Second critique on the message of Haposan Siregar

Siregar's message can be found at https://www.truelifebpc.org.sg/church_weekly/misery-addiction-and-antidote/

The message by Haposan Siregar, while earnest and filled with pastoral concern, reflects several theological and methodological problems, especially in its advocacy for Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) and KJV-Onlyism. Below is a structured critique that addresses the key issues:

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1. Theological Overreach of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP)

Claimed Perfection of Apographs

Haposan asserts:

“We believe that the Bible is both inspired and preserved—verbally in every word and plenarily as a whole—kept pure in all ages, without error in any matter.”

This is a central claim of VPP, that not only were the autographs (original manuscripts) inspired, but that a particular set of apographs (copies) have been providentially preserved without error, to the letter.

However, this goes beyond biblical teaching. Scripture teaches inspiration (2 Tim 3:16) and divine preservation (Ps 119:89; Isa 40:8), but it does not specify that such preservation would occur in a single textual tradition or that every copyist's letter would be supernaturally preserved without corruption. In fact:

• The Bible was preserved through the multitude of manuscripts, not one perfect stream.

• Even faithful scribes made errors—hence the need for textual criticism.

• Jesus affirmed the enduring authority of Scripture (Matt 5:18) but did not say a perfect set of manuscripts would be preserved without any variants.

To assert that the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus are perfectly preserved to the last letter (as FEBC and VPP proponents do) is theologically presumptuous. It implies a level of divine action the Scriptures themselves do not promise about the copies.

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2. KJV-Onlyism: A Problematic Elevation of One Translation

While Haposan does not overtly promote the King James Version (KJV) in this message, his alignment with FEBC and Jeffrey Khoo implies it strongly, since FEBC teaches that the KJV is the only faithful English Bible because it is based on the “perfect” TR.

This view is flawed because:

• No Bible verse commands or implies that one translation is the only legitimate one.

• The KJV, though influential and beautiful, is based on a limited set of Greek manuscripts available in the 16th century (Erasmus’ editions).

• It includes translational choices and textual readings that differ from older and earlier manuscripts (e.g., Alexandrian manuscripts such as Sinaiticus and Vaticanus).

• To treat one human translation as inerrant is a form of bibliolatry, risking making the KJV an idol.

In fact, no translation is perfect, including the KJV, which itself has undergone several revisions since 1611. The claim of its “perfection” has no biblical warrant and contradicts the historical process of transmission.

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3. False Dichotomy and Strawman Argumentation

Haposan unfairly paints all non-VPP, non-KJV Christians as compromisers or corruptors of the Word:

“There are liberals, modernists, Charismatics, ecumenists, Roman Catholics, and neo-evangelicals who in various ways undermine the authority of Scripture.”

This is a broad and careless generalization. Many evangelicals and Charismatics who use modern versions (e.g., ESV, NASB, NIV) have:

• A high view of Scripture.

• Commitments to inerrancy and Christ-centered faithfulness.

• Deep love and reverence for God’s Word in their own languages.

To accuse them of “making void the Bible” merely because they do not affirm FEBC’s position is uncharitable and divisive. Disagreement over textual criticism or Bible versions does not equal rebellion against God.

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4. Presumption to Speak for God’s Preservation Choices

By stating:

“Every book, every chapter, every verse, every word, every syllable, every letter is infallibly preserved by the Lord Himself to the last iota.”

Haposan attributes to God an unproven human assertion. This amounts to playing God, as if we can authoritatively declare which exact manuscript readings are preserved by divine fiat.

• But God has not revealed which textual variants are the “preserved ones.”

• The historical and textual data do not support one “perfect” stream of manuscripts.

• The science of textual criticism, far from undermining Scripture, helps us carefully recover what the authors most likely wrote.

Thus, the VPP claim is a kind of pseudo-certainty, attempting to force God’s providence into human dogma.

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5. Misuse of Psalm 119:126

The verse “It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law” is indeed a cry against lawlessness, but Haposan uses it to defend a specific doctrinal agenda (VPP and KJV-Onlyism), not simply a love for God’s law.

This is eisegesis—reading one’s theological bias into the text. The verse does not imply:

• The preservation of one textual family,

• The superiority of a particular English translation,

• Or condemnation of anyone using a different Greek NT.

This is a misuse of Scripture to prop up sectarian distinctives rather than promote unity in truth.

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6. Appeal to Institutional Authority and Legacy

The message repeatedly appeals to FEBC, Timothy Tow, and GAPPI’s doctrinal constitution—implying that truth is established by historical continuity and organizational alignment.

But Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is the final authority—not:

• A seminary’s doctrinal formulation,

• The preferences of a beloved mentor,

• Or a constitution modeled after another church.

These appeals are emotionally powerful, but theologically misplaced if they substitute for sound exegesis and biblical reasoning.

