Well, this is going to be a bit dry and boring, but here we go anyway.
A few years ago, my family began attending a different church. The different church used a different translation than the King James Version, which was a huge change for my family. We’d always been told that anything other than the King James Version was not true, not Scripture and not to be trusted. I was not aware of any doctrinal issues at the new church, so I wasn’t sure if this was true or not. The only solution I knew was to investigate it for myself. So I compiled a list of the commonly accepted core doctrines of the faith, (using a list of Core Doctrines from this website http://christianity.about.com/od/christiandoctrines/a/basicdoctrines.htm) and researched the references that support them, both in the KJV and the ESV. Below is a listing of them, and the references.
A few years ago, my family began attending a different church. The different church used a different translation than the King James Version, which was a huge change for my family. We’d always been told that anything other than the King James Version was not true, not Scripture and not to be trusted. I was not aware of any doctrinal issues at the new church, so I wasn’t sure if this was true or not. The only solution I knew was to investigate it for myself. So I compiled a list of the commonly accepted core doctrines of the faith, (using a list of Core Doctrines from this website http://christianity.about.com/od/christiandoctrines/a/basicdoctrines.htm) and researched the references that support them, both in the KJV and the ESV. Below is a listing of them, and the references.
What is clearly demonstrated is that there really isn't any core doctrine of the faith that is weakened by the ESV (at least none that I thought to look up). In fact, there are some that are strengthened. Judge for yourself.
· You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Isaiah 43:10 (ESV)
· Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Isaiah 44:6 (ESV)
· Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:8 (ESV)
· And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 (ESV)
· For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Cor 8:5-6 (ESV)
· Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? Gal 4:8-9 (ESV)
· God is three in one or a Trinity (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 1:18; John 14:16-17; Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 2:32-33, John 10:30,17:11, 21; 1 Peter 1:2 **Titus 2:13 and John 1:1-5 – added by Jason).
· And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:16-17 (ESV)
· Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19 (ESV)
· And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (ESV)
· The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor 13:14 (ESV)
· This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. Acts 2:32-33 (ESV)
· No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:18 (ESV)
· To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:5 (ESV)
· I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 (ESV)
· And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:11 (ESV)
· that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me John 17:21 (ESV)
· according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood 1 Peter 1:2 (ESV)
· waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 (ESV)
· In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (ESV)
I added the last two references, just because I think they are good to know regarding support of the Trinity. There is a section in 1 John 5 that has a bit of controversy (will not get into that here) that also supports the Trinity that is not in the ESV because it is not supported in the Byzantine or Alexandrian texts (with the exception of one that was written in the 1500’s), but based on the overwhelming support listed here for the Trinity, I believe it is clear that the ESV does not harm the doctrine, and actually, if you compare some verses to the KJV, you will see a clearer picture of the Trinity and Deity of Christ.
· God is omniscient or "knows all things" (Acts 15:18; 1 John 3:20, Psalm 139:3-4, Luke 16:15, Prov 15:3).
· known from of old. Acts 15:18 (ESV)
· for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20 (ESV)
· You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether Psalms 139:3-4 (ESV)
· And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. Luke 16:15 (ESV)
· The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Prov 15:3 (ESV)
· God is omnipotent or "all powerful" (Psalm 115:3; Revelation 19:6).
· Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalms 115:3 (ESV)
· They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. Rev 16:9 (ESV)
· God is omnipresent or "present everywhere" (Jeremiah 23:23, 24; Psalm 139).
· Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. Jer 23:23-24 (ESV)
· Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV)
· God is sovereign (Zechariah 9:14; 1 Timothy 6:15-16).
· Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. Zech 9:14 (ESV)
· which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Tim 6:15 (ESV)
· God is holy (1 Peter 1:15).
· but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
· God is just or "righteous" (Psalm 19:9, 116:5, 145:17; Jeremiah 12:1).
· the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. Psalms 19:9 (ESV) (rules also translated as “just decrees”).
· Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Psalms 116:5 (ESV)
· Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 (ESV)
· God is true (Romans 3:4; John 14:6).
· By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, Romans 3:4 (ESV)
· Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. John 14:6 (ESV)
· God is spirit (John 4:24).
· God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (ESV)
· God is the creator of everything that exists (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 44:24).
· In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth Gen 1:1 (ESV)
· Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, Isaiah 44:24 (ESV)
· God is immutable. He does not change (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 46:9-10).
· Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
· For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Mal 3:6 (ESV)
· remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV)
· But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:3-4 (ESV)
· For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Cor 2:11-12 (ESV)
· In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2 (ESV)
· And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)
· I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:30-33 (ESV)
· For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Col 2:9-10 (ESV)
· Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:5-8 (ESV)
· Jesus became a man (Philippians 2:1-11, 1 Tim 2:5).
· Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross Phil 2:5-8 (ESV)
· For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (ESV)
Jesus is fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:15).
· For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Col 2:9-10 (ESV)
· For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:15 (ESV)
· Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15).
· He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 1 Peter 2:22 (ESV)
· For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:15 (ESV)
· Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)
· All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him Matt 11:27 (ESV)
· All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Luke 10:22 (ESV)
· Man was created by God in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
· Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Gen 1:26-27 (ESV)
· All people have sinned (Romans 3:23, 5:12).
· for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 (ESV)
· Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (ESV)
· Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
· but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)
· He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (ESV)
· For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15 and he died for all, 2 Cor 5:14-15 (ESV)
· Jesus' death was a substitutionary sacrifice. He died and paid the price for our sins, so that we might live. (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).
· even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:28 (ESV)
· For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (ESV)
· The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?”21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:20-22 (ESV)
· And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: Romans 4:5-6 (ESV)
· For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9 (ESV)
· If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
· The Bible is the "inspired" or "God-breathed," Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
· All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Tim 3:16 (ESV)
· For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)
· Those who reject Jesus Christ, after they die, will go to hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8).
· And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 20:15 (ESV)
· The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Rev 21:7-8 (ESV)
·
· Those who accept Jesus Christ, after they die, will live for eternity with Him (John 11:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 5:6).
· Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25-26 (ESV)
· No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Rev 22:3-5 (ESV)
· Hell is a place of punishment and is eternal (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 19:20).
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels… And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matt 25:41, 46 (ESV)
· There will be a rapture of the church (Matthew 24:30-36, 40-41; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
· Christians will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
· There will be a final judgment (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:7).
· Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
· God will create a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
· Mary was a virgin
· But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” Matt 1:20-23 (ESV)
· And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. Luke 1:31, 34-35 (ESV)
Arrrrrrrrrr
ReplyDelete(Red Beard is a pirate, right?)