'Reductionist' versus 'Complete' view of the Gospel

[presidente]

There is just so much brilliance in this writing. I really, really like how you have presented your case. The format is beyond stellar.

I wanted to ask of your opinion, though. Do you believe that if no physical water is present, such as in a desert or perhaps on the side of Mt Everest where not enough water could be offered for a baptism . . . these people could not receive Eternal Life?

That is an issue theologians historically struggled with, coming up with ideas like baptism by desire, or baptism by blood if someone was martyred before baptism.

My stance on this is that God is the judge of men's salvation, whether or not they have been baptized. He is the one who judges if their faith is genuine. As members of the church, we collectively including the leaders, have a responsibility in regard to who we fellowship with. If someone professes faith in the genuine gospel, faith in Christ, acknowledges Him as Lord, and is baptized, then we should accept him into fellowship. But if someone lives a sinful life that fits certain characteristics described in scripture, then we may need to expel that individual from fellowship.

As far as your question goes, I am not going to declare that someone who professes Jesus as Lord and believes that he rose from the dead is unsaved. But I do think one should tell him about the cross, Christ dying for our sins, and urge the man to be baptized-- and use the same type of language the Bible uses in relation to salvation and remission of sins when it comes to baptism. I think evangelicals have erred in their practice by substituting a prayer and doing away with baptism. Part of this might be an issue with the creation of theology in reaction to infant baptism as well, in which the infant makes no profession of faith. An adult can indicate he or she has faith. We are buried and raised with Christ through baptism through faith in the operation of God who raised Him from the dead according to Colossians 2.

 

[presidente]

yes the only thing that promises remission of sins is baptism for repentance and remission of sins.

receiving the Holy Spirit doesn’t promise to remit our sins baptism in water because we believe the promise does even if we receive the spirit we’re still
Meant to get baptized for remission of sins .
‬‬

In Luke 24, Jesus said that repentance of sins should be preached in His name. So someone could read that and say the remission comes through preaching Jesus name, and that the baptism worked because of that, or read it as option 1, and the baptism is option 2. I consider these approaches 'reductionist' as opposed to looking at the overall picture of what scripture teaches on salvation. If we read Matthew, we see Jesus wanted the nations baptized. Luke continues his story in Acts, and we see how Peter emphasizes baptism in Acts 2:38, and it was important in Acts 10-11 as well.

But there is an argument for it. For example, Romans 10:9-10 says if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

So what if someone appears before God on the day of judgment. He says he was an unchurched unbeliever and had only heard Jesus' name used as an expletive until he met a Christian who told him about Jesus and showed him four Bible verses, Romans 10:9-10, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." and "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be put to shame." And he says he confessed his sin, repented of it, confessed Jesus as Lord, and believed that He rose from the dead. He hadn't heard about baptism yet, and he got hit by a bus.

Can you or I judge and say that God would not save that man? Does God have the right to remit His sins without baptism? Christ had the right to tell the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in paradise. I John talks about praying for someone who sins not unto death. Baptism is for the remission of sins, but didn't God forgive sins in the Old Testament. We should fully embrace, teach, and encourage baptism, but do we have a right to limit God only to forgive sins through this means He has provided?

 

[Pilgrimshope]

In Luke 24, Jesus said that repentance of sins should be preached in His name. So someone could read that and say the remission comes through preaching Jesus name, and that the baptism worked because of that, or read it as option 1, and the baptism is option 2. I consider these approaches 'reductionist' as opposed to looking at the overall picture of what scripture teaches on salvation. If we read Matthew, we see Jesus wanted the nations baptized. Luke continues his story in Acts, and we see how Peter emphasizes baptism in Acts 2:38, and it was important in Acts 10-11 as well.

