It’s a brand new day and you’re looking for a Bible. After all, the Bible is God’s word and you want to know what it has to say about this life and the next. Online you go and almost immediately you’re overwhelmed. So many colors, so many covers, so many…versions?! Hmmm…Do you go with the “traditional” King James Version (KJV) or the more contemporary “New International Version” (NIV)? How about The Living Bible (TLB)? Do you get “The Message”? What about the “New Century Version” (NCV)? That sounds up to date. Everything seems so promising, so helpful, but all these different versions adorning the shelves makes you wonder, which version of the Bible is God’s word?
Today, there are more than fifty English versions of the Bible for sale. Every year, another new edition of God’s timeless words is published with the hope that it will be the latest and greatest rendition of the Scriptures. That is, until next year. Yes, those looking to find a Bible today are confronted with a challenge and a controversy that, for the most part, goes undetected: Which version of the Bible really is God’s word? After all, things that are different are not the same. And with literally thousands of changes among these many versions, all “Bibles” are NOT created equal.
Many dismiss the Bible-version question as a non-issue, a sideshow, a distraction. But when you consider the serpent’s first words to Eve in the garden, you should see why this is arguably today’s most pressing concern for the body of Christ:
“Yea, hath God said?” (Genesis 3:1)
What was the inciting incident that damned the human race? Well, it wasn’t a red dragon with a pitchfork, that’s for sure. Nor was it an outright affront against the things of God. No, the subtil serpent instead chose to be positive. He began with “Yea.” And then he levied the attack–a question about what God said. In today’s Christian bookstores and, sadly, many pulpits, the same question is being asked of God’s children–What did God really say? Do you like the way it reads in the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)? Or maybe the New King James Version (NKJV) suits your fancy a little more? How about a gender-neutral Today’s New International Version (TNIV) for the more “progressive” thinkers in the room? You see, Satan’s first and fundamental means of attack is to cast the pall of doubt upon God’s words. Once the devil gets the foot of doubt in the door, then the truth is denied and, eventually, distorted. In the end, sinful man is deified as he stares at the shelves of Bibles and sits as judge, deciding which “Bible” really is the word of God.
This booklet aims to give a clear and cogent answer to this most important question. For the skeptic or those unacquainted with the issue, it will serve as a primer, providing an overview of the controversy and, hopefully, inspire further investigation of the topic. To the Bible believer, “KJB” looks to give you a ready answer for those who would wonder why you believe the King James Bible (KJB) is God’s perfect and preserved word. This should not replace a more rigorous exploration of the topic, but rather give you a practical outline to use in a discussion that is easy to recall and share with others. So, the next time you want to explain why the King James Bible is the word of God, just remember K-J-B! Here’s how this book works–each letter of K-J-B corresponds to a key word. Each keyword heads up a topic that is essential to contending for the pure and preserved words of the living God, the King James Bible. So, as you explore this book, remember the letters: they will point you to a topic, and each topic will strengthen your faith in the King James Bible.
K is for “Kept”
Key Verse: Psalms 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.
There would be no discussion or debate about which Bible version is God’s word if God had not promised to preserve his words to begin with. This must be paramount to our preaching and exhortation for “holding fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9). We believe and stand upon the King James Bible for the simple fact that God promised to keep his words. The preservation of the Scriptures does not depend on scholarship or manuscripts but on the integrity of God himself to keep this promise. The Bible is replete with similar claims that God’s words would stand forever:
Psalms 117:2–”For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”
Psalms 33:11–”The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
Isaiah 40:8–”The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Matthew 24:35—”Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Also Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33).
If God said he would keep his words, where are they? There must be a Bible on the earth today that fulfills the promise of preservation, or else God is a liar. Now, we know that “God cannot lie” (Titus 1:2); in fact, it is “impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Many Christians would agree that the scriptures are given by “inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), but what good is inspiration without preservation? If the Lord gave the word (Psalms 68:11), do we still have it with us today? Why would God inspire the Scripture by his Holy Spirit, only to lose the words he has magnified above his own name (Psalms 138:2)? Of course, this makes no sense at all. The contention that all these versions of the Bible are equally true or that his meaning can be found by sifting through different renditions of the Scriptures totally repudiates God’s promise to keep his words. One Bible must be the Bible. One book claiming to be the word of God must be the word of God. Anything else is unscriptural. And illogical. What I mean is, truth is always exclusive. If I ask you the answer to 2+2, you must respond “4” to be correct. All other answers are wrong; only one is right. The same is true of the Bible issue. If God Almighty said that his word would be kept, that his word would be preserved, then there can only be one Bible that answers the preservation question. That Bible, we commend unto you and will contend for in this booklet, is the King James Bible.
