The Ballestero Blog

Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?

Mr. Thomas Jefferson is rightly honored as one of the most brilliant minds in American history. He is remembered for many achievements in his public life and in his service to our nation.

1. He served as Governor of Virginia.
2. U.S. Minister to France.
3. Secretary of State under President George Washington.
4. Vice President in the administration of John Adams.
5. President of The United States from 1801-1809.

His tombstone makes no mention of those accomplishments. It says rather, that he was the “author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.”

What a man. What a mind. Yet, with all of his understanding, somehow Mr. Jefferson could not actually believe anything about the supernatural, or stories of miracles, as found in the Bible.

He loved the principles of life as taught by Jesus Christ. He approved of almost all of the Lord’s teachings. What he could not accept was anything supernatural. So, he did what he thought best. He made his own bible.

He calmly sat down with two exact Bibles, and began to cut out the parts that he liked. He would then paste all of the verses he liked into a scrapbook. Now, there would be nothing in his new bible that would make him uncomfortable.

Beliefnet Blog: Separating The ‘Diamonds’ From The ‘Dunghill’

“Done with his official work for the day, Thomas Jefferson sat in the new presidential mansion in Washington in 1804, and opened his Bible — not to pray, but to cut. He scoured the text for Jesus’ greatest teachings, sliced out his favorite portions and glued them into an empty volume. He called it “The Philosophy of Jesus.” In 1819, he started over and created a new version called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” often referred to now as The Jefferson Bible. In Jefferson’s version, Jesus was not divine.”

The virgin birth – gone.
Christ’s bodily resurrection – gone.
The miracles of the loaves, walking on water, raising Lazarus – none of them made Jefferson’s book.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Faith-Tools/The-Founding-Faith-Archive/Separating-Diamonds-From-The-Dunghill.aspx

The bad news is that the story doesn’t end there. Although Thomas Jefferson did that 200 years ago, almost everyone is doing it now. It happens in personal lives, homes, churches and denominations. Folks are only taking from the Bible, the parts they like best and they are leaving the rest on the table.

Even some Apostolic Pentecostals have problems in this area. Listen to the audience when the preacher preaches next time. Do they say amen or do they remain quiet? To the preacher, it would be easy to judge the silence of the congregation as non-acceptance. Maybe it is.

The Preacher Can Expect A Good Response If He Preaches On:

1. Love
2. Mercy/Forgiveness
3. Faith/Miracles/Healing
4. Blessings/Prosperity
5. Winning Souls
6. Baptism In Jesus Name
7. Receiving The Holy Ghost
8. One God

However:

• What happens if the same man preaches on Worldliness?
• What happens if he preaches against the ungodly influence of Hollywood?
• How loud is the sound of amen, when the pastor reads Bible passages about women Cutting their Hair?
• If he reads scriptures about not Loving the World, does the crowd get silent?
• Maybe, it’s when he reads the part about women not Wearing Men’s Apparel?
• Does the crowd grow silent when scriptures warning about Ornamentation are read?
• What about the subject of Tithes? Can they still say amen?
• How about when the preacher reads verses about Modest Apparel?
• What if he just reads verses about Doctrine, is anyone bored yet?

Let’s Talk Some More:

• What does the crowd do when the man of God reads verses on Forgiving One Another and Bitterness?
• Does is tense up when he reads about Gossip and Backbiters and Hatred?
• What do they do when he finds a verse about Jealousy and Envy?
• How about the verses on Submission and Pastoral Authority?
• What about when he reads verses on Loving your Neighbor as yourself, while preaching against Racism? What is the response then?
• What about the audience’s response when the pastor reads verses on Fornication and Adultery?
• What is the reaction when the pastor reads verses about Rebellion?
• How about the ones on Unity?
• When he reads verses about being Faithful to God’s House, what is the reaction of the crowd?
• Do they get uncomfortable when he reads the one about, “not setting any wicked thing before my eyes?’ How does that go over?

Pentecostals have openly talked about having their ‘candy sticks.’ As a rule, that’s a good thing. The downside is that some have taken only their candy sticks, and thrown most of the rest away. It’s kind of like swallowing a camel and straining a gnat.

• All some want to see in their Bible, are verses on Love.
• Others may only be in search of New Birth scriptures in their Bible.
• Then there are those that are only interested in Holiness subjects
• A few hang up on themes like: Faith, Healing, Miracles, Worship, Prophecy, Divorce, Pastoral Authority, and Prayer, to name a few.

Why not just take it all? Let no one be guilty of only taking the part of the Bible they like, and leaving the rest for others. I am convinced that the Jefferson Bible is alive and well in most Jesus Name Pentecostal churches today.

