January --- 2007 --- December

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NEWS and NOTES

From Eternal Savior Ev. Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae, WI:

Confirmation: Rachel Lynn Yeomans was confirmed before the congregation on May 27, 2007 and received into communicant membership.

Baptism: Bethany Ruth Yeomans, (born on June 4,2007 to Dave and Julie Yeomans) was baptized on June 10, 2007 in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost. We pray that God will bless her as she grows in years and in faith in Christ Jesus her Savior.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children,
and to all that are afar off, even as many
as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39)

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From Trinity Lutheran Church of Ballwin, Missouri:

Funeral:On September 1, 2007 Pastor Wayne A. Popp left this vale of tears and went to heaven where he now beholds his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face.

The funeral service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church of Ballwin Missouri at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. The sermon text was 1st Corinthians 15:1-23 and 35-58, with the theme being: "THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION!" Interment was at Our Redeemer's cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

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From the president of the Illinois Lutheran Conference

To all members of congregations of our fellowship:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The preamble to the ILC Constitution states: "We, the undersigned congregations, pastors, and teachers, desiring to do the work of the Lord on a wider scale than that of an individual congregation, do join together into an orthodox Lutheran Conference. We undertake this endeavor in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom we can do nothing." Think about those words very carefully, and note particularly that the term WE is used three times. My friends, every congregation of our fellowship and every congregational member is important to our Conference, and I therefore encourage you to take a more involved interest in the ILC by attending our annual delegate conventions. Make plans to participate each year, and bring the family too so that all may worship and fellowship together.

Each member congregation is to have two delegates plus alternates present at the annual ILC convention, yet sadly year after year some congregations send one delegate or none. Do you think that such a lack of interest is pleasing to the Lord? I assure you that it is not, for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, says:

"By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another."
(John 13:35)

It is certainly not loving when Conference business is left to a few individuals when there are many others who could and should also be available to share in the joint work of the ILC in the conservation and promotion of true orthodoxy in the unity of the true faith.

"My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
(1 John 3:18)

There is a beautiful portion of Holy Scripture that really emphasizes the importance of every individual Christian to the body of Christ, the Holy Christian Church, and it is 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; please open your Holy Bible and read it, and think about it, and then realize that YOU, fellow Christian, are important to the body of Christ, the Church, for YOU have been given a gift or gifts to use in service to your Savior, Jesus. Remember,

"We love him, because he first loved us."
(1 John 4:19)

Let us show our love to the Lord Jesus by promoting His truth! The Gospel of Christ is so desperately needed in this world of sin and unbelief- won't you do your part in helping to spread it? Support your local congregation and your Conference with your prayers to God, your gifts, your talents, and your time.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:22-25)

Brothers and sisters in ILC congregations, remember that it's YOUR Conference, therefore make an effort to take part in its affairs. Come and enjoy worshipping the Lord together with your fellow Christians of the same faith, and fellowship with them.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
(Psalm 133:1)

In Christ's service,

Pastor Mark Latsch, ILC president

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June 21, 2007

The updated ILC officers listing is as follows:

President:
Pastor Mark Latsch

Vice President:
Pastor Robert Sempert Jr.

Secretary:
Mr. Dave R. Yeomans

Treasurer:
Mr. Charles E. Clubb III

Visitor:
Pastor Richard Finke

Missionary at Large:
Pastor Wayne Popp

Historian:
Mr. Charles E. Clubb III

ILC Journal editors: (2 ILC pastors)
Pastor Mark Latsch
Pastor Robert Sempert Jr.

ILC Website supervisors (3)
Pastor Dale Schilling
Pastor Robert Sempert Jr.
Mr. Dave R. Yeomans

Motion was made to give a gift of $500 to Pastor Schilling toward computer equipment.
Passed unanimously.

A motion was made to send the LRH $1,000 of the amount budgeted. Passed unanimously.

Motion was then made to allot the other $1,000 (budgeted to the LRH) for the purpose of furthering the LRH use of technology to preserve and promote it's sound files with the goal of audio/video sermons, etc. This was passed unanimously.

A motion was made and passed to officially thank Pastor Popp for his years of service as ILC president.

Motion was also made and passed to officially thank the Cross of Christ congregation for hosting this conference.

