Our Bible
One of the most often asked questions of our church is, “What
Bible do you use?” We answer unapologetically, "the King James
Version." More and more individual Christians and unfortunately
Bible-believing churches are forsaking the King James Version in
favor of the more modern translations. In fact, there exists a huge
controversy among Bible-believing, Independent, Baptist
Fundamentalists as to whether or not the King James Version of
the Bible is the Bible to be used in worship and personal study. A
desire exists to forsake the King James Version (KJV) for the more
“modern” translations such as the New American Standard Bible
(NASB), the New International Version (NIV), or even the New King
James Version (NKJV). The argument is put forward that the more
modern translations are easier to read because the translations
update the language and leave out all those "thee’s" and "thou’s."
Another argument tries to say that the new translations are more
accurate than the KJV. Wilton Baptist Church whole-
heartedly disagrees with these and any arguments that claim that
these translations are more accurate than the KJV. It is the position
of Wilton Baptist Church to reject these arguments and these
translations, and to confidently say that we use the King James
Version of the Bible exclusively in all services, ministries, or
activities associated with our ministry.
But, why do we use the King James Version? Is it because
Independent Baptist churches have always used the KJV and we
can’t break tradition? Is it because we have adopted whole-
heartedly, or even without knowing, the unbiblical teachings of
Peter Ruckman and believe the KJV is advanced revelation? Or is
it because the KJV is the most accurate translation in English
because it is from the preserved Hebrew and Greek texts? It is the
latter reason why Wilton Baptist Church uses the KJV. It is a
conviction.
DEFINITIONS
Before we can accurately state what we believe about the Bible we
must first establish some definitions of the terminology that we
intend to use. These definitions will aid the reader in a clearer
understanding of the position that will be explained.
Inspiration - is that process by which “God breathed” or wrote the
books of the Bible by holy men of God, as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were
supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no
other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. (2 Timothy 3:
16, II Peter1:19-21)
Plenary Inspiration - is the view that the entire Bible is inspired.
Verbal Inspiration - is the view that "God-breathed" extends to the
choice of the words of Scripture. It asserts that the God-breathed
truth was grasped by God-appointed men who were guided by the
Holy Spirit in their selection of words.
Preservation - is the view that God will, and has, preserved His
Word in pure form, including the most minute details (the jots and
tittles, the words), and that this would include the whole Scriptures,
Old and New Testaments. The biblical doctrine of preservation is
verbal, plenary preservation, which is the only reasonable view in
light of the Biblical doctrine of the verbal, plenary, inspiration of the
Writings.
Inerrancy - is the view that the Bible is without error, that the Bible
is correct in every statement it makes. The Bible reports and
identifies errors accurately, of course, but it does not perpetrate
them.
Infallibility - is the view that the Bible is effective in everything it
does. When the Bible is used, it always works. It never fails us. The
Bible is incapable of error.
OUR POSITION
Wilton Baptist Church believes the Bible is comprised of sixty-six
books of the Old and New Testaments and was given by inspiration
of God. Wilton Baptist Church believes, therefore, that it is inerrant
and infallible. Wilton Baptist Church furthermore believes in both
the verbal and plenary inspiration. In addition, Wilton Baptist
Church believes that God has preserved His Word as He promised,
and that He has preserved it in the traditional texts or in the set of
manuscripts known as the Received Text (Textus Receptus) and
Masoretic Text. Wilton Baptist Church also believes that the King
James Version of the Bible is an accurate, faithful, and reliable
translation of these manuscripts and that the English reader,
therefore, can study it with utmost confidence and rely upon it.
Wilton Baptist Church can confidently say the King James Version
is the inspired Word of God, not because God “breathed” again in
1611, but because the King James Bible was translated from the
preserved texts.
AN EXPLANATION OF OUR POSITION
While Wilton Baptist Church holds to the position that the
original manuscripts were given by inspiration of God and are,
therefore, perfect and inerrant both verbally and plenarily, we do
not believe that inspiration as a process extends to any translation
including the King James Version. Therefore, neither perfection nor
inerrancy can be extended to the King James Version in the same
sense that the original manuscripts were perfect and inerrant. To
believe otherwise would lead to several conclusions which are
unacceptable. Some of these unacceptable conclusions will now be
explained.
First, to believe that the King James Version of the Bible is perfect
and inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant would result in our believing that the italicized
words constitute additional revelation to that which was given at the
time of the original writings. Revelation ceased with the completion
of the New Testament. This is based on the position that the
phrase “when that which is perfect is come” in I Corinthians 13
refers to the completion of the New Testament. At that time “that
which is in part shall be done away” refers to several things
mentioned including prophecy. Prophecy (or the giving forth of
divine revelation) ceased when the New Testament was completed.
