Which Bible translation is best? (John McAthur)

 The common question of which Bible translation to use is very important—it concerns the most important words ever spoken, the words of God the Creator. It’s crucial to understand at the outset that behind each version is a fundamental philosophy of Bible translation. You want to make sure the version you use reproduces in your own language what God actually said.

Translation Philosophy

You can separate modern Bible translations into two basic groups—formal equivalency and dynamic equivalency. Formal equivalency attempts a word for word rendition, providing as literal a translation as possible. Dynamic equivalency is more like a paraphrase, trying to convey ideas thought by thought.

Since no one language corresponds perfectly to any other language, every translation involves some degree of interpretation. A translation based on formal equivalency has a low degree of interpretation; translators are trying to convey the meaning of each particular word. When faced with a choice between readability and accuracy, formal equivalency translators are willing to sacrifice readability for the sake of accuracy.

By its very nature, a translation based on dynamic equivalency requires a high degree of interpretation. The goal of dynamic equivalency is to make the Bible readable, conveying an idea-for-idea rendering of the original. That means someone must first decide what idea is being communicated, which is the very act of interpretation. How the translators view Scripture becomes extremely important in the final product.

Sadly, there are many in the Bible-translation industry who have a low view of the Scripture. They think the Bible is merely a product of man, replete with mistakes, contradictions, and personal biases. Many translators today have also adopted the postmodern idea of elevating the experience of the reader over the intention of the author. They make the contemporary reader sovereign over the text and demote the intended meaning of the historic human writers who were carried along by one divine author (2 Peter 1:19-21).

Therefore, it’s vital that you find a translation that represents what the Holy Spirit actually said as faithfully as possible. Who’s interested in some contemporary translation committee’s spin on what they think contemporary readers want to read? We want to read what the author intended us to read, which is what the Holy Spirit originally inspired.

Translation Survey

The most popular dynamic-equivalency translations, which dominate the evangelical world, are the New International Version (NIV), Today’s New International Version (TNIV), The Message (MSG), The Living Bible (TLB), the Good News Bible (GNB), and the New Living Translation (NLT). Of those, the NIV is the most reliable.

The NIV was completed in 1978. Its translators did not attempt to translate strictly word for word, but aimed more for equivalent ideas. As a result, the NIV doesn’t follow the exact wording of the original Greek and Hebrew texts as closely as the King James Version and New American Standard Bible versions do. Nevertheless, it can be considered a faithful translation of the original texts, and its lucid readability makes it quite popular, especially for devotional reading.

The four most popular formal equivalency translations in English are the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the English Standard Version (ESV).

The KJV is the oldest of the four and continues to be the favorite of many. It is known as the Authorized Version of 1611 because King James I approved the project to create an authoritative English Bible. Although it contains many obsolete words (some of which have changed in meaning), many people appreciate its dignity and majesty. The NKJV is a similar translation, taken from the same group of ancient manuscripts, that simply updates the archaic language of the KJV.

The NASB, completed in 1971 and updated in 1995, is a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. It is a literal translation from the Hebrew and Greek languages that incorporates the scholarship of several centuries of textual criticism conducted since the original KJV. It quickly became a favorite translation for serious Bible study.

The ESV is the most recent translation, which stands firmly in the formal equivalency tradition. It is a very solid translation in updated language that aims to reproduce the beauty of the KJV. The result is one of the most poetic and beautifully structured versions that maintains a high degree of accuracy and faithfulness to the original languages.

Translation Choice

Which version is the best to use? Ultimately, that choice is up to you. Each of the formal-equivalency versions has strengths and weaknesses, but they are all reliable translations of the Bible. If you want to read a dynamic-equivalency translation, the NIV is the most reliable.

Ideally, as a serious student of Scripture, you should become familiar enough with concordances, word-study aids, and conservative commentaries so that even without a thorough knowledge of the original languages, you can explore the nuances of meaning that arise out of the original texts.

