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QUESTION 94:
Which version of the Bible should be used? Is it right for a minister to read out of another version?

ANSWER:
The question about translation is a confusing one to say the least. Some one has well said it would be the problem of the eighties. I guess they were right. A perplexing one to many Christians.

Regarding the first part of this question, I cannot quote a Bible verse to show you which one to use, but it is wise to use the one that is true to the great truths about God and Christ and has proven itself over the years. The Bible is God's book that reveals to us His beloved Son and the salvation offered through His shed blood. Any translation that does not give proper place to the Deity of Christ and the Blood Atonement ought to be totally rejected. This is true of many of them. Good News for Modern Man, New World Translation, New English Bible, just to mention a few. The so called “Living Bible” should be utterly rejected. It is not a translation at all, but a paraphrase. It is deceptive for its author to call it a “Bible” the New International Version is one of the latest and is plagued by footnotes saying “this was not in most ancient manuscripts. One could not be sure they were reading the Bible from it. The King James has stood the test of time and for over three hundred years about the only one used. It is true to the “doctrine of Christ” and leaves nothing out. Its English is more sacred and has a reverence to it that the others do not. It is by far the best and should be used by Christians.

Other translation should not be used publicly. It would be very confusing to others and would certainly be offensive to many. In this modern day of higher education and with all the Bible helps one should have no difficulty to understand the King James Version and John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” in Christ as your Saviour.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen