-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 7:48 AM
To: tim.hanline@lifelinetonac.com
Subject: GATHERED ARTICLES - BIBLE / How we understand the Bible, byChief Apostle Leber
Importance: High
** High Priority **
Hi Tim
I need to take a VERY IMPORTANT DECISION TO MAKE-
Can you send me more info regarding the New Apostolic Church.
See email below from CHIEF APOSTLE LEBER
Best regards
HOW WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE, by CHIEF APOSTLE LEBER
I have recently received some letters dealing with the question of how we understand Holy Scripture. I will take this as an opportunity to state some fundamental points on the matter.
In 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 we can read the following - here in the narrower sense in reference to the Old Testament - regarding the significance of
Scripture:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc-trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." From these words we may conclude that Holy Scripture as a whole has been given by God. In other words, it is inspired by the Spirit of God. However, this does not mean that we understand Scripture in a fundamentalist way, that is, we do not believe that each word of the Bible has been dictated by God. At the same time, we are somewhat cautious in our approach to the historical-critical method. This is particularly true when it comes to "demythologising" certain events or attempting to provide rational explanations for miracles. We see this as having an impact upon essential positions of our faith, and thus reject such methods of interpretation.
When we say that Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, we express our conviction that the Bible contains all insights necessary for attaining eternal fellowship with God, and thus the goal of our faith.
As concerns the Old Testament, it must be said that many things must surely be understood in a symbolic or metaphorical way. This applies particularly to the story of creation. When we read, for example, that "the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life" (Genesis 2: 7), this is a figurative method of expression that cannot be taken literally. This is also the case with the entire history of creation. Thus we do not need to put ourselves at odds with the insights of natural science. As has already been explained in detail in earlier publications, the biblical accounts of the creation do not contradict the insights of the theory of evolution. In stating this we are not attempting to assess the degree to which evolutionary theory adequately and clearly explains all the developments within natural history. This is a matter for natural science to explain. There are also other accounts of the Old Testament that are certainly to be understood metaphorically or symbolically, for example the story of Job. The account mentions that "the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord" (Job 2: 1) and that Satan was among them. This narrative we must interpret symbolically. It is inconceivable that God would convene a conference with the Devil. Nevertheless, this account is edifying for us, and serves to strengthen faith. It has its source in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
With regard to the New Testament's testimony regarding the miracles of Jesus, His resurrection, and His ascension, I must emphasise that these are real events. These constitute fundamental truths of our faith which cannot be modified.
Certainly there is also one book of the New Testament that has a pronounced figurative or symbolic character: Revelation. The statements it contains about the thousand-year kingdom of peace are also figurative in nature. It says of this time that Satan will be bound. We cannot even begin to discern what this statement means exactly. I understand it as an indication that the spirits opposed to God will no longer have any power. But we cannot therefore assume that there will be no more sin or death. The Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah th at apply to this time cannot be taken literally either. They are figurative. The only thing that is clear - and thus not figurative - is the declaration stating that Jesus Christ will reign.
To conclude, I would still like to stress the following: according to the New Apostolic understanding of faith, the Apostle ministry has been endowed with the authority to interpret Holy Scripture. This does not mean that believers will not profit from reading the Bible. But it falls to the Apostle ministry to interpret the Bible, to clarify matters, and to provide instruction in faith. In so doing, Scriptural passages are considered in their context, since overemphasis on individual statements can lead to the wrong conclusions.
These are the explanations that I wanted to give on the question of how we understand Holy Scripture.
Wilhelm Leber
Above letter is from Our Family March 2009, and Current Word of the Month for March 2009 in NAC International website <http://www.nak.org/en/faith-and-church/word-of-the-month/en/news/>
--
Take Care
All my love
[Important Decision Maker]
>>> "Reply from Tim Hanline" 2009/04/07 11:54 PM
>>>
[Important Decision Maker],
Firstly, I am very thankful that you forwarded this article to me.
If it is authentic, this should be a big red flag. Leber is not in any position to interpret Scripture when he denies the truth that the Scriptures reveal. Namely, the Creation account in Scripture is supported by Natural Science, if indeed one takes the time to investigate it.
This is surreal. Run for your life.
What information would you like to know exactly?
Yours in Messiah Yahushua,
Tim
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 3:05 AM
To: tim.hanline@lifelinetonac.com
Subject: RE: GATHERED ARTICLES - BIBLE / How we understand the Bible,byChief Apostle Leber
Hi Tim
Thanks for the reply. Tim just like you were - I am very much and intensely involved in the church (sing in the choir, play in the orchestra, youth leader, serve on a few committees) - but am not please and do not find any fulfillment in the church. What I need is more information that proof that the NAC is indeed not the church of Christ.
Hope you can assist me with this. Which church do you currently belong to?
I need our prayers and assistance.
Best regards
[Important Decision Maker]
>>> "Reply from Tim Hanline" 2009/04/09 12:15 PM
>>>
Hi [Important Decision Maker],
My heart goes out to you, and I feel for your position.
May the Holy Spirit, the REAL Spirit of Truth lead you into all truth.
If you are sincere, then cry out to Yah to save you. This is the necessary first step if you hope to have your eyes opened to the truth. Beg him to forgive your sins, to forgive you for obeying men instead of obeying His commands. Understand that there is no hope for you in your current state; you are certainly bound for the fires of hell. Pray and fast. Ask him to fill your heart with the Spirit of Truth and to wash away your iniquities with the healing blood of Yahushua Messiah. Beg Him to save you, and I believe that in His grace He certainly will.
If you pray to Him sincerely, then the truth will fill your heart by the grace of Yah. You will realize that what is written in the Scriptures is true forever. You will start to hate all evil ways. You will cling to the truth of Scripture and will no longer be at all compatible with those in the NAC because you will be trying desperately to show them the truth that they refuse to see.
The truth is in the Scriptures. It is just that simple. Read that Bible every day. Study it. Eat it up as Ezekiel did. Ask Yahushua to be your Master, and then follow him all the way to the torture stake.
May the Spirit of Truth fill your being and may you hate every false way.
Understand that being saved by the grace of Yah is not a place that you visit. It is not a church or a group of people with whom you associate. Being truly saved is evidenced by every decision you make, by every word you speak and whether or not they are in obedience to Yah.
One of the most difficult things for me to grasp when I came out of the NAC was the fact that there really is no place else to go to find the truth. There is no other church organization that has any fewer problems then those found in the NAC. The truth of Scriptures will be your comfort and companionship, and indeed they will be if you cling to them. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of Truth, will then direct you.
There is so much to say about the NAC doctrine and how very demonic it is. Service for the departed, Bischoff's false prophesy, the rigid church hierarchy, the presumption to have more authority then Scriptures, the fact that Yahushua Himself did not call these NAC apostles, pre-tribulation "day of the first resurrection," the fact that nobody in the NAC wants to study their Bibles, blatant denial of the truth and authority of Scripture, the fact that everybody in the NAC has the mark of the Beast, absolution of sins without repentance, the claim that these men are imparting the Holy Spirit and not a lying spirit when they place their hands on you, and the list goes on and on. If you cry out in repentance and pray for salvation, Yah in his grace will grant it, and you will start to see all of these truths. We will chat more about them.
Yours in Yahushua Messiah,
Tim
P.S. Blessed Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread to you and yours.
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