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Independent Baptist

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Independent Baptist churches (also called Independent Fundamental Baptist or IFB or Bible Baptist Churches) are Christian congregations, generally holding to conservative (primarily fundamentalist) Baptist beliefs. Although some Independent Baptist churches refuse affiliation with Baptist denominations, various Independent Baptist Church denominations have been founded.

The Crowne Center at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida, an Independent Baptist institution

History

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Further information: Baptists

The modern Independent Baptist tradition began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among local denominational Baptist congregations whose members were concerned about the advancement of modernism and theological liberalism into national Baptist denominations and conventions in the United States and the United Kingdom.[1][2]

 
In the 1930s, Norris organized a group of independent, premillennial Baptist churches into the Premillennial Missionary Baptist Fellowship (later the World Baptist Fellowship)

In response to the concerns, some local Baptist churches separated from their former denominations and conventions and reestablished the congregations as Independent Baptist churches. In other cases, the more conservative members of existing churches withdrew from their local congregations and set about establishing new Independent Baptist churches.[3]

Although some Independent Baptist churches refuse affiliation with Baptist denominations, various Independent Baptist Church denominations have been founded.[4] There is the World Baptist Fellowship founded in 1933 at Fort Worth, Texas by J. Frank Norris.[5] Doctrinal differences in the latter led to the founding of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in 1950 and the Independent Baptist Fellowship International in 1984.[6] Various independent Baptist Bible colleges were also founded.[7]

During the 21st century, the New Independent Fundamental Baptist movement was founded out of the Independent Baptist movement by Steven Anderson, which Independent Baptist writers have criticized. Independent Baptists generally reject many of the doctrines taught by the New IFB, including the claim that the atonement was not fully fulfilled in the cross, but instead done by Jesus in burning in hell.[8]

Beliefs

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The beliefs are mainly Baptist and fundamentalist.[9] They refuse any form of ecclesial authority other than that of the local church. Great emphasis is placed on the literal interpretation of the Bible as the primary method of Bible study[10] as well as the biblical inerrancy and the infallibility of their interpretation.[11] Dispensationalism is common among Independent Baptists. They are opposed to any ecumenical movement with denominations that do not have the same beliefs.[12] Due to a lack of central authority and an independent congregational polity, Independent Baptist churches may often have variances from each other in a number of areas in theology and practice. This includes issues such as on music, dress standards, the practice of communion and soteriology, however they are homogeneous on issues such as opposition to the practice of homosexuality, the ordination of women, the charismatic movement, evolutionism and abortion.[13]

Independent Baptists generally believe in abstinence from alcohol, and do not use fermented wine in communion. They believe that the Lord's Supper in the early church was done by heating up must into grape syrup, and then diluting it with water when it was needed for use again to avoid fermentation.[14] Many are opposed to Contemporary Christian Music.[15]

King James Onlyism

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The title page to the 1611 first edition of the authorized version of the Bible. Independent Baptists generally believe in different forms of King James Onlyism

Many IFB churches adhere to only using the King James Version, a position known as King James Onlyism.[16] This position was advocated by the famous Independent Baptist pastor Jack Hyles (1926 – 2001), who argued that the King James Version has preserved the word of God perfectly.[17][18] Another Independent Baptist, Jack Chick (1924–2016), who was best known for his comic tracts, advocated a King James Only position.[19] However a few among the Independent Baptists believe in a more radical form of King James Onlyism which was developed by Peter Ruckman (1921 – 2016), who argued that the KJV is "new revelation", superior to the original Hebrew and Greek. [20] However, in stark contrast, John R Rice (1895 – 1980) took a more moderate position, arguing that though the King James Version is preferable to modern versions such as American Standard Version, it is not still perfect.[21]

Soteriology

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Soteriologically, Independent Baptists may differ from each other. Some Independent Baptists have views similar to Free Grace theology, including writers such as Jack Hyles,[22] Curtis Hutson,[23] Shelton Smith,[24] and Peter Ruckman.[25] Some others also espouse more softly Free Grace-like views such as David Cloud. However, there are also many among the Independent Baptist movement who espouse Lordship salvation.[26]