 

For more study on Bible translations, the following resources provide reliable overviews and analyses:

The Canon of Scripture, F. F. Bruce

How to Choose a Bible Translation, Robert L. Thomas

The King James Only Controversy, James White

The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism, D. A. Carson

Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible, Leland Ryken

The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation, Leland Ryken

Who Knows?

Who Knows?

I write this in the wake of a revelation concerning a well-known Christian government leader who fell into sin. The announcements indicate that he had been caught in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with another member of parliament, and had continued in it in spite of admonishment. This leader has since resigned from all his government positions and membership in his party. News of this came like a shock wave that reverberated throughout the church and the nation. Few knew about what had happened until the public announcement. A third of the year has gone by. The recent Lent season leading to Good Friday reminds us to keep our eyes on the Cross and Christ crucified for us. We also lift our eyes to see Christ risen and coming for us.

The name of our Lord has been muddied, and there is profound disappointment felt in the Church today. One can only imagine what his family must be feeling now; They are the unseen victims of this tragedy.

This is a time to mourn.

As I reflect on this grievous sorrow, I can’t help thinking about how one can be so popular and active in the public square, and yet conceal such a dark secret.

I can have a glowing public life. Speaking to crowds, featured in magazines, and feted on social media. But in my private life, the things I do in secret - who knows?

I can be famous for the good that I do: Serving the poor and needy, championing the rights of the oppressed and forgotten. Launching new ministries. A prophet for our time. A leader. And the crowds can be amazed at all the good that I can do, and my enemies silenced all the same. But deep inside – who knows?

I could be admired for how I’ve given my life to others, and somehow manage to take care of my family life, my inner life. We assume that one can do so much only because one’s private life has been set in order – or we may even say that one has an ‘anointing’. But who knows?

It is merely the case for public figures that when their struggles and failures are exposed, the whole world will find out and the impact is greater. But this capacity for deceit (for we are surely lying to ourselves) lies within each of us. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

We all know how to hide. It was the sin that followed quickly after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

I feel very much for this now as a pastor. Every Sunday, correction: every day, I am looked upon and expected to speak, to serve, to act blamelessly in every way. To be a man of God. It is so tempting to make it all a show.

Professing humility can be made into a show – for the first thing about it is not to be thinking so much about myself. To profess a love for God can also be a show – for in saying such things I may be vying with God for attention. When is the living real or fake… who knows?

It can even happen at home with my wife and children. It can seem much harder to hide things at home, but it can also be much easier. Who knows? Who knows?

We have turned hiding into an art.

No one can really see when we struggle to keep too many balls in the air, but keep at it as we get egged on by the cheers and jeers. No one, but God.

No one can examine our hearts and find that moment when we justify to ourselves that we are doing a whole lot of good, and lots of people are looking up to me, and therefore I can’t stop now. No one, but God.

No one can see the moments when we choose to disregard His voice – when we stop up our ears and harden our hearts. No one, but God.

And so, if there are 3 things I ask for now, it would be for these:

The virtue of honesty;

The urgency to invite others to hold me accountable;

And most of all, the fear of the Lord.

He knows.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

Written 19 Jul 2023

Pastor Ng Zhi-wen

Zion Bishan BP Church

Franklin Graham: The Eternal Peril of Progressive Christianity

For decades, a war has been raging against Biblical Christianity that goes under the seemingly innocent name of “progressive Christianity.”

 

It has cropped up in the halls of seminaries, infiltrated the pulpits of thousands of churches and been propagated by a godless liberal media. It is bent on casting doubt and undermining the foundational principles of God’s Word.

 

Many of the Apostle Paul’s letters were written to churches that were experiencing serious doctrinal errors. One of his sternest was penned to the church in Galatia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. In it, he launched into a stern rebuke for the teaching that had polluted the Galatian church:

 

“Progressive Christianity denies the divinely inspired, authoritative truth of the Bible as it intersects every facet of living.”

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:6-9, NIV).

 

In the case of the Galatians, Paul was specifically addressing their attempt to return to the demands of the law rather than continuing to live by grace through faith in the sacrificial, atoning work of the cross of Jesus Christ. Such an attempt wasn’t just a really bad idea; it actually would result in living under God’s curse, not His favor.

