The following essay is the reason why I believe that the King James Bible is God’s Holy Word: Preserved by God – Perfect, Holy, Infallible, Inspired and Without Error. I do not hold this belief because some man or men "convinced" me. I hold this conviction because of What God demonstrated to me from “the scripture of truth” in regards to His Attitude towards His words.
The danger in embracing this “belief” or holding this “conviction” based only on the testimony and/or persuasive arguments of men is that – other men may come along who are more articulate, and more persuasive and more convincing than those men that convinced you, and talk you out of your “belief” or “conviction”. (In the last 40 years, I’ve seen it happen – more than once!)
First off let’s “clear the air” of any misconceptions that may arise. From 1958 – 1968 no man in any of the 10-12 churches that I attended (I was searching) ever once told me of the “Bible Issue”. In 1968 I was introduced to the “Issue” by Dr. Peter Ruckman in several of his books.
Upon further investigation Dean John Burgon (along with Miller, Hoskier, and Scrivener, demonstrated to me “Which” Greek text was the text that God had used and blessed throughout history. Edward Hills demonstrated to me How God preserved that text – through His saints (believer priests – not just the “scholars”) in New Testament “type” churches down through the years. J. J. Ray demonstrated to me the value of “comparing” the modern bible versions with the King James Bible and how they differed with the English text in hundreds of places. David Otis Fuller reprinted the works of some men who had defended the King James Bible between Burgon and Hills (demonstrating that some men had “tried” to uphold the words of God from the onslaught of modern “textual critics”.
Brother Peter Ruckman not only introduced me to this issue, he also was the only one of the many men that preceded him to:
#1. Identify and demonstrate the “motives” of the scholars (“scribes”) and textual critics. (Envy & Authority)
#2. Identify the “central issue” of “FINAL AUTHORITY” in a Christian’s or a church’s life. (WHO and WHAT are we to believe and follow?)
Up to this point I still was not convinced that the King James Bible is what I believe it to be today – I knew it was the “best”, but was it: Perfect, Holy, Infallible, Inspired and Without Error? That was still the question that I needed to settle, first in my heart and later in my mind. The following essay is the result of a study that I made in 1971-1972 when I “searched the scriptures” to find out what God had to say on the subject.
One of the first things that becomes apparent in studying what The Bible has to say about Itself is that God has placed WARNINGS in His word about how men are to handle It.
These WARNINGS are found near the:
Front of The Bible:
Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall
not add unto the
word which I command you,
neither shall ye
diminish ought from
it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Middle of The Bible:
Proverbs 30:5 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.
End of The Bible:
Revelation 22:18 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.
There can be no doubt as to the "meaning" of these WARNINGS! ! !
Man is commanded NOT to:
#1 ADD to the WORDS OF GOD!
#2 SUBTRACT from the WORDS OF GOD!
#3 CHANGE the WORDS OF GOD!
I believe that God means what He says: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:
hath he said, and
shall he not do it? or
hath he spoken, and
shall he not make it good?
(Numbers 23:19) We must diligently observe His WARNINGS and faithfully obey His Commands concerning HIS WORDS.
Two very important Biblical Truths that are practically unknown today are that:
#1. God's word is equal to His WORDS. (Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my
words in thy mouth.)
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the
words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 5:47 But if ye believe not his
writings, how shall ye believe my
words?
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's
words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
John 14:23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
#2. Whenever a man, or a family, or a city, or a county, or a country rejects God's WORDS Evil follows. (Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring
evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have
not hearkened unto my
words, nor to my law, but
rejected it.
)
#4 REJECT the WORDS OF GOD = EVIL!
THE WORD IS
SWEET ‑
PSALMS 119:103 How
sweet are
thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
HONEY –
PSALMS 119:103 How sweet are
thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than
honey to my mouth!
BREAD–
DEUTERONOMY 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by
bread only, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
BREAD –
LUKE. 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by
bread alone, but
by every word of God.
WATER–
EPHESIANS 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
MILK –
1 PETER 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere
milk of
the word, that ye may grow thereby:
MEAT - HEBREWS 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of
the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in
the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
GOOD –
JEREMIAH 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform
my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
PURE ‑
PSALMS 12:6 The words of the LORD are
pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
TRIED ‑
PSALMS 18:30As for God, his way is perfect:
the word of the LORD is
tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
RIGHT ‑
PSALMS 33:4 For
the word of the LORD is
right; and all his works are done in truth
POWERFUL –
HEBREWS 4:12For
the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
POWERFUL ‑
PSALMS 33:6 By
the word of the LORD were
the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
TRUTH–
PSALMS 119:43 And take not
the word of
truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
TRUTH –
JOHN 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.
