December 31, 2003 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

There is a move afoot to create "more unity" among independent Baptist churches and fellowships. The International Baptist Network is a fledgling "umbrella group" that is seeking to unite various associations of fundamental Baptist churches, including Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI), Southwide Baptist Fellowship (SBF), and World Baptist Fellowship (WBF).

The goal, at least that which is currently stated, is not an actual merger but a closer relationship between the associations. Bill Monroe, president of the BBFI, says: "It is not meant to replace any of the groups, but rather to unify independent Baptists, who, though they share common doctrine, have been separated for over 50 years by disagreements from the past" (Baptist Bible Tribune, July 15, 2003). The initial meeting is scheduled for September 2004 and speakers include Rick Austin of the WBF and David Bouler (pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee) and Randy Ray of Southwide. Monroe said he was also inviting speakers from the Independent Baptist Fellowship International (IBFI) and the GARBC, as well as from unaffiliated independent Baptists. While we do not know how the GARBC will respond, Raymond Barber of the IBFI turned down Monroe's request.

I know little about the World Baptist Fellowship, but Southwide and BBFI are a mixed multitude. These associations are beating the drum that they have not changed even while many of their churches are pursuing the New Evangelical Bill Hybels-Rick Warren church growth philosophy, throwing away their dress standards, adopting rock & roll worship, softening the preaching (not much hell fire, more of a positive emphasis), avoiding doctrinal controversy, joining hands with ecumenical ventures such as Promise Keepers, misusing Matthew 7:1, etc.

Worldliness is just as destructive to God's holy work as doctrinal error. When men yoke together, it is because they are in agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Or it is because of some overriding interest such as money and prestige or even a sincere fervor for evangelism. The latter is the reason that Billy Graham has always given for great spiritual compromises.

Every man involved in the aforementioned venture will claim that he believes in the autonomy of the local church. Why, even the Southern Baptist pastor makes this claim. But it is a hollow boast when they go about to build associations beyond the church that have no authority in the Word of God and when they seek to create a "unity" that requires some "lowest common denominator" of doctrine. Paul's instruction to Timothy was to allow "no other doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:3) than that which he had been taught by the apostles. That is God's commission to every preacher, and it is impossible to accept some sort of unity based on "five fundamentals" or "the great fundamentals" or any other doctrinal platform that does not include every doctrine of the New Testament faith. We simply don't need an association that is not defined in Scripture. The Scripture gives us our work, the Great Commission, and it describes the channel for that work, the assembly. That is what we see in the book of Acts and throughout the epistles. And in the Scripture we have everything we need. It is able to make the man of God "perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). What else could we possibly add to perfection? How vain men are when they think that they can devise something better than God's original plan!

The following is an excerpt from the sermon "The Voice of the Independent Baptist Movement," which Dr. Harold B. Sightler preached in 1979 at a missions conference at Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga. In that sermon he gave six suggestions for why God has raised up the independent Baptist movement. The sixth is as follows:

"Maybe God raised us up as a voice for the autonomy of the local church, and I do believe in the autonomy and the freedom of the local church. When I was a younger preacher, I wondered why all of the independent fellowships could not get together into one great fellowship in America. I could envision the day when Bible Baptist and World Baptist and Southwide Baptist would unite together in a big fellowship, but I have given that up. I've come to the conviction that it is not God's will. The truth of the matter is that I wouldn't join it if it were to be born. No, sir. I wouldn't join any kind of a convention. I think the independent Baptist movement is demonstrating that it is the will of God that every local church stand on its own autonomy, on its own freedom, on its own authority. 'Oh, but we can do more if we are united together,' they say. Well, that sounds good but if you will examine that you will find that sometimes it's not the case. God gave you two legs, but if you start using a crutch the first thing you know you will be depending on that crutch. The best thing you can do is to throw that crutch away and use the two legs that God gave you. I don't think the local church needs to lean on anybody. A local church can handle of its own affairs, build its own mission program, build its own buildings, call its own pastors. I believe in the autonomy, the freedom of the local church. Maybe God raised us up as a voice for the autonomy of the local church."