J is “Jesus”
Key Verse: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).
If Jesus Christ is to have the preeminence in all things in the church, shouldn’t he be preeminent in the Bible believed by his church? In other words, the book you believe to be God’s word should magnify the Lord Jesus Christ above all others. Why then do we find so many modern versions attacking the great doctrines pertaining to his glorious person and work? God’s book, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, will never fail to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently, if we find a “Bible” that detracts from his deity, his virgin birth, or the saving power of his precious blood, we have found a false version! Even one blemish would suffice to prove this point, but we’ll look at a few. These examples should alarm you and awaken you to the smear campaign being run against our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ by the onslaught of new versions doing this. Take, for instance, the deity of Christ. The King James Bible makes the clearest proclamation that Jesus Christ is, was, and forever will be God Almighty. First Timothy 3:16 states clearly, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh”. Jesus Christ is not a lesser god. Not just a good man. Not only a prophet. No, the King James Bible makes it clear: Jesus Christ is God “manifest in the flesh”. What about the New International Version (NIV)? It says “He appeared in the flesh.” The English Standard Version (ESV)? “He was manifested in the flesh”. How about the New Century Version (NCV)? “He was shown to us in a human body.” In each of these renderings, “God” is no longer manifest in the flesh. Just an unknown “he” that lacks any antecedent, making the one who appears in the flesh as good as you or I. What’s so mysterious about a man manifest in a human body? No, the miracle is made clear in our beloved King James Bible that “God was manifest in the flesh”! Which version makes this most apparent? Which gives Jesus Christ, the God man, the preeminence as God? Not only do new versions attack his deity, they destroy the doctrines of his character. Consider the virgin birth, the truth that leaves our Lord Jesus Christ sinless from the stain of Adam’s fall, the spotless mediator between God and man. In Luke 2:33, the King James Bible reads, “And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.” Notice the peculiar wording, particular to the KJB. Joseph was a good man, but he was not the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God was his Father, Jesus Christ being the virgin-born Son of God (Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; Luke 8:28; John 9:35; Acts 8:34; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20). What do modern versions do with this precious truth? The New American Standard Version (NASV) says “And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were said about him.” The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) says “His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him.” Finally, The Message reads, “Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words”. See what’s happened? Jesus Christ is no longer “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” as the Scriptures proclaim him to be (Hebrews 7:26). By calling Joseph his “father”, Jesus Christ becomes a sinner, born to a human father, born in the image of fallen Adam (Genesis 5:3). Why would you want a Bible that “dips the colors” in such a doctrine and makes the Holy One of God “like unto you”? (John 8:55). Such a change is nothing more than idolatry, and a wicked-yet-subtle perversion of the text. Now you may be wondering, where do these changes come from? How can these things be? To answer that, let’s look at one more difference between the King James Bible (KJB) and other versions. In doing so, we’ll understand who is behind the contamination. In Isaiah 14:12, the KJB identifies the name of our enemy as “Lucifer”. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus Christ calls himself the “morning star.” Remember that distinction because it is about to be blurred by modern versions! In the same verse from Isaiah, the Contemporary English Version (CEV) calls Lucifer, “morning star”. Good News for Modern Man Translation (GNMM): ”morning star”. Today’s New International Version (TNIV) follows suit, once again calling Lucifer “morning star”. Why is this a problem? Well, do you recall who Scripture says is the morning star? The Lord Jesus Christ! Think about it: Do you really want a version that attributes the same title to Lucifer and Jesus Christ? Would you buy a Bible that aligns God with the devil? I hope not. You may be wondering about our previous question: who or what is behind these attacks against our Lord Jesus Christ? Who is the adversary? The devil, of course! That’s what his name means. And in Isaiah 14, Lucifer is named and his motivation is revealed:
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! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Satan wants to be God. Why? Because he wants worship! (Luke 4:7-8). In striving to “be like the most high,” that old serpent has his own ministers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), spreads his own gospel (2 Corinthians 11:5), and builds his own church (Revelation 17:5). If he is willing to pollute and imitate the things of God, is it any wonder that he would mastermind perversions of the Holy Scriptures? As Paul writes, “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Therefore, if the great dragon’s guiding principle is wanting “to be like the most high,” then it should come as no surprise that all the new versions mentioned above call Jesus Christ and the devil the “morning star.” After all, Lucifer wants to be like Jesus Christ! Do you really want a Bible that follows the trail of the serpent?
