Independent Fundamental Baptist: Difference between revisions
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{{Unreferenced|date=July 2009}} |
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An '''Independent Fundamental [[Baptist]]''' church is a conservative type of [[Christian]] [[Church body|church]]. It is often seen as being the most fundamentalist, conservative type of Christian church. |
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There are a substantial number of IFB churches in the [[Bible belt]] ([[American South|the South]]), with a lesser-yet-growing number elsewhere in the [[United States]] and internationally.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} |
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==Attributes== |
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IFB churches are characterized by some or all of these attributes: |
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* Taking a literal ("fundamentalist") interpretation of the whole [[Bible]]. This typically includes belief in [[Biblical inerrancy]], [[young earth creationism]] and [[Dispensationalism|dispensationalist]] theology (particularly of the ''pre-tribulational premillennial'' variety). |
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* Being independent. Fundamentalists believe that local and autonomous churches reflect the church that [[Jesus Christ]] established when he lived on earth. Fundamentalists typically shun affiliation with national or international organizations such as the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] or governing bodies like the [[Roman Catholic Church]] as antithetical to a scriptural ideal that a church should be beholden only to God rather than any organization or governing body created by man (or have secular ideology attached to them). |
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* Having [[congregational polity]] usually led by a minister with an honorary educational degree. |
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* Practicing what is known as [[believer's baptism]], i.e. baptism by immersion, as is described in the New Testament, by those who have expressed faith in Jesus Christ with evidence of repentance. This is opposite of, for example, sprinkling water on the foreheads of infants who cannot make such an informed and free-will choice. |
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* Holding solely to the King James Version of the Bible, which is believed by them to be the best translation of the manuscripts into the English language. It should also be noted that not all IFB Churches hold to the KJV Only Position or to the KJV Preferred Position or to Ruckmanism(Double-Inspiration), but some have moved to the NKJV or NASB as their church's Bible. Then again, this decision to progress to the newer versions of the Bible generally disqualifies a church from being called "fundamental," seeing as the very use of the word "fundamental" to describe these Baptists would exclude such a newer movement from their beliefs and practices. Thus, a church that uses the newer versions of the Bible may very well be independent, but they cannot be truly and rightfully qualified as IFB, simply due to the very nature of the term "fundamental". |
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* Accepting the Biblical doctrine of freewill, but rejecting the Biblical doctrine of election. |
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* Shunning of the [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical movement]]. |
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* Shunning of [[liberalism]] in all forms—social, [[Modern liberalism in the United States|political]], [[Christian left|religious]] and moderate political positions. |
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* Emphasis on [[patriotism]] and [[Americana|national]] identity. |
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* Shunning of secular music or music believed to be secularized such as [[rock and roll]], [[jazz]], [[blues]], [[country]], [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]], alternative, [[hip-hop]] and/or so-called "[[praise band]]s", in favor of more traditionally religious music such as [[Southern Gospel]] music (also known as 'hillbilly' music), traditional old-time [[hymn]]s and/or religious classical music such as "Bringing in the Sheaves." Some fundamentalist sects will make exceptions for some genres, such as operatic music, non-religious classical music, bluegrass and even music used in movie soundtracks (for those churches that have actually departed from true fundamentalism and have embraced the seeker-sensitive movement, a movement despised by true IFB churches), provided it exhibits no overpowering beat or other characteristics thought to be of a Satanic influence. Other sects eschew music with patently emotional overtones like certain Gospel music. |
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* Taking the missionary side of the missionary/anti-missionary controversy (for more on the latter, see [[primitive baptist]]). |
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* Shunning of social movements deemed to be unscriptural such as the feminist movement, environmentalist movement, and acceptance of [[homosexuality]]. |
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* Holding a Biblical position concerning [[pre-marital sex]], extra-marital sex, [[sexual fetish]]es/deviancy and [[homosexuality]], but usually adhering to an extreme position concerning [[divorce]]. |
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* Having a legalistic approach to living the Christian life by shunning dancing, card playing, mixed bathing (swimming), total abstension of alcoholic beverages (see [[temperance movement]]), recreational use of drugs, [[tobacco]] use, gambling, wearing of clothing or hairstyles deemed "unisex" (for example, [[women]] wearing pants, or men wearing long hair), certain jewelry, or any behaviour deemed inappropriate by the local assembly. |
