The Passion Translation – The New Apostolic Reformation’s Bible

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08/12/2015

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is in the process of publishing a “translation” of the Bible called the “Passion Translation.” It is not yet complete, but Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, the four gospels, Paul’s epistles and a few more books are available.

Unfortunately, the text is not true to the original manuscripts, far from that. Instead, it seems to support the NAR’s message by using its terminology and concepts.

Here are some examples.

2 Timothy 4:2

Common translations:

  • Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (New International Version)

  • Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (New King James Version)

  • preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (English Standard Version)

Paraphrasing it, the teaching point of this verse is that one is to preach the Word of God at all times, no matter whether circumstances are favorable, and with great patience.

The Passion Translation:

  • proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit— with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.

The NAR’s teaching point is that one should proclaim the Word of God at all times, whether circumstances are favorable or not, in the full outpouring of the Spirit and with patience.

Notice the phrase “outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” which is not present in the original texts. This phrase is commonly used in NAR circles. Why was it deemed necessary to include it? It is highly probable that the goal was to support the NAR’s message, which asserts that the Word of God – the Bible – is to be supplemented by new revelations from the Holy Spirit, aside form Scripture.

Philippians 1:1-2

Common translations:

  • Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New International Version)

  • Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New King James Version)

  • Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (English Standard Version)

This verse is a greeting from the apostle Paul and Timothy at the beginning of the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. “Grace and peace” were commonly-used greetings among Christians in the Early Church.

The Passion Translation:

  • Dear Friends in Philippi, My name is Paul and I’m joined by my spiritual son, Timothy, both of us passionate servants of Jesus, the Anointed One. We write this letter to all His devoted followers in your city, including your pastors, and to all the servant-leaders of the church. We decree over your lives the blessings of divine grace and supernatural peace that flow from God our wonderful Father, and our Anointed Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

There is much to be said about these verses. Here are a few key points:

  •  Nowhere in the original texts does Paul refer to Timothy as his “spiritual son;”
  • “passionate servants” is a new addition;
  • “saints” was replaced by “devoted followers;”
  • “overseers/bishops and deacons” was replaced by “pastors”, whereas there is a specific word in Greek for “pastor;”
  • “decree” is term commonly used in the NAR;
  • “Anointed Messiah” replaces “the Lord Jesus Christ.” It seems that Brian Simmons, the author of this so-called translation, occasionally writes “Anointed” or “Messiah” instead of “Christ.” Here, he uses both words together. Why is that?

This translation:

  • unwarrantedly adds words;
  • reduces sanctity and holiness to “devoted followers;”
  • replaces the role of overseer, which implies a sense of authority, by pastor;
  • adds the concept of “decree” in order to elevate the role of apostle (the NAR reintroduced the concept of “apostle” and understands present-day apostles to have the same position as the apostles named in the New Testament)

The Passion Translation is promoted within the New Apostolic Reformation; Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson uses it, as seen in this video.

For more information, please refer to the following links, which inspired this article:

Another article on the topic: http://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/whats_wrong_with_the_passion_translation

We also recommend this book on the New Apostolic Reformation, written by the author of the articles linked above. God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement

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8 December 2015 admin News No Comments

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