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Conclusion

Haposan’s zeal for God’s Word is admirable, and his desire to combat false doctrine is valid. However, his embrace of Verbal Plenary Preservation and KJV-Onlyism introduces serious theological, textual, and practical errors. These views:

• Go beyond what Scripture teaches,

• Divide the body of Christ,

• Misrepresent fellow believers,

• And elevate human traditions and translations to near-canonical status.

Instead of insisting on perfect preservation in one version or text, a more biblical position is to affirm:

• The inspiration of the original autographs,

• The reliable preservation of God’s Word through many witnesses,

• The trustworthiness of major translations,

• And the necessity of careful, humble scholarship to study and interpret Scripture.

In the end, we uphold the Bible best not by dogmatic claims of perfection, but by humble obedience, charity toward others, and Christ-centered proclamation.

PS: Haposan will undoubtedly be expelled from the homilectic swimming pool. 

A clear, structured critique of Haposan Siregar's message

Haposan Siregar's message can be found at https://www.truelifebpc.org.sg/church_weekly/misery-addiction-and-antidote/

I am addressing both its strengths and significant weaknesses from theological, methodological, and pastoral perspectives:

Strengths & Valid Concerns

Emphasis on Biblical Authority:

The author rightly stresses the necessity of Scripture governing Christian life and warns against neglecting/misusing the Bible (e.g., the East Java pastor’s exploitation). These are legitimate critiques of abuses in some Christian circles.

Pastoral Vigilance:

His engagement with the "sinless perfection" group demonstrates commendable pastoral concern for doctrinal integrity and the dangers of spiritual pride.

Call for Discernment:

Highlighting liberal skepticism toward miracles and ecumenical compromises serves as a valid reminder to uphold core Christian truths.

Critical Weaknesses & Concerns

Overbroad & Uncharitable Labeling:

Grouping "liberals, modernists, Charismatics, ecumenists, Roman Catholics, and neo-evangelicals" as those who "make void the Bible" is reductionist and theologically uncharitable. This dismisses orthodox believers within these traditions who affirm scriptural authority but differ on interpretation or preservation. Such rhetoric fosters division, not discernment.

Problematic Conflation of Issues:

Misuse vs. Preservation: Critiques of pastoral abuses (e.g., the East Java story) or doctrinal errors (e.g., "sinless perfection") are unrelated to textual preservation. These examples do not demonstrate "corruption of the text" but misapplication of the text—a crucial distinction.

Preservation ≠ KJV/VPP: The leap from affirming God’s preservation of Scripture (a mainstream evangelical belief) to insisting on Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) as defined by FEBC is an unsubstantiated theological claim. Most scholars agree God preserved His message faithfully but acknowledge minor textual variants in manuscripts—none affecting core doctrine.

VPP/KJV-Only Dogmatism:

Circular Reasoning: The author assumes VPP (and by implication, the KJV/Textus Receptus) without engaging contrary evidence. He claims the Bible "teaches" preservation "in every word" (Matt 5:18), but this verse addresses the law’s fulfillment, not textual transmission.

Historical Ignorance: No extant manuscript matches the KJV perfectly. Early Christians used diverse manuscripts (Byzantine, Alexandrian), and the KJV itself was a revision of earlier English Bibles. Insisting on one textual tradition as "perfect" ignores documented scribal variations.

Practical Consequences: Elevating the KJV (or Indonesian equivalents) as the only valid Bible risks alienating non-English speakers and younger generations who benefit from contemporary translations.

Inconsistency in Application:

The author uses an Indonesian Bible translation to interpret Psalm 119:126 ("merombak Taurat-Mu"), yet his VPP view implicitly delegitimizes non-KJV-based translations. This undermines his own practice of using vernacular Scripture.

Tribalistic Ecclesiology:

Framing FEBC/GAPPI as the exclusive guardians of truth ("I began GAPPI in the spirit of FEBC") implies other traditions are compromised. This mirrors the very "pride" he critiques in the "sinless perfection" group.

Eschatological Tension Ignored:

While correctly noting believers remain sinners in this life, he fails to reconcile this with VPP’s implication that the church possesses a physically perfect Bible. If human fallibility affects theology, why not textual transmission?

Pastoral & Theological Risks

Division Over Unity: The rhetoric fuels suspicion of other Christians rather than promoting constructive dialogue. Labeling diverse groups as "voiding God’s law" alienates potential allies in upholding biblical authority.

Idolizing a Translation: Treating the KJV/Textus Receptus as inerrant risks bibliolatry—confusing the textual vehicle with the divine voice.

Neglect of Hermeneutics: The focus on preservation overshadows the harder work of interpretation and application in cultural contexts (e.g., Indonesia’s pluralistic society).

Conclusion

Haposan Siregar’s zeal for Scripture’s authority is admirable, but his argument is weakened by dogmatic adherence to VPP/KJV-Onlyism, uncharitable broad-brushing of other Christians, and conflating genuine abuses with textual criticism. A more robust approach would:

Affirm God’s faithful preservation of His Word without insisting on one manuscript tradition;

Engage charitably with Christians who use diverse translations;

Address hermeneutical challenges rather than attributing all disagreement to "voiding" Scripture.

