Is it Legalistic to be King James Bible only?
I am personally King James Bible only and I teach all of my online bible studies with a King James Bible.
I have peace of mind knowing that I have a Bible version that I can completely trust, that is without error. I also find comfort in knowing that God keeps His word in promising to preserve the scriptures without error. I trust every word in the King James Bible.
Psalm 12:6-7
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
That being said, is it legalistic to be King James Bible only? No. It's not. Although there ARE legalistic groups and cult-groups that are King James Bible, but being KJB only does NOT make you a legalist. It also certainly doesn't mean that you are in a cult!
You might not have the same convictions regarding Bible versions. I do recommend studying out the topic for yourself by simply comparing the versions for yourself. Just asking a pastor or listening to what one particular group, person, website or denomination has to say is not sufficient. We should each be fully persuaded in our own minds by the word itself.
Romans 14:5c says,
"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
Deciding to be King James Bible only does NOT mean that you are in a cult. Remember that God's word is the living word of God. Just to have one error in the scriptures can lead to doctrinal errors. Just ONE error also means that it is NOT God's word! A question to ask is, "Is God capable of preserving His word perfectly for us?"
I'm not here to have dominion over your faith, but to be a helper of your joy. So, you must be fully persuaded in your own mind regarding Bible versions, as well as other topics like
how to study the scriptures, dispensationalism, grace living, etc.
2 Cor 1:24
“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”
Romans 14:23
"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
If I give you a set of rules, then it could weaken your faith and I'd be making myself into a "god".
Romans 14:1
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."
Whatever we decide to do, it should be based upon God's word and our understanding of it. It should NOT be to please men or to impress other believers (which satisfies the flesh).
Even when it comes to warning about false teachings etc it should be studied out and not just you "taking my word for it ". Believers can fall into this trap of trying to help others avoid deception but then making themselves "into a god" by having dominion over other people's faith. There also needs to be grace and humility. God does not want us "biting and devouring" one another.
Galatians 5:15
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
We should always ask, "what does the Bible say?", not just, what does my denomination, pastor or group say. We must use scripture to teach others and we should compare scripture with scripture. We need to be Bereans.
Acts 17:11
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
If we are not truly bible alone we can start to fall into man-made religion.
1 Cor 2:13
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth [referring to man-made religion], but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
There are many reasons why many modern churches and denominations are not convinced about the KJB being the preserved word of God in the English language, including the KJB not supporting their particular denominational beliefs, or publishers not being able to make a profit from KJV, and many other reasons (which I'm not going to get into with this podcast). But, you can definitely do your own research if you are interested.
Also, cult groups that use the KJB do not rightly divide the scriptures. Being KJB only is not enough, the Bible has to be rightly divided as well. We are to believe the Bible literally, but also dispensationally. And not just dispensationally but in understanding God's heavenly ministry for us today and the revelation of the mystery (MidActs dispensationalism). People can easily put themselves under the law and false teachings even if they use a KJB if they are also not rightly dividing it, not reading it literally or dispensationlly and are not truly bible alone.
I am thankful that God has provided us with a perfectly preserved Bible that is without error, as well as given us instructions on how to study it!
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