 

I would say the exact same warning applies today to the advocates of progressive Christianity. They deceitfully promote and proclaim what I believe is clearly a “different gospel, which is really no Gospel at all.”

 

Let me say that again—progressive Christianity is not a Gospel at all. It has nothing to do with the Gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It results in nothing but spiritual confusion and chaos.

 

Here’s the problem.

 

Progressive Christianity denies the divinely inspired, authoritative truth of the Bible as it intersects every facet of living. For example, although Scripture clearly says that marriage is between one man and one woman, proponents of progressive Christianity twist and distort the truth of God’s Word on sexuality, focusing on such nonsensical trends as gender identity. They deny God’s distinction of the sexes, and instead invent their own misguided standards, unguided by the Word of God. The degrading cultural influences that embrace such movements as gay marriage have more sway on their beliefs than the Bible does.

 

When the topic of justice is discussed, progressive Christianity is primarily concerned with the issues of social and racial justice (which the Bible does address), but most often neglects the far more fundamental issue of God’s justice—how a holy and just God deals with sinful and wicked men.

 

And when it comes to the matter of personal sin, progressive Christianity most frequently fails to see the ruinous consequences of mankind’s depraved, sinful state. Biblical teaching on the precious blood of Christ, the sacrificial, substitutionary, atoning work of Christ’s death on the cross, is too often neglected or distorted.

 

So the real, ultimate danger is that progressive Christianity can send a person to hell.

 

I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true.

 

To reject the deity of Christ is to deny Christ and doom yourself to an eternity spent in hell.

 

To love darkness more than light will end in an eternity in hell.

 

To hope that good works alone will earn salvation, while rejecting the gift of everlasting life through faith in Christ alone, will lead straight into the eternal abyss.

 

To deny the fullness of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—can risk a person spending their eternity separated from the glory and splendor of God Almighty.

 

“Biblical teaching on the precious blood of Christ, the sacrificial, substitutionary, atoning work of Christ’s death on the cross, is too often neglected or distorted.”

Do you see how anything other than orthodox, Biblical Christianity can be so dangerous and deadly? That’s why the Apostle Paul called down a curse on those who preach a different gospel than the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Here’s how Paul precisely defined the Gospel:

 

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, NKJV).

 

This is the only saving Gospel. Preachers must faithfully proclaim it from the pulpit if they want their congregants to be convicted of their sin and to trust solely in the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Praise and worship have their place in the church, but there is no substitute for pastors preaching the power of the cross and the resurrection.

 

Pastors today must “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5, NKJV).

 

There’s certainly nothing very forward thinking about progressive Christianity. It actually regresses into unbiblical thinking and living, and it will put a person’s very soul in eternal jeopardy.

 

Evangelicals need to guard the truth of genuine Scriptural preaching and living, remaining true and bold about exactly what the Bible clearly teaches. There is no other way to be saved and secured for all eternity.

 

 

 

copied from:

 

https://decisionmagazine.com/franklin-graham-the-eternal-peril-of-progressive-christianity/

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing - Theological Liberalism

 

"Perfect" Greek Bible?

 The "perfect" Greek Bible would refer to a version of the Bible that is written in the original Greek language and is considered to be completely accurate and free from errors. The Bible was originally written in several languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The New Testament was written primarily in Greek, and many translations of the Bible are based on the original Greek text. Some Christian believers consider the original Greek text of the Bible to be the most authoritative and accurate version, and may refer to it as the "perfect" Greek Bible. However, it is important to note that there is no one "perfect" version of the Bible, and different translations and versions may be considered more accurate or useful for different purposes.

The term "Perfect Greek Bible" could refer to a number of different things, depending on the context in which it is used. It could refer to a Greek translation of the Bible that is considered particularly accurate or faithful to the original texts, or it could refer to a Greek Bible that is considered to be an ideal or "perfect" version in some other sense.