Wilton Baptist Church believes that the King James Version
of the Bible is an accurate, reliable, and trustworthy translation of
the best manuscripts. Although the italicized words were well done
and properly included in the translation in order to help the English
reader understand what he is reading and to aid in the smoothness
of the translation, the italicized words are not inerrant.
The translators used italics in order to make it abundantly clear
that these words were not part of the original, and that they had not
added them to the original, because they knew well the Biblical
statements warning against adding to the words of God. (Proverbs
30:6, Revelation 22:18)
Secondly, if a passage in the Greek or Hebrew text happens to be
capable of more than one translation, all of which are equally
accurate, viewing the King James Version as perfect and inerrant
(in the same sense that the original manuscripts were perfect
and
inerrant) would lead one to conclude that the King James Version
shows which of these possibilities God intended. This sort of
thinking would in turn lead one to conclude that the King James
Version of the Bible serves as a clarifier or corrector of the original
manuscripts and is, therefore, actually superior to, and thus more
authoritative than, the original Greek or Hebrew manuscripts.
Wilton Baptist Church does not believe that the King James Version
of the Bible is superior to, and thus more authoritative than, the
original manuscripts. We also do not believe that the King James
Version of the Bible can be used as a corrector or clarifier of the
original Greek or Hebrew manuscripts.
Thirdly, Wilton Baptist Church believes that the sixty-six books
comprising the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and
that the apocryphal books have no place whatsoever in the sacred
canon. Note that the apocryphal books were included in the first
edition of the King James Version but were later (and properly)
removed. Thus, to believe that the King James Version is perfect
and inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant would bring us into conflict with our view of the
apocryphal books and with their original inclusion in the King James
Version of the Bible.
Fourthly, the King James Version has undergone several revisions.
While recognizing that these were minor revisions consisting mainly
of spelling and typographical corrections, this would have been
totally unnecessary if the King James Version were perfect and
inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant. There was no necessity of revising the
original writings. God the Holy Spirit so superintended their writing
that the finished product was exactly what He wished to say the
very first time He said it. Furthermore, the fact that there have been
a number of revisions of the King James Version (however minor
they may have been) implies that, if the King James Version of the
Bible were perfect and inerrant in the same sense as the original
manuscripts, we would then have to decide which particular version
of the King James Version was perfect and inerrant (ie., whether it
was the original King James Version manuscripts, the first revision,
the second revision, or one of the others.)
Wilton Baptist Church does not believe that there are
“mistakes” in the King James Version, and does not perform any
correcting of the King James Version. Wilton Baptist Church does
not believe that the translation of the King James is wrong or that
the King James Version should have been translated differently.
The only English version of the Bible we use is the King James
Version. Wilton Baptist Church believes that the King James
Version is an accurate translation of the Bible. At the same time,
however, we do not believe that there is necessarily only one
correct way in which a verse may have been translated. Therefore,
we study Greek in order that we might better understand the Word
of God and accurately teach and preach it. The Greek text is
frequently used to clarify the meaning of the original in the thinking
of the English reader. Therefore, it would not be uncommon for our
preacher to say something such as, “Baptism is to be understood
in the sense of immersion.”, or “Conversation is to be used in the
sense of behavior or manner of life.”
A POSITION ON THE KJV THAT WE REJECT
Wilton Baptist Church rejects the arguments of those who, in their
pursuit to defend the King James Version against the onslaught of
modern translations, textual criticism and the liberal church
movement, have accepted questionable theology concerning the
Scriptures and particularly the King James Version of the Bible.
This questionable theology centers around what one believes the
King James Version actually is. Some may feel the King James
Version is given certain qualities, that it is inspired, inerrant, or
preserved, and that these qualities will automatically settle the Bible
version debate. However, when leaders of local churches accept a
belief system that has no Scriptural authority, they end up with a
theology that is corrupt, inaccurate, or completely out of line with
what the Scripture teaches. The result is that these leaders then
pass their flawed theology on to their members through their
preaching and teaching ministries. Any theory which assigns divine
origin to the King James Version, or which in any way includes the
idea of inspiration or even preservation in its view of the production
of the King James Version, is borrowing ideas from Ruckmanism.
What is Ruckmanism? A working definition of Ruckmanism is the
belief that the King James Version is absolutely inerrant, containing
advanced revelation over the Greek and Hebrew from which it
came, with the demand for one exact, inerrant version to preach
and teach. Ruckman teaches that the KJV English translation is
superior to any Greek text (including the Textus Receptus), that it
corrects the errors in any Greek text, and that it is “advanced
revelation.”
CONCLUSION
Wilton Baptist Church is a church that uses the King James
Version of the Bible by conviction. We cannot see any reason to
use another translation in worship or personal study.