Treasurer/Historian Mr. Clubb asked that it be noted that his mailing address has changed:

C/o ILC Treasurer/Historian
Charles Clubb
P.O. Box 2
Mazon, IL 60444

The meeting notes for both days meetings were then read and accepted.

The meeting ended with closing prayers by Pastor Latsch and the singing of Hymns 283 and 644.

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Respectfully Submitted by,

Dave R. Yeomans / ILC Secretary

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Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord GOD,
that I will send a famine in the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea,
and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek
the word of the LORD,
and shall not find it.
(Amos 8:11-12)

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THE SUPERIORITY OF THE RECEIVED TEXTS

I. The subject defined

This paper will address a most important and timely subject in this day and age when the foundational Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Holy Scriptures are viewed by most of the clergy and the so-called scholars in the visible Christian Church as requiring near constant changes for what they - the modernists - call updating and improvement. To contend for the superiority of the received texts causes one to labeled "unreasonable" or "old-fashioned" or a "troublemaker" by those who hold the position of the modernists. Nevertheless, to contend for the superiority of the received texts means that the inferiority of their competition must be demonstrated, and this will be done in this paper.

Most of the clergy and laity in the visible Christian Church these days use one or more of the modern versions of the Bible that have flooded the market over the past 50 years, and yet they are for the most part ignorant of the fact that the modern versions of the Bible are based upon different foundational texts than is the Holy Bible King James Version of 1611/1769. Over the past 30 years a number of ILC pastors have written materials exposing the danger of using the various modern English translations by comparing them with the faithful and reliable King James Version, and remarks were included in many of their writings in regards to the differences in translational technique and underlying texts. This paper will focus on the fact that the King James Version of the Holy Bible is the only English translation currently available that is based solely upon the received Hebrew Masoretic Old Testament Text and the Greek New Testament Textus Receptus (received text). The aforementioned texts are called "received" because they have been handed down and received from generation to generation within the visible Christian Church, and for that reason they are also known as the traditional texts. We would all be wise to follow the apostle Paul's admonition to the early Thessalonian Christians, and also what he told the young pastor Timothy: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15) "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13)

The traditional foundational texts of the Holy Bible were not called into question or severely altered by any great number of people until beginning around the mid 1800's. Since that time the vast majority of seminaries, universities, and Bible translators have embraced and now use what are known as the critical Hebrew and Greek texts, which are comparatively rather new-sprung inventions based on a few recently discovered manuscripts of questionable character. What is more, the printed critical editions of these texts are further changed every couple of years (e.g. the Nestle Aland Greek New Testament is currently in its 27^th edition). Additionally, the compilers of the altered Old and New Testament texts augment them by making use of other sources of information when applying them in making new versions of the Bible, that is, they do not even remain faithful to their chosen Hebrew and Greek texts! Make no mistake about it, the majority have entirely cast aside the traditional texts in the original tongues; and furthermore, the now commonly used original language Bible texts are being continually revised at an alarming rate, and those changes are reflected to a greater or lesser degree in every modern English Bible translation, and most modern foreign language translations as well.

The danger with all of the fooling around with God's Words is that the Holy Scriptures - together with Christ Himself - are the foundation of our Christian faith, for the Holy Scriptures show us our sin, our need for a Savior, and who the one, true Savior is- the Lord Jesus, true God and true man but one Christ. Hence, we need to stand firm on the Lord Jesus Christ and His true Word, and from our hearts we need to say, as did David, the words of Psalm 11:1-7, "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." Jesus says, Luke 6:47-49, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." Thus, the foundation of our faith is none other than Jesus Christ the incarnate Word of God and the Holy Scriptures the written Word of God, as is clear from the words of Ephesians 2:19-20, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" -- the apostles having written New Testament books of the Bible, the prophets having written Old Testament books of the Bible, and the entire Bible testifying of Jesus Christ: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Now, it is true that no one can actually destroy Jesus Christ or His Word, but both can be destroyed in people's hearts and minds if there Christ and His Word are robbed of their true character. Realize that a false Jesus put forth in a false Bible can indeed have a deadly effect, for Jesus says in Luke 9:26, "whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." Note well: being ashamed of both Jesus and His words - not just His doctrines - will end with the result of the ashamed person being disowned by Christ on Judgment Day. ALL of God's Words are important, not one excepted; and so, tampering with God's Words is a terrible sin indeed. But, may we take comfort in knowing that the Lord God Almighty remains in charge, and therefore the wicked who would destroy the foundation of our faith will not ultimately succeed. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8) The Lord Jesus is the eternal Savior! "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." (Psalm 12:6-7) The Word of God may be suppressed by its enemies, but it will always be available to us in its purity to teach us of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

