Wednesday, November 6, 2024

From LutherQuest - They Have Not Found Him Yet!

 


Just don't mention Justification by Faith, even if Bob Preus (Rolf's dad) taught it from the old Lutheran dogmatics.











Jim Craig (Jcraig)
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Post Number: 33
Registered: 1-2016
Posted on Monday, November 04, 2024 - 4:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

In this fiftieth anniversary year of the Seminex fiasco at CSL, one name to be remembered with thankfulness is Rev. Herman Otten. In the current issue of Christian News, a publication started by Pr. Otten, a 1974 article from Christianity Today is reprinted and outlines his activities during this crucial time period. Most familiar with Otten know that he was denied certification in the synod even by the conservative administration which prevailed in the struggle.

As a student at CSL during the ‘60s he was one of the first voices to point to heresies being taught at the seminary. According to this article, he was ostracized for not following proper protocols in exposing heresies being taught. It seems he should have been thanked, not ostracized for the great service he rendered to the church. Can anyone, such as Pr. Preus, provide a more complete explanation of Herman Otten’s banishment from the LCMS? He served faithfully for many years in a congregation in New Haven, MO, but was never certified by the LCMS. It seems like a terrible injustice was perpetrated on this faithful servant.
Jim Craig
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Rolf David Preus (Rolf)
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Username: Rolf

Post Number: 11254
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Monday, November 04, 2024 - 5:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My son Andrew is now pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, Missouri where Pastor Otten served for many years. Rev. Otten published a multivolume "Christian News Encyclopedia" several years ago that would give you all the information you need about how he was blackballed out of the LCMS. Here is the web address for Christian News: https://www.christiannewsmo.com/

The short story is that he made public what he was taught in the classroom at the St. Louis seminary. The seminary argued he had no right to do that, and he argued he did. The matter was adjudicated and Otten won, but they didn't let him in. He had many supporters and many critics. He was a bold confessor of God's truth, a good husband and father, and a faithful pastor. Yes, he was mistreated by the LCMS, but he was not embittered by it. He just kept on confessing until he died. A good example for us to follow.
Rolf David Preus

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 24 - "Therefore we are all alike through faith in Christ. Although St. Peter has a stronger faith than I, it is still the same faith in Christ. For his Father offers his Son Christ to the promiscuous crowd, and whoever receives him, gets the whole Christ, whether in weakness or in strength, it makes no difference. The woman in this Gospel who had been sick for a long time lays hold of Christ as well as Mary the Virgin, his mother did. Therefore Christians have the same Spirit, one is as high-born as another, St. Peter must call me his brother, and I can also call him my brother."

 

KJV Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.


Complete Sermon ->Luther's Sermon on the Two Miracles - Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity. Matthew 9:18-26


12. From this it further follows, when a Christian does good works and shows love to his neighbor, that he does not thereby become a Christian or pious, but before this is done he must have been a Christian and pious. He indeed does good works, but his good works do not make him a Christian.

The tree brings or yields good fruit, but the fruit does not make the tree good. So also here, no one becomes a Christian through his works, but through Christ.

13. From this you understand what kind of people Christians are, and what their kingdom is, namely, that they are a multitude that cling to Christ, and have one Spirit and the same gifts with him. And through this all Christians are equal, and no one has any more of Christ than another; St. Peter is no more than the thief on the cross; Mary the mother of God is no more than the sinner, Mary Magdalene. In external acts and works, of course, there is a difference among them, for the Virgin Mary had a greater work to do than Mary Magdalene, St. Peter a greater work than the thief on the cross.

This is the case when we reckon according to works; but by virtue of our works we are not Christians. The Virgin Mary is not a Christian on account of her great work that she bore in her body Christ, such a costly and inexpressible treasure, as Christ himself said to the woman, Luke 11:27-28, who cried aloud among the people to the Lord: “Blessed is the body that bore thee, and the breasts which thou hast sucked.” “Yes, blessed are they,” said he, “who hear the Word of God and keep it.” Here you see he exalts believers above his mother. For Christians are called Christians because they believe in Christ. Virgin and mother are two very beautiful names, but they are nothing in comparison to the name of believers or Christians. Again, St. Paul is so proud, that in his Epistle to the Galatians, 2:6, he gives the office of the great and high apostles a reputation which amounts to little before God, except as it brings a blessing and is of service to others.

14. Therefore we are all alike through faith in Christ. Although St. Peter has a stronger faith than I, it is still the same faith in Christ. For his Father offers his Son Christ to the promiscuous crowd, and whoever receives him, gets the whole Christ, whether in weakness or in strength, it makes no difference. The woman in this Gospel who had been sick for a long time lays hold of Christ as well as Mary the Virgin, his mother did. Therefore Christians have the same Spirit, one is as high-born as another, St. Peter must call me his brother, and I can also call him my brother. Yea, Christ receives us unto himself and holds us as his brothers, as after his resurrection he said to Mary Magdalene: “Go unto my brethren and tell them, I ascend unto my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.” John 20:17. And St. Paul calls Christ the first-born among many brethren, Romans 8:29. Of this he speaks very beautifully in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, 8:9-12, where he speaks of weak brethren thus: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.”

15. The summary of this entire Gospel is, that we learn to know Christ aright, and not only that we have the mere name, but know that we have all things from him. If we are Christians we have all things, and God is our Father, and we are lords of all things in heaven and on earth; this no work of ours can bring to pass, be it as great and costly as it may. Now you see how far they are from the Christian name, who live under the dominion of the Pope. The Gospel preaches nothing but the one person, Christ; not even Mary, much less the Pope or any work, be it as costly as it can. It must offer Christ alone and no one else, whom God the Father has sent among us, only that we should draw all from him, and wait for his grace and goodness.

16. Now when they preach to you Christ as a judge, how he is to appear on the judgment day, and how you should do many good works that he may reward you for them, and you agree to this, then he will indeed be a judge to you and not a Savior. And if he be thus presented to you as people are accustomed to paint his mother showing him her breasts, this is actually to preach the devil and not Christ, who only gives but receives nothing. It is indeed true, when you have received from him, then good works will follow of themselves, without force or demand; and this is represented to us very beautifully in to-day’s Gospel.

17. For here, you see, Christ preaches the Gospel to the people. Now preaching is no insignificant work, for here he does us a great service, in that he becomes our teacher and instructs us, how we may come to the knowledge of himself. This is a part of his great grace and kindness. While he is here on earth he does not cease to teach, so that we may receive him as our Savior and Redeemer; afterwards he follows us with his good works which he manifests everywhere to everyone as he needs. You find no one in the Gospel who ever asked anything of the Lord, whose help was denied and not given. As many as came to him, blind, deaf, lame, palsied and dropsical, he received and helped all as they desired, and healed them from all diseases, as Luke 6:19 says: “And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.”

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

A Little Bit of Water Is How Much?

 


Dear Pastor Jackson,

My farm has been in a severe drought this fall. It was powder dry four feet down. My creek was completely dry. It was dry enough to trench a water line across it and go up the hill to the high pasture. Now my sheep and cows will have water all the time without me having to haul it.

In the past 5 days God gave my farm 3" of rain. That is equal to 5,539,416 gallons of water sprinkled evenly over 68 acres over a 5 day period. I would need 478 semi truck tankers to deliver that much water. 

My grasses and clovers have miraculously turned green and are beginning to grow again. My sheep and cows are doing so much better now that they have fresh green grass and clovers to graze.

14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.

23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

24 Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.

29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. Psalm 104:14-30

Nothing happens by chance. God upholds everything by the Word of His power. God is gentle and kind to the whole world. He is merciful to all of us. He is kind to the thankful and unthankful. He sends rain to the just and the unjust.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

Good government comes from God. As I watch the election tonight I sense God's hand saving our country and even the whole world from disaster. Communism is horrible. Wars are horrible too. God has promised to end wars in Psalm 46.

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 46 


In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Walk According to The Word Of God Instead Of Reasoning.
The Splintered Lutherans - by Tom Fisher

 




Dear Pastor Jackson,

Perhaps you are aware that I left the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod back in the late 90's to join a very small independent Lutheran congregation that used the King James Bible and held onto Justification by Faith, and rejected Objective Justification. I was finally safe from the false doctrine of OJ and the corrupt NIV!! I was happy to drive 3 and a half hours to church!! I did this for three years until finally I just couldn't do it any more. So I went back to Missouri Synod. Then it happened. I was excommunicated and banned from Holy Communion by this little independent Lutheran congregation. They also shunned me and continue to shun me. 

Destroying the faith of true Christians by excommunication occurs in the large mainline Lutheran Synods and even in small Lutheran churches that hold to the King James Bible and Justification by Faith and reject Objective Justification.  The most destructive aspect of excommunication against true Christian Lutherans is to ban them from Holy Communion. 

