Definition of an IFB

[Guest Guest]

In our "mountain" area of the country, "independent Baptist" churches are, to put it kindly, more known for their "rantin' and ravin', "windsucking" preachers and superstitious, almost cultic ideas than they are for their solid, informed standing on Scripture. Our "independent Baptist" church is not at all this way. People are pleasantly surprised when they enter our church and hear rational preaching based on a sound exegesis of Scripture. People say things like, "We didn't know a church like this even existed!" and then stay to hear more. My point here is that our church is of a very different stripe than various other "independent Baptist" churches in our community. "Independent" means just that. There is no agreed-upon set of "IFB doctrine and practice" across the board, like there is in a "denomination."

Annie...that is so different down there than it is up here in OH. In terms of "rantin" "ravin" "windsucking" "superstitious" almost "cultic" ideas. Interesting. Yet...this is the north. I don't live in a Bible belt area of the country.

When my son lived in Concord, NC with his dad for a year and a half, the church my hubby and I attended when we visited--- was Concord Bible Church...and underneath the sign was "Baptistic in Doctrine." Also, when my hubby and I go to Portage, PA we go to a church in Johnstown, PA that is exactly the same as the church in NC. The doctrine lines up completely with the IFB church that we attend in OH.

[Annie]

Annie...that is so different down there than it is up here in OH. In terms of "rantin" "ravin" "windsucking" "superstitious" almost "cultic" ideas. Interesting. Yet...this is the north. I don't live in a Bible belt area of the country.

I'm sure you're right...What you're saying lines up with my observations as well: that "IFB" means different things in areas of doctrine and practice, depending on which IFB church you're talking about. I do know of certain churches up North that are similar to what I described; they're mostly churches which have been influenced by the Jack Hyles mentality. So, "IFB a la Jack Hyles" or "IFB a la Peter Ruckman" means something vastly different than "IFB a la my church." There is not agreement across the board about "IFB doctrine." There are IFB churches who are rabidly KJVO; there are others which use multiple versions (and a vast number of churches somewhere in between). Some IFB churches are "Bapticostal," believing that tongues are for today, and some are cessationist. Some IFB churches are more Reformed, while others are "free will Baptist." In areas of practice and application (use of CCM, movies, pants on women, etc.), the differences are just as obvious.

When my son lived in Concord, NC with his dad for a year and a half, the church my hubby and I attended when we visited--- was Concord Bible Church...and underneath the sign was "Baptistic in Doctrine." Also, when my hubby and I go to Portage, PA we go to a church in Johnstown, PA that is exactly the same as the church in NC. The doctrine lines up completely with the IFB church that we attend in OH.

That's great. There are certainly similarities between IFB churches within any given "stripe" of fundamentalism. Those of us within those "stripes" know where to find churches that line up with the doctrine and practice that we believe. But, the "stripes" are very different from one another. All IFB ideas are not the same. That's why I wonder what people are talking about when they say something like, "According to IFB doctrine..." Such a statement reveals a misunderstanding of what an INDEPENDENT Baptist is.

[JerryNumbers]

I'm sure you're right...What you're saying lines up with my observations as well: that "IFB" means different things in areas of doctrine and practice, depending on which IFB church you're talking about. I do know of certain churches up North that are similar to what I described; they're mostly churches which have been influenced by the Jack Hyles mentality. So, "IFB a la Jack Hyles" or "IFB a la Peter Ruckman" means something vastly different than "IFB a la my church." There is not agreement across the board about "IFB doctrine." There are IFB churches who are rabidly KJVO; there are others which use multiple versions (and a vast number of churches somewhere in between). Some IFB churches are "Bapticostal," believing that tongues are for today, and some are cessationist. Some IFB churches are more Reformed, while others are "free will Baptist." In areas of practice and application (use of CCM, movies, pants on women, etc.), the differences are just as obvious.

That's great. There are certainly similarities between IFB churches within any given "stripe" of fundamentalism. Those of us within those "stripes" know where to find churches that line up with the doctrine and practice that we believe. But, the "stripes" are very different from one another. All IFB ideas are not the same. That's why I wonder what people are talking about when they say something like, "According to IFB doctrine..." Such a statement reveals a misunderstanding of what an INDEPENDENT Baptist is.

Its quite simple.

Some one who uses the expressions, "According to IFB doctrine..." or "according to Baptist doctrine," of course what they mean is what they think this doctirne to be.

Some one who uses the expressions, "According to IFB doctrine..." or "according to Baptist doctrine," of course what they mean is what they think this doctrine to be and use it as a reference point.

But if a church does not hold to the basic Baptist distinetives that Baptist Churches has held to thru out time since the early Church at Jerusalem was started by Jesus Christ, them they are Baptist in name only.

There is not a church anywhere in this world that you know nothing of that you can attend and be positive that it is a true teaching church going only by the sign that sets in front of it or just because they claim their Baptist, or IFB, or hold to the Baptist distinetives.

