FIBS, FABLES AND FAIRY TALES
TEXT: 2 Tim. 1:1-4
THESIS: To show that the new “versions” of the Bible corrupt and diminish the power and authority of God’s Word.
INTRO.:
A. The Bible has ceased to be the “last word” or final authority for most Christians today. They want to know what another version says. Or, if they do not like what they read, they assume it is a bad translation. They have been taught that “a better translation should be…” So, instead of the Bible correcting us, we correct God’s Word. The Bible has ceased to be a solid substance which we can rely upon and has become an ongoing process that is always becoming but never quite arrives. The NIV translators are at least honest enough to admit, their version will never be completed – it is an ongoing “work in progress!” (They have produced a gender neutral, politically correct version in England which hasn’t yet been accepted in America – it will be!) The real authority becomes the “scholar” who tells us what God really meant to say!
B. Our text tells us that one of the indicators of the last days is a turning away from the truth (God’s Word). According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, a fable is “a feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept.” In other words the Bible predicts that men will prefer FIBS, FABLES AND FAIRY TALES over God’s authoritative Word and words. Let’s examine what God & His true Word has to say…
I. PURITY:
Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. KJB
Ps 12:6-7
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 7 O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. NIV
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. KJB
A. A Doubter’s Diet:
1. Someone is attempting to “turn (our) ears away from the truth, and (turn us) to fables,” fibs and fairy tales.
2. No wonder we have emaciated, malnourished, anemic believers today, they are on a forced diet of non-nourishing food.
ILLUS.: I don’t like warmed over leftovers! I like the real fresh food. I love prime rib, but I don’t want it kept in the refrigerator overnight and served after it has been microwaved with all of the juices gone, and the flavor diminished.
The new “Bibles” are leftovers after the “scholars” have tampered with the words! They have removed thousands of words from the Word; have tampered with precious doctrines or removed them.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. KJB
3. Note that the word “proceedeth” is present tense, not “proceeded” (past tense); revealing that it is alive – it is adding to us, we are not adding to it!
4. If God has preserved His Word and words, where can we find them today?
NOTE: Every new version compares itself to the King James Bible. Why are they all in cahoots against this one Book? Are they convinced that they must try to dethrone the King before they can place their version on the throne?!
5. Someone is tickling ears instead of slashing with a sword! Heb. 4:12
II. PROMISE:
A. Promise Keeper vs. Promise Robbers:
1. The Lord has promised that He will preserve His Word and words to every generation.
2. The version producers are trying to rob His Word and His people from that promise.
ILLUS.: At Tennessee Temple University and the Southwide Baptist Fellowship Meeting Lester Roloff followed Dr. Bob Gray of Florida after he delivered a scathing message on God’s promises to preserve and protect His Word. Roloff got up and quoted 1 Pet. 1:23 which says “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” He said he had been mothered or birthed by this Book (KJB) as he waved it in the air and cried out “and nobody better mess with my mama!” He caused an uproar with the professors at TTU. That once great school is now hosting Southern Baptists, & neo-evangelicals using other versions and hosting “Christian Rock Concerts” and can no longer be categorized as a Fundamental University. This all happened within less than one generation! The ear ticklers are among us!
🚫1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. NIV NASV
There is a huge difference between incorruptible and imperishable! Something can be perishable, and corrupted! Suppose you have some perishable fruit at home. Soon it is also corrupted by fruit flies and worms! I can’t have a Bible that is corruptible or perishable!
III. PRESERVATION:
A. Word Stealers:
Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. KJB
🚫Jer 23:30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. NIV
1. The new versions not only steal words (the NKJV has over 100,000 word omissions, deletions or changes from the KJB), but steal doctrines and even Christ’s Deity!
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. KJB
🚫Matt 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. NIV
NOTE: This verse in the NIV makes Jesus a sinner! It says “anyone who is angry” and Jesus got angry! But He was angry with a cause! In fact in Eph. 4:26 we too are told “Be ye angry, and sin not…”
2. But wait – it gets worse; the NIV makes Satan as the “morning star” – a term reserved for our Savior!
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! KJB
🚫Is. 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! NIV
NOTE: Instead of revealing Satan to be the archenemy of God and man, the finger is pointed in the Savior’s direction as though He is the imposter. Revelation identifies Christ as the Morning Star!!!!
