THE HOUSE OF GOD ON TRIAL

 

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

– I Peter 4:17

 

By Janet & Jerry Moser

 

 

PREFACE

 

The premise of this report is that God has revealed many things in His Word concerning the Bible version issue:

 

 

I.      THE SECRET

 

Ø      WHAT IS THE PROBLEM CONCERNING THE BIBLE VERSIONS?

 

·        There has always been a conspiracy to corrupt the Word of God.

 

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” – 2 Cor. 2:17  

 

·        There has always been an attempt to cover up the corruption of the Bible.

 

“Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” – Matt. 10:26

 

·        God will reveal what man has covered up.

 

“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” – Matt. 10:27

 

·        Christians are looking to other people for answers on the Bible version issue instead of looking to the Lord and His Word.

 

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” – Jeremiah 33:3  

 

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” – Psalms 32:8  

 

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” – Acts 17:11  

 

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” – Matt. 7:7-8

 

·        Christians have a responsibility to share with others the facts of the Bible version issue.

 

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” – Acts 20:27

 

 

Ø      WHY DO SO MANY IN THE CHURCH REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE THE CORRUPTION OF THE BIBLE?

 

·        The lukewarm condition of the Church.

 

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Rev. 3:15-16

 

“And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.” –  Jeremiah 9:3

 

·        The spiritual blindness of the Church.

 

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” – Rev. 3:17-18

 

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” - Matt. 13:14-15 (see also Is. 6:9-10; Is. 29:10-11)

 

·        Fear of the consequences of speaking to Church leaders about the Bible version issue.

 

“These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.” – John 9:22

 

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” – Prov. 29:25

 

“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” – John 12:43

  

  

 

Ø      WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR COPYING THE SCRIPTURES FOR THE EARLY CHURCH?

 

·        Scribes were the professional transcribers of Scripture.

 

“Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.” – Ezra 7:11

 

·        Faithful men

 

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – 2 Tim 2:2

 

·        Scribes who used faithful Scriptures.

 

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” – 2 Tim. 1:13-14

 

 

IV.      THE SANHEDRIN

 

Ø      WHO WERE THE UNFAITHFUL SCRIBES WHO FIRST MADE CORRUPTED COPIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT?

 

·        The Scribes in the Sanhedrin.

 

“How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” – Matt. 16:11-12

 

“And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.” – Mark 14:53,55

 

Ø      WHAT ISSUE DID THE SCRIBES HAVE WITH THE NEW TESTAMENT AND WHY DID THEY CHANGE IT?

 

·         They did not believe the New Testament was an accurate record.

 

“The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.” – John 8:13   

 

·        They did not want the people to believe on Jesus.

 

“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” – John 11:47  

 

·        They had a vested interest in changing the Scripture — to cover up their responsibility for Jesus’ death.

 

“Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” – Acts 5:28

 

For verses in corrupted mss. in which references to members of the Sanhedrin were omitted, see: Section 12: Sin: Acts

 

Ø      WHAT WAS THE COMPOSITION OF THE SANHEDRIN?

 

“And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.” – Mark 15:1   

 

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council...” – Acts 23:6

  

·         The Sanhedrin

 

“Sanhedrin (…Aram. form of Gk. sunedrion, a ‘council, assembly session’)… In the time of Christ and the apostles the Sanhedrin is frequently mentioned as being the supreme Jewish court of justice (…Mark 14:55…).

Composition. This great council was formed…of high priests (i.e., the acting high priest, those who had been high priests, and members of the privileged families from which the high priest were taken), elders (i.e., tribal and family heads of the people and priesthood), and scribes (i.e., legal assessors), Pharisees and Sadducees alike (cf. Acts 4:1, 5-6; 5:17, 34). According to the Mishna the number of members was seventy, with a president, a vice president, and servants of the court… Josephus and the NT state that the acting high priest, as such, was always head and president. …It was believed that membership was for life and that new members were appointed either by the existing members or by the supreme political authorities… The jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin was restricted in the time of Christ to the eleven districts of Judea proper; hence it had no judicial authority over Jesus, so long as He remained in Galilee, but only when He entered Judea… The Sanhedrin was, above all, the final court of appeal for questions connected with the Mosaic law…” (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, 299:1126-27)

