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What Is An Independent
Fundamental Baptist Church?
By M. L. Moser, Jr.
The following was written by M. L. Moser, Jr. in the late 1950s as a tract to inform visitors to the church, the
nature of Central Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas, and to explain why it was an independent Baptist
church. It was later modified for other independent Baptist churches and printed in tract form and made
available to other independent Baptist churches for their use and was used by churches all over the country,
some printing it under their own name and it is presented here with reference to that church removed. Editor
To many an independent Baptist church is a strange phenomenon. Being accustomed to the various Baptist groups such as Southern Baptist
Convention, the Baptist Union, the various Associations, or one of the organized Fellowships (Baptist Bible Fellowship or World Baptist
Fellowship) and others, they cannot comprehend the nature of a church that is not affiliated with any of these. For that reason an independent
Baptist church is looked upon with some suspicion. Surely a church that stands “all by itself” must be very odd.
Actually independent Baptist churches have existed since apostolic times. Long before the Protestant Reformation began there were independent
Baptist churches in both Europe and Asia. An independent Baptist church, therefore, is nothing new or novel. It has an ancient and glorious
heritage. Though in various periods of church history members of independent Baptist churches have been persecuted and even slain for the faith,
such churches continue until the present day. There are many thousands of independent Baptist churches in all parts of the world.
“What are the distinctives of an independent Baptist church?” you may ask. They could concisely be set forth under four major headings. (see also
“The Baptist Distinctives” menu)
I. A Church That Is Self-governing.
The churches established by the Apostles of Christ were all independent churches, that is, they were free from any outside membership or control
in any kind of an organization. The New Testament does not reveal the existence of any synod, conference, association, convention, organized
fellowship, union, or other form of human organization exercising control over the local congregation or even existing apart from a local
independent church. Each local church was viewed as a self-governing body.
An aggregation of local churches was never looked upon organizationally as a “church,” but always as “churches,” emphasizing the individual
prerogatives of each congregation (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 11:16). Each local church chose its own officers (Acts 6:1-6). Each exercised its own
discipline (1 Cor. 5:13). Churches were not responsible to any higher ecclesiastical body (since there were none), but were subject only to God
(Rev. 2:4-5). Internal problems were handled by the individual congregation (1 Cor. 6:1-5). The maintenance of pure doctrine was the
responsibility of the local assembly (1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 2:14-16).
The Holy Spirit directs each local group of believers (Acts 13:1-2). Such a church cannot be politically pressured because it owns its own property
(in contrast to many denominational churches whose property is owned or in some measure controlled by the denomination).
In the important matter of calling a pastor, an independent Baptist church is cast upon the Lord for guidance. While they may seek counsel from
neighbouring pastors or Christian schools, no one can force them to accept a man they do not want. The congregation must prayerfully consider
the merits of a candidate and decide whether or not he is God’s man for them.
Another important characteristic is the liberty enjoyed in the matter of missionary support. While pressure is exerted upon organized Baptist
churches to support their own denominational missions, independent Baptist churches may seek the will and direction of God regarding this.
The position of independent Baptist churches may be summed up thus: they are absolutely free to obey God as they see His direction and are
under no obligation to any other church or group of churches. In each phase of their service for the Lord they must exercise spiritual discernment.
Actually, therefore, the independence of a church simply enhances its dependence upon the Lord. This tends to develop prayer and faith and to
cultivate spirituality among the members.
II. A Church That Is Sound In Doctrine.
A fundamental Baptist church is one that stands for the historic, conservative Christian faith. Many churches in recent years have moved away
from the original teachings of the early Christians. They have substituted human theories for Biblical authority. Independent fundamental Baptist
churches continue to uphold the Bible as the divinely- inspired authority for Christian faith and practice.