Bible do you use?” We answer unapologetically, "the King James
Version." More and more individual Christians and unfortunately
Bible-believing churches are forsaking the King James Version in
favor of the more modern translations. In fact, there exists a huge
controversy among Bible-believing, Independent, Baptist
Fundamentalists as to whether or not the King James Version of
the Bible is the Bible to be used in worship and personal study. A
desire exists to forsake the King James Version (KJV) for the more
“modern” translations such as the New American Standard Bible
(NASB), the New International Version (NIV), or even the New King
James Version (NKJV). The argument is put forward that the more
modern translations are easier to read because the translations
update the language and leave out all those "thee’s" and "thou’s."
Another argument tries to say that the new translations are more
accurate than the KJV. Wilton Baptist Church whole-
heartedly disagrees with these and any arguments that claim that
these translations are more accurate than the KJV. It is the position
of Wilton Baptist Church to reject these arguments and these
translations, and to confidently say that we use the King James
Version of the Bible exclusively in all services, ministries, or
activities associated with our ministry.
But, why do we use the King James Version? Is it because
Independent Baptist churches have always used the KJV and we
can’t break tradition? Is it because we have adopted whole-
heartedly, or even without knowing, the unbiblical teachings of
Peter Ruckman and believe the KJV is advanced revelation? Or is
it because the KJV is the most accurate translation in English
because it is from the preserved Hebrew and Greek texts? It is the
latter reason why Wilton Baptist Church uses the KJV. It is a
conviction.
DEFINITIONS
Before we can accurately state what we believe about the Bible we
must first establish some definitions of the terminology that we
intend to use. These definitions will aid the reader in a clearer
understanding of the position that will be explained.
Inspiration - is that process by which “God breathed” or wrote the
books of the Bible by holy men of God, as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were
supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no
other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. (2 Timothy 3:
16, II Peter1:19-21)
Plenary Inspiration - is the view that the entire Bible is inspired.
Verbal Inspiration - is the view that "God-breathed" extends to the
choice of the words of Scripture. It asserts that the God-breathed
truth was grasped by God-appointed men who were guided by the
Holy Spirit in their selection of words.
Preservation - is the view that God will, and has, preserved His
Word in pure form, including the most minute details (the jots and
tittles, the words), and that this would include the whole Scriptures,
Old and New Testaments. The biblical doctrine of preservation is
verbal, plenary preservation, which is the only reasonable view in
light of the Biblical doctrine of the verbal, plenary, inspiration of the
Writings.
Inerrancy - is the view that the Bible is without error, that the Bible
is correct in every statement it makes. The Bible reports and
identifies errors accurately, of course, but it does not perpetrate
them.
Infallibility - is the view that the Bible is effective in everything it
does. When the Bible is used, it always works. It never fails us. The
Bible is incapable of error.
OUR POSITION
Wilton Baptist Church believes the Bible is comprised of sixty-six
books of the Old and New Testaments and was given by inspiration
of God. Wilton Baptist Church believes, therefore, that it is inerrant
and infallible. Wilton Baptist Church furthermore believes in both
the verbal and plenary inspiration. In addition, Wilton Baptist
Church believes that God has preserved His Word as He promised,
and that He has preserved it in the traditional texts or in the set of
manuscripts known as the Received Text (Textus Receptus) and
Masoretic Text. Wilton Baptist Church also believes that the King
James Version of the Bible is an accurate, faithful, and reliable
translation of these manuscripts and that the English reader,
therefore, can study it with utmost confidence and rely upon it.
Wilton Baptist Church can confidently say the King James Version
is the inspired Word of God, not because God “breathed” again in
1611, but because the King James Bible was translated from the
preserved texts.
AN EXPLANATION OF OUR POSITION
While Wilton Baptist Church holds to the position that the
original manuscripts were given by inspiration of God and are,
therefore, perfect and inerrant both verbally and plenarily, we do
not believe that inspiration as a process extends to any translation
including the King James Version. Therefore, neither perfection nor
inerrancy can be extended to the King James Version in the same
sense that the original manuscripts were perfect and inerrant. To
believe otherwise would lead to several conclusions which are
unacceptable. Some of these unacceptable conclusions will now be
explained.
First, to believe that the King James Version of the Bible is perfect
and inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant would result in our believing that the italicized
words constitute additional revelation to that which was given at the
time of the original writings. Revelation ceased with the completion
of the New Testament. This is based on the position that the
phrase “when that which is perfect is come” in I Corinthians 13
refers to the completion of the New Testament. At that time “that
which is in part shall be done away” refers to several things
mentioned including prophecy. Prophecy (or the giving forth of
divine revelation) ceased when the New Testament was completed.
Wilton Baptist Church believes that the King James Version
of the Bible is an accurate, reliable, and trustworthy translation of
the best manuscripts. Although the italicized words were well done
and properly included in the translation in order to help the English
reader understand what he is reading and to aid in the smoothness
of the translation, the italicized words are not inerrant.
