Comment on How can we be sure the New Testament hasn't been heavily tampered with? by q2025

Parent Post: How can we be sure the New Testament hasn't been heavily tampered with? · In Reply To

q2025 · 2/25/2025, 7:27:41 PM · permalink

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j.k.harwood2 · 2/26/2025, 6:31:53 AM · permalink

The claims about John 5:7 (the Comma Johanneum) and Acts 8:37 are well-known, but they don’t prove widespread or malicious tampering—rather, they highlight textual transparency and scholarly integrity in preserving the most authentic biblical text possible.

1\. John 5:7 – The "Trinity Verse"

Yes, the phrase "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." does not appear in the earliest Greek manuscripts. It was likely added in later Latin manuscripts and then included in the Textus Receptus, which influenced the King James Bible.

However, this does not mean the Trinity was fabricated.

The doctrine of the Trinity existed long before this verse was added.

Other verses affirm the Trinity’s concept:

Matthew 28:19 – Jesus commands baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

John 1:1,14 – The Word was God and became flesh.

2 Corinthians 13:14 – Mentions the Father, Son, and Spirit together.

The verse was removed from modern translations not to erase the Trinity, but to reflect earlier, more accurate manuscripts.

If the Bible were being "tampered with" to push an agenda, why would later scholars remove a verse that supports a central doctrine?

2\. Acts 8:37 – "Jesus is the Son of God"

This verse (where Philip asks the Ethiopian eunuch if he believes in Jesus) is absent in the earliest Greek manuscripts but appears in later ones.

The likely reason? Early Christians added a confession of faith that was commonly spoken during baptism.

Modern translations remove it because the goal is accuracy to the original text—not because it disproves Jesus' divinity.

Jesus is still called the Son of God dozens of times throughout the New Testament (Matthew 16:16, John 20:31, Romans 1:4, etc.).

3\. The Key Point: No Doctrine Was Changed

The fact that textual variants are publicly acknowledged and corrected proves that scholars are committed to truth, not deception.

Unlike religions that hide inconsistencies, Christian textual scholars examine everything openly. Even with minor variations, no core Christian doctrine has been erased, changed, or contradicted—Jesus' divinity, the resurrection, salvation by faith, and the Trinity are all taught throughout Scripture.

Rather than being an argument against biblical reliability, these corrections show that we have access to the most authentic version of God's Word possible.

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q2025 · 2/26/2025, 7:35:03 AM · permalink

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j.k.harwood2 · 2/26/2025, 8:21:30 AM · permalink

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q2025 · 2/26/2025, 10:23:35 AM · permalink

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j.k.harwood2 · 11/22/2025, 6:24:42 PM · permalink

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q2025 · 11/22/2025, 6:58:45 PM · permalink

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j.k.harwood2 · 11/27/2025, 10:27:28 AM · permalink

John 1:1–3, 14

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

“The Word” is explicitly identified as Jesus Christ.

He was God, existed before creation, and created all things—attributes belonging only to God.

2\. John 10:30

“I and the Father are one.”

The religious leaders immediately tried to stone Jesus Christ for blasphemy (v.33), proving they understood exactly what He meant: equality with God, not agreement of purpose.

3\. John 8:58

“Before Abraham was, I AM.”

Jesus uses the divine name revealed in Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”).

Again, the response was attempted execution—because this was a direct claim to deity.

4\. Colossians 1:15–17

“For by Him all things were created… and in Him all things hold together.”

Creation and sustenance of the universe are divine functions.

Paul declares Jesus Christ as eternal, sovereign, and preexistent.

5\. Titus 2:13

“…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Grammatically direct: Jesus is called God.

Jesus Has the Highest Name

6\. Philippians 2:9–11

“God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

This echoes Isaiah 45:23—a passage where YHWH alone declares universal worship.

That Isaiah passage is now applied directly to Jesus.

7\. Acts 4:12

“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Salvation belongs uniquely to Jesus Christ, something Scripture repeatedly says belongs to God alone.

8\. Hebrews 1:8

“But of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.’”

The Father directly calls the Son God.

No symbolic wiggle room here—it’s explicit.

9\. Revelation 19:16

“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

This title belongs to God alone in the Old Testament.

Here, it is inscribed on Jesus Christ.

Summary (Plain and Clear)

Jesus existed eternally

Jesus created all things

Jesus bears the divine name “I AM”

Jesus is worshiped universally

Jesus is called God by the Father

Jesus holds the highest name in heaven and earth

The Bible does not portray Jesus as a lesser being elevated later.

It presents Him as God made flesh, willingly humbling Himself, then glorified openly.

“In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” — Colossians 2:9

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purefury · 2/26/2025, 6:08:14 PM · permalink

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q2025 · 2/25/2025, 7:37:50 PM · permalink

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