View attachment 204417
Just because I was discipled by Dr. John MacArthur, does not mean I agree with everything he teaches.
Matthew 16:18 (Young's Literal Translation)
18 `
And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;
I came to the conclusion ASSEMBLY was the correct Translation after reading this definition in the
NASB Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
When the bible was first translated into ENGLISH, the SUBSTITUTION of the word CHURCH had already been Made.
HOWEVER, they did not Put it in ITALICS.
It confuses to people to think the believing JEWS that believed GOD would provide a Messiah, that they are a LOWER CLASS of Human Spiritual Beings. That is a form of anti-Semitism. It forces people to NOT consider Jewish believers are PART OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, and in doing so, you will make GOD A LIAR:
Isaiah 54:5 (HCSB)
5
Indeed, your husband is your Maker—
His name is Yahweh of Hosts— and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
Isaiah 62:5 (HCSB)
5 For
as a young man marries a young woman,
so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over ⌊his⌋ bride,
so your God will rejoice over you.
Believing in Israel during the O.T. had the SAME KIND OF FAITH WE DO.
O.T. Saints were those who believed GOD WOULD SEND A MESSIAH TO PAY FOR THEIR SINS.
N.T. Saints are those who believe GOD DID SEND A MESSIAH TO PAY FOR OUR SINS.
That is the FAITH OF ABRAHAM.
His First ASSEMBLY or FOLD was the ISRAELITES, who BELIEVED IN HIM in their hearts.
His Second ASSEMBLY or FOLD is the Church, who BELIEVED IN HIM in their hearts.
They are CO-EQUALLY Part of the Bride of Christ as WE ARE.
Your other question in both
Luke 16:23 and in
Matthew 16:18:
Transliterated Word: hadês
New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.