Which Version is God's Word?
by JWing
Everyone is familiar with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. “The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight.”(a) To this day the tilt is continuing and threatens to destroy this building. As of now they are attempting lead counter weights and even excavating out the soil beneath the higher side. However this will only cause the building to sink deeper into the ground but the inadequate foundation will continue to sink even with these efforts.
This graphically illustrates to everyone the critical need for a good foundation rooted in solid rock. Without it, whatever is built will not stand. So too must any information about God and his salvation gift to mankind must also be founded in the solid rock of truth. Therefore our foundation, the Bible must be correct and free from error. For if it is not the inerrant and infallible word from the almighty, all powerful God of the universe, what hope do we have in any of the promises written therein.
We must ensure that the words and sentences written therein are straight and true as when they first came from the disciples who walked and talked with Jesus. For we must look to where Christianity first started.
Ref: Leaning Tower of Pisa, wikipedia | Why use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible? |
This graphically illustrates to everyone the critical need for a good foundation rooted in solid rock. Without it, whatever is built will not stand. So too must any information about God and his salvation gift to mankind must also be founded in the solid rock of truth. Therefore our foundation, the Bible must be correct and free from error. For if it is not the inerrant and infallible word from the almighty, all powerful God of the universe, what hope do we have in any of the promises written therein.
We must ensure that the words and sentences written therein are straight and true as when they first came from the disciples who walked and talked with Jesus. For we must look to where Christianity first started.
Ref: Leaning Tower of Pisa, wikipedia | Why use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible? |
Where did Christianity start?
Some say Christianity started in Jerusalem at Pentacost. Others say it officially started with the church in Rome. But most agree that it was the disciples that started the movement after Jesus ascension on the Mount of Olives after his resurrection from the dead. What does the Bible say?
Some say Christianity started in Jerusalem at Pentacost. Others say it officially started with the church in Rome. But most agree that it was the disciples that started the movement after Jesus ascension on the Mount of Olives after his resurrection from the dead. What does the Bible say?
Acts 11:26 (KJV) And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 11:26 (RSVCE) ;and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. |
So obviously since the disciples were in Antioch. Any Biblical writings from Antioch would be most likely have been handed down directly from or approved and checked by the disciples. These were the same disciples who had been closest to Jesus and knew His doctrine. Most likely, these writings would be free of any doctrinal errors as they were from the source itself.
So what are the foundations for all the different versions?
So what are the foundations for all the different versions?
The original New Testament was written in Greek as the whole known world spoke Greek thanks to Hellenization by the conquering Greeks under Alexander the Great. But as shown above, we would consider manuscripts from Antioch more original and correct since they had the disciples among them constantly check the writings.
Various New Testament books were written, copied and circulated amongst the churches. It was not until the mid 15th century that various people set about collecting and combining the manuscripts into one complete Greek New Testament. To date there has been two compilations done. |
The Textus Receptus uses 5,210 Greek manuscripts from Antioch or traced back to Antioch. Later manuscript discoveries have confirmed the reliablity of the Textus Receptus leading it to be called the Majority Text. Variants changes nothing with message in the manuscripts.
The Nestle-Aland Greek Text (Nestle’s Text) uses 5 Greek manuscripts from Alexandria, Egypt but primarily the Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus. These manuscripts not only disagree with the Majority Text but even with each other. This has earned it the title of the Minority Text. |
Sweeping Excuses Aside
A common excuse is that missing text like Acts 8:37 were simply not present in the original text and so the Codex Laudianus didn't have them but simply changed the numbering because scribes later added the missing verse. This however doesn't hold water as the Codex Laudianus was used to form the Minority Text.
However the Codex Laudianus plainly states that it DID contain the missing text of Acts 8:37.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Laudianus
"It contains Acts 8:37, as do the manuscripts 323, 453, 945, 1739, 1891, 2818, and several others."
This means theses verses were INTENTIONALLY OMITTED in the Minority Text, as they were present in ALL the ORIGINAL text from Alexandria. The King James Version using the Majority Text all from Antioch where the disciples were present ALL have the verses omitted.
A common excuse is that missing text like Acts 8:37 were simply not present in the original text and so the Codex Laudianus didn't have them but simply changed the numbering because scribes later added the missing verse. This however doesn't hold water as the Codex Laudianus was used to form the Minority Text.
However the Codex Laudianus plainly states that it DID contain the missing text of Acts 8:37.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Laudianus
"It contains Acts 8:37, as do the manuscripts 323, 453, 945, 1739, 1891, 2818, and several others."
This means theses verses were INTENTIONALLY OMITTED in the Minority Text, as they were present in ALL the ORIGINAL text from Alexandria. The King James Version using the Majority Text all from Antioch where the disciples were present ALL have the verses omitted.
Majority Text agrees with the oldest copies of the Bible that Jesus had
With the Majority Text, you know that you have an accurate transcript of what God’s word says. Even when compared to the Dead Sea Scrolls, that were discovered in 1947 and was dated 100 BC, the King James finished in 1611 AD is nearly identical. The only difference found were minor grammatical differences that did not change the meaning of the passages. That way, God’s word stays true and unchanged like a firm unchanging foundation under any building. So when the Bible says you will be saved by believing in Jesus only, you can trust that is all that is needed to get into heaven because it was straight from the mouth of God himself (aka Jesus Christ).
With the Majority Text, you know that you have an accurate transcript of what God’s word says. Even when compared to the Dead Sea Scrolls, that were discovered in 1947 and was dated 100 BC, the King James finished in 1611 AD is nearly identical. The only difference found were minor grammatical differences that did not change the meaning of the passages. That way, God’s word stays true and unchanged like a firm unchanging foundation under any building. So when the Bible says you will be saved by believing in Jesus only, you can trust that is all that is needed to get into heaven because it was straight from the mouth of God himself (aka Jesus Christ).
John 3:16 (KJV)
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. Acts 16:30-31 (KJV) 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Galatians 2:16 (KJV) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, 1 John 5:13 (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
FACTS:
The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the Wadi Qumran, 1946 and 1956 by Bedouin shepherds and a team of archeologists. They date to 3rd century BC and is confirmed by bronze coins and radiocarbon dating. This is 300 BC - 201 BC. Well before anyone could corrupt the Bible.
Among the Scroll fragments was found a COMPLETE scroll of the WHOLE BOOK of Isaiah. When this was compared to the Isaiah of the KJV, it was a 99.9% match. It is now housed in Jerusalem at the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum.
CONCLUSION:
Therefore there is NO CORRUPTION of the original Hebrew text at all. The text is UNCHANGED, even with the Bible we have today, from the text in Hebrew 2300 yrs ago.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the Wadi Qumran, 1946 and 1956 by Bedouin shepherds and a team of archeologists. They date to 3rd century BC and is confirmed by bronze coins and radiocarbon dating. This is 300 BC - 201 BC. Well before anyone could corrupt the Bible.
Among the Scroll fragments was found a COMPLETE scroll of the WHOLE BOOK of Isaiah. When this was compared to the Isaiah of the KJV, it was a 99.9% match. It is now housed in Jerusalem at the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum.
CONCLUSION:
Therefore there is NO CORRUPTION of the original Hebrew text at all. The text is UNCHANGED, even with the Bible we have today, from the text in Hebrew 2300 yrs ago.
The Bible has been proven to be unaltered and both scientifically and historically accurate. Won’t you trust the Bible as it says the only way to become right with God is by believing upon the Messiah God sent to pay for the penalty of your sins? God says that it is the only way to get into Heaven and be with Him for all eternity an He's made the way for you. You need to believe and pray this prayer:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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