The appeal for God to "work" is urgent—but it must begin with humility, recognizing that the Spirit illuminates Scripture through the global, historic church, not one institution alone.

PS: Haposan Siregar was indeed preaching with pride!

Firmly disagrees with the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP)

What is VPP?

VPP asserts that every single word of the original autographs of Scripture has been perfectly and completely preserved without any loss, corruption, or variation, down to the very letters, in a specific line of transmission (usually identified as the Masoretic Text for the OT and the Textus Receptus for the NT, underlying translations like the KJV). It claims an absolute, physical, letter-perfect preservation accessible today.

A Bible Teacher's Reflection on Verbal Plenary Preservation: Humility Before the Mystery of God's Word

As a Bible teacher committed to the truth and authority of Scripture, I feel compelled to speak honestly and pastorally about the doctrine known as Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP). While I affirm the inspiration, authority, and trustworthiness of God’s Word, I cannot in good conscience accept the claims made by proponents of VPP. In fact, I believe such teaching distorts the true doctrine of Scripture and crosses into territory that dangerously borders on playing God.

Let me explain clearly.

1. The Word of God Is Inspired, But Not Every Copy Is Perfect

The Bible does affirm God's faithfulness in preserving His message and His Word (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18, 24:35, 1 Peter 1:23-25). It promises the endurance and power of God's truth. However, Scripture does not explicitly promise the mechanical, letter-perfect preservation of every single textual variant through human copying across millennia. 

The Bible clearly teaches that the original writings of Scripture (the autographs) were God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). We wholeheartedly affirm this. However, the doctrine of VPP goes beyond this truth by insisting that every single word, in every manuscript, in a specific line of transmission—often the Textus Receptus or the Masoretic Text—has been perfectly preserved by God, without a single mistake, even in spelling or word order.

This is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible promises that God's Word will not pass away (Matthew 24:35), but that is a promise of preservation in substance, not in perfect textual form in one tradition. The doctrine of VPP imposes a rigid standard of perfection upon the human process of copying and transmitting Scripture—something God Himself never required in His Word.

2. This Teaching Implies a Kind of Omniscience Among Men

This is where the concern about "playing God" arises. VPP effectively anoints a specific human-produced text (the Masoretic/TR tradition, compiled and edited by fallible scribes centuries after the originals) with the same inherent, absolute perfection claimed only for the original autographs breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16).

To claim that a specific manuscript tradition or version (such as the KJV or TR) perfectly preserves the inspired Word of God in every word and letter is to assume a kind of omniscience—as if we know exactly what God preserved and where, despite the evidence of thousands of differing manuscripts across centuries.

This is more than faith—it is presumption. It assumes that we, with limited knowledge, can declare infallibly which single textual tradition is "perfect" and all others are deficient. This is not humility before the Word; it is an elevation of human opinion to the level of divine authority.

3. It Fosters an Unbiblical Certainty and Presumption

Proponents often speak with an absolute certainty about the physical perfection of "their" text that goes beyond the confidence we are called to have in God's revealed truth. They claim to know with infallible precision exactly which words are preserved perfectly, dismissing the vast scholarship studying the actual manuscript evidence. This posture can morph into a sense of possessing exclusive, perfect knowledge – knowing "more than God" in the sense of claiming a level of certainty about the physical text that God, in His wisdom, did not see fit to guarantee explicitly or demonstrate empirically through the manuscript evidence He providentially preserved. It replaces the humility required before the mystery of God's work in transmission with a dogmatic assertion of human certainty. "For now we see in a mirror dimly..." (1 Corinthians 13:12) applies even to our understanding of textual transmission.

4. VPP Creates Division, Not Unity

The body of Christ should be united around the gospel and the truth of God's Word, not divided over which Greek text or translation is "the only preserved one." Sadly, those who promote VPP often create confusion and even condemnation toward fellow believers who use other faithful translations or texts, such as the NA28, ESV, NIV, or the Chinese Union Version (CUV).

Are these believers less faithful? Are they following a "corrupted Bible"? Certainly not. This divisive spirit is not from the Holy Spirit. It is the fruit of a doctrine that exalts human certainty over divine grace.

5. God Preserves His Word Through Providence, Not Perfection

We believe that God, in His sovereignty, has preserved His Word sufficiently and reliably through thousands of manuscripts, ancient translations, church lectionaries, and the faithful witness of the church through time. Yes, there are textual variants. But none of them affect a single core doctrine of the faith. The gospel is clear. The truth is not lost.

To demand that preservation must be verbal and plenary, in the sense of being identical to the originals in every single copy, is to forget that God works through history, people, and means—not through flawless dictation or robotic preservation. That’s not biblical preservation; that’s mechanical perfectionism, and it puts man’s systems in the place of God’s wisdom.

