The King James Bible (Part 4)

Argument #3: Hasn’t God preserved His message in all versions of the Bible?

Not too long ago, I sat down with a young man and had a very heated discussion over the King James issue. Of course, I have no issue with the Bible – but the young man did. I also was not heated, but he was. He seemed to honestly believe that ALL “Bibles” are okay; because, after all, it is the message of God we should be interested in rather than the specific words.

I do not have to spend too much time here. It is simple, really. Where in the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation) does God say that He has preserved his message? The word “message” appears in your King James Bible seven times. There are a couple verses that refer to God’s message. Here are a those that this young man might have leaned on – though he quoted me ZERO Bible during this entire conversation.

(Jdg 3:20) And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

(Hag 1:13) Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.

(1Jn 1:5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

(1Jn 3:11) For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

The other three verses refer to messages from man to man. Okay, there are four verses that deal with God’s message to man. When I am out on the streets preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, I declare God’s message unto the people with words like, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Someone can be saved by hearing God’s message. But they cannot hear God's message without hearing His words. How is someone supposed to know whether I speak truth or not? There must be a source – a final authority – from which I draw my conclusions. The Christian authority is the Bible. The young man I spoke with did not argue this. If the words are not as important as the message (as this young man spent much time arguing) then how can I trust the message? If my message differs from the words of the Bible, am I not in error? If my message agrees with the words of the Bible, do I not speak truth?

There can be no accurate message without the preservation of specific words. Therefore, the words must be preserved in order to preserve the message. The message is dependant upon the words – not the other way around.

The above verses make no claim to the authority of the message (and remember that the word “message” only shows up 7 times in your KJB) but the Bible lets us know that God’s words are both preserved and authoritative. Not every “version” of the Bible carries the same message. So how about these verses?

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

(Pro 1:23) Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

(Mat 24:35/Mark 13:31/Luke21:33) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

(Jer 23:29) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

(Psa 19:7-11) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

So here’s my "message" to you all today: There is no message from God without perfectly preserved words.

The message brings salvation…but the words sanctify. So Christian, please start believing that God has preserved His words for you. They can be trusted. They are without error. You do not need to know Greek or Hebrew in order to understand them. Get the words right, and you will get the message right. Get the words wrong – and your message will be wrong.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses: Wrong words…wrong message.
The Catholics: Wrong words…wrong message.
The Mormons: Wrong words…wrong message.
The Baptists: No faith in God’s words. What do you think comes next?

The Grace & Peace of God be with you all.

The King James Bible (Part 3)

Argument #2: Are you telling me that in order to have God’s perfect word, you must know English?

Once again, this is an argument that has not been thought through. Choosing English to perfect (complete) His word, God did not exclude…but included. When you say that God’s word is preserved perfectly in English, the common response is something to the nature of: “What about people living in China? Are you telling me that unless they learn English, they do not have God’s perfect word?” The natural assumption when presented with this idea that God preserved His word in English is that it is too exclusive for God. But you would be looking at it wrong.

First, God is an exclusive God. You cannot argue that. Those who argue this point are ecumenists. There is one God. His name is Jesus Christ. There is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) There is one way to salvation: believing on Jesus Christ. Exclusive? Yes, of course. However, God is not exclusive when choosing English to perfect His word.

Rather, God is doing just the opposite. When you even briefly consider the English language and how it spread throughout the world, if you’re an honest person, you either have to believe it to be an unexplained miracle, or you have to give credit to God. When God chose English, it was because He knew it was going to be the world’s language. Yes, there are people who do not read English. Does this mean that the gospel is cut off from them? No. The gospel is found in God’s message. Sanctification is found in God’s word. Anyone can be saved by hearing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. By faith they receive that which God so freely gives…so they are not refused the gospel.

Most of the world knows English as its primary or secondary language. When they are taught English in Europe and Asia, it is the King’s English – Probably just coincidence. It is not the Text Messaging English we have now in the States. Besides that, much of the English of the King James Bible has roots from other languages, which helps the foreigner pick up on the language that much easier. Even English spelling in other parts of the world lines up with the King’s English rather than modern English. For example, “Music” (modern) is spelled “Musick” in the KJB and is spelled that way everywhere else save America.

