Was the blood that Jesus shed for us man's blood, God's blood, or both?

What a thought-provoking question!

Let me begin by quoting Matthew 1:18, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

Mary had never "known" a man before; she was a virgin in the very technical sense of the word (verse 23).  Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit without the intervention of a human father.  Joseph and Mary did not have sexual intercourse until after Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Now, for a brief biology lesson!  When the male sperm and female ovum (egg) unite in what we refer to as conception, it is the male's seed that determines both the sex of the child and the blood type of the fetus.  Therefore, when Mary conceived, it was in fact the very blood of God that began life in Mary's womb, and that later coursed through the veins of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was blood that was uncontaminated by sin.  The blood of God bypassed the genetic code of Mary and remained untouched by sin.  Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God.  That's why Paul could write in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us..."  Hallelujah!

The blood that Jesus shed for our redemption was:

• the blood of God ONLY
• precious blood
• atoning blood

Perhaps I have taken the short, direct route to answer your question, but entire books have been written on this subject.  This doctrine has been challenged, debated and ridiculed by those who try to eliminate our "crimson" salvation, but the Bible makes it clear in so many places that the blood of Jesus was truly an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of mankind.  

In closing, let's allow Hebrews 9:12-14 to speak for itself:

"He [Jesus] did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all by His own blood having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who were ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God."

Only the blood of Jesus--the pure, spotless blood of God qualified to save us from our sins!

Is it wrong to use any Bible other than King James Version?

I heard a pastor say that the only true Bible is the King James Version, and he forbid his people from using any other translations.  What's up with that?

First, let's put to rest the erroneous teaching that Paul used the King James Bible and later authorized its distribution!  Not!  In recent years, battle lines have been drawn both for and against he authorized KJV of 1607.  It is STILL the most popular translation of the Bible.  Its eloquence is STILL unmatched and the King's English is STILL intriguing.  But along with its beauty comes weaknesses in its construction.  The English language has evolved dramatically since 1607, so to say that the KJV is the only right translation does not take into account language antiquity issues.

When Queen Elizabeth of England died in 1603, King James VI of Scotland took the throne as King James I.  There were three popular versions of the Bible at that time:  The Geneva Bible, The Great Bible, and The Bishop's Bible.  In January, 1604, the Puritans asked King James I for a new translation.  Work on the new Bible began in 1607 with 47 translators who met twice each day.  the King James writers immediately recognized translation problems.  In the KJV, the italicized words are actually "extra" words inserted to make the meaning clearer.  These words are not actually found in the Hebrew or Greek language   These words were included to make certain passages read more smoothly in English.

Yes, by all means, keep your KJV.  It is a noble work.  However, keep in mind that languages evolve.  In other words, many words take on new definitions, or fade completely into oblivion.  If you wish, compare today's New King James Version with the 1607 KJV.  You will find many differences, mostly because the King's English is obsolete.  People don't "believeth" anymore; they simply "believe!"

Now, as to the KJV being the only acceptable version of the Bible, let me quote Jesus when Peter spoke out of turn on one occasion:  "I have somewhat to say unto thee!"  

God has used righteous scholars down through history to translate the Scriptures   And each one comes with its inherent strengths and weaknesses.  Why?  Because:

1. Because translators do not draw from the original manuscripts, and
2. Because anything man touches becomes automatically imperfect!

Please remember, however, today's more notable translations for the most part, are dependable.  Any given translation of the bible is probably alright, as long as the central components of God's plan of salvation are left intact.  If in doubt about a given translation, ask someone who is schooled in the Word before you buy it.

A wonderful breakthrough in biblical translation came between 1947 and 1956.  Of course, God had His hand in this miracle!  A Bedouin sheepherder threw a rock into a cave and subsequently heard a noise like the breaking of pottery.  He then came upon several old parchments.  Final discoveries revealed a collection of about 900 documents, including texts from the Hebrew Bible in eleven caves in and around the ruins of the ancient settlement of Khirbet Qumran on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in the West Bank.  These Dead Sea Scrolls held great religious and historical significance, as they included the oldest known surviving copies of biblical and extra-biblical documents.

From this wonderful finding came many of the translations we enjoy today.  God has preserved His Word!  While we may not have the original manuscripts, these Dead Sea manuscripts generally date between 150 B.C. and 70 A.D.  Contemporary translators of God's Word then, are able to provide works that are indeed closer to the original manuscripts.  Hallelujah!

Yes, the KJV is wonderful, but to say it's the only translation we should use is ridiculous.  Many good translations line the shelves of Christian bookstores.  I personally love and use the New American Standard Version.  Others love the New International Version.  Some stick with the New King James Version.  And of course, a good number rely on the original KJV.  As previously mentioned, all of them have their strengths and weaknesses, but let me encourage you to be versatile.  "Study to show yourself approved unto God..."  Compare the different translations and enjoy the many insights the Holy Spirit has given Bible scholars.  After all, He's the REAL AUTHOR AND TEACHER!

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by Facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.