WHY WERE GOD, AND JESUS REMOVED...?

Greetings -

Here are instances where Jesus, God and the Spirit have been removed:

Matthew 25:13 - KJV
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13 - NIV
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
(Note: They removed "Son of man" which equals - they removed Christ.)

Luke 4:4 - KJV
...That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luke 4:4 - NIV
...Man does not live on bread alone.
(Note: They removed "God.")

John 6:47 - KJV
...He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:47 - NIV
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
(Note: There is no mention of "on me."  How is that telling us the truth if they leave out "on me?"  To remove "on me" is to remove  Christ.)

The Acts 2:30 - KJV
...according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

The Acts 2:30 - NIV
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
(Note: They removed "Christ.")

The Acts 8:37 - KJV
...I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Acts 8:37 - NIV
(Note: They removed Christ - and the entire verse.  The NIV does  not have verse 37 - at all.) 

The Acts 23:9 - KJV
...let us not fight against God.

The Acts 23:9 - NIV
(Note: They removed "God."  That statement "let us not fight against God" has been removed.)

1 Peter 1:22 - KJV
...through the Spirit..

1 Peter 1:22 - NIV
(Note: They removed "the Spirit.")

Revelation 20:9 - KJV
...fire came down from God...

Revelation 20:9 - NIV
fire came down from heaven...
(Note: They removed "God.")

Revelation 5:14 - KJV
... and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:14 - NIV
...and the elders fell down and worshipped.
(Note: They removed "him..." - which equals - they removed Christ.)

1 John 4:3 - KJV
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:

1 John 4:3 - NIV
but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.
(Note: They removed "that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not "of" God. - The KJV says that EVERY spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God."  The NIV removed "is come in the flesh" - does that mean that they are one of the EVERY spirit?) Also in that scripture, the NIV mentions "Jesus" but removed "Christ."  It says, " but every spirit that does not acknowlege Jesus is not from God."  The KJV says "Jesus Christ."

It deeply disturbs me that in the above cited instances, "God, Jesus, and the Spirit" were removed. 

Here are a couple of other instances of NIV "changes":

Romans 13:9 - KJV
...Thou shalt not bear false witness,...

Romans 13:9 - NIV
(Note: That statement "Thou shalt not bear false witness" has been removed. - Does that mean that the NIV does bear false witness?)

Revelation 21:24 - KJV
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light:

Revelation 21:24 - NIV
The nations will walk by its light,...
(Note: They removed "which are saved.")

Notes from former NIV readers (first mentioned here under the topic, "MY EXPERIENCES WITH THE ORIGINAL KING JAMES BIBLE, DATED SUNDAY DECEMBER 12, 2010.)

- NIV perverts even the tone of the word of GOD (e-mail from a former NIV reader)

- Former NIV reader says NIV alienates the Father and the Son
(The former NIV reader stated, "Sure, I got saved by the NIV, but it made Jesus a little bit distant from the Father.")

Sandra's comments:  For new converts to Christ, I have often been informed that the Gospel of John is a good book to begin in the original KJV.  There have been vigorous discussions that the NIV and other versions are easier to understand.  For hundreds of years before the other versions became available, scores of people got saved with usage of the original KJV version.  Many strong, potent, powerful Christians were/are the result.  Of course, sincere prayer is vital for understanding God's word, and of utmost importance is to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love others, according to God's commands.

Also, as the former NIV reader stated above, "Sure, I got saved by the NIV, but it made Jesus a little bit distant from the Father," 

Further, relative to the NIV being easier to understand:

All of those removals of "God, and Jesus" that I mentioned in scripture citations above, makes me even more disinclined to support the NIV.  If I were a new convert, I believe that I'd be inclined to read the Bible that included God, and Jesus, such as is shown in the original KJV.

In addition, I read that one Christian stated that it is possible to get saved using the NIV, but that it does not promote spiritual growth. 

Some may believe that those removals of God, and Jesus from the NIV are not of major importance. I lovingly disagree. Also, I wonder what else has been removed from the NIV. In addition, the website http://www.av1611.com/ mentions omissions and distortions relative to the NAS and the NKJV. I have read some of that, as well.

Relative to the foreign languge translation matters:

I confess ignorance about said issue but sincerely state that I am deeply grateful for those that our Lord has led in those realms.

