King James Bible facts:
- The King James Version is the most popular Bible translation; an estimated 1 billion or more copies have been published. A recent USA Today article reported that of the 89% of adult Americans who own a Bible, 67% own a King James.
- The translation was authorized by King James I of England upon the request of Puritans who wanted an English version authorized. It was first published in 1611 A.D. (some believe between May 2–May 5).
- At least 169 original 1611 King James Bibles are in existence today.
- The original book was very large—approximately 17″ tall, 30″ wide when opened, and it weighed up to 30 pounds.
- A committee of approximately 54 translators worked for 7 years to complete the King James translation.
The first week of May marks the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the King James Version. We’re celebrating it at Lancaster Baptist Church and West Coast Baptist College in two primary ways:
Special Services
This Sunday we’re designating as King James Bible Sunday. My sermon this Sunday is about the infallibility of God’s Word—how He has inspired and preserved it for us.
Sunday through Thursday morning, we will have a series of special speakers preaching on the preservation of Scripture. All of these services will be livestreamed. Here is the schedule:
Sunday Morning Service, 9:00 am & 10:30 am – Dr. Paul Chappell
Sunday Night Service, 5:30 pm – Dr. Rick Flanders
Monday Chapel, 10:30 am – Dr. Rick Flanders
Tuesday Chapel, 10:30 am – Brother Mike Lester
Wednesday Chapel, 10:30 am – Dr. David Sorenson
Wednesday Midweek Service, 7:00 pm – Dr. David Sorenson
Thursday Chapel, 10:30 am – Dr. John Goetsch
We look forward to these services celebrating the anniversary of this precious Book.
Special Outreach
Starting this past week, our church family and West Coast Baptist College students have been delivering copies of the New Testament throughout our community. In the front of each Bible is a brief history on the translation of the King James Version along with an invitation to our church. We have delivered these into the hands of hundreds of people and are already seeing fruit in the form of salvations and renewed interest in God’s Word.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this historical event than to share with others the central message of Scripture—redemption through Christ.
While we do not believe the King James translators were inspired personally, we thank God for the way He used them to make His inspired and preserved Word accessible to us in English. God’s Word is infinitely precious and divinely powerful.
