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Quote from: Reformer on Fri Aug 09, 2024 - 23:11:06

"CHURCHIANITY"
VS.
GOD'S MODEL

Part 1

Buff Scott, Jr.

IS JESUS THE FOUNDER OF PARTISAN RELIGION via CHURCH-ISM?

Most of you who read this are probably thinking, "Of course Jesus founded a church! The Bible says so." Really? Are you absolutely certain the oldest Greek manuscripts justify your answer? And if "churchianity" is sectarianism, as I hope to confirm, is Jesus the author?

    Our English translations were originally written in the Greek language. One of the most common translations from Greek to English is the old King James Version of the 16th century. Millions and millions of devoted readers through the centuries have relied upon this Version to enhance their spiritual visions and to help them in their walk with the Lord. And that's not all bad. The amazing story of Jesus and how He became our salvation are explicitly and beautifully narrated.

    This, however, is not the end of the story. The dialect of The King James Version of the scriptures is extinct and its errors numerous. Of course there are errors in every Version of the scriptures, but the KJV seems to contain more than most of the others—unless it would be the Version used by Jehovah's Witnesses. There seems  to  be  no  logical  excuses for most of the errors found in the KJV. Let me demonstrate.

    Most believers say their "church" was founded in about A. D. 30-33, as chronicled in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts. However, the KJV has one under Moses in Acts 7:38, and another under David in Hebrews 2:12.

    "This is he [Moses] that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina" (Acts 7:38).

    "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee" (Heb. 2:12, a quote from David in Psalms 22:22).

    These two mistranslations were corrected in most subsequent Versions. The point is, Jesus did not introduce a church—any church—then or later. This statement will ruffle the feathers of some of you who are churchly-addicted, but at least hear me out.

KING JAMES' BLUNDERS
"Church" is not a translation of the Greek ekklesia. The Greek term is correctly translated congregation, assembly, called-out ones, and may even be rendered "community." Moses led a congregation of chosen ones under the old era; Jesus leads a congregation of chosen ones under the new era. But neither led nor is leading a church or religious party.

    Prior to King James' scholars translating the Greek scriptures into what is known as The King James Version, he instructed them:

    "The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, as the word church not to be translated congregation" (Lewis' History of the English Bible, under "King James' Instructions to the Translators").

   The King insisted that all ecclesiastical terms be retained. "Church," "Easter," "baptize," and "Bishop" were a few of his preferences. King James was King and Head of The Established Church of England. To permit his translators to deliver the Greek ekklesia correctly would have placed him in the position of being King and Head of a mere congregation! Apparently, he wanted no part of that.

[I think you'll enjoy Part 2 even more.]