Bible Versions, and other issues surrounding them. [also see the document, "The Basics"]
It is quickly becoming apparent that there will be a debate [contentions] over the chosen Bible version. This flier will explain how this came to be, and how we intend to deal with foreseeable developing issues springing from it.
My first Bible, given by the kind hand of the Lord [in a miraculous event] only days after He introduced Himself to me and gave me my commission, was a white covered King James Version text. I read it until it fell into pieces, and even kept those pieces around for years, before finally releasing them to another person who was also desperate for the Word of God. Though I read several other versions, it became clear to me over the years that the Lord had a soft heart for the King James Bible. I have always preferred it to most other texts, if for no other reason than it was the first one He gave to me, in that special miracle so long ago. And, from the very start it was simple enough for me to read because I had taken two full semesters of Shakespeare in college. I quickly found that this was not so for most, especially those I was trying to do outreach to; it was a real barrier to those I was most concerned over, who never had much background in old English. Still, in the back of my mind it always stuck with me that there obviously was something about that version that held the heart of the Lord.
It took years of growth, cleansing, refinements, and training before I truly became stable in that ‘still small voice’ technique Elijah prophetically foretold (1 Kings 19:12) we would be moved to for our years to come. The Lord had constantly been pressing me to better develop my discernment and faith in it, so that finally I was no longer fooled by either Satan’s voice, nor my own thoughts. Only when I became truly conversant with the Lord in such a dependable linkup was I finally able to go over issues conclusively, such as those surrounding preferred versions. And indeed, the Lord did have a real heart for the King James Version; and all I will say about this is that it has to do with how He becomes attached to some of us, for various reasons. But, that was not at all where He left it; He wanted me to make a decision [He tends to be that way with us] about versions, knowing fully the lessons He had already put me through.
What I also had witnessed was the constant infighting over versions, insane debates even about the percentages each passage may have for validity, and even very real confusion as to what I could properly remember about how a verse even spoke, the actual words, simply because I had made the mistake of reading so many versions; in short, there was chaos within the congregation over the most holy, the very Word of God. This had to come to an end; we are doing Satan’s work for him, and our confused arguing is greatly hindering God’s work.
Of the modern language versions I had come to believe that the New King James Version was not academically considered the best. After spending so much time in the NIV, simply because it became such a preferred text in most Bible study groups, I personally had finally settled upon the New American Standard for sharing, even though I most often personally read from the King James. As I would write, and try to remember how a passage was worded, so as to locate it with the concordance, I often could not. It had truly become a huge hindrance. That point, along with the need to make things simpler with incoming people seeking God, began to weigh heavy upon my heart, as major concerns which needed to be faced. But, I just could not bring myself to not care about the heart of the Lord towards the King James Version.
So, with much concern and caution, I fervently asked Him if He would be okay with my choice of the NKJV™, even though it was argued by some as not the preferred text. He gave me the okay. But, more than that, He has recently come to me with more clarity [He does that when He wants to really make a point], noting His deep satisfaction with that decision I finally had to make; and He instructed me to stand upon it. So, I stand on that decision, and cannot allow any more contentions about it to divide us within these studies. Go out into the streets of the world and have a fistfight over it if you must. But, this is all that needs to be said about this issue for our studies.
For your own input, though, the Lord led me to Acts 2:5-12, and noted to me that the Holy Spirit had no trouble at all taking those words of obviously flawed men, and bringing thousands to himself, even translating the words into each man’s own language; in other words, the Holy Spirit has the power to overcome any shortcomings of any man or text.
He also noted that in any given version there are many quotes referring to Old Testament passages, and most of them are not verbatim; but that also did not seem to hinder the Holy Spirit. We personally all ad-lib to one degree or another; it is our weak humanity. While very real concern should be regarded when handling God’s Word, if we fall back to the letter of the law that the Pharisees practiced, how will we be better for it? Our Lord was not only full of truth; He also was full of grace [John 1:16; John 8:1-12], and He is our example.
As far as the included trade mark on passages, this is required of me by the company which copyrighted their version. The Lord wants me to obey those things which do not violate Him, but are required by the nations we must serve within [Rom 13:1-2]. On Judgment Day we all will be together on our faces before the same Judge. I do not wish any additional harm upon any others laying beside me, fearfully. My guess is that the issue may be brought up, but how do I know? I personally believe that my own work in these writings, are all gifts of our Lord, to His people, and not truly mine. They may have my ‘fingerprints’ upon them, and display my obvious shortcomings and weaknesses; but I still wholly consider them from Him [not Scriptures; those are all written; but still His kind helps to us this day, for aiding us in the Scriptures, just the same as He helped His disciples understand, so long ago (Matt 13)]. Even so, I copyrighted these books. The reason I did it was to keep the enemies of God’s people from altering these works, and bringing ruin to this gift He has blessed us with. There are a lot of enemies out there. At least there is now hard proof of what is said within these books, now logged in the Library of Congress. Maybe that same reasoning is why that company placed that set of requirements upon Scripture quotes used in my writing, but it is hard to say; it is what they required, so I simply do it, and with as pure a heart as possible. I assure you it is a tedious work; but my heart is so overjoyed at all the Lord is blessing us with that I feel more like Jacob, as he labored those seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage [Gen 29:20].
Besides, not only does the Lord fully release me of concerns about that detail, but He even likes my devotions, to be at peace with my neighbor as much as is reasonable, even if I must go an extra mile to do so.
So, with all my heart I implore all those coming to this great feast from the hand of the Lord, to come to an abiding peace about these issues, and focus instead upon the Lord’s help to us in the great gift of the studies [Luke 10:39]. May we all be greatly blessed in His chosen day of kindness, to His great glory and honor, and that we further honor Him before the eyes of all the earth, by not quibbling with each other like our forefathers fell into before [Mark 10:35-45].
In His service, for all whom the Lord brings this day,
mr.bill
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