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What Makes a Baptist Church an Independent Baptist Church?
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There are many today who do not really understand the position and work of Independent Baptists. Some believe that all Baptist churches are the same and believe and practice the same thing. Others have the mistaken idea that an Independent Baptist church is a fairly recent new invention of man when in reality Independent Baptist churches have existed since the days of Christ and the apostles.
By Dean Robinson
Christ's Authority Given To The Church
While admitting that the church is the only divinely authorized body on earth, some will try to argue that the church has the right and power to redelegate that authority to another body. When Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Mt.28:18), He revealed that He was the only one who had all authority. When Jesus said, "Go ye therefore..." (Mt.28:19), He revealed He was the only one who had the right and authority to say and do whatever He wanted concerning His church.
According to the Great Commission, only the New Testament church has the authority and command of God to evangelize lost sinners, baptize the saved, and stabilize the saints. The authority which Jesus gave to the church was His authority and it cannot be scripturally redelegated, reassigned, or transferred to someone else. The church does not have the right to make up its own rules and regulations. If it were scriptural for a church to redelegate the authority to another organization to send out missionaries, then it would be just as scriptural to redelegate that authority to another to baptize, to administer the Lord's supper, to exercise discipline, etc. The Bible does not teach or condone such action. There is no scriptural justifi cation for the formulation of mission boards.
Does It Matter How We Do The Lord's Work?
One of the main differences between Baptist churches that use mission boards as opposed to true Independent Baptist churches that do not, is not so much the message that is preached but the methods that are practiced. It makes a difference not only what we believe but also how we put into practice what we believe.
Many churches have used the worn-out, worldly, and vain argument, "the end justifies the means." Many say it doesn't matter how you do it just as long as you get the job done. Such line of reasoning is unscriptural and rest upon shaky ground.
For example: When God had a plan for what kind of offerings were acceptable unto Him, it made a difference for Cain whether or not he followed that plan (Gen.4). God gave Noah a specific plan for building the ark and he was expected to follow it (Gen.6). It made a difference when Israel did not follow God's plan to possess all of Canaan (Num.13). God gave detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle (Ex.25-27) and the Temple (1 Kings 6-7). It made a difference whether these blueprints were followed or not.
The point is: Christ established His church to carry out God's plan for this age and it does make a difference whether we follow His divine and perfect plan or substitute it for another one that is man-made.
As someone once wrote: "It is His work. He has very definite and clear plans as to how He wants His work done. He will not bless it unless it is done His way. When we give up our plans and accept His plans and let Him be the Potter and we the clay, His work, His way, His Word will always succeed."
Baptist churches have no excuse for not knowing how to do mission work. Mission boards have no commission or orders from Christ. The Lord Jesus is not responsible for their existence and they are not responsible for the carrying out of the Great Commission which He gave centuries before they came into being. Jesus Christ gave His commission to the church, to a Baptist church since everyone present was a Baptist. The Lord's commission forever settles the question what a church exists for by clearly defining its mission and purpose.
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