Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches??

[Mrs. Ekie]

Give me a break here! I am a Christian and as such I would not go telling the "whole town" anything about this church. They are Christians there just as there are Christians in hundreds of other churches in the city and I am just new to this mode of thinking so I asked you folks just for your opinions so that I'd know if this were a typical Independent Fundamental Baptist church or not. I would not gossip about this church or spread falsehoods about it. I would not hurt this man's church or his ministry in any way. He is a good pastor and can really preach it!!

My husband has decided to call and talk to the pastor about this lady's Bible study thing. If it really is true that only members can attend then we will move on because we don't believe this to be scriptural at all and we believe that study of the Bible can benefit anyone who wants to learn and that ALL should be welcome to attend.

The bottom line is that my husband and I believe our lives should mirror Christ and that he should be our example in all we do. Jesus would have welcomed me at any Bible study for women. He also would have welcomed the prostitutes, thieves, drug addicts and the like. Our mission is to go into the world to spread the good news, not keep it to ourselves.

 

[LRL71]

Originally posted by Mrs. Ekie:
Give me a break here! I am a Christian and as such I would not go telling the "whole town" anything about this church. They are Christians there just as there are Christians in hundreds of other churches in the city and I am just new to this mode of thinking so I asked you folks just for your opinions so that I'd know if this were a typical Independent Fundamental Baptist church or not. I would not gossip about this church or spread falsehoods about it. I would not hurt this man's church or his ministry in any way. He is a good pastor and can really preach it!!

My husband has decided to call and talk to the pastor about this lady's Bible study thing. If it really is true that only members can attend then we will move on because we don't believe this to be scriptural at all and we believe that study of the Bible can benefit anyone who wants to learn and that ALL should be welcome to attend.

The bottom line is that my husband and I believe our lives should mirror Christ and that he should be our example in all we do. Jesus would have welcomed me at any Bible study for women. He also would have welcomed the prostitutes, thieves, drug addicts and the like. Our mission is to go into the world to spread the good news, not keep it to ourselves.

Mrs. Ekie,

No one here is saying that you're going to gossip about our sayings about the IFB church in your town. I think Maverick's example was worded poorly, but we don't want you to take our advice about this IFB church you are attending and tell this pastor that he is wrong because we think he is. I'd agree with you that the women's Bible study-- and their barring you from it-- is a bit odd, but we don't have all of the evidence from the pastor's (or church's side). I'm not accusing you of acting inappropriately, but is there something you are doing that is making this church apprehensive about you or your husband? You should ask the pastor if there is something that is making the IFB church keep you away from the women's Bible study. I am only suggesting this because by judging the church's reaction to keeping you away from the women's Bible study, there is something not right with the situation.

Were you baptized by immersion in water? Answer either Yes or No.

If yes, were you baptized by a church that believes in salvation by grace through faith ALONE in Jesus Christ?

If no, you should be baptized by immersion by this church to join it. Pastor Bob is correct in saying that the authority of the church is crucial to keeping unity in the church. Membership is required to partake of voting priveleges, leadership positions, and your own personal discipline in your walk with Christ.

This is 'typical' in IFB churches, where the Bible is the sole authority, and where it commands the church to preach the Gospel and baptize (by immersion in water-- as an ordinance) new believers, and disciple them. I would invite Pastor Bob here to explain this further, as I think it's important to have an IFB pastor explain this from a pastor's perspective.

[ October 19, 2002, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: LRL71 ]

 

[Mrs. Ekie]

My husband and I were baptized by immersion in Christian churches as children. When I was baptized, I believed that I was saved by grace alone and that baptism was an act of obedience to the scriptures. I don't know what the pastor of the church believed. By this I mean I do not know if that particular pastor felt like my salvation hinged on the baptism.

Growing up in the Christian church, I do know that there were people who believed that you were not saved unless you had been immersed in baptism. But this was not the central doctrine I was taught. In my home we were taught that salvation was only by grace and the sacrifice of Christ. When you repented and made the decision to follow Christ, you were saved. Perhaps there are Christian churches that teach that you aren't saved without immersion in baptism. I do not believe my baptism saved me in any way; it was in obedience to scripture.

