WANTED! True Independent New Testament Baptists
Many years ago, Jesus said of the church in
Sardis, "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art
dead" (Rev. 3:1). Jesus looked at this assembly and saw
something that man could not see. In man's eyes, this church had
a good reputation, yet under the divine scrutiny of Christ, we
see that their reputation was without reality. The Word of God
proclaims that the last days will be characterized by those who
have "a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof"
(2 Tim. 2:5); those who "profess that they know God, but in
works they deny Him" (Tit. 1:16). Our world today is filled
with many professors, but only a few possessors. So it is true
among those who call themselves "Independent Baptists".
There are many who possess the name, but there are only a few who
possess the nature of a true, scriptural Independent Baptist.
As we consider the topic, "Wanted: True Independent New
Testament Baptists", let us be mindful that the opinion we
have of ourselves, or the reputation we have in the minds of
others, does not determine what we are. In fact, I know many who
are wearing the name "Independent Baptists" who ought
to be honest with themselves and others and take the name off
their signs and letterhead. They do not believe and practice what
"Independent Baptists" have stood for and practiced
throughout history. Though there have been some irregularities
amongst Baptists, scripturally true, Independent Baptists believe
that...
I. The Bible--Authorized Version (KJV 1611)--Is
Preserved, Sole Authority
Since Christ started His church in the first century, Baptists
have never questioned the authenticity or authority of the Word
of God. The Baptists have never changed the Scriptures to conform
to their beliefs.
Rather, they have submitted to the Scriptures and have organized
and governed their churches under the authority of the Word of
God.
The first Baptist--John the Baptist-- came into the country
around Jordan preaching the preserved Word of God. "As it is
written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet..."
John believed that God had preserved the inspired words of Isaiah
the prophet given nearly 700 years earlier. Therefore, John
preached with authority, power, and confidence. Jesus, during His
ministry, often quoted Moses who had penned divine revelation
about 1500 years before Christ.Obviously, Christ understood
divine sovereignty in the preservation of the Word of God. If
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ did not question the veracity
and authenticity of God's Word, why can we not believe God in our
day that He has sovereignly preserved His Word for us? The
preserved Word of God in English is the King James Bible (1611).
The King James Version was translated from the Textus Receptus
manuscripts. All of the other manuscripts have been altered and
perverted so that the translations which do not align with the
Textus Receptus are in actuality perversions of the Word of God.
True Independent Baptists "are not as many, which corrupt
the Word of God" (2 Cor. 2:17); instead, they reject the
perversions and wholly accept the Authorized Version of 1611 as
the preserved, sole authority for all faith and practice. True
Independent N.T. Baptists also strictly believe that...
II. Alien Immersion Is To Be Rejected
Alien immersion is defined as a baptism that does not meet
scriptural qualifications. There are four
essentials to scriptural baptism:
1) Scriptural Candidate--a believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41,
Acts 8:36-38)
2) Scriptural Mode--immersion in water (Mat. 3:16, Acts 8:38-39)
3) Scriptural Administrator--a N.T. Baptist church (in doctrine
and not name only) that has been given authority from a church of
like faith and practice (Mat. 28:18-20, Acts 16:5)
4) Scriptural Motive--to identify with Christ and to join a N.T.
church (Rom. 6:3-4, Acts 2:41, 1 Cor. 12:13)
If any of these qualifications are not met, the baptism is not
valid or scriptural; thus, it is considered alien immersion. Many
so-called "Independent Baptists" of today never concern
themselves with how or where their church members were baptized.
They accept "baptisms" from Methodist churches,
Charismatic or Pentecostal churches, Interdenominational
churches, Bible churches and many others. They fail to see that
baptism requires authority ( Mark 11:28-33), and that these
churches do not have proper, scriptural authority. True
Independent Baptists were given the name "Anabaptists"
centuries ago because they rebaptized those who came to them from
unscriptural churches. The only baptism acceptable to God is one
that meets these scriptural qualifications. There are still
Independent Baptists wanted that believe in the...
III. Perpetuity of Jesus' Church and His Authority
According to Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised regarding His church
that "the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it." Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:21,
"Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end." Since Jesus Christ
started the first church in Jerusalem, there has never been a
time when scriptural N.T. churches have not existed. Many
so-called "Independent Baptists" today oppose this
doctrine because they cannot prove it. Since when did we ever
start accepting the Word of God only if we can prove it? Faith is
taking God at His Word and acting upon it.
Historically, Baptists have been persecuted so that history
regarding their perpetuity has been destroyed.
However, I do not base my convictions or doctrine on history but
on what God has spoken. The real problem why so many detest this
doctrine is the matter of authority. If perpetuity is true, then
many so-called "Independent Baptists" have unscriptural
churches and no authority to baptize. For many to admit this
doctrine as true, they would have to humble themselves and face
the fact that they have been wrong, which could bring
embarrassment upon them. Furthermore, they would have to submit
to baptism from scriptural church and reorganize the assemblies
that they pastor. You must be right on this matter, for the
Scriptures state in 2 Timothy 2:5, "if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully." Rewards at the judgment Seat of Christ will be
lost if our labors are not done scripturally under the authority
of a true church.
