Verily, Verily, I Say Unto You …: Surely, I Come Quickly

Copyright © 2012 by Sherman W. Pettis.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-5895-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-5896-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012920281

iUniverse rev. date: 04/08/2015

Contents

Introduction

A Prologue…

So much confusion

Versions… Editions… Versions

The Book of Matthew

The Gospel According to St. Matthew

The Book of St. Mark

His Words According to the Gospel of St. Mark

The Gospel of St. Luke

His Words According to the Gospel of St. Luke

The Apostle John

The Gospel According to St. John

The Book of The Acts

The Acts of the Apostles

Christ’s Words by Paul

The Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John

The One, The Only KJV

The Apostles’ Creed

And Then There was Light

Introduction

The Words of Jesus Christ… Words spoken nearly 2,000 years ago. Words recorded by a select group of dedicated men. His Words were first written in a language other than English. The life and Words spoken by the Man making more of a dramatic impact on this world than any other. It must be indicated that aleph-mem-nun is Hebrew for Amen, it expresses certainty. There are very likely verses that began with, before translation, aleph-mem-nun Now Verily, Verily . . .

These words, and history thereof, are to be treated gently but firmly, with as must precision as possible. Granted, there were many editions, or printings, prior to the 1975 publication. But, we must stop or, if you will, start somewhere. The English language has undergone change and even a certain corruption. This will continue to be the case as new words and definitions of older or existing ones are digested and re-written by the then current scholars.

A man, who is still quite well known or remembered by many, gave a speech merely a few hundred years ago. There have been countless books and/or video presentations of this address. Care is given to repeat each and every word just as was originally stated. Consider the outcome if Mr. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address followed the lines of simpler or a decided up to date translation: Eighty-seven years ago, or Nearly 100 years ago, those that came before us, and so on. Should this dilution continue, a most dramatic and powerful oration would be watered down into obscurity, along with the man that spoke the address.

My prayers are that the words spoken by Jesus Christ will continue to impact our society. That their originality can be provided and preserved. His words have impacted more inhabitants of this earth than any political figure or elder statesman. This man Jesus was, and is the true Son of God. Let us preserve His prophetic, prolific, and even the simple dissertations that they may continue to be read, heard, or even shouted from the mountain tops. They are truly the words of God, just as Jesus stated "I am. Preservation of His beautiful words is of primary importance. Wow, how I love to say just two words… Jesus Christ". He hears that name every time it is whispered or boastfully spoken aloud.

As new editions or versions of the Holy Bible are prepared and marketed, punctuation is edited also. In transcribing or copying Christ’s words here, care was given to properly duplicate the punctuation as found in the 1975 Open Bible, King James Edition. But following Mr. Klopsch’s penning of the first Red Letter Edition it has been discussed by scholars and readers that, quite possibly, additional words were spoken by Christ. Words could have been passed by his red pen, but, Mr. Klopsch did a fine job preparing his original publication. Here we do not have precise indexing, only chapter and verse notations. But, they are words mouthed by our Lord and Savior and can run together, as He spoke. The chapter and verse notations are to direct, with exactness, a reader to His words in virtually any version or edition of the Holy Bible in use today. It is written that the bible was divided into chapters by Stephen Langton in about A.D.1228. The Old Testament apparently was composed in verse form in A.D. 1448 and the New Testament in A.D. 1551. A complete bible, in its chapter and verse form, was named the Geneva Bible and produced in 1560.

As stated earlier in this foreword piece, I felt that there had to be a start or stop somewhere. So the 1975 King James Edition was selected. That, of course, is coupled with the manner in which my worn, older, Book of Books was obtained. Christ wanted me to have and retain the Bible. My prayers are to Him for the patience, faith and inspiration that aided in heralding Verily, verily, I say unto you. In my possession, along with several editions and versions, is an American Standard Edition printed in 1901. Still with the proclamations… . "Verily, verily, I say unto you."