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. KJB
IV. PRONOUNCEMENT:
Revelation 22:18-19 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. KJB
A. God’s Final Words: Don’t Mess With My Book!
1. If the newest version is supposed to be better than the last one; after literally hundreds of translations, paraphrases and perversions you would think they would finally get it right – but stay tuned, there will be another new one next week, month or year!
2. Has God spoken once and for all or not?! How dare we “edit” Him or “correct” Him?
3. The King James Bible translators were godly men who were also linguists and real scholars; they knew what they were doing, were providentially protected and divinely directed and we don’t need to improve on their work!
ILLUS.: Case in point: those pesky little pronouns. God has provided a simple tool for determining the singular or plural nature of a particular pronoun. It the pronoun begins with “t” (thou, thy, thine), it is singular. If it begins with “y” (ye,you), it is plural. “T” is singular. “Y” is plural. When the new versions change the these, thous, yes and yous, they are messing with His book! “The King James Bible makes these distinctions because the N.T. Greek does so, and because that is the only way to translate the Bible correctly!” - Allis Clarity and understanding are sacrificed when these simple changes are made. What about the even more serious changes made when men mess with God’s book?!
CONCL.: Someone has been messing with your Bible! You need to know the reasons why we are KJB only! We are not just rabble rousers. The ones who have changed the God preserved Book are the dividers, rabble rousers, trouble makers, etc. – NOT US! They are the ones who are giving us FIBS, FABLES AND FAIRY TALES! God has wonderfully used and blessed and preserved His Word and words for us in the King James Bible for the last 380+ years and will continue to do so. Don’t abandon His Book!
THESIS: To show that the new “versions” of the Bible corrupt and diminish the power and authority of God’s Word.
INTRO.:
A. The Bible has ceased to be the “last word” or final authority for most Christians today. They want to know what another version says. Or, if they do not like what they read, they assume it is a bad translation. They have been taught that “a better translation should be…” So, instead of the Bible correcting us, we correct God’s Word. The Bible has ceased to be a solid substance which we can rely upon and has become an ongoing process that is always becoming but never quite arrives. The NIV translators are at least honest enough to admit, their version will never be completed – it is an ongoing “work in progress!” (They have produced a gender neutral, politically correct version in England which hasn’t yet been accepted in America – it will be!) The real authority becomes the “scholar” who tells us what God really meant to say!
B. Our text tells us that one of the indicators of the last days is a turning away from the truth (God’s Word). According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, a fable is “a feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept.” In other words the Bible predicts that men will prefer FIBS, FABLES AND FAIRY TALES over God’s authoritative Word and words. Let’s examine what God & His true Word has to say…
I. PURITY:
Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. KJB
Ps 12:6-7
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 7 O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. NIV
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. KJB
A. A Doubter’s Diet:
1. Someone is attempting to “turn (our) ears away from the truth, and (turn us) to fables,” fibs and fairy tales.
2. No wonder we have emaciated, malnourished, anemic believers today, they are on a forced diet of non-nourishing food.
ILLUS.: I don’t like warmed over leftovers! I like the real fresh food. I love prime rib, but I don’t want it kept in the refrigerator overnight and served after it has been microwaved with all of the juices gone, and the flavor diminished.
The new “Bibles” are leftovers after the “scholars” have tampered with the words! They have removed thousands of words from the Word; have tampered with precious doctrines or removed them.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. KJB
3. Note that the word “proceedeth” is present tense, not “proceeded” (past tense); revealing that it is alive – it is adding to us, we are not adding to it!
4. If God has preserved His Word and words, where can we find them today?
NOTE: Every new version compares itself to the King James Bible. Why are they all in cahoots against this one Book? Are they convinced that they must try to dethrone the King before they can place their version on the throne?!
5. Someone is tickling ears instead of slashing with a sword! Heb. 4:12
II. PROMISE:
A. Promise Keeper vs. Promise Robbers:
1. The Lord has promised that He will preserve His Word and words to every generation.
2. The version producers are trying to rob His Word and His people from that promise.
ILLUS.: At Tennessee Temple University and the Southwide Baptist Fellowship Meeting Lester Roloff followed Dr. Bob Gray of Florida after he delivered a scathing message on God’s promises to preserve and protect His Word. Roloff got up and quoted 1 Pet. 1:23 which says “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” He said he had been mothered or birthed by this Book (KJB) as he waved it in the air and cried out “and nobody better mess with my mama!” He caused an uproar with the professors at TTU. That once great school is now hosting Southern Baptists, & neo-evangelicals using other versions and hosting “Christian Rock Concerts” and can no longer be categorized as a Fundamental University. This all happened within less than one generation! The ear ticklers are among us!