 

·         The Pharisees

 

“Although the Sadducean high priests were at the head of the Sanhedrin, the decisive influence upon public affairs was in the hands of the Pharisees. ‘They had the bulk of the nation as their ally, and women especially were in their hands. They had the greatest influence upon the congregations, so that all acts of public worship, prayers, and sacrifices were preformed according to their injunctions. Their sway over the masses was so absolute that they could obtain a hearing even when they said anything against the king or the high priest, consequently they were the most capable of counteracting the design of the kings. Hence, too, the Sadducees, in their official acts, adhered to the demands of the Pharisees, because otherwise the multitude would not have tolerated them.’ (Schurer, History of the Jewish People in the Time of Christ, div. 2, 2:28).” (Unger, 299:998)

 

“The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees. Their leading ideas and methods found expression in a literature of enormous extent, of which a very great deal is still in existence. The Talmud is the largest and most important single piece of literature…and the study of it is essential for any real understanding of Pharisaism.” (Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, 1948, Vol. 8, pg. 474)

 

·         The Sadducees

 

“Still, each party had its strong characteristic, that of the Pharisees being a rigid realism, while the Sadducees were aristocratic. Josephus repeatedly designates them [Sadducees] as those who gain only the rich and have not the people on their side (Ant. 13.10.6)” (Unger, 299:1109)

 

·         The Scribes

 

“During the Exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the expert in God’s written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Ezra was a scribe in this sense of expert in teaching God’s word (Ezra 7:6). A professional group of such scribes developed by New Testament times, most being Pharisees (Mark 2:16). They interpreted the law, taught it to disciples and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses.” (Holman Bible Dictionary, 784:1237)

 

SCRIPTURE

 

 

GOD

 

 

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

 

 

MAN

 

 

ANGELS

 

 

SIN

 

 

SALVATION

 

 

THE CHURCH

 

 

FUTURE THINGS

 

 

                 V.      THE SCHEME

 

Ø      WHAT WAS THE PLAN OF THE SCRIBES?

 

• To overthrow the counsel of God concerning Jesus.

 

“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” – Acts 5:38-39

 

§         When intimidation didn’t work, the Sanhedrin set up false witnesses in Alexandria—the Alexandrian manuscripts.

“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” – Psalm 2:2-3

• To corrupt Scripture.

 

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” – 2 Cor. 2:17

 

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

 

• To set up three false witnesses, as they also did when forging three Alexandrian manuscripts.

 

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:” – Acts 6:12-13

 

“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” – 2 Cor. 13:1

 

Ø      HOW DID THE SCRIBES GET THEIR HANDS ON THE TRUE SCRIPTURES?

VI.     THE SIGNIFICANCE

 

Ø      WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR CHANGING THE SCRIPTURES?

“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. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” – 1 Tim 3:16-4:1

 

§         “falling away”

 

“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” – 2 Thes. 2:2-3

 

“falling away” – root word is “depart from”

 

Strong’s Concordance #868 – “to remove, to instigate revolted and to draw or fall away from”

 

New Analytical Greek Lexicon – “to put away, to separate, to apostatize, to withdraw from, and to have no intercourse with” (1086)

 

Strong’s Dictionary #646 – “This word is a derivative of #868. It means defection from truth or forsake.”

 

VII.      THE SEAT

 

Ø      WHERE WAS THE CENTER OF CHRISTIANITY WHEN THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS BEING WRITTEN?

 

• Antioch was the center of Christianity.

 

“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” – Acts 11:25-26

 

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” – Acts 13:1-4

 

• Alexandria was not the center of early Christianity.

 

§         Paul never alluded to Alexandria as a good place. Luke wrote that the Alexandrians stoned Stephen.

 

“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,” – Acts 6:9-1

 

“The most influential center relating to the corruption of the Biblical text was the catechetical ‘School’ at Alexandria, Egypt… Alexandria was a city with a large Jewish population. It was also a center of Greek (Platonic) philosophy… The famous Jewish philosopher of Alexandria, Philo, (20 B.C.-42 A.D.), wedded the teachings of Plato (427-347 B.C.) to the Old Testament. Christians [???] applied the methods of Philo the New Testament, giving the heresy of Gnosticism. Alexandria was a center of Gnosticism—Basilides (c.125 A.D.) and Valentinus (120-160 A.D.) were Alexandrian Gnostics.” – Robert Sargent, Landmarks of English Bible Manuscript Evidence (199:122)

 

§         God expressly forbade the Jews to return to Egypt.

