Freedom Documents

 

​

From the earliest days of America’s history, our forebears offered frequent and fervent prayers of thanksgiving to God. In our giant compilation of America’s great historical documents, called THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, we include the very first Thanksgiving Proclamation rendered in this new land. The date was June 20, 1676. On this day, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the blessings of Divine Providence that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving, America’s first. America’s first Thanksgiving Proclamation says in part (spelling in the original): 

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God’s Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.

I don’t think it was coincidental or circumstantial that one hundred years from this day (almost to the day) the Continental Congress received Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. (We have Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution for Independence in THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS as well.)

All told, we have 212 full-size (8½ x 11) pages containing 57 of the greatest documents of American history compiled under ONE title. We call this magnificent collection THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS. There isn’t another book like it in existence. This book is absolutely essential to the knowledge of American history.

THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS are being printed and distributed RIGHT NOW.

The first Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by the revolutionary Continental Congress was on November 1, 1777, and authored by Samuel Adams. It reads in part: 

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensible duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to Him for benefits received . . . 

It is therefore recommended . . . to set apart THURSDAY the eighteenth day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE: That at one time and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feeling of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their DIVINE BENEFACTOR: and that, together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor; and their humble and earnest supplications that it may please God through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance . . . . That it may please him . . . to prosper the means of religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth “IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE Holy Ghost.” {Quoting Romans 14:17}

Remember, Sam Adams penned this Thanksgiving Proclamation in the midst of the Revolutionary War, when the sufferings from war were at their worst—and when the outcome of the war was very much in doubt.

After our War for Independence had been successfully concluded and our Constitution and Bill of Rights had been adopted, a motion was made in Congress to initiate the proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving.

Mr. Elias Boudinot (who was the President of Congress during the American Revolution) said he could not think of letting the congressional session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. Mr. Roger Sherman (a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) justified the practice of thanksgiving on any signal event not only as a laudable one in itself but as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ. This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion, and he would agree with the gentleman who moved the resolution.

The following is taken from the Congressional Record (U.S. Senate), September 26, 1789 (the House version passed on September 25): 

Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed, by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of government for their safety and happiness.

Ordered, That Messrs. Boudinot, Sherman, and Sylvester be appointed of the said committee on the part of this House.

Resolved, That the Senate do concur in the above recited resolution, and that Messrs. Johnson and Izard be the committee on the part of the Senate.

This resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who readily agreed with its suggestion and put forth the following proclamation by his signature:

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th. day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.

Given under my hand at the city of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. George Washington

America’s Pilgrim and Patriot forebears led our country in offering continual prayers of thanksgiving to God. They genuinely believed that America’s independence, peace and prosperity were due to a divine work of providence from the hand of a merciful, benevolent Creator and Redeemer.

Tragically, the spirit of humility and thanksgiving that birthed this great country has all but vanished. When expressions of thanksgiving are extended, they are not rendered to a gracious Divine Providence but to self-aggrandizing politicians. And for the most part, politicians are not humble servants of the people but proud, arrogant, self-serving charlatans. They respect neither the Natural Laws of God nor the constitutions of the people who elected them. Even worse is the fact that many (if not most) professing Christians seem to prefer their politicians that way.

But only people who are filled with the spirit of humility and gratitude can expect the favor and blessing of Heaven. As one reads America’s history, he or she must be impressed with the spirit of humility and gratitude that commonly resided within the hearts of the great men and women who birthed and built this once-free nation.

Read the great documents contained in THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, and one will easily see this spirit of thanksgiving resident in the hearts of America’s patriots—past and present:

From the Mayflower Compact to Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech to the personal letters between John and Abigail Adams to the Virginia Bill of Rights to Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis to Ben Franklin’s Call to Prayer to America’s Declaration of Independence to George Washington’s Farewell Address to William Barret Travis’ Letter to The People of Texas at the Alamo to Grover Cleveland’s First Inaugural Address and to Ron Paul’s Farewell Address to Congress, one will read and sense the ubiquitous spirit of respect and reverence for and thanksgiving to Almighty God and the principles of Natural Law.

Once again, THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS are available RIGHT NOW. Our supply will not last long. Now you can have the great documents of American history at your fingertips in one beautiful volume.

To learn more or to order THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, go here:

THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

© Chuck Baldwin

 

The Doctrine of Inspiration

 

 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | Artwork from Bible.art

The Doctrine of Inspiration 

Guest Contributor: Dr. James Bruggemen

The New Testament itself must be counted among the historical documentation of Christ. For example, Luke, a respected and learned physician and historian, wrote the Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. He became intimately associated with Paul and many others of Christ’s disciples.

The British archaeologist and historian, Sir William Ramsey, attested to Luke’s accuracy in the minutest detail and validated Luke’s writing through his own archaeological endeavors.

