NIV: A Tampered Version of the Holy Bible?

Part II: Denying Jesus as Saviour

Numerous Scripture passages (Is 43:3, 11, 45:15, 21, Luke 1:21, Luke 2:11, and Acts 5:31, to name a few) in many versions of the Bible stated clearly that Jesus is the Savior. Yet, some of the new versions seem to deny Jesus being the Saviour, thus contradicting themselves.

   It was noted in Part one of this article (Part I: Denying the Sabbath) that since EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God is vital for Christian life, the devil is making slight changes, even changing single letters such that the whole doctrine is confused, or contradicting.

  Here are some subtle trivial changes that fail to render the original intent of God’s word. Study them prayerfully, and with a desire to “know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Only the versions in my possession are used). 

Matthew 18:11

KJV: For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost

WEB: For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.

ASV: For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.

NIV: Blank (Whole text omitted)  

This text plainly states that Jesus came to save the lost. And since He came to save, He is the Saviour. The King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV) and World English Bible WEB) all agreed to this truth. The New International Version (NIV), however, completely left the text out. It is literally blank. By leaving it blank, it denies the truth that Christ is the Saviour of lost sinners. 

Luke 9:55, 56

KJV: But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. ⁵⁶For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

WEB: But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are. ⁵⁶For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." They went to another village.

NIV: But Jesus turned and rebuked them, ⁵⁶and they went to another village.

ASV: But he turned, and rebuked them. ⁵⁶And they went to another village. 

The sentences underlined in KJV and WEB look as though they have been deliberately crossed out in NIV and ASV.  The omitted part of the text stated clearly that Jesus came to save men’s lives. Omitting this information denies Jesus of his role as the Saviour of men. 

I Corinthians 5:7

KJV: Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

WEB: Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.

NIV: Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

ASV: Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ: 

KJV makes it clear that the sacrifice of Jesus is for us. That means that He is the Saviour. WEB also supported it. The other two versions omitted for us. With this change, the texts mean that Jesus was sacrificed, but not necessarily for us. 

John 4:42

KJV: And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

WEB: They said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."

NIV: They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

ASV: and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world. 

NIV and ASV didn’t mention Christ in the text. Reading the whole story, one would never miss to understand that this man in NIV refers to Christ. But it is interesting to note that in the new translations, someone doesn’t want the name Christ to be associated with the title Saviour. 

The KJV retains the truth of Jesus being the Saviour. “…and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” NIV stated this truth in Matthew 1:21, but denies it in the above texts, thus contradicting itself. If “God is not the author of confusion,” (I Corinthians 14:33) who would be the one attempting to confuse the faithful who earnestly read God’s Word in search for truth?

   Well, as you might have guessed, it’s the devil. He hates Jesus so much that he tries every way he can to deny the truth that Jesus is the Saviour, even to the point of tampering with the Holy Scriptures. He became enemy with Jesus in Heaven, continued the fight into Eden, into the wilderness after His baptism, onto Mt. Calvary and the great controversy is still raging. You and I are caught between the crossfire.

   The devil is very subtle in his deceptions, meaning that he does things so slightly or delicately that one is unable to analyse or identify. “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made…” (Gen 3:1). There is therefore, very vital that we are extremely careful that we are not deceived. We have been urged to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Scriptures must be correctly interpreted, or translated, and must conform to the original intent and meaning of the Word of God.

   Personally, efforts made to distort Scriptural truth that Jesus is the Savior, has instead affirmed my belief that Jesus is my Saviour! I use KJV because I think it retains the original intent of God’s word. I use NIV from time to time, but always ensure that the meaning of the text is the same in both versions.

Be blessed!

NIV: A Corrupted Version of the Holy Bible?

Part I: Denying the Sabbath

In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul stated that there are some “which corrupt the word of God.” (KJV). Is it possible that a corrupted copy of the Word of God is currently being used? The devil is known to be the master of the scriptures, therefore he quoted one to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6). Jesus also stated that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

   EVERY WORD is vital for living a Christian life. Now, is it possible that the devil can corrupt the scripture by tampering with just one word such that the whole meaning of a passage, and even a doctrine, is changed?

   The aim of this article and some more to come is to expose to you the subtle deceptions of the devil as to how he has tampered with our favourite New International Version and other revised versions of the Bible.

   Please study them prayerfully and with a desire to ‘know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” At the end, you should be able to conclude and decide which of the many versions of the Bible most accurately renders the original intent of God’s Word.

