Saturday, June 4, 2011

Red-letter editions

What is the significance and importance of the non-Pauline portions and of what value is the red ink in the red-letter versions?

As far as the non-Pauline portions of scripture and even the red letters, they are simply for our learning, but not for our doctrine or for us to follow! They simply teach us how God hated Israel's sins and also his faithfulness to that nation based on Abraham's faith! We can learn from that, but they do not apply to us at all!

Romans 15:4
[Paul writes] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:5-11
But with many of them [Israel] was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Red letters? Those so-called 'red letters' denoting the words of Christ were added by the publishers to distinguish the words that He actually spoke from His human mouth from other words of scripture. But all the words of the bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 are God's words and are all equal for our learning!

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.

We need all of God's word rightly divided in order to get all the profit from God's word. But it starts with understanding Paul's epistles!

2 Timothy 2:7, 15
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God stablishes us first by Paul, then by the other scriptures...

Romans 16:25-27
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.




Hopefully this helps! 
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