Non-Baptists and KJVO

This following list is composed of Anabaptists and Protestants, Holiness and High church, Presbyterians and Pentecostals, Congregational, Episcopal or Presbyterian in church government, Arminians and Calvinists – all of which find some agreement in their approval of the King James translation of the Bible. Many of these churches have little else in common. Some might often consider others heretical. They range from holding that the King James Version is the best English translation available to holding that the King James Bible is inspired. Nevertheless, this list helps illustrate the history and scope of “KJVO” – which is often not understood by its opponents, whether ignorantly or deliberately (some want to wrap it up in a nice little recent small package for debating purposes).

Many people seem to think “KJVO” is only a fundamentalist Baptist issue. I have previously posted information on the varied nature of the Baptists who agree on using only the King James Bible. This list shows the idea is not only found among Baptists, but among other Christian religious denominations as well. In many cases, these groups approach the issue differently. For example, in some of the churches governed hierarchically – while they evidently prefer the KJV above all others – it seems more about providing consistency across the denomination, and keeping down undue confusion. Therefore, the King James Version is the required Bible for all worship services. Some of the groups have information available on the World Wide Web. For some others, I only have paper documents or e-mails that provide their positions.

• Anglican Orthodox Church – “The Anglican Orthodox Church today firmly holds to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, the use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the Homilies, and the King James Version of the Bible. The Bible is believed by the AOC to be the divinely inspired word of God and to contain all that is necessary for salvation.”
• Apostolic Christian Church of America – “The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God to man. The New Testament serves as the foundation of the doctrine of the Apostolic Christian Church. The authorized King James version is embraced.”
• Apostolic Church Of God 7th Day – “Two great deceptions have now overtaken mankind. The first is the unproved Theory of Evolution and the second is the Counterfeit Evolving Bibles that are currently flooding the market. Both cast doubt on the accuracy of the Real Word of God, the King James Bible.”
• Apostolic Church of United Kingdom – “We read only from the King James Version Holy Bible, any other Bible is incorrect and is not as according to the Word of God, which was made by men being inspired by the Spirit of God, to write these things as a guide, evidence to who he is and how to live Holy in God.”
• Apostolic Lutheran Church of America – “The King James version must be used as the pulpit Bible in all voting congregations.”
• Apostolic Ministries of America Inc. – “Compared to the KJV, other versions on the average in EACH Bible leave out the word ‘God’ 400 times, leave out ‘Lord’ 200 times, leave out ‘Jesus’ over eighty times…God is not the author of confusion. The True Word of God is pure and unadulterated.”
• Australian Free Church – “We hold the Bible to be the Word of God and use the Authorised Version (KJV) as the most faithful English translation.”
• Bible Missionary Church – “We wholeheartedly endorse the use of the Authorized Version (King James Version) of the Bible as the final authority in our English-speaking churches and schools. We also go on record as being opposed to the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, The Living Bible, the New English Translation of the Bible, the Reader’s Digest Condensed Version, the New International Version and the public use of other modern versions.”
• British-Israel Association – “This article is based on the writer’s response to a leaflet published some years ago that declares the King James Bible to be imperfect. Only some of the points raised in the leaflet have been addressed but they are typical of the objections to “What hath God wrought!” with respect to His Book, Numbers 23:23. It is hoped therefore that this article will encourage all true Bible believers to hold fast to the AV1611 as “all scripture...given by inspiration of God” II Timothy 3:16. (p. 12)”
• Christian Assemblies International – “In the 20th century the King James Bible has come under heavy attack. A flood of new translations are trying to substitute it. Which translation is the best one? Does it matter which translation is being used?...The new Bibles have no "blood" in them, no "Lord", no "second coming", nor other vital doctrines. In other words, the new Bibles have all of the convictions of B.F. Westcott.”
• Church of God (International Offices) – “On Wednesday, Thursday and today, the class, ‘King James vs. New Age Bibles’ was taught by Robert J. Hawkins, Jr. , General World Mission Coordinator for the Church.”
• Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)“The Moderator-designate for the 2018 General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is Rev David Blunt, minister of the Free Church Continuing congregation of North Uist & Grimsay...Mr Blunt is also the author of Presbyterianism, published by the Free Church (Continuing), and of Which Bible Version: Does it Really Matter?, published by the Trinitarian Bible Society.”
• Free Presbyterian Church of North America – “The Free Presbyterian Church has from its inception maintained the use of the Authorized Version of the Bible for all its public worship.”
• Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland – “The Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible is used exclusively throughout the English-speaking congregations of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. This is based on the belief that it is the most accurate and faithful version of God’s Word available in the English language today.”
• Fundamental Brethren Church – “Among the issues involved in their leaving the Church of the Brethren, its participation in the National Council of Churches and use of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible were prominent. The group added to its doctrinal statement that the King James Version of the Bible is authoritative.”
• Heritage Reformed Congregations – “The Authorized (often called, ‘King James’) Version of the Bible is used in HRC worship services, being judged a faithful and unrivaled translation of the authentic and preserved texts. We also wish to avoid the confusion that arises from the use of a variety of translations in church services.”
• Holy Church of Christ – “We believe that the authorized King James Version of the Bible is the true guide with nothing added to it or taken away.” (Denominational Church Covenant)
• Illinois Lutheran Conference – “We pledge ourselves exclusively to the use of the King James Version of the Bible (1611) in all our church services, instruction classes, mission activities; in short, in every forum, manner or place where our congregations meet...In clarification, we hold to the King James Version of 1611 because it is by far the most reliable and faithful English translation of the Bible. We are opposed to the usage of new translations because all those of which we have knowledge err seriously in basic doctrinal points.”
• Independent Bible Churches – “We believe that the entire Bible is inspired of God, is without error and is of plenary authority (II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:21). We believe that the Bible has been preserved and exists today for English speaking people in the Authorized Version, commonly called the King James Version, (II Tim. 3:15-16; Psalms 12:6-7; 119:89; Matthew 5:18).”
• Independent Holiness Churches – “The original autographs were inspired. The King James Bible is those same autographs preserved. Why did God inspire a perfect original if he didn’t plan on preserving it?”
• Independent Pentecostal Churches – “The difference is so vast that it forces people to either stay with the firm wording of the King James Bible only or somehow compromise in the readings of what they will accept as Scripture.”
• Laestadian Lutheran Church – “The King James Version will remain in use as our pulpit bible.”
• Life Bible-Presbyterian Church – “We do believe that the Hebrew and Greek texts that were used for the King James Version of the English Bible (KJV) were providentially preserved by God and are therefore closest to the original autographs of the Bible. We do believe that the KJV is a true, faithful, and accurate translation of these Hebrew and Greek texts, and is therefore better than all of the other English Translations.”
• Lutheran Churches of the Reformation – “The Doctrinal Position of the LCR might be simply characterized as that of the old Missouri Synod or the old Synodical Conference. It involves strict adherence to the Holy Bible as the inspired and inerrant Word of God preserved in such faithful translations as Luther’s German Bible and the Authorized or King James Version.”
• Ohio Valley Association of Christian Baptist Churches of God – “We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He was born of the virgin Mary and the scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the inspired Word of God, and that the New Testament is our rule of faith and practice. The King James Bible is the only version to be read in our churches. Other versions are of no more value than a commentary on the scriptures.”
• Pilgrim Mennonite Conference – “So are modern versions suitable replacements for the King James Version? The answer is a clear no. What is a proper view of modern versions? Since modern versions include much of the text of scripture, they can serve as excellent commentaries for cross-reference and interpretation. We must be aware, however, that they are tainted with man’s ideas.”
  
• Protestant Reformed Churches in America – “I contend that the KJV is the best English version, not only because it is the best translation (i.e., as regards faithfulness to the Hebrew and Greek of Scripture; clarity; and beauty), but also because it is based on the best MSS - the MSS that faithfully transmit to us the original Scriptures, particularly the Scriptures of the New Testament.”
• Southern Presbyterian Church (Australia) – “We are Presbyterian in church structure and Reformed in doctrine. The Scriptures of Old and New Testaments are the rule of our faith & practice. Our pulpit Bible is the King James Version.”
• The Church of England (Continuing) – “The Authorised Version of the Bible shall be the only version used in the lectern and the pulpit and in public readings and expositions at all meetings of the Continuing Church.”
• Two-by-Twos – “They shun all formal religious training and members hold regular weekly worship gatherings in local homes – house churches – on Sunday and midweek; only the King James version of the Bible is used.”
  
  

I would be very interested if any readers know of other Christian groups (non-Baptists that are not on the above list) who hold some type of “King James Only” position.

[Notes: I was unable to find current information to determine whether the Fundamental Brethren is still in existence. I believe a couple of groups on the above list may be on the cusp of leaving the “King James Only” position.]