Putting the "I" Back in IFB

Putting the "I" Back in IFB

Lately, I've been expressing my disappointment with Bob Gray Sr. as as one of the "leaders" of the IFB movement. This is not to say that the independent fundamental Baptist movement needs new leadership. Independent Baptist churches ought to be independent in every sense of the word. We need to stop elevating fundamental popes like Bob Gray Senior. Yes, we have conferences where we enjoy good preaching and have fellowship with like-minded churches, but without Bible colleges, we treat our pastor friends as equals.

Each pastor is the leader of his own church, and he has the power to send out faithful men who he feels are qualified to pastor their own churches. Churches should beget other churches, but as independent Baptist pastors, we should be careful not to create a new hierarchy. We need to maintain a lateral relationship with other pastors. Missions boards and Bible colleges dictating what is or is not preached in many churches is akin to a denomination.

Here's a start, independent Baptist...Throw away your Bible college notes, and do your own study on end times prophecy. If everyone did that, we’d have a lot more people believing in the post tribulation rapture. Or how about using your own common sense and spiritual discernment to determine what a biblical "eunuch" is and is not?

If you still have doubts about the "eunuch" thing, then visit Johnny Nixon’s facebook page to decide for yourself whether or not he is a separated, fundamental Baptist. Have you considered the source of "Born that Way Ministries" or are you just assuming it’s fine because Bob Gray Sr. supports it?

Everyone is susceptible to peer pressure, which can be both good and bad. That said, Bible college driven hierarchies can become too powerful of an influence. While one leader might make a positive impact, his successor might take things in another direction.

When you make the Bible your authority and let the Holy Spirit guide you, you are a true independent Baptist. If you see something wicked going on in other churches like this “Born that Way” garbage, then speak out against it. Don’t let some Bible college president muzzle you just because he is older and has a large following.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Here is a sermon on why Bible college is unscriptural and wrong.