Would You Receive...

I don't have enough information from that alone to answer.Are they truly , Scripturally born again? Have they participated in beliver's baptism? What is their desire in joining the church? How dogmatic are they either way? I'd have to talk with them just like I would talk with anyone who wants to join the church.

 

One of my deacons is KJV only. He uses only the KJV in Kids Zone and when he teaches for me on a Wednesday night.

I am beginning to really be thankful for the kind of people and church that God permitted me to pastor that allows for differences in opinion about issues like calvinism and KJV. Makes me pray every day that God doesn't ask me to leave. I would pprobably have to ask Him to rethink His decision.

 

If Jesus would receive him, who am I to not?

 

Of course I would on the following basis:
If he is truly born again
If he has been baptized
And if he is in good standing with his former church
I would accept Him, especially since we are KJVO

 

I think a word of caution is in order w/ anyone wanting to join a church w/ a different doctrine that the church does not espouse. I have seen (in my limited experience) people who do this try to prosaletyze their doctrine onto the church. Much strife is the result.

I wouldn't mind allowing a KJVO into the church so long as he understands that he is here to minister according to the rule of faith the church deems is correct. Hopefully, there will be opportunity to admonish and illuminate this individual past the KJVO doctrine. But if he indicates that he is bringing a soap box with him, then your red flag should go up and deeply consider the ramifications of having such an individual in your church.

 

I don't know why a KJVO would ever want to join the church I pastor. We are NOT KJVO. The only reason a KJVO would want to join here is to use us as his (or her) private mission field, not not to convert us to Christ, but to convert us the the KJVO position. If that's the case, then, no thank-you! We've got one KJVO church in our town and the poor little thing is always looking for members.

I know of a pastor in our area that having this very problem, and it's hurting his church.

 

If he's coming to worship God and not make converts, he'd be more than welcome!

 

I'm a KJVP and wouldn't visit a church that uses a modern version. I seriously doubt a KJVO would.

 

If a kjvo person can come and respect the plurality of the church then I'd love to have him or her. But, if he or she starts teaching or advocating kjvonlyism then I'd personally invite that person to go find a church that is more compatible with that teaching.

I have no problem with a church that would want me to preach and teach exclusively from the KJV. That's their preference and choice. However, there would be one qualifier. I would not promote the KJV as being the only legitimate version nor would I tolerate that kind of teaching. Being KJV preferred is much different than being KJV only. In my opinion it is a false doctrine that is divisive and destructive.

 

I'd vote to receive them as members, but I'd hope my pastor would have a cordial conversation with them first. If they're KJVO, they need to know we're not. The problem will usually end there.

 

I just don't see a person's choice of translation (even if dogmatic about it) as a test of fellowship.

The church I pastor is, unofficially, a KJVO church. Not that there is ANYTHING in they bylaws of the church that stipulate that (I did preach in view to a call at a church a few years back that were up-front - KJVO, PERIOD - no exceptions, no waver). ON the other hand - while I preach from the KJV (and don't have a problem with it), I did "accidentally" use my NASB one time on a Wednesday night - I really was running behind and both my KJV and NASB were on my desk - both are black, both similar in size, and I was in a hurry and grabbed the wrong one....)

But that being said - not everyone in our congregation is hard-core KJV. In fact, if it really came down to it - I'm not even sure I would be voted out if I started preaching from the ESV or NASB (though I would have a small handfull pretty darned upset, and I am fairly certain 2 or three members would leave the church...).

But all this to say - what should be our "test" of felloship? What is more important - Bible translation of choice, or the state of one's heart?

 

In their membership interview, I'd have to determine how KJVO they are. If they are really KJVP, fine. If they are truly KJVO, then I'd admonish them that their doctrine is in violation of the Scriptural standards of the Church, that they will not be allowed to teach their doctrine and if they do, there will be serious consequences. This would probably seal the deal and they'd leave. Goodness knows there are plenty of churches in my area that would take them in a heartbeat. As a former KJVO, I know what to look for and what can happen.

And context is critical. We have to be very careful around here because every now and then a KJVO will crop up and try to be divisive in local churches. They try to come and "win" back the people, because their souls are in danger since they use something other than the KJV.

Much harm has been caused simply because churches leave too many open doors - no due dilligence on the part of membership acceptance, etc. - allowing too many an opportunity to quickly sow seeds of destruction that ensare people before anyone realizes it.

Long answer to a short question - it's just that I've seen the damage. It isn't pretty. This is why we have to earnestly contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

 

That sounds like a strongly KJVP church to me. I can name a church that just this past month that invited a man to preach a trial sermon to be their pastor. He was to preach Sunday morning and Sunday night. Sunday morning he preached from his pulpit Bible, the NASB. Someone else preached that night - he was asked not to come back.