Yes, this church may be leery of me because I was not raised independent fundamental baptist. But the question is not why they are leery of me...it is why would they want to exclude a woman who is a non-member?

Please understand that we are desperately seeking to find what the Lord would have us do. We have three small children and want to raise them in the Lord. We have been in charismatic churches for about 13 years and finally confronted all the false teachings. (Yes, now I imagine you are all freaking out!! :0) We were told we were the problem, that we had a "religious spirit" when my husband pointed out things in the scripture that the church wasn't following and that we were being judgmental and not open to the things of God.

Anyway, I thank you all for your input and I would appreciate your prayers. I just don't know where to go from here. I have gone from being judged for wanting to obey the scriptures to feeling judged because I don't have a piece of paper saying I am an independent fundamental baptist.

 

[C.S. Murphy]

After reading your last post about you being Baptized in a christian church, I too would want to rebaptize you into my SBC church. Actually our church by-laws state that you must come from another baptist church in order to me a member or be baptized.I am still upset over the Bible study exclusion and still feel this may be the tip of the iceberg. I will Pray that God will direct your path to a church where you can be fulfilled and happy, maybe it is this one I don't know but God does.
Murph

 

[Joe Turner]

The church you are going to sounds like a Baptist Brider church (which is absolutely unbiblical). For more information on the Baptist Brider idea, you can find some good information at Bible Believers.com . We started going to a KJV only, independent, fundamental, Baptist church about a year and a half ago. We jumped into membership (we had never been baptized, so we got baptized at this church) and now we are planning on leaving because of how messed up the church is doctrinally. Membership is important, but only when you find a doctrinally sound church. Take your time finding a good church if there is one near you?!) Above all, read your Bible (KJV) and RIGHTLY DIVIDE it, and question everyone and everything! That book (KJV) needs to be your authority in all matters of faith and practice. There are plenty of church members and pastors out there who love to bully people into believing in there pet philosophy which are not grounded in scripture at all. Just because a church says they are Independent Fundamental Bible Believing Baptist doesn't mean they are. Trust me, we've learned that the hard way!!!

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

Some churches are strict, some are lenient... I would ask "why?", of someone who is in authority at your church to get a real answer as to their reasons for this policy. And base your decisions on that knowledge.

 

[Mrs. Ekie]

My husband spoke with the pastor. We're not going back because the pastor's wife doesn't want me at the study unless I join.

We wouldn't want to join any church for quite a while. We really want to make sure that where we attend is the best place for our family and that takes time to know...it also takes getting to know the members of the congregation through things like Sunday schools and Bible studies. If we are not welcome, we can't learn about the church.

Anyway, it is disappointing but at least there is finality in our decision now and we can move on.

In Christ.

 

[Maverick]

The operative word was IF. I don't know Mrs. Elkie anymore than I know that church. Christians have done far worse than I mentioned and it was not worded poorly. It was worded the way that I intended it to be. Mrs. E might be a stellar person or she might not be so stellar. In this medium you have no real clue only what they write. It was not meant to be offensive to her only pointing out that we have to be careful dumping on a church we know nothing about as it could have far reaching ramifications.

I have some concerns about the pastor's wife having that viewpoint, but again I do not know her rationale. It would be interesting to sit down and talk to her about that.

 

[Don]

Maverick, I wouldn't even go that far.

The pastor's wife doesn't want ladies attending the bible study unless they're members?

Who's responsible for and going to have to answer for the teaching of that flock: The pastor or his wife?

 

[Mrs KJV]

I agree with the Pastor on the baptism part and being a member of the church. I just don't understand what you mean about bible study? Is this the Wednesday night bible study? Or is this just a group of ladies who get together for encouragement and devotional time? Depending on what purpose the group has they could very well excluded you. Remember they are the members and they govern theirselves. Their might be a reason they do this. Queston them and talk to them about it. You might be surprised to the reasons why, please don't assume anything. I really hope this helps and I know the Lord will bless you as long as you are obedient to Him.