SETTLED FOREVER –
PSALMS119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy
word is
settled in heaven.
LAMP –
PSALMS 119:105 Thy
word is a
lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
LIGHT –
PSALMS 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto my path.
VERY PURE -
PSALMS119:140 Thy word is
very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
TRUE ‑
PS.ALMS 119:160 Thy word is
true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
RIGHTEOUS ‑ PSALMS 119:172 My tongue shall speak of
thy word: for all thy commandments are
righteousness.
FOREVER – ISAIAH 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but
the word of our God shall stand
for ever.
A FIRE ‑
JEREMIAH 23:29Is not
my word like as a
fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
HAMMER ‑
JEREMIAH 23:29 Is not
my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
FAITHFUL ‑
TITUS. 1:9 Holding fast
the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
QUICK ‑
HEBREWS 4:12 For
the word of God is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
A SWORD ‑
HEBREWS 4:12For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
A DISCERNER - HEBREWS 4:12For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
MORE SURE ‑
II PETER 1:19 We have also a
more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
The Bible is also very clear about what the word of God does.
WHAT THE WORD DOES
TRIES – PSALMS 105:19 Until the time that his word came:
the w
ord of the LORD
tried him.
CLEANSES ‑
PSALMS 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to
thy word.
KEEPS FROM SIN ‑
PSALMS 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.
STRENGTHENS–
PSALMS 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness:
strengthen thou me according unto
thy word.
GIVES HOPE ‑
PSALMS 119:49 Remember
the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to
hope.
GIVES COMFORT ‑
PSALMS 119:50 This is my
comfort in my affliction: for
thy word hath quickened me.
QUICKENS ‑
PSALMS 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for
thy word hath
quickened me.
UPHOLDS ‑
PSALMS119:116 Uphold me according unto
thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
GIVES LIGHT –
PSALMS 119:130 The entrance of
thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
GIVES UNDERSTANDING ‑
PSALMS119: 130 The entrance of
thy words giveth light; it
giveth understanding unto the simple.
RUNS VERY SWIFTLY–
PSALMS147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth:
his word runneth very swiftly.
ACCOMPLISHES – ISAIAH 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall
my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but
it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
PROSPERS - ISAIAH 55: 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall
my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and
it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
JUDGES ‑
JOHN 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:
the word that I have spoken,
the same shall
judge him in the last day.
SANCTIFIES ‑
JOHN 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth.
BUILDS UP -
ACTS 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to
the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
WORKS EFFECTUALLY –
1 THESSALONIANS 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received
the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.
SAVES –
JAMES 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to
save your souls.
EPHESIANS 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
the word of truth,
the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
ROMANS 10:17 So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God.
I PETER 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
I do not believe nor do I suggest that the Bible and God are equal, but if a person will compare what the word is and what the word does with the Lord God Almighty Himself, the only possible conclusion that any reasonable person could reach is that GOD and HIS HOLY WORD are INSEPARABLE!
The Bible plainly states what our attitude ought to be towards God's word.
MAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD’S WORD
PRAISE –
PSALMS 56:10 In God will I
praise his word: in the LORD will I
praise his word.
REBEL NOT AGAINST –
PSALMS 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they
rebelled against his word.
TAKE HEED –
PSALMS 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by
taking heed thereto according to
thy word.
HIDE ‑
PSALMS 119:11 Thy word have I
hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
NOT FORGET – PS.ALMS 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will
not forget thy word.
KEEP ‑
PSALMS 119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and
keep thy word.
KEEP ‑
PSALMS 119: 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might
keep thy word.
TRUST–
PSALMS 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I
trust in
thy word.
HOPE –
PSALMS 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have
hoped in
thy word
HOPE –
PSALMS 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I
hope in
thy word.
ESTEEM ‑
PSALMS 119:128 Therefore I
esteem all
thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
ESTEEM –
JOB 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the
words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
WALK IN - PSALMS 119:133 Order
my steps in
thy wo
rd: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
MEDITATE ‑
PSALMS 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might
meditate in
thy word.
IN AWE OF ‑
PSALMS 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth
in awe of thy word.
REJOICE ‑
PSALMS 119:162 I
rejoice at
thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
SPEAK ‑
PSALMS 119:172 My tongue shall
speak of
thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
HOLD FAST ‑
II TIMOTHY 1:13 Hold fast the form of
sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
RIGHTLY DIVIDE ‑
II TIMOTHY 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
PREACH ‑
II TIMOTHY 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
DESIRE ‑
I PETER 2:2 As newborn babes,
desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
JOY – JEREMIAH 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and
thy word was unto me the
joy and
rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
TREMBLE ‑
ISAIAH 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at
my word.
