Ah yes! Our beloved wonderful Bible:
Many Christians think it really doesn't matter which Bible version you use. They have been told that the thousands of differences between Bible versions are not significant, and do not affect important doctrines.
The following list is provided to show a some of the many differences in the modern versions which affect important doctrines of the Christian Faith. We are using the NIV for this comparison because it has become very popular among Evangelicals. Most of the same differences can be found in the NASB and others. You decide if these differences are significant enough to warrant concern:
1. In the KJV Jesus is Eternal.
Micah 5:2 [KJV] "...whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting."
In the NIV Jesus had a beginning.
Micah 5:2 [NIV] "...whose origins are from old, from ancient times."
2. In the KJV Jesus was Mary's firstborn Son.
Matt. 1:25 [KJV] "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:"
In the NIV Jesus was "a son."
Matt. 1:25 [NIV] "But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son."
3. In the KJV Jesus tells us HOW to cast out demons.
Matt. 17:21 [KJV] "Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
In the NIV he does not. The entire verse was omitted. Who do you suppose benifits from this omission? [Fasting is also removed in Mark 9:29 & Acts 10:30.]
4. In the KJV Joseph was not Jesus' father.
Luke 2:33 [KJV] "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him."
In the NIV Joseph was Jesus' father.
Luke 2:33 [NIV] "The child's father and mother marvelled at what was said about him." [
It is sometimes argued that the KJV also calls Joseph Jesus' father in Luke 2:48. It is true that Mary referred to Joseph as Jesus' father. However, if you read the next verse you will see that Jesus corrected His mother, claiming that God was His Father. In the case of Luke 2:33, it is Luke, narrating the story, who calls Joseph Jesus' father in the modern versions.]
5. In the KJV Jesus is God's Son. In the NIV Jesus is God's servant.
Acts 3:13 [KJV] "...the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus;..."
Acts 3:13 [NIV] "...the God of our fathers has glorified his servant Jesus:..."
Acts 3:26 [KJV] "...God, having raised up his Son Jesus,..."
Acts 3:26 [NIV] "...God raised up his servant,..."
Acts 4:27 [KJV] "...thy holy child Jesus..."
Acts 4:27 [NIV] "...your holy servant Jesus..."
6. In the KJV the Ethiopian Eunuch made a profession of faith prior to baptism.
Acts 8:37 [KJV] "And Philip said, If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
In the NIV he did not. The entire verse was omitted.
[This verse is extremely important in demonstrating that a person must believe the gospel before he can be baptized].
7. In the KJV believers are indwelled by the Spirit.
Eph. 5:9 [KJV] "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness...."
In the NIV they are indwelled by the "light."
Eph. 5:9 [NIV] "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness.."
8. In the KJV we are saved through Christ's blood alone.
Col. 1:14 [KJV] "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
In the NIV, ???
Col. 1:14 [NIV] "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
9. In the KJV Jesus is God in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16 [KJV] "...God was manifest in the flesh,..."
In the NIV He is not.
1 Timothy 3:16 [NIV] "...He appeared in a body,..."[Who is "he?"]
10. The Trinity is clearly taught in the KJV.
1 John 5:7 [KJV] "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one."
This verse is completely omitted from the NIV.
The King James Version has endured for almost 400 years, and is still going strong, even though it is attacked relentlessly by modern scholars.
Have you noticed that each modern version has a life span of 20 to 50 years before it goes out of print, and is replaced with a new and improved version? Sure, there is justification for making a revision of the KJV, since the English language has changed considerably over the past 400 years. The NKJV has filled this need. But, why do we need the New Revised Standard Version? Was the Revised Standard Version defective? The English language has not changed much since the 50s. Why do we need the New American Standard Version? Was something wrong with the American Standard Version? The English language hasn't changed that much since 1901. Why has the NASB been updated for 1997? The English language hasn't changed since the 60's. Why do we need the New Jerusalem Bible. What was wrong with the Jerusalem Bible? Why is the NIV being continuously updated with each new printing? Since all modern versions are replaced, and go out of print in a few short years, what makes you think the one you're reading is reliable? Don't get too used to it, don't memorize too much of it, it won't survive as long as you do.
Prov 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(KJV)
Rev 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
(KJV)
PS: This list i just a tiny example. This list is incomplete.
Well one must admitt that The Holy Bible can be anything you may imagine except a book divinley inspired.
Alexei