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The King James Bible

Defending the book of the LORD

Ecclesiastes 8:4 "Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?"

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

• Introduction
• How do we know the Bible is God's word?
• A serious problem with bible translations
• Seeking out the Book of the LORD
• The King James -versus- Modern translations
• A Dire Warning..
• The Original Manuscripts
• Conclusion

Introduction

The Bible was written during an estimated period of 1600 years and consists of 66 separate books. The Old Testament has a total of 39 books and the New Testament, a total of 27 books. It was written in three languages, namely Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek by about 40 different authors. All scripture is inspired (God breathed) meaning the authors were "moved" by the Holy Spirit at the time of writing. Most of the authors never met, however all scriptures align and are in perfect agreement. See Psalms 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

How do we know the Bible is God's word?

Many have questioned whether the bible was just written by man. If it were, then for starters it certainly wouldn't go against all man-made desires. But the answer to this question is really quite simple. The bible predicts the future..

God is outside our dimensionality of time and He authenticates His Word by declaring the end from the beginning {which is something man cannot do}. In Genesis right from the get go, prophecies of future events were set in place outlining the entire 7000 years of human history. Jesus alone fulfilled over 300 of these Old Testament prophecies! The chances of one man fulfilling merely 48 of these prophecies would be the same as 10 to the power of 157 (The number "1" followed by 157 zero's). This is proof BEYOND mathematical comprehension that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah. But the prophecies do not end here. Simply looking at the nation of Israel, their entire origin, history and future (right up until the very end) has been prophesied and laid out for us in great detail. At present, bible prophecies are still being fulfilled today {in our current generation} with end-time prophecies beginning to converge rapidly as we venture on in these final last days.

When prophecy is fulfilled, one simply has to acknowledge that the bible is true and is indeed the word of God..

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure..

See also Isaiah 42:9, 48:2-8; 1 John 3:20

A serious problem with bible translations

Before we continue, we must first be aware that not all bible translations are the same. The "things that differ cannot be the same" principle applies here. So let's first divide all translations into their three basic categories..

Word-for-Word
These translations are very precise but may at times be a little difficult to understand at first glance. A few examples:

King James Version ^KJV  
Modern English Version ^MEV  
The Amplified Bible ^AMP  
New American Standard Bible ^NASB  
English Standard Version ^ESV  

Thought-for-Thought
These translations have been MODERATELY EDITED and tend to convey the general idea of what is spoken. A few examples:

New King James Version ^NKJV  
Christian Standard Bible ^CSB  
Revised Standard Version ^RSV  
New Revised Standard Version ^NRSV  
New English Translation ^NET  
New International Version ^NIV  
New Living Translation ^NLT  

Paraphrase
These translations are HIGHLY EDITED to make the context easy to grasp. A few examples:

Good News Translation ^GNT  
Contemporary English Version ^CEV  
The Living Bible ^TLB  
The Message Bible ^MSG  

It is important to note that the closer one moves toward "paraphrase" the more we are forced to rely on someone else's interpretation of the Bible.

Now that we are familiar with bible categories, we can pretty much eliminate "paraphrase" as well as "thought-for-thought" translations as these are clearly man's interpretations of the scriptures. The book we are looking for {closest to the original manuscripts} is undoubtedly in the "word-for-word" category.

With an estimated 200+ "revised" English bible translations, it is hardly surprising that they would differ here and there but this alone should be cause for concern. Words have meaning, so changing words will change meaning. Some versions will add words and some will remove words. Many remove entire verses. An example of this would be 1 John 5:7 authenticating the Godhead plainly in one single verse. Or removing Acts 8:37 in an attempt to justify baptism as a means of salvation, when in fact salvation can only be found through faith in Christ.

A few publishers will actually keep the verses but instead add footnotes (or some disclaimer) inevitably casting doubt on text authenticity. A common example of this would be Mark 16:9-20 which deals specifically with Christ's Resurrection. Any annotation casting doubt on the resurrection, as recorded here in Mark, is a direct attack on the gospel itself. But in any case, adding hundreds of footnotes that question text authenticity leads to confusion.