 

“When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.” – Deut. 17:14-16  

 

“The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.” – Jeremiah 42:19

 

VIII.      THE SCRIPTURES

 

Ø      ARE THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS STILL IN EXISTENCE?

 

•    No.

                                                              

Ø      HOW MANY GREEK MANUSCRIPT LINES ARE THERE UNDERLYING ALL OF THE THE BIBLE VERSIONS?

§         Antiochian (from Antioch, Syria)

§         Alexandrian (from Alexandria, Egypt)

 

Ø      HOW MANY GREEK MANUSCRIPTS FORMED THE BASIS FOR THESE TWO GREEK LINES?

• Two

§         Antiochian/Byzantine

§         Alexandrian

 

There are over 3,000 Antiochian manuscripts as opposed to only 3 Alexandrian manuscripts.

 

“In the 300 years since the publication of the first printed Greek text (which came to be known as the ‘Textus Receptus’), a large number of New Testament manuscripts have come to light. By 1968 a total of 3,112 manuscripts of the New Testament in Greek were listed by Kurt Aland. The overwhelming number of these manuscripts are in agreement with the Textus Receptus, as are lectionaries, versions and many patristic writings.” – Robert Sargent, Landmarks of English Bible Manuscript Evidence (199:173)

 

Ø      HOW CAN WE TELL THE TRUE MANUSCRIPT LINE FROM THE FALSE LINE?

 

·        True manuscript line

 

§         Many copies extant.

§         Copies agree with each other.

§         There were thousands of Greek mss. which formed the Antioch line.

 

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” – Psalm 68:11

 

·        False manuscript line

 

§         Few manuscripts extant

§         Only three Greek manuscripts formed the Alexandrian line.

§         Alexandrian mss. do not agree with each other . (Mark 14:55-56)

 

“And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” – Mark 14:55-56

 

Ø      WHICH BIBLE VERSIONS DERIVE FROM EACH OF THE TWO MANUSCRIPT LINES?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

IX.      THE SUBJECTS

 

Ø      IF THERE WAS A PLAN TO CORRUPT THE SCRIPTURES, WHAT WERE THE TARGETED DOCTRINES?

 

·        All Bible corruptions are concerned with the doctrine of Christ.

 

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” – 2 John 1:9

 

·        The most serious deception is that none of the changes affect Bible doctrine. The truth is that any word changes in Scripture affect Bible doctrine.

 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: “ – 2 Tim. 3:16 

 

§         Sound doctrine can only be based on sound words.

 

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Tim. 1:13

 

“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.” – Titus 1:9

 

o       “sound”

 

Strong’s Dictionary #5918 – “true”

Greek Lexicon – “pure, uncorrupted”

 

o       “gainsayers”

 

Strong’s Concodance #483 – means “deniers”

 

o       “deny”

 

Strong’s Concordance #720 – “to contradict or disavow”

Lexicon – “disclaim”

Thesaurus – “gainsay”

Dictionary – “to withhold something from, to refuse to recognize of acknowledge”

 

·        God has given the following Scripture verses to help discern true readings from corrupted readings (textual criticism).

• As the Pharisees and Sadducees denied certain points of doctrine pertaining to Jesus Christ, so also do the modern versions. Most Bible corruptions are concerned with diminishing or denying these specific doctrines:

 

DOCTRINE OF CHRIST	SECTION 12
Jesus is Christ (1 John 2:22-23)	3.B
Jesus is God’s Son (1 John 2:22-23)	3.A
Jesus is the Lord God (Jude 4)	2.A, 2.C
Jesus is God the Son Incarnate (1 John 4:3)	2.A
Jesus has all of the divine attributes (Acts 3:14)	3.A
Jesus’ Name (Rev. 3:8)	2.A, 3.B
Jesus’ Word (2 Peter 2:2)	1.A
Jesus’ Substitutionary Atonement (2 Peter 2:1)	3.C, 7.A
Jesus was indwelt by Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31)	2.A, 3.A
Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection (Acts 23:8)	3.D
Jesus’ Angels (Acts 23:8)	5
Jesus’ definition of Sin (1 Tim 6:3)	6
Jesus’ Church (Acts 8:1)	6, 8
Jesus’ Second Coming/Millennial Reign (2 Peter 3:3-4)	9.A, 9.B

 

 

Ø      GIVEN TWO DIFFERENT READINGS OF THE SAME VERSE, WHAT IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT READING?

