KJV 400th anniversary commemorative pieces

marked by a variety of celebratory events. For, the Bible is no ordinary book.
Attempting to answer the question on whether the Bible is important, the late Dr J Vernon McGee who used the King James Version in his teachings said, “The Bible is probably the most maligned book that has been written. It has been attacked as no other book has ever been attacked. Yet, it has ministered and does minister to literally millions of people around the globe, and it has been doing this for several thousand years.
“A book of this nature and with tremendous impact upon the human family certainly deserves the intelligent consideration of men and women”.
As we mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Version , this writer selected some articles that I thought would help our readers better understand the Bible, and appreciate the efforts made by various stakeholders.
Background to the English Bible
Pre-Reformation, most Bibles were in Latin and with Greek, were the scholarly languages.
Ecclesiastically, Latin was the language of use, which precluded ordinary people’s understanding and their reliance on priests to interpret the scriptures for them, otherwise through religious plays and oral traditions, to hear the Bible rather than to read it for themselves.
There were some attempts to bring the Bible into the language of ordinary people but were limited in scope and given the cost and the times, were rare.
Examples would be the Anglo-Saxon gospels, the Anglo-Saxon script written between the lines of Latin text in the Lindisfarne Gospels, and some more vernacular texts probably translated for private use or for preaching aids. Wycliffe’s Middle Ages “Middle English” version (c1300s) was a translation of the Latin Bible (itself written in the 4th Century AD) – that’s probably the equivalent of using a book from his own time as the up to date version today!
Beyond this there were several key events that could be said to lead to the KJV:
A revival of learning and education in the Renaissance period, allowing increased knowledge and understanding of Hebrew and Greek scriptural texts.
This came about partly from additional original manuscripts becoming available to western scholars so that existing western texts could be compared with others; the circulation of printed material – papers, pamphlets and books on a scale never seen before, resulting in greater access to Bible documents.
This was allied to a great explosion of literary work across the arts and sciences in papers, prose, plays, literature of all types made available to ordinary people.
An entirely new translation of the New Testament into Greek in the early 1500s by an eminent Greek scholar named Erasmus, who spent some time in England with English scholars as well as King Henry VIII.
This was used and followed by the work of William Tyndale, translating the New Testament into English Following the English Reformation and the split from Rome, a new Bible – the Great Bible – was ordered to be placed in every English church; and the language of Christian worship became English rather than Latin to reinforce this separation from the Catholic church and within, it showed Henry as the great leader, dispensing God’s wisdom, by the gift of this work! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves . . .! – http://kjv400.co.uk/
400 years of the KJV Bible
The Authorised Version of the holy scriptures, commonly known as the Authorised King James Version or KJV, is the word of God and the glory of the English language.
For almost 400 years it has led multitudes to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and a whole new life in him and his word.
The King James Bible has spread across the world reaching mankind generation after generation. It has saved, comforted, exhorted, rebuked, admonished, warned, enlightened, and edified without ceasing.
King James VI and I, founding monarch of Great Britain, not only commanded the translation of the Authorised Version but he actually took an active role in developing the rules for translators and encouraging the completion of the work.
The King’s College website states: The development of the Bible in English differs from that of other European vernacular translations. Only England has an ‘authorised version’, issued under the auspices of a king who was also the head of the Church.
The vernacular Bible was illegal in England long before the Reformation and so began its development at a great disadvantage, but once England became a Protestant country the translated Bible became a symbol of state.
King James boldly testified of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was very concerned about the spiritual well being of his realm. Unbeknownst to many, James I was as much of a reformer as Martin Luther was. This is easily seen when one peruses his works, published in 1616.
By divine providence, the King James Bible is still available to the true church today but, unfortunately, a plethora of modern perversions of the scriptures have sprouted forth from the earth like a field of so many tares. Men of corrupt minds have developed and sold many of these scurrilous productions that they call Bibles.
Notwithstanding this grievous situation, the Authorised Version stands alone as the word of God. It is tried, true, and tested.
For those that love it, the modern versions with their missing verses and inserted heresies are only impostors.
The Authorised King James Bible alone speaks with the voice of authority and holiness and has done so for almost four centuries. – www.biblicalscholarship.com
The KJV today : Another view
Despite its archaic language the KJV remains a firm favourite with Christians all over the world and although sales have fallen since the influx of more modern versions in the last 20 or 30 years, like the popular New International Version, it is still one of the most popular and widely respected English translations available today.
Even though the Bible as a whole might have fallen out of favour with the general society, many of the phrases that we use in everyday language owe their origin to the King James Version of the Bible, and many people who use them today are oblivious to their scriptural derivation.
A drop in the bucket, lamb to the slaughter and fly in the ointment all have a Biblical foundation.
Sometimes the KJV is difficult to read because of the language, but in 1982 the New King James Bible was published with the aim of updating the vocabulary and grammar to reflect modern language whilst attempting to retain the classic style and literary beauty of the original 1611 version. – http://kjv400.co.uk/kjv-today.php
Forthcoming events
Event: 51st Anniversary Celebrations – Zaoga FIF Wedza District
Date: May 12-15
Venue: Hwedza District – Zaoga
Hosts: District Pastors Morris and Betty Gombakomba
Speakers: Prophet and Mrs Moyounotsva
Music: Carol Mujokoro
Contact: 0773813653/0772230823
NB: All the Zaoga FIF districts will this weekend commemorate the 51st anniversary, which also coincide with the birthday of the founder, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti.
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Event: 51st Anniversary Celebrations – Zaoga FIF Marborough District
Date: May 12-15
Venue: 2554 Harare Drive (near Civic Centre, Marlborough)
Hosts: District Pastors Phillip and Otillia Musoni
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Event: Kuwadzana Crusade – NaJesu tinoenda kure
Dates: May 16-21
Time: 6-9pm
Hosts: Apostle T and Pastor V Vutabwashe
Venue: Kuwadzana Shopping Centre (Opposite OK supermarket)
Contacts: 04-2917995/0772102601
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Event: National Day of Prayer
Date: May 25
Theme: Rise up and rebuild
Venues: Nationwide
Contact: 04-732384/0772319325/0712700100
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Event: Action Celebrate International Conference
Dates: May 23-29
Theme: Walking in Wisdom
Hosts: Pastors Tom and Bonnie Deuschle
Venue: Celebration Centre
Guest speaker: Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin
Contact: 04-850888-92
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Event: 2011 Leadership Life Development Convention
Dates: May 23-29
Theme: Maximising: Building life relationships
Venue: Bible Life Ministries – City of the Lord’s Complex, Broadhurst, Gaborone, Botswana
Host: Dr Enock Sitima
Speakers: Bishop I V Hilliard, Ron Kenoly, Dr Rob Thompson
Contact: (+267) 395 7298
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Event: Celebrating Pentecost – 7th Week after Easter
Dates: June 3-5
Venue: Mazarura Village/Zvimba, Kasanze
Speaker: Bishop C Mutasa
Hosts: Mabasa Ezviratidzo Apostolic Church
Contact: 0772958814/0733230868
“I’m not living a normal life, but rather, I’m living a miracle-filled life, thanks be to the grace and love of the Lord Jesus. Amen!”
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