 

There are several Greek translations of the Bible that are considered to be particularly important or influential, including the Septuagint, the Textus Receptus, and the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece. These translations are all based on different manuscripts and textual traditions, and have been used by different Christian denominations and scholars over the centuries.

 

It is worth noting that, while there are many Greek translations of the Bible that are considered to be high quality and faithful to the original texts, there is no such thing as a "perfect" Greek Bible in the sense of being an error-free or definitive version of the text. All translations are interpretations of the original texts, and different translations may represent the meaning of the original texts in slightly different ways.

Gentle reminder

To all Calvinists, please do not try to be cleverer than John Calvin, do not say anything which John Calvin did not say.

To all the Reformed theologians and students, please do not try to be legalistic, and become a Pharisee.  

Revised Beatitutes of Far Eastern Bible College FEBC

 

Plaque of the Eight beatitudes, St. Cajetan Church, Lindavista, Mexico

Text of the Beatitudes at Our Lady of Peace Shrine, along I-80 in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming (2016).

The eight Revised Beatitudes in FEBC

³Blessed are the rich in Greek language,
    for theirs is the church.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn for the perfect Greek Bible,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are they when they are proud of the perfect Greek bible,
    for they will inherit the Earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for a perfect Greek bible,
    for they will be satisfied.
⁷Blessed are the perfect,
    for they will be shown perfection.
⁸Blessed are the perfect in Greek scripture readings,
    for they will see god.
⁹Blessed are the warmakers,
    for they will be called the sons of god.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuting others because of a perfect Greek bible,
    for theirs is the Kingdom on earth.
¹¹Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of a perfect Greek bible.
¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward on earth, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Denomination and its emphasis and weakness

Pentecostal-Holy Spirit, Prosperity, and health Gospel

Charismatic-Spiritual gifts, Prosperity and health Gospel

Reformed-Bible Truth, self-centered.

Evangelical-Gospel, everyone is all right.

Methodist-people, people first.

Anglican-tradition, tradition first.

Baptist-baptism, more water more faith, less water less faith.

Presbyterian-elders and John Calvin, the elder is the king.

Lutheran-Martin Luther, pro-Nazism.

Roman Catholic-Mary, idols.

Denomination and its theological emphasis offer many aspects that are welcomed and respected, while others raise concerns.

Who challenges you to engage in internal conflict? Is God the source of conflict and division?

Gentle reminder for students and lecturers in Far Eastern Bible College, Singapore.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt 16∶24).

If any man comes after Jesus Christ, let him/her deny his/her own imagination such as Verbal Plenary Preservation, stupidity such as total refrain from wine, lust such as division and infighting among brothers and sisters in Christ, and take up his cross and follow Jesus, if he or she did not deny his/her own imaginations, stupidity, and lust, he cannot follow Jesus.

Deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus.

Problems at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:1–6:20)

 

Problems at Corinth (1:1–6:20)

After a short introduction (1:1–9) Paul explains how to deal with issues the Corinthians are facing, such as strife and division (1:10–4:21), immorality in the church (5:1–13; 6:13–20), and Christians taking each other to court (6:1–9).

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH (1:1–4:21)

After a short introduction (1:1–9), Paul helps the Corinthians with the issue of strife and division in the church (1:10–4:21). This second part—from 1:10 to 4:21—is the first main section of the letter’s body. Beginning with an appeal for unity in 1:10, this section presents Paul’s arguments against factions and divisions within the church. Paul explains that the saints must focus on Jesus and be humble servants.

Thanking God for Them (1:1–9)

Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter (1:1) and addresses it to the saints in Corinth, who are spoken of as belonging to the universal church of saints all over the world (1:2). Paul expresses thanksgiving to God for the believers in Corinth (1:4), describes them as enriched in spiritual gifts (1:7), and demonstrates that he has a God-centered confidence that they will persevere to the end (1:8).

Greeting (1:1–3)

Paul’s greeting identifies himself and wishes God’s grace and peace on the Corinthians.

