Why I Use the King James Bible

Part 2 

In my previous post, I shared some background as to how I became interested in the "which Bible?" debate, and the conclusion I ultimately reached. Namely, that the King James Bible is the pure, perfect, and preserved Word of God. In this post, I will examine one of the biggest questions I had when studying the issue, and the reasoning which led to my conclusion.

Does there really need to be only one true Bible? 

To answer this question, it is necessary to first consider the purpose of the Bible. As our Creator, God needed a way to communicate with man, and throughout the ages He has mainly done so through the written Word. In the Bible, God reveals to us who He is, what He loves and hates, what He is like. It reveals the history of mankind, what God has already done, and what He will do in the future. Furthermore, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 shows, the Bible is essential for salvation, sound doctrine, and instruction on how we are to live and believe as Christians.

The problem with having multiple Bible versions is that they can’t all say the same thing. They will inevitably contradict each other, as shown in my previous post. What do you do when this happens? If one version says God was the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and another implies that Joseph was his father, how can you know for sure? What do you do if one version teaches the Trinity of the Godhead, and another one doesn’t? Or if one version teaches that salvation is a process, and another says it is complete with belief in the Lord Jesus?

Why I Use the King James Bible

Part 1

As a child, I always preferred the King James Version, but was ignorant of the significance of it compared with other versions. My family mostly used the KJV, but we also had some NKJV’s, and Dad would occasionally pull out a different one such as the Amplified Version to use when preaching. Like many pastors, he also really liked his “Greek”, and would sometimes use it to correct the Bible.

During one period, I read through the entire New King James Version (NKJV). I learned some things from it, but it felt different- like something was missing. I wasn’t sure what it was, and attributed it more to the language difference. Because, for me, contrary to contemporary complaints of the KJV, it was actually the so-called “archaic language” that I loved about it. In my eyes, it gave the KJV an old-fashioned beauty, majesty, and superior feel to other versions.

A bit later on, shortly after leaving home, some friends introduced me to the idea that the KJV was God’s true Word, and that all other “new” versions were flawed. I was a little skeptical, but it sparked my curiosity on the matter, and I began to dig in to learn more. The first two books I read on the issue were “The Language of the King James Bible”, and “In Awe of Thy Word”, by Gail Riplinger.

The Friendship of Christ

The other day I was listening to a sermon on some of the attributes of God, specifically along the lines of the Lord being "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). It got me to
thinking again on just how real the friendship of Christ is, or can be. How intimately He understands us. It's hard for me to remember sometimes, because when you're lonely, one of the things you crave most is the physical affection, and physical closeness, and sometimes that can cause discouragement at the "lack" of such in the spiritual walk. However, if you consider all of the other elements of a genuine friendship, the qualities that make for a strong and enduring friendship, the verse "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" becomes quite real.

Faithfulness and loyalty…so long as we are born again, no matter what we do, He abides by His promises to us.

Strength and confidence…in the Word, like a friend reminding us of the truth, strengthening and encouraging us when we're weak, afraid, or uncertain.

Advice in the Word…like when we seek answers from a friend for understanding or guidance.

Comfort and gentleness…all in the Word, the solid foundation which the Scriptures offer, the peace and assurance it gives, the reason to look for the future, that "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven." Friends might not be able to prevent sorrow or calamity, but they can offer that comfort.

Nothing But the Blood

A Testimony

Growing up, I was the oldest child in a large family. We were raised in a conservative, but isolated Christian home. My father was a retired Southern Baptist pastor, with a strong tendency towards Calvinism and a works-based faith. As a young child, I was aware of the fact that I was not good enough to make it to Heaven on my own, but did not know how to be saved. At times I would be really worried what might happen to me if I died without being saved.

During one of these periods, when I was 7 or 8 years old, I was especially worried, and determined in my heart to be saved. I can't remember exactly what I said, or even if I got on my knees. My prayer was child-like, but sincere. Something to the effect of "God, please save me, I know I'm not good enough, but I want to go to Heaven when I die."

But...nothing happened. Or so it seemed. In my mind, the way I pictured salvation was some ethereal, life-changing, and joyous experience. Accompanied with this overwhelming conviction of sin, resulting faith in God, and a dramatic, obvious change in the new Christian's life. But none of this happened to me. I felt gutted. Disappointed. And with no more assurance that I was saved than before my prayer.

