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What is an Independent Missionary Baptist?
This is a question I have had asked of me several times so I have decided to try and set forth just what an Independent Missionary Baptist is. To help you understand this we will break this phrase down word by word.
By Independent, we mean that we belong to no association, convention, or organized fellowship of churches. All mission work we do and are associated with is done through local Churches. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:21 "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end, Amen." Notice the Bible says in this scripture that God receives glory through His church and the word church means assembly. To assemble means that you have to be in one place at one time so this could only mean that the glory that God receives is through His local church. So how should we do mission work? Again, notice verse 21 says church. Not board, association, or convention. Churches are to send out missionaries, churches are to start churches. This is the pattern we see in Acts 13:1-3. Notice the Bible says the CHURCH at Antioch fasted and prayed and sent out Saul and Barnabas and not the Antioch association. This is the agency that God instituted to do His work and this is the agency in which He receives the glory and honor. You see conventions, associations, and so on are man made so naturally man is the one who receives the glory; but if we do it through the local church then God receives the glory.
By Independent, I do not mean that we do not believe in fellowshipping with other churches of like faith and order. The emphasis is on like faith and order. As Independent Baptists, we do not join hands with those that preach a false gospel. It would be inconsistent for me to stand up and preach that we are saved by grace through faith alone and then go join hands with some that believe salvation is by baptism, church membership, or some other works. This would be confusing to myself and the people that attend where I pastor. The Bible says in I Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches and saints." If joining hands with those that preach a different gospel is confusing and the Bible says that God is not the author of confusion, then this should tell us that we are not to practice this. I readily acknowledge that no church will ever get you into heaven and I also acknowledge that there are people saved in different denominations. However, there is only one way to be saved and that is Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God."
There is but one way to heaven whether you be catholic, baptist, methodist, or presbyterian. Luke 13:3 says, "I tell you nay: But except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Mark 1:15 says "... repent ye, and believe the gospel." This means that you are to acknowledge that you are a sinner, you are to turn from your sins, turn to Christ trusting Him alone for the work that He did on our behalf for the saving of our souls from sin.
The Second word I want us to see and understand is Missionary. Why use the word Missionary? When we say Missionary, we mean that we are to be mission minded. We are to witness with a purpose. We are to preach with a purpose and we are to live with a purpose and that purpose is to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and to see people saved for His glory. It is God's will for His people and His New Testament Baptist Churches to be missionary. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature. When we are Missionary this also acknowledges what the Bible says about mankind. That we are lost and without hope and need to be saved from our sins.
When we say the word Missionary, we use it in the sense that we are to preach Jesus Christ to a lost and sinful world and that by hearing the Gospel, they will be saved. Mark 16:15 says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Then of course when we use the word Missionary; we also mean by that as Missionary Baptists, we are to start New Testament Bible believing, Bible preaching, and Bible practicing Baptist Churches.
The Third word I want us to look at is the word Baptist. What does it mean to be Baptist.
Being a Baptist does mean:
1. That the Bible is our guide. Not the denominational Sunday
School literature or the association doctrinal statement.
2. That to have Scriptual baptism you have to meet these four
qualifications. We can find the qualifications in Acts 8:37-39.
A. Verses 36 & 37 - Scriptural candidate, one that has been
saved by the grace of God.
B. Verses 38 & 39 - Scriptual mode, by immersion. Going all
the way under the water(read both verses very carefully
word by word).
C. Verse 37 - Scriptual reason, because they have been saved.
Also refer to Romans 6:1-9 and another reason is to be
obedient to the Commands of Christ, Matthew 28:18-20.
D. Scriptual authority, Philip was sent out by the Church of
Jerusalem Reference the first part of Acts 8.
E. These verses are not all that the Bible teaches on this
subject of Baptism; but for now it will suffice.
3. That you practice restricted communion. In other words,
communion is restricted to the membership of that local church.
Also Baptists believe that the elements are symbols
representing Christ. In other words, the wine does not turn into
Christ's blood and the unleavened bread does not turn into
Christ's flesh. Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 10:16,
11:18-26.
4. That you believe salvation is in the hands of God and not man.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 6:37,44; Jonah 2:9; Romans
1:16-17; Romans 5:11; Romans 11:6.
5. That you believe in Soul winning. Proverbs 11:30.
6. That you believe what the Bible teaches about election and
predestination. John 6:44; Romans 8:28-39.
7. That you believe in separation and Godly living. Romans
12:1-2.
8. That you believe in once saved, alwasys saved. John 10:24-25.
9. That you believe the Bible is God's inspired word. II Timothy
3:15-17.
When I mention Bible, I mean the King James Version (KJV); because it is God's Word for an English speaking people.
These are just a few of the things that distinguishes us as Independent Missionary Baptists.
As you read this, maybe you feel like this is the kind of church that you would like to be identified with. Maybe you are looking for a church that is conservative in its theology and in its worship. If this is so, we invite you to come and meet with us in our services or feel free to write to us by or snail mail which is listed on our homepage.