II. Why the subject is very important

It has already been stated that the danger with all of the fooling around with God's Words is that the prophetic and apostolic Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments together with the incarnate Word - Jesus, the only begotten Son of God - is the foundation of our Christian faith, and so to tamper with the foundation is to tamper with what is of the utmost importance to every child of God. The Bible is the place where God reveals Himself to us not only as the Father and the Holy Ghost, but also as the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ our Lord and only Savior from sin, death, the devil, and hell. We would not have knowledge of who the true God is if He did not tell us of Himself, and thus the true and complete written Word of God is of vital significance to us! However, there are several other reasons why the subject of this paper - "The Superiority of the Received Texts" - is very important, namely: God's promises are involved, God's doctrines are involved, and accordingly God's honor is involved. We will consider these points first in light of Holy Scripture itself because, as the psalmist declares in Psalm 119:103-105, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." And, 1 Timothy 1:17 proclaims: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

The truth that the Holy Scriptures were given by inspiration of God when they were first penned is still acknowledged by several Christian groups of various denominational labels, as well as by some who call themselves non-denominational, and the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible is certainly a matter of God's doctrine. The Bible says of itself: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) And, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21) Consequently, only outright unbelievers deny the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Holy Bible and its supernatural character as it was originally given. However, the number of Christian groups that also hold to the divine, pristine preservation of the Holy Scriptures appears to be relatively few, and yet the Bible teaches its preservation no less than its inspiration, and so the divine, pristine preservation of the Bible is also a matter of God's doctrine, and of God's promises, and thus a matter of God's honor as well. Therefore, we shall see from the evidence which follows that to deny the divine, pristine preservation of Holy Writ also betrays dangerous unbelief, no less than the denial of its divine inspiration.

Let us carefully look at the passages quoted in the previous paragraph as proof for both the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures and their divine, pristine preservation. We will first consider 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

The first clause reads: All <3956> scripture <1124> is given by inspiration of God <2315> The numbers in brackets (< >) being Strong's Concordance numbers (to assist the non-Greek-reader in identifying the original root word). In the original Greek the clause under consideration reads: pa/sa grafh. qeo,pneustoj. The grammatical and lexical information for the individual words is as follows:

pa/sa adjective nominative feminine singular no degree from pa/j

3956 pa/j pas {pas}
Meaning: 1) individually 1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything 2) collectively 2a) some of all types

grafh. noun nominative feminine singular from grafh,

1124 grafh, graphe {graf-ay'}
Meaning: 1) a writing, thing written 2) the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents 3) a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture
Usage: AV - scripture 51; 51

qeo,pneustoj adjective nominative feminine singular no degree from qeo,pneustoj

2315 qeo,pneustoj {theh-op'-nyoo-stos}
Meaning: 1) inspired by God 1a) the contents of the scriptures
Usage: AV - given by inspiration of God 1; 1

[Friberg's Lexicon] qeo,pneustoj, on of the Scriptures as communication that has been ordained by God's authority and produced by the enabling of his Spirit; strictly God-breathed; hence divinely inspired, inspired by God (2T 3.16)

Furthermore, regarding the grammer of the term qeo,pneustoj (theopneustos), "the Predicate Nominative and Adjective are those parts of a sentence that makes an assertion about the subject" [#6 (CWS)], and hence we see that the divine origin of Holy Scripture is an established fact by the Word of God itself, for God Himself makes the assertion, and God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2)! Thus, the Holy Bible IS ENTIRELY GOD'S WORD!

