"In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was God" (Jn1:1) "For Your Word has given me life" (Ps119:50) "It is the Spirit who gives life...the words that I [Jesus] speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (Jn6:63) "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (Jn6:68) "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Jn14:6)

At the website, the discussion of the NKJV begins with a consideration of God's Word. Among other things, it discusses how the Scriptures and God's essence are inextricably linked. They are 'one' with each other. The Bible -IS- part of God's very essence. And how, if people go about to change the written Word, they are seeking to change the nature of God. Thus, the IMPORTANCE of strictly adhering to the Scriptures, because the Scriptures are "Thus says the Lord". And if we go a step further, like in the selected Scriptures by which we opened this commentary, the correctness (or error) by which we know the Scriptures becomes the basis for either, receiving Eternal Life, or everlasting damnation. Our eternal destiny is DIRECTLY LINKED to a correct understanding of God's Word; because "faith [Salvation] comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom10:17)

As I have recently gone back to reading the NKJV regularly [Link: VW & Translations], I have been finding those marginal notes (which the KJV-onlyists detest) to be a rather revealing resource tool; those notes which point the reader to the Alexandrian (Westcott/Hort, Critical, NU) perverted renderings. While it would be possible, as we have observed at other times, to know God's Word by reading a perVersion, the distortions are consistent, regular, and along predictable themes; because they are distorted 'purposefully'.

After a time of seeing all these references to Alexandria, the 'last straw' to spur along this present writing was Moody radio the other morning. A local pastor read the weekly verse, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation...." (Rom1:16) It was while sitting in this same pastor's church years ago as he read from his NIV about Jesus' "father and mother" (Lk2:33), that the lights went off in my heart about what was wrong with the other translations. God's Word says "Joseph and His mother". If Joseph was Jesus' "father" like the perversions say, then, Jesus was not Deity.

Well, you see, Romans 1:16 is one of the popularly favorite verses on Salvation. How many pulpit messages expound upon Romans 1:16 to preach salvation. Now, if a person reads the rest of Romans from a perVersion, he -can- understand salvation. But, what if he is hearing that message from only 1:16? He hasn't read the rest of the book, but is being told that the "gospel" is the "power of God to salvation". So what? You see, this is what that Lutheran TV spot was promoting last summer. The gospel... "good news...you are already saved...we just need to inform you of that fact." But you see, this perversion has left out the VERY KEY to salvation. God's Word says, "..I am not ashamed of the gospel of -CHRIST-..." See what they left out? -WHO- they left out? Christ. In the opening verses, Jesus says that "no one" can get to the Father apart from Christ. This is what the early apostles preached, "..for there is no other name [than Jesus of Nazareth]...by which we must be saved." (Acts4:12) When they leave out "Christ", this "gospel" becomes an "other gospel". (Gal1:8-9) It is "accursed".

The perversions not only leave out Christ consistently, they also selectively eliminate "Repentance". Jesus said, "For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Mt9:13, Mk2:17) The perversions only suggest that Jesus came to "call..sinners". Period. No repentance.

Now here is a real puzzler. [Editor: Let me get my 'picking on the KJV-onlyists' over with, here, so we can get on with the discussion.] Of all the different sorts of people who object to the preaching of "Repentance", the MOST and HARSHEST objections to it typically come from people who militantly hold to KJV-only-ism. Now... how can that be??? The KJV faithfully shows Jesus proclaiming "repentance", but the perversions don't. And yet, many of the KJV-onlyists proclaim that "repentance isn't necessary". So...WHY is it that they object to the perversions??? In that matter, the perversions are more in keeping with what they believe; since they don't really have any regard for the original Heb/Grk texts; believing that the KJV 'supercedes' those texts from which it was translated. You see, there is actually very little difference between the two camps. And in some ways, those who like the perversions are actually more 'honest'. Those KJV-onlyists 'lie'. They claim to hold to one thing, but believe another.. IN THEIR HEARTS!

After noticing things out of my recent readings in Acts, and that verse the other morning from Romans, it seemed good to go through my Bible and compile a short list from Acts and Romans, of some of these differences, and to observe how doctrine is changed. These differences are not due to the English, but the sets of manuscripts from which they are translated. That NKJV "brief discussion" (at the website) already explains "Antioch and Alexandria". And to prove to the KJV-onlyists (who typically lie about the NKJV when they lump it together with the perversions) that this is not about KJV vs NKJV, I will quote God's Word from the NKJV. All these examples will have been verified with the NASB, which has been touted by the scholars to be the "most accurate". (to the Alexandrian, Critical, Westcott/Hort texts) The text in question where they differ, will be placed in red.

Acts 8:37 "Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Notice, the whole verse is in red. Salvation begins with the acknowledgement that God "exists" (Heb11:6) They have left out the whole verse.

"Christ" is left out. This may seem like a subtle nit-pick, because "Lord Jesus" is left in. But "Christ" indicates that Jesus was the "anointed" One. It speaks to His Deity. A subtle erosion of Truth. Deception does not happen by blasting you in the face with the error, but by "sneaking" it in.

