God is unchangeable. God's word is unchangeable too. In Matthew 24:35, the Lord Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Why then are we so ready to accept changes to God's word in the form of different Bible versions? The Authorized King James text has faithfully served the body of Christ for almost 400 years. During this time, and during its translation, Satan has viciously and relentlessly attacked it. I now hear Christians attacking it too! I've heard preachers and lay people say things like, "it's too hard to read" or "it doesn't properly reflect the true meaning of the original Greek". The issue about the original Greek sets my teeth on edge--which Greek? There are Greek manuscripts galore, including the corrupted manuscripts that the Roman Catholic religion uses. The snide remarks and attacks against this utterly reliable text are unfounded.
We must remember that the Bible is a spiritual book and is understandable to those who are led by God's Spirit. It is not possible for the natural man to understand it [I Corinthians 2:14], hence paraphrasing or simplifying it will do no good. The Bible is not supposed to read like a fairy tale--Peter said, "for we have not followed cunningly devised fables" [II Peter 1:16]. The words of the Authorized King James are not laborious to me, they are beautiful and full of God's power. Even the world knows it--the Authorized King James has been listed on Norton Anthology's list of "the world's best literature" for decades.
The new versions have come up with some dangerous changes to the scriptures. The Lord God gives us stern warnings about changing His Word--
Revelation 22:18-19, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book
Proverbs 30:5-6, Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Look at this change in the NIV
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son...
The authorized King James says,
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son.
In this instance, the NIV changes the scriptures by saying that Jesus is God's "one and only" Son instead of His only begotten Son. This change causes a contradiction in the word of God because God has more than one son according to both the King James (Genesis 6:2, Job 1:6, John 1:12) and NIV (Genesis 6:2).
I do not buy the line that the inerrant word of God is found only in the originals-- which nobody has. I know that God has the power to preserve His word and that he wouldn't leave us out in the dark with an "imperfect" translation. In the authorized King James Version God assembled, and moved with His Spirit, a team of some of the world's best scholars to translate His word into the world's most popular language, English.
The complete translator's notes of the Authorized King James scholars are not included in today's publishings. This is unfortunate because these notes say a lot about these men-- they were humble, loved the word of God, loved the King, were berated by the Catholic religion, and they desired a translation for the common man who was kept in darkness. Some of the translators where killed for their faith. This book was forged in blood, sweat, and tears.
I've heard folks make a big to-do about the italics in the Authorized KJV. Well, unlike many of today's translators the authorized KJV translators let us know which words they had to add in translating in order to give the full meaning of the original text (these are the words in italics in the KJV). Other translators have added words too--but they don't tell you what they've added. I speak a little Spanish and know that it is oftentimes necessary to rearrange or add words so that the translation makes sense. These men went through the extra trouble of identifying which words they added. That's real scholarship and integrity.
Let's fall in love with the Authorized KJV again and stand on it. Let's get down to business and read the Word and stop spending so much time reading what others have to say about the Word in commentaries, Greek lexicons, study bibles, etc. We want the Holy Ghost to talk to us.
How many classes have you been in where every student has a different textbook? None. It just doesn't make good sense on a very practical level. We all need to be on the same sheet of music so that we are in harmony. Let's not confuse our kids by teaching/preaching from the NKJV, NIV, NASV, LB, the Message, Phillips, GN, etc.
Let's not accept the premise that the tried and true Authorized King James is somehow outdated and is to be replaced by dozens of new translations. A standard test determined the Authorized KJV reading level to be 5th grade because it contains mostly one and two-syllablic words making it one of the easiest to read. People have been getting saved by reading it for a long, long time. We know that it contains the Word of life whereby we live and grow.
Satan knows that in a generation we won't uniformly quote the scriptures. Imagine ten people with ten different translations trying to recite a psalm together. Confusion. Satan knows that many newborn babes in Christ will not have the real milk that they need in order to grow because they'll have a watered down version of the truth. He figures that if he can't kill the babes, he'll do the next best thing-stunt their growth. At the same time the world will point to Christianity and say, "They don't even have a definitive word of God. Anybody can write a Bible." They already say that the Bible was "just written by men".
Being able to talk to a child of God and have our spirits commune on the parts of God's word that we've memorized is great. I now find people who are quoting scriptures that I know, but they are worded so differently that I have to ask the reference. This is confusion, and we know who authors confusion, the enemy of our souls, the Devil. I believe that the emergence of these many different "Bible" versions is Satan's most successful attempt to attack God's word. The Bible says that in the last days there's going to be a falling away of the church and I believe that these other versions are helping to usher it along.
