When I say "true" church, I speak of that which is told of in Acts 11
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-11/
The first thing you should look for, does the church believe that the Word of God is the final authority? No true church would hold councils, or issue edicts, etc. to correct or change the Word of God. Period.
Secondly, is the church using the Divinely Inspired Word of God or one of the versions that man has altered? A brief quote from wiki defining this
In textual criticism of the New Testament, the Byzantine text-type (also called Majority Text, Traditional Text, Ecclesiastical Text, Constantinopolitan Text, Antiochian Text, or Syrian Text) is one of the main text types. It is the form found in the largest number of surviving manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. The New Testament text of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Patriarchal Text, as well as those utilized in the lectionaries, are based on this text-type. Whilst varying in at least 1,830 places,[1] it also underlies the Textus Receptus Greek text used for most Reformation-era (Protestant) translations of the New Testament into vernacular languages.
Modern translations (since 1900) mainly use Eclectic editions that conform more often to the Alexandrian text-type.
The basic summary to this is that Bible versions faithfully translated from the "Textus Receptus" are true versions, while those taken from the Alexandrian texts, such as the "B" or "Aleph" are not (these are not original manuscripts, they were "recreated" by man and are believed to have originated in Italy.)
Feel free to use the above information to do your own study of the matter.
Thirdly, does the church deny the power of the Holy Spirit to provide believers with a version of the Bible that is without error and easily understood by those who seek the Truth?
Fourthly, does the church literally interpret the Word of God? This may surprise some but many, if not all, of the post 100AD early church "fathers" would interpret the scriptures metaphorically and, in doing so, introduced errors and false doctrines. (A great example of this is that not one of the Apostles, in all of the New Testament, prayed to Mary. Nor do they cite any of the apochypha writings, but do quote, over 200 times, from the original 39 books of the Old Testament. Things such as these were brought in afterwards, in error.)
Fifthly, does the church "rightly divide" the Word of God, into Dispensational Ages? To simplify this without going off into a major discourse, does the church still preach against the eating of bacon? Or that salvation requires works?
Sixthly, is the church evangelistic, as told in Acts chapters 1 and 13. 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Seventhly, do they properly define baptism? Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Again, dispensationalism.
There is more, much more, but this is a good start.
great post, I agree, we have to be very precise, and interpret the Bible literally. but I do have one question with the above, have you ever considered another version of the Bible? perhaps the Geneva Bible 1599 with notes for the people? I know the KJV has a popular following, but KJ was so shady:( of course people will read what they want, but was curious if you've read other translations? maybe other suggestions?
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=Geneva+Bible+&format=All
It's not even about different bibles, as they've all been heavily edited and redacted over the ages.
Constantine did a number on Christianity when he converted and had the bible originally commissioned by a council of Cult of Zeus high priests, and then named himself Pope, after the position held by the High Priest of Zeus.
So, you have to search out all the ancient Greek and Gnostic texts to get the full picture.
We have been deluded for millenia, folks. Don't just stop at the Bible. Search out the other texts, too.
My belief is that, if God can come in the flesh, He is certainly powerful enough to give us His Word without the meddling of pagans being involved in it. It's just up to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discern the Truth. What are you seeing in error with the Textus translations?
The Word of God is His Story! It is not limited to the Bible or any Bible but Flows everlasting throughout His Word which is all of Creation. The Bible was INSPIRED by God whom is the Truth which is Good! His Story is riddled with those that would try to obscure him or hide him, but even their works are based on some form of the Truth. They never had a chance because they cannot create anything themselves, they can only manipulate. How do you give someone the idea of power without actually giving them any power? Satan knows this and is forced to use our own divinity through the Blood of Christ against us. For God so loved the WORLD he gave his only begotten Son! All WILL eventually believe.
The Bible was never meant to interpret literally. Jesus was most likely a pagan along with many famous philosophers, astrologers and writers. The Christians were the ones that decided to push this book as literal in order to mind control the masses by living in fear. People that knew the way of Jesus were burned, killed, and chastised bc they did not follow the churches and were still thriving. Why? Bc when you connect to Jesus/God, you will be freed and live a good life each day. The Christian religion brought fear of God and everything else into this world, and fear will cause depression, which causes illness, and death. People need to read more history books before blindly following a book and a church. You do not need a church to speak to God. Never once does he say to go to church. He does say the Kingdom of God is within you!
I am not KJV only, that's why I added above "those who seek the Truth." It is a matter between each individual and the Holy Spirit as to whether the Truth is before them. To answer more directly, concerning the Geneva, I am not "learned" in that version, I started reading it and found it to be a little too "gruff," for lack of a better word. But I do know that, in the hands of the Puritans of England and elsewhere, it caused them to flee to somewhere else, moved by the Spirit. It must be the Truth.
Tyndale, Wycliffe and others originated from the Textus Receptus, they are probably good too, but I've never studied them. I just like the classic Shakespeare found in the KJV, it just feels right to me.
thanks for your honest thoughts, I know you read the Bible a lot, so you're a good one to ask:) and you're right, it definitely moved the Puritans, they were devoted to the GB. and l'll have to read more about Tyndale and Wycleff, been researching the Great Awakenings throughout history, sure there are similar patterns & this will be the final one.
"Patterns" is an excellent study guide, you could even call it a footnote written by God Himself. It all started in Genesis 3, boiled over in Genesis 6 and began the cycle all over again in Genesis 11 (Babylon.) The Roman Empire was the total consolidation of evil, flooded out by Jesus Christ. God always wins (Amen.) Behold how they want us all to just come together in this present age.
great visual; being flooded out by light of Jesus. and I'm fairly new to the Bible/have been amazed by what I've missed in Genesis the first time, so this is another hint to reread. no wonder they don't want us to understand the Bible, it explains everything.