Month of Prayer and Giving Day 23 – What Bible version do Grace Baptist Partnership churches use?

Month of Prayer and Giving Day 23 – What Bible version do Grace Baptist Partnership churches use?

Let me begin by saying that Grace Baptist Partnership doesn’t have churches – not any. We are simply a means through which various autonomous local churches as well as other likeminded individuals partner together to – as our strapline says – grow leaders, plant churches and reach nations. We simply don’t ‘have’ churches.

Okay, what Bible version do churches that partner together as I have described use? Well, off the top of my head I can think of four different ones. The basis of our cooperation is a common belief in the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture not a standardised Bible version.

The same goes for hymn books. Those that use them – some prefer screens or printed words – sing from at least three different hymn books. But, though we may not sing from the same books, we are on the same page. We don’t elevate our preferences to the level of principle and we don’t divide over secondary – much less tertiary or quaternary – issues.

Do we think that such issues are unimportant? No, we think they are so important that each local church ought to be able to proceed as they believe is right before the Lord with no real or perceived coercion. So, if I preach in your church, I’ll use your Bible version and hymn book. No questions asked. No aspersions cast. I hope you will do the same.

Will you pray for an increase of gospel magnanimity in our circles? Will you ask the Lord to help us demonstrate genuine spiritual humility as we relate to one another in gospel partnership?

Will you pray that the churches will seek to be faithful to Scripture and in step with the Spirit as they make decisions about local church life?

If you will – whether you prefer yes or yea – your prayer will have my amen.

Barry King