 

[AVL1984]

Originally posted by Pastor Bob 63:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by abbeygal:
Yikes! I would RUN from a church that wants you to be "rebaptised".

I would almost bet that if you asked your Pastor if someone from a Christian Church, Church of Christ, Methodist, or any church other than Baptist needed to be rebaptised to join, he would say "yes."</font>[/QUOTE]This is true, Pastor Bob. Many pastors will not accept "alien immersion" because many of these churches are "protestant" from the RCC. We, as Baptists are not protestant. We were never a part of the RCC. I can understand this pastors stand.

AJL

 

[JIMNSC]

Mrs. Ekie, I think you're real smart to take your time in finding the next church you want to join. Unless God impresses you otherwise to hasten, one should see a prospective church in "all its seasons," so to speak, so there are no surprises.

A lot of folks don't understand how it is to leave a church after many years and hunt a new one. I know where you're coming from - you don't want to jump right into membership, then discover a short time later that the new church is really not right for you and your family.

Our church bulletin welcomes visitors and invites them to be a part of all church activities. Teaching or holding an office in the church is reserved however, to members of record.

We pray that our small church will be filled to overflowing with the lost, who have never accepted Christ as their personal Savior nor have they been baptized by any manner. They are however, invited to partipate in the church's activities.

You may be wondering -my church is a Southern Baptist church, and no, I'm not bragging. What I've offered here should apply regardless of which church is being visited.

In Christ - Jim

 

[Prince of Preachers]

I believe that in Order to truly understand what the preacher means you should ask him instead of asking people who dont really know. That Pastor is accountable for his church and no body else. God has placed him as a Shepard to that flock, and he ought to get the benefit of the doubt for his descions.

 

[Mrs. Ekie]

Prince of Preachers,

Perhaps you didn't read all of my posts on this. We confirmed the policies of this church with the pastor. My husband spoke to him specifically about membership, rebaptism, and about the policy of excluding non-members from Bible study. We got this information straight from the pastor.

Incidently, we found it interesting that we weren't required to be members for this church to accept our tithe without question.

 

[Prince of Preachers]

a tithe is not a church thing its a person thing. God commands us to tithe. i would hope that you arent robbing God while finding a good church.

i hope i do not come off cocky, its just that i do not believe in judging the man God has set to be a leadership position. that is why i seemed a little bold.

[ November 04, 2002, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Prince of Preachers ]

 

[LauraB]

I am a member of a Independant-Fundamental church. We were not forced to be a member and were still welcomed into the church but as Pastor Larry put it, why would you not want to be a member? Also I agree with most here, I would question why you are not able to attend bible study if your not a member? Something is strange there.
My church is not like that. We are very accepting open people. But yes membership is important for al; the reasons Pastor Larry pointed out.

Maybe you should look for another fundamental church.

 

[g'day mate]

Pastor Bob 63
You have just lost your bet,I was a young lad of 14 years Baptised,and church member of The Church Of Christ.When I got married in 1963 attended a large Baptist Church They asked me would I like to have membership.there was no mention of being Baptised again.Once Baptised always Baptised.I dont subsribe to Baptisim, like it had run out.If another church was to have problems with this,all I can say is that's their problem not mine.
John

 

[Psalm145 3]

I was a young lad of 14 years Baptised,and church member of The Church Of Christ.

g'day mate (John),
That is an example of an unscriptural baptism, since "The Church of Christ" teaches the false gospel of baptismal regeneration. If that was the only time you were "baptized", then you really haven't been baptized yet the Bible way.

"See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

 

[C.S. Murphy]

Psalm 145 I agree totally. I mean no disrespect to anyone who is in this condition but no matter what their feelings were, the church of christ baptism is not scriptural so they need to redo.
Murph

 

[FMeekins]

I say find another church.