Independent Baptists believe that the literal shedding of blood on the cross was a necessary part of Jesus' atoning work, denying that the biblical references to blood are intended as metaphors for death as some theologians maintain. They also often emphasize the belief that after Jesus' resurrection, he took his blood into heaven to be applied into the heavenly mercy seat.[27][14][28]

Ecclesiology

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Independent Baptists disagree among themselves on the issue of secondary versus primary separation, which is a debate on if a Christian should separate from merely from the unbelieving (primary separation) or also from those Christians who do not sufficiently separate themselves from the unbelieving (secondary separation). The concept of secondary separation was heavily criticized by Independent Baptist writer Curtis Hutson in the Sword of the Lord newspaper[29] and was opposed by influential figures like John R. Rice[30] and Lee Roberson.[31] However, it found strong support from prominent pastor Jack Hyles.[32] Some Independent Baptists also believe in so-called "third degree separation", which is the belief that one needs to separate from Fundamentalists who do not practice secondary separation.[33]

 
Service at Iloilo Baptist Church, Iloilo City, Philippines.

Some Independent Baptists adhere to "Baptist Successionism," the belief that Baptists trace their origins through an unbroken lineage of Christians dating back to the Apostles, with medieval groups like the Waldensians and Albigenses cited as pre-reformation representatives of Baptist principles.[14] Some proponents take this further by embracing Landmarkism, the view that only Baptist churches constitute the body of Christ and that only Baptists will be raptured at Jesus' coming. However, this perspective is not universally accepted within the Independent Baptist movement. Writers like David Cloud have strongly criticized the denial of a universal body of Christ comprising all true believers.[34]

Independent Baptists differ with each other on multiple ecclesiological issue. Issues such as open versus closed communion, how much authority a pastor has, how many pastors a church should have and the validity of baptisms from other churches.[35]

Baptist churches that adhere to fundamentalism often call themselves "Bible Baptist Church", "Fundamental Baptist Church", or "Independent Baptist Church" to demonstrate their membership in the movement.[36] However, there are also many churches which are mostly doctrinally aligned with Independent Baptists, without using the name "Baptist" to identify with the rest of the movement.[37]

Ordinances

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Independent Baptists believe in memorialism, the belief that the Lord's Supper is symbolic. However, Independent Baptists may differ in how frequently each church takes communion, believing that there is no set frequency on how often it must be taken. Independent Baptists refuse to use fermented wine in the Lord's Supper, believing that the yeast in the fermented wine corrupts the symbolism of the Lord's Supper.[14]

As Baptists, Independent Baptists are strongly opposed to the practice of Infant Baptism.[38]

Demographics

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Members of Independent Baptist churches comprised 2.5% of the United States adult population, according to a 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center.[39]

Sexual abuse

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In 2018, an investigation by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram identified 412 abuse allegations in 187 independent fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches and institutions across the United States and Canada, with some cases reaching as far back as the 1970s.[40][41]

In November 2023, Investigation Discovery released Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals, a 4 part documentary, highlighting sexual abuse and cover up within the Independent Baptist movement.[42]

