By Dr. James Rasbeary
I am an independent Baptist preacher and pastor an independent Baptist church. First and foremost, I am a Baptist in doctrine and practice. I see no reason to divorce myself from a historic name and a doctrinal position that distinguishes me from other groups (who often take Biblical names without adopting Biblical doctrines or practices – i.e., the “churches of Christ” in the New Testament did not teach baptismal regeneration like the denomination that uses this name today). So, first I am a Baptist with a capital “B.” Then, I am an “independent” Baptist.
“Independent” means “Not dependent; not subject to the control of others; not subordinate.” An independent Baptist church is one that is not dependent, subject, or subordinate to any outside organization. This adjective distinguishes and differentiates Lighthouse Baptist Church from those churches that are part of various conventions and organizations. Lighthouse Baptist Church is not part of any convention and recognizes no hierarchy, board, president, religious constitution, or vote by other churches as binding upon itself. Lighthouse Baptist Church is an independent and autonomous or self-governing organization complete in itself, answering directly to its Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are governed by His Word, led by a pastor, served by each other. We vote upon our own business and do not recognize anyone outside of the church membership as having any authority over our actions, decisions, or practices.
We believe that the churches of the New Testament were independent churches. They did cooperate with each other in the Great Commission but we do not read of any organizations over the churches or directing the churches.
The churches of history were independent churches. Conventions and Unions are relatively modern. On paper, they seem like good ideas and always have noble goals. In the past, they may have accomplished some good while still recognizing the sovereignty of the churches. In reality, human nature is what it is, and such organizations eventually become political and tend to lord over the churches. And we aren’t even going to mention the doctrinal compromises that fill such organizations over time.
Being independent simply means that our church is unaffiliated and unattached to any convention or denomination. We may have a loose fellowship with churches and pastors of like faith and practice, particularly through certain Bible colleges, youth camps, preacher’s fellowship meetings, missionaries and friendships – but there is no one who has any jurisdiction or authority or say in what happens in an independent Baptist church except those who are a part of that church.
Now, I would like to point out that I believe the word “independent” is sometimes misunderstood even among independent Baptists. For example, a man may say, “We can do whatever we want to, because we are an independent church.” Now, that is true in practice. There is no denominational boss that is going to come and correct what a church does. An independent church can’t be kicked out of something it isn’t a part of.
However, I would remind myself and anyone reading this that though we are independent from human conventions we are NOT independent from the Word of God. We are not independent from our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, His Word is to be the law of the church. We are not to make the rules but obey the rules set down in the Bible.
Just because we have “the right” to do things does not mean that what we do is automatically right.
The seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3) were all independent churches (separate, distinct candlesticks – NOT branches on one big candelabra). Each stood before the Lord Jesus and was judged individually and separately from the others. As independent churches, they were going about their business and there is no hint of any human organization over any of them.
Nevertheless, some churches were sound, and some were fallen, and some were falling. Ephesus left their first love and was about to lose their candlestick. Thyatira was suffering a woman named Jezebel to teach false doctrine and lead the people into sin. Perhaps the pastor said, “We are an independent church; who I have teaching is no one’s business.” It was the Lord’s business, and He was about to judge their church. The Pergamos church was also looking the other way while some were teaching the doctrine of Balaam in some of the adult Sunday School classes and maybe in the Christian school. The church of Sardis was independent but on life support. The church of Laodicea was rich, contented, and disgustingly lukewarm.
The church of Philadelphia was a good church with a little strength. They would not be judged by what was taking place in Laodicea, nor would the suffering church of Smyrna.
Independent Baptists need to be careful not to use their independence as a cloak for compromise within the church. No, no one can tell us what to do. No, no one has the right to meddle in our business. But there is ONE who is the Head of our Church, and He expects the church to be about His business of winning souls, baptizing converts, training disciples, and sending out missionaries. He expects to be first place and first love. He expects holiness and separation from sin and worldliness. He expects things to be done decently and in order. He has given us the qualifications for the pastor and the deacons. They are not up for debate. The ordinances are given to us to “keep,” not to adjust or meddle with according to our wishes.
We should also say that independence is not isolationism. The work of God is bigger than any one church. Churches of like faith can work together if they choose to, primarily in regards to world missions and church planting. Churches in a region could help to start new churches in the area. There’s nothing wrong with attending or supporting someone else’s meeting, though I believe that we should attend our own church services during their scheduled times unless sick, out of town, or providentially hindered. Pastors can be friends without giving up their independence. Churches that can’t see past the four walls of their own church or the 10 churches in their own “camp” are missing out on the fact that God still has His 7000 that still haven’t bowed the knee to Baal. And they didn’t all graduate from my Bible college – or yours.