 This horrific abuse of the Office Of The Keys was invented by the pope and continues in many Lutheran Churches big and small. I hope and pray our small group of true Christian Lutherans will put a firm STOP to this abuse. 

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

On June 15, 1520 Pope Leo X issued the papal bull against Dr. Martin Luther demanding he recant all of his teachings within 60 days or suffer excommunication from the church. Luther refused to recant and proceeded to publicly burn a copy of this bull on December 10, 1520. On January 3, 1521 Pope Leo X issued the papal bull that formally excommunicated Dr. Martin Luther from the church. It banned Luther from Holy Communion, and demanded all his books to be burned, and forbid him to preach. It demanded Luther be SHUNNED and demanded no one help him or provide shelter for him. 

Sound familiar? It sounds very familiar to me, but I did not hold up as well as Dr. Martin Luther. My faith was TOTALLY destroyed!!!!!! It was not a big Lutheran Synod that destroyed my faith by banning me from Holy Communion, but a small Lutheran congregation that used the King James Bible and held to Justification by Faith and rejected Objective Justification. 

Lutheran popes in the big Lutheran Synods and little Lutheran churches follow Pope Leo X by wrongfully banning true Christian Lutherans from Holy Communion and also SHUNNING them. WHY?? Because their reasoning says so!!!!

The deceptive chant of CLUMSY reasoning increases to a hysterical pitch and sounds something like this:

 "You are in LCMS, therefore we hereby BAN you from Holy Communion in OUR more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you.  You are in WELS, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you. You are in ELCA, therefore we hereby BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. You are in Home Church Group 1, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Home Church Group 2. We also SHUN you. You are in small internet church group 7, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran internet Church group 8."

This makes it a SIN to go to Communion in ANY Lutheran Church big or small. WRONG!!!

CLUMSY reasoning increases it's hysterical rant and sounds something like this:

"You went to Holy Communion in LCMS, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you, excommunicate you, and brand you a vile unionist guilty of all LCMS heresy, sin, and false doctrine.
You went to Holy Communion in WELS, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you, excommunicate you, and brand you a vile unionist guilty of all WELS heresy, sin, and false doctrine. 
You went to Holy Communion in ELDONA therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you, excommunicate you, and brand you a vile unionist guilty of all ELDONA heresy, sin, and false doctrine. 
You went to Holy Communion in ELCA, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you, excommunicate you, and brand you a vile unionist guilty of all ELCA heresy, sin, and false doctrine. 
You went to Holy Communion in small Lutheran Internet Church Group 1, therefore we BAN you from Holy Communion in our more pure Lutheran Church. We also SHUN you, excommunicate you, and brand you a vile unionist guilty of all small Internet Church Group 1 heresy, sin, and false doctrine."

This sort of CLUMSY reasoning makes Holy Communion a conveyor of sin, heresy, unionism, and false doctrine. WRONG! 

No wonder Holy Communion is despised, mocked, avoided, and considered a danger and a threat by many Lutheran's big and small. The consensus of reasoning is that Holy Communion gives and bequeaths nothing but harm, sin, false accusations, and evil. Reasoning makes it all law and no gospel. This is what happens when clumsy reasoning prevails against following the clear WORD of God.

Now I want to personally ask each of my readers a question: What are the exact Words that Holy Communion stands on? Does it stand on the Text of the corrupted Bibles (Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, ESV, NIV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's, etc) or on the Text God Chose and published for the reformation: TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, King James Bible, Russian Synodal Bible, Spanish Reina-Valera Bible, Czech Bible of Kralice, Dutch Statenvertaling Bible, Portuguese Almeida Recebida Bible, etc)? 

 Which large Lutheran Church officially holds to the Words of Institution in the King James Bible? Yes, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod officially clings to the Words of Institution in the King James Bible in both the old reliable 1941 Red Hymnal and the current Lutheran Service Book Hymnal. What does Holy Communion in LCMS bequeath and give: forgiveness of sins, and eternal life or sin, heresy and unionism?? WELS new hymnal changes Christ's Words to say ' covenant' instead of 'testament' and 'poured out' instead of 'shed for you'. WELS new hymnal clings to the corrupt NIV Bible for Holy Communion. 