6. Conclusion: Let God Be God

In the end, those who promote Verbal Plenary Preservation often speak with such confidence and absolute certainty that they risk speaking beyond what God has revealed. They claim to protect the Bible, but in doing so, they elevate a theory that is neither taught by Scripture nor supported by the evidence. In effect, they are acting as if they know better than God—declaring perfection where God never promised it.

Let us instead be humble students of Scripture. Let us trust in God's providence, not man's presumption. And let us not build a new legalism around Bible versions and manuscript traditions. The Word of God is living and active—not because we can prove every jot and tittle is preserved in one manuscript, but because the Spirit of God makes the truth of Christ known to all who believe.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

Let us hold to that enduring promise, and leave the rest in the hands of the God who speaks, preserves, and saves.

Let us instead stand in awe of the God who inspired His Word, trust in His providential care in preserving its essential message through history, rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate its truth, and approach the text – and our fellow believers – with humility, grace, and a focus on the life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ. Our confidence is ultimately in the Author, not merely the ink and parchment, however faithfully preserved.

Probe Your Soul with Questions

George Whitefield (1714–1770) was “the best-known evangelist of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest itinerant preachers in the history of Protestantism.”1 Before he retired each night, he opened his journal and probed his soul with questions such as these he’d placed in the flyleaf:

Have I,

Been fervent in prayer?

After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God’s glory?

After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?

Planned business for the day?

Been simple and recollected in everything?

Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?

Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?

Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?

Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?

Confessed all sins?

A more famous contemporary of Whitefield’s, Jonathan Edwards, compiled a list of resolutions that is still widely circulated. Posted in his journal for frequent review, they were his lifelong spiritual goals and priorities. What isn’t as well-known about these resolutions is that Edwards regularly evaluated himself against them and recorded the results in his journal.

Due in no small part to these continual, soul-searching inquiries, Whitefield and Edwards became increasingly conformed to Christlikeness in life and character.

While I heartily recommend this practice of Whitefield and Edwards (and of countless others throughout church history), there are other ways to use questions like these. For instance, in addition to your individual spirituality you could also ask yourself specifically about your marriage and family life, work, Internet habits, financial stewardship, or any other area of life where frequent reminders to obedience would help. Several years ago, I used a similar method to remind myself not only of previous commitments, but to cultivate some new habits as well. If you develop a long list of questions, you might review a small number daily rather than the entire list.

The Bible directs each of us to “examine himself” before taking the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). Similarly, 2 Corinthians 13:5 instructs us, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves.” Using an established series of soul-probing questions can simplify the ongoing process of obedience to such commands, and make it easier for us to keep short accounts with God.

https://biblicalspirituality.org/article/probe-your-soul-with-questions/

This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting

In our shared pursuit of understanding the spiritual realities attested within Scripture, we encounter the sobering truth of adversarial spiritual forces (Eph. 6:12). While the authority of Christ and His name is the ultimate power in deliverance ministry (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17), the New Testament provides a specific, divinely ordained protocol for certain manifestations of malevolence: "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29, ESV; cf. Matt. 17:21). This pronouncement by our Lord demands our careful scholarly and pastoral attention.

The setting is instructive. The disciples, previously endowed with authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:7, 13), encounter a spirit resistant to their efforts. The boy's affliction is severe – described as rendering him mute, causing convulsions, foaming at the mouth, grinding teeth, and rigidity (Mark 9:17-18, 20). This is no ordinary manifestation; it exhibits a tenacity surpassing previous encounters. The disciples' failure prompts Christ's declaration, linking their inability directly to the absence of prayer coupled with fasting. This establishes a critical theological principle: Certain degrees or types of spiritual opposition require a corresponding depth of spiritual engagement from the agents of deliverance.

Fasting, by quieting bodily demands, can sharpen spiritual perception (Acts 13:2-3). It aids in discerning the specific nature of the spirit, breaking through distractions, and maintaining unwavering focus during the intense spiritual battle of deliverance.

Our Lord Himself inaugurated His ministry with a 40-day fast, directly confronting Satan's temptations (Matt. 4:1-11). His victory established the pattern of fasting as integral to spiritual warfare.

The early church engaged in fasting for guidance and empowerment in spiritual conflict (Acts 13:2-3 – prior to confronting Elymas the sorcerer; Acts 14:23 – appointing elders amidst opposition). Paul references "fastings" as part of his ministry equipment (2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27).

Fasting is always coupled with prayer in Scripture. It fuels and focuses prayer; it is not a substitute. The power resides in God, accessed through dependent prayer. Fasting amplifies that dependence.

Fasting and prayer do not replace or augment Christ's finished work. They position us to fully rely on His supreme authority (Matt. 28:18) and the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The victory is always His.