In his gospel, notice how Luke opened his account of what happened regarding Jesus.

KJV Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, ….

Luke was therefore writing about an historical person named Herod, king of Judea. Notice similarly in Chapter 3, Luke writes about Herod and other notables:

Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, ….

Once again notice that Luke is being very specific. He is doing things in order. He is giving dates, he is naming people, he is giving places, all of which exist in secular records. This is not myth. Contrast that with how we see that many myths begin: “Once upon a time, in a faraway place, there was a beautiful princess.” No names, no dates, no places. Luke’s account can be verified. And it does check out.

Turning back to Dr. David Noebel’s work, he summarizes the point we are making in this passage. QUOTE:

Jesus Christ was a historical figure. Furthermore, the honest critic must believe that the New Testament accurately describes His words and actions. Even without modern archaeological support of the New Testament, the character of Christ as, presented by the gospel writers, is too powerful and unique to be merely an exaggerated account.

The words and actions of Christ must be real; they are too incredible to have been fabricated. Humanist author, historian Will Durant recognizes this. He says, “That a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an epic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the gospels. After two centuries of higher criticism, the outlines of the life, character, and teaching of Christ do remain reasonably clear and constitute the most fascinating feature in the history of Western man.” END QUOTE

It would seem that there is no escape for the non-Christian. Not only is Christ a historical figure, but the Bible is a trustworthy historical document, and its revealed character of Christ is indisputably genuine. As one observer points out, “The unbeliever seems trapped by cold hard facts.”

Now if you are not inclined in the direction of typical Christianity, as was the case with me when I entered the Ohio State University, the most irritating aspect of the line of argumentation is probably this:

It depends in no sense on theology. He (Noebel) is talking about the historicity of Christ and the Bible. It does not depend on theology. It rests solely and squarely upon historical methods, the kind of methods all of us, whether Christians, rationalists, agnostics, or Tibetan monks have to use in analyzing historical data. 

Therefore, with the New Testament now seen as an accurate historical record, we must face the facts of its evidence about Jesus the Christ. It says He rose from the dead, and it says that He was God in the flesh. Now remember, the circular reasoning charge from earlier in this chapter?

We are now tying it all together by the following logical progression to show how this confounds those who charge Bible believers with circular reasoning:

Step 1, the New Testament is an accurate historical record. We have given a few samples, not the full proof.

Step 2, the New Testament provides evidence that Christ is God.

Step 3, if Christ is God, then what He says is true, for He is an infallible authority.

Step 4, Christ, the infallible authority, in many instances (examples later) attested to the veracity of Scriptures. He stated that they were the Words of God.

Step 5, if the Bible is the Word of God, then it is all true, because God does not lie.

By the way, we once again see demonstrated in those five steps, the incredible importance of the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. If Christ is not God, it all falls apart.

As you read the Bible, you will come across many things, not only what Christ stated about the Scriptures, but also that which the Bible says about itself in many places. Here follows a few specifics about what the Bible says about itself:

It speaks of how the inspiration of the Bible is expressed in the Bible, because hundreds of times it has words like these: “Thus saith the LORD  [Yahweh].”*

We find examples in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 13:1 Thus saith the LORD [Yahweh] unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water

Another phrase:

Jeremiah 1:9: Then the LORD [Yahweh] put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD [Yahweh] said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Then, we often see the phrase, “The word of the LORD [Yahweh] came unto…”

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD [Yahweh] came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Or we find this phrase: “As the Holy Ghost saith…”

Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Alternatively, many times we will find, “It is written,…” as in:

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We also find it when Satan was tempting Christ. And, how did Christ reply to the adversary each and every time? By appealing to the Scriptures as the final and absolute authority.

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him [Satan], It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the LORD [Yahweh] thy God.

That is how inspiration is expressed in the Scriptures. How is it accomplished? In other words, what is the mode of inspiration? It is through various men, in various ways, as it says in Hebrews:

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,…

What were some of those diverse manners? Dreams – Daniel; visions – Ezekiel; voice – John in Revelation heard the voice; inner impulse – which prophet was depressed at many stages in his life (the Weeping Prophet) because the people would not listen? In Jeremiah 20, he said:

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him [speaking of God because he was so depressed], nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Of course, it goes on because Jeremiah could not stop preaching because he had an inner impulse. It was like fire in his bones, he had to preach.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In whatever manner, these men were moved: dreams, visions, inner impulse, in various ways. What does the Bible say its results will be?

Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD [Yahweh]; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

There are many other ways that we could describe the results, what the Bible says that it will do and how it does it, but let’s list a few.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

That is one of the results. The Bible—the Word of God—will make you wise, and it will make you knowledgeable about salvation. Verse 16 will probably be one of the main verses throughout this book. In verse 17, it goes on to say, for the purpose “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” One other verse in Hebrews:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

That is what the Word of God does to us and in us. It is a discerner of our thoughts and of the intents of our hearts. Have you felt that? I have. It can indeed be piercing and uncomfortable many times.

If you have not felt the Bible piercing you, figuratively speaking, dividing asunder your soul and spirit, and where it is discerning, it points out, it is holding a mirror to you, and says “This is what you really are. This is how you think in your heart, and this is how your attitude really is.”

If you have not experienced that, either you are not a Christian, or you are not yet out of the stage of Christian infancy. How does one get out of that stage? Get deeper into God’s Word.

As this chapter closes, our attitude towards the Bible is very important. How are we going to approach this study of Which Bible, Which Version? I hope you will join with me in approaching it with an attitude like this:  

“Just show me, Lord, because I do not know… I am lost without You and Your guidance, which is the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.”

Our attitude towards the Bible equals our attitude towards Christ. He is the Word made flesh, is He not? If we believe Him, not just believe in Him, but if we believe Him, then we must of necessity believe all that He has said.

I believe that He has said everything in the Bible. Our problem now, the one that we are working through together in these chapters, is this: Of all the versions available, which claim to be all that He has said, which is the one that actually is all that He has said?

In closing this chapter, and as we go on in this study, we want to make sure we are searching our hearts and making sure that our heart attitude is correct. As we proceed next, we will be digging much deeper into some of the things that we have just skimmed across to this point, including Biblical inerrancy, and plenary and verbal inspiration versus conceptual inspiration.

________

* The KJV and many other versions have removed the Holy Name / Sacred Name from the Scriptures. The translators/publishers have indicated that omission and  replacement by inserting the word LORD (in all capital letters).

When quoting the Bible, we almost always add the Holy Name back in—at least by putting it in [brackets] adjacent to “the LORD.” Yes, we recognize there is disagreement on whether the name was/is Yahweh or Jehovah or several other variations. We have studied that issue in great detail and are persuaded it is Yahweh. But we do not advocate a “church split” over that issue.  

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

 

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Pure Religion

 

 

Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. ~ James 1:27

"To visit orphans and widows" means

to actively care for the most vulnerable members of society. This scripture, goes beyond a simple drop-in; it involves looking after orphans and widows with active, personal concern, which includes providing for their needs and offering protection and support. It is considered a fundamental expression of pure and undefiled faith, demonstrating love through compassionate action rather than just words.

 

Many Churches sponsor and/or operate orphans homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters, but rarely do Church members do more than put money in the collection plate. What if every member adopted one non-handicapped person in their city and helped them become self-sufficient.

  

I try to practice what I "preach." In 1973 my friend, Jerry, was building a deck for his neighbor. I was sitting on the tailgate of his truck when his electric saw hit a knot and jerked sideways cutting off all four fingers and thumb of his right hand. I rushed him to the ER. The doctor was able to save his fingers, but not his thumb. At the time of this accident, he had three small children and one on the way.

 

I went to every Church in town asking them to help this family with rent and groceries until Jerry was able to return to work. Not a one would left a finger. Excuse Number 1: They said they could not help because Jerry was not a member of their Church. Excuse Number 2: That's what the welfare is for they said.

 

So, the people in the trailer park where Jerry lived supported him. They did not care what Church Jerry attended, or didn't attend. Jerry's family would have starved to death waiting on the welfare check to kick in. I made sure they had plenty of groceries. From that experience, I learned that what the Bible calls "pure and undefiled religion" is often not found in Churches.

 

I decided if I see someone in need, I would help. I have given people cars (used, but in good condition) to help them over a rough spot. I have given my credit card to single Moms and told them to buy all the groceries they needed. The most any of them ever charged was $134. I have paid rent for people for months. I have bought furniture and appliances for people whose house burned down. There are millions of people who need a hand up that Christians could offer to help. 

 

My current "visit" is a homeless man who is disabled and was denied Social Security disability twice. Although he worked and paid into the SS system for 24 years, he is too young to apply for regular SS benefits. He lives in an old school bus with a wood burning stove and little else. I don't have the funds to put him in an apartment, he says he likes living simple. 

 

The Bible says that

charity is a core principle of faith, encouraging believers to give generously and compassionately to those in need as a reflection of God's love. Key themes include giving cheerfully, helping the poor and weak, and showing love through action, with scripture emphasizing that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." People would rather see a sermon than to hear a sermon.

 

 

SeYah is a God-inspired, one-of-a-kind Humanitarian Funding Program that allows everybody to do a little, so nobody will have to do a lot... https://healthseekers.blogspot.com/2025/08/funding.html

 

  

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html