The Holy Bible, what a beautiful book. This compellation of Christ’s words is, in no way meant to replace our Bible but it can be a namesake. As Christians, it speaks to us. Christ’s words are transcribed and serve here as a guide, as such. There is no other guide that can more ably direct us through this eloquent, powerful book. God’s son, Jesus, is the epitome of a guide, desiring that we follow Him. As we peruse Christ’s words closely there is continuing reference to the Old Testament. Likewise, the chapters written so many hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ birth, speak of His coming and/or deliverance. We cannot forget Paul, the man God chose to write so much of the Bible.

Verily, verily has been compiled with an effort to bring as many closer to the entire bible as possible. Every word, Genesis through Revelation, is inspired by God. Much of the Old Testament contains words spoken and recorded by prophets. Then, as Christ speaks to his disciples and to us, they are God’s words also, and are to be read as such We now look at God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost… three in one, the Trinity.

As Verily, verily is being prepared, there are synods or church groups scrambling with decisions as to which version or edition they should endorse. It is being discussed that one of them may well publish its own version. One popular bible has deleted words originally stated in the Authorized version, and quoted in the KJV, thus enforcing copyright law that will even force non-use and reprinting of educational materials (Sunday school, confirmation, etc.). As these newer editions or versions materialize there exists a definite possibility that the beautiful King James Version will be swept aside. God forbid!

Preservation of the KJV and reason for such appears throughout this text. Also contained are bits of rhyme that the author has written, expressing a love for life and God.

With my wife’s passing while she was confined with Alzheimer’s Dementia, I spent much time at her care center. In fact, I still get back as often as I can. This was written to express what may very likely be going through a patient’s or resident’s mind when you, me or possibly anyone makes that special effort to stop and say hello. Several may not answer… but a smile will appear.

WHEN TO VISIT

When today becomes tomorrow,

It’s just a yesterday;

I may not remember time that’s past,

So please, talk with me today.

Should I confuse you when I speak,

Believe, it’s not by choice;

And you may not think I’m listening,

But, God knows, I love your voice.

When today is gone, it’s lost forever,

Just believe, I’d love to say;

Don’t wait for a tomorrow,

Please make my day today.

s.p.

Your time, be it yours, mine, or just ‘anytime’ . . . such a rich commodity. God spoke to me during this effort and has been with me all of the time.

Sherman W. Pettis

TIME . . .

Time, so very precious, more valuable than gold,

A treasure without measure,

Time, like God, with us forever;

He sees every life unfold.

Time, it’s such a cruel thing,

Moving slow, but then too fast;

Time, such a cold and cruel thing,

Turning futures into past.

Time keeps coming, and right on going,

Even slow can seem too fast;

Time is gone without our knowing.

Will there be enough to last?

Time will make today tomorrow,

Then it’s just another yesterday;

Don’t look at this with sorrow,

But thank God it’s still today.

With His hand upon my shoulder,

He spoke so lovingly;

Time is making you grow older,

Please spend more of it with Me.

(Sherman W. Pettis 2/14/10)

A Prologue…

Jesus Christ, my best friend. A beautiful friendship spurned because I have accepted Him as such. He firmly desires to take and hold the same position in yours and everyone’s life.

Oh yes, there is the Trinity, . . . the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all in one. There are times when I can recall praying to God and referring to the Trinity as a mystery". In doing such I seemed to achieve a more solid connection. But by admitting to this phenomenal three-fold Unity as not being understandable, I was not permitting the closeness or solidity that God desired in our relationship. Possibly, thoughts were, at that time, of a certain mysticism surrounding prayer in itself. All that is cleared up now and speaking to Him, through His Son, is an inspiring, quite simple experience. I talk with Him all the time and so can anyone that desires to make the effort. He can be likened to someone on the telephone, but He is on duty 24/7. Plus that, He will never hang up on you… guaranteed!