🚫1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. NIV NASV
There is a huge difference between incorruptible and imperishable! Something can be perishable, and corrupted! Suppose you have some perishable fruit at home. Soon it is also corrupted by fruit flies and worms! I can’t have a Bible that is corruptible or perishable!
III. PRESERVATION:
A. Word Stealers:
Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. KJB
🚫Jer 23:30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. NIV
1. The new versions not only steal words (the NKJV has over 100,000 word omissions, deletions or changes from the KJB), but steal doctrines and even Christ’s Deity!
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. KJB
🚫Matt 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. NIV
NOTE: This verse in the NIV makes Jesus a sinner! It says “anyone who is angry” and Jesus got angry! But He was angry with a cause! In fact in Eph. 4:26 we too are told “Be ye angry, and sin not…”
2. But wait – it gets worse; the NIV makes Satan as the “morning star” – a term reserved for our Savior!
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! KJB
🚫Is. 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! NIV
NOTE: Instead of revealing Satan to be the archenemy of God and man, the finger is pointed in the Savior’s direction as though He is the imposter. Revelation identifies Christ as the Morning Star!!!!
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. KJB
IV. PRONOUNCEMENT:
Revelation 22:18-19 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. KJB
A. God’s Final Words: Don’t Mess With My Book!
1. If the newest version is supposed to be better than the last one; after literally hundreds of translations, paraphrases and perversions you would think they would finally get it right – but stay tuned, there will be another new one next week, month or year!
2. Has God spoken once and for all or not?! How dare we “edit” Him or “correct” Him?
3. The King James Bible translators were godly men who were also linguists and real scholars; they knew what they were doing, were providentially protected and divinely directed and we don’t need to improve on their work!
ILLUS.: Case in point: those pesky little pronouns. God has provided a simple tool for determining the singular or plural nature of a particular pronoun. It the pronoun begins with “t” (thou, thy, thine), it is singular. If it begins with “y” (ye,you), it is plural. “T” is singular. “Y” is plural. When the new versions change the these, thous, yes and yous, they are messing with His book! “The King James Bible makes these distinctions because the N.T. Greek does so, and because that is the only way to translate the Bible correctly!” - Allis Clarity and understanding are sacrificed when these simple changes are made. What about the even more serious changes made when men mess with God’s book?!
CONCL.: Someone has been messing with your Bible! You need to know the reasons why we are KJB only! We are not just rabble rousers. The ones who have changed the God preserved Book are the dividers, rabble rousers, trouble makers, etc. – NOT US! They are the ones who are giving us FIBS, FABLES AND FAIRY TALES! God has wonderfully used and blessed and preserved His Word and words for us in the King James Bible for the last 380+ years and will continue to do so. Don’t abandon His Book!
IS GOD STILL BREATHING?
TEXT: 2 Tim. 3:16
THESIS: To reveal the fact that God’s Word is still “alive” in spite of the efforts of men to kill it.
INTRO.:
A. In the 1960’s the liberals declared that God had died. On the cover of Time magazine was the bold headlines “God is Dead.” Of course no one in their right mind could or would believe that God could die. But many “believers” or professing Christians believe that God has quit breathing!
B. As most Christians know the concept of inspiration connected with the Bible is that it is “God breathing” on His words to give them life. “Thepneustos” ; “Theos” = God “Pneustos” = breath. (text) (Paul writing words with God’s breath on them is joined by Peter who does the same.)
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. KJB
C. The real issue then becomes: IS GOD STILL BREATHING? Bringing the issue into sharper and simpler focus the question is do we have a “God breathed Bible” available today? Is the concept of inspiration merely a thing of the past when God “breathed” the originals? If so, where does that leave us? Going one step farther we must ask if God promised to preserve His Word and His words do they have God’s breath upon them now, or are we left with a non-inspired version (NIV!) or a lifeless, non-living, non-life producing Bible? What about Heb. 4:12 which says that “the Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword?” Only a living Bible can produce new life or faith – which comes “by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” If you believe only the originals were “inspired” you are saying that the “writings” or the words in the original ink on papyrus alone were alive and that anything – even though an exact copy of those words, did not have God’s breath on them, and thus were dead words. God no longer “breathed” on those words.