The remainder of 2 Timothy 3:16 reads: and is profitable <5624> for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and the grammatical and lexical information for the underlined phrase in the original Greek is as follows,

wvfe,limoj adjective nominative masculine singular no degree from wvfe,limoj

5624 wvfe,limoj ophelimos {o-fel'-ee-mos}
Meaning: 1) profitable
Usage: AV - profitable 3, profit + 2076 1; 4

Note that wvfe,limoj - rendered, "is profitable" - is a nominative adjective which, as we noted above, makes an assertion about the subject. That being the case, we see that Holy Scripture - being that it is definitely profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness - must still be currently present or it could not carry out what it asserts in this passage! For verse 17 of 2 Timothy 3 adds: That the man of God may be <5600> (5753) perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The underlined phrase "may be" in the original Greek is the word h=| and is a verb subjunctive present 3rd person singular from eivmi,

5600 w= o {o} including the oblique forms, as well as hj es {ace}, h e {ay}, etc.
Meaning: 1) be, may be, etc.
Usage: AV - be 22, may be 22, should be 6, is 5, might be 2, were 1, not tr 4, misc 4; 66

I draw your attention to the fact that the expression "may be" (h) is present tense, which is defined as follows: "present tense- a set of verb forms that indicate that at the time of the discourse the action in the verb was continuing or being repeated. Examples: I am watching what my brother is doing." [#6 (BW7) Friberg] Also, "The Present Tense in the Indicative Mood represents contemporaneous action, as opposed to action in the past or the future. In moods other than in the indicative mood [such as the subjunctive], it refers only to continuous or repeated action." [#6 (CWS) notation and emphasis mine, m.e.l.] Therefore, since the Holy Scriptures keep on completely furnishing the man of God, the Christian, unto all good works, it is self-evident that ALL of the God-given words which make up the Holy Bible are indeed present and will be present as long as God keeps calling and making Christians! Thus, the preservation of God's Word is taught as well as its inspiration in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Now let's consider 2 Peter 1:19-21, which reads, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

In the first clause the apostle Peter says: We have <2192> (5719) also a more sure <949> word of prophecy. When Peter wrote these words by inspiration of God he was adding to the truth that he had just related, namely that, "we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount." (2 Peter 1:16-18) Peter, together with James and John, had personally witnessed the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus on the mount, but then in 2 Peter 1:19-21 he added the further truthful witness of the Holy Scriptures- the fact that prophecy had been written concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, this "word of prophecy" is "a more sure word" that Peter stated "we have".

Note the following details regarding the Greek words behind the underlined English expressions.

The WORD is "more sure" - bebaio,teron adjective accusative masculine singular comparative from be,baioj

949 be,baioj bebaios {beb'-ah-yos}
Meaning: 1) stable, fast, firm 2) metaph. sure, trusty ["altogether reliable" Friberg]
Usage: AV - stedfast 4, sure 2, firm 1, of force 1, more sure 1; 9

The WORD is what "we have" - e;comen verb indicative present active 1st person plural from e;cw

2192 e;cw echo {ekh'-o}
Meaning: 1) to have, i.e. to hold 1a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as 2) to have i.e. own, possess 2a) external things such as pertain to property or riches or furniture or utensils or goods or food etc. 2b) used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship 3) to hold one's self or find one's self so and so, to be in such or such a condition 4) to hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to 4a) to be closely joined to a person or a thing
Usage: AV - have 613, be 22, need + 5532 12, misc 63, vr have 2; 712

I draw your attention to the fact that the phrase "we have" (e;comen) is present tense, which, as we noted earlier, indicates continuous or repeated action. Thus, the apostle Peter was positive that the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures were available right then and there; they were not lost; they were preserved intact. Now, since Jesus tells us in John 10:35 that "the scripture cannot be broken," and Isaiah 40:8 declares that "the word of our God shall stand for ever," then we too can be positive that God's Word IS SURE, STEADFAST, AND TRUSTWORTHY, and that WE HAVE GOD'S WORD right up to the present time to rely on and make use of, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

Furthermore, the fact that "Scripture" includes the New Testament as well as the Old Testament is established by the inspired words of St. Peter in his 2^nd epistle, chapter 3, verses 15 & 16, "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." Note that the epistles of Paul are equated with the other Scriptures, which proves them to be given by inspiration of God. Additionally, the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth as follows: "what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Corinthians 2:11-13) Hence, Paul and his fellow apostles all spoke words that the Holy Ghost gave them to speak, and those words were recorded for our learning. Thus, the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures were given by inspiration of God and have been preserved by God.