Fasting, inextricably linked with fervent prayer, functions as an act of kenosis, intensifying focus, dependence, and spiritual sensitivity. It aligns the minister not merely as a technician wielding a name, but as a consecrated vessel utterly reliant on divine power. As stewards of this sacred trust, let us approach such profound spiritual battles with the depth of devotion Scripture prescribes, ever mindful that our sufficiency is found only in Christ (2 Cor. 3:5-6). May our scholarship inform our practice, and our practice be grounded in unwavering faith and deep communion with the Victorious One.

QA - TR & KJV

 1. Is the TR a Critical Text?

In modern textual scholarship, a critical text refers to a text that has been produced by comparing many ancient manuscripts, using scientific methods to evaluate variants, and seeking to reconstruct the most likely original wording of the biblical text. This is the method used by the Nestle-Aland/UBS editions of the Greek New Testament, which are the basis of most modern Bible translations.

The Textus Receptus (TR) is not a critical text in this sense. It is a printed edition of the Greek New Testament based on a relatively small number of late manuscripts, and it was not compiled using the methods of modern textual criticism. Instead, it was assembled using a more basic method: comparing a handful of available manuscripts, choosing a reading, and sometimes even back-translating from the Latin when Greek support was lacking.

2. From Which Manuscripts Was the TR Compiled?

The TR originated primarily from the work of Desiderius Erasmus, who published the first printed Greek New Testament in 1516. His editions are foundational to the TR tradition. Here's what he used:

Erasmus used:

About six Greek manuscripts of the New Testament.

All of them were late Byzantine manuscripts, dating from the 12th century or later.

None of them contained the full New Testament.

The book of Revelation was only available to him in one manuscript, and it was incomplete at the end.

For the last six verses of Revelation, Erasmus reconstructed the Greek text by translating from the Latin Vulgate, because the Greek was missing.

Some parts were conjecturally reconstructed.

Other editions of the TR (Stephanus 1550, Beza 1598, Elzevir 1633) also used a limited number of Byzantine manuscripts, generally not more than 20, and often followed Erasmus quite closely.

3. How Did We Get the TR That Underlies the KJV?

The King James Version translators in 1604–1611 used multiple printed editions of the Greek New Testament:

Erasmus’ later editions (especially 4th and 5th)

Robert Stephanus’ 1550 edition

Theodore Beza’s 1598 edition

The KJV translators did not stick rigidly to one edition but compared these sources and made translation decisions accordingly. Thus, the TR underlying the KJV is not a single printed edition but a composite derived from comparing several editions in the TR tradition.

4. How Did the Compilers Handle Variants?

Erasmus and other editors chose between readings based on what was available to them, with minimal theological or linguistic criteria. Since they had few manuscripts, they often went with the reading that made most sense to them or that appeared in the majority of their limited sources.

They did not have access to:

Papyrus manuscripts from the 2nd–4th centuries

Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, or other Alexandrian texts

The broad range of manuscripts available today

So their decisions were limited by their resources. They were not engaging in systematic textual criticism as we know it today.

5. Is the TR Perfect and Without Error?

This is a theological claim, not a historical or textual one.

Historically and textually:

The TR contains many readings that are not supported by any known Greek manuscript.

Example: 1 John 5:7 (the "Comma Johanneum") appears only in a handful of very late Greek manuscripts and seems to be a Latin interpolation.

The last six verses of Revelation were partly reconstructed from Latin.

There are also places where the TR disagrees with the vast majority of Greek manuscripts, even Byzantine ones.

Therefore, textually speaking, the TR is not error-free.

6. Is the KJV Perfect?

Again, this is a theological assertion, not a provable textual one.

The KJV is a beautiful and faithful translation in many respects. However:

It is based on an imperfect Greek text (the TR).

Its Old Testament is based largely on the Masoretic Hebrew text, which also has textual uncertainties in some areas.

The KJV has translation choices that could be improved in light of more recent manuscript discoveries and linguistic understanding.

There are internal inconsistencies in how certain Greek or Hebrew words are rendered.

Thus, it is not "perfect" in the sense of being without any translation or textual flaws.

7. What about The Issue of Biblical Preservation?

Those who argue that the TR or KJV is perfect often appeal to a doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation—that God not only inspired the original texts but preserved every word perfectly throughout history, specifically in the TR and/or KJV.

This view:

Lacks biblical evidence for naming a specific text or translation as the preserved, perfect form.

Ignores the real and complex history of manuscript transmission.

Overlooks the fact that no two TR editions are identical, so even TR proponents must choose which TR to follow.

Often rejects better-supported readings found in older manuscripts.

A better view of preservation is this:

God has preserved His Word faithfully but not mechanically. The message and truth of Scripture have been preserved through thousands of manuscripts, translations, and versions—not through one perfect edition or translation.

This allows for careful scholarship, acknowledges human effort in transmission, and respects the providence of God in preserving the essential truth of Scripture across time and language.

