And immediately, coming up
from the water, He saw
the heavens parting
and the Spirit descending
upon Him like a dove.
Then a voice came
from heaven,
"You are My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased."
Mark 1:10-11; (cf. Isaiah 42:1)
Does it really matter which version of the Bible you use as a guide for your life? Yes! If a version is corrupted or has been translated from manuscripts that are full of error, that is, have either omitted words, verses, and interjected heretical theology, and if they have verses, and words that seem to be theologically correct but are not, in time this corruption will determine your beliefs. Satan is exactly what his name implies, a deceiver and he will do all he can to subvert the truth in his attempt to bring mankind into his fold. Now, there are two ways to fill up a pond of water: 1. Take a huge truck filled with rocks enough to fill up the pond and dump them into the pond: you have filled up the pond but have made a mess, the water splashed out of the pond and destroyed surrounding lands. Or, 2. You can start throwing pebbles into the lake, there is no major splash, no destruction caused by splashing waves, and in time the pond will be filled up. You see, it is those little changes in God's word that will determine your theology, your beliefs, your religion, and your character: all this done in time, no major concerns, no discussion as whether or not the verses that should come under scrutiny, and slowly your Christology is affected. You have the outward dress of truth, but when truth is subverted, truth is no longer truth. Do you no want the most reliable version of the Bible? Do you not want the preserved word of God? I have this morning taken time to examine some 105 verses that are contradictory with each other and the problems associated with those contradictions, and whether or not there is answers, and solutions. I will give only three verses, randomly chosen as examples: I will compare with the most utilized version of the Bible, the New International Version, although I could use the NASB, ESV, etc.
Mark 1:1
New King James Version (The Authorized Version reads the same):
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
New International Version:
"The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God."a
They read the same do then not? Yes! Notice the subscript, a, This is important according to the men who translated and created this version (and other versions) for the added this note that can be found at the bottom of the page: "Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God. Is this true? Let us examine this addition, this subscript. At least 4,400 of the extant 5,600 plus (79)% New Testament Greek manuscripts contain "Son of God"! Also containing these words are the first corrected version of Aleph ("Aleph.1") and 20 other significant unicals, including Codex Vatanicus (B). the modern scholars' second cornerstone document, Aleph (Sinaiticus), is their only documented recourse--along with a few other Greek manuscripts, and Codes Theta (8th or 9th). What is the problem here? Unless you have been taught what I have given to you, you will believe a lie.
1Corinthians 11:29
New King James Version (Authorize Version reads the same)
"For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
New International Version:
"For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."
At first sight these verses may seem the same but this is not true: The Majority Text reads "unworthily" and "body of the Lord." Partaking of the elements does not evoke God's judgment, obviously, but participating without due reverence for Christ and without forgiveness of one's fellow man. The vast majority support the King James Version, plus Aleph-2, c-3, D, and much more.
Galatians 6:15:
New King James Version (Authorized Text reads the same):
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."
New International Version:
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything: what counts is a new creation."
Notice that the words "For in Christ" are missing in the New International Version. How is this a problem? The Majority Text, nine significant unicals, "The Old Latin", and others under gird the King James Version reading. A paltry of manuscripts and versions have "modern" readings. Removing "In Christ Jesus" nullifies the meaning of he verse because the evidence of it is that plainly "in Christ," circumcision has no true significance; it is a ritual entirely disassociated from external kingdom applicability. It is in "Christ" only that our lives have significance.
It is these little seemingly insignificant changes that in time will undermine your Christology and you faith will be affected, your practice, that is your worship. Since the acceptance of the Critical Text, and the movement by some theologians to a Pelagian, and Arminian belief, liberal Christianity has become the way for many denominations. Within these denominations have come practices and beliefs that have the sense of truth but are far from the truth. Yes, there are those who are truly seeking God, and go to Church for the right reasons, only to be fed Scripture that has been transcribed from faulty manuscripts. It is men who have attempted to interject their beliefs and have misled many over the years, subtly, quietly, and effectively: Jesus said: "Brood of vipers! How can you being evil, speak of good things? For out of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
I have in some small measure attempted to bring to those who read this blog that there is a need to return to the word of God that God has preserved throughout the ages. God's word is infallible, and He gave us His word, and when man, either by some fault in transcribing, or a choice of word placement, yet God has maintained His truth, the Doctrine of Himself, His Only Begotten Son, His Holy Spirit and has preserved His truth: Only we must examine and find the truth. This has been done by men who have given to us from the most reliable manuscripts, the preserved word of God, His truth. It is His truth that will guide our life, our worship, our understanding of Him and of His Gospel. It is this preserved word of God that we can trust.
The New Testament is not some isolated volumes of religious literature: it is the highest of religious writings that was produced by the early Church. I will conclude this subject on the Bible with an examination of the New Testament writers and testaments.
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who
brings good news, who proclaims
peace, who brings glad tidings
of good things, who proclaims
salvation, who says to Zion,
"Your God reigns."
Isaiah 52:7
We Shall See Him As He Is--In Glory
Richard L. Crumb
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