Why we preach from the King James Bible

If you read the first line on our website, you meet a long string of words: “We are an old fashioned, King James Bible, independent, fundamental, soul winning, missionary minded Baptist church!” That is a lot to take in if you did not grow up around these terms. This article takes them one at a time, in plain language, so that nothing about Grace Bible Baptist Church is a mystery before you walk through the door.

Old fashioned

We use this word on purpose. It tells you we are not chasing what is new. Church trends come and go, and plenty of them are well meant, but we would rather hold to the Bible and to plain, direct preaching of it. Pastor Barnett says it this way: “We make no apology for strong preaching, sound doctrine, and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.”

The King James Bible

The King James Bible is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1611. It was authorized by King James I of England and prepared by a team of scholars, which is why it is also called the Authorized Version. For generations it was the Bible that English-speaking Christians heard read in church and learned from at home, and its wording shaped a good deal of the English language itself.

Some of its language sounds old to modern ears: words like thee, thou, and whosoever. If that is new to you, you are not alone, and it is not a test. Take John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Read slowly, it is plain. Whosoever means anyone at all. Believeth means believes. Many readers find that the unfamiliar words become familiar after a few pages, and a good way to begin is to read a short passage out loud.

We read and preach from the King James Bible. If you come on a Sunday, that is what you will hear. If a word or a phrase stops you, ask. A question about the text is always welcome.

Independent

In Baptist life, independent generally means that a local church governs itself. It answers to Christ and to His Word rather than to a denominational headquarters or a head office somewhere else. Churches that use the word differ from one another in their details, so for specifics on how we do things, the best step is to ask Pastor Barnett directly.

Fundamental

Fundamental points to the fundamentals: the basic truths of the Christian faith as the Bible states them, held firmly rather than adjusted to suit the mood of the times. The clearest picture we can give you of what that means here is the gospel itself, which we lay out in five steps, with verses, in our article on the plan of salvation.

Soul winning and missionary minded

These two phrases describe what we do with what we believe. Soul winning generally means telling other people the good news about Jesus Christ. In our own words, we have a great soul-winning ministry and bus ministry, striving to obey God's Great Commission to preach the gospel to every creature. That phrase comes from Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Our Thursday Soul Winning time is posted at 7:00 P.M.

Missionary minded means we look past our own street. We financially support worldwide missions, and we think of ourselves as a community of believers making an impact on our city.

What this means if you visit

None of these words is a test you have to pass at the door. Our invitation is the same for everyone: no matter who you are or where you're from, come as you are. You can hear the preaching for yourself at Morning Worship on Sunday at 11:00 A.M., at 2646 Jefferson Ave in Knoxville, or listen to earlier messages through our Sermons page.

If you would rather talk first, call the church at (865) 637-8954. You can also read more about the church and its pastor on our About page, or look at every weekly gathering on the Services page. Not every church makes the same choices we do, and we do not need you to agree with us before you come. We only ask that you come and listen.