Bible versions

I have found a good warning of someone with doctrinal problems is someone who uses many different versions of the Bible in their books or preaching. It DOESN'T mean that they are off doctrinally, but it is a warning sign to watch carefully.

I believe that the KJV is the best Bible version in English today, and I do believe that God has preserved His Word for those who read English, in the KJV. This is not a doctrinal issue per se - the Bible doesn't have recorded in its words "THOU SHALT READ THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE. I don't believe that the KJV is 'newly inspired' or 're-inspired'. I simply think that God prepared the world for that time to have His Word fully translated into the best possible English version.
the men used, the method used, the integrity of the process, all were without parallel in history, before or since. Considering the men were from varied "Christian Backgrounds", as well as being experts in the various languages, there was little scope for doctrinal bias. The sheer number of men involved would have prevented any one man from influencing the translation in a doctrinal sense, and the wide theological spread would have ensured it was so.
And the men were language scholars of unrivalled ability, with many of them using the languages in daily conversation - they were no "book learned" boffins, but skilled wielders of language. And the time was the absolute pinnacle of the English language. In a literary sense it is known as the time of Shakespeare and the KJV - the Bible and the Bard!

So I think there are many technical reasons to trust the KJV, quite apart from the promises of God's specific care and conservation of His Word.

And no other English language Bible has that sort of integrity in its production.
And I personally do not have a problem understanding it - any difficult words can be understood in at least the basic sense by looking at the context. My kids don't seem to have too much trouble either.

However, I believe that a person can get saved out of most serious versions of the Bible - I think that the newsprint Bible would make it difficult, but most serious version have the Gospel in them.

But, as I started off, when I see people using many different versions, it causes me concern.
Concern because the reason they use the different versions normally is something like "because this version better explains this point, while that version better explains that point". That sounds reasonable in one respect, but in fact it allows a person to search through different versions to find one that agrees with what HE says.
Personally, I read my one version and make my thoughts match it - not the other way around.

The second reason for concern is that it teaches that there is no solid standard. If you don't like the way one version says something you look around for a version that you are comfortable with on that point - it teaches people that the standard is moveable - even if only a little. Using a single version all the time teaches people that you believe that God has a single standard.

You may think that is not very significant, but I would disagree. The world speaks about "everything being relative" and the like, and if you use a different version for a different teaching, then you teach that this is best for this sort of teaching and that one is better for that sort of teaching - you teach that the Bible is different for different situations - that folks is relativism.

There is another issue - in churches that use different versions it must be so hard to follow what the preacher is saying - some passages are impossible to follow in two different versions - they are just so different from each other. That is of course entirely an issue of practicality, but it is still something to ponder.

So even if you don't agree that the KJV is the best version, the one that God has placed His blessing on, then please find a single version and stick with it.

Pastor Skellibert

The basics.

I thought it appropriate to have a place to put important things down.
The others are more general, more fun, and in some cases a place where I can be outright silly.
But sometimes I want to say something more serious, more important, more..... more vital.

Here is where I will talk about important Bible concepts, doctrines, theology, and beliefs.

Personally I find it worrying that there are so many people who claim to be Christian, and promote their own beliefs, and teach their own doctrines, and actually aspire to lead people away from good churches into whatever they want to promote, but they do it with little reference to the bible, or by twisting (or rending) the Scriptures.(2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.)

Now keep in mind that I really am a bit of a dumb bloke - I am not a deep theologian, not a lettered doctor of the Scriptures - I am just a simple preacher.
And I have a great deal to learn, and hopefully still a good few years to learn in here before I get to be with Him learning more of his beauty for eternity - one way or another.
And I am willing to be taught, but not if that teaching strays from the Scriptures.

Let me state from the outset that I try to follow what the Bible says. However, I am not God and I do not know everything. I am sure that I will change in minors over time as I learn and grow.

And I am always willing to listen to what someone else has to say, and if it is Biblical, and can be supported by Scripture without twisting it, I will change.

However there are some essentials that never change. And the basics are plain enough to easily understood.

Salvation for instance is a gift from God that we don't have to work for.

Eph 2:8-9

(8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

(9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Gospel also is a very simple thing.

1Co 15:1-4

(1)  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

(2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

(3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

(4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And salvation comes by a very simple method.

Rom 10:9-13

(9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

(13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

As to everything else - I will cover issues as they come to my notice and attention.

I do however reserve the right to delete any comments that I feel are unbiblical or anti-biblical.

And yes, I am a Baptist, and an independent Baptist, but I know full well that salvation is not in a Baptist Church any more than in any other church. I know that there are others who preach the Gospel straight and true.
I also know that many baptist churches have strayed in some things - in some cases corporately with their conference or alliance.

However I am happy and indeed proud to be an Independent Baptist, and while that doesn't make me a better Christian than anyone else, it should let people know where I stand.

Pastor Skellibert