But there is an argument for it. For example, Romans 10:9-10 says if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

So what if someone appears before God on the day of judgment. He says he was an unchurched unbeliever and had only heard Jesus' name used as an expletive until he met a Christian who told him about Jesus and showed him four Bible verses, Romans 10:9-10, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." and "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be put to shame." And he says he confessed his sin, repented of it, confessed Jesus as Lord, and believed that He rose from the dead. He hadn't heard about baptism yet, and he got hit by a bus.

Can you or I judge and say that God would not save that man? Does God have the right to remit His sins without baptism? Christ had the right to tell the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in paradise. I John talks about praying for someone who sins not unto death. Baptism is for the remission of sins, but didn't God forgive sins in the Old Testament. We should fully embrace, teach, and encourage baptism, but do we have a right to limit God only to forgive sins through this means He has provided?

oh no brother I am no ones judge I’m just here to discuss scripture and my own personal views of it. I’m no judge , no prophet , no teacher , pastor or any kind of authority .

just someone who believes the Bible and like coming here to share scripture and discuss it read others views and share my own also in hopes that I myself and others can learn from one another

my belief isn’t that Hod won’t allow us to be saved if we never got baptized I see it this way . “ if we hear about the meaning of baptism and believe what scripture says about it , who wouldn’t get baptized in his name ? It becomes an act of faith if we hear about something and believe it the belief will move is to action

that being said I would advise any Christian to get baptized because of the promise in scripture of remission of sins. And there’s never any scripture saying “ you don’t need to get baptized “

but also I note this

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬


It doesn’t say “ If someone believes and doesn’t get baptized thier damned it says of we don’t believe the gospel

I believe God can save anyone he wishes to save even if they never heard boit baptism in water if they believe the gospel even the small amount they can understand

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s enough to save a person of it’s all they actually Know it’s when we learn a truth and then reject it as if it’s not true that we get into trouble

Jesus is able to save anyone he chooses. According to scriptire though baptism is an essential doctrine with a specific purpose believers should hear believe and act upon belief that’s faith

it should be a reaction to hearing and believing Gods word like this

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38-39, 41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s quite a promise to have our sins remitted i wasn’t saying not getting baptized is going to condemn Anyone just was talking about proper doctrine

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Can a person be saved without water, such as while on the ISIS Space Station?

We are buried and raised with Christ through baptism through faith in the operation of God who raised Him from the dead according to Colossians 2.

Exactly! And what is that "Operation"?

 

[RichMan]

Another label to put on those that disagree.
I have learned a bunch of new words since joining this forum.

 

[presidente]

oh no brother I am no ones judge I’m just here to discuss scripture and my own personal views of it. I’m no judge , no prophet , no teacher , pastor or any kind of authority .

just someone who believes the Bible and like coming here to share scripture and discuss it read others views and share my own also in hopes that I myself and others can learn from one another

my belief isn’t that Hod won’t allow us to be saved if we never got baptized I see it this way . “ if we hear about the meaning of baptism and believe what scripture says about it , who wouldn’t get baptized in his name ? It becomes an act of faith if we hear about something and believe it the belief will move is to action

that being said I would advise any Christian to get baptized because of the promise in scripture of remission of sins. And there’s never any scripture saying “ you don’t need to get baptized “

but also I note this

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬


It doesn’t say “ If someone believes and doesn’t get baptized thier damned it says of we don’t believe the gospel

I believe God can save anyone he wishes to save even if they never heard boit baptism in water if they believe the gospel even the small amount they can understand

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s enough to save a person of it’s all they actually Know it’s when we learn a truth and then reject it as if it’s not true that we get into trouble

Jesus is able to save anyone he chooses. According to scriptire though baptism is an essential doctrine with a specific purpose believers should hear believe and act upon belief that’s faith

it should be a reaction to hearing and believing Gods word like this

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38-39, 41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s quite a promise to have our sins remitted i wasn’t saying not getting baptized is going to condemn Anyone just was talking about proper doctrine

I think we may generally be on the same wavelength about this, based on what you communicated on this post.