Guarding the Flock from False Teaching

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

My heart overflows with love for you, this precious flock entrusted to my care. It is precisely because of this deep love, and my solemn responsibility before God (Hebrews 13:17), that I must address a matter of profound spiritual importance. We live in times where, as the Apostle John warned us long ago, “many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Our call is not to fear, but to faithful discernment rooted in love for Christ and His truth.

John’s exhortation is urgent and clear: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Why this testing? Because the spirit of Antichrist is actively at work, opposing the true Christ and seeking to lead believers astray. “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:2-3).

This testing is crucial for any teaching that arises among us, regardless of how familiar or traditional it may sound. It grieves me to say that teachings like Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) and KJV-Onlyism demand this careful, biblical scrutiny. At their core, these doctrines claim that only the King James Version (or its underlying Greek text) is the perfectly preserved, inerrant Word of God for English speakers, often asserting that all other translations are corrupt or unreliable.

Now, beloved, holding a high view of Scripture’s divine inspiration and providential preservation is good and right (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18). However, when this view morphs into an exclusive dogma about one specific translation or textual tradition, elevating it above all others as the only valid Word of God, it crosses a dangerous line. Here’s why such teachings require us to “test the spirits” and why their teachers may, tragically, fall into the category of false prophets or teachers:

1. They Shift the Foundation: The true foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:11). While Scripture is the divinely inspired and authoritative revelation of Him, these teachings subtly (or not so subtly) shift the ultimate object of faith from the living Christ to a physical book or a specific translation. This risks bibliolatry – worshiping the created thing (the text in a specific form) rather than the Creator revealed through it (Romans 1:25).
2. They Deny the Sufficiency and Clarity of God's Preserved Word: By insisting that God’s Word is only perfectly accessible in one 17th-century English translation, these teachings imply that the Holy Spirit has failed to preserve His Word reliably in the vast majority of manuscripts, translations, and for the vast majority of believers throughout history and across the globe. This contradicts God’s promise that His Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:23-25) and is effective wherever it is faithfully proclaimed (Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12). It suggests God left His church without a truly reliable Bible for centuries until the KJV appeared.
3. They Breed Division and Pride: Instead of uniting the body of Christ around the clear gospel and the person of Christ, these teachings often foster suspicion, elitism, and harsh judgment towards fellow believers who use trustworthy modern translations based on older and more abundant manuscript evidence. They create unnecessary and unscriptural divisions within the body (1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3-6).
4. They Obscure the Central Message: The relentless focus on textual minutiae and translation superiority can tragically divert attention away from the core message of Scripture: the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His atoning death, His glorious resurrection, and His call to repentance and faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-10). When the means of delivery overshadows the message of salvation, something is deeply wrong.
5. The Test of 1 John 4: While proponents of VPP/KJV-Onlyism would affirm Christ's incarnation, the spirit behind such divisive, extra-biblical dogmas often manifests characteristics John associates with the "spirit of the antichrist": causing division (v.6), rejecting the testimony of the wider apostolic church (v.6), and potentially leading people away from a simple trust in Christ alone towards a trust in a specific form of His Word. "We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood" (1 John 4:6). Does the teaching align with the apostolic witness found in the substance of Scripture recognized by the historic church, or does it impose a novel, exclusive standard foreign to that witness?

Therefore, my dear family, I urge you with pastoral love and concern: Be discerning. A teacher who insists that salvation, sanctification, or true biblical understanding depends on adherence to the KJV alone, or who claims other reliable translations are corrupt, is not speaking according to the Spirit of God who inspired all Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16) and who illuminates believers through His Word. Such a teacher may well be influenced by a spirit contrary to Christ – a spirit that twists God's good gift of Scripture into a tool of division and error. They fit the warning of Peter: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies... In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories" (2 Peter 2:1, 3). The "fabricated story" here is the claim that God’s Word was lost until 1611 or is only perfect in one English form.

Do not be deceived by appeals to tradition or fear-mongering about modern scholarship. Trust the Holy Spirit who indwells you (1 John 2:27) and the witness of the broader, faithful church throughout history. Compare teachings to the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27), focusing on Christ crucified and risen.

My deepest desire is for us to be united in the truth of the Gospel, anchored in the living Word, Jesus Christ, and faithfully nourished by the written Word of God in its many reliable translations. Let us cling to Christ alone, test all teachings by His Spirit and His revealed Word, and pursue love and unity grounded in truth.

"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). Let nothing, not even a cherished translation, become an idol that distorts the truth or divides the body. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

With love and prayer for your discernment and faithfulness,

Pastor and Fellow Servant of Christ,

Reverend So So

Testing the Spirits – Guarding Against False Teaching

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a pastor, it is my sacred duty to care for your souls, to teach the truth of God’s Word, and to warn you against any teaching that leads away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Today, I write to you with a heavy heart, burdened by the rise of certain teachings in the wider church that claim to be from God, but in fact do not align with the truth of the Holy Spirit. Specifically, I want to address dangerous doctrines such as Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) and KJV-onlyism, which some claim to be essential for the Christian faith.