   In this article, let’s see how the Sabbath truth was subtly tampered with. Firstly, the Sabbath commandment itself (only the versions in my possession are used).  

Exodus 20:8, 9

KJV: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:

NIV: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your

work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God

ASV: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God:

WEB: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God.  

The New International Version (NIV), American Standard Version (ASV) and the World English Bible (WEB) referred to the seventh day as a sabbath (indefinite article). This gives the meaning that it can be any sabbath. But the King James Version (KJV) states that the seventh day is the sabbath (definite article). Here we understand that the seventh day is the Sabbath, not just any Sabbath. God stressed three (3) times in Genesis 2:2, 3 that the seventh day is the Sabbath. The change is also repeated in Deuteronomy 5:14 

Acts 13:42

KJV: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

NIV: As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

ASV: And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.

WEB: So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 

KJV and WEB stated that it was the Jews and the Gentile that met on the Sabbath. Now, if it is the Jews that are involved, then the sabbath that is referred to here is Saturday, because every single Jew knows by heart that Saturday is the seventh day Sabbath.

   NIV and ASV used Paul and Barnabas and they respectively, and replaced Gentile with the people and they respectively. When Jews is omitted, the sabbath referred to here can mean that any other day is the Sabbath (e.g. Sunday). 

Colossians 2:16, 17

KJV: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

NIV: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

ASV: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

WEB: Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. 

While the other three versions used a sabbath day (singular noun), KJV used the sabbath days (plural noun). Understanding these verses from KJV, it would mean the ceremonial sabbaths that were a shadow of things to come. From the other three versions, it can be understood that a single Sabbath day (which most likely mean the seventh day), was just a shadow of things to come and therefore, is now irrelevant to keep the sabbath. 

In these texts, it is evident that the King James Version most accurately renders the original meaning of God’s Word. Other versions distorted the sabbath message, hinting that it has been tampered with by someone who hates Jesus. Also, such changes makes the Bible contradict itself, promoting the Sabbath commandment in some texts, and discouraging its observance in others. When there is evidence that the bible contradicts itself, who would want to trust its Source anymore?

   Of course, most passages in NIV have blessed many, have led many to Christ and have retained the original meaning of the Scripture, thus should be continued to be read. But be extra careful of the trifling changes that have been made to distort the truths of Christ, and defile His doctrine.

   One important point to note is that if someone made changes to the scriptures to deny the Sabbath, then it would mean that the Sabbath message is truth and it is biblical to keep the Sabbath holy!

   In other articles still to come, we shall see how changes have been made to deny the divinity of Jesus, deny His atoning sacrifice, promote the doctrine of purgatory, and deny the priesthood of Jesus.

   Be blessed!

Pope, Mary or God?

   Certain church groups pray directly to Mary the mother of God, or to the Pope. Is it the right way? Or is it Biblically taught?

   Mathew 6:9-13 is a record of a prayer commonly known as The Lord’s Prayer. While it is common for people to recite this prayer as their prayer, many have failed to understand that as the name says, it is the Lord’s prayer. We have to say our own prayers, but ‘after this manner” (Vs 9). The Lord’s prayer is simply a prayer model to be followed by anyone who wishes to talk to God. E.g. first you adore the Lord, and then confess your sins, followed by thanking Him and eventually your supplication (the ACTS prayer). It is the HOW to pray part that the Lord desires to teach in this passage.

   Another important thing that really should be understood from this passage is WHO to pray to. According to the Bible (Matthew 6:9), you pray to ‘Our Father’. Now since there are some churches who give the title of ‘father’ to certain of their leaders (e.g. Catholic Church), lets see which father it is referring to here.

   ‘Our Father who art in Heaven.’ What plainer meaning can you get than this? It is the Father who is up in the Heaven that we must pray to, and that is God. It is not biblical to pray to any father on earth, let alone the Pope. "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9.

   ‘Hallowed be thy Name.’ To hallow means to make holy, so we must pray to the Father whose name is holy. Only the Name of God must not be taken in vain (Ex. 20:7), and the name of Jesus is the only Name given under heaven that man will be saved (Acts 4:12). It is not biblical to say “Holy mother of God’ to Mary, or ‘Holy Father’ to pope, for these are earthly mortals just like you and me. Where is the scriptural authority that you should call Mary or the Pope holy?

   ‘Thy Kingdom come.’ Pray only to the Father who has a kingdom. And if He has a kingdom, He must be the King. Our God has his kingdom, and He is our King. What kingdom does Mary or the Pope has? Are these people kings? Not so according to my Bible. So pray to the God who has a kingdom, and is the King of that kingdom.

