TODAY'S DEVOTION ON THE BIBLE
“King James Only” proponents, like Gail Riplinger, argue against modern-day translations by cherry picking a verse from the KJV where it, unlike the same verse in a modern-day translation, clearly asserts the deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ. What they fail to show, however, is that this same argument can be made in reverse. There are verses in modern-day translations that clearly assert the deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ where the same verse in the KJV fails to do so. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
“No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him know.” (John 1:18 NIV)
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18 KJV)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)
Notice, in these two verses the New International Version of the Bible clearly states that Jesus Christ is both God and Lord, but the King James Version does not. What are we to conclude? Does the KJV deny the deity and Lordship of Jesus Christ? Is it a “New Age Bible Version”? Is it of the devil? Of course not, to think such a thing is silly.
The KJV plainly teaches Christ’s deity and Lordship in many places throughout its pages; likewise, so do modern-day translations. In fact, every modern-day translation accused by “King James Only” advocates of denying Christ’s deity and Lordship in a single verse or two can be defended against such a charge with other verses within its pages that plainly proclaim both.
Don Walton
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