So why English? Let me turn that around. Why Hebrew? Why Greek? Can you give an honest answer as to why God chose Koine Greek? It is an insignificant language, no longer in use, of which NO ONE has a complete N.T. manuscript. When you talk about the originals…please understand that they do not exist. So to say that I believe in the Inspiration of the word of God as found in the originals, you are thus saying that you do not believe that God’s inspired word is attainable by any of us. However, if God’s “originals” are inspired…and have been preserved for us today…then you can be sure that you have an INSPIRED King James Bible.

Why did God choose Hebrew? Let’s be honest…it was not the world’s language. If you wanted to become a Jew, you had to enter their country, learn their customs, and learn their language. Was God inclusive or exclusive here? The role of the Jew was to share what he had with the rest of the world. I’m pretty sure that those that argue against the inspiration of the King James Bible would have no problem with the concept that you HAD to learn Hebrew in order to be a practicing Jew. Isn’t that the same thing?

Why did God choose Koine Greek? Let’s be honest again…it is a dead language. However, at the time, it was the world’s language. The gospel was spread to the Greek speaking world of the time through the Greek language.

Why did God choose English? Let’s be honest one more time…IT IS THE WORLD’S LANGUAGE. God saw fit to perfect His word in English so that the entire world might have His perfectly inspired and preserved word today. It is available to you today! Glory to God! Do you believe that Christian? It is not the “best”, it is perfect. To say that God has given us His best, but it is not perfect…well that just doesn’t make sense concerning the character of the Almighty God that I know and serve.

The biggest supporters of the Greek and Hebrew languages seem to be those of a “Reformed” background. Funny thing, really. Aren’t reformers so hung up on the “Sovereignty of God” that they dismiss the free will of man? Well, if their God is so sovereign, how is He not able to preserve His word PERFECTLY for us today?

I do not dismiss the Textus Receptus. It was inspired. Many Greek advocates I know have no problem with that. But, hey…it is not the original! So here’s my take: The OT Masoretic Text was translated from heaven to earth…perfectly inspired and preserved. The NT Koine Greek was translated from heaven to earth…perfectly inspired and preserved. The King James Bible (Old & New Testament completed together) was translated from heaven to earth…perfectly inspired and preserved. God does things in threes and there you have it. I know – I know…this does not sit well with the “Bible Believing” Christians in the mainline Baptist Community. I couldn’t care less. You’ll just have to forgive me for believing God is able to perfect His book in the language of the people just before the return of His Son.

Why English? Why not?

Grace & Peace be unto you all

The King James Bible (Part 2)

Argument #1: The King James translators never admitted to being inspired.

Here’s a simple question: Have you ever been a part of a situation that turned out to be a huge blessing to someone else? When it was all said and done, you consider the situation and think to yourself, “Wow! God was all over that!” But at the time it just seemed like an ordinary average day.

When given the opportunity to preach, I do not claim inspiration of God. But there have been, and Lord willing will continue to be, times in which the hand of God moved across the hearers of a message I delivered. When I look back on the preparation of that message, nothing in particular stands out. I prepared that message like any other, with prayer and meditation on the word and study of the word. Yet God moved.

Now, we’re talking about something very different than the writing of Scriptures in both cases…and I am well aware of that. However, I thought it necessary to give some illustrations as to why the King James translators had no idea that God was guiding their hands. It is also proof positive that the translator’s writings outside of the realms of the Scripture were NOT inspired. These men were not prophets…they were Christians, carrying out the will of God.

You want some Bible? No problem. Search the Scriptures…did Peter ever claim inspiration? Nope. Does that mean first and second Peter is not inspired? Did Luke ever claim inspiration? Nope. Does that mean that the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are not inspired? Chew on this one:

(Dan 4:1-3) Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

I could have continued to quote from Daniel…but I am trying to make a point. Here is a pagan leader of a heathen nation writing a letter. In the end, the very words that he spoke (by the way, likely translated from ancient Babylonian unto Hebrew at the time…something else to ponder) became SCRIPTURE. Did Nebuchadnezzar ever claim inspiration of God? Nope. But sure enough, the words that came out of his mouth and ended up on paper eventually became Scripture.