While it is important to honor the Word of God and be thankful for faithful translations, we must also be discerning. These teachings often exalt one version of the Bible—such as the King James Version—as the only pure and preserved Word of God, to the exclusion of all others. Some go further to suggest that the KJV itself is perfect and infallible, and that all other versions are corrupt or demonic. This is not biblical truth. This is adding to Scripture what God Himself has not said (Proverbs 30:6).

Let us listen carefully to the words of 1 John 4:1-3:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist..."

A person may appear godly, speak with authority, and quote many Scriptures—yet still be influenced by a spirit that is not from God. A teacher who insists that salvation, sanctification, or fellowship with God depends on accepting only one translation, or who causes division by condemning others who read faithful versions like the ESV, NASB, NIV, or the Chinese Union Version (CUV), is not walking in the Spirit of truth. He may be influenced by the spirit of pride, division, or even the spirit of the antichrist—which denies the freedom of the gospel and replaces Christ’s finished work with man-made doctrines.

The apostle Paul warned of such dangers in 2 Timothy 4:3-4:

“For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, they will gather around them teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

Dear church, we are living in such a time. We must not follow every loud voice, nor be swayed by every so-called “defender of truth.” Not every teacher is from God. False prophets are not always easy to recognize—they may come with a Bible in their hand and the name of Jesus on their lips, yet they distort the truth and lead the sheep astray.

Jesus said clearly in Matthew 7:15-16:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”

And what are the fruits of such teachers? Pride, condemnation, division, quarreling over words, and a spirit of elitism. But the true Spirit of God produces humility, unity in the body, and Christ-centered teaching that builds up the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Beloved, I urge you, do not be deceived by those who elevate a translation over the truth of Christ. The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. No single translation—whether English, Chinese, or otherwise—is perfect. We thank God for faithful translations, but we worship Christ, not a version of the Bible. When someone teaches otherwise, he has made an idol out of the text, and has lost sight of the living Word—Jesus Christ.

Let us cling to Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Let us test all teaching by the Scriptures, not by traditions or sectarian opinions. Let us walk in love, truth, and humility.

If anyone among us is following these teachings or has been influenced by them, I urge you to repent and return to the true gospel. Let us pray for discernment, for unity, and for the courage to stand firm against error.

In the love and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Pastor So So

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Key Bible References

• 1 John 4:1-6 – Test the spirits

• Matthew 7:15-20 – False prophets known by their fruits

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – Turning away from sound doctrine

• Proverbs 30:6 – Do not add to God’s Word

• Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is unchanging

• Ephesians 4:11-16 – Unity and maturity in the body of Christ

🕯️ Self-Examination: Is Satan Filling Your Heart?

 🕯️ Self-Examination: Is Satan Filling Your Heart?

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”

— 2 Corinthians 13:5

Self-examination is a holy practice. Just as a doctor checks for symptoms of disease, we must examine our spiritual health to detect whether sin has given a foothold to Satan.

🔍 1. Do You Lie to the Holy Spirit?

“Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit...?”

— Acts 5:3

Ananias and Sapphira were church members. They were not outsiders. Yet, Peter said Satan filled their hearts—not with good intention, but with deceit.

Ask yourself:

Do I hide truth in order to appear more spiritual?

Do I manipulate others for personal gain?

Do I pretend before God or man?

Lying is a doorway for the devil. Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). When we allow lies in our hearts, we allow his presence.

🔍 2. Do You Habitually Walk in Darkness?

“If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

— 1 John 1:6

Satan thrives in secrecy, hidden sins, and double lives. Ask:

Am I living one way in public and another in private?

Is there unconfessed sin that I refuse to surrender?

Do I ignore conviction and grieve the Holy Spirit?

Where there is no light, the serpent dwells.

🔍 3. Is There Bitterness, Hatred, or Unforgiveness in You?

“Be angry and do not sin... and give no opportunity to the devil.”

— Ephesians 4:26–27

The devil takes territory in the human heart when we hold onto grudges and offenses.

Ask:

Is there someone I have not forgiven?

Is my heart poisoned by resentment, jealousy, or hatred?

Do I secretly rejoice when others fall?

Forgiveness casts out the devil. Bitterness invites him in.

🔍 4. Do You Oppose God’s Word or Will?

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me...”

— Matthew 16:23

Peter was a disciple of Jesus, yet he unknowingly spoke Satan’s agenda by resisting the will of God.

Ask:

Am I resisting what God has clearly told me to do?

Do I twist Scripture to justify my desires?

Do I speak against the Holy Spirit’s guidance in others?

Even believers can temporarily become instruments of Satan’s voice if their mind is not renewed.

🔍 5. Are You Consumed by Greed, Pride, or Control?

“Your heart was proud because of your beauty... You said, ‘I am a god,’... Yet you are but a man...”

— Ezekiel 28:2,17

(This passage uses the King of Tyre as a symbol of Satan's pride)

Satan was cast down because of pride. When pride grows, Satan enters.