Taken from www.holybible.com
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Thursday, November 22, 2007
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has positive answers:
You say: "It's impossible."
God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired."
God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me."
God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on."
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out."
God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it."
God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able."
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it."
God says: It will be worth it. (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself."
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage."
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippics 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid."
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith."
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough."
God says: I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone."
God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Pass this on; you never know whose life my be in need of it today! God is too good to be unkind, He is too wise to be mistaken, and when you can't trace His hand, that's when you must learn to trust His heart.
God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired."
God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me."
God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on."
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out."
God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it."
God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able."
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it."
God says: It will be worth it. (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself."
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage."
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippics 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid."
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith."
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough."
God says: I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone."
God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Pass this on; you never know whose life my be in need of it today! God is too good to be unkind, He is too wise to be mistaken, and when you can't trace His hand, that's when you must learn to trust His heart.
Interesting Facts About God
The Bible is the life and tree of knowledge which contains:
* 66 books
* 1,189 chapters
* 31,173 verses
* 810,697 words
* and 3,566,480 letters.
* The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
* The middle verse is Psalm 118.8.
* The longest name is in Isaiah 8.
* The word "and " occurs 46,627 times.
* The word "Lord" 1,855 times.
* 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37 are almost alike.
* The longest verse is Esther 8:9 with 90 words and 426 letters.
* The shortest verse is John 11:35; "Jesus wept".
* Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except 2.
* Ezra the scribe was the first to preach from a pulpit.
* The words "boy" and "girl" "chapel" "coffin" "eternity" and "reverend" are only mentioned once - read on until you find them.
* The finest piece of reading is said to be in Acts 26.
* The name of God is not once mentioned in Esther, although it contains so much holiness, knowledge, love, and wisdom.
Read the Bible diligently in preference to the trash of the present day. All who may doubt these words and figures, count them for yourselves.
The above wonderful calculations occupied much time, devotion, study and perseverance to complete the work, and it is said to have originated from either an afflicted invalid lady or from a convict long confined in prison, thus enabling him to help pass away the solitary hours, and who must have been blessed with the patience of Job to complete the task.
The above was taken from a print over 250 years old. The Friendly Companion, Vol CXIV November 1989
* 66 books
* 1,189 chapters
* 31,173 verses
* 810,697 words
* and 3,566,480 letters.
* The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
* The middle verse is Psalm 118.8.
* The longest name is in Isaiah 8.
* The word "and " occurs 46,627 times.
* The word "Lord" 1,855 times.
* 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37 are almost alike.
* The longest verse is Esther 8:9 with 90 words and 426 letters.
* The shortest verse is John 11:35; "Jesus wept".
* Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except 2.
* Ezra the scribe was the first to preach from a pulpit.
* The words "boy" and "girl" "chapel" "coffin" "eternity" and "reverend" are only mentioned once - read on until you find them.
* The finest piece of reading is said to be in Acts 26.
* The name of God is not once mentioned in Esther, although it contains so much holiness, knowledge, love, and wisdom.
Read the Bible diligently in preference to the trash of the present day. All who may doubt these words and figures, count them for yourselves.
The above wonderful calculations occupied much time, devotion, study and perseverance to complete the work, and it is said to have originated from either an afflicted invalid lady or from a convict long confined in prison, thus enabling him to help pass away the solitary hours, and who must have been blessed with the patience of Job to complete the task.
The above was taken from a print over 250 years old. The Friendly Companion, Vol CXIV November 1989
Diary Of A Bible
If your Bible could write a diary of its usage, what would it say about your "devotional habits? Here is a sample of poor neglected bible.
January 15: "I've been resting quietly for a week. The first few nights after the first of the year my owner read me regularly, but now has forgotten me, I guess."
February 2: "Cleaned up. I was dusted today, along with other things, and put back in my place."
February 22: "My owner used me for a short time after dinner. Looked up a few references. Going to Sunday school tomorrow."
March 7: "Cleaned up. Dusted, and in my old place again. Have been down in the lower hall since my trip to Sunday school."
April 2: "Busy day. My owner led a Christian Endeavor meeting and had to look up references. He had an awful time finding me, although I was right there in my place all the time."
May 5: "In Grandma's lap. She is here on a visit. Today she let a tear drop on Colossians 2:5-7."
May 6: :In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spent most of her time on 1 Corinthians 13, and the last four verses of the fifteenth chapter."
May 7-9: "In Grandma's lap every afternoon now. It';s a comfortable spot. Sometimes she reads me, and sometimes she talks to me."
May 10: "Grandma's gone. Back in my old place again. She kissed me goodbye."