Notable Independent Baptists

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Marsden (1980), pp. 55–62, 118–23.
  2. ^ W. Glenn Jonas Jr., The Baptist River, Mercer University Press, USA, 2008, p. 96
  3. ^ Beale, David O. (1986). In Pursuit of Purity: American Fundamentalism Since 1850. BJU Press. ISBN 9780890843505.[page needed]
  4. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 297
  5. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 623
  6. ^ Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 357
  7. ^ William H. Brackney, Congregation and Campus: Baptists in Higher Education, Mercer University Press, USA, 2008, p. 376
  8. ^ Clout, David (2017). What about Steven Anderson?. Way of Life Literature Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-58318-234-5.
  9. ^ Bill J. Leonard, Jill Y. Crainshaw, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States, Volume 1, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 387
  10. ^ Chappell, Paul (2010). Understanding the Times: Living Courageously in Prophetic Days. Striving Together Publications. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-59894-107-4.
  11. ^ W. Glenn Jonas Jr., The Baptist River: Essays on Many Tributaries of a Diverse Tradition, Mercer University Press, USA, 2008, p. 125: "Independents assert that the Bible is a unified document containing consistent propositional truths. They accept the supernatural elements of the Bible, affirm that it is infallible in every area of reality, and contend that it is to be interpreted literally in the vast majority of cases. Ultimately, they hold not merely to the inerrancy of Scripture, but to the infallibility of their interpretation of Scripture. The doctrine of premillennialism serves as a case in point. Early on in the movement, Independents embraced premillennialism as the only acceptable eschatological view. The BBU made the doctrine a test of fellowship. When Norris formed his Premillennial Missionary Baptist Fellowship (1933), he made premillennialism a requirement for membership. He held this doctrine to be the only acceptable biblical position, charging conventionism with being postmillennial in orientation."
  12. ^ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 115
  13. ^ "What is Independent Baptist?". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d Sargent, Robert (1989). Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine. Bible Baptist Church Publications.
  15. ^ "The CCM Philosophy Spreading Among Independent Baptists". www.wayoflife.org. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  16. ^ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 141
  17. ^ "Logic Must Prove the King James Bible - The Jack Hyles Home Page". www.jackhyles.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  18. ^ Hyles, Jack. Enemies of Soul Winning.
  19. ^ "FAQ's Concerning Bible Versions". Chick.com. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  20. ^ White 1995.
  21. ^ Teis, Josh (25 November 2019). "The History of KJV Onlyism". Josh Teis. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  22. ^ "10 Reasons Lordship Salvation Is Not Biblical". 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Repentance Versus the Heresies of Curtis Hutson & Jack Hyles – Grace Evangelical Society". 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Sword of the Lord's Smokescreen About Repentance". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  25. ^ Ruckman, Peter (1980). Eternal Security.
  26. ^ Lazar, Shawn (20 August 2018). "David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, and Lordship Salvation – Grace Evangelical Society". Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  27. ^ "MY ANSWER TO DR. MACARTHUR'S LETTER ON THE BLOOD". www.rlhymersjr.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Why the Blood Saves - The Jack Hyles Home Page". www.jackhyles.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  29. ^ Hutson, What Is Secondary Separation, 1983
  30. ^ "Come out--or stay in? - Rice, John R: 9780840750792 - AbeBooks". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Soft Separatism and the Downfall of Many Independent Baptist Churches". www.wayoflife.org. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  32. ^ "Jack Hyles Speaks on Biblical Separation - The Jack Hyles Home Page". www.jackhyles.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  33. ^ Pickering, Ernest D. (1979). Biblical separation : the struggle for a pure church. Internet Archive. Schaumberg, Ill. : Regular Baptist Press. ISBN 978-0-87227-069-5.
  34. ^ "Are You a Baptist Brider or Local Church Only?". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  35. ^ "What is Independent Baptist?". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  36. ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 234-235
  37. ^ "What is Independent Baptist?". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Infant Baptism". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  39. ^ "Religious Composition of the U.S.". U.S. Religious Landscape Study. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  40. ^ Kuruvilla, Carol (13 December 2018). "Investigation Unearths Hundreds Of Abuse Allegations In Independent Baptist Churches". Huffpost. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  41. ^ Rick Pidcock, The horror of Let Us Prey may not be as far from home as you think, baptistnews.com, USA, November 30, 2023
  42. ^ Anderson, John (23 November 2023). "'Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals' Review: A System of Abuse". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

Bibliography

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  • Timothy Gloege, Guaranteed Pure: The Moody Bible Institute, Business, and the Making of Modern Evangelicalism (2015).
  • Barry Hankins, God's Rascal: J. Frank Norris & the Beginnings of Southern Fundamentalism (1996).
  • Andrew Himes, The Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family (2011).
  • George M. Marsden, Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of Twentieth Century Evangelicalism, 1870–1925 (1980).
  • Robert F. Martin, Hero of the Heartland: Billy Sunday and the Transformation of American Society, 1862–1935 (2002).
  • Daniel K. Williams, God's Own Party: The Making of the Christian Right (2010).
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