Ask:

Do I crave control, power, or recognition more than humility and service?

Am I driven by money or status?

Do I secretly think I am better than others?

Satan seeks hearts that worship self.

🕊️ Signs of Satan’s Influence in the Heart

Spiritual numbness

Constant rebellion against authority

Addiction to sin with no repentance

Contempt for God’s Word or people

A double life

Unrepentant arrogance

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

— Jeremiah 17:9

🙏 How to Cleanse a Heart Filled by Satan?

Confess the sin clearly before God (1 John 1:9)

Renounce the work of Satan and break agreement with him (James 4:7)

Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh (Ephesians 5:18)

Walk in the light with others — seek accountability (James 5:16)

Stay rooted in the Word and in worship (Psalm 119:11)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

— James 4:7

🛐 Final Prayer of Examination

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

— Psalm 139:23–24

If you sense Satan has taken root in your heart, do not despair. Bring it into the light. Confess. Repent. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and His blood still cleanses.

Self-Examination: Is My Heart Being Filled by Satan?

Self-Examination: Is My Heart Being Filled by Satan?

This examination requires humility, honesty, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

1. Examine Your Desires and Affections:

Question: What do I truly love and desire above all else? Is it God, His will, and His kingdom, or is it worldly possessions, power, pleasure, or self-glory?

Signs of Satanic Influence: A consuming desire for things contrary to God's Word, a persistent pull towards what you know is sinful, or an aversion to spiritual disciplines and the things of God.

Bible Verse:

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV): "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

2. Examine Your Actions and Habits:

Question: What are the consistent patterns of my behavior? Do my actions reflect the fruit of the Spirit, or the works of the flesh?

Signs of Satanic Influence: A habitual engagement in serious sin without remorse, a persistent pattern of lying, cheating, hatred, malice, or destructive behavior. If you find yourself repeatedly committing sins you know are wrong, without a desire for repentance or change, it's a serious indicator of deep-seated issues.

Bible Verses:

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV): "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

3. Examine Your Thoughts and Attitudes:

Question: What occupies my mind? Are my thoughts dominated by bitterness, resentment, greed, lust, envy, or destructive schemes?

Signs of Satanic Influence: A mind perpetually consumed by evil imaginations, an inability to forgive, a constant critical spirit, or thoughts that lead to harmful actions. The enemy often works by planting seeds of doubt, fear, and temptation in the mind.

Bible Verses:

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV): "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Philippians 4:8 (NIV): "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

4. Examine Your Relationship with God and His Word:

Question: Do I hunger for God's Word? Do I desire to pray and worship Him? Is there a sense of conviction when I sin?

Signs of Satanic Influence: An aversion to prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with believers, or worship. A hardened heart that feels no conviction for sin, or a cynical attitude towards spiritual things. The enemy seeks to blind us to the truth and harden our hearts against God.

Bible Verses:

Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV): "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

John 8:47 (NIV): "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

5. Examine Your Response to Truth and Correction:

Question: Am I open to correction from God's Word and from godly individuals? Do I respond with humility or defensiveness?

Signs of Satanic Influence: A resistance to conviction, a refusal to repent, a consistent blaming of others, or an inability to admit wrongdoing. The devil is the father of lies and seeks to keep people in deception.

Bible Verse:

Proverbs 15:10 (NIV): "Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; whoever hates correction will die."

6. Examine Your Level of Peace and Joy:

Question: Do I experience the peace and joy that come from walking with Christ, or am I filled with anxiety, despair, anger, or a pervasive sense of emptiness?

Signs of Satanic Influence: While life brings trials, a chronic state of ungodly anger, bitterness, deep despair unrelated to external circumstances, or a profound lack of spiritual peace can be a sign that the enemy is at work trying to steal joy and create chaos.

Bible Verse:

Romans 14:17 (NIV): "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Important Considerations:

Conviction vs. Condemnation: The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin to draw us to repentance and restoration (John 16:8). Satan condemns us to drive us to despair and away from God. If this self-examination fills you with hopeless condemnation, that is not from God.

Repentance is Key: If you find areas where you believe ungodly influence is strong, the answer is not despair, but immediate and sincere repentance. Turn away from the sin, confess it to God, and seek His forgiveness and power to change.

Seek Godly Counsel: If you are deeply concerned, or feel overwhelmed by this examination, please seek counsel from a trusted pastor, spiritual mentor, or mature Christian. They can offer prayer, discernment, and guidance.

The Power of Christ: Remember, "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). For those who belong to Christ, Satan can tempt, accuse, and oppress, but he cannot ultimately "fill and live in" a heart that has been surrendered to God and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

This self-examination is a spiritual barometer. It helps you understand if you are truly walking in the light and submitting to God's Spirit, or if you are habitually yielding to the darkness. The ultimate goal is to draw closer to God, seeking His purification and guidance, and living a life that glorifies Him.