Left the Bldg

God speaks to us in different ways.  Just to name a few...
 
Generally through the Word.
 
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
 
Through our conscience.
 
1 Timothy 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.
 
Through the Holy Spirit.
 
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
 
Through counsel and advice of other Godly people.
 
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
 
Ephesians 2:18 tells us that we have access to God.  "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
 
From what you wrote, your girlfriend is close with this person.  That person probably loves and wants to protect her.  But....ask your girlfriend to consider going to God directly, on her own, with much prayer and direction from scripture.  

This gives a brief survey of IFB in particular and Baptists in general.
 
http://bible-truth.org/BaptistHistory.html

We don't worship a newborn. But we do celebrate the fact that He was born.

So many people look forward to this time of year. "Honor the newborn King!" they say excitedly.
Where is this newborn King that they want me to honor, to worship, to adore? I know of no such King born this year.
Friends, Christ is no longer a baby in a manger. What are you doing? We are not told to worship a baby. There is no more Baby Jesus. Let's just set the record straight. The Baby Jesus that was born 2017 years ago grew up, died according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later according to the Scriptures.
He is no longer a Baby lying in a manger. He is no longer an infant being honored by three wise men. He is no longer a child answering questions in a Temple.
He is our ever-present Lord and King. Sitting in Heaven, awaiting the time when His Father says, "Go, bring My children Home!"
Friends, Honor the risen King of Glory, not a Baby that is no longer there. Christians say they choose to honor Christ's birthday on December 25th each year. Tell me, when your parents honor your birthday by bringing you presents, when your spouse or children have a birthday party for you, do you dress up as a baby for the party? Do your appear to your friends and family as a baby on your birthday? Would you want people to see you as a baby on your birthday?
Of course not!
Well, what makes you want to honor Christ as a Baby if you wouldn't want to be treated like a baby yourself?
Christ is no longer a baby in a manger. Worship Him for who He is, not what He is not.
 

Ok...I get it...I get it.  Just needed to be shown the scriptures and compare.  I wasn't finding them on my own.  I am now a KJV believer!  :-)  I gotta show my brother now.  :-)

Is there a way you can share that list with me?

Ok...I get it...I get it.  Just needed to be shown the scriptures and compare.  I wasn't finding them on my own.  I am now a KJV believer!  :-)  I gotta show my brother now.  :-)

Thank you too for taking the time and patience.  I would like to add you to my friends list, if you don't mind.  We never stop learning and I'm always looking for the truth.

Ok...I get it...I get it.  Just needed to be shown the scriptures and compare.  I wasn't finding them on my own.  I am now a KJV believer!  :-)  I gotta show my brother now.  :-)

Ok...I get it...I get it.  Just needed to be shown the scriptures and compare.  I wasn't finding them on my own.  I am now a KJV believer!  :-)  I gotta show my brother now.  :-)

Well then that's why I say I am a Christian and go to an IFB church.  I think my point is that I am Christian first or a "believer." I'm probably gonna get stoned here but I don't agree with every single thing the IFB church teaches.  I don't think there is one single church on this earth that teaches 100% accurate truths.  Even reading posts on this forum on different topics, all the Baptists here can't seem to agree with each other.

I don't believe it is correct to say that Baptist "founded" America - that is a stretch.  I believe it is more accurate to say that the Baptists had an extremely strong influence during the formative days of America, and played an important role during the Revolutionary Era.

I am a "Biblicist" who attends an IFB church which most closely follows Biblical doctrine.  All based on Him-not mans standards.

Swathdiver, I feel so terrible for what you are going through.  I understand that feeling of being homeless, although, when we lost our home, over 5 years ago... we moved in with my oldest brother.  His home is also more spacious and in a better neighborhood.  We could have bought back our home, although, it would have been on market value.  Living in this house, with my brother, is more affordable.  However, we don't know where the Lord is directing us next.  My brother's job is not secure... so we may be homeless again.  I try to keep in mind that we are just sojourners passing through this place called, 'life."  The Lord Jesus Christ has prepared us many mansions with Him in heaven.  How awesome is that? 

 As for this family, and boy?  Please don't be so hard on yourself.  I wanted so desperately to witness to my ex husband's dad before he passed on, almost a year ago; however, the opportunity was not there.  I tried one time before, as well.  Sometimes, we can't control external things that come into our paths.  Thankfully, I was able to witness, a bit, to a man at my father in law's funeral.  Believe it or not... the RCC priest sounded more like a Baptist than a Catholic.  The Lord slightly opened a small door for me to witness to a man I didn't know.  Please remember all the good things that you did for this family, and try not to focus on regret.  Regret is like a cancer.  It can chew a person up and never let go.  As the saying goes, "Let Go and Let God."
 