 

·        All corruptions diminish God’s truth.

 

“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.” – Deut. 4:2

 

§         “diminish”

 

Strong’s Concordance # 1639 - “to take away, keep back, make small, remove, lessen, withhold”

 

Thesaurus – “to reduce, decrease, weaken”

 

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” – Romans 1:18

 

§         “hold”

 

Strongs #2722 – “to hold down, withhold”

 

·        The truth of God’s Word is diminished by:

 

§         Adding words

 

“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:” – Rev. 22:18

 

Example:

 

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – Matt. 24:36

 

Modern versions add “nor the Son” after heaven.

 

§         Omitting words

 

“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.” – Rev. 22:19

 

Example:

 

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” – Luke 4:4

 

Modern versions omit “but by every word of God”

 

§         Changing words

 

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” – Rom. 1:25

 

Example:

 

“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.” – 1 Tim. 3:16

 

Modern versions change “God” to “He who”

 

·        The truth of God’s Word depends on every single word.

 

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” – Luke 4:4

 

“Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” – Acts 5:20

 

XI.       THE SEAL

 

Ø      HOW DO WE KNOW IF A VERSION CONTAINS ALL OF GOD'S WORDS?

 

·        It must have the “seal” of God.

 

“Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” – 2 Tim. 2:18-19

 

·        Paul laid the foundation of the New Covenant books.

 

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor. 3:10-11

 

·        The word “Amen” is the seal of most New Covenant books, and is the final word of the book.

 

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” – Rev. 3:14

 

§         “Amen”

 

Strong’s #281 – “of Hebrew origin [548]. Means ‘firm, trustworthy;’ derivatives are ‘surely, verily’.” 

 

§         “Amanah”

 

Strong’s #548 – “fem. of 543; means “something fit, ie., a covenant”

Strong’s #543 – “Amen: from 539, means ‘sure, faithfulness, truth’”

Strong’s #539 – “to render firm or be faithful, to be true or certain”

 

“This form is…used to describe that upon which all certainty rests; God himself (Deut. 7:9), and his covenant (Psalm 89:28).” (382:152, Vol. I)

 

·        The word “Amen” is a seal at the end of most books of the New Testament in the Antiochian Text. When the “Amen” has been removed, as in most of the books of bibles based on the Alexandrian Text, the book is not considered trustworthy.

 

“Amen. To show oneself firm, dependable, to be durable, last, certain, true…

“To say ‘Amen’ confirms a statement by someone else…since God himself is a witness of such confirmation, he called in Isa. 65:16 ‘the God of the Amen’… Through ‘amen’ that which has been said is affirmed as certain, positive, valid and binding… R. Jose B. Chanina (c. A.D. 270) said ‘Amen contains an oath, the acceptance of words and the confirmation of words.’” (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology - 1087:97-8)

 

“That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.” – Is. 65:16

 

XII.       THE SAMPLES

 

Ø      WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR EXAMPLES OF CORRUPTION IN THE ALEXANDRIAN GREEK TEXT WHICH ARE ALSO FOUND IN MODERN VERSIONS?

 

Important note: The tables in this section compare only the New Testament Greek texts underlying the selected versions:

 

 

In the tables below, the readings in the second column are taken from the King James Version, which is based on the Antioch Greek Text (Textus Receptus). The corruptions shown in the third column are found in the Alexandrian Greek Text and, as such, are picked up by many modern translations. The versions selected for this study are the New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Version (NASV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), New Living Translation (NLT) and The Message. The corruptions selected represent only a small percentage of the total Alexandrian corruptions which have been carried over into modern versions.  Note how the corrupted readings diminish or deny the doctrines of Christian faith.

