Doctrinal Statement on Verbal Plenary Preservation, Perfect TR, and KJV-Onlyism

 

Doctrinal Statement on Verbal Plenary Preservation, Perfect TR, and KJV-Onlyism

Preamble

We, as the church of Jesus Christ, affirm the authority, inspiration, and sufficiency of Holy Scripture, given by God through the prophets and apostles, and faithfully preserved for His people throughout history. We reject any human invention that adds to or distorts the biblical doctrine of inspiration and preservation.

Article I — Verbal Plenary Inspiration

We confess that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are verbally and plenarily inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:21). Every word of Scripture is God-breathed, true, and authoritative.

Article II — Preservation of Scripture

We affirm that God, in His providence, has faithfully preserved His Word in all ages (Ps. 119:89; Isa. 40:8; Matt. 24:35). This preservation is seen through the abundance of manuscripts, translations, and faithful copies available to the church. However, the Bible nowhere teaches that such preservation is tied to one single manuscript tradition, printed edition, or translation.

Article III — Rejection of False Doctrines

1. Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP)

   • We reject the teaching that God has preserved His Word perfectly in one particular text family or edition, as this claim lacks biblical warrant and misapplies the doctrine of inspiration.

2. Perfect Textus Receptus (Perfect TR)

   • We reject the teaching that any one edition of the Textus Receptus is the “perfect” Greek text of the New Testament. The TR itself exists in multiple differing editions and cannot be absolutized without human speculation.

3. KJV-Onlyism

   • We reject the teaching that the King James Version is the only inspired or preserved English Bible. While we honor the KJV for its historic role and accuracy, the elevation of any single translation to the level of divine authority is without biblical foundation.

Article IV — Theological and Pastoral Concern

We affirm that these doctrines—VPP, Perfect TR, and KJV-Onlyism—are personal preferences and human ideas, not biblical truth. They are without spiritual value for salvation, sanctification, or the mission of the church. Moreover, when made a test of orthodoxy or fellowship, they become false teachings that cause division within the body of Christ (Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 1:10).

Article V — Exhortation to the Church

We exhort the universal church to:

• Warn against these errors (Acts 20:29–30).

• Reject them as grounds of fellowship or doctrinal test (Titus 3:9–11).

• Stand united on the true essentials of the faith: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Eph. 2:8–9), the authority of the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and the mission of making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18–20).

Conclusion

We declare that the true foundation of Christian unity is found not in a particular manuscript tradition or translation, but in the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, who is revealed through the whole of Scripture. Therefore, these man-made doctrines must not divide the church, but rather be warned against and rejected, for the glory of God and the good of His people.