For me, the unbaptized professor of faith is like the baby that dies young. Many preachers are very certain about it, but the Bible does not give us a clear description of what happens. My wife and I had a loss through a miscarriage. I can understand someone wanting the clergyman to have a clear, solid answer about babies and children waiting for them in the afterlife. What I do see in scripture is that God is merciful, just and righteous. I can read what Jesus said about little children. I see how that can give comfort. But specifics about what God does, I do not think we should teach specific doctrines if they are not revealed.

In the case of salvation, people can point to individual verses.

What I think is damaging is if people just camp out on one set of Bible verses and treat them as if they are opposed to the doctrine taught in another. I've heard baptism treated as a 'work' in opposition to faith. There are also those who think the gospel changed or that there was a Jewish version of it and a Gentile version. But Peter and Paul baptized Gentiles or had others do it. I think one of the ones I talked to thought it took Paul some time to wise up to his doctrine.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Another label to put on those that disagree.
I have learned a bunch of new words since joining this forum.

It's the name-callers that end up on my Ignore List . . . which is why I am unable to determine who you've responded to.

I would never recommend any new Christian that doesn't have thickish skin to come here to learn one thing. If a person wants to be tested . . . this is the perfect place for it.

 

[RichMan]

It's the name-callers that end up on my Ignore List . . . which is why I am unable to determine who you've responded to.

I would never recommend any new Christian that doesn't have thickish skin to come here to learn one thing. If a person wants to be tested . . . this is the perfect place for it.

I have learned to keep Mr Webster close when reading what is posted.
As I said, I have learned a lot of new words and labels in my short time here.
It is hilarious in the way some like to put labels on others.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I think we may generally be on the same wavelength about this, based on what you communicated on this post.

For me, the unbaptized professor of faith is like the baby that dies young. Many preachers are very certain about it, but the Bible does not give us a clear description of what happens. My wife and I had a loss through a miscarriage. I can understand someone wanting the clergyman to have a clear, solid answer about babies and children waiting for them in the afterlife. What I do see in scripture is that God is merciful, just and righteous. I can read what Jesus said about little children. I see how that can give comfort. But specifics about what God does, I do not think we should teach specific doctrines if they are not revealed.

In the case of salvation, people can point to individual verses.

What I think is damaging is if people just camp out on one set of Bible verses and treat them as if they are opposed to the doctrine taught in another. I've heard baptism treated as a 'work' in opposition to faith. There are also those who think the gospel changed or that there was a Jewish version of it and a Gentile version. But Peter and Paul baptized Gentiles or had others do it. I think one of the ones I talked to thought it took Paul some time to wise up to his doctrine.

yeah there’s a lot of cooky ideas that don’t agree with the Bible I think for
Myself it’s important that we are each judged by what we ourselves understand

this recurring principle

“And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required….”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:47-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it matters how much we actually understand ofnthe gospel that’s our bar, not what the other guy knows but we should be learning all along as best we can and growing but with that comes a greater responsibility to walk upright and do what’s right

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Faith is about what we have heard and accepted if we don’t walk according to those things we become guilty in our conscience faith is very personal between the disciple and the food teacher it’s why we can’t judge others we don’t know what they know Jesus does though so he’s our judge


I agree one scripture doesn’t exclude the others which is what many do with scripture for instance

one will say this is true

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but in the same epistle this warning isn’t acceptable because of the word grace and how we define it

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1, 3-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s all true and relevant for our salvstion it reconciles as we learn and grow to Make good sense.

I believe it’s what we as believers are able to allow into our heart that we are accountable for d as we believe and seek him in the gospel we will
Learn and grow in faith and peace and grace and truth until we become strong and able to bear our own weight and even help others

Christianity is very personal it reduces the believers salvation down to them and the Lord who knows all we do he knows when we are ignorant of something and knows when we are willingly and knowingly sinning against him

he knows what we know d all we do according to that and will Judge us accordingly

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:10-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we should do moor best to walk upright according to the measure of faith we have received and let the others do same but always be sharing the word that makes us grow


The false doctrine in the world and in the church is different it leads people astray but not understanding something is different it’s when we reject the truth made plain and resist thkngs and twist things that we become endangered

 

[presidente]

Can a person be saved without water, such as while on the ISIS Space Station?


Exactly! And what is that "Operation"?

I see 'working' in other translations.

For me personally, I am not in favor of space travel. God gave us herbs, and we could eat that. He gave us meat but blood, so then we were allowed to eat that. The heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to the children of men. To me, that' s a little too far up. I've flow in an airplane. I figure men are allowed to climb mountains and jump.

But I'm not sure how they'd do it. I'm pro-immersion, or at least that is the best way to wash, since the Biblical/historical root of the practice seems to involve washing one's whole body with water. Eskimo in the winter and desert dwellers are probably a more common example, Khoisan. I'm not doing missions work in these areas though. I'd imagine growing grapes for communion in some places really far north might be hard. Nowadays we have extensive trade networks.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

I have learned to keep Mr Webster close when reading what is posted.
As I said, I have learned a lot of new words and labels in my short time here.
It is hilarious in the way some like to put labels on others.

What's most amazing to me is that when a person defends themselves from the agitators, they turn it all around upon you and only continue with the labeling. They label YOU as being "divisive" and "unwell." It truly is an amazing phenomenon. Over the last five years, I've been watching this "thing" grow completely out of hand. Not only is the "world" becoming extremely good at blame-shifting, but it has become prelevent even within the "christian" body. And as Paul states, those who do such thing have proven that they are still controlled by their Sinful Nature, and anyone controlled by the Sinful Nature is not a member of the True Vine.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

I see 'working' in other translations.

What I am asking is that you unpack the word Operation, of if you like, Working. Colossians 2:9-15 revolves around the Operation, thus it is critical that we understand what we're quoting. Do you think that the Operation has something to do with the Circumcision of Christ? Wouldn't this be a physical procedure, or, an Operation? All translations reference this Circumcision. Right?

 

[JAPOV]

Ummmm... God doesn't need a "right" to do anything lol...

Circumcision, baptism by water, communion.... Do these things command the Spirit? I say no.

The rich man may find it highly difficult to enter the kingdom of God, "BUT"... with God all things are possible.

 

[presidente]

What I am asking is that you unpack the word Operation, of if you like, Working. Colossians 2:9-15 revolves around the Operation, thus it is critical that we understand what we're quoting. Do you think that the Operation has something to do with the Circumcision of Christ? Wouldn't this be a physical procedure, or, an Operation? All translations reference this Circumcision. Right?

The idea of 'operation' as medical in this context had not crossed my mind. I don't think it has that kind of connotation. This page has a lists of other scriptures that use the word. I believe we have are to have faith in God who raised Jesus from the dead who also works in us. I do not see where Paul equates the circumcision of Christ with baptism, and find the infant circumcision and infant baptism arguments to be rather unconvincing. In Jeremiah 4:4, the LORD told the people of Judah and Jerusalem to circumcise their hearts.

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

The idea of 'operation' as medical in this context had not crossed my mind. I don't think it has that kind of connotation. This page has a lists of other scriptures that use the word. I believe we have are to have faith in God who raised Jesus from the dead who also works in us. I do not see where Paul equates the circumcision of Christ with baptism, and find the infant circumcision and infant baptism arguments to be rather unconvincing. In Jeremiah 4:4, the LORD told the people of Judah and Jerusalem to circumcise their hearts.

What do you think of the below translation. Having looked at the NLT translation and comparing it to the KJV, I think that you'll see how the NLT is spot on. I offer all seven verses, because they are all vitally linked to each other. Verse 10 explains verse 9. Verses 11-15 explain verses 9-10. These seven verses can be studied for months . . . I can testify that it took me about a year before I completely "got it." The only real difference that you might find is in verse 14. That said, these are my two favorite translations for understanding this teaching. And having studied the entire Bible with these seven verses in mind, I am 100% confident that they are what the Bible revolves around. Without the Circumcision of Christ, nothing else matters.