After the opening clause in verse 19 of 2^nd Peter chapter 1, the apostle concludes the verse: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth <5316> in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. We all do well when we take heed to the Scriptures which enlighten our sin-darkened hearts and shine Jesus the Light of the world into them, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6) Jesus is the "day star" for He is "the Sun of righteousness" who has arisen "with healing in his wings." (Malachi 4:2) Without the Word of God there could be no spiritual enlightenment, no personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, because, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Moreover, spiritual life can only be healthy and growing if one feeds on ALL of God's Word, for Jesus says in Luke 4:4, "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Note well: every <3956> word of God (panti. r`h,mati Qeou/);

panti. adjective dative neuter singular no degree from pa/j

3956 pa/j pas {pas}
Meaning: 1) individually 1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything 2) collectively 2a) some of all types

Now, if we are to live by every Word of God then we must certainly have every Word of God- that's Scripture preservation guaranteed! Looking back at the underlined expression in 2 Peter 1:19, notice that the Light of God's Word, the sure word of prophecy, is as that "that shineth," which in the Greek is:

fai,nonti verb participle present middle or passive dative masculine singular from fai,nw

5316 fai,nw phaino {fah'-ee-no}
Meaning: 1) to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, shed light 2) shine 2a) to shine, be bright or resplendent 2b) to become evident, to be brought forth into the light, come to view, appear 2b1) of growing vegetation, to come to light 2b2) to appear, be seen 2b3) exposed to view 2c) to meet the eyes, strike the sight, become clear or manifest 2c1) to be seen, appear 2d) to appear to the mind, seem to one's judgment or opinion
Usage: AV - appear 17, shine 10, be seen 2, seem 1, think 1; 31

I call your attention to the fact that the phrase "that shineth" (fai,nonti) is a present participle, and, "The Present Tense in the Indicative Mood represents contemporaneous action, as opposed to action in the past or the future. In moods other than in the indicative mood, it refers only to continuous or repeated action. The Participle is a verbal adjective. As such, the participle may function as a verb, noun, or adjective in the sentence." [#6 (CWS)] Therefore, just as light to this very day illuminates a dark place, so God's Word continues to illuminate man's heart that is by nature dark with sin. Thus, the grammar of the original Greek proves the continued presence of God's Word among men to enlighten them, and so Holy Scripture has been preserved that it may continue to convert sinners to the Savior.

Now consider 2 Peter 1:20-21, Knowing this first, that no prophecy <4394> of the scripture is of any private <2398> interpretation <1955>. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The lexical information for the Greek behind the words "prophecy"; "private"; and "interpretation" is as follows:

4394 profhtei,a propheteia {prof-ay-ti'-ah}
Meaning: 1) prophecy 1a) a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events 1b) Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets 1b1) of the prediction of events relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the prophetic faculty is due 1b2) of the endowment and speech of the Christian teachers called prophets 1b3) the gifts and utterances of these prophets, esp. of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ
Usage: AV - prophecy 16, prophesying 3; 19

2398 i;dioj idios {id'-ee-os}
Meaning: 1) pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self
Usage: AV - his own 48, their own 13, privately 8, apart 7, your own 6, his 5, own 5, not tr 1, misc 20; 113

1955 evpi,lusij epilusis {ep-il'-oo-sis}
Meaning: 1) a loosening, unloosing 2) metaph. interpretation
Usage: AV - interpretation 1; 1

Note that the Source of Scripture, the Source of Biblical prophecy, and the Source of its meaning is GOD the HOLY GHOST! This certainly teaches that every prophecy of Scripture is inspired by God, and it also teaches that no prophecy of Scripture - including those about itself - is to be bent to conform to one's own notions. It was not by man's will that the Word of God came in old time, but God the Holy Ghost moved chosen, holy men to speak His Word. Holy Scripture is unique among all the books in this world, because only the Holy Bible was given to us by God and is preserved to us by God, and this is a matter of God's doctrine and His unbreakable promises, and accordingly a matter of His honor.

