Bible Version Comparisons

Tables of Comparison of Selected Scripture

AFFECTING FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES
OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

KING JAMES VERSION

ENGLISH REVISED VERSION

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

NEW KING JAMES VERSION

1. THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7)

Modifications to key verses such as this one and others containing titles of the Lord Jesus Christ denigrate the doctrine of His deity.
 

2. THE INCARNATION

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16)

New versions change “God” to “He” in this verse and omit other references to Jesus Christ coming in the flesh.

3. THE VIRGIN BIRTH

“BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:23-25)

In the prophecy as it was originally given in Isaiah 7:14, the Revised Standard Version changes “virgin” to “young woman” and the NASB has “maiden” in a footnote. In Matthew 1:25, new versions change “her firstborn son” to “birth to a son”, casting doubt upon the virginity of Mary at Jesus’ birth.

Other verses are changed to indicate that Jesus was born of an earthly father. These alterations deny the role of the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus Christ and, therefore, His divine nature.

4. THE SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13,14)

New versions remove reference to the blood atonement in this and other verses. Words are also omitted or changed which show that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ is the full atonement for our sins.

5. THE RESURRECTION

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene…After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country . . .Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” (Mark 16:9,12,14)

New versions isolate Mark 16:9-20 with the misleading disclaimer that it is not contained in the earliest manuscripts. They also question almost every appearance of Jesus after his resurrection, causing doubts concerning His bodily resurrection and deity.

6. THE ASCENSION

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:11)

The ascension proves that Jesus Christ is now in heaven. Almost every mention of the ascension is omitted in some new versions.

7. THE TRINITY

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (I John 5:7)

This is the famous Trinitarian proof text which F.J.A. Hort hoped to remove from the New Greek Text (seeLife and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort).

It is missing from the New Greek New Testament Text, the English Revised Version and most modern translations.

8. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE

“And Philip said, ‘If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37)

New versions omit this verse and alter others to change justification by faith to salvation through works. Many versions delete “by himself” in Hebrews 1:3 to permit faith in another mediator, such as Mary. The omission of “on me” in John 6:47 allows any belief.

9. INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE

“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.” (Psalm 12:6,7)

In this important verse, new versions change “them” referring to the Scriptures to “us” referring to people. Other alterations and omissions diminish the authority of Scripture and discourage confidence in its divine inspiration and preservation.

10. MASCULINE DEITY

“He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but onhim that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth himthat sent me. (John 12:44,45)

New versions frequently change masculine words referring to God to the neuter “One”. False religions of this world often identify their god as “the One”. The new “Politically Correct” bible calls God, “Father-Mother”, and Christ, “the human one.” (41)

11. SATAN

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning, how thou art cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.” (Isaiah 14:12)

“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.” (Revelation 22:16)

In the only passage of Scripture which describes Lucifer’s iniquity and fall into hell, most new versions omit the name Lucifer and confuse his identity with Jesus Christ.

12. MAN

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:4,5)

New versions exalt man to being “a little lower than God” and omit many references to his fallen spiritual condition. Cults, the New Age and false religions also raise mankind to the level of being divine or in the process of evolving into gods. (42)

13. SANCTIFICATION

“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:17)

New versions frequently delete words such as “righteousness”, “holy”, “perfect” and other requirements of the sanctified life. As a result, the gospel is brought into reproach by worldliness and corruption in the church.

14. PRAYER

“After this manner therefore pray ye…” (Matthew 6:9)

New versions remove 21 words from The Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11 and words of instruction on prayer in other passages.

15. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

“This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Important references to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish His reign upon earth are often omitted in the new versions. The New Age Movement, cults and apostate religions believe that “the Christ” is already on the earth and will soon be revealed. (43)

16. SIN

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

New versions change “sin” to “guilt” in this important verse, thus relieving man of his accountability and placing the blame on God.

Rewording of I John 5:19 blames the devil for sin, as did Eve. Modern psychology in the church reflects this propensity to transfer responsibility for sin rather than to repent. New versions alter many verses pertaining to sin in order to present it in less relevant, personal and severe terms.

17. THE JUDGMENT

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust from under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11)

References to a final Day of Judgment are often missing in new versions. New Age prophets teach that, since God is love, He does not judge anyone. Belief in a literal hell and fear of God’s judgment are both foolishness and an offense to modern man.

18. HELL

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

New versions change “shall be turned into hell” to “return to the grave” or “Sheol”. In similar verses, “the depths” or “the realm of death” is substituted. Descriptions of the everlasting torment of souls in hell are eliminated or softened.

19. THE GOSPEL

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; But there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-8)

SCRIPTURE CHANGES IN MODERN VERSIONS

WHICH AFFECT THE INTERPRETATION OF

BIBLE PROPHECY

Who will soon come to establish His Millennial Kingdom?

The NASB and NIV remove references to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:24 says:”There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”Many shall come in Jesus’ name, claiming that they will establish the kingdom of God preceding or in the place of Jesus Christ.

What will happen just prior to Jesus Christ’s return?

II Thessalonians 2:3-12 foretells that many will fall away from or deny the true faith, “the truth” (v. 10) that God became man in Jesus Christ. They will worship a counterfeit Christ who is Satan incarnate, while under a strong delusion that mankind is being transformed into gods. New version terms “rebellion,” “lawlessness” and “destruction” may be applied to those who oppose this antichrist system.

How are we to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

Jesus gives his disciples instructions to “watch and pray,” as He did Peter, “that ye enter not into temptation.” Those who do not heed this warning will fall away and will be not counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon all those who dwell on the earth.

How will the Antichrist be recognized?

The spirit of antichrist does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, but believes that Christ comes as the “universal consciousness” of the divine spirit within each person. The Antichrist exalts himself above God and will exterminate many through an artifice of “peacemaking,” be a practitioner of witchcraft or “the Craft” (Freemasonry) and will worship “the force” of pagan religions.

What is the mark, the name and the number of the Beast?

The NASB and NIV do not clearly differentiate between the mark, the name and the number of the Beast. Please refer to the Watch Unto Prayer report on The Mark of the Beast, which provides convincing evidence that the Beast is the Assyrian-Babylonian god, Saturn, whom the apostate Israelites worshipped as Remphan (Acts 7:37-43). The name of blasphemy is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH, aka Yeshua) and the mark is the Six-Pointed Star or the Star of David.

Should people receive the name of the Beast?

God will seal His servants’ foreheads during the Tribulation. New versions add “his name and” to this prophecy, leading the unwary to take the name of the beast or antichrist before receiving the Lamb’s Father’s name. All who take “his name” are condemned. (14:9,10)

What is MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT?

Mystery Babylon is both a city and a religious system. New versions change the punctuation of Revelation 17:9,10 to confuse the identity of the “city of seven hills,” which is Rome. Revelation 14:8 and 17:18 are references to “that” great city mentioned in 17:9. In 17:5, the NASB transfers the key word “Mystery” from the literal name on her forehead to a descriptive phrase declaring the name “a mystery,” or knowledge not revealed to man. This changes the interpretation by removing its association with the mystery religion of ancient Babylon from which Freemasonry, which is based on The Kabbalah, ultimately derives. It is well-documented that Freemasonry has infiltrated and now controls the Vatican.

*A more thorough analysis of Scripture changes in modern versions which affect the interpretation of Bible prophecy is presented in New Age Bible Versions by Gail Riplinger. (AV Publications, Box 280, Ararat, VA, 1993, 1-800-435-4535)

**ENDNOTES: See Another Bible ~ Another Gospel

© Copyright 1997 by Robert Baker

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