An independent fundamental Baptist church places proper importance upon correct Biblical doctrine. Among the doctrines emphasized are the
following: the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, the virgin birth, absolute deity, sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ, His high-priestly work in Heaven, salvation by grace through faith, the reality of Satan and his work, the person and work of
the Holy Spirit, the pre-millennial coming of Christ, a period of great tribulation on earth, the return of Christ to establish an earthly kingdom, the
judgment and eternal doom of the lost, and the eternal reward of the saved.
Independent Baptist churches stand as a protest to the religious unbelief (often called “modernism” or “liberalism”) that has engulfed so many of
the large denominations and is now invading the ranks of Baptists. Men, claiming to be ministers of Christ, deny the verbal inspiration of
Scripture, question the virgin birth of Christ, deny the necessity of faith in the shed blood of Christ for salvation, accept the theory of organic
evolution, and in many other ways oppose the historic faith, yet such men are accepted as ministers in good standing in some church groups. In
obedience to the Word regarding false teachers (2 Tim. 3:5; Eph. 5:11, etc.) independent Baptist churches refuse to cooperate with denominations
and councils of churches that condone the presence of such unbelieving religious leaders.
Independent Baptist churches stand firm for the doctrines as laid down in the New Testament that have separated them from other denominations.
We adhere to the New Testament doctrine of the church, thus denying the modern doctrine of an invisible, universal church which is unknown to
the Scripture, and holding fast to the Biblical doctrine of the church which identifies the church as a local visible body. We hold fast to the Bible
doctrine of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (the ordinances of the church) meaning that we reject “alien immersion” and receive only scriptural
baptism, and practice the Bible doctrine of closed communion (That is, those who participate in the communion table must be saved and biblically
baptized, ed.). We do not maintain these doctrines simply to be “different” or to hold ourselves “aloof” from others, but because we sincerely
believe the Bible teaches these doctrines and that, as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are obligated to obey His commands in keeping
(preserving or guarding) these ordinances as He has given them unto His church (Jn. 14:15).
III. A Church With A Bible-centred Program.
One of the first things many people notice about an independent Baptist church is the fact that almost everyone comes to church with their Bibles.
Not only do they bring their Bibles, but they use them in the regular services of the church. The Bible is looked upon, not as an obscure religious
textbook to be studied primarily by a priest or minister, but as the guide for every Christian and the source of instruction for his daily life.
Our pastor uses the Bible in his pulpit ministry. He reads from it and his congregation follows him in searching out various passages. He is not
endeavouring to foist upon the people some human observations concerning “religion” but rather he is seeking to unfold the exact revelation
which God has given us in the Bible. Preaching in independent Baptist churches is not simply delivering some ethical or social precepts, but is an
exposition of the written Word of God as found in the Bible.
IV. A Church With Distinctive Emphases
In addition to the things already mentioned there are several other important and scriptural distinctives of independent Baptist churches.
A Regenerated Church Membership
Only those who have personally, consciously received Christ as their Lord and Saviour have a right to church membership. Acts
committed by a parent, priest, or minister for a child cannot and do not save the child. Children dying before they are old enough to be
accountable to God go to heaven. Acts 2:47 clearly states that “the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved.” In other
words, a personal experience of the new birth is a pre-requisite to church membership. For this reason, independent Baptist churches
require evidence of a person’s salvation [and to be baptized by immersion as a result of obedience to Scripture after that profession; ed.]
before they are received into the membership of the church.
Scriptural Giving
Many churches support their work by fundraising schemes such as church suppers, raffles, and sales. Some assess each member a certain
amount each year. All such practices are totally unscriptural. The local church should be supported by the free-will offerings and tithes of
saved persons, not by commercial or worldly appeals (Cf. 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 9:6-8).
In recognition of the truth in all that has been written above, independent Baptist churches are caused to place loyalty to Christ and His
Word above loyalty to an earthly organization. Everything is tested by the Word of God, not by its relation to a denominational program.
Independent Baptist churches are seeking, as enabled by God, to perpetuate New Testament churches, remembering that the church is the
“pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
What is a Baptist