You seem to me like the kind of man that carries the world's burden's on your shoulder.  I am the same way.  I have been directed, by my godly husband, not to do that so much.  Burdens and worries take it's toll on the body, spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Remember, you have a wife and daughters that need you.  They don't need a big house or even a small one.  They need your love and support.  You have much spiritual support to give all of them, as you are a godly man that keeps them from the world's temptations.  I don't know where you are located.  I am going to add you as a friend on OB.  If you would like to talk further, maybe I can be of some help to you.  Joe, my husband, is looking for places for us to live, in case my brother is not able to find work with better pay, soon.  I will ask Joe's friend if he will send you some homes, apartments, leases, etc. as my husband is working with this childhood friend to find something for us, if we need to move.  Matt is just starting out in real estate.  He used to work in retail.  I am sure he would be happy to send you some information on houses for lease, rent and mobile homes.  I know we didn't get off to a good start on OB... and I apologize for that.     Keep the faith brother, and don't try to solve the world's problems in a day.    Leave Jesus to do that.  The Lord will direct your every step and help you with your burdens.  He will never forsake his kids.  He never has and He never will.

Excellent.  That's how Jesus accepts us.  Romans 10:9.  Not by our titles.  I go to an IFB church because they are the closest to Biblical principles and a place I feel I can learn and grow.  I don't call myself Baptist.  Not that I am ashamed if someone calls me Baptist but I don't want to be instantly labeled.  I am Christian. Acts 11:12  Since Christian is a broad term these days, I tell people I am a "believer"...that gets them to ask me what I believe and I can share my faith.    

God speaks to us in different ways.  Just to name a few...
 
Generally through the Word.
 
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
 
Through our conscience.
 
1 Timothy 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.
 
Through the Holy Spirit.
 
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
 
Through counsel and advice of other Godly people.
 
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
 
Ephesians 2:18 tells us that we have access to God.  "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
 
From what you wrote, your girlfriend is close with this person.  That person probably loves and wants to protect her.  But....ask your girlfriend to consider going to God directly, on her own, with much prayer and direction from scripture.  

Here's my .02 cents.  A non-denomination church doesn't put much emphasis on doctrine so as not to offend anyone lest they lose them.  
A strong IFB church will accept into membership all who are scripturally saved and baptized and not allow the dross from that person's old denomination to further separate them from the Lord or influence others in the local church.  
 
Put another way, when I came to my IFB church, I came to learn their ways (bible ways), not introduce the errors I'd been taught at Catholic and rock-n-roll churches.

I don't think that's what he's saying, Laura.  He's talking about churches that don't identify with any particular denomination or belief, but combine enough so that everyone is comfortable.  In actuality, those type churches are inter-denominational.  The non-denominational churches can be more of a combination, but the ones I've attended or known about have tended to lean baptistic in belief.
~~~~~
Folks, let's not turn this thread into an argument about church styles.  There is truth that all too often IFB churches are lumped into a category of criticism just on the basis of being IFB.  And that is wrong - and, actually, that isn't what David Cloud does...he points to specifics in specific churches, normally.  Anyway - 
 
It is a truth that some IFB churches accepted Gaither's music.  In point of fact, there are some songs Gaither and his crew have written that are very good  as far as words go - performance is different....It is a truth that some IFB churches have accepted other forms of music that are not good as well.
 
That said, it is not a disrespectful thing to point out that some IFB churches have gone that way.  But I do understand what Jerry is saying - sometimes it seems that some people take every opportunity to criticize IFB just in toto.  That is not right.  But, Jerry, I honestly don't think that's what John meant in his statement.  I think he was expanding on the thought you mentioned in your first post - although you didn't point to IFB and he did.
 
I'm Baptist because I believe Baptists align more closely to scripture than any other belief.  That doesn't mean others are completely wrong (I know of a Wesleyan church which, believe it or not, is more IFB than some IFB churches I could name), but just that Baptist is more right.  And I say that without smugness or overweening pride.     I'm IFB because I believe it is more biblical than Baptist churches that have a hierarchy to whom they answer.
 
A study of Baptist history can stir the blood in excitement and awe at how God has worked.  Candlelight has mentioned the book a couple of times, but America in Crimson Red is an excellent book to read for the history of Baptists in America.  The Coming Destruction of the Baptist People  is also a fascinating read as Bro. Bellar documents how the Baptist faith is being obliterated and replaced...and IFB are contributing to it unkowingly in many cases.
 
Anyhooo - let's not turn this into an argument on church styles.  Let's keep it to the topic, ok?  Thanks.

Unless one believes some people are born Baptists, any good IFB church, especially a soul winning Baptist church, should have many people who came from different denominations.