D. Now we must determine which of the many “versions” of God’s Word(s) are alive and have God’s breath on it…
I. JEHOVAH’S FALSE WITNESSES:
A. Two MSS: Sinaiticus (Aleph) & Vaticanus (B):
1. These two MSS are Roman Catholic in origin.
a. One was found in a trash-basket in a monastery on Mt. Sinai by a Dr. Tischendorf.
b. One is under lock and key in the Vatican and has never been handled by a true Bible believer.
c. They came from Egypt and ended up in Rome.
d. God’s people shouldn’t be looking to Egypt (the world) for their Bible, nor going to Rome to find God’s Word(s)!
NOTE: Vaticanus and Sinaiticus disagree between each other hundreds of times and disagree with the Traditional Text of the Church literally thousands of times in the Gospels alone! Sinaiticus includes all of the O.T. Apocrypha (including Maccabees, Bel and the Dragon, Tobias, etc., as well as the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas! (Didn’t you get a blessing reading Bel and the Dragon in your devotions?!) Everything from Hebrews 10 through Revelation is missing from these RCC MSS! Adding and subtracting from God’s Word originated with Eve in Eden and has been going on ever since. The devil placed the first question mark in the Bible when he asked “Yea, hath God said…?”
B. Two Deceivers: Brooke Foss Westcott & Fenton John Anthony Hort
1. These two men prompted and pushed the 2 MSS above and bamboozled believers into accepting them as the “oldest and best” MSS.
2. These two men were heretics in the extreme and infidels at best and had a vicious distaste for the beloved King James Bible and did their best to destroy it.
a. Neither believed that one could attain heaven by either works or faith and both believed that heaven only existed in man’s mind!
b. Both believed that it was possible to communicate with the dead and organized “Ghostly Guild.”
c. Westcott accepted and promoted prayers for the dead.
d. Both were admirers of Mary and Hort was a staunch evolutionist.
e. Both men died never knowing the joy and peace of claiming Christ as Savior.
ILLUS.: Tragically every new version bears the influence of these two deceivers and the two MSS which they slavishly follow, rejecting the King James Bible in spite of all evidence against the two men & their two manuscripts. The King James Bible is the ONLY English Bible translated from the Traditional Text and which avoids the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus RCC MSS. It is also the ONLY one without a financial copyright!
II. JESUS’ TRUE WITNESSES:
A. Five Thousand MSS: The Traditional Text
1. While it is true that the King James translators did not have all 5000+ MSS available to them when they were translating, these MSS agree with those they did translate from with a 98% agreement factor.
2. The Traditional Text is that which dates from the early church, and while no one has ever seen the “originals” or “autographs” the priesthood of believers has preserved for us, with the aid of the Author of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Word(s), as He promised.
ILLUS.: As someone has stated: “How odd of God to inspire His Word(s) and then lose it.” The real issue is does God keep His promise of preservation of His Word(s) or not? Jesus was quoting from a copy of the original O.T. or a translation when He said:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The N.T. writers quote from the O.T. again and again but none of them had the “originals.” It should be noted that a laborious process of copying the O.T. was observed by the Masoretes and scribes before beginning to copy the Scriptures. God used this O.T. priesthood to preserve His Word(s). Today He is using the “priesthood of believers” (Bible believers) to do the same to pass on to the next generation a pure Bible.
B. Fifty four Godly Men: The King James Translators
1. Not only were these men true scholars, but they were pious believers in the very words of God and handled them reverently.
ILLUS.: In the dedicatory of the original AV 1611 the translators state their realization of the awesome responsibility which was theirs in handling the very words of the living God. They stood in awe of their task and feared that God would not bless them if they were irreverent or impious. Several prayed four hours each day before picking up the Word.
All of the translators were fluent in biblical languages and several knew many others as well. Lancelot Andrews was fluent in fifteen!
To protect the translation further, they divided up into six companies and each handled a section of the Bible, then passed on their work to the other companies for review and correction. Only after all agreed, did they submit their work to the King and then to the printer. Today’s translators could not even shine the shoes of these learned and spiritual giants.