So regardless of the Lutheran Church you are in, cling to the Words of Christ in the King James Bible. If your pastor does not repeat these exact Words during Holy Communion, then DEMAND that he does. If he refuses, DEMAND private Communion for you and your family. If he still refuses then find a pastor who will hold to Christ's exact Words. If this fails, then start your own Lutheran Church in your home. God your Heavenly Father has given all of you the gift of the Holy Ghost in your Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Christ has given all of you the Holy Ghost in the Office of the Keys to forgive sins, administer the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, and proclaim His Words by reading, teaching and preaching according to the measure of faith and ability God has given you. Here are the Words of Christ's Last Will and Testament, bequeathing to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life. Hold tenaciously to His Words:

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:19-20 King James Bible 

CLUMSY reasoning in Lutheran pastors and laymen in many Lutheran Churches big and small seek to overthrow these exact Words spoken by Christ, especially the precious word 'TESTAMENT' and the phrase 'SHED FOR YOU'. Their CLUMSY REASONING prefers the empty Calvinistic word 'covenant' instead of 'testament' so they change Christ's Last Will and Testament. Their CLUMSY reasoning prefers the phrase 'poured out for you' instead of 'SHED FOR YOU'. Blood is SHED not 'poured out'. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. (See Hebrews chapter 9). All of the corrupt Bibles (ESV, NIV, NASB, RSV, Beck's, NKJV, etc) change Christ's Last Will and Testament to say 'covenant' and 'poured out for you'. 

That little word 'testament' is precious to me and is the opposite of the word 'covenant'. The word 'covenant' is Calvinistic. It gives nothing. It bequeaths nothing. In contrast the word 'testament' brings to mind children inheriting their parent's estate. Holy Communion is Christ's Last Will and Testament bequeathing to me forgiveness of all sins and eternal life. Luther said:

"So in this matter you must above all else take heed to your heart that you believe the words of Christ and admit their truth when he says to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88) Luther went on to say:

"That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 84)

Martin Chemnitz, the Second Luther, has a stern warning for all you Lutheran Pastors and laymen who are not afraid to change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinistic covenant that bequeaths nothing:

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, by adding or subtracting. How much greater sin it is therefore, to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz;  Ministry, Word, and Sacrament; CPH; 1981; pg  122)

Faithful Lutheran pastors and laymen hold to the all clear Word of God NOT soul killing CLUMSY reasoning. Church membership is NOT acquired by a works righteousness computer entry and evil loyalty oath. Your Baptism into Christ clothes you in the righteousness of Christ and makes you a child of God. 

"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ." Galatians 3:26,27

During the time of the Apostles, everyone exclusively trusted in the Word of God and Baptism for membership in the church. In contrast, today it seems very few understand that membership in the church is God's work by His Word and Baptism. They imagine church membership as a work of man and his will, loyalty, devotions, and works. 

The church is a gathering of believers in Christ. This is God's Church. He adds believers to His Church by His Word and Baptism. God added 3,000 believers to His Church at Pentecost by His Word and Baptism:

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:36-42

Please note: they were baptized into Christ without delay.  Baptism is God's Work. It gave them forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Verse 39 shows that infants and little children were also Baptized into Christ: 'for the promise is unto you, and to your children.' 

In contrast CLUMSY reasoning delays Baptism of infants and little children until they reach the age of accountability. Christ our good Shepherd bids little infants and little children to come to Him 

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:15-17

The Pharisees constantly attempted to prevent Christ from healing the sick, blind, lame, and deaf. Christ countered their cruel reasoning with this question:

 6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Samaria, a city completely given to witchcraft, superstition, darkness, and unbelief was converted, forgiven, and saved by the Word of God and Baptism. Even Simon the sorcerer believed and was baptized when the apostle Phillip preached the Word of God to them. Later Simon fell away from grace when he thought the gift of the Holy Ghost could be purchased with money. This occurred just prior to Phillip Baptizing the Ethiopian Eunuch.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Shortly after Simon fell from grace, the apostle Phillip preached Christ to the Ethiopian Eunuch and Baptized him. He followed the clear Word of God in opposition to reasoning. Reasoning would ADD and require works, preparations, devotions, decisions PRIOR to Baptism to make sure no one fell from grace like Simon the Sorcerer. 