June 4: "Had a couple of four-leaf clovers stuck in me today."
July 1: "Packed in a suitcase with clothes and other things. Off on a vacation, I guess."
July 7: "Still in the suitcase."
July 10: "Still in the suitcase, although nearly everthing elser has been taken out."
July 15: "Home again and in my old place. Quite a long journey, although I don't see why I went, for I was never taken out of the suitcase."
August 1: "Rather stuffy and hot. Have two magazines, a novel and an jold hat on top of me. Wish thay would take them off."
September 10: "Cleaned up. Dusted and set right again."
September 22: "Used by Mary a few minutes today. She was writing a letter to a friend whose brother died and wanted an appropriate verse."
October 1: "Back in my old place agian. Not even dusted this week. I seem to be used only for emergencies. Wonder why they bother with me at all?"
Let this story encourage us to spend more time in the timeless truth of God's Holy Word!
January 15: "I've been resting quietly for a week. The first few nights after the first of the year my owner read me regularly, but now has forgotten me, I guess."
February 2: "Cleaned up. I was dusted today, along with other things, and put back in my place."
February 22: "My owner used me for a short time after dinner. Looked up a few references. Going to Sunday school tomorrow."
March 7: "Cleaned up. Dusted, and in my old place again. Have been down in the lower hall since my trip to Sunday school."
April 2: "Busy day. My owner led a Christian Endeavor meeting and had to look up references. He had an awful time finding me, although I was right there in my place all the time."
May 5: "In Grandma's lap. She is here on a visit. Today she let a tear drop on Colossians 2:5-7."
May 6: :In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spent most of her time on 1 Corinthians 13, and the last four verses of the fifteenth chapter."
May 7-9: "In Grandma's lap every afternoon now. It';s a comfortable spot. Sometimes she reads me, and sometimes she talks to me."
May 10: "Grandma's gone. Back in my old place again. She kissed me goodbye."
June 4: "Had a couple of four-leaf clovers stuck in me today."
July 1: "Packed in a suitcase with clothes and other things. Off on a vacation, I guess."
July 7: "Still in the suitcase."
July 10: "Still in the suitcase, although nearly everthing elser has been taken out."
July 15: "Home again and in my old place. Quite a long journey, although I don't see why I went, for I was never taken out of the suitcase."
August 1: "Rather stuffy and hot. Have two magazines, a novel and an jold hat on top of me. Wish thay would take them off."
September 10: "Cleaned up. Dusted and set right again."
September 22: "Used by Mary a few minutes today. She was writing a letter to a friend whose brother died and wanted an appropriate verse."
October 1: "Back in my old place agian. Not even dusted this week. I seem to be used only for emergencies. Wonder why they bother with me at all?"
Let this story encourage us to spend more time in the timeless truth of God's Holy Word!
Why Do I Believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
I believe the Bible is God's Word for ten reasons. Consider the following evidences:
1) The Bible's Oneness - The Bible contains sixty-six books written by over forty different writers from differing backgrounds over a span of two thousand years. Yet from Genesis to Revelation the Bible proclaims one truth, one plan of salvation, one code of ethics. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who inspired and guided each human writer to write His Word.
2) The Bible's Indestructibility - Kings have directed campaigns to root the Bible out of their kingdoms. Emperors have declared all-out wars to destroy the Bible. Yet ever since the days of the printing press, the Bible remains the most read book throughout the world. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is almighty to preserve His Word throughout the ages.
3) The Bible's Universality - The Bible speaks to people from all types of cultures, continents, centuries, backgrounds, languages, ages, occupations, etc. It not only relates, but it also speaks powerfully to stop sinners, renew hearts and lead people to God. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to apply His Word, by His Holy Spirit, to the minds and hearts of people.
4) The Bible's Inexhaustibility - Hundreds of Bible commentaries have been written; countless sermons have been preached, and yet, new insights are continually drawn from the Bible's limitless depths. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite wisdom and truth.
5) The Bible's Honesty - Biographical accounts of the heroes of faith in Scripture differ from human-authored biographies. Biographies written by people tend to enlarge their heroes' strengths, minimize their weaknesses and ignore their errors. The Bible, however, honestly relates David's, Noah's, and Peter's sinful failures as well as their triumphs of faith. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of perfect honesty and integrity.
6) The Bible's Truth - Human writings attempt to minimize mankind's sin and expand upon his goodness; they attempt to credit man with some aspect of his salvation. This appeals to people. The Bible, however, teaches that natural man is totally sinful and cannot save himself; only God's grace can save him. The Bible exalts God to the highest and humbles man to the lowest. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite justice and graciousness.