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* Advocating a traditional paternalistic lifestyle - a family based around what is seen Biblically: the husband is the head of the home, the wife subject to her husband only, et cetera. |
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* Shunning of [[feminism]] as a left-wing/anti-Christian ideology against the biblical-ordained natural [[gender roles]] of women. |
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* Shunning of ceremonial worship trappings which might dissipate spiritual focus such as choir robes, pastoral vestments and decorations in the place of worship. Some fundamentalist churches intentionally meet in buildings virtually devoid of decor or significant architectural elements in order to encourage attendees to focus, instead, on what is happening in the building. |
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* [[Home schooling]] or church schooling is encouraged to ensure children are protected from the corrupting characteristics of public or private schools and other secular organizations. In particular, separate education is intended to protect children from drug and alcohol use, gang violence, satan worship or [[paganism]], underage sex and pregnancy, "un-Christian morals or ethics" and the teaching of ideas which are deemed to challenge the Bible's teachings such as the [[theory of evolution]], certain aspects of sex education, abortion and the acceptance or tolerance of non-traditional sexual preference, value system, religion, etc. and to install/protect the psychospiritual "innocence" of young children. |
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==Services== |
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Most IFB churches hold three weekly services: on Sunday morning (usually 11:00 am), on Sunday evening (usually 6:00 pm), and on Wednesday evening (usually 7:00 or 7:30 pm . Church members typically attend all three services weekly. In addition, there is typically a Sunday School taught an hour before the Sunday morning service (which is usually held for different age groups, and is a time of Bible teaching for both adults and children, as opposed to the "Sunday School" of other denominations which is only for young children). |
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Because they are independent, IFB church services do not follow a standardized procedure. Services often last for 1 to 2 hours, and may go as follows: |
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* SUNDAY SCHOOL |
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** A lively piano prelude precedes the service and indicates the service is about to start. The prelude may also indicate the first song to be sung. |
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** The music leader will come to the pulpit and call the room to order and call out a hymn number; the congregation stands and sings the indicated hymn to open the service. The hymnal typically contains both older hymns and newer gospel songs, written for singers in four-part harmony. The hymns are accompanied by a pianist in an improvisational style. Congregational singing in larger IFB churches may also be accompanied by an organ, additional pianist, or even an orchestra. |
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** After the opening song, the congregation is led in prayer. |
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** Church announcements may follow, and prayer requests may be shared. |
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** After another prayer, the people divide up into their classes for Sunday School. (Another method is that the adults and/or children simply begin the day in their own Sunday School classrooms. There is no assembly before the Sunday School hour, only afterwards for the morning service) |
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** A period of Bible teaching follows, after which the congregation regathers in the sanctuary for the morning service. |
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* SERVICES |
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** There is a hymn song by the congregation, led by the song leader. |
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**Following the song is prayer for the service. (Or this could come before the songs) |
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**Another song is sung, followed by special music, choir singing, and announcements. |
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**The ushers come forward with offering plates. A prayer is said for the offering. Offering plates are passed through the congregation by the ushers while music is played by the pianist or other musical group. |
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**Another congregational hymn may follow. |
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**Sometimes, there has been a song especially chosen to help the congregation prepare their minds and hearts for the preaching ahead. Then, either the church choir, a soloist, duet, trio—however many there are, will come and sing the special song that was chosen. |
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* PREACHING PART |
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** The preacher steps to the pulpit, and (in some IFB churches) asks everyone to stand in reverence to the Word of God while opening their Bibles to a given passage, which he reads out loud (or has the congregation read with him). |
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** The preacher may say a prayer thanking God for the Bible passage just read, asking for His blessing on the upcoming sermon. Then the congregation sits down. |
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** The preacher preaches a sermon based upon the subject or Bible passage he previously recited. |
