“My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” – Martin Luther
He stood there, on trial, facing his accusers. His works and writings spread across a table. “Will you recant?” Silence fell and all eyes looked to Martin Luther.
One might have wondered what was going through his mind. Did he think back to all that happened leading to the Diet of Worms? Did his mind recall the pounding of the hammer as he nailed the 95 Theses in Wittenberg? Or was it an event or an action before that? Did Martin Luther think back to the hours he spent studying God’s Word and finding the book of Romans? Did he think back to the times he found himself wrestling over the Catholic church’s teachings and the doctrine of God’s Word? Did he then think about how this time studying gave him a voice to declare and stand on what God’s Word said?
He opened his mouth, “Since your most serene majesty and your high mightinesses require of me a simple, clear and direct answer, I will give one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the council, because it is as clear as noonday that they have fallen into error and even into glaring inconsistency with themselves. If, then, I am not convinced by proof from Holy Scripture, or by cogent reasons, if I am not satisfied by the very text I have cited, and if my judgment is not in this was brought into subjection to God’s word, I neither can nor will retract anything; for it cannot be either safe or honest for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise; God help me! Amen.”
Where the Reformation Began Then and Now
Many people see 1517 as the beginnings of the Reformation. Many see the action of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses as the spark for the Reformation. But, was it?
How do you think Martin Luther arrived at these conclusions that were contrary and condemnable at his time? He started by personally studying Scripture. Luther did not just vent complaints. Instead, he found the teachings of Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic church to be in conflict. He then spoke.
In these last three posts, I have written about the King James Only Movement. I have laid out reasons why we left the churches found in this movement. Many have done the same. Why? Was it because we do not like the King James Version?
No. It is from taking the teachings of this movement and comparing them with Scripture. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15 is the attitude that sparked the Reformation. It was when an individual took time to study the Bible that God gave them a voice. It was studying the Bible that lead us to separate from the King James Only Movement.
It is not about preference. It is about what God says.
Raising Your Voice Like Paul and Martin Luther
When we read the New Testament epistles, we find an attitude of Paul towards various issues in the churches. When it came to issue of false teaching in the church, Paul was direct. He did not beat around the bush. He was blunt. He calls for false teaching to be exposed, separated from, and then a return to Biblical teaching.
Martin Luther followed suit. He was direct. He did not beat around the bush. He called out false teaching, called for separation, and then he did one of the most beautiful things in church history: Martin Luther began translating the Bible in the German language. He wanted the people to know God’s Word and know what God teaches. The only way for one to know the Bible is to study it in their own language. The Reformation followed Paul’s example by leading people to Scripture.
Both never called for a destruction of an individual or group of people because they were teaching unbiblical thing. Instead, call it out > separate > return to Scripture.
Now We Turn to the King James Only Movement
What are we to do with the King James Only Movement and the churches and people who follow this teaching?
Our first question should always be: Is it biblical?
They claim that holding on to the King James Version as the only version is a key component of the faith. Is that biblical? It is not. https://bracedbytruth.home.blog/2019/06/26/behind-pleasant-faces-house-rules-as-doctrine/
Please see the link for the Scripture. It is not biblical to say this because it ultimately makes the Christian faith a “Jesus and…” faith.
Their ideologies are similar to that of the Gnostics. They promote one can only know God through the secret knowledge only found in the KJV.
https://bracedbytruth.home.blog/2019/07/03/behind-pleasant-faces-dissecting-and-exhuming-ideology/
It is clear, based on their teachings, the King James Only Movement is not biblical. When we hold their claims up to Scripture, it is not a match.
Behind Pleasant Faces
There are many saved individuals in King James Only churches. There are many good Christians sitting in those pews. There are many good pastors who are preaching there. However, what they hold to is unbiblical teaching. They are being deceived. Behind their smiles and warm acceptance is the deception that goes back to the New Testament of adding to salvation and sanctification.
It may not be their fault. But, we still need to call it what it is: unbiblical. Pleasant faces can hide unbiblical deception.
Standing
The truth has been stated. We follow suit with Paul and Luther. It is hard to do. But, it comes down to a question: if something unbiblical is happening in the church, what should we do? What do we ultimately call the KJVO movement? Romans 16:17-18 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
But, it is not enough to just separate. All that does is leave behind a deceived people. We must stand on the truth. We must stand on God’s Word. They can have all their Greek and Hebrew manuscript debates. But, it must come down to what is ultimately being taught. Does it match Scripture? We must always stand with Scripture over everything else. We must always promote the truth of Scripture. We should not be seated and just see these movements as a matter of preference. Standing with and for the Truth is what we are called to.
Concluding
As Martin Luther gave those words, he sealed his fate. Yet, he stood for the truth. It was not popular in his circles and he probably lost friends and relationships with neighbors. But, Luther could not go against Scripture. He had to promote the truth. He did not try to close down the Catholic Church or destroy the papacy. He spoke truth and pointed people to the truth.
As we look at the KJVO Movement and other movements and teachings in our churches today, do they match with Scripture? What are we going to do as individuals who know the truth when unbiblical teaching happens?
We should follow the example of Martin Luther and Paul. We call it out. We separate from it. But, we do not leave it there. We speak the truth. God’s Word and His Truth is much more powerful than our attempts to close a church. His Word changes hearts and that is how a church is changed. We have to be faithful in proclaiming that Truth… even if we stand alone.
That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Braced By Truth 