I’m sorry, but the argument that “the King James translators never claimed inspiration” is a VERY WEAK ONE. There are other human authors involved in the writing of the word of God who never claimed inspiration. Should we assume that they are not therefore? How sad to have to throw out all of the Psalms because each Psalmist never claimed inspiration. I guess we’ll just have to doubt the validity of their writings. I guess we should throw out the creation story along with the book of Genesis…after all, Moses never claimed inspiration when penning that book either.

Okay…enough of the sarcasm, I know it is not becoming. Inspiration is not inspiration when man makes the claim, but rather when GOD MAKES THE CLAIM. When I read my King James Bible, I believe I hold Scripture. Therefore, I deduce that my King James Bible is inspired based on:

(2Ti 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

If I didn’t believe that I was holding Scripture, then I would NOT believe it to be inspired. For instance, I do not believe the NIV to be Scripture. I do not believe the NASB to be Scripture. I do not believe the CEV to be Scripture. Why? Well, because two or more things that are different are not the same. They read very differently from the King James Bible and are therefore not the same thing. Hopefully I’ve been clear enough so that everyone understands what I am getting at here.

One argument down…I suppose more to come. My prayer is that every Christian will stop messing around with Greek and Hebrew when God made His word available to us in English. This blog might not get you there…but hopefully more to come will. Be patient…I will get them up as time permits.

Until next time, may the Grace & Peace of God be with you all!

The King James Bible (Part 1)

Okay, I have had way too many disturbing conversations with other “Christians” now concerning the word of God that I will need to address this within a few postings.

I am a King James Bible Believer. This means that I not only believe in the inspiration of the Masoretic Texts and the Greek Textus Receptus, but I BELIEVE IN THE INSPIRATION OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE! For some reason, this is a great mystery to modern Christians.

Modern Christians cling to the FACT that there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 2:5) But when it comes to the idea of there being only one Bible, they freak right out. If God would provide one exclusive way to heaven, why is it so difficult to believe that God also provided one exclusive Bible?

Listen, Christans: There was one Hebrew Old Testament. There was one Greek New Testament. And there is one English Bible…The Authorized Version, given to us by the Author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. (Heb 12:2)

The Authorized Bible is not the “best” Bible available, it is the “only” Bible available. All others are perversions. That’s right, they are PERVERSIONS of the Truth given by the Perverter of Truth, the Father of Lies: the Devil. (John 8:44)

I will attempt to take some time over the next few blogs to explain away some of the “silly” and “often quoted” arguments against the INSPIRATION of the King James Bible. Listen, I’ve heard them all before. I know where you get those arguments. You get them from evil men, professors in colleges and institutes and Seminaries claiming to know more about God’s word than God Himself. I am not fooled. They are evil men, seducers…waxing worse and worse. (2 Tim 3:13)

Here is what I think of professors:
(Rom 1:22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Do I sound mad? I sure hope so, because I’m smoldering as I type this blog. Is there a Christian out there who still believes God is capable of preserving His word? Is there a Christian out there who still believes God is able?

So go ahead and throw some arguments out there if you’d like. I will answer some that I have already come across and more as they come.

Christians, why think ye in your heart such an unimaginable thing; that God did not leave a perfect Bible for us to read? You know that there is one Lord. You know that there is one faith. You know that there is one baptism. But there are Bibles, many? What?!

Shame on you Institute teacher: For spreading your doctrine of doubt.

Shame on you Bible College teacher: For spreading your doctrine of mistrust.

Shame of you Seminary Professor: For claiming to know more about Greek, Hebrew and English than God Himself.

The Day of Judgment is at hand:
(Amo 8:11) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

This day is that Judgment fulfilled in our eyes…shame on this generation!

Liberalism I Can Get Behind

For those of you who have visited this site, it should not take long to realize that I stand firmly against “Liberal” ideologies. In fact, the last couple of blogs dealt with the issue…and I’m sure, many more will follow. However, I decided to share a “Liberal” subject that I am all for.

As I pondered the way the “Liberal” mindset has affected this nation, I could not help but ponder the “Liberal” nature with which my Lord Jesus Christ bestowed the free gift of salvation to me, and to others. I praise my Lord for being “Liberal” when it comes to the offer of salvation.