 

1.      SCRIPTURE

 

1.A.  AUTHORITY (Luke 4:4)

 

 

1.B.  INTERPRETATION (1 Cor. 2:13)

 

 

1.C.  PRESERVATION (Psalm 12:6,7)

 

 

2.      GOD

 

 2.A.  THE TRINITY (John 14:16-17)

 

 

2.B.  ATTRIBUTES

 

 

2.C.  SOVEREIGNTY (Daniel 4:34-35)

 

 

3.      JESUS CHRIST

 

3.A.  ATTRIBUTES (Phil. 2:5-6)

 

 

3.B.  MESSIAH/CHRIST (Luke 1:32-33)

 

 

3.C.  SAVIOR (Luke 2:11)

 

 

3.D.  RESURRECTION/ASCENSION (Eph. 1:20)

 

 

4.      MAN

 

 

5.      ANGELS (Heb. 1:13-14)

 

 

6.      SIN

 

6.A.  CAUSES (James 1:13-15)

 

 

6.B.    ACTS (James 2:10; 4:17)

 

 

6.C.     PUNISHMENT (2 Peter 2:9)

 

 

7.      SALVATION

 

7.A.     MEANS (Rom. 10:9-13)

 

 

7.B.  RECIPIENTS (John 1:12-13)

 

 

8.      THE CHURCH (Eph. 5:23-27)

 

 

9.      FUTURE THINGS

 

9.A.     THE SECOND COMING (Acts 1:11)

 

 

9.B.  THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Matt. 25:31-34)

 

 

9.C.  RESURRECTION OF MAN (John 5:28-29)

 

 

9.D.  FINAL JUDGMENT (Rev. 20:11-13)

 

 

XIII.       THE SENTENCE

 

Ø      WHY HAS GOD ALLOWED THE BIBLE VERSION DECEPTION?

 

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” – 2 Tim. 3:13

 

·        God tests the faithfulness of the believer to the Word of God during the Church Age.

 

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – 1 Peter 1:5-7

 

·        God will also test the faithfulness of believers during the Tribulation Period.

 

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” – Rev. 6:9

 

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Rev. 12:17

 

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” – Rev. 20:4

 

·        God renders a verdict based on the believer’s choice regarding his faithfulness to God’s Word. – 1 Pet 4:17-18

 

§         Reward (a crown)

 

“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” – Rev. 3:8,11

 

§         Judgment (loss of reward)

 

Strong’s Concordance #2917 – “a decision, verdict based on trial”

 

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” – Heb. 2:1-3

 

“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.” – John 12:48  

 

XIV.       THE SOLUTION

 

Ø      WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?

 

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:3

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13  

 

 

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” – Rev. 3:10-11

 

·        I can repent if I am using corrupted versions.

 

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” – Rev. 3:19

 

·        I can use only the version that is based on true Greek manuscripts for my personal Bible study.

 

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Tim 2:15

 

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” – 1 Peter 2:2

 

§         “sincere” means “uncorrupted”

 

Strong’s #97 – “adolos, ad’-ol-os; from…1388; undeceitful, i.e. unadulterated…”

Strong’s #1388 – “dolos dol’-os; from an obsolete primary verb, dello; a trick (bait), i.e. (fig.) wile:—craft, deceit, guile, subtilty”  

Strong’s #1389 – “doloo dol-o’-o from 1388; to ensnare, i.e. (fig.) adulterate:—handle deceitfully”

 

New Analytical Greek Lexicon – “to entrap, beguile; to adulterate, corrupt, falsify. 2 Cor. 4:2” (1086)

 

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Cor. 4:2

 

·        I can separate from those who teach from corrupted bible versions (pastors, teachers, professors)

 

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” – 1 Tim 6:3-5

 

§         “wholesome words”

 

Strong’s #5198 – “uncorrupt”

 

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Cor 6:14-17

 

“How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?” – Jer. 8:8-9

 

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” – Isaiah 8:20  

 

·        I can earnestly contend for the faith, the true Word of God, as the Lord gives me opportunities.

 

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” – Jude 3

 

·        I can hold fast when I am persecuted for my stand on the Bible versions.

 

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” – Rev. 3:11 (Section 13)