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:26-39

In Galatians 2 we see the apostle Peter, Barnabas, and many Jews SHUNNING the Gentile believers.  See how easy it is to add works to justification by faith. They were compelling the Gentile Christians to add the law to justification by faith. This is why Luther added the word 'alone' to Romans 3:28

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28 Luther's 1545 Bible

28 So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, allein durch den Glauben. Romans 3:28


11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:11-21

Now I want to address my readers who are troubled by the false doctrine (Objective Justification) and the corrupted fake Bibles (ESV, NIV, NKJV, RSV, NASB, Beck's, Westcott-Hort, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, Vaticanus, Sinaticus, etc) in their Lutheran Church big or small. Let us all have a true reformation in our hearts by the true pure Word of God (KJV) and by God the Holy Ghost which He has freely given each of us in our Baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Examine yourselves by asking yourself these questions:

1. Do I believe God perfectly preserved the exact Words He inspired the Prophets and Apostles to write thousands of years ago in the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, King James Bibles, Russian Synodal Bible, Dutch Statenvertaling Bible, Spanish Reina-Valera Bible, Czech Bible of Kralice, Portuguese Almeida Recebida Bible, etc) ?

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psalm 12:6,7

2. Do I believe Isaiah 7:14 in the King James Bible is the same Word He inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago? Do I believe Jesus is God and man in one person? Do I believe Jesus is true God, begotten of His Father from all eternity, and also true man born of the virgin Mary?

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. Isaiah 7:14

Matthew chapter 1 quotes Isaiah 7:14

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.     Matthew 1:18-25

3. Do I reject the corrupted text and footnotes of Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1 in the corrupted fake Bibles (ESV, NIV, NASB, RSV, Beck's, etc)?


Isaiah 7:14

Revised Standard Version

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman[a] shall conceive and bear[b] a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 7:14 Or virgin
  2. Isaiah 7:14 Or is with child and shall bear
  3. Isaiah 7:14 That is God is with us
Isaiah 7:14

New International Version

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 7:14 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Isaiah 7:14 Or young woman
  3. Isaiah 7:14 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls son, and he or son, and they
  4. Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means God with us.
4. Do I believe Mark 16:9-20 in the King James Bible is the same Word God inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago? Do I believe Jesus was crucified, dead, buried, and rose from the dead the third day, and ascended into heaven for the forgiveness of all my sins?

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:9-20

5. Do I reject the corrupted and fake omission of Mark 16:9-20? or do I continue to lie and deceive by God's name and Word by using the corrupted fake Bibles ( Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Westcott-Hort, Nestle-Aland, ESV, NIV, NASB, RSV, Beck's, etc)?

Corrupt Fake ESV Mark 16:9-20
[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.][a]

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Footnotes

  1. Mark 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 9–20 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 9–20 
6. Do I believe Luke 22:19-20 in the King James Bible is the same Word God inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago? Or do I allow my Lutheran pastor to change Christ's testament into an empty Calvinistic covenant that bequeaths nothing, and gives nothing. Do I allow my pastor to give me Holy Communion according to the Words of Institution in the corrupt fake Bibles (NKJV, ESV, NIV, RSV, NASB, Beck's). You Lutheran pastors ask yourself this question: Do I lie and deceive by God's name and Word by changing Christ's Words to say 'covenant' instead of 'Testament' in Holy Communion?

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:19-20

7. Do I believe and follow Luther's admonition on the Lord's Supper:

"So in this matter you must above all else take heed to your heart that you believe the words of Christ and admit their truth when he says to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88) Luther went on to say:

"That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 84)

8. As a layman or pastor ask yourself this question: Do I believe and obey the warning from Martin Chemnitz?

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, by adding or subtracting. How much greater sin it is therefore, to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz;  Ministry, Word, and Sacrament; CPH; 1981; pg  122)

9. Do I believe Romans 3:20-26 in the King James Bible is the same Word God inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago? Do I firmly hold to Justification by Faith or do I follow the corrupt and fake 2011 NIV that teaches the whole world is already justified prior to and without faith and Baptism (Objective Justification / Subjective Justification)?

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26 KJV

The corrupt and fake 2011 NIV adds the word 'all' to force the text to say 'all are justified'. (See pg. 67 of Pastor Greg Jackson's book, The Path To Understanding Justification, ISBN 9781072530428)

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." NIV Romans 3:23,24

Luther would remind us that this is no childs play, but an earnest attack against Satan himself: against his lies, against his corrupt fake Bibles, and against his false doctrine, especially the false doctrine of  Objective / Subjective Justification. We do this by examining ourselves by the true pure Word of God and by God the Holy Ghost which He has freely given to all of us in our Baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This is a good start, but only a start. We have the pure Word of God in the King James Bible. Luther would remind us that Satan is defeated by the Word of God.

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 36:5-7

 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.         Psalm 138:2

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


In Christ,

Tom Fisher