[Guest Guest]

What you're saying lines up with my observations as well: that "IFB" means different things in areas of doctrine and practice' date=' depending on which IFB church you're talking about. I do know of certain churches up North that are similar to what I described; they're mostly churches which have been influenced by the Jack Hyles mentality. So, "IFB a la Jack Hyles" or "IFB a la Peter Ruckman" means something vastly different than "IFB a la my church. Yep...and, isn't it amazing how 2 men can have such an impact. LOL. My pastor said on Wednesday night...would the Lord Jesus Christ be welcome in our church? Are we glorifying God or man. How true that is. My old IFB pastor was influenced by DL Moody. He was raised Free-Will Baptist in the hills of West Virginia. His dad left before he was born...he was an only child. He grandfather was a Baptist preacher. He was saved at the age of 9. His mother married an abusive man---his step-dad. My old pastor would run through the hills of WV to safety at his grandparent's house. They would go to church in the back of the pick-up truck. When he came to Cleveland, OH...he married a good, moral Roman Catholic woman who grew up in the projects here. Well...working in the steel mill he back slid for a period of time. Three of his children almost died. He gathered himself up (put down his vice) and got right with God. And...so the story goes. Two of his sons are Independent Baptist Preachers. His daughters have had there trouble, though, and the oldest daughter has gotten herself together in Georgia. His other daughter is gradually coming back to Christ. **Sorry for the disertation.** " There is not agreement across the board about "IFB doctrine." There are IFB churches who are rabidly KJVO; there are others which use multiple versions (and a vast number of churches somewhere in between). Some IFB churches are "Bapticostal," believing that tongues are for today, and some are cessationist. Some IFB churches are more Reformed, while others are "free will Baptist." In areas of practice and application (use of CCM, movies, pants on women, etc.), the differences are just as obvious.

That's great. There are certainly similarities between IFB churches within any given "stripe" of fundamentalism. I am finding this to be true. I know that the Lord took my son to NC for a reason' date=' and we visit the exact same type of church (just recently...when we see my hubby's relatives in PA.[/color'] Those of us within those "stripes" know where to find churches that line up with the doctrine and practice that we believe. But, the "stripes" are very different from one another. All IFB ideas are not the same. That's why I wonder what people are talking about when they say something like, "According to IFB doctrine..." Such a statement reveals a misunderstanding of what an INDEPENDENT Baptist is.

You are a blessing Annie. I know I started out our conversations on a bad note with you. If it wasn't for the wonderful Christians on OB who (smoothed the edges with me) I wouldn't have been reading your posts all along. I do. :smile As I told Kevin...initially, we come from 2 different worlds. God bless you, hun. You are so book smart, sister! My mom always said that I could live on a park bench. LOL.

BTW, I did a search on IFB on the Internet awhile ago. I don't know if you read what I posted. The Northern Baptists (coined the term.) John D. Rockefeller (a great man of God...was a Northern Baptist---he used to be an usher on Euclid Ave. In Cleveland, OH.) He helped fund (as a charity...Alcoholics Anonymous.) He donated money for the books to fund to program for Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob---the co-founders. He said the program wouldn't work (Religion would take over) if money was involved. The north was really bad, and still is...with the booze. JD Rockefeller 's mom was a Bible-believing Christian. His dad was a whole different story.

When I was 3 years old my strong German grandmother (Jewish roots) suggested that my mother enroll me in nursery school. I had already been in VBS at United Church of Christ...at age 2 1/2. The nursery school was a Northern Baptist Nursery School. I know ( in my heart of hearts...that is where my mustard seed was planted.) They are now American Baptist.

P.S. ~ I am enjoying the ministry with the homeless women in my church. We are connected with the City Mission---another Christian based, charity...and a whole other story with my new IFB pastor, his grandfather, and the precious saints in my church.

[Annie]

Its quite simple.

Some one who uses the expressions, "According to IFB doctrine..." or "according to Baptist doctrine," of course what they mean is what they think this doctirne to be.

Some one who uses the expressions, "According to IFB doctrine..." or "according to Baptist doctrine," of course what they mean is what they think this doctrine to be and use it as a reference point.

Yes, you're right, Jerry. That's why it's not very helpful to use this phrase as a reference point...b/c it is used according to the speaker's private opinions, not commonly held ideas--so it's really not a "point of reference" at all.

[Guest Guest]

But if a church does not hold to the basic Baptist distinetives that Baptist Churches has held to thru out time since the early Church at Jerusalem was started by Jesus Christ, them they are Baptist in name only.

I have heard this said many times over and over, Pastor Jerry. "In name only."

[JerryNumbers]

Yes, you're right, Jerry. That's why it's not very helpful to use this phrase as a reference point...b/c it is used according to the speaker's private opinions, not commonly held ideas--so it's really not a "point of reference" at all.

Them we may as well rip the Baptist off of our signs and our churches.

No, I'm not going to do that, no matter what name one might have and truly follow Jesus someone else will come along who teaches false while wearing your churches name.

I saw a church a while back whose name was, "Jesus Christ's True Church,' now if you went by the name that would be the proper one.

We're in a time when everyone will just have to be very careful about what church they attend, but surely not take none of them at face value, but check them out throughly.

And when we hear someone use such phrases as these IFB doctrine, or Baptist doctrine, or Baptist distinetives, or Baptist Church, or IFB, we can't take what they say at face value.

We have to folow this verse.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:3 (KJV)

But that said, even on this board there are lots of Baptist people who vary quite a bit about what they think the Bible teaches.

[Will]

Rachel' date=' to answer your question, I totally believe that churches should be unregistered. In my opinion, for a church to be registered means it's selling out on its beliefs just so they can get some tax breaks.[/quote']

You can get tax breaks without being 401c3.

[Will]

Right...Independent means we don't answer to a central board, like SBC.

SBC churches aren't answerable to a central board. Not at all. They are all independent of the SBC. In fact, the SBC exists only one week a year. The rest of the year, there is no Convention.