Lesson 2

Most Bibles that we use today are versions rather than a strict word for word translation. Using a version can make the text more readable and can help relate the information in a relevant manner. There are many different versions available depending on your taste but each version may deviate from the message or emphasis God had intended. God inspired certain words to be used for a reason. However, some of the meanings for the ancient languages have become clouded. Most Bible translators use other versions as references, then build their own work on the translations of other established Bible versions. This practice has led to several Biblical alterations. Many believe the King James Version Bible to be a translation of the oldest original words of God. Written by 47 men in 6 separate committees, the King James Version Bible was compiled using several different bible translations from more than 12 languages and the Textus Receptus. Commissioned to be the only sanctioned Bible for the Church of England, it garnered an authoritative reputation within Protestant denominations. Few challenge it’s accuracy against the oldest surviving Bibles. Some claim that Mark 16:9-20 is not in the original texts. Found with trash in 1481, they believe the earlier Vatican copy of 325 AD, or the Sinaitic copy of 370 AD. are more accurate as they were written closer to the time Mark wrote them. Others point out that the Vatican copy is missing many sections of scripture along with the entire book of Revelation. The Sinaitic text was found in 1844 in papers used to start the fires of a monastery. Those who have studied it’s text have found corrections and alterations made by at least ten different editors up to the sixth and seventh century. Many words are started and then dropped or omitted, some sentences are written twice. These two manuscripts were used to translate the Wescott and Hort, Greek New Testament. Out of the 5262 Greek New Testament manuscripts surviving today, 45 support the Wescott and Hort version and 5217 support the Textus Receptus yet virtually every modern version of the Bible today is based on the Wescott and Hort version of the New Testament. One major difference is Acts 8:37. Most new versions don’t include verse 37 describing how we should believe in Jesus before we are baptized. Is adding or removing from the Bible worse than not knowing where a change is? Do you want to know about biblical errors? Will there be a perfect translation? What sources does your preferred translation come from?

Acts 8:36-38 King James Version
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 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. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.