Ever since I was a boy in my early teens, I have had a keen interest in the Bible. Back then, not knowing any better, I read a version of the New Testament called “Good News for Modern Man”. Then, in late 1971, I switched to the 1611 Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible, which I have used as my primary study Bible ever since.
Like many of you, I have always believed in God, and I possessed a sincere hunger for understanding His Word. I wanted to know what it all meant. Of course, back then, being rather young, and not having anyone to properly assist me, I arrived at a few erroneous understandings. But from that time until now, I have embarked on a personal journey to unravel the many mysteries of God’s Word.
The 430+ articles and series which you find on the Bill’s Bible Basics website are the results of my labors over these past fifty-five years. They represent my personal understanding of what certain passages mean. In some cases, you may agree with my views, while perhaps in other instances you may not. But whatever the case may be, it is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed and inspired by what you read here, and that you will find some of the answers which you seek.
You can check out the latest and most recently updated Bill’s Bible Basics articles and series at the following URL:
“[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.” Psalm 100:1, KJV
A JOYFUL noise, and NOT a hellish noise!
Excerpt from my article entitled “God’s Golden Teeth, or Satan’s Delusion”:
—– Begin Quote —–
In like manner, some of the Christian music which fills the airwaves today is indeed inspiring and uplifting; although personally, I never really listen to any of it; partially because I require a quiet environment in order to do my work for the Lord, and also, because I do not like all of the commercials and doctrinal programs which fill up the time slots in between the good music. At the same time, I must also tell you that after paying closer attention to some of the song lyrics on some of the radio shows which are geared towards young Christians, that is, when you can even hear them through the “music”, I have to conclude that some of it is not only a far cry from the beautiful Psalms of King David, but it is downright unchristian. It is no better than the hard rock, worldly music that I used to listen to as a young teenager before I began to follow the Lord. It is a deceptive mixture of Satanic noise, with the words “Christ”, “Jesus”, “Lord”, “God”, etc., lightly dispersed throughout the song, in order to give it a somewhat “Christian” flavor.
This so-called “Christian rock” music reminds me of one of those vanilla ice cream bars which you eat on a stick, which has a thin chocolate covering on the outside. It appears to be one thing, but you quickly discover that it is something entirely different once you bite into it. It is truly sad, because you see, just as some of their parents are being deceived by the sights, sounds and thrills of all of these so-called “manifestations”, which are being performed by the ringleaders at their spiritual circuses, the children are doing the very same thing when they attend these “Christian rock” concerts. Both parents and children are getting excited and emotional in the flesh by these things, but it is all just Satan’s deceptive counterfeit. Once a person leaves the Christian rock concert, or the fellowship filled with all of these “manifestations”, the temporary thrill wears off; and for the next six days, they live their ho-hum existence, until they can go back for a refill when the next weekend arrives. This is not what true Christianity is about.
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Galatians 5:6, KJV
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15, KJV
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:9-11, KJV
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29, KJV
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” Philippians 3:2, KJV
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Titus 1:9-11, KJV
When those false Jewish brethren tried to convince the new Christian disciples in Galatia that circumcision was still necessary, consider what Paul wrote to the Galatian brethren. He rebuked them:
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.” Galatians 3:1-4, KJV
When Peter returned to Jerusalem after visiting with Paul, the circumcised Jews criticized Peter for eating with uncircumcised Gentiles:
“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” Acts 11:1-3, KJV
But look how the meeting in Jerusalem in Acts 15 turned out. The Church Elders in Jerusalem agreed that circumcision was not necessary for Salvation for the new Gentile converts to Christianity :
“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 15:10-11, KJV
The Biblical conclusion, regarding circumcision, or any other physical act to try to save ourselves, is simply this: They are all self-righteous works which do us absolutely no good whatsoever insofar as our Salvation is concerned:
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28, KJV
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9, KJV
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5, KJV
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV
“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4, KJV
“Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children [son].” Isaiah 66:7-8, KJV
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14, KJV
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, KJV
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21, KJV
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Luke 1:31, KJV
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7, KJV
“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” Revelation 12:5, KJV
“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:7-7, KJV
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10, KJV
“Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.” John 7:6, KJV
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” Philippians 1:20-26, KJV
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, KJV
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27, KJV
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6, KJV
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34, KJV
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14, KJV
The bottom line is that we should not be worried about when we will die, or how we will die. We should simply live each day for the Lord, and trust God for our future, knowing that whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s, and our place in His Kingdom is secured through the Blood of Jesus Christ.
There was a man with an exhibitionist wife,
Who caused her poor hubby nothing but strife,
Barely clad she walked streets with danger rife,
Only to be met by the end of a rapist’s knife,
And thus that foolish woman lost her dear life.
The lesson in this poem is really quite clear,
Don’t you be like that vain gal, give an ear,
If you purposely dress to tempt and to flaunt,
That’s what some men will think you truly want,
Intended or not, you will inflame their desire,
They’ll mistake you for just a woman for hire,
And there may be no escape from such a fire,
Indeed your situation will soon be quite dire.
