There are many instances of changes made to verses in the modern Bible translations that change the doctrine of salvation. The gospel message is simple,
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is especially disturbing because our entire Christian faith is based upon salvation and inheriting eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Seeing such a fundamental doctrine being manipulated proves the existence of the evil that fuels the modern Bible translations. The enemy is at work trying to change our faith from the inside, and the scholars are falling for it.
1 ) “Son of man save the lost” is gone
Matthew 18:11: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
Matthew 18:11 is not found in modern Bibles, or it is replaced by a note casting doubt upon its legitimacy. But Matthew 18:11 is a powerful and essential verse pertaining to salvation!
This verse forms the basis of what we believe as Christians. We are of a sinful nature and Christ Jesus came to save us who are lost. Tell me, why would anyone not under the influence of evil wish to remove such a verse from the Bible?
2) LORD is removed at an important point of salvation
Luke 23:42: “And he said unto Jesus, LORD, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
Luke 23:42 tells the story of the thief on the cross near Jesus became saved. How does the thief become saved? He acknowledged that Jesus was Lord! He turned over His sin and followed Jesus as God. Modern Bibles remove “Lord!” The whole basis of this man’s salvation was that he recognized Jesus as Lord, but the modern Bible translators felt the need to haphazardly remove it, missing the point of the verse entirely.
3) Son of Man replaced with Son of God
John 9:35-38: “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, LORD, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, LORD, I believe. And he worshipped him.”
Modern versions change it to “son of man,” instead of “Son of God.” The phrase “Son of Man” refers to Jesus’ humanity while “Son of God” refers to His divinity. Again, this verse shows that the man believes in Jesus because of His divinity, not His humanity.
4) Baptism does not save
We believe that baptism does not save, but rather is an act of obedience in the life of a saved person. Modern Bible versions will have you believe that baptism itself saves.
Acts 8:36-38: “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
Modern Bibles completely remove verse 37, where Philip asks the Eunuch to make a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord before taking the step of becoming baptized. This promotes the falsehood that baptism itself saves! Why would Philip allow someone to be baptized without making the proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior over their life? He wouldn’t! Removing this verse teaches false doctrine on baptism.
5) Blood of Christ saves, but that is also removed
Forgiveness is attained through the blood of Christ. This is a foundational and essential doctrine that every Christian knows.
Colossians 1:14: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
In modern Bibles, “through His blood” is either put in brackets or removed entirely in modern Bibles. Why would modern scholars take out a phrase that reminds us of the power and intensity of Christ’s sacrifice for us?
It is heresy! Jesus went through the most painful, torturous death possible in order to bring us salvation. We must never remove any part of the Bible that is a testament to that truth. It is unacceptable.
6) We do not grow up in salvation
Salvation is instantaneous, not a process. Even as a newborn babe in Christ, we are already saved and have everlasting life. We don’t have to grow up in salvation, right? Let’s look at 1 Peter 2:2 to see what the Bible has to say:
1 Peter 2:2: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
As people of faith, we grow stronger by taking in the Word of God. This is a beautiful statement about our salvation and growing in faith. But compare it for a moment with the NIV: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
This modern translation mangles the meaning behind this verse. We do not need to “grow up in salvation,” as this translation would have us believe. We already have salvation! It’s not a process, it is instantaneous when we accept Jesus into our hearts. What the Word of God does in our lives is help us to grow in faith and wisdom in the Lord. In other words, we have a personal relationship.
7) You can believe in anyone to get saved
Mark 9:42: “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
This verse makes it clear that you have to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation! It cannot be Muhammed or Buddha. Modern Bibles drop “in me.” But you can’t believe in anyone! It must be Christ. The same thing happens in John 6:47.
8) It is not hard to enter the kingdom of God
Mark 10:24: “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”
Modern Bibles take out “trust in riches.” This makes it sound like salvation is hard for everyone, not just those who trust in riches. But that’s not true at all! It’s only hard for those who trust in riches! Otherwise, all we must do is trust in Jesus and proclaim Him as Lord and Savior over our lives.
9) Narrow is the way, not difficult
Another mangling from the modern translation that attempts to push the doctrine of faith being hard is found in the following verse.
Matthew 7:14: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Modern Bibles say, “narrow and difficult.” Again I ask, is salvation hard or difficult? Absolutely not!
For further reference,
– Justification by faith
– Why do Christians have the assurance of salvation? (once saved always saved)
– Why John Calvin is wrong about Calvinism?