EXPLANATORY PREFACE. "The greatest difficulty the mind has in understanding truth, is its early religious and political prejudices."-LORD BACON. THE Bible is composed of many books, written in different languages, and in different ages. Now, there ought to be a uniform standard of translation. Words of the same meaning, whether they be Chaldee, Hebrew, or Greek, should be translated into vernacular English words, having the same meaning. But unfortunately such is not the fact. For the Greek word, Kristos, in the old Testament, is rendered anointed, which is correct; but in the New, the same word is not translated at all; but we have its English form, Christ. Why so? Now we propose to translate this word, Kristos, in the New Testament, anointed, just as it is in the Old. Just because it is correct. And in both books it will have a uniform meaning. Neither is the word baptizo translated; but we have its English form, baptize, which is not a translation. Now we propose to render every word in the New Testament Greek into plain vernacular English words; just as they would now be written, if the facts they relate had occurred in our day and in our country. So that all, especially the poor, the "illiterate and the unlearned," may understand the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Because the New Testament was written for this class of people; not for the rich and learned. The rich, the wise, the great of this world, have but a very little part or lot in this matter. For it was not written for them, but the poor. Now the oldest bibles we have are written thus: INTHEBEGINNINGWASTHEWORDANDTHEWORDWASWITH GODANDGODWASTHEWORD, capitals, no stops of Observe how these John's Gospel 1:1. So you see all the letters are any kind, no words, but a chain of capital letters. letters stand. "God was the word," not the word was God, as in our New Testament; and similar phrases read, "God was light, God is love." Now the angel gave the Son of Mary the name Jesus, which means Saviour. Royal titles were given him, but he rejected all, and accepted these, Kurios, which means Master; Didaskalos, which means Teacher; Kristos, which means Anointed, and the title of the Son of God. Now it is of great importance that we should understand the meaning of these words. For there is only one proper name, and that is Jesus; the others are titles prefixed to or attached to the name Jesus. The word Kurios, which means Master, is prefixed to the word Jesus; and the word Kristos, meaning Anointed, is affixed to the same word. These words, Lord Jesus Christ, in the Greek, always stand thus. Because the word Lord (Master) is a defining prefixed title, and the word Christ always stands an affixed descriptive title, both explaining who this Jesus was. Just as the phrase, General Washington, ex-President, etc. General and ex-President defining who this Washington was. But the word Christ, in our New Testament, is the English form of the Greek word, Kristos; it is not a translated word; and had the Greek word, Kristos, been simply transposed and not given the English form Christ, it would have as much meaning to the English reader. But the Greek word, Kristos, was correctly translated Anointed in the Old Testament, and for consistency's sake it should have been so translated in the New Testament. But the Greek word, Kristos, and the Hebrew word, Messiah, mean Anointed. And what then does the word Anointed mean? It literally means to rub oil on the face. Thus it was a symbol representing consecration. Kings, priests, and sometimes prophets, were thus consecrated or set apart to their different offices. This is the primitive meaning of the word Anointed. But it has a secondary, figurative meaning, which is, inspired by the Holy Spirit or taught of God. Now let us appeal to Scripture and see if the above statements are true. First, does the word Anoint mean inspired? In John's 1st Epistle, 2:20, 27, we have: "And ye have an anointing from the Holy (Spirit) [why did our translators of the New Testament insert One instead of Spirit, for in the Greek we have only the word Holy? And we here insert Spirit], and know all things, But the anointing, which ye have received of him abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you; but the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is true." Now these words, "anointing from the Holy" [Spirit] must mean inspiration from the Holy [Spirit]. "And the same anointing teacheth you," that is inspires you of all things. Again, in Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed [evidently inspired] me to preach the gospel to the poor." Again, Acts 10:38: "How God anointed [inspired] Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power." And in Acts 4: 27, "For of a truth against thy holy servant Jesus whom thou hast anointed" [inspired]. The full meaning of the word Anointed is, consecrated and inspired. Now the meaning of the two words, Kurios and Didaskalos, means Master and Teacher. In John 13: 13, "You call me Kurios and Didaskalos (that is Master and Teacher); and ye say well; for so I am." And as to the word, Kristos (Christ), let Jesus speak. In Matt. 16:15, 16, "But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." That is, thou art the Inspired Son of the living God. And Jesus then compliments Peter highly. And in John 20:31, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Inspired], Son of God." Now can it be possible to make clearer who Jesus was? We have the testimony of God, Jesus, Peter and John, all testifying that Jesus was the inspired Son of God. But Christ cannot be a proper name. Because in Philip 2: 11, we have: "Jesus is Lord," that is Master. And in Acts 2:36, "For let the house of Israel know, that God made Jesus both Kurios and Kristos," that is both Master and Inspired. How, then, can Lord or Christ be a proper name of a person? There are other passages which confirm the above. In John 3:34, "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." And in Luke 4:14, "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit." And in Luke 4:1, "Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan." And in Luke 3:22, "And the Holy Spirit descended upon him, in a bodily shape, like a dove." Now, then, the names which Jesus assumes for himself are Master, Teacher, the Son of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. Then his name in full is, Jesus, the Son of God, our Master and Teacher, inspired without measure by the Holy Spirit. RIGHTEOUSNESS. So much for the three words, Lord, Jesus, Christ. Now let us examine another word, Righteousness. The Greek word is dikaosune, which our translators rendered righteousness, which is almost as obscure as the Greek word. But Paul defines it thus, in Romans 8:4, "That the righteousness of the law, might be fulfilled." Again, in 9:31, "But Israel followed after the law of righteousness." Again, in 7:12, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just, and good." So then a righteous law is a holy, just and good law. And righteousness is holiness, justice, and goodness, and a righteous man is a holy, just and good man. This then is Paul's definition of righteousness, and it is a good definition. In reading the Bible, whenever you cross the word righteousness, put in its place the three words holiness, justice, goodness, and it will give a clearer, and plainer meaning than the word righteousness. All confusion and obscurity will disappear, and the meaning of the word righteousness will be easily understood. Without Paul's definition it is often obscure. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, everywhere, present to us the righteous character and its opposity, the wicked. The first for our imitation; the second for us to shun. This is the great teaching of the old and new Testament. Now let us select a few passages. Christ says in Matt. 3:15 "let us fulfill all righteousness," that is holiness, justice and goodness. And Genesis, 7:1, "for Noah have I seen righteous," that is, holy, just and good. Genesis 18:23 to 29 "the Lord will not destroy the city if there be ten righteous," that is, holy, just and good. Numbers 23:10 "let me die the death of the righteous (holy, just and good) and let my last days be like his." Psalm 11: 7, "for the righteous (holy, just and good) Lord loveth righteousness," (holiness, justice and goodness). Ps. 112:6, "the righteous (holy, just and good) shall be in everlasting remembrance." Ps. 9:8, "he shall judge the world in righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Proverbs 8:18 to 20, "riches and honour, yea, durable riches and righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness). (Wisdom) lead in the way of righteousness" (holiness, etc.). Proverbs 12:28, "in the way of righteousness (holiness, etc.) is life." Isa. 32: 1, "behold a king shall reign in righteousness" (holiness, etc.). Isa. 51:7, "hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness" (holiness, etc.). Jeremiah 12:1, “righteous (holy, just and good) art thou, O God." Jere. 23:6 and 33:16, "and this is his name, whereby he shall be called, The LORD our righteousness" (holiness, etc.). Daniel 12: 3, "and they that be wise shall shine, as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) as the stars forever and ever." Zephaniah 2:3, "seek righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Malachi 4:2, "but unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness (holiness, etc.) arise with healing in his wings." Matt. 5:6,"blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Matt. 5: 10, "blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness" (holiness, etc.). Matt. 5:20 "unless your righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) shall abound above the righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) of the Scribes and Pharisees, in no wise shall ye enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 6:33, "but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Matt. 10:41, "and he that receives a righteous (holy, just and good) man, in the name af a righteous (holy, just and good) man, shall receive a righteous (holy, just and good) man's reward." Matt. 13:43, "then shall the righteous (holy, just and good) shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. 13:49 "the angels shall come forth and separate the righteous (the holy, just and good) from the wicked." Matt. 21:32, "John came unto you in the way of righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Matt. 25:37, "then shall the righteous (the holy, just and good) answer him, and say; when saw we thee naked, etc., in as much as ye did it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me, so enter into eternal life." Acts. 10:35, "in every nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) is acceptable to him." Romans 4:9, "Abraham's faith was received by him for righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Romans 14: 17 "the kingdom of God is righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness), peace and joy, in the Holy Spirit." I. Cor. 1:30 "Christ is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness), and sanctification and redemption." I. Cor. 15:34, "awake to righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness), and sin not." Phil. 3:9, "the righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) which is of God by faith." I. Tim. 6:11, "pursue righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Heb. 1: 8, "a sceptre of righteousness (holiness, justice, goodness) is a sceptre of thy kingdom." Heb. 1:9, "and thou didst love righteousness" (holiness, justice, goodness). Heb. 7:2,"king of right |