and the same day there were added about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41.

John 17:20 (KJV) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their [word]; John 17:21 (KJV) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20‑21.

John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy [word] is truth. John 17:17.
John 17:14 (KJV) I have given them thy [word]; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14.
John 17:6 (KJV) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy [word]. John 17:6.

John 15:25 (KJV) But , that the [word] might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. John 15:25.

John 15:3 (KJV) Now ye are clean through the [word] which I have spoken unto you. John 15:3.

John 14:24 (KJV) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the [word] which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. John 14:24.

John 12:47 (KJV) And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. John 12:48 (KJV) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the [word] that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:47‑48.

John 10:35 (KJV) If he called them gods, unto whom the [word] of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; John 10:35.

John 8:37 (KJV) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my [word] hath no place in you. John 8:37.

John 8:31 (KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my [word], are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31.

John 5:38 (KJV) And ye have not his [word] abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. John 5:38.

John 5:24 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my [word], and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24.

John 4:41 (KJV) And many more believed because of his own [word]; John 4:41.

John 2:22 (KJV) When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the [word] which Jesus had said. John 2:22.

John 1:14 (KJV) And the [Word] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the [Word], and the [Word] was with God, and the [Word] was God. John 1:1.

Luke 24:19 (KJV) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and [word] before God and all the people: Luke 24:19.

Luke 12:10 (KJV) And whosoever shall speak a [word] against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luke 12:10.

Luke 11:27 (KJV) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. Luke 11:28 (KJV) But he said, Yea rather, blessed they that hear the [word] of God, and keep it. Luke 11:27‑28.
Luke 10:39 (KJV) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his [word]. Luke 10:39.

Luke 8:21 (KJV) And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the [word] of God, and do it. Luke 8:21.

Luke 7:7 (KJV) Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a [word], and my servant shall be healed. Luke 7:7.

Luke 5:5 (KJV) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy [word] I will let down the net. Luke 5:5.

Luke 5:1 (KJV) And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the [word] of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, Luke 5:1.

Luke 4:32 (KJV) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his [word] was with power. Luke 4:32.

Luke 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:38 (KJV) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy [word]. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:37.

Luke 1:2 (KJV) Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the [word]; Luke 1:2.

Mark 7:13 (KJV) Making the [word] of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Mark 7:13.

Matthew 8:26 (KJV) And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and [rebuked] the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26.

Matthew 8:16 (KJV) When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [word], and healed all that were sick: Matthew 8:16.

Matthew 8:8 (KJV) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the [word] only, and my servant shall be healed. Matthew 8:8.

Matthew 4:4 (KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Zechariah 12:1 (KJV) The burden of the [word] of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Ezekiel 34:7 (KJV) Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the [word] of the LORD; Ezekiel 34:8 (KJV) I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Ezekiel 34:9 (KJV) Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the [word] of the LORD; Ezekiel 34:10 (KJV) Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. Ezekiel 34:11 (KJV) For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 

The Efficacy of God's Word? "Never Heard of It. We Promote Happy Campers."

 

"Thrilled and excited about the next year!"

The newly hired Professors of Church Growth get furrowed brows when they are asked to teach the Church History 101 course. "But, but, but," they say, "We only know the part after Understanding Church Growth was published. Those were glorious wonder years, when the classrooms erupted with Oh! Oh! Oh! I just discovered another Church Growth Principle!"

"All of us bathed in the serenity of Pasadena, whether priests, bishops, or Salvation Army members, or ELCA, or LCMS, or WELS, or stealth ELS."

 

 I photoshopped the Episcopal leaders, above, anticipating the future WELS advocacy.

WELS hazing helps students conform and fit in with the "names" who run the show.

Efficacy - The Cure That Dare Not Speak Its Name - 1 Thess 2:13 - "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 Smells and Belles bishops have left a profound, bad impression on ELCA, scattering the flock, electing more she-wolves, Liz Eaton even supplanting the bishop who was ahead of her Ken Sauer.