Paternal Authority

This subject has been one of particular importance to me over the years, as I was raised in an intensely patriarchal system, with my father believing himself to be the supreme authority over both his children and wife.

With this authority, my father would be quick to say that the ultimate authority is God. This sounds well except what he really taught is that anytime a child goes against the father, whether in deed, word, or faith, such "rebellion" is equally against God, as God placed him in charge. That, whatever age, outside of marriage (where authority is transferred to the husband), the "child" should be answerable to the father.

But to what extent is such authority Biblical? Is the child, once grown, still required to remain under this authority? As a Christian, am I answerable to both God and my father, or God alone? Is a woman "more" required than a man to remain under a father's authority? Does "disobedience" include "disagreement"? Should obedience include the stifling of one's individual beliefs and thoughts? Is disobedience to an earthly father equal to that of the heavenly Father?

These are some of the questions I found myself facing several years ago. Not trusting myself or my father, I desperately sought answers from the Bible, pleading with God that the Holy Spirit might show me what the Scriptures actually say, beyond all my preconceived notions. I felt I had to be absolutely sure, because on it hung the answer to life changing decisions I had to make- namely, regarding leaving the home of my family, and thereby the authority of my father.

The Passover

The other day while reading Luke, about the death of Christ, I realized how the "passover" fits in. That on the first day of the passover, Jesus gave Himself to be the final lamb, to be sacrificed for our salvation.

Part of that is obvious. The other part, to me, had remained hidden. I suspect I have the pagan holiday, Easter, to thank for that. While knowing it to be pagan, it was nevertheless a distraction from the real issue.

The first passover was when God redeemed the Israelites, His chosen people, out of the power and land of Pharaoh. God sent ultimate destruction on every aspect of the Egyptians lives, but it was not until blood was shed that Pharaoh lost. (Exodus 12)

God was going to kill the firstborn of every man and beast in Egypt, except those who believed His Word, and killed a lamb, smearing it's blood on the door. The Israelites were saved by the sacrifice - not only their firstborn, but the entire people.

But what is the significance of the firstborn?

The Light

Finding Jesus to be the Word Himself, so many Scriptures suddenly take on a new light.

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother" becomes tangible- the Words of the Bible, in my head and heart, there to guide, comfort, teach, and keep me. The more I listen to Him by reading His Words, the closer that friendship becomes.

Take this verse, for example- "If ye abide in me, [Bible] and my words abide in you..." By recognizing Him as His Words, the Bible, the key to faith is found.

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

It also goes to show that the Bible is not merely to be read as a book of rules to follow.

As a child, I respected and trusted the Bible as the Truth, but failed to comprehend how vital it was. My mind was clouded with mystical, emotionally-based doctrines which painted God out as a tyrant, exacting a perfection of me that was impossible. Eventually, His words seemed cold, empty, and lifeless. Reading them became a "duty" to perform, necessary if I wanted to "be a good Christian".

Later on, I was hesitant to read the Scriptures for fear I would do them an injustice. It did not seem reverent to make token attempts, whilst bored or distracted. What could I get out of it, after all, when my reading was so often robotic?

And then one day I realized that I was focusing on myself, my weakness, instead of the power of God's Word, and not allowing for the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for the work in my heart - not me. And that His work may be far different than I in my limited human thinking can see.

It is impossible for us to understand God's wisdom on our own. It requires that God Himself work those necessary changes in our hearts, giving us the desire to know  Him, and the wisdom to understand His Word. A Book, not only of salvation, but of His-story, science, human nature, things supernatural, and more. Things so unusual and fantastical that most preachers never seem to talk of them.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130)

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". Psalm 119:105 matches John 12:36- "While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light"...."I am the way, the truth, and the life".

Reading the Bible doesn't necessarily create some outstanding, short term change, but works a slow, gradually noticeable difference. Subtle, but steady and sure. And then God starts revealing things, and you realize that His Words are really and truly alive.

Most importantly, you begin seeing just how wonderful the Lord God is. His glorious attributes, beyond all human description. Yet also an infinitely gracious and loving Father to His children.

And this, through His Son- the Word, the Truth, and the Light.

"The truth of the Lord endureth forever"

"Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven"

"Thy word is true from the beginning".

Psalm 117:2, 119:89, 119:160