3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
5 Hear
the word of the LORD, ye that
tremble at
his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
In order for us to determine what God's Attitude towards His word is we'll have to first look at the importance of His Name.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS NAME:
‑
REVELATION 19:12&13
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man
knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his
name is called
The Word of God.
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS –
REVELATION 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a
name written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
MORE EXCELLENT THAN THE ANGELS ‑ HEBREWS 1:4
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a
more excellent name than they.
JESUS' NAME IS ABOVE EVERY NAME ‑
PHILIPPIANS 2:9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is
above every name:
AT JESUS' NAME EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW ‑
PHILIPPIANS 2:10
That at the
name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
AT JESUS' NAME EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS ‑
PHILIPPIANS 2:11
And that
every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
HE IS FAR ABOVE EVERY NAME ‑
EPHESIANS 1:21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
HIS NAME DECLARED THROUGHOUT THE EARTH ‑
ROMANS 9:17
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my
name might be
declared throughout all the earth.
NONE OTHER NAME WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED ‑
ACTS 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
HIS NAME ALONE IS EXCELLENT ‑
PSALMS 148:13
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for
his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
After reading the above verses as to how highly God regards His Name, what do you think God’s attitude is towards His written word?
GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS HIS WORD
GOD HAS MAGNIFIED HIS WORD ABOVE HIS NAME ‑ PSALMS 138:2
Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for
thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Finally, let us examine God's Promises concerning His word.
GOD'S PROMISES CONCERNING HIS WORD
PURIFY – PSALMS 12: 6
Psalms 12:6 The
words of the LORD are
pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times.
KEEP - PSALMS 12: 6 & 7
Psalms 12:6 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.
PRESERVE FOREVER ‑ PSALMS 12: 6 & 7
Psalms 12:6 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.
HIS TRUTH TO ENDURE TO ALL GENERATIONS ‑ PSALMS 100:5 Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and
his truth endureth to all generations.
ABLE TO BUILD US UP ‑ ACTS 20:32
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to
the word of his grace,
which is
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
ABLE TO GIVE US AN INHERITANCE ‑ ACTS 20:32
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to
the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up, and to
give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY
BUT HIS WORDS SHALL NOT PASS AWAY ‑ LUKE 21:33
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
CONCERNING PROMISES - GOD IS NOT A MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE.
Psalms 119:160 Thy
word is
true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments
endureth for ever.
Psalms 33:4 For the
word of the LORD is
right; and all his works are done in truth.
Psalms 145:17 The LORD is
righteous in all his ways, and
holy in all his works.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should
lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
Did you know that the New Birth is dependent on the word of God being incorruptible? (1 Peter 1:22-25, James 1:18). If we aren’t sure of what the word is, or where it is – Then what assurance do we have of our salvation?
God’s word isn’t dead; or stale; or old fashioned; archaic; or out of date - So let’s revise it; or change it; or bring it up to date (ala - Madison Avenue). GOD’S WORD IS ALIVE! God inspired it. God caused it to be written. God preserved it. God has guided men down through the ages to preach and teach it. God is using it today, just as He did nearly 2,000 years ago. There is nothing in the world to compare with it!
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE WORD OF GOD!
As for God, his way is perfect: the
word of the LORD is
tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
(Psalms 18:30)
“For the
word of the LORD is
right; and
all his works are done in truth.”(
Psalms 33:4)
Therefore I esteem
all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
(Psalms 119:128)
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
Is it any wonder, that after I completed this study of what God had to say about His Holy word (words) that I embraced the belief and conviction that I now hold? {If anyone were to embark on this same study in the modern versions he couldn’t possibly end up with the same belief or conviction that I hold because of - either the removal (SUBTRACTION) of “key" words: in some of the verses presented or the outright CHANGES to some of the “key” verses (FOUND ONLY IN THE KJB) in support of my belief.
The question for the modern day Christian is - are we going to trust the scholars and scribes? Or are we going to trust God? It’s your choice. After all is said and done, that’s what life is all about – choices. For the lost it’s – will you believe on and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour or will you reject Him? For the Christian it’s - Do we believe what God has said about His word or do we reject His words and ignore them? That’s what the Christian life is all about – Believing God and obeying Him and serving Him according to His word. It’s your choice!
Last eve I paused besides a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring, the vesper chime.
And looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had?” said I,
“To wear and batter out those hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so I thought, the Anvil of God’s Word,
For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon.
But tho the sound of falling blows is heard,
The Anvil still remains – the hammer’s gone!
HAMMER AWAY, YE REBEL BANDS!
YOUR HAMMERS BREAK –
GOD’S ANVIL STANDS!