Hello!

[BethanyL]

Hello everyone! I am a new Christian. I converted to Christianity from Islam. My parents converted to Islam so I was raised in the faith: a Caucasian girl who was a Muslim. But my parents have an open mind and they said I didn't have to stay with Islam if I didn't want to.

What is an independent fundamental Baptist? There are some Baptist churches in my area but I thought all of the Baptist churches were united. Can someone explain? Thanks.

[BethanyL]

Why can't I access the other areas of the forum?

[Salyan]

Hi, Bethany! Welcome to Online Baptist!

Baptist churches are often united under various conventions - the Southern Baptist Convention, for example. Often this is done in order to work together on large projects like Bible colleges or sending missionaries. The problem this has created is often when churches in the Convention begin to go liberal, it affects the Bible colleges, and the conservative churches are left donating their funds to liberal missionaries. (That's rather an overly-simplistic explanation, but hopefully it makes sense!) Such a convention does not allow for proper separation from erring churches. The independent churches are ones that choose to remain disassociated with any convention. The fundamental part is churches that stick to the fundamentals of the faith - particularly including holiness & separation.

The reason you can't see other areas in the forum is that we have problems sometimes with people coming in and 'flooding' the board with posts/topics meant to put across their own viewpoint (which generally doesn't agree with the board) rather than just having fellowship! So we like to get a chance to know you by talking on this thread. After so many posts on your part (I don't know how many - Br. Matt?), then you can ask to get access to the other sections as well. At least I think that's how it works...

[Pastor Matt]

Hello Bethany, welcome to Online Baptist. We are glad that you are here, and even more grateful that you are a Christian.

Why can't I access the other areas of the forum?

We have a total of 40 forums here on OB. There should only be 7 out of the 40 forums that is not open to public posting. Different groups have access to different forums. Application to join a group is done here. http://www.onlinebaptist.com/home/index.php?app=groupjoin

[Guest]

Bethany, welcome to OB. I would enjoy hearing...reading your testimony of converting from Islam to receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.

[JerryNumbers]

Welcome. The key word is independent, Baptist Churches are independent from each other, just as the Bible teaches & Christ is the head of each church, the Bible is our only instruction book, not commandments of men.

Of course, you will soon find that some Baptist are much more liberal than others, especially the Southern Baptist Convention.

[HappyChristian]

Welcome aboard, Bethany.