The words of our bible are important. As Christians, we believe it to be true. If truth is betrayed, it will eventually erode and damage trust. It is therefore absolutely vital that we know what book to trust {without any doubt} and which translations to be weary of. If we can't trust what we are reading then there lies the problem. Pun intended. It is the same trick the devil used in the garden, from the very beginning, tempting mankind into questioning God's Word "..Yea, hath God said?" (Genesis 3:1-5)

All modern translations have their issues, some going so far as to attack key parts of doctrine. Whether this is done deliberately by man, or by spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12), sadly this is what we are dealing with. It is what it is.

Seeking out the Book of the LORD

Many Christian's today will proclaim that the Bible is the all-inspired, inerrant word of God. But stand up and say "Yes, I believe my King James bible is indeed the pure, all-inspired, preserved word of God" ..and just watch the fireworks begin.

You see, in most cases people will quickly change their statement and say it doesn't matter what book you use because no bible is perfect and overall context is what really counts. Then again, others will claim that only the original manuscripts were inspired. Okay.. Which ones? There are two differing versions of New Testament "Original" manuscripts, therefore only ONE can be inspired. So which is it then?

The LORD said His word is in a volume of a book. If you wanted to read God's word would you study Greek and Hebrew manuscripts? ..or would you pick up your nearest English bible already translated for you? English is today's common language and is universally accepted around the world. The King James has its English in the purest undegraded form which is what we would expect.

Now if God is omnipotent {meaning He is all powerful} and nothing is impossible for Him, why do most Christians today have trouble believing that He can preserve His word in a book? Does He not count all stars, calling them by name (Psalms 147:4)? Has He not magnified His word above His very name? If God has the power to preserve His words in a book, just as He said, this would mean all other translations are words of man. The message may be there but let's be honest, it has been edited and paraphrased.

Here are a few verses from the bible, concerning the bible:

Job 19:23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

All the words spoken are in a "book" (See Jeremiah 30:2; Mark 12:26; Luke 4:20-21).

Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read..

A warning to not add or take away the words written in this "book" (See Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19).

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word (See Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).

Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (See Psalms 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25).

Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Hebrews 10:7 (in the volume of the book it is written of me,)

Not "one jot or one tittle" shall pass from the law (See Matthew 5:18; Joshua 1:8).

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

John 10:35 ..the scripture cannot be broken.

Psalms 138:2 ..for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

The word "Bible" derives from the Greek word "biblos" and it simply means "Book". The words of the LORD are in a "book" and we are told to seek out of the book of the LORD.

So the question is.. Can we get a book (or at least a copy thereof) placed directly in our hands containing the perfect words of God? The answer is an absolute YES! We believe the King James Bible IS the "book of the LORD", and here's why..

The King James -versus- Modern translations

In this section we will discover why so many Christians hold fast to defending their King James bible, and with good reason.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.

Here are a few verses in the King James that have been altered or completely removed from modern translations (including popular versions such as NKJV, NIV, ESV, NASB, NRSV, NLT, and many many others). Some of these verses relate to serious issues regarding doctrine and/or salvation, hence the need for comparison.

All King James verses below are displayed in "bold italics" and we encourage you to compare these verses with your own translation..

A Dire Warning..

As you can see from the above (using just a short list of examples), modern versions go against the flow. There is clearly a serious problem here and we challenge you to put any version to this test. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.." 1 Corinthians 14:33. The King James is found to be the only bible that consistently honours God's word, without error.

Before we continue let us address the elephant in the room. Can God use any bible translation to save a person? Yes of course! He could use a dictionary to save someone if He wanted to. However in order for a believer to grow spiritually, a modern translation re-worded and edited by man is certainly not going to be one's best option. Especially if it has errors and goes against doctrine.

The book of Revelation gives a strong and dire warning not to add or take away from the words spoken of in this book of prophecy. Also in the book of Deuteronomy we see a direct command to not add or take away from the word. The commandment is so strong that it is emphasised three times!

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 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.

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Modern translations are in violation of these commandments. Now if scholars and bible book-publishing companies have ignored these warnings, do you really think they have a genuine fear of the LORD? So the question arises why would anyone dare change, add or remove text from various parts of the Bible? The truth is, there are evil forces at work and the book of Ephesians warns us:

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Many cults are driven by spiritual wickedness and in most cases will steer their members away from a King James bible and point them towards a modern translation instead, especially if it helps support their doctrine (the NWT is a prime example of this, as it has attempted to eliminate almost every reference to the divinity of Christ). But the most probable reason modern translations exist is simply to make money ..and there you have it.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In order to make money the literary work needs to be copyrighted, and in order to copyright a literary work, major changes need to be applied to the text. So now we have a problem. But in any case, changing biblical text to suit one's bias, financial gain or whatever other reason is unacceptable.