KJV 1 Thessalonians 2:13 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 δια τουτο (On account of this) και ημεις ευχαριστουμεν τω θεω (we also thank God) αδιαλειπτως (without ceasing)  οτι παραλαβοντες λογον ακοης (which when receiving the Word-of-hearing) παρ ημων του θεου εδεξασθε (you received of God from us) ου λογον ανθρωπων (not the word of man)  αλλα καθως εστιν αληθως (BUT as it truly is)  λογον θεου (the Word of God)  ος και ενεργειται (which is also effective - energized)  εν υμιν τοις πιστευουσιν (in you who are believers). Jackson Interlinear NT For Seminarians Who Slept Through Greek and Became Professors/Fuller Graduates.

    More than one person has told me, even among others, "I never heard of the efficacy of the Word until I came upon your blog." I was not shocked, because in searching for the disgusting origins of Church Growth, the efficacy of the Word was central and yet missing from Biblical and Lutheran scholarship. Although the words for efficacy are found repeatedly in the Greek New Testament - even giving us the origin of the word "energy" - the concept barely exists in all the literature, in Kittel or the dictionaries.

    Efficacy is not just a word-group, but a central doctrine of Bible - from Genesis 1 and Isaiah 55 - to John 16 and all references to the Spirit at work in the Word of God. Needless to say - but I will anyway - efficacy is absent in Calvinism and the Church of Rome. Those who have read and studied F. Pieper realize that he was a hybrid, a Calvinist adopting the words of Luther but adoring the soul of Halle Pietism (Calvinism for the ignorant).

    Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz, and the Book of Concord are saturated with the efficacy of the Word, simply because they were Biblical theologians, not dogma tyrants (Walther, Pieper, Waldo Werning, Otten, Hale). Hale even declares that I once embraced his beloved Objective Faithless Justification, dreaming of an apostasy that belongs to him and his crew alone.

    The Lutherans of various stripes, secret codes, and GA graduation will never get out of their spiraling abyss until they repudiate their shameful dogma. Some fly to Pasadena, others to 

monasteries where the quiet is profound and the monks handsy.

Lo, A Great and Effective Sword Is Aimed Against Entertainment Evangelism, Gimmicks, Door Prizes, Soft Drinks and Popcorn, Pagan Music, Lupine Pastors and Jennies!

 

The Sword of the Holy Spirit 

in the Word

KJV Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Sword of the Holy Spirit in the Word is powerful and effective against all false doctrine and false teachers.

Many clergy lick their lips as they dine sumptuously every day with their belly-bursting friends. The money wasted confirms their self-esteem and extends the Left Boot of Fellowship.

What belongs to God alone the Holy Spirit taking from the Father and the Son and teaching them to us through the Scriptures and faithful pastors. The dogmaticians - not just Bishop Stephan, founder of the LCMS - chase their girlfriends around the study and pretend they have Christianity in a package. Many clergy follow the same idea with their "community churches" and subsequent lawsuits.

The wolves (lupine) and jennies (female pastors) are happy to avoid the cross of Christ. They also want, and even demand, that their followers shun the old-fashioned ideas of the King James Bible. The franchise owner of Willow Creek Community Church would not allow a Bible in his cross-less church unless it was a gen-oo-wine feminist version.

The modern Bibles are excellent in their inclusion of all ideas except for the truth. The Virgin Birth of Christ in Isaiah 7 has the evil king asking for miracle directly from God Himself. 

KJV 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The wizards of modern Bibles do whatever they want, even zig-zagging on the Virgin Birth in the main text or the footnote, or reversing which is the main one. Their stance on the Scriptures show us that they are farces, especially the paid-for scholars of the NIV, ESV, RSV, NRSV, Beck, and other abominations. 

CEB

Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.

CJB

Therefore Adonai himself will give you people a sign: the young woman* will become pregnant, bear a son and name him ‘Immanu El [God is with us].

ERV

But the Lord will still show you this sign: The young woman is pregnant and will give birth to a son. She will name him Immanuel.

ERV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.

For this reason the Lord himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. NIV [but "a young woman" in the footnote]

A jenny is a female donkey.