 1:1 Paul claims in the very first verse to be called by God to be an “apostle.” Generally, an “apostle” is an individual sent with a message. The New Testament, however, turns “apostle” into a technical term—a special gift and ministry limited to a select few (possibly to those who had seen Christ personally; 1 Cor 9:1). Paul has this ministry because God willed it for him, and he therefore bears authority that should cause the Corinthians to listen even when it goes against their cherished opinions and practices. (Sosthenes, possibly the former head of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth mentioned in Acts 18:17, is with Paul as he writes.)

 1:2 Paul speaks of the Corinthians as “saints,” a term that designates someone who is sanctified, or set apart for God’s use. “Saints” then, are not a faithful few but include even the troubled and sinning believers at Corinth—and therefore at any other place. (Note the parallel between saints and believers in 2 Thess 1:10).

 1:3 Paul asks for God’s blessing of grace and peace to be on the Corinthians.

Spiritual Gifts at Corinth (1:4–9)

Paul refers to spiritual gifts, which he will explain at length later in the letter (1 Cor 12–14). The Corinthians are not lacking any gifts.

 1:4 Paul thanks God for what he has given to the Corinthians.

 1:5 Paul specifically identifies the gifts the Corinthians have in abundance—speech and knowledge (gifts he will later regulate; see 12:28; 14:1–6).

 1:6 The Corinthians have, through their gifts, confirmed what Paul taught them concerning Christ. That is, God’s gifts to them are evidence of the truth of Paul’s apostolic message about Jesus.

 1:7 The Corinthians lack no spiritual gift and are anticipating the return of Jesus.

 1:8 The Corinthians will be revealed as blameless by Jesus when he returns. The implication is that this is true for all believers.

 1:9 While the saints to whom Paul writes are not consistently faithful, God is always faithful. God has called them through Jesus into fellowship with his Son and therefore with each other.

Sectarianism Is Sin (1:10–17)

The church is developing cliques and divisions that have formed around certain leaders (and likely without the knowledge of those leaders). Paul clearly identifies this party spirit as sin.

No Divisions (1:10–12)

Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be unified. Divisions are a hindrance to Christ’s church.

 1:10 Paul wants them to be unified and have no divisions among themselves. Not every Christian then or now agrees on every interpretation. Paul doesn’t expect them to agree on every gray area, but they are to strive to agree—or “say the same thing”—as much as they possibly can (compare Phil 2:1–3). He says elsewhere that disagreements over doubtful matters should not be used to create divisions (compare Rom 14:1).

 1:11 Chloe’s “people” have told Paul of quarrels in the church.

 1:12 Paul illustrates the divisions by naming leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. Often cliques revolve around personalities rather than biblical issues or doctrines. This is not to say individuals don’t fight over doctrines, but in this verse it is all about personalities.

Mangum, Douglas, ed. 2020. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Jeffrey Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Prabudas K0shy, Charles Se-eat are compromisers

Nehemiah would soon discover that his biggest problem was not the enemy on the outside but the compromisers on the inside, a problem the church still faces today.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Jeffrey Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Prabudas K0shy, and Charles Se-eat, these so-called disciples of Jesus are compromisers, they are fighting each other until today for petty little matters.

Some Bible-Presbyterian Churches are simply irrelevant

The problem is not hostility to the church; it is indifference. For many the church is simply irrelevant; it is not even worth criticizing, it is simply to be ignored.

 

William Barclay

Life Bible-Presbyterian Church v Khoo Eng Teck Jeffrey and others and another suit

https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2010_SGHC_187 

Click the link above to read the perfect and full text:

...The first, second and sixth defendants are respectively, Khoo Eng Teck Jeffrey (“Dr Khoo”), Quek Suan Yew and Boon Yean Leong (aka Boaz Boon). These individuals are the plaintiffs in Suit 278 in which the Church and six individuals (including Rev Timothy Tow) are the defendants and they sued in their capacity as directors of the board of the 2004 College. The six individuals in Suit 278 were sued in their capacity as registered proprietors of certain pieces of land which they hold as trustees for the Church and, it is contended by the defendants, also for the 2004 College.