Permit me one example: Mr. John Bois who became the committee’s final editor. At 5 yrs. old, his father taught him to read Hebrew. By six he could not only write it but did so with excellence. At 15 he was a student at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he was renowned for corresponding with his superiors in Greek. He became so familiar with the Greek N.T. that he could, at any time turn to any word it contained.
2. The uniqueness of the King James Bible is that it is a verbal translation.
a. All the new versions favor the “dynamic equivalency” concept, i.e., giving us what the translators believe God meant, instead of what God actually said!
b. They refer to the Word of God, not the “words” of God or the “message” of God rather than His statements.
NOTE: As great as our God is, He has stated that “(God) hast magnified thy word above all thy Name.” Ps. 138:2. As wonderful as our Savior is, Peter describing the day he “unzipped” His humanity and revealed His Deity on the Mt. of Transfiguration says that even that wonderful revelation and event pales into insignificance to the “more sure word of prophecy” – the Holy Scriptures. Peter knows that many would envy his experience that day, so he says “You have something better than being with me. You have a more sure word that can do for you what that mountain top experience with Christ Himself can do for you. The Word of God is just as alive today as Jesus, the Living Word was that day.
CONCL.: IS GOD STILL BREATHING? You bet He is! His breath is on His Book. When it speaks, He speaks. That’s why it can convict you of sin and change your life. It can save you, comfort you, guide you, help you. It can penetrate your being down into the very “joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of (your) heart.” YES, GOD BREATHES TODAY! And will continue to breathe forever.
THESIS: To reveal the fact that God’s Word is still “alive” in spite of the efforts of men to kill it.
INTRO.:
A. In the 1960’s the liberals declared that God had died. On the cover of Time magazine was the bold headlines “God is Dead.” Of course no one in their right mind could or would believe that God could die. But many “believers” or professing Christians believe that God has quit breathing!
B. As most Christians know the concept of inspiration connected with the Bible is that it is “God breathing” on His words to give them life. “Thepneustos” ; “Theos” = God “Pneustos” = breath. (text) (Paul writing words with God’s breath on them is joined by Peter who does the same.)
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. KJB
C. The real issue then becomes: IS GOD STILL BREATHING? Bringing the issue into sharper and simpler focus the question is do we have a “God breathed Bible” available today? Is the concept of inspiration merely a thing of the past when God “breathed” the originals? If so, where does that leave us? Going one step farther we must ask if God promised to preserve His Word and His words do they have God’s breath upon them now, or are we left with a non-inspired version (NIV!) or a lifeless, non-living, non-life producing Bible? What about Heb. 4:12 which says that “the Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword?” Only a living Bible can produce new life or faith – which comes “by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” If you believe only the originals were “inspired” you are saying that the “writings” or the words in the original ink on papyrus alone were alive and that anything – even though an exact copy of those words, did not have God’s breath on them, and thus were dead words. God no longer “breathed” on those words.
D. Now we must determine which of the many “versions” of God’s Word(s) are alive and have God’s breath on it…
I. JEHOVAH’S FALSE WITNESSES:
A. Two MSS: Sinaiticus (Aleph) & Vaticanus (B):
1. These two MSS are Roman Catholic in origin.
a. One was found in a trash-basket in a monastery on Mt. Sinai by a Dr. Tischendorf.
b. One is under lock and key in the Vatican and has never been handled by a true Bible believer.
c. They came from Egypt and ended up in Rome.
d. God’s people shouldn’t be looking to Egypt (the world) for their Bible, nor going to Rome to find God’s Word(s)!
NOTE: Vaticanus and Sinaiticus disagree between each other hundreds of times and disagree with the Traditional Text of the Church literally thousands of times in the Gospels alone! Sinaiticus includes all of the O.T. Apocrypha (including Maccabees, Bel and the Dragon, Tobias, etc., as well as the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas! (Didn’t you get a blessing reading Bel and the Dragon in your devotions?!) Everything from Hebrews 10 through Revelation is missing from these RCC MSS! Adding and subtracting from God’s Word originated with Eve in Eden and has been going on ever since. The devil placed the first question mark in the Bible when he asked “Yea, hath God said…?”