Certainly we need saints who are knowledgable to go forth into all the world to teach and to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, according to what the word of our Lord commands. Indeed there are people of excellence who our Lord has appointed to minister relative to foreign languages and cultures.  Their valuable endeavors are much appreciated. 

My original post on this topic received numerous lengthy comments that varied in tone.  I deeply appreciate all of those comments because truly we do learn from one another.  My firm belief is that we are all students and teachers in the body of our Lord.  Praise His awesome all-knowing name.  

I was ready to move on from the topic but continued to get comments about it.  The most recent comment was one that I read this a.m. (Thursday December 16, 2010) that was sent to me, via e-mail, by a fellow Christian who stated that she was referred here to LIONS SHARE MAJESTY relative to the said topic.  I posted her comments on this blog this a.m. under the post topic, "MY EXPERIENCES WITH THE ORIGINAL KING JAMES BIBLE" dated Sunday December 12, 2010.

Also, I have moved here the comments below relative to my "TAG ON" about the KJV posting.

Comments from "TAG ON" post dated Sunday December 12, 2010:

Frank King said...

Interesting observations. It's amazing what you find in the Bible when you become a student of the Word of God. As for me, my favorite version of the Bible is the King James Version. This is mostly because it is a more strict word for word translation from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, and also the King James Version shows in italics any words the translators inserted into the passage. This makes it easy for me when I want to translate from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts to see how they arrived at the English wording that they did. Again, this is just my personal preference. I do use the NIV at times when I want to quote verse, and the NIV is clearer for quoting.

December 13, 2010 10:33 PM

lioneagle said...

Hi Pastor Frank -

Thank you for weighing in on this. Your viewpoints are valued indeed.

Interesting that you mentioned the part about the italics in the KJV. Yes...indeed.

My experience is that the original KJV is easier to memorize and quote. When I started mostly using the KJV, that progressed to where I can quote it from memory for about a half hour without repeating a citation. Sometimes I quote it out loud without pausing - for more than 30 minutes. Some years ago, I found myself in a disturbing circumstance and I didn't have my Bible with me. I was able to quote out loud extensively from the KJV and that was a major help in that mini-crisis. Now I take my Bible everywhere. Some months ago, I was with some people and we were getting out of the car to go to the grocery store. I got my Bible. One of my companions told me that I could leave my Bible in the car. My response was that I take my Bible everywhere - and I added there could be someone in the grocery store who needs something from the Bible. They agreed...though I don't believe that it was heartily. No matter...my Bible goes with me everywhere, and I pray regularly to our Lord that I will steadfastly live what is in its pages!

May our Lord help us all. 

Back to the present  today, Thursday December 16, 2010:

From Sandra:

Thank you to all who have commented. I sincerely appreciate your viewpoints and believe that there has been teaching and learning in the process.

Love to you all, Sandra

Prayer:

Righteous Father God, only You know it all.  I have written here as Your messenger with the awareness that I am finite, and that You are infinite.  We are commanded to love You, to obey You, and to trust You - above all else. 

Please move upon hearts to seek You in earnest in regard to this Bible version matter.  I know what You have instructed me and that is to mostly use the original King James version - with rare exceptions.  I am also certain that You instructed me to post these comments.  What I don't know is what You purpose to do in the hearts of others.  That role, Lord, is Yours alone.  You assigned me this duty to post the words.  My prayer is that You are sought for clarity and direction on the matter.  Some of my fellow
body-of-Christ members already have the necessary clarity from You while others do not.  May only Your will be obeyed by us all.

Thank you, Lord - Amen.  

To close, below are words from our Lord:  

This a.m. the Lord gave me these scriptures:

Galatians 1:7 - KJV
...and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Jeremiah 23:36 - KJV
...for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God.

And Hosea 4:6 - KJV
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:...

Note: This topic is available for copying/printing/distribution.  It is re-posted on blog, "FREELY RECEIVED FREELY GIVEN" at http://www.giftsfromglory.blogspot.com/.  Specifically, it is located under the separate TAB titled, "BIBLE INFORMATION."  Also, on that blog, in the MAIN section, at the top of the HOME page, are listed "Conditions" for such usage.