Note: Pastors sued pastors, Church sued Bible College. Great!

Why children and siblings fight

Having lost that theological battle in tongue speaking, contemporary music, separatist stand...

A group of Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore, headed by Jeffrey Khoo, Quek Suan Yew, Prabudas Koshy, and Charles Seet turned inward to battle among themselves about issues less important—in some cases, far less important—than liberalism.

They fought for land titles and sued each other in civil court, then they fought among themselves regarding the perfection of the Bible's Greek Texts.

These Machen's disciples are children, not men, they are babes in Christ, following the devil's path.

Kids fighting: the basics

Disagreements among children are very common – they’re part of learning how to get along. Fighting happens when a disagreement becomes aggressive – for example when it involves shouting or hitting. Children are still learning to control their emotions, so this isn’t unusual.

 

Children’s fights often start when children see a situation as unfair, are trying to assert what they think are their rights, feel that others don’t see their perspective, or view the same situation in different ways. For example, an older child might see it as a joke to tease a younger child, but the younger child might not like it.

 

And for siblings, fights can happen when they compete with each other for their parent's attention or approval. The closer siblings are in age, the more they tend to fight.

 

Disagreements, fighting and problem-solving: opportunities to learn

Disagreements can be a great chance for your children to practice the social skills they’ll need as adults. When disagreements lead to fighting, it can be an opportunity for children to learn other ways to resolve conflict, particularly if they learn that fighting doesn’t get them what they want.

 

When disagreements among children get worked out fairly and without anyone getting hurt, children start to build problem-solving skills like negotiating. They also learn the importance of seeing another person’s point of view and respecting other people’s rights, feelings and belongings.

 

There’ll be less fighting as your children grow and develop better social skills.

 

If you need to handle a fight, it’s important to stop things before anyone gets hurt. Let everyone cool down before you talk about solutions or consequences.

 

How temperament affects kids fighting

Children are born with their own temperaments – the way they react to the world and behave. For example, they might be flexible or persistent, sociable or shy. Children’s temperaments make it more or less likely that they’ll negotiate, argue or avoid conflict.

 

Temperament might also be why some people are quicker to anger than others, or less able to control angry feelings. It’s not always easy for grown-ups to resolve conflict without resorting to bad behaviour – imagine how much harder it is for children.

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/behaviour/friends-siblings/why-children-fight

 

 

 

Ambition and Pride

 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. ^[1] (1 Corinthians 11:18,19)

 

John Calvin comments on these verses, “It is, then, a reproof of a general kind—that they were not of one accord as becomes Christians, but everyone was so much taken up with his own interests, that he was not prepared to accommodate himself to others. Hence arose that abuse, as to which we shall see in a little—hence sprung ambition and pride, so that every one exalted himself and despised others—hence sprung carelessness as to edification—hence sprung profanation of the gifts of God.^[2] Calvin sees that unnecessary divisions sprung ambition and pride, this is true to Jeffery Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Charles Se-eat and Prabudas K0shy. Calvin said these people exalted themselves and despised others. This what happened in Bible-Presbyterian Churches everywhere. Ambition and pride flooded their churches.

 

Jeffery Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Charles Se-eat and Prabudas K0shy are worshipping “The Mother of All Heresy: Gnosticism.” They are pursuing higher knowledge, they welcome strange knowledge regarding the Bible, Greek Bible Texts, and Bible versions.

 

---

^[1] The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[2] Calvin, John, and John Pringle. 2010. Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Vol. 1. 

1 Corinthians 1:11-12

My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)

In our context, one of you says, "I follow John Calvin"

Another says, "I follow Martin Luther"

Another says, "I follow John Wesley"

Another says, "I follow Thomas Cranmer"

Another says, "I follow Zwingli"

Another says, "I follow Timothy Tow"

Another says, "I follow Jeffery Kh00"

Another says, "I follow Charles Se-eat"

Still, another says, "I follow Christ" 

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:13) 

I want to ask those three stooges who divided the church this question, is Christ divided? Were Timothy Tow, Jeffery Khoo, and Charles Seet crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Timothy Tow?