We easily break fellowship with those who have not cut out the same portions of the Bible that we have.

I submit to every gentle reader, that many are crippling their walk with God because they refuse to take the entire Bible. Do not treat God’s Word like a buffet line, and only choose what you like. Choose it all.

Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?

 Don’t Take Your Ego Trip To Church!

A Bible Study

Take your ego trip on a motorcycle ride, on your boat or in your new luxury sedan. Take it hunting, fishing, or even take it on a softball field with the boys. Just don’t take your ego to church.

When you arrive at church, check your ego at the door. Man’s ego has no place in the work of God. God purpose is never fulfilled by an exercise of man’s self-importance. That applies to us all… preachers, musicians, singers, board members and saints.

To say we don’t have an ego would be to lie. Granted, we all know of some that have grown out of proportion. We all have an ego. Its size, or lack there of, determines our usefulness in God’s Kingdom.

Some Signs That You Have An Ego Problem.

• Concerned with the approval of others.
• Cannot live in the moment, you are always planning for the next level.
• Constantly comparing yourself to others.
• Ego needs to always right.
• Blame others
• Know everything about everything
• Never have a problem, only solutions
• Refuse to ask for help.
• Have a constant need for more.
• Always knows what wrong with everyone else.
• Always judgmental of others.
• Never willing to say I’m sorry.

An Ego Makes Us Believe We Are The Center Of The Universe.

Paul Warned Church Members Against Having An Ego.

• Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

God Is Attracted To Humility. God Blesses The Humble.

• 2 Chron. 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Ego And Pride Seem To Be The Building Blocks Of Disaster.

1. Lucifer

• Ego got him kicked out of Heaven.

2. Saul.

• Never had a problem when he was ‘little in his own sight.’ When ego raised it’s head, things changed. It caused Saul to rule for nearly 40 years without God talking to him.
• 1 Sam 15: 17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
• Saul’s ego couldn’t stand the songs sung about David. His jealous rage was driven by his ego.

3. Nebuchadnezzar

• His ego was so big it attracted God’s attention.
• Dan 4: 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

4. Herod

• Wouldn’t give God the glory.
• Acts 12: 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

5. Nabal

• Nabal was always right in his own mind. He was so right, that no one could reason with him. That is what got him killed.
• 1 Sam 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. 

6. John The Baptist

• John the Baptist is honored for saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
• He understood that his ministry was to be in submission to His Ministry.
• The promotion of flesh is not welcomed in the Spirit world.

7. David

• David had confidence, but it was God-based. “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”
• There was no ego trip involved when he fought Goliath, only a job that needed doing.
• It is not a sin to be confident in your calling and in your God. But, be careful about being confident in your flesh.
• David, the anointed future King of Israel, waited for the right time. He kept his ego under submission. He even hid in a cave.
• David may have been the best worshipper in Israel, but it wasn’t an ego trip for him.
• He may have been the best fighter in Israel, but he was modest about it.

The Self-Righteous

• Eccl 7: 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
• Evidently it is possible for some to be so holy, it becomes a problem. Their ego got wrapped up with their righteouness.
• The Pharisee spirit is still alive today.
• Positions such as Trustee or Deacon have caused many egos to rise.
• Preachers, singers and musicians and saints on an Ego Trip in God’s Kingdom, will never arrive at their desired destination in Him.
• Too many young ministers jump the gun. Their ego won’t let them sit under their pastor’s ministry any longer.
• Some times, the ego will tell you to ‘go’ when you are not yet ready to ‘go.’
• Ego interferes with obedience and submission.
• Ego hinders revival.

God Gives Grace To Those That Discard Their Ego To Please Him.

• 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
• James 4: 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Are You On A Spiritual Journey Or Ego Trip?

Don’t Take Your ‘Ego Trip’ To Church!

Things Daredevils Say

We all have an idea of what daredevils do. Some have amazed us by the very fact they survived. Others have caused us to shake our heads in disbelief that anyone would even consider doing what they just did.

Daredevils like notoriety. They wish to be seen. They enjoy the public spotlight and their 15 minutes of fame. Their ego is fueled by the applause. They really want to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. They might even be happy if Ripley’s Believe It Or Not took notice of them too.

What Daredevils Do.

Newspapers have chronicled daredevils for years. Going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Climbing the world’s tallest skyscrapers without a net or harness. Walking on a tight rope between the Twin Towers. Houdini’s underwater exploits while handcuffed and chained to concrete. Evel Knievil’s made over 75 ramp jumps on a motorcycle. He also suffered 433 broken bones in his life.