Then, independence gives the church the freedom to carry out missions as it chooses to do so. No one chooses our missionaries for us. Our church meets and votes upon its own and sends the support directly to them. They report back to us. We recognize the authority of their sending church and yet we can work together through our missionaries to reach the world.
I am thankful to be an independent Baptist. I am excited by what God has done through independent Baptist churches through history and what He is doing now. But let us be clear of what it means – and doesn’t mean – to be an independent Baptist.
Thank you for reading. God bless.
The original article can be found here. This post was slightly modified from the original.
After over 40 years in the ministry, I have discovered many things that will help you become a more independent Baptist.
One, practice right divisions of the Bible. Also, reject the teaching of an exclusive Baptist Bride Church. Have music, speakers, and instruments contrary to tradition. Reject the theory that Baptist can trace their baptism back to John. Challenge someone to prove they obey the “great commission.” Challenge anyone to prove where the church of this dispensation began.
Yes, I know about independence. I started and pastored one independent Baptist church for 39 years. Prior to that, I pastored two other Baptist Churches. I found the longer I pastored, the more independent I became. True, no one can control any Baptist church. However, by abandoning you, one by one, you find yourself very independent. We can call any disagreement a violation of Scripture. True, I cannot control anyone, but if they don’t do things my way, I can help them become more independent. Frankly, I love independence.
I would rather be a Christin. ” they were first called Christian” Christian brag on Jesus not their denomination.
Most people are under the false belief that when they were called Christians at Antioch it was a good thing. It was not. It meant to demean and belittle them and was by no means a badge of honor. You must remember that at this point in history the Lord Jesus Christ was not looked on as a hero or a prophet or the leader of a great movement. He was executed like a common criminal.His followers fled at his arrest. He was shamed publicly, whipped while naked and then crucified in the most horrible manner. To call someone a Christian in the first century was to identify that person or people with a man who died in shame and all who followed him were considered losers and fools not the loyal followers of the Heavenly Father.
The very first followers of John the Baptist, who were believers of John’s preaching, were called “Baptists or Re-baptizers or Anabaptists. Again, these names or titles that were given to the first disciples of Christ and the Apostles were meant to mark them as fools and idiots not a noble and honorable people.
Finally, there is nothing wrong with being identified with John the Baptist or that doctrine that is taught in the Bible that one should be baptized after, and as a result of, being born again. It is not a denomination as such but the closest doctrinally correct local church in the world. Actually, to believe any other way, or any other belief would be to entertain heresy. To be wanting to be called a Christian so as not to be identified with a denomination is like wanting to be called a Paulician so as not to be identified with Peter denying Jesus thrice! It is not about the tag you tie yourself to it’s about why Jesus died and what are you doing with His death, burial, and resurrection. Denominationalism is the death nell of any soul winning ministry. Don’t get sucked up into it whether it be being a “Christian” or being a Baptist. Are you a fruit bearer? This is the only area of service in Christianity that if we fail the command is given, “cut it down; Why cumbereth it the ground?” (Lk.13:7) You can literally lose your life if you fail to seek the salvation of the lost! This is the most important thing not,” I’m a Christian, not a Baptist.”
When was Christ reborn, brother?
Totally insane and outlandish! The church founded by Christ still exists as the Roman Catholic Church. The early churches were not independent, but guided by the leadership of the apostles – hence the epistles. “upon this rock, I build my IFBs”? I think not.
You need to study the Word of God. How you determine that Jesus Christ started the Catholic cult is disturbing.
No; the immaculate conception (That Mary was born without sin) and deification of Mary, transubstantiation (that Christ’s literal body and blood is present in the wafer and wine in the mass), purgatory (a place between heaven and hell where some are held till they can be prayed for and bought out and go to heaven), that the pope is the head of the church on earth and is descended from Peter (The Bible makes it clear that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church), That saints are to be prayed to when the Bible makes it clear that there is one mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5), that babies are to be Baptized when only believers that understood the gospel and accepted Christ were Baptized in the Bible, celibacy being required for priests which is condemned in I Timothy 4:3. These things that are believed and taught by the FALSE church of Roman Catholicism are totally insane and outlandish.
I am thanking the Lord that he put me in an independent fundamental Baptist church. I agree on your definition of independent Baptist and I do believe my Pastor and Men at Bordergate Baptist Church Macau do so. Our faith and practice should be always directed by His word, we are distinct, difference and independent body, but we are dependent only to the Lord. If ever you would visit Macau and Hong Kong we want to invite you in the church and be a blessing to you and your family. see our page http://bordergatebaptist.net/about-us/the-doctrinal-statement/