Where was the word of God before 1611?

Where was the word of God before 1611?

ANSWER:

"         THE HOLY BIBLE
containing the old and new testaments
1611 Authorized King James Version
Translated out of the original tongues 
and with former translations
diligently compared and revised
by his magesty's special command         "

The word of God (prior to 1611) was in the former translations and the Hebrew and Greek languages. The KJB is a compilation of the correct (inspired) readings from those sources. The TR, Majority Text, Alexandrian Text, Old Latin, Old Syriac, early translations, etc. ALL have SOME inspired words and whole verses.  

For example,

KJB Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

NKJV Genesis 1:4  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

When the NKJV (or anything else) agrees with the KJB, those verses/words are the inspired words of God. The KJB (to my knowledge) is the only complete compilation of the inspired words of God without error, though other texts do contain some inspired words and even verses.

The early Christians hardly ever had whole portions of scripture. Some may have had a few books of the Bible, others may have only had a few chapters. Carrying around a 66 Book complete Bible was not a common practice in the early days of the New Testament church due to persecution and availability. The word of God was scattered around in different copies and translations, but of course God supernaturally preserved His word through those copies and translations.

Some people do not acknowledge that God is the preserver of scripture. I have been told that scripture was not preserved perfectly because humans err in scribal work. They say that because humans are not infallible that this means that the word of God has not been perfectly preserved (James R. White says that copying and translating are strictly human process). These people seem to leave God completely out of the preservation of scripture! But God is THE preserver of scripture, humans are only instruments that God uses in the process.

Psalms 12:
[6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
[7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

1 Peter 1:

[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
[25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Bible critics often say, "So you believe that the KJB translators were INSPIRED?!" In a way, yes I do believe that. I do NOT believe that they received new revelation, but I do believe that the Holy Spirit led and guided them in the translating of the text. God is the preserver. That is why Paul told Timothy that he had "holy scriptures" and that "ALL scripture IS given by inspiration of God".......

2 Timothy 3:

[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Timothy did not have any original manuscripts (except for 1 and 2 Timothy), he only had copies or translations. However, he still had holy scripture that was given by inspiration of God. The words in our King James Bible are (in preservation) the inspired words of God--the KJB is inspired. Some people mistake this to mean that I believe that the KJB translators received a new revelation, almost like Joseph Smith and his book of Mormon. But I believe NOTHING of the sort, I just believe that the KJB translators were led by the Spirit to compile the inspired words of God into one Book......given by inspiration of God. 

Also see these posts

False premise of Bible correctors (James White)  
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/false-premise-of-bible-correctors-james.html

False premise of Bible correctors (Part 2)
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/false-premise-of-bible-correctors-part-2.html

--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell