The Snare!

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For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

 As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. (Jeremiah 5:26-27)
 

I read a very good pamphlet the other day called THE BIBLE VERSION CHECK-LIST by Pastor Al Hughes of Bible Baptist Church in Port Orchard WA. I would like to share some of the points that he made which I feel are very good in helping Christians discern the issue of bible versions.

Pastor Al states one of the reasons we have so many versions of the bible is because of money or the love of it (1 Timothy 6:10). He notes that there isn't much profit in printing bibles for people in Africa or other countries. Corporations (like Zondervan) know that Christians will line up at the door to buy the newest translations thus making a huge profit. All modern versions of the bible are protected by copyright laws. He then brings up the issue of authority which many Christians do not adhere to today. As long as there is more than one authority confusion will result. For an example, he shows: " one bible says Jesus is "A God" (John 1:1 New World Translation), and the King James Bible says Jesus is God in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)". We know that God is not the author of confusion (1st Corinthians 14:33). My question and I am sure your question also, is which one of these texts are correct? I have received much criticism from stating that there are differences between the modern versions and the King James. I was recently told that I can't compare them because I cant read Greek or Hebrew and so I have to be quiet and accept all versions. I was also told that these modern versions are improvements upon the King James. I always ask "says who"? How can you tell some one that they cant compare modern versions to the King James but then turn around and say the modern versions are an improvement to the King James? Especially if you cant read Greek or Hebrew.

 

The following is directly quoted form Pastor Al's bible tract: (www.biblebaptistportorchard.com)

"You don't need to know Greek or Hebrew to know which Bible God uses. This issue can easily be settled by a brief comparison between the English versions available today. The Author of the Scripture is the Holy Spirit (2 Pet, 1:20-21). Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, "He shall TESTIFY of Me...He shall GLORIFY Me" (John 15:26;16:14). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to EXALT CHRIST. When this principle is applied to to Bible versions,  it is no problem to see which Bible exalts Christ over the rest. Common sense, reverence towards God, and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit will lead any honest person to the conclusion that the King James Bible is the Word of God for English speaking people. The following chart will show you how five major translations line up with the King James on doctrines like the deity of Christ; hell; salvation, and the Word of God. You will discover, that each modern version aligns itself with the Jehovah Witness bible and against the King James Bible. If the J.W. Bible is wrong, then so are the rest. The underlined portion in the KJV references has been changed in all the other versions."

 

King James

 RSV TEV NASV NIV Jehovah Witness Version

Matt-

18:11

  For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Not in the text Not in the text [For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost] Not in the text Not in the text

Mark

9:44

 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text

Luke

2:33

 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him The Child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him. And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were said about Him. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. And his father and mother continued wondering at the things being spoken about it.
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And Jesus answered him, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone." But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, Man cannot live on bread alone." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone." Jesus answered, "It is written, "Man does not live on bread alone." But Jesus replied to him: "It is written, "Man must not live by bread alone."
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And no on e has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven. And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am telling you the truth: he who believes has eternal life. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. Most truly I say to you, He that believes has everlasting life.
Col.1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  By whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. in whom we have redemption,* the forgiveness of sins. By means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins.
1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion: He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angles. He was preached among nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven. And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Beheld by angles, Proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He* appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

 

 Indeed, the sacred secret of this godly devotion is admittedly great: "He was made manifest in flesh, was declared righteous in spirit. appeared to angles, was preached among nations, was believed upon in the world, was received up in glory."
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling the accurately the word of truth. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth aright.
1 Pet.4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved in sin. Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. Therefore since Christ suffered in the flesh, you too arm yourselves with the same mental disposition; because the person that has suffered in the flesh has desisted from sins,
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses: And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: For there are three witness bearers,
Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text Not in the text

END

It seems like common sense here now as for what to believe. Use the other versions if you want, teach with the other versions if you want, get others to follow the other versions if you want, but two things are for sure: either the JW's are right and we are wrong (I know the JW's are wrong) and the Judgment Seat of Christ will have Christians weeping and gnashing their teeth. YES I KNOW THERE IS TRUTH LEFT IN MANY OF THE MODERN DAY VERSIONS BUT THERE IS ALSO MUCH TRUTH IN OTHER RELIGIONS TOO. THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OKAY. I don't want partial truth, I don't want the Words of the Lord being taken out, and this is the case with all modern translations unfortunately. So for those reasons I say the only true Bible in English is the King James Bible.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)