No one is any better or any worse than the next. We are all unclean…we have all rebelled against the Lord.

(Ecc 7:20) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Yet Jesus has made salvation available to us all. This is “Liberal”, “Equal” and yet still “Fair” and “Right”.

1. Salvation is “Liberal” in that it is available to all. (1 John 2:2)
2. Salvation is “Equal” in that God is not prejudice to whom He gives it. (Gal 3:28)
3. Salvation is “Fair” in that it requires the same work of us all: the work of FAITH. (1 Thes 1:3)
4. Salvation is “Right” in that it comes from God…the ONLY RIGHTEOUS. (Ps 18:2)

O the love that drew salvation’s plan!
O the grace that bro’t it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.

Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary!

By the way, there is one more “Liberal” thing I am for:

(Mat 10:8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

While I live in the wrong dispensation and therefore cannot heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead or cast out devils; (That is debatable, I know) this much I can and should do:

FREELY GIVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO OTHERS. I can be liberal in my conversations about the Lord. I can be liberal about how many tracts I distribute to others. I can be liberal about my love for the word of God. And for all the negative I have to say about the “Liberal” mindset, I thank my God that He was “Liberal” when it came to the giving of His grace to me…and to all who have called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace be unto you all!

Gender Blender

This is a subject matter that I have neglected to write about because I wanted to see how things would turn out. But I can no longer wait on this. In the previous post I discussed the “Liberal Mindset” and its effects on the populous as a whole. Remember, “Right/Righteousness” to the “Liberal” is equal to “Equality”. They do not care about what is “just” or “fair” but rather wish to make laws/rules based upon what a small minority stirs up. Thus, we have the purpose behind this blog.

There is a law that was passed by the Terminator in California, called SB 777. If you are a parent who sends your children to a public school, you need to understand this law. I live in New York and know all too well that that which is passed in California will shortly be passed in New York. So if you do not live in California, it may just be a matter of time before your State adopts this as well. Actually, I believe Maryland has adopted this as well, but do not quote me on that.

So here’s the law:

1. Public Schools (k-12): No discrimination against those who cannot/do not identify with their gender. In order for you to understand the implications here, keep in mind that it would be considered “wrong” for a teacher to not allow a girl to become Prom King.
2. Public Schools (k-12): Words like “Husband”, “Wife”, “Mother”, “Father” are not to be invoked by teachers so as to not make those who come from same sex unions uncomfortable.
3. Public Schools (k-12): Public facilities offered to all!!! This means that if a child is having a hard time identifying with his/her gender, he/she has the right to use whatever washroom/changing facilities he/she choose to use. That’s right, a 17 year old male could end up in the bathroom with a 13 year old girl and that would be perfectly legitimate.

(Feel free to check this out on your own...just google SB777 and it will pop up)

Folks, this is insanity at the highest level! What red-blooded teenage boy would not jump at the opportunity enter the girls locker room? Don’t think that some would not take advantage of this. So let’s get this thing right, a minority (4% of the populous…and that is a very generous number) fall into the homosexual/confused gender grouping, yet this law is designed for them? Once again you have the deranged “Liberal Mindset” at work here. It is all about “Equality” but it is not about “Fairness”. This goes even beyond that…this is about “Safety”. How comfortable would you feel with your teenage daughter in the bathroom with a boy with the wrong intentions? This could lead to rape cases.

(Isa 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

This country is upside down! People generally have no idea of the difference between “fairness” and “equality”. They have no idea of the difference between “right” and “wrong”. They have no clue as to what is “just” and what is “unjust”.

“Celebrate Diversity” is no longer their cry. It has morphed into “We’re going to make you celebrate diversity or you will go to jail!”

So here’s what I think is going to happen in regards to this law: (By the way, you should know that this law was passed in Oct of 07…interesting how quiet the media has kept this one. You have been distracted by the “Britney Effect”.)

1. I don’t think people will put up with this, even in Liberal California. From what I’ve heard there is a petition drawn up and they are working towards overturning the law.
2. I do, however, think there will be a compromise. I think that when it comes to the bathroom situation, they will make a third gender bathroom. This way there is no danger to those who are against this, but it still teaches the youth of America to accept the “third” gender. You will eventually see three bathrooms. A “male” sign will be on one door, a “female” sign on the other and a sign like I’ve pictured at the top of the page as a third.