   ‘Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.’ This Father that we are praying to must have a will that earthly as well as heavenly creatures should follow. The will is in both heaven and earth. Does Mary or the Pope have a will that heavenly beings are following? The answer is absolutely NO! Why praying to them if they are in no position to make Heaven follow their will? If we claim that heaven is obliged to follow the decisions of Pope or Mary (the Papacy did make such claim!), where is the scriptural authority?

   ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Only God is able to supply our daily needs, and to Him only should our prayers be made. Why should I pray to Mary, who is already dead and has no power to supply my daily bread?

   ‘And forgive our debts.’ Only God can forgive our sins and to Him only should our prayers be made. Anyone claiming to forgive sins is guilty of the sin of blasphemy against God (Luke 5:20, 21). This claim was made by the Catholic Church: “Seek where you will, through heaven and earth, and you will find one created being who can forgive the sinner, who can free him from the chains of hell. That extraordinary being is the priest, the Roman Catholic Priest.”  The Catholic Priest, Pg 78. Such claim is blasphemous.

   ‘Deliver us from evil.’ Only God can save His people from their sins, and to Him only should our prayers be made.

    “Power and Glory forever.” Mary died, and is still dead, so are the popes. We are biblically correct when we pray to a Father that has power and Glory for ever – Someone who will never die. That is Jesus or God and none other.

   So the Creator God is the only person or Father that we are biblically encouraged to pray to, and who fits all the descriptions and titles in the Lord’s Prayer.

A Closer Friend

There is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

By and of His traits, many are inspired!

He was in the beginning with the Father,

The only One that could ever be desired!

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!

Sweeter than honey, more to be desired is He, than gold.

He loves and cherishes, and washes us with His blood.

Whoever wishes, He invites with outstretched arms into His fold.

 So come unto Him, all who are weary and heavy laden

And He will give you adequate rest.

Take His yoke upon you, and cast upon Him your burden

For He cares for you, and wants you to be, and have the best!

The First Tenth

By definition, tithe is a tenth, or 10%, of everything one owns or earns. Notice that it is a tenth, and not the tenth. Likewise, it is any of the 10%, whether the first 10%, the middle 10% or the last 10%. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.”

   So a tenth part, or 10% of everything we own or earn is holy, and thus must be devoted to God or  dedicated for godly use. The question now arises. Which tenth should we give to the Lord? The first 10% or the last 10%? Or is there a specific tenth that the Lord requires?

   My mother has this practice where she starts counting all the produce (say Kaukau) from her garden from one to ten. The piece of kaukau that she counts as ‘ten’ will usually goes to the tithe box. With this practice, if she digs only nine kaukau, the Lord has no share.

   Look at a biblical example. Cain and Abel were required to bring offerings to the Lord (Genesis 4:4, 5). Cain brought “an offering” of the fruits of the ground to the Lord while Abel brought “the firstlings” of his flock and their fats. “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”

   So which offering gains the respect of God? It is not an offering but the firstlings.

   In like manner, I would like to conclude that there is a specific tenth of our earnings that the Lord asks for, and that tenth is the first tenth part. It signifies that we think of the Lord first in all of our increases. It proves that we “honour the Lord with [our] substance, and with the firstfruits of all [our] increase.” (Proverbs 3:9). In enables God to have a share in any amount that we earn. When we gain three earnings, the first belongs to God and the last two belongs to us. When we gain nine earnings, the first belongs to God, and the remaining eight belongs to us. When we bear the first, and only one child, he or she belongs to God. “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.” Exodus 13:2.

   Giving the tenth part, like my mother used to, symbolically show who we think of last in our earnings. Also, it removes God from the list of beneficiaries when only nine earnings are gained. With Cain, we give an offering that deserves no respect. Only the firstlings, or the firstfruits, gain the respect of God.

   The important thing is to remember God first, and act appropriately. When I earn a K100 note, I should first remember that K10 is tithe, and whenever I change the note, I set aside K10. It is unacceptable to forget all about tithing at the first place, then when all is spent, I started going “Oh, my gosh! I forgot the tithe!”

   We as recipients of the endless streams of blessings that flow from heaven’s storehouse are obliged to return the firstlings and the firstfruits unto the Lord our God. And when returning the firstfruits, don’t call it an investment. Rather, see it as returning the invested.

   When we fail, we shall all be pronounced guilty with unarmed robbery! (Malachi 3:8).