Red words deleted. The seeds of anti-semitism. If any uproars take place, it is the fault of "the Jews". But let's not forget that Paul, whom they were angry with, was a Jew. The people who accompanied him were Jews. All the early Church "fathers" in Jerusalem were Jews. But not all Jews are Believers. (Rom9:6) True Jewishness is "of the heart". (Rom2:28-29) These were unbelievers who were persecuting Paul. The "pretend" (Israel/Church). They did not know God.(Jn16:2-3)

Red words deleted. Again, perhaps it seems "too subtle" to worry about? But these words clarify 'of what sort' the resurrection is. It is not merely some metaphysical transformation and reincarnation into some other plain of existence, leaving such new existence to unprovable speculations. It is a resurrection of the ACTUAL BODIES of those who died. (1Cor15) Jesus invited the witnesses, "handle Me and see...flesh and bones" (Lk24:39) As John saw the empty burying clothes, in the shape of a body, only... empty, he "saw and believed". (Jn20:8) Jesus had resurrected BODILY. And so will mankind. Judgment of the unjust is physical torment. (Is66:24)

Red words deleted. What is probably -THE- Number One perversion of the world? Things dealing with reproductive prowess.

Last half of verse obliterated. Today's perverted doctrine which says, "God's graaeeesss accepts you JUST AS YOU ARE" comes from the notion that our lives subsequent to salvation don't matter. They forget that a person is known "by their fruits". (Mt7:20) That "faith without works is dead" (Jas2:26) They want to not live under law, but under grace. But notice -which- "law" they want to be free of in the next examples...

Red words deleted. They begin to muddy the waters between the ritual Mosaic law vs that which is in the heart.

Red words changed to, "by works". "of the Law" is deleted. These three changes pervert the whole idea of God's Word. The Jews were trying to maintain their righteousness by observing rituals, but their -HEARTS- were not right before God. But by making subtle changes, we can come away teaching that "unto good works" (Eph2:10) doesn't characterize the outworking of our salvation by grace. We can come away blaming Israel for trying to be saved "by works", so therefore, even the Believer does not need to be concerned about how he lives. We can be saved, and continue living like the world. After all, we have "no condemnation" because we are now in "the Spirit". (8:1-2) Works has no place, anywhere.

However, when we are saved, we no longer live "according to the flesh". We are no longer "just as we [were]". We are now "in Christ" where everything has been made "new". (2Cor5:17)

Red words deleted. Who is a "liar and the father of it" (Jn8:44b) ?? If we are making little lies in the text, let's also sneak out the part about lying, too, eh!

While the NASB only deletes the "does not observe the day" part, the NU apparently deletes the whole latter part of that verse, including the parts about "giving thanks".

So, what's the big deal with this? Well, as one reads through the N.T. how many "days" of observance are commanded? If you can find 'any', will you please show me. However Paul does condemn those who would legalistically bind other Believers to "days and months and seasons and years" (Gal4:10) and "new moons and sabbaths" (Col2:16) Paganism, as it has become part of christendom, has many holidays (holy days). If one doesn't celebrate them, one is almost considered to be a "heathen". Even the KJV-onlyists will condemn others if they do not come in through 'their' doors, every time 'they' are having services, as being unregenerate, or at the least, "backslidden".

Deleting that bit ignores the "liberty" (Gal2:4) we have in Christ. It rejects the idea that a genuine Believer in Christ can actually NOT be with 'their' little cozy group, and might actually be righteously "giving thanks" to the Lord in that place where the Lord has placed them.

Red words deleted. If "the dead" (Acts24:15) are not resurrected "bodily", if Christ is the "firstfruit" (1Cor15:23), we can't have Him rising 'bodily' either. The early Church "fathers" proclaimed "in Jesus the resurrection from the dead". (Acts4:2b) This omission 'erodes' on that pivotal doctrine with subtlety.

Red words deleted. Well... earlier they removed "Christ" from the gospel. Now, they remove the Gospel from the blessing of Christ. The "gospel of Christ" is Salvation. The only way we can be "blessed" is if we are saved. Otherwise, we are headed for everlasting damnation. (2Th1:8-10, Mt18:8, 25:41,46,etc) Pagan christendom is busy "blessing" everybody. Charismania is busy "blessing Jesus"...and they say "bless you" to each other. But without the Gospel of Salvation, these "blessings" are false.

"Jesus" is deleted. Oooh! So clever this one is! And notice the context of this. Where do divisions come from? FALSE DOCTRINE. (vs17) And how is false doctrine introduced? By "smooth words" and flattery.

What is so wrong with "Lord Christ"? Well, the meaning of "lord" should be obvious. But how many understand that "christ" means "anointed". "Christ" in the N.T. is the same as "Messiah" in the O.T. Today's primary evangelical doctrinal belief is charismania. It has pretty much infiltrated into -ALL- denominations, to greater or lesser degree. Even the ones who would never be caught dead speaking in tongues, are also using their "worship songs". They are part of the system. And what is charismania all about? Receiving the "anointing". Being "spirit-filled".

They can be worshiping their "anointed lord", without worshiping "Jesus". They can be "pretending" to be Christians, all the while, serving their "ministers of righteousness" (2Cor11:15), and think they have the Scriptures to support what they are doing.

"Forever, O LORD, Your Word stands firm in Heaven." (Ps119:89) "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." (Deu12:32)

"Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His Words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar." (Pr30:5-6)

"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev22:18-19)

P.S. Alexandria here changes "Book" into "tree". Man wants access to that tree that became off-limits after sin entered. (Gen3:22-24) And he still wants to get around God's requirements for reaching it. Notice that it is those "not found written in the BOOK of Life" who are cast into the lake of fire. (Rev20:15) And the only ones who can "enter" the new Jerusalem are "those who are written in the Lamb's BOOK of Life" (Rev21:27) and can have access to that tree to receive healing (22:1-2)

Amen!

Q/A -NIV & "Message", What to do with perversions?