The Revised Standard Version and the UPCI

THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION

Adopted by the General Conference in 1953

Inasmuch as the United Pentecostal Church believes in the inspiration of the holy Scriptures, given to us by holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and [inasmuch as] we believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God given to us by divine authority,

We hereby declare our position regarding the new translation of the Bible in modern speech known as the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted by the National Council of Churches in America:

Whereas upon examining the Revised Standard Version of the Bible we find [that] many [passages concerning] the fundamentals of our Christian faith and doctrine have been changed and are very misleading, namely, the virgin birth of Christ, remission of sins as taught in the New Testament, the deity of Christ, and other truths, and

Whereas a majority of the committee of translators themselves, according to their associations, connections and records, are [shown] to be modernist and liberal scholars who do not believe or embrace the revealed truths of God's holy Word, including the plan of God's salvation, . . .

Be it therefore resolved that the United Pentecostal Church International declare its disapproval of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Be it further resolved that we continue to accept the King James Version of the Bible as the most accurate translation of the Scriptures to be used in our churches and among our people.

The above is a position paper of the United Pentecostal Church International and is provided for informational purposes.

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New Beginnings

     

     Today is a new beginning for me.The Bible speaks of new beginnings. The mercies of God are made new every morning. That is a new beginning. What are beginnings?

Webster defines it as : 

1: the point at which something begins : start

2: the first part 

     So many times people have regrets. Many do not feel their lives are satisfying, yet they will not get up and do anything about it.What is the cause of this? It could be a life that did not have the greatest start. Things happen to people that cause them to be a spiritual cripple who just limps along or crawls along. They are like the lame man at the Gate Beautiful.In Jewish literature it is said that the glory and presence of God used to emanate through this gate.
Today it is called the Golden Gate. The Jews called it
Sha'ar HaRachamim  or the Gate of Mercy. During the Ottoman occupation of Jerusalem a cemetery was built at the gate to keep the Prophet Elijah from returning through it as he is considered a Kohen and supposedly would not be able to enter into a cemetery and be defiled. Well that is just another case of religious misinformation, which by the way in itself keeps people from entering into the mercies of God. The Prophet Elijah would be able to enter this gate anyway. It was assumed that if Elijah could not come into this gate as Jewish Messianic prophecy proclaimed then the Messiah would not be able to return. Let us not go by what man assumes because no man can keep back what God decides He wants to do. That is like Adam and Eve thinking they were covered by a mere apron of leaves. God appeared on the scene and  made them a coat that provided real covering. We cannot trust man's philosophies of life.

 This belief about the Golden Gate/Beautiful was based upon two premises. First, according to Islamic teaching Elijah is a descendant of Aaron, making him a priest or kohen. Secondly, that Jewish priests are not permitted to enter a cemetery. This second premise is not wholly correct because a kohen is permitted to enter a cemetery in which primarily non-Jews are buried such as the one outside the Golden Gate.

     Is it possible that a false concept is keeping you from entering into all the joy of the Lord? Have you been taught a false concept of God that comes from a religious upbringing? Whatever it is that keeps you from starting over just remember you are worth the second, third or even 100th attempt.Maybe it's poor parenting in your past. Hey maybe you've been a poor parent. Whatever the issue is it can be resolved and you can pass it by on the way to peace and success in life. You can have an abundant life.                   

   There are so many walking around claiming to be a Christian but have the doldrums all the time. Who in the world would want what you have? Why are you like this? Is it a learned behavior? Is there a biological reason? It's not normal to always be warring? It's not normal to always be in a Job trial state of mind. If it really is the trial of Job you are in that is one thing, but how about letting the Lord take you to the level of Victory you seek? 

   I have a friend named Dr.Linda Doty who is available and has a course entitled,"Maximum Victory." She is connected to Apostolic Theological Seminary. You are able to take her courses and buy her books. Maybe the re-education is just what you need to bring you to the place you should be. If fasting, praying and being faithful at church services you still find yourself floundering then it may be that you need the knowledge of the Word of God in your situation to help you overcome. Don't think you have to stay where you are. You can have a New Beginning in Jesus Christ whether you are a new Christian, not a Christian yet, or someone who has been serving Jesus Christ for years yet has a limp. We have the Holy Ghost. We are not Job and in his covenant. We are partakers of the Heavenly Gift and a new and better covenant. It is time to notify the old baggage that you have a new set of luggage and are packing the Holy Ghost now.Instead of judging yourself by past failures today just go back to start and do everything the right way. Stop thinking you wish you had your life to live over. You do have it to live over. You have not entered into eternity yet. Do it right this time. Give yourself a chance and a break. You are a person Jesus Christ died on Calvary for. Why live in pity when mercy is so much greater. Take a minute today to forgive yourself for all past failure.

Now move on to forgive all those in the past who have failed you. They are human also. So they did you and everyone else wrong. Let it go. If you hold onto hatred, wrath, unforgiveness it gives that person who wronged you power over your life still. Make them and the circumstance stop bullying you by overcoming it. It is time that the enemy of your soul be given the boot.

Look at theses scripture:

 Ps 103:8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Ps 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.
Ps 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Ps 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Ps 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Ps 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Ps 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Ps 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Ps 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Ps 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Ps 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Ps 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ps 103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all [ye] his hosts; [ye] ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Ps 103:22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

 In Jesus Name,

Sister Dana Dartez Klein M.Div.