Which Version Most Glorifies Jesus Christ, Part 5

The AV bears a pointed witness to the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ in Acts 4:27 & 30 in referring to Jesus as God’s “holy child.”

Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together….

Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

In the RSV, NASV, NIV, DCV, and ESV the words “holy servant” are placed in the text instead of “holy child” thereby erasing the Holy Spirit’s testimony in these verses to the divine Sonship of Christ. The LB calls Jesus both a Son and a servant in verse 27, but does not say “Son” in verse 30. Here is another case where the NKJV joins with the other modern versions in weakening the testimony of this verse in also substituting the word servant for the word child. Even the NSRB suggests that the word servant may be substituted for the word child in these verses. Now the Scripture clearly teaches that the status of a servant is less than that of a child.

John 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Which is greater, the temporary servant or the ever-abiding Son? And then consider this passage in Hebrews:

Hebrews 3:3 For this man (Jesus Christ) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

This passage clearly states that “Christ as a son” was counted “worthy of more glory than Moses,” who was faithful “as a servant.” Therefore, in calling Jesus God’s “holy child” in Acts 4:27 & 30, the AV is assigning Him a status above that of a servant. It is giving more glory to Jesus Christ than the versions that merely assign Him the status of a servant in these verses. In Acts 4:27 & 30 all the others versions we are examining line up in some way against the AV’s testimony of Christ as God’s “holy child.” Now let it be asked again, “Which version most glorifies Jesus Christ?”

The Scripture teaches that the righteousness of the saints is none other than the very righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This righteousness is not the product of their obedience; it is the product of His obedience.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption….

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith….

These verses clearly show that the righteousness of the saints is the righteousness of Christ. The AV very carefully guards this fact in its wording of Revelation 19:8.

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

However, in this case all the modern versions we have listed in these meditations line up against this Christ-honouring fact that the righteousness of the saints is the righteousness of Christ. The NASV, NIV, and NKJV call the fine linen “the righteous acts of the saints.” The NSRB calls it “the righteousnesses, i.e. the righteous acts, of the saints.” The RSV and its revision, the ESV, call the fine linen “the righteous deeds of the saints,” while the Roman Catholic DCV calls it “the just deeds of the saints.” The LB says, “Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.”  Hence, all the modern versions have the saints arrayed in their own righteousnesses produced by their own good works. Yet the Scripture declares that “all our righteousnesses (the NSRB uses this word in Revelation 19:8 – imagine that!) are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). “Filthy rags” are a far cry from “fine linen, clean and white”! The AV surely glorifies Jesus Christ in rendering the text so as to agree with the fact that the righteousness of the saints is the righteousness of Christ. The other versions subtract from Christ’s honour by ascribing this righteousness to the works of men. Which rendering of Revelation 19:8 sounds like the prophecy of the Holy Ghost?

Lastly, the glory of Christ is plainly stated in 1Peter 4:14:

1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Here is a point-blank declaration in the AV text that Jesus Christ is glorified when His followers are reproached for His name. The last part of that verse, “on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified,” is deleted from the RSV, NASV, NIV, LB, DCV, and, as we have come to expect, the more recent ESV. They leave out a statement that expressly says Jesus Christ is glorified. Remembering that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ, which version sounds like the Spirit’s testimony in this case? The one that expressly says Jesus Christ “is glorified,” or the ones that don’t? In this instance, the NSRB and NKJV behave themselves and include these words in the verse, although they are questioned in the footnotes.

From the foregoing comparisons it should be obvious to anyone that sincerely loves the Lord Jesus Christ, which version most glorifies Him. All the modern versions that we have considered go counter at some point to the AV in lessening the glory that is due to Jesus Christ. When it comes to magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ, the AV stands out in front of them all. This fact provides compelling evidence that the AV is the very inspired and preserved word of God given by the Holy Ghost. The AV is right in keeping with the testimony of the Holy Spirit in glorifying Jesus Christ. God has given to Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

God has exalted the Lord Jesus Christ above all things.

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church….

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name….

God has sent the Holy Spirit to testify of this exalted Christ and to glorify Him in that testimony. From this it follows that the Bible that puts Jesus Christ up the highest is the Holy Spirit’s Bible. Therefore, we assuredly conclude that the AV is the Holy Spirit’s testimony of Jesus, His prophecy of the Scripture, His Book! May the Lord Jesus Christ be praised!