B is for “beginning”.
Key Verse–Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Author Thomas Carlyle noted, “In every phenomenon the beginning remains always the most notable moment.” You can tell a lot about a person, a movement, even a Bible, by how it starts. Jesus Christ spoke of trees. A good tree will bring forth good fruit, a corrupt tree, corrupt fruit. In essence, the root or beginning of the tree determines its fruit. The Lord Jesus Christ’s analogy holds especially true in the area of Bible versions. There are essentially two trees of origin for the many books vying to be God’s word today. One of these lines is good; the other is corrupt. Of course, the good line, the good beginning, will bear good fruit–a good Bible. Conversely, the corrupt line will spawn its own fruit of corrupt Bibles. How does this specifically apply to the Bible issue? Well, each “Bible” on the market today has a beginning in the form of manuscripts. Manuscripts are handwritten copies of the Scriptures. To date, there are approximately 5300 extant (existing) manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. Such written portions of Scripture are in the form of fragments, uncials (written with capital or block letters), cursives (written with a flowing hand), and lectionaries (studies, sermons, or letters quoting Scripture). Like the two trees referred to in the text above, there are essentially two lines for these manuscripts. There is the Majority or Received Text, otherwise known as the Textus Receptus. Also called the Syrian text, this body of manuscripts agrees with more than 95% of all Greek manuscripts. This also happens to be the Greek text underlying the King James Bible (KJB). Sounds like convincing evidence for the KJB, doesn’t it? Not if you’re a modern version looking for an alibi to replace the KJB. The other “tree” of manuscripts has been called “The Minority Text” as it is supported by a minority of Greek manuscripts (5% or less in the case of the New Testament). This Minority Text is based primarily on two Codices: Vaticanus (also called Codex B) and Sinaiticus (also known as Codex Aleph). The Codex B manuscript was mysteriously discovered in the Vatican library in 1481, thus bearing the name “Vaticanus.” Sinaiticus, on the other hand, was found by a man named Tischendorf in 1844, ironically having been thrown out with the garbage of St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mount Sinai. Not only do these texts represent a minority of readings, but Vaticanus and Sinaiticus disagree with each other over three thousand times in the gospels alone!
Now, here’s where an argument for the King James Bible (KJB) can easily get distracted in a discussion of variant readings, papyrus fragments, and critical editions. While the Bible believer is indebted to the scholarly work of those who uphold our KJB, the Bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). In the final analysis, our love and devotion to the pure and preserved words of God must be of faith, “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). This does NOT suggest that the God who created language and gave man the ability to think asks us to turn off our brains in a blind leap of faith! We should know the issue. We should have an answer for those who ask (1 Peter 3:15). We should study, for “the heart of the righteous studieth to answer” (Proverbs 15:28). But rather than simply investigate books about the KJB, our final authority must be the KJB itself! Only the word of God can produce real faith that pleases the Lord. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). With this in mind, let’s hold these two trees up to the light of the Scriptures. The purpose of this is twofold. First and foremost, we will see the Holy Spirit’s thoughts on the subject, “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Corinthians 2:13). In short, only the words of God can truly persuade the human heart. Secondly, and more practically, you are far less likely to recall the writings of . Dean John William Burgon, Charles Edward Fuller, Dr. Edward F. Hills, Wilbur N. Pickering, or George H. Coy when discussing these matters. Nor are you going to have your library within arm’s reach when the Lord opens a door to stand up for his book. No, all you need is the KJB, “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), to present your listener a clear testimony from God Almighty about which Bible had the bad beginning, which tree has borne corrupt fruit, and which Bible a Christian should be feasting on.