The passages that we've looked at in detail thus far have already demonstrated that the divine pristine preservation of the Holy Scriptures is taught by Holy Writ itself no less than their divine inspiration. Now also consider some of the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His High Priestly prayer to His heavenly Father before He gave Himself into death for our sins: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." (John 17:17-20)

The underlined words of Jesus Christ teach that faith in Him would continue to come about through the word of His apostles (the New Testament), and that means that their word (which is given by inspiration of God, and is thus God's Word which is truth) would always be available to convert sinners to the Savior since the phrase "which shall believe" is future tense (pisteuso,ntwn verb participle future active genitive masculine plural from pisteu,w). {Note: "The tenses of the participle, like those of the other dependent moods, do not, in general, in themselves denote time. To this general rule the Future Participle is the leading exception, its functions being such as necessarily to express time-relations. The Future Participle represents an action as future from the point of view of the principal verb." [#6 (BW7) Burton, Moods and Tenses of New Testament Greek] And, "The Active Voice represents the action as being accomplished by the subject of the verb." [#6 (CWS)]} Consequently, the preferred Greek manuscripts of the modernists (manuscripts "Aleph" & "B" that were lost and unused for better than 1,000 years) which disagree in many areas with the traditional (received) texts, cannot possibly be the true Word of God because if they were the true Word of God then it would mean that the Lord lied about the apostle's word always being available to convert sinners to the Savior- and remember that the apostle's word is God's Word of Truth that He gave them! But, God does not break His promises, including His promises to preserve His Word; "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar." (Romans 3:4)

The following is a list of some of the many unbreakable promises of God concerning the preservation of His Word.

Psalm 105:7-8, "He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant for ever <5769>, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations." That's certainly testimony that God's Word stands firm and will be preserved!

Psalm 119:89-90, 111, 152 & 160, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever <5769>." God's Word stands forever, it is settled in heaven, God does not change it; and the truth that God is faithful to all generations is demonstrated by the fact that His Word that is settled in heaven has been given to us on Earth as an heritage forever. Sinful men may change God's Word on Earth, add or take away from it, but they can never eradicate His TRUE WORD which is forever settled. Definitely divine preservation!

Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever <5769>." God's Word is not like the grass and flowers of the field which are here today and gone tomorrow; no, God's Word is everlasting; He promises us that it is so; that's Bible preservation!

The Hebrew behind the expression "for ever" is:

5769 ~l'A[ `owlam {o-lawm'} or ~l'[o `olam {o-lawm'}
Meaning: 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: AV - ever 272, everlasting 63, old 22, perpetual 22, evermore 15, never 13, time 6, ancient 5, world 4, always 3, alway 2, long 2, more 2, never + 0408 2, misc 6; 439

In the Old Testament the expression "is written" occurs 24 times in reference to God's Word:

^KJV Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

^KJV Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

^KJV Joshua 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

^KJV Joshua 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

^KJV 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

^KJV 2 Kings 14:6 But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

^KJV 2 Kings 22:13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

^KJV 2 Kings 23:21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.

^KJV 1 Chronicles 16:40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

^KJV 2 Chronicles 23:18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.

^KJV 2 Chronicles 25:4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

^KJV 2 Chronicles 31:3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.

^KJV 2 Chronicles 34:21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

^KJV 2 Chronicles 35:12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.

^KJV Ezra 3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

^KJV Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;

^KJV Ezra 6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

^KJV Nehemiah 8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

^KJV Nehemiah 10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:

^KJV Nehemiah 10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:

^KJV Psalm 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

^KJV Jeremiah 25:13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.

^KJV Daniel 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

^KJV Daniel 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

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To Be Continued

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What Luther Says

3772 - Scripture the Most Ancient and Modern Authority

Whatever is altered in order to conform to the word of God is no innovation. All customs, no matter how good they are, must give way to the Word of God. Your own law says this. God and His Word are older than you are, and no doubt they will also be younger and newer than you or we are, because they are eternal. Therefore the Word must alter and rule both the old and the new and not be altered or ruled by either the new or the old.
(W 30 II, 320 --- E 24, 386 --- SL 16, 972)

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To Be Continued

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~ FOR YOUR NOTICE ~
THE 2008 ILC DELEGATE CONVENTION
is to be hosted by
Eternal Savior Ev. Lutheran Church
in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
June 19 & 20, 2008

{{{{{ V.B.S. is planned }}}}}

Please make early arrangements to attend.
We pray we will see you and your family there !
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