IV. True, Scriptural Church Is Only A Local Church
The word "church" found in the Word of God is always
translated from the Greek word "ekklesia".
Ekklesia means "a called out group of people assembled
together". Jesus used the word "ekklesia" or
"church" 23 times. In all of these instances, He refers
to a particular assembly in a particular place except one time
where he is speaking in a general way about the church. The
Scriptures never in any way speak of a mystical, universal,
invisible church or body of Christ. Some "pseudo Independent
Baptists" confuse the difference between the family of God
and the church of God. They misunderstand that we are born into
the family of God (John 1:12) and that we are water-baptized into
the church of God (1 Cor.12:13). The Bible term "body of
Christ" is reserved only for a local, New Testament church.
Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth said, "Now ye are
the body of Christ and members in particular." In the body
(church), Christ is the head; in the family the Father is the
head. The body (church) demands location; the family can be
scattered. Baptism qualifies us for membership in the body
(church); the new birth makes us a part of the family. Members
can be put out of the body (church); family members can never be
put out. The body
(church) assembles regularly; the family does not assemble at
this time. Members of the body (church) know and care for one
another daily; members of the family know very few of the other
family members.
Jesus only started one church in His ministry--the church at
Jerusalem--which was a local, visible,
organized assembly of baptized believers. True N.T. Baptists
believe and practice that...
V. The Imperative Of World Missions Belongs To The Church
Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 gave His church her commission before
ascending back to heaven. The
authority was committed to His church to go into all the world,
to make disciples, to baptize, and to instruct them in the Word
of God. There is no other institution designated by Christ to
carry out the work of the Great Commission. Yet some so-called
"Independent Baptists" believe that the plan of Jesus
Christ to reach the world through His church is not enough.
Therefore, they have organized their own man-made, man-headed,
and man-glorifying institutions--mission boards, clearinghouses,
mission societies, associations and fellowships--to do the work
that Jesus Christ gave to His church. To do God's work in a
different way than the way He has instructed is either ignorance
or arrogance on the part of man.There are no other institutions
more capable of carrying out the Great Commission than the Lord's
churches.
The church at Antioch in Acts 13 set the N.T. example and proved
that God's churches are capable of fulfilling the command of our
Lord. Here we see Paul and Barnabas proving their gifts in the
church and their call being confirmed in the in the church. They
were then ordained in the church, sent out of the church, and
were accountable to and reported to the Antioch church.
Personally, I know that a scriptural N.T. Baptist is capable of
performing all the administrative duties, overseeing the
missionary's doctrine and practice (Since when did Christ give
authority to a mission agency to discipline a man?), and
fulfilling all the necessary functions to place and keep a man on
the field. Scriptural, Independent Baptists should be more
zealous than any of the others because they understand that the
imperative of reaching the world with the Gospel is their purpose
for existence. Furthermore, true Independent Baptists are
convicted that...
VI. Salvation Is By Grace Through Repentance And Faith
True, New Testament Independent Baptists have faithfully
proclaimed the message that John the Baptist preached, that Jesus
Christ preached, that Peter preached, that Paul preached, and all
other faithful brethren since then have preached and that is,
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may
be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). Jesus said in Luke 24:47
"that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
His name among all nations..." Salvation without repentance
is damnation! Today, there are many preaching a false gospel
without making people face the guilt and condemnation of their
sin;
consequently, if a man is never faced with his sin and the
reality that he is lost (by his own understanding), he can never
be saved. The Scriptures are clear on promoting house to house
evangelism but it condemns "easy believism". Salvation
decisions without repentance give people false hope and make them
twofold the child of hell. "If any man preach any other
Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed" (Gal. 1:9). Lastly, true N.T. Independent Baptists
adhere to and hold that...
VII. The Table Of The Lord Is Restricted To Members Only
The church was given two ordinances by Jesus Christ--baptism and
the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:2). Jesus instituted the ordinance
of the Lord's Supper on the night before His crucifixion. This is
His ordinance and His table; therefore, we must invite the
participants according to the Lord's orders. The scriptural
qualifications to observe the Lord's Supper are:
1) one must be saved (1 Cor. 10:21)
2) one must be scripturally baptized (Acts 2:41-47)
3) one must be a member of the church observing the Lord's Supper
(1 Cor. 11:18)
4) one must have an orderly walk void of offense toward God and
man ( 1 Cor. 11:27-31)
Scriptural observance of the Lord's Supper is inseparably
connected with efficient church discipline; hence, only members
of that particular Baptist church should participate in observing
the Lord's Supper in the church which has the authority to
discipline them. Restricting the Lord's table to members only
will bring God's blessing and avoid the sure judgment of God ( 1
Cor. 11:30).
May God help you to have more than a name and reputation, but to
know the reality of being a true, New Testament, Independent
Baptist. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved,
but whom the Lord commendeth" ( 2 Cor. 10:18).
***By Bert Craft***