A very vocal minority continues to rob America of its moral fiber. What if the Christian stood up? What if the Christian voiced his opinion? I can tell you what happens there: the Christian is made to look like a fool by the news media. We are called religious crackpots. We are called “haters”.

Hey, you can call me whatever you desire…I couldn’t care less. But one thing you cannot call me is a fool. I am not at all lulled to sleep by the “Britney Effect”. I am well aware of what is happening in America and who is behind it all.

(Gen 3:1) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made…

There are only two things staying the hand of God’s judgment upon this nation.
1. Praying Christians (By the way, there are fewer and fewer of these today)
2. Our kindness to Israel (The day that we turn our backs on Israel or help divide up their land will be a very dark day for America)

You may ask, “What can I do?” The same thing you should have been doing your entire Christian life: SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH OTHERS! There is but little time left. Everything else is trite.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.

Workplace Socialism

(Isa 32:8) But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

I have, over the past few years, had the privilege of working a desk job that has afforded me the right to listen to Christian radio. Seeing that I couldn't care less about today's "Christian" music, I listen to preaching. When there is nobody worth listening to on the radio, I throw in an audio cd of some of my favorite preachers. This has been such a great spiritual lift to me over the years, I have grown much in that time and have even learned to be a better worker via these sermons.

Recently, the radio privileges have been revoked. I am literally heart broken over this, as strange as it may sound. When you are able to feed yourself with good, solid, Biblical preaching all day, it makes work that much easier and gives a boost to your spirit life.

So I did my work today, as I would any day...but this time I had nothing to occupy my ear. I'd like to say that I prayed more than normal, but that was not the case for today. No, today I pondered the "Liberal" way of thinking.

Have you ever considered the Liberal way of doing things? The Liberal way is to make everyone as equal as possible. Does that sound good to you? Is equality really what America needs? Some people just work harder than others and therefore should have the right to have more privileges than others. Some people do not care to work at all, yet they receive the same privileges so that they will not feel left out.

When I was in management I can honestly say that I did not treat everyone equally. No, rather I favored some over others. But there was always a reason for this treatment. Those who put in effort and were solid workers received better benefits. Those who were lazy and disrespectful found themselves with the worst schedules and no pay raises. Isn't this fair? Isn't it right to reward those who do good and punish those who do bad? Am I going crazy here, or is Liberal mindset completely opposite of this?

The Liberal wants everyone so equal, that the lazy choose not to work so that they can have everything handed to them...and the good worker thinks, "What's the point? I work more than the next guy but we get equal pay and benefits!"

The truth of the matter is that we're not all equal. We are all gifted in different ways. God has enabled people with different talents so that we might all work together in order to further His Kingdom. (That is the intention, anyhow) But in Liberal America, we're told to celebrate diversity, when all the while they're trying to conform you into a mindless robot. Liberalism isn't liberal at all, it is simply Socialism with a different title.

Back to the workplace and my lost radio. The reason the radio was taken was because someone in the workplace (in a completely different department) abused their privileges. As a matter of fact, it took place on the second shift and I work first shift. The powers that be decided that everyone was to lose their radio privileges. So everyone was punished for the sins of a couple of people. This is fair only in the Liberal mindset. Biblically, no one is to be punished for another person's actions.

(Deu 24:16) The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

What was deemed "fair" was that if one loses the privileges, then all must...even though it was one or two that caused the problem. Somehow "fairness" has morphed into "Equality". In other words, "equally rewarded" and "equally punished" all across the board.

So this is what happens when a man has all day to ponder things. If you knew my job, you'd understand that there are portions of my day that require mindless repetition. So the radios were taken away from all. Uh oh...wait, let me correct myself. The radios were taken away from all but a "select" few with more power than the average worker. So those who made the decision to remove the radios, did not make that a rule for themselves. Ah, true Communism/Socialism at its heart! Only the leaders are not considered equal. They are above equality...or fairness as we have just come to terms with.

So there you have it...the truth behind the "Liberal Mind"...or someone whining about not being able to listen to preaching anymore. You decide.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.