Why the King James Bible

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

Introduction

Understanding which Bible to use requires examining God's promise to preserve His words and the historical transmission of scripture. The KJV represents God's preserved words in English.  After this study I recommend watching the preview for the Sword of God.

1. God's Promise of Preservation

A. Scripture Promises

• Word preserved forever: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8 KJV)

• Pure words kept: "The words of the LORD are pure words... thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psalm 12:6-7 KJV)

• Heaven and earth pass: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35 KJV)

• Forever settled: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89 KJV)

• Perfect keeping: "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7 KJV)

B. Historical Preservation

The manuscript evidence shows two distinct lines of transmission:

Traditional Preserved Line:

• Antioch, Syria: >5200 manuscripts

• Original New Testament manuscripts (30-90 A.D.)

• Syrian manuscripts (1st-2nd centuries A.D.)

• Old Latin & Syrian originals (100-200 A.D.)

• Uncial & Cursive manuscripts (150-1500 A.D.)

• Leading to the King James Bible 1611

Alexandrian Line:

• Alexandria, Egypt: 45 manuscripts

• Papyrus manuscripts (150-400 A.D.)

• Clement manuscripts (150-215 A.D.)

• Origen manuscripts (184-254 A.D.)

• Vaticanus & Sinaiticus (331-350 A.D.)

• Latin Vulgate (382 A.D.)

• Alexandrian manuscript (450 A.D.)

• Westcott & Hort Greek NT (1881 A.D.)

• Leading to modern versions (1881-present)

2. Problems with Modern Versions

A. Missing Verses

• Modern versions, including the NIV, remove 16 entire verses from the New Testament:

  • • Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14

    • Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46, 11:26, 15:28

    • Luke 17:36

    • John 5:4

    • Acts 8:37, 15:34, 24:7, 28:29

    • Romans 16:24

    • 1 John 5:7

B. Critical Doctrinal Changes

1. The Deity of Christ

• 1 Timothy 3:16

  • KJV: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh"

  • NIV: "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh"

  • NASB: "By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh"

• Philippians 2:6

  • KJV: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God"

  • NIV: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage"

2. The Blood Atonement

• Colossians 1:14

  • KJV: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins"

  • NIV/ESV: "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins"

• Acts 20:28

  • KJV: "to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood"

  • NRSV: "to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son"

3. Salvation by Faith

• Romans 11:6

  • KJV: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

  • NIV/ESV: "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

4. The Virgin Birth

• Luke 2:33

  • KJV: "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him"

  • NIV: "The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him"

5. Faith in Christ vs. Faithfulness of Christ

• Galatians 2:20

  • KJV: "I live by the faith of the Son of God"

  • NIV: "I live by faith in the Son of God"

6. The Trinity

• 1 John 5:7-8

  • KJV: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

  • NIV/ESV: "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."

7. Hell and Eternal Punishment

• Matthew 18:11

  • KJV: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

  • NIV/ESV: [Entire verse removed]

• Mark 9:44, 46

  • KJV: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

  • NIV/ESV: [Verses removed]

C. Word Removals

• Modern versions remove important biblical terms:

  • hell

  • devils

  • bottomless pit

  • fornication

  • sodomite

  • brimstone

  • whoredom

  • effeminate

  • damnation

3. Translation Principles

A. KJV Excellence

• 47 skilled scholars

• Peak of English language

• Word-for-word translation

• No copyright restrictions

• Consistent word usage

• Built-in dictionary through context

B. Modern Version Problems

• Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought)

• Based on minority manuscripts

• Copyright requirements forcing changes

• Continuous revisions

• Extensive doctrinal weakening through:

  • Removal of key verses

  • Changes to crucial doctrinal passages

  • Weakening of statements about Christ's deity

  • Removal of blood atonement references

  • Alterations to salvation doctrine

  • Undermining of the Trinity

  • Removal of hell and judgment passages

4. Historical Manuscript Lines

A. Received Text (Textus Receptus)

• Majority manuscripts (over 5,000)

• Preserved through faithful transmission

• Used consistently by believers

• Basis for KJV translation

B. Critical Text

• Minority manuscripts (about 45)

• Egyptian origin (Alexandria)

• Recently discovered (1800s)

• Basis for modern versions

• Continuous revisions

Conclusion

The King James Bible represents God's preserved words in English because:

1. Based on the majority manuscript line

2. Faithful word-for-word translation

3. No copyright-required changes

4. Maintains all doctrinal integrity

5. Complete preservation of God's words

6. Historical acceptance by believers

Remember: "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6 KJV)

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