by Bryan Gibson
Since the translation of the King James Version (KJV) in 1611 many more have followed. And since the middle 1800’s translators have had the benefit of many more manuscripts and other materials. But have these additional manuscripts changed the sense of Scripture as found in the KJV?
Any substantial changes would suggest that men did not have what they needed 150 years ago, and if they didn’t then, how can we be sure that we do today? But if we look at the standard translations available today, including the KJV, ASV, RSV, NASB, NIV, and NKJV, we won’t find a single one that includes a mechanical instrument in Ephesians 5:19. Nor will we find one that identifies the tongues of Acts 2 as anything other than actual languages. Even Roman Catholic Bibles teach that that there is one mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), and that men should not be elevated above others with titles (Matthew 23:6-10). In other words, there are many religious disputes over what passages mean, but uncertainty over what the text says is not the reason for them.
Consider the best known disputed passage—the ending of Mark 16. Both the RSV and NIV indicate that Mark 16:9-20 were added later (a position that I personally reject), but this textual dispute is in no way responsible for the debate over baptism and its purpose. Mark 16:16 is not the only passage that states clearly the purpose of baptism. Look at two passages in both the RSV and the NIV: Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16.
RSV: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” “And now, why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…”
NIV: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven…” “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away…”
Even without Mark 16:16, God’s will is clear. Don’t get hung up on any “translation controversy.” We state confidently that God’s will can be learned by reading any of the standard translations available to us today.