The translators used italics in order to make it abundantly clear
that these words were not part of the original, and that they had not
added them to the original, because they knew well the Biblical
statements warning against adding to the words of God. (Proverbs
30:6, Revelation 22:18)
Secondly, if a passage in the Greek or Hebrew text happens to be
capable of more than one translation, all of which are equally
accurate, viewing the King James Version as perfect and inerrant
(in the same sense that the original manuscripts were perfect
and
inerrant) would lead one to conclude that the King James Version
shows which of these possibilities God intended. This sort of
thinking would in turn lead one to conclude that the King James
Version of the Bible serves as a clarifier or corrector of the original
manuscripts and is, therefore, actually superior to, and thus more
authoritative than, the original Greek or Hebrew manuscripts.
Wilton Baptist Church does not believe that the King James Version
of the Bible is superior to, and thus more authoritative than, the
original manuscripts. We also do not believe that the King James
Version of the Bible can be used as a corrector or clarifier of the
original Greek or Hebrew manuscripts.
Thirdly, Wilton Baptist Church believes that the sixty-six books
comprising the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and
that the apocryphal books have no place whatsoever in the sacred
canon. Note that the apocryphal books were included in the first
edition of the King James Version but were later (and properly)
removed. Thus, to believe that the King James Version is perfect
and inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant would bring us into conflict with our view of the
apocryphal books and with their original inclusion in the King James
Version of the Bible.
Fourthly, the King James Version has undergone several revisions.
While recognizing that these were minor revisions consisting mainly
of spelling and typographical corrections, this would have been
totally unnecessary if the King James Version were perfect and
inerrant in the same sense that the original manuscripts were
perfect and inerrant. There was no necessity of revising the
original writings. God the Holy Spirit so superintended their writing
that the finished product was exactly what He wished to say the
very first time He said it. Furthermore, the fact that there have been
a number of revisions of the King James Version (however minor
they may have been) implies that, if the King James Version of the
Bible were perfect and inerrant in the same sense as the original
manuscripts, we would then have to decide which particular version
of the King James Version was perfect and inerrant (ie., whether it
was the original King James Version manuscripts, the first revision,
the second revision, or one of the others.)
Wilton Baptist Church does not believe that there are
“mistakes” in the King James Version, and does not perform any
correcting of the King James Version. Wilton Baptist Church does
not believe that the translation of the King James is wrong or that
the King James Version should have been translated differently.
The only English version of the Bible we use is the King James
Version. Wilton Baptist Church believes that the King James
Version is an accurate translation of the Bible. At the same time,
however, we do not believe that there is necessarily only one
correct way in which a verse may have been translated. Therefore,
we study Greek in order that we might better understand the Word
of God and accurately teach and preach it. The Greek text is
frequently used to clarify the meaning of the original in the thinking
of the English reader. Therefore, it would not be uncommon for our
preacher to say something such as, “Baptism is to be understood
in the sense of immersion.”, or “Conversation is to be used in the
sense of behavior or manner of life.”
A POSITION ON THE KJV THAT WE REJECT
Wilton Baptist Church rejects the arguments of those who, in their
pursuit to defend the King James Version against the onslaught of
modern translations, textual criticism and the liberal church
movement, have accepted questionable theology concerning the
Scriptures and particularly the King James Version of the Bible.
This questionable theology centers around what one believes the
King James Version actually is. Some may feel the King James
Version is given certain qualities, that it is inspired, inerrant, or
preserved, and that these qualities will automatically settle the Bible
version debate. However, when leaders of local churches accept a
belief system that has no Scriptural authority, they end up with a
theology that is corrupt, inaccurate, or completely out of line with
what the Scripture teaches. The result is that these leaders then
pass their flawed theology on to their members through their
preaching and teaching ministries. Any theory which assigns divine
origin to the King James Version, or which in any way includes the
idea of inspiration or even preservation in its view of the production
of the King James Version, is borrowing ideas from Ruckmanism.
What is Ruckmanism? A working definition of Ruckmanism is the
belief that the King James Version is absolutely inerrant, containing
advanced revelation over the Greek and Hebrew from which it
came, with the demand for one exact, inerrant version to preach
and teach. Ruckman teaches that the KJV English translation is
superior to any Greek text (including the Textus Receptus), that it
corrects the errors in any Greek text, and that it is “advanced
revelation.”
CONCLUSION
Wilton Baptist Church is a church that uses the King James
Version of the Bible by conviction. We cannot see any reason to
use another translation in worship or personal study.
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| Wilton Baptist Church "Building Faith, Family, and a Future Together" 755 Saratoga Road, Wilton, NY 12831 518.583.2736 518.5830717 www.wiltonbaptistchurch.com (c) 2009 |
Wilton Baptist Church
Wilton Baptist Church
"Building Faith, Family, and a Future Together"
"Building Faith, Family, and a Future Together"
| KJV Online Bible |
