Independent Baptists

9Rock9 · Feb 3, 2025

So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

Hazelelponi · Feb 3, 2025

I think with independent Baptist Churches you simply have to visit the individual churches in your area to find out what each one teaches.

what I did after I was saved was to visit several churches nearby to see what they did and taught, talked to the various pastors during the dinner after church etc. and even visited some churches more than once.

It helps you get to know what people teach and are about at their church when you actually visit them. I think with independent churches it's hit and miss what you get, but leaving and never returning is always optional.

JEBofChristTheLord · Feb 3, 2025

Yep. Same as with any other independent. Sometimes the "baptist" means devotion to one of the infinitely miscible subsets of the "baptist" polyglot, sometimes it just means that the elders/whatever haven't been talked out of it yet.

Reluctant Theologian · Feb 3, 2025

9Rock9 said:
So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

I realise you live in the USA - yet you might enjoy looking at non USA based Baptist churches - especially in non-English speaking countries by definition KJV-Only-ism doesn't exist

That fact alone should make KJV-Only fans think ...

Your tagline now is 'Sinner in need of grace' - looking at how Paul started most of his letters I would think you might also consider 'Saint receiving daily grace' ... be blessed !

JEBofChristTheLord · Feb 3, 2025

Reluctant Theologian said:
I realise you live in the USA - yet you might enjoy looking at non USA based Baptist churches - especially in non-English speaking countries by definition KJV-Only-ism doesn't exist That fact alone should make KJV-Only fans think ...

Your tagline now is 'Sinner in need of grace' - looking at how Paul started most of his letters I would think you might also consider 'Saint receiving daily grace' ... be blessed !

Glad to know this!

d taylor · Feb 4, 2025

9Rock9 said:
So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

-

You should look into Free Grace, that is if you are coming from a Southern Baptist background.

Where as Free Grace really teaches and believes in faith alone in Jesus alone. Unlike Southern Baptist who say they do, but so many add in repentance and obedience, etc.. to faith in Jesus in their gospel message.

Plus there are a small number of Southern Baptist churches who are Free Grace.

Here is a link to a Free Grace Group Grace Evangelical Society and they have a church tracker Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker – Grace Evangelical Society

David Lamb · Feb 4, 2025

Hazelelponi said:
I think with independent Baptist Churches you simply have to visit the individual churches in your area to find out what each one teaches.

what I did after I was saved was to visit several churches nearby to see what they did and taught, talked to the various pastors during the dinner after church etc. and even visited some churches more than once.

It helps you get to know what people teach and are about at their church when you actually visit them. I think with independent churches it's hit and miss what you get, but leaving and never returning is always optional.

Yes, one of the baptist distinctives is the autonomy, under God, of each local church. That is even more true in independent Baptist churches.

JEBofChristTheLord · Feb 4, 2025

Another way to track the situation, is to see which, if any, Baptist organizations which the church members in. Some member in two or three different ones.

HantsUK · Feb 6, 2025

Reluctant Theologian said:
I realise you live in the USA - yet you might enjoy looking at non USA based Baptist churches - especially in non-English speaking countries by definition KJV-Only-ism doesn't exist That fact alone should make KJV-Only fans think ...

For a Baptist to be KJV-only is a contradiction. They clearly do not know their history. King James I was opposed to Baptists and under his reign Baptists suffered greatly.

For Americans to be KJV-only is another contradition. The Founding Fathers sailed to America to escape from King James I. They used the Geneva Bible.

The Authorised Version (I refuse to use the term KJV) is a good translation despite being sponsored by King James.

9Rock9 · Feb 6, 2025

HantsUK said:
For a Baptist to be KJV-only is a contradiction. They clearly do not know their history. King James I was opposed to Baptists and under his reign Baptists suffered greatly.

For Americans to be KJV-only is another contradition. The Founding Fathers sailed to America to escape from King James I. They used the Geneva Bible.

The Authorised Version (I refuse to use the term KJV) is a good translation despite being sponsored by King James.

What are Baptists like in the UK? Do they differ from Baptists in America?

FenderTL5 · Feb 20, 2025

9Rock9 said:
So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

I was raised in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, roughly from around 6 years old until I graduated high school and moved out of my parents' home.
For me, the stereotypes were reality; KJV Only, Landmarkist, The specific attire/grooming stereotypes were also present. I read Chick Tracts before I read Spiderman. We had 'Dispensational Truth" on our family coffee table. I'm familiar with The Trail of Blood, we had copies of it at home and I've read it several times. Oddly enough, it was that document and KJV Onlyism that kick-started my journey to my present faith Tradition.

I still have several friends and family members in the IFBC.

DragonFox91 · Feb 28, 2025

I go to one. When we say fundamental, it's b/c we are deeply concerned w/ the traditions of men that seep into churches & cause serious error & contradictions w/ the Bible, & that leads to harm to both the saved & the lost. When we say independent, we say that b/c we disagree w/ unity in error contrary to the Bible. When we say baptist, we mean baptism is in response to someone hearing & believing the Gospel.

Message some local ones in your area what they teach. Read their What We Believe statements, pastor bios, ministries, etc.

I'm not sure what you mean by fringe, but we are called to be apart from the world & wholly devoted to the Lord - & yet at the same time we are still part of it.

I have had my share in other denominations, & find theological liberalism rampant. I fully believe the Lord called me out of them & saved me from them

BibleBeliever1611 · Mar 1, 2025

HantsUK said:
For Americans to be KJV-only is another contradition

Okay, I live in Finland and I'm KJV-only. How about that? Checkmate.

Longing to kneel · Mar 3, 2025

9Rock9 said:
So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

I'm a member of an Independent Baptist Church and can help you if you'd like to message me. I can also help you find a good place that my pastor Dr. Lassater would suggest also.

David Lamb said:
Yes, one of the baptist distinctives is the autonomy, under God, of each local church. That is even more true in independent Baptist churches.

absolutely we believe Christ is the head of the church, not a committee of suits behind closed doors dictating everything. that's what I really appreciate about Independent Baptist Churches as they are all self-governing and not part of a big organization.

David Lamb · Mar 4, 2025

Longing to kneel said:
absolutely we believe Christ is the head of the church, not a committee of suits behind closed doors dictating everything. that's what I really appreciate about Independent Baptist Churches as they are all self-governing and not part of a big organization.

I would say that even local Baptist churches which choose to be affiliated to a grouping of churches are still self-governing. The grouping of churches has no authority over the local church.

YeshuaFan · Jun 17, 2025

9Rock9 said:
So, I looking into the Independent Baptist denomination as I am kinda disillusioned with the the Southern Baptist Convention right now. While I like that the SBC is big tent conservative denomination, I am a bit concerned about its future such as falling back into theological liberalism and the increasing popularity of Calvinism in the denomination. While the SBC in theory prohibits women ordination, apparently the majority of lay members support women in the clergy.

From my limited experience though, many Independent Baptists are kinda fringe. I don't think I have encountered an Independent Baptist that didn't subscribe to KJV-Onlyism. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are Landmarkists. I'm only really aware of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and New Independent Fundamentalist Baptists (Steven Anderson's gang.)

What can you tell me about Independent Baptists? What was your experience like? How do the stereotypes match up?

Could also check into reformed Baptist churches, as while holding to conservative views on doctrines and scripture, would not tend to be into KJVO

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