Colossians 2:9-15 NLT - "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

Colossians 2:9-15 KJV - "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

 

[Gardenias]

Wherever you got that post you've pasted,I would NOT have used.
It brings into question
the person who wrote those words status with God!

@peldom10

Care to explain why you disagreed with my rejection of this he pasted? Did you write it?

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Whatever that is suppose to mean!!

it means that water baptism is just a nice bath and some grooming to clean up, it’s mostly symbolic. One still needs to be born again in spirit.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Cleansing of the body has zero to do with it.

When you burst out of the water to draw a big gulp of air, that resembles a newborn’s first cry. To be truly born again it requires the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These days that is commonly known as being “redpilled”.

 

[presidente]

What do you think of the below translation. Having looked at the NLT translation and comparing it to the KJV, I think that you'll see how the NLT is spot on. I offer all seven verses, because they are all vitally linked to each other. Verse 10 explains verse 9. Verses 11-15 explain verses 9-10. These seven verses can be studied for months . . . I can testify that it took me about a year before I completely "got it." The only real difference that you might find is in verse 14. That said, these are my two favorite translations for understanding this teaching. And having studied the entire Bible with these seven verses in mind, I am 100% confident that they are what the Bible revolves around. Without the Circumcision of Christ, nothing else matters.

Colossians 2:9-15 NLT - "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

Colossians 2:9-15 KJV - "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

When I read NLT, I remember I did not care for it when I heard it before. It's a little too on the paraphrase side of things. That's okay if someone is looking for easy reading and a translation that is maybe 20 or 30% commentary instead of translation and the reader knows that and uses other sources. I prefer formal equivalence. The less translator/interpreter between me and the text, the better.

Without looking up anything in an interlinear, I would just imagine 'When you came to Christ' is just sort of made-up there by the translator/interpreters and does not correspond with anything in particular in the Greek. I see 'sinful nature' instead of the more direct translation, 'flesh.' I'm guessing that's sarx in Greek.

I also do not care that much for how they handle verse 12. The KJV is clear that in baptism we are buried with Christ and also raised with Christ, that this happened through faith in the operation of God who raised him from the dead. The NLT's 'because you trusted' is a bit more vague and looses the specific meaning.

Part of the reason for it is readability. But I also try not to be too much of a cynic about this aspect of translation. A rule of thumb for plagiarism is you don't want to have five words (or set collocations-- standardized groups of words) in a row that are the same as the document you are quoting from. And in translations, too many words together that are like another translation may render your new translation uncopyrightable. And there are companies making lots of money off of churning out new Bible translations. The best ways of saying it are taken, and so what do they do? You see 'those' where 'them' would make better sense grammatically, awkward wording, wording that doesn't exactly convey meaning. Then there are easy-reading type paraphrases. But they had these different styles already in the '70's and '80s.

I like the rhythm of the KJV for memorizing and I grew up in the tail-end of the KJV era so I heard that in church. I like formal equivalence, so I prefer NKJV or ESV for a modern translation or trying to communicate with others. In Indonesian, I'm kind of stuck with the Terjemahan Baru (TB), though I do occasionally use the older standard translations, and I've found one from the 1960's that conveyed something that did not seem welll conveyed in the TB translation. But options are limited in that language.

 

[Unw0rthyS3rvant]

One may say why be bogged down in words.

It is a very basic truth we are taught by the Holy Spirit.

On my pillow, thinking a bit last night, it came strongly to my, heart soul and mind, that when there is aything in the Word we cannot understand, we must let our faith fill that void of understanding andd all will be well and at peace.

Ppl tend to think the more abstract words not used everyday makes them look intelligent if THEY use them.!

When in fact it portrays an attitude of superiority over others and falls FLAT in ignorance.!

Witnessing to a dying world is best told by living in humbleness and walking in love as Jesus commands!