Now to put everything into clear perspective, there is just one more issue here that needs addressing..

The Original Manuscripts

It is important to understand that not all bibles are translated from the same original manuscripts.

Modern translations are based on "original" manuscripts discovered in Egypt

ALL modern translations {with exception of only a few} are based upon the "1881 Revised Version" which derives from the 'Minority Text' also known as the "Critical Text" (CT) or "Alexandrian Text" discovered in Egypt. These Minority Texts were severely corrupted and subsequently rejected by early Christians and church Reformers due to their doctrinal omissions and errors.

The King James is based on manuscripts originating in Antioch

The Old Testament derived from the 'Masoretic Text' (MT) and is the authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic text of the Tanakh.

The New Testament is based on the 'Majority Text' with over 5,000 supporting manuscripts {the correct original manuscripts}, also known as the Greek "Textus Receptus" or "Received Text" (RT) originating in Antioch (exactly where we would expect to find the original inspired manuscripts). The KJV is a perfect word-for-word translation from a perfect text base.

A man by the name of William Tyndale, an English biblical scholar, became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation and was well known as a translator of the Bible into English. His work began a series of English Bible translations that eventually led to the King James Version.

1. Tyndale Bible - 1522-1536
2. Coverdale Bible - 1535
3. Matthew's Bible - 1537
4. Great Bible - 1539
5. Geneva Bible - 1560
6. Bishop's Bible - 1568
7. Authorized Version - 1611

The King James is the seventh translation of the Bible in English. Formerly known as the Authorized Version, it was a massive undertaking by the authority of King James (James I of England) and is well regarded as the most faithful and scholarly translation to date.

The King James Bible was commissioned in 1604 and was published seven years later in 1611. See 1 Kings 6:37-38; Deuteronomy 16:11; Ecclesiastes 8:4; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12

1 Kings 6:37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: 38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

An interesting verse indeed. So which text do we trust? ..The Majority Text used in the King James with over 5,000 harmonized manuscripts, or the Minority Text used in virtually every other modern translation, that as we have clearly seen in verse comparisons, have major doctrinal issues.

Before closing, let us be clear. We are not condemning modern bible translations. On the contrary, some of these translations (yes, even a paraphrased translation) can be a helpful aid in understanding difficult passages, especially at first glance when engaged in bible study. The problem is where a modern version attempts to attack the virgin birth; the deity of Christ; or cast doubt on the resurrection which is an integral part of the message of salvation. Translations such as these, attacking its own doctrine, can never be considered to be in line with God's word and is therefore not a bible! It is clearly and unmistakably a deliberate counterfeit made by man. Furthermore it is quite unfortunate that we find almost every modern translation to be guilty of this offence.

Thus we believe the King James has the final say and as far as bibles go, it is the only one that is Holy.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Conclusion

In summary, the King James Bible retains a pure undegraded form of English (which is what we would expect). It has the largest volume of supporting manuscripts. There are no missing verses with no missing text. It is a perfect word-for-word translation from a perfect text base without error. It was used in early church revivals and has stood the test of time. To this day it remains our most faithful and trustworthy bible translation {purified seven times as quoted by scripture}.

Many Christians testify that this book is perfect; needs no revision; and is the inspired and preserved word of God - Perfectly translated from the original manuscripts (the Textus Receptus and Masoretic Text) and available in a universally accepted language for mankind in the last days. See Job 19:23-24; Psalms 12:6-7, 138:2; Proverbs 30:5-6

Credits

Brandon Peterson. Website: kjvcode.com - Discovering verse that speaks of the Holy Bible (Deuteronomy 16:11); Discovering verse specifically tied to the King James Bible (1 Kings 6:37-38).

Dr Gene Kim. "Real Bible Believers". Website: realbiblebelievers.com - The KJV compared with modern translations (a majority of verse alterations found in modern translations mentioned by Pastor Gene Kim were included in our list).

Lotan Kritchman. "KJVPictures". Website: kjvpictures.com - The KJV compared with modern translations (Genesis 22:8 verse alteration found in modern translations included in our list).

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