7) The Bible's Historical Accuracy - Ancient human writings generally contain numerous errors. With expanding archeological evidence, however, biblical truths are being increasingly supported. To date, no factual evidence has been substantiated that disproves a single, biblical, historical truth. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who loves truth and is without error.
8) The Bible's Scientific Accuracy - When reading books written by authors who lived many years ago, we encounter numerous errors due to the writers' lack of current scientific knowledge. To date, however, no scientific truth has been discovered that contradicts the Bible. The Bible, in fact, speaks of several scientific truths prior to their being discovered by man and believed by societies. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who creates, upholds and understands all parts of His creation.
9) The Bible's Prophetical Accuracy - Human predictions and prophecies generally contain a mixture of truth and error. Some prove true while others do not. The Bible is full of prophecy; but no biblical prophesy has yet been proven wrong. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is all-knowing, who knows the end as well as the beginning of all things.
10) The Bible's Personal Application - Applications of biblical truth have renewed people's lives, granted new spiritual life, opened spiritual insights, replaced hate with love, convicted people of sin, revealed Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners and turned people from self-centered to God-centered lives. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to convert and save sinful people. Yes, the Bible is the Word of God. Its oneness, indestructibility, universality, inexhaustibility, honesty, truth, historical accuracy, scientific accuracy, prophetical accuracy and personal application all testify of this truth.
The Bible is the Word of God. Do you believe it?
1) The Bible's Oneness - The Bible contains sixty-six books written by over forty different writers from differing backgrounds over a span of two thousand years. Yet from Genesis to Revelation the Bible proclaims one truth, one plan of salvation, one code of ethics. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who inspired and guided each human writer to write His Word.
2) The Bible's Indestructibility - Kings have directed campaigns to root the Bible out of their kingdoms. Emperors have declared all-out wars to destroy the Bible. Yet ever since the days of the printing press, the Bible remains the most read book throughout the world. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is almighty to preserve His Word throughout the ages.
3) The Bible's Universality - The Bible speaks to people from all types of cultures, continents, centuries, backgrounds, languages, ages, occupations, etc. It not only relates, but it also speaks powerfully to stop sinners, renew hearts and lead people to God. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to apply His Word, by His Holy Spirit, to the minds and hearts of people.
4) The Bible's Inexhaustibility - Hundreds of Bible commentaries have been written; countless sermons have been preached, and yet, new insights are continually drawn from the Bible's limitless depths. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite wisdom and truth.
5) The Bible's Honesty - Biographical accounts of the heroes of faith in Scripture differ from human-authored biographies. Biographies written by people tend to enlarge their heroes' strengths, minimize their weaknesses and ignore their errors. The Bible, however, honestly relates David's, Noah's, and Peter's sinful failures as well as their triumphs of faith. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of perfect honesty and integrity.
6) The Bible's Truth - Human writings attempt to minimize mankind's sin and expand upon his goodness; they attempt to credit man with some aspect of his salvation. This appeals to people. The Bible, however, teaches that natural man is totally sinful and cannot save himself; only God's grace can save him. The Bible exalts God to the highest and humbles man to the lowest. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite justice and graciousness.
7) The Bible's Historical Accuracy - Ancient human writings generally contain numerous errors. With expanding archeological evidence, however, biblical truths are being increasingly supported. To date, no factual evidence has been substantiated that disproves a single, biblical, historical truth. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who loves truth and is without error.
8) The Bible's Scientific Accuracy - When reading books written by authors who lived many years ago, we encounter numerous errors due to the writers' lack of current scientific knowledge. To date, however, no scientific truth has been discovered that contradicts the Bible. The Bible, in fact, speaks of several scientific truths prior to their being discovered by man and believed by societies. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who creates, upholds and understands all parts of His creation.
9) The Bible's Prophetical Accuracy - Human predictions and prophecies generally contain a mixture of truth and error. Some prove true while others do not. The Bible is full of prophecy; but no biblical prophesy has yet been proven wrong. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is all-knowing, who knows the end as well as the beginning of all things.
10) The Bible's Personal Application - Applications of biblical truth have renewed people's lives, granted new spiritual life, opened spiritual insights, replaced hate with love, convicted people of sin, revealed Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners and turned people from self-centered to God-centered lives. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to convert and save sinful people. Yes, the Bible is the Word of God. Its oneness, indestructibility, universality, inexhaustibility, honesty, truth, historical accuracy, scientific accuracy, prophetical accuracy and personal application all testify of this truth.
The Bible is the Word of God. Do you believe it?
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