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!