The pastors of Bible Presbyterian Church in Singapore such as Charles Se-eat, Jeffrey Kh0oo, Quek Suaan Yew, and Prabudas K0oshy have no excuse to quarrel among themselves, and continue to declare that they are separatists! What a shame and foolishness in the eyes of God. These stooges are babies who are still suckling milk! They like to fight among themselves, and they teach their church members to practice infighting, what a curse to the churches on earth.

 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

ἀλλήλων, allelon, one another

  ἀλλήλων, allelon, one another

	King James Version	The New International Version
Matt 24:10	And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.	At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
Matt 25:32	And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:	All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Mark 4:41	And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?	They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 8:16	And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.	They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
Mark 9:34	But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.	But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Mark 9:50	Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.	“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Mark 15:31	Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.	In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!
Luke 2:15	And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.	When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 4:36	And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.	All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”
Luke 6:11	And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.	But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 7:32	They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.	They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
Luke 8:25	And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.	“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Luke 12:1	In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.	Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 23:12	And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.	That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
Luke 24:14	And they talked together of all these things which had happened.	They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
Luke 24:17	And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye ahave one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?	He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
Luke 24:32	And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?	They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
John 4:33	Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?	Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
John 5:44	How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?	How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 6:43	Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.	“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.
John 6:52	The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?	Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
John 11:56	Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?	They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?”
John 13:14	If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.	Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
John 13:22	Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.	His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
John 13:34	A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.	“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:35	By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.	By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:12	This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.	My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:17	These things I command you, that ye love one another.	This is my command: Love each other.
John 16:17	Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?	At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
John 16:19	Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?	Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?
John 19:24	They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.	“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did.
Acts 2:7	And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?	Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
Acts 4:15	But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,	So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
Acts 7:26	And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?	The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’
Acts 15:39	And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;	They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
Acts 19:38	Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.	If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.
Acts 21:6	And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.	After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
Acts 26:31	And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.	After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
Acts 28:4	And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.	When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”
Acts 28:25	And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,	They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
Rom 1:12	That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.	that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Rom 1:27	And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.	In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 2:15	Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)	They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Rom 12:5	So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.	so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Rom 12:10	Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;	Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom 12:16	Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.	Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Rom 13:8	Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.	Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Rom 14:13	Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.	Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
Rom 14:19	Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.	Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Rom 15:5	Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:	May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
Rom 15:7	Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.	Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Rom 15:14	And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.	I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Rom 16:16	Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.	Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
1 Cor 7:5	Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.	Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1 Cor 11:33	Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.	So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.
1 Cor 12:25	That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.	so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
1 Cor 16:20	All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.	All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Cor 13:12	Greet one another with an holy kiss.	Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Gal 5:13	For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.	You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Gal 5:15	But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.	If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Gal 5:17	For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.	For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Gal 5:26	Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.	Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Gal 6:2	Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.	Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Eph 4:2	With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;	Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Eph 4:25	Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.	Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Eph 4:32	And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.	Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Eph 5:21	Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.	Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Phil 2:3	Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.	Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Col 3:9	Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;	Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Col 3:13	Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.	Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
1 Thess 3:12	And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:	May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
1 Thess 4:9	But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.	Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
1 Thess 4:18	Wherefore comfort one another with these words.	Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thess 5:11	Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.	Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thess 5:15	See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.	Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
2 Thess 1:3	We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;	We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Titus 3:3	For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.	At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Heb 10:24	And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:	And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
James 4:11	Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.	Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
James 5:9	Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.	Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:16	Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.	Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1 Pet 1:22	Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:	Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Pet 4:9	Use hospitality one to another without grudging.	Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Pet 5:5	Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.	In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
1 Pet 5:14	Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.	Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
1 John 1:7	But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.	But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 3:11	For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.	For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
1 John 3:23	And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.	And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 4:7	Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.	Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11	Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.	Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12	No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.	No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
2 John 5	And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.	And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.
Rev 6:4	And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.	Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.
Rev 11:10	And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.	The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

 

Does the Bible-Presbyterian Church love one another?