Let’s give you the bad new first. Codices Vaitcanus and Sinaiticus both originate from Alexandria, a city near the northern coast of Egypt; hence, their family of manuscripts is sometimes referred to as “Alexandrian.” What do the Holy Scriptures have to say about Egypt? Well, even a cursory reading of the Bible would tell you that God does not look favorably upon this place for his people. For instance, the first mention of Egypt involves Abram’s descent into the country during a famine. The Bible says, “Abram went down into Egypt” (Gen 12:10). Note the direction: He went down! (You’re always going “down” when you go to Egypt.) Do you know what Abram brought back with him? “Hagar the Egyptian” (Genesis 21:9). Do you know that the fruit of Abram’s physical relations with Hagar gave birth to a people that continue to plague Abraham’s descendants, the Jews, unto this day? Perhaps you are familiar with the account of Moses freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Remember that “the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage” (Exodus 1:13-14). Are you sure you want a Bible whose origins have been a means of persecution, oppression, and slavery for the people of God? After all, the word of God is supposed to be a help, not a hindrance. Why then would you choose a “Bible” that has roots in a place known to subjugate the saints? Maybe that’s why God warns, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help” (Isaiah 31:1). And woe unto them that go down to Egypt for a “bible”!
Now what about Alexandria? Does God have an opinion on this city? Absolutely! And it isn’t pretty. Only mentioned a few times in the word of God, each instance is resoundingly negative and destructive to God’s people. The first involves the stoning of Stephen, God’s chosen preacher. This first mention of the “Alexandrians” reveals the “certain of the synagogue” that “arose…disputing with Stephen” included “Alexandrians” (Acts 6:9). Do you want to trust a book called a Bible that originated from a group God identifies as making the first martyr out of Stephen? I hope not. The next mention involves “a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures” (Acts 18:24). Doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Keep reading. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). Yes, Apollos read the scriptures. He even preached boldly. But his doctrine was wrong. He didn’t have the right message despite his zeal. He wasn’t preaching the gospel of the grace of God: the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:8-9). He wasn’t pointing sinners to the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only hope of their salvation (Colossians 1:14). He wasn’t telling lost souls to put their faith in that finished work so they could be saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ (Acts 15:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26). Apollos was still preaching John the Baptist’s message. Praise God, Aquila and Priscilla “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” and Apollos finally got with the program! (Acts 18:26). But the Holy Spirit is clear in pointing out that Apollos, the man with the imperfect doctrine and misguided message, came from Alexandria. Makes you wonder what they were teaching the people of God down there. Are you sure you want a Bible that came from a place God notes for leading its preachers astray? The last mention of Alexandria pertains to “a ship of Alexandria” bringing the Apostle Paul to Rome (Acts 28:11). Again, Paul was a prisoner at this time and Rome was the destination where this great Christian eventually had his head cut off. No, Alexandria didn’t do it. They just provided the transportation. Do you see what we’re getting at here? God presents Alexandria as a place where people get their heads bashed in for believing the truth, preachers get bad doctrine, and great men of God get brought to their death. And that is the source of the Minority Text, the Alexandrian manuscripts, that supports nearly every modern version on the market. That doesn’t sound like a tree whose fruit you should eat, does it?
The body of manuscripts underlying the King James Bible (KJB) New Testament is called the Textus Receptus. It is also known as the Traditional Text, Majority Text, Byzantine Text, or Syrian Text. How does God feel about this tree of Bible manuscripts? Well, Syria is where Jehovah found Abram, that great father of faith, through whom God promised “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 18:18; Deuteronomy 26:5; Galatians 3:8). If God chose that area as the source for a man to which he would make an everlasting promise, perhaps we can trust it as the wellspring of manuscripts for our own precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Take Antioch of Syria, a center of the early church from where we get these manuscripts. We saw what God thought of Alexandria, Egypt; how about Antioch, Syria? Did you know the first mention of “Antioch” pertains to Nicolas, one of the “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” appointed to take care of the “daily ministration” at Jerusalem (Acts 6:5)? Have you not read that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26)? And where do you think the apostle Paul called his home church? Not Jerusalem. Not Ephesus. And certainly not Alexandria, Egypt. No, the apostle, teacher, and minister to the Gentiles, whose life was to be “a pattern” for believers went to church at Antioch! (Acts 13:1-2,15:35; 1 Timothy 1:16). If our spiritual roots are clearly in Antioch, shouldn’t our Bible come from Antioch as well? Suffice it to say, Antioch of Syria has the smile of God upon it as a place of sound doctrine, missionary activity, and faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit sees fit to produce such fruit from this tree, don’t you think it would be the chosen root of God to give us his word?