Hundreds of others have made the front pages because they tried something that normal people would not dare try. Sometimes they lived to talk about it, even though it was from a hospital bed. Others did not fare so well. One or two survived the first attempt, but did not on a second one.

What Daredevils Say.

Long before a daredevil privately or publicly puts himself on the line, he has had to cross that line in his mind. It’s after the twisted wheels of his thinking have already turned that we hear him announce his intentions. His intention is primarily to get attention. It may have started when he was young.

They Tried Their Daredevil Stunts When They Were Kids.

• Look Ma, no hands. (Look Ma, no teeth.)
• Watch this.

 They Tried Their Daredevil Stunts When They Were Dating.

• If you love me, you’ll let me.
• What will it hurt?
• Everyone is doing it.

They Even Have Tried Their Daredevil Stunts With God.

• I’m not convicted.
• There is no God.
• Not tonight
• What’ll hurt?
• Nobody will know.
• I don’t care what anybody says.
• I can do my own thinking.
• I don’t need your help.
• I’ll do whatever I want.
• It’s my life.
• I don’t need anything
• I’ve got plenty of time.
• There’s always tomorrow.
• Everybody’s doing it.
• I’m the exception.
• I don’t have to.
• Who do you think you are telling me what to do?

There Were Daredevils In The Bible.

 Pharaoh

• He said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?”

Nabal,

• Was such a son of Belial, that a man couldn’t speak to him.
• He said, ‘Who is David?”

Belshazzar,

• Ignored the punishment of God on his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar.
• Desecrated the Holy Vessels of the Temple in a lewd party.

Nadab and Abihu

• Offered Strange Fire before the Lord.

Ananias and Sapphira

• Lied to the Holy Ghost and To Peter.

Felix

• Said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

God detests arrogance. He called it haughtiness. Humble people aren’t daredevils. Daredevils aren’t obedient. They aren’t submissive. They do not wish to do what others do. They will always struggle to be saved.

Are you a daredevil that is trying to see how much Bible you can ignore and still be saved?

Some daredevils have a problem giving God His tithe. Others struggle with modesty and holiness. Some daredevils challenge the Pastor, the Church and the Bible. It’s dangerous to be friends with a ‘spiritual’ daredevil.

 Solomon Describes The Daredevil’s Mindset.

 KJV Eccl. 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

 NIV Eccl. 8:11 ¶ When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.

 Daredevil, you might get by, but you won’t get away. If you think it’s not easy being a daredevil in this life, just wait until the next life.

The Sin Of Arrogance

We don’t hear arrogance preached about very often, do we? I wonder why. Could it be that the subject may come a little too close to home?

Some familiar Bible characters had problems with arrogance.

Belshazzar Was Arrogant And Defiant.

Dan 5:22  And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

Dan 5:23  But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Dan 5:25  And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Dan 5:26  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

Dan 5:27  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

He was cursed because, although he knew to do right, he wouldn’t change. He not only became arrogant, but also defiant.

Pharaoh Was Arrogant And Proud.

Ex. 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exo 10:3  And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Saul Was Arrogant and Stubborn.

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king

He said – I have sinned, nevertheless bless me.

1Sam. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee,

New Testament Church Members That Were Arrogant And Presumptuous.

2 Pet 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Likewise, Some Today:

• Won’t listen
• Won’t apologize
• Are never wrong
• Don’t want help
• Know it all
• Won’t hear
• Won’t change
• Ignore help
• Won’t repent
• Aren’t convicted

Arrogance Will Cause you to:

• Ignore God’s word
• Backslide
• Rebel
• Ignore help
• Feel superior
• Feel invincible
• Become Unteachable

Nabal Was So Arrogant, A Man Couldn’t Reason With Him.

1 Sam 25:17  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

Arrogance Cursed By God.

• Saul lost his kingdom and God wouldn’t talk to him anymore

• Belshazzar lost his kingdom and his life

God’s Condemnation Of Arrogance.

Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Adjective: forward,

Usage: archaic

1. Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

• headstrong, self-willed, willful
• See also: disobedient

The Spirit Of Arrogance Is Not A Teachable Spirit.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

• Don’t Become UNTEACHABLE

God’s Cure for Arrogance

2 Chr 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

• He’ll forgive the sin of arrogance.  (It is a sin.)
• Humility is the cure!
• Humble your selves!

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

• Nabal wouldn’t listen, will you?
• Belshazzar wouldn’t listen, will you?
• Saul wouldn’t listen, will you?
• Pharaoh wouldn’t listen, will you?
• Naaman finally listened, got humble and obeyed, will you?

Arrogance almost robbed Naaman of his miracle! Don’t let that happen to you.

May we always walk humbly before God and our fellow-man.