RR144

It means that the verse is spurious, that is that the earliest manuscripts omit these verses and were added.

What did John the Baptist mean (Matt. 3:11, 12) when he said of Jesus: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”? To understand John’s words we must bear in mind that he was addressing mixed classes of the Jews. There came out to him people of Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, including Pharisees and Sadducees (vs. 5, 7). John came as the introducer of Jesus and the gospel, and, looking forward, he prophetically foretold the results. “Now also the axe [of Divine judgment] is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit [the fruitage of righteousness] is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (v. 10). Then, speaking of Jesus he says: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit with fire.” Some of his hearers included in the “you” would receive Jesus, and these (as Israelites indeed) would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost), but others whom he was then addressing would not receive Jesus; hence when their house (nominal Fleshly Israel) would be left desolate (Matt. 23:37-39), they would be baptized with fire—the judgments which came upon them as a people after their rejection of Jesus—not literal fire—but the fire of God’s wrath, the fire of trouble that culminated in the destruction of the Jewish polity in 69-73 A.D. That the above is the correct understanding is proven further by v. 12, which is but a repetition of the same thoughts in other words: “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor [this shows the main work of Jesus during his 3 1/2 years’ ministry; as a winnower He separated the wheat of the Jewish people from the chaff], and gather his wheat [the true Israelites indeed] into the garner [the Christian Church]; but he will burn up the chaff [the rest of the nation, the refuse] with unquenchable fire [sure destruction that nothing could prevent—the great fire of religious and political contention which destroyed the Jewish nation].” Thus John told his mixed audience that, whereas he baptized with water, Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Some received the one and others the other kind of baptism. We believe it is a serious mistake for any of God’s people to pray for a baptism of fire, for, unwittingly, they are actually praying for a curse instead of a blessing. It is to their advantage it God does not answer such a petition.

There are plenty of denominations and sects that don't print their on Bible and deny the Trinity.

Just keep in mind the Lod's admonishment in Matthew 24:24; "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." RR

"Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants also, disguise themselves servants of righteousness" - 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15

Does monogamy apply only to elders and deacons in the bible, or does it apply to all Christians? Please give scriptural support, thanks!

The word angel, in both the Hebrew and Greek, means messenger. Therefore, an angel of God can be anyone or anything sent by God with a message. The Scriptures also speak of angels as spirit beings in the heavenly realm. These can be holy angels who have been faithfully carrying out the will of God for thousands of years, but they can also be angels who have fallen from God's grace. Unlike in the past, God's holy angels do not manifest themselves to anyone today. If someone claims to hear voices or see images of angels, there should be great cause of alarm. We are living in the end times, and, Jude 6 states that this is the time for the judgment of the fallen angels. Hence, we see a great increase of spiritism and occultism in the earth today. In fact, Christians need to be especially on guard to shield themselves from this insidious foe, because we are the special targets of Satan and the fallen angels—demons. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith...” (I Peter 5:8, 9 NAS) The power to be strong and to resist these evil influences is in the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It is our responsibility, then, to learn just how and why demons got so involved with mankind; what can be identified as spiritism today; and how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones against the forces of evil.

The Bible interprets itself.

As Pilate asked "What is Truth?"

I think a better question would be IS THE BELIEF IN THE TRINITY DOCTRINE ESSENTIAL TO OUR SALVATION?

Hi Dave, Christian greetings, The answer is simple, both Jesus himself and His Apostles told us what conditions would be in the end times (Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3), Jesus tells us in Luke 21:28, "But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!" So we should rejoice, not so much in the tragedy that is surrounding us, but what those tragedies actually mean to His faithful followers, our salvation and an end to Satan's rules. RR