At the Church at Gun Hill, we prefer to use the Authorised Version of the Bible, sometimes known as the King James Version. Some also use the New King James Version when a modernised text is desired. There is a reason and it is not simply the usual one of beauty of language, however true that may be. Nor is it because we want to cling religiously to tradition. As Christians we know that there is an enemy, opposed to God's Word, who will do all that he can to corrupt it in order to lead people astray. It was Satan who, in the Garden of Eden, questioned, "Hath God said?"

Today, there is a bewildering array of versions of the Bible and young believers can be deceived into thinking that it is simply a question of translation, and that, therefore, a modern translation might be more suitable for them. It is not. If we concentrate mainly on modern versions of the New Testament for the sake of this booklet, the big question is, "Which Greek text is being translated?" At this point, those who are unaware of Biblical origins may well be excused for replying, "Well, surely the original Greek text!" There lies the problem. The original manuscripts, those written by the NT authors, no longer exist. All we have are copies, some early but many late. The Greek manuscripts do not always agree with each other. Which are the most reliable?

Now some say that the differences between the Greek texts and, therefore, between the different translations, is so small as to make no overall difference. Why then does the Preface to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible say: