King James Bible
We recommend that all new Christians begin their studies with the King James Version of the bible. This version of the Bible was translated at the command of King James of England and published in 1611. Contemporary churches tend to shy away from this version of the Bible because it speaks in a slightly different vernacular and uses many colloquialisms that are misunderstood by the casual reader today. But, with this added level of difficulty, you are challenged to discover what God intended by using your mind in ways you have not been challenged to in a long while.
"I am the LORD, I change not."
Malachi 3:6Malachi 3:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
God is unchangeable. God’s word is unchangeable too. The only thing that changes is man’s interpretation of the word of God. What power He has in those words he used to breathe the universe into existence. GEN 2:7GEN 2:7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. of the dust...: Heb. dust of the ground
, Matthew 24:35Matthew 24:35
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
, JOB 37:10JOB 37:10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
, PS 33:6PS 33:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
. Why then are we so ready to accept changes to God’s word in the form of different Bible versions?
One thing that the KJV has in its favor is the fact that it was derived from a collection of New Testament resources called The Textus Receptus.
Textus Receptus (Latin: "received text") is the name subsequently given to the succession of printed Greek texts of the New Testament which constituted the translation base for the original German Luther Bible, for the translation of the New Testament into English by William Tyndale, the King James Version, and for most other Reformation-era New Testament translations throughout Western and Central Europe. The series originated with the first printed Greek New Testament to be published; a work undertaken in Basel by the Dutch Catholic scholar and humanist Desiderius Erasmus in 1516, on the basis of some six manuscripts, containing between them not quite the whole of the New Testament. Although based mainly on late manuscripts of the Byzantine text-type, Erasmus’s edition differed markedly from the classic form of that text.
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 tried to supplant and distort the word. William Tyndale lost his life in his attempt to get the Bible into the hands of the simple people where God intended it to be PS 19:7PS 19:7
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. law: or, doctrine converting: or, restoring
.
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 1 Corinthians 2:141 Corinthians 2:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
, 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" [2 Peter 1:162 Peter 1:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
]. 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 22:18-19Revelation 22:18-19
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
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. out of the book...: or, from the tree of life , 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 30:5-6Proverbs 30:5-6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. pure: Heb. purified 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. , 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 3:16John 3:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. , For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son…
The authorized King James says,
John 3:16John 3:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. , 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 6:2Genesis 6:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
, Job 1:6Job 1:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Satan: Heb. the adversary among: Heb. in the midst of
, John 1:12John 1:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege
) and NIV (Genesis 6:2Genesis 6:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
). .
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.
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.
Knowing what is in the Bible is important if you wish to understand God’s plan for your life. If you don’t have a bible on your computer, you can click this link and install one right on your computer. For that matter, you can install several of them and compare the different translations. One of the startling revelations for me when comparing translations is the fact that the name Lucifer appears only once in the KJV bible. IS 14:12IS 14:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! O Lucifer: or, O day star
, but it doesn’t appear at all in the all-too-popular NIV bible. Visit the bible database website by clicking here.
Click any of the links on the right to navigate to another area of the site or use your browser’s back button to return to the previous page.
