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.
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.
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2 comments:
Great point...there is no message without words. I've been reading Skip Moen's daily devotional for over a year and he goes WAY deep into the original Hebrew and Greek, as well as the author, audience, and context of the time period. It's opened up the Word to me like nothing else in my life. http://www.atgodstable.com if you want to check it out.
Glad you're enjoying the reading...but sorry you have missed the point. Read "The King James Bible (Part 3)" and hopefully you'll see that I do not need Greek or Hebrew. Neither do you. God gave an English Bible...fully inspired in the AV1611. I've taken a Greek course. (two years) It did not help me understand my English Bible. If anything...it confused matters. If you read English, then stick to the English. Thanks for commenting and have a wonderful day.
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