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** The preacher says a prayer thanking God for the sermon just given, and for the church service. |
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** An "invitation" (also known as an "altar call") is given. The church members stand with their heads bowed and eyes closed, while an invitational hymn is played softly in the background. The preacher gives an invitation to anyone sitting in the church who is not saved, to come kneel on the altar and ask Jesus to save them. The invitation is also for anyone else who desires to come to the altar, to pray to God regarding anything that has convicted them, concerned them, or any reason at all. If someone comes, the pianist and organist will continue to play for as long as the person stays at the altar, which often can be emotional and takes a few minutes (although some have lasted hours, depending on how the Holy Spirit moves in the service). |
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** The preacher (or his assistant) gives any reminder announcements (such as for an upcoming church function), thanks the congregants for coming out, and dismisses the congregation. |
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Unlike in other denominations and northern churches, congregants are vocal during IFB services and participate in them. In other denominations and most northern churches, the congregants sit still and silently during the sermon; in IFB churches, as is common in the South, congregants randomly yell out "Amen!","That's right, Preacher!", "Yeah!", "Says the Bible!", "Come on!", "He's right!", "A-men!", "Preach!", "Preach it, Brother!", and "Mmm!" during the sermon when the Preacher says something which resonates with them particularly strongly. Also, congregants even call out "A-men!" or raise a hand during a hymn or song when the lyrics say something which resonates with them particularly strongly. |
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==Other information== |
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IFB churches tend to be very committed to [[Mission (Christian)|mission work]], [[revival meeting]]s, and local [[evangelism]] (A.K.A - Soul Winning). Frequent methods are door-to-door canvassing, distribution of [[Bible tract]]s, operating Christian radio stations such as the [[Fundamental Broadcasting Network]] (which is not seen by all Baptists to be truly fundamental), operating a Christian school, and encouraging members to become involved in local politics and school boards. |
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Traditional gender roles in church management are observed, women are not traditionally allowed to teach young men over the age of 12 or 13. All [[preachers]], [[deacons]], and ministry leaders are male. This observance is due to the Bible's standards of conduct for church offices: I Timothy 3. After all, since one of the qualifications for a pastor/deacon is to be the '''husband of one wife''', it is impossible for a woman to do this. Apropos, The woman is qualified for other very important positions in the church, but not the office of a pastor or deacon. |
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==Nomenclature== |
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Not all churches which fall into the IFB category choose to self-identify using the term "Independent Fundamental Baptist". Some use other terms like "Bible-believing", while others simply call themselves "Baptist", "Bible Baptist", "Missionary Baptist", or simply "Christian," though no churches that drop the name "Baptist" are truly Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, since they have abandoned at least one of the qualifications for being an IFB church -- Fundamentalism. You see, one of the essential qualities of true fundamentalism is to remain true to one's doctrine and beliefs, even at the cost of perhaps offending a person by one's church name. A true fundamentalist would not change a church's name simply to reel in more people or to prevent people from being offended. |
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It should be noted that there is no difference between the meaning of the terms "fundamental" and "fundamentalist"; save that fundamentalist Christians typically self-identify using the term "fundamental". However, the term "fundamentalist" and "fundamentalism" has shifted from what once included many denominations and independent congregations to nearly just strictly IFB churches. |
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==Organizations and Associations== |
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*[[Independent Fundamental Baptist Association of Michigan]] |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.bible-truth.org/fundbapt.htm Fundamental Baptist Churches - What They are and What is Their History] |
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*[http://www.onlinebaptist.com Online Baptist] Active Community of Independent Fundamental Baptists with directory. |
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*[http://www.ifb1000.com IFB1000] Ranks the most active Independent, Fundamental Baptist websites. |
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[[Category:Baptist denominations]] |
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==Controversies== |
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*[http://www.baptistdeception.com] Information about the cultish Independent Fundamental Baptist denomination. |
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*<ul>[http://independentfundamentalbaptistmess.blogspot.com/ Stories of Abuse within Independent Fundamental Baptist denomination]</ul> |
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Latest revision as of 08:19, 30 September 2015
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