When I first discovered this rule of hermeneutics within months after I was saved back in the late 60s, I realized the Bible I held in my hands was read and interpreted differently because of dishonesty.
I could not believe men would purposely pervert the interpretation of the Scriptures.
This is where I discovered something else.
When the Apostles quoted an Old Testament passage I paid close attention to the words they said was in the Scriptures as they knew them. I saw there were many differences between the words they used and the words of the Scriptures when I now referenced back. Did they misquote? Did they add words or take away words from the Scriptures? Did they change the Scriptures so they could make the reference to back up what they were saying? Were the New Testament writers dishonest? Or are many words in the Old Testament now altered or changed (viz Matt 12:18-21; 13:35; 15:8-9; 21:13; 27:46; Luke 1:17; 4:18-19; Acts 3:22-23; 7:42-43: and many others)?
As I studied this problem I learned that the Jews hired a man named Aquila to retranslate the Hebrew Bible into Greek and change the Scriptures in those places the Apostles and Christians used them to authenticate Jesus was the Messieh. It soon became evident the Jewish rabbis who hire him and Aquila were very dishonest men. And this is why Christians contemporary to him referred to him as Aquila the Apostate. It became obvious the Hebrew Scriptures given to him to translate had also been tampered with. And this showed up when I cross referenced the quotes of the New Testament writers with what now appears in the Hebrew Scriptures.
This became more explained to me when I studied Origen and his Hexpla. Where he collected six different Bible translations written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek for the purpose to see if he could restore the Scriptures to their most holy form. Why would he do this if the Hebrew Scriptures had not been tampered with? He could just take out the old Hebrew scrolls and there would be the complete unadulterated and infallible Word of God. He would not need the other five translations for anything. Something did not appear honest in the claim the Jews had kept the Scriptures pure down to the very jot and tittle. While they claim they had meticulous methods of copying these seem all made up stories to support that the changes made were the original and not a change or interpolation.
I can now say with certainty there is not one Bible in all the world that has the first pure unadulterated Scriptures. The issue is not if God could and did keep a pure collection of these books as a test of his being God: but rather why did Jews and Gentiles both pervert the Scriptures in key places to deceive and lead others to trust in and believe lies by their dishonesty?
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The dishonesty continues right now. Not only dishonesty in interpretation of the Scriptures, but plain out lying and changing the wording. Why are there so many translations into the English language with wording that in thousands of places contradicts each other? And why the many different Hebrew versions with the same problem? Why not just take the so-called original and make verifiable copies in English that are 100% accurate? It cannot be done any more because all of the copies of the Hebrew, Latin, and Greek manuscripts have already been corrupted.
This is where it takes the Holy Spirit to lead and guide into all Truth and Righteousness.
When I discovered the dishonesty by thousands of men, and the most of these novices even if they had a college degree and well respected, I realized the value of Honesty.
If honesty was a virtue to Jews they would not reject Jesus.
If honesty was a virtue the law-keepers would accept salvation in Christ alone, by faith alone, and by grace alone.
If honesty was a virtue there would be no gnostic mystic interpretations of the Scriptures.
If honesty was a virtue there would be only one Gospel, the one Paul preached.
If honesty was a virtue the New Covenant would stand as the last given Commandments of God and of Christ.
If honesty was a virtue the plan of salvation in Acts 2:38 would remain the substance of all preaching of the Gospel.
If honesty was a virtue all men would believe in one God and Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. There would be no trinity doctrine.
If honesty was a virtue there would be one Church that did not have man-made traditions of post-apostolic monks, priests, and popes.
If honesty was a virtue there would be Holiness within and without of all men and women.
If honestly was a virtue every church would be like the first Church on the day of Pentecost.
If honesty was a virtue men would not continue to spread lies and dishonest interpretation of the Scriptures.
I had to come to grips with all of this. And this is why I could not remain among the Oneness organizations. Organization by its nature allows, condones, permits, and compromises with all manner of dishonesty in matters of the Word of God.
I also had to come out from among, even from among many who walked disorderly, who were perverters and who would distort the Word of God just to make sure others did not accept the Truth. Their dishonesty is already judged. They are apostates. Paul said they went out from us that it might be made manifest they NEVER were of us. It is here that men of all ages have a choice: accept and follow dishonesty that leads to lies, or accept and follow honesty that leads to the Truth.
Truth is right there in the Scriptures. It takes a skillful and different way to think about them. And that is where the discovery comes in. We do not turn to Jews or Gentiles for an opinion based upon their own already dishonesty. We hold the Bible in our hands and allow the Holy Spirit to be the Guide. It is just so simple even a fool if he would just submit and not have a perverted spirit, could understand the Truth.
This I have found, that a dishonest person who makes the Truth into a lie, is following he who is the father of all lies: the father of dishonesty. These are not men of God no matter who ordains them or awards them with a ministerial office.
I have found that honesty leads to Truth.
This is the key to why Pastor Reckart is looked up to as a man of God who has been blessed with wisdom and understanding. He is honest. And what he speaks and writes can lead others to the Truth. He does not pervert the Truth. Men of Truth value his leadership and friendship.
All you have to do is pick up your Bible, stop following the dishonest perverters, and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the Truth.
Know, no lie is of the Truth, because no dishonesty can ever be honesty.
Bishop Reckart
Honest and given to the Truth
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