B. Two Deceivers: Brooke Foss Westcott & Fenton John Anthony Hort
1. These two men prompted and pushed the 2 MSS above and bamboozled believers into accepting them as the “oldest and best” MSS.
2. These two men were heretics in the extreme and infidels at best and had a vicious distaste for the beloved King James Bible and did their best to destroy it.
a. Neither believed that one could attain heaven by either works or faith and both believed that heaven only existed in man’s mind!
b. Both believed that it was possible to communicate with the dead and organized “Ghostly Guild.”
c. Westcott accepted and promoted prayers for the dead.
d. Both were admirers of Mary and Hort was a staunch evolutionist.
e. Both men died never knowing the joy and peace of claiming Christ as Savior.
ILLUS.: Tragically every new version bears the influence of these two deceivers and the two MSS which they slavishly follow, rejecting the King James Bible in spite of all evidence against the two men & their two manuscripts. The King James Bible is the ONLY English Bible translated from the Traditional Text and which avoids the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus RCC MSS. It is also the ONLY one without a financial copyright!
II. JESUS’ TRUE WITNESSES:
A. Five Thousand MSS: The Traditional Text
1. While it is true that the King James translators did not have all 5000+ MSS available to them when they were translating, these MSS agree with those they did translate from with a 98% agreement factor.
2. The Traditional Text is that which dates from the early church, and while no one has ever seen the “originals” or “autographs” the priesthood of believers has preserved for us, with the aid of the Author of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Word(s), as He promised.
ILLUS.: As someone has stated: “How odd of God to inspire His Word(s) and then lose it.” The real issue is does God keep His promise of preservation of His Word(s) or not? Jesus was quoting from a copy of the original O.T. or a translation when He said:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The N.T. writers quote from the O.T. again and again but none of them had the “originals.” It should be noted that a laborious process of copying the O.T. was observed by the Masoretes and scribes before beginning to copy the Scriptures. God used this O.T. priesthood to preserve His Word(s). Today He is using the “priesthood of believers” (Bible believers) to do the same to pass on to the next generation a pure Bible.
B. Fifty four Godly Men: The King James Translators
1. Not only were these men true scholars, but they were pious believers in the very words of God and handled them reverently.
ILLUS.: In the dedicatory of the original AV 1611 the translators state their realization of the awesome responsibility which was theirs in handling the very words of the living God. They stood in awe of their task and feared that God would not bless them if they were irreverent or impious. Several prayed four hours each day before picking up the Word.
All of the translators were fluent in biblical languages and several knew many others as well. Lancelot Andrews was fluent in fifteen!
To protect the translation further, they divided up into six companies and each handled a section of the Bible, then passed on their work to the other companies for review and correction. Only after all agreed, did they submit their work to the King and then to the printer. Today’s translators could not even shine the shoes of these learned and spiritual giants.
Permit me one example: Mr. John Bois who became the committee’s final editor. At 5 yrs. old, his father taught him to read Hebrew. By six he could not only write it but did so with excellence. At 15 he was a student at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he was renowned for corresponding with his superiors in Greek. He became so familiar with the Greek N.T. that he could, at any time turn to any word it contained.
2. The uniqueness of the King James Bible is that it is a verbal translation.
a. All the new versions favor the “dynamic equivalency” concept, i.e., giving us what the translators believe God meant, instead of what God actually said!
b. They refer to the Word of God, not the “words” of God or the “message” of God rather than His statements.
NOTE: As great as our God is, He has stated that “(God) hast magnified thy word above all thy Name.” Ps. 138:2. As wonderful as our Savior is, Peter describing the day he “unzipped” His humanity and revealed His Deity on the Mt. of Transfiguration says that even that wonderful revelation and event pales into insignificance to the “more sure word of prophecy” – the Holy Scriptures. Peter knows that many would envy his experience that day, so he says “You have something better than being with me. You have a more sure word that can do for you what that mountain top experience with Christ Himself can do for you. The Word of God is just as alive today as Jesus, the Living Word was that day.
CONCL.: IS GOD STILL BREATHING? You bet He is! His breath is on His Book. When it speaks, He speaks. That’s why it can convict you of sin and change your life. It can save you, comfort you, guide you, help you. It can penetrate your being down into the very “joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of (your) heart.” YES, GOD BREATHES TODAY! And will continue to breathe forever.
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