Different versions of the Old and New Testaments exist. However, most of the differences are a few words or verses altered or deleted here and there. Different versions of the OT give different ages for the patriarchs in the genealogies. Stuff like that. All extent manuscripts agree 98+% of the time; there’s no evidence that significant portions of scripture have been altered or deleted.
So long as you’re not using a super modern translation like the New Message or Living Word versions, you’re going to be fine. You’ll get the truth that you need whether you use the NASB, ESV, KJV, etc. (though I personally recommend the KJV).
The main point of contention between denominations is which books should be in the Bible. I personally hold that the 66 books in the so called “Protestant” Bible are actually the Word of God. These books have been verified to be written by who they say they are written by. In the case of the New Testament, it has the books that it has because those books are known to be written by people who witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and have been quoted by church fathers by at least the second century if not the first.
The books of the Apocrypha do not have the same track record as the core 66 books. They’re not bad, and they even provide some helpful historical context, but they shouldn’t be held as Scripture. You’re not really missing out on any doctrine by neglecting it.
Some links for further reading; it’s good that you’re asking these kinds of questions. It’s always important to know for sure what you believe in:
The answer is kind of.
Different versions of the Old and New Testaments exist. However, most of the differences are a few words or verses altered or deleted here and there. Different versions of the OT give different ages for the patriarchs in the genealogies. Stuff like that. All extent manuscripts agree 98+% of the time; there’s no evidence that significant portions of scripture have been altered or deleted.
So long as you’re not using a super modern translation like the New Message or Living Word versions, you’re going to be fine. You’ll get the truth that you need whether you use the NASB, ESV, KJV, etc. (though I personally recommend the KJV).
The main point of contention between denominations is which books should be in the Bible. I personally hold that the 66 books in the so called “Protestant” Bible are actually the Word of God. These books have been verified to be written by who they say they are written by. In the case of the New Testament, it has the books that it has because those books are known to be written by people who witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and have been quoted by church fathers by at least the second century if not the first.
The books of the Apocrypha do not have the same track record as the core 66 books. They’re not bad, and they even provide some helpful historical context, but they shouldn’t be held as Scripture. You’re not really missing out on any doctrine by neglecting it.
Some links for further reading; it’s good that you’re asking these kinds of questions. It’s always important to know for sure what you believe in:
https://www.gotquestions.org/lost-books-Bible.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Constantine-Bible.html