As we conclude this section, I pray you see the significance of holding the “trees” of Bible versions to the light of God’s words (Proverbs 6:23; Psalms 119:105, 130). For some, this might have been new ground you could spend a lifetime excavating. For the seasoned student on this topic, the simplicity of this particular presentation should provoke us all to remember “that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). Information is a blessing and a confirmation that we have the right book. But the word of God is our final authority even in the issue of the KJB being the final authority! For the skeptic, say what you will in rebuttal, but may I point you to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). If the Bible you hold has roots in an Alexandrian tree, it can’t help but bring forth corrupt fruit. On the other hand, if God applauds the tree from which your KJB springs forth, rejoice like Hilkiah who said, “I have found the book”! (2 Kings 22:8).
Conclusion:
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing should be more important to you than your Bible. After all, Jesus Christ contended with Satan himself by quoting the Scripture, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). You and I can not thrive as children of God by piecing together God’s message from our favorite flavor of Bible versions. You couldn’t conduct a classroom with fifty versions of a textbook, and you cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ with a dozen “Bibles” in the congregation (2 Peter 3:18). You need the pure and preserved words God promised to keep “for ever” (Psalms 12:7). You need to hear his voice without adulteration. This booklet has endeavored to present the King James Bible as the inspired, inerrant, infallible, and preserved words of the living God. We have given you a simple outline to whet your appetite for further study and to recall when discussing the issue with someone else. In truth, all you need is K-J-B. Remember that God promises to KEEP his words. Where are they? JESUS must be preeminent in the book approved by God. Which best magnifies our great God and Saviour? Finally, the root or BEGINNING of your Bible says a lot about what fruit it produces. What does the Bible say about the BEGINNING of yours?
Make no mistake: we are in a war. A great conflict with the fiercest, most maniacal, twisted, and wicked foe in all time and eternity (See Job 41). This enemy will stop at nothing to defeat his adversaries. When an army wants to conquer and vanquish its opponents, it will target their means of communication first. Destroying their method of communication will confuse them, delay them, disorganize them, and make them easy prey to be picked off one at a time. From the first moments of man’s footsteps on this planet, “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan” has been at work to impede, corrupt, steal, and pollute our only means of communication with our heavenly headquarters (Revelation 12:9): The Holy Bible. From his earliest recorded utterance in the Scriptures, Satan has been leading God’s people to wonder, “Yea, hath God said?” No hotter does that battle rage than in the bookstores and churches of our day where Christians have been literally left in the dark. The people of God have been unwittingly oppressed by bad fruit, never stopping to consider the issue of which Bible version really is the word of God. The fact that you may have never explored this issue before is proof that Satan’s chief work is to make you believe he does not exist.
In Psalms 138:2, David shares God’s heart. He writes, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name”. What is it that God himself has magnified even above his name? His word. Do you have it today? Wouldn’t it be a tragedy to come to the judgment seat of Christ and find that you will not receive the reward you intended because you did not love what God loved? You did not esteem that book as highly as you should have? You just figured, one Bible’s as good as another. What a sad day that will be indeed. Praise the Lord, you have been given the opportunity to change course, to evaluate the book you call a Bible, or to cling more closely to the blessed old book you’ve loved for so long. May you discover the beauty and majesty of the King James Bible as you seek the Lord’s face in the pages of his holy words. And may the Lord Jesus Christ be praised for giving us the unspeakable gift that is the KJB!
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Tim 1:17
Jesus Is Ur Saviour 