We read of how God talks to us, and He does. Evidently there had been enough sincerity in my supplications for God to answer by speaking to me. How did it happen? When did it happen? Was His voice loud or quiet? These are all questions that cannot be answered. But, some time back, while in thought about our Heavenly Father, it was as though a light was turned on. God told me that my confusion was for no reason. He explained to me the Trinity beautifully, and even pointed it out to me in scripture.

I am embarking upon what is felt to be a mission… the attempt to enfold Christ’s spoken words in a single register. The Holy Bible has evolved over thousands of years. What we have today, quite likely will not be common place ten years from now. There are speeches and statements by political figures, commentators, and even pastors that, more than likely, will never be subject to change, no, not a single word. But, it is feared that Christ’s words will continue to be digested or assimilated as new versions or editions of the bible appear on the scene. We must choose a date. My choice has been the 1975 edition of the King James Version.

It must be noted that, in this translation, certain words appear that were decided to be the most fitting to comply, if you will, with our English verbiage. Such words here appear in a smaller type face, italicized like so: The King James Version

As stated, Christ’s words are taken from our King James Version. There exists what is referred to as a "Red Letter Edition. This edition is said to have been brought to being in 1899, June 19, exactly. A Dr. Louis Klopsch, owner-editor of the American edition of the Christian Herald Magazine, was preparing an article for his publication and the words in Luke 22:20 seemed to stand out for him: This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.

The correlation of Christ’s words and His blood gave birth to a bible that is still very much in circulation. Its first printing is recorded as numbering sixty thousand copies. It was heralded by the King of Sweden and also by then President Theodore Roosevelt. The telegram from President Roosevelt was followed by a personal letter, on White House stationery. It was an invitation requesting him to dine with the president. Mr. Klopsch was thrilled and accepted the invitation.

Dr. Klopsch had requested biblical scholars in both America and Europe submit to him words and phrases they felt were spoken by Christ. He was spurred on by another quotation found in the Book of Luke: Chapter 10, verse 16. He that heareth you, heareth me.

What has been attempted in Verily, verily, I say unto you, is to assemble Christ’s words, phrases, and quotations as closely as possible, book by book. Frequently there are chapter and verse notations, and this is where it really gets exciting. With all of our newer publications, to look at a King James Edition that may be 100 years old, chapters and verses are found in the same order.

To expound a bit on the King James Version (KJV): Yes, there was a King James, and King of England he was. It is recorded that the king had not yet received his crown but was given a list of suggestions by clergy as to the translation of the bible into English. More than 50 of the finest minds known in bible study were assembled. It took a while for these scholars to get their different groups together but they began the new translation in the year 1607. Wow, what a group. There were professors of Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Latin, Chaldee, and Ethiopian tongues. Some were quite frequent with the many and various writings of Rabbis. The work was completed in 1610 and the actual bible was on the scene the following year. Even with the knowledge these men possessed we are told that they showed no hesitation in consulting with Syrian, Spanish, French, Italian or Dutch translators. No wonder the KJV has been considered the most important version of the Bible, ever to be produced.

It is explained elsewhere in this book why the 1975 Edition of the King James Version was employed. Also, and not to be redundant, use of this edition is further enforced, elsewhere. Here in the United States, we are inundated with copyrights. This is not true in England, where King James decided everyone that so desired could, and should, have the Bible and the translation to English was accomplished. Just think… a Bible scholar, called by the King to translate the Bible. What an honor, to be selected by the King for this undertaking. And, there were fifty, yes 54, of these appointments. These men combined to translate and have a version of this beautiful book of God’s words not only printed, but copyright laws in England protect it into perpetuity. There is not the competition fueled by laws making another copy, or reproduction, for re-profit that is so apparent here in the U.S.

So much confusion

Just the word theology itself expounds confusion. We find a definition in Webster’s indicating it as a study of God’s nature. An organized body of opinions about that nature. My prayers for family or any thoughts or definitions have never embraced the word theology. With the absolute privilege of espousing the word