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Come Join the IFB Reformation!

What is an IFB?

"IFB" is short for Independent Fundamental Baptists. See my article on the origins of IFBs for a more detailed explanation. If you are coming to this site and did not know what an IFB was this site could still be for you. I hope you will become an IFB. I think the IFB churches are the best churches to be in despite their problems - or else I would not be a part of one!

Being an IFB is not the most important thing in the world though. There is something far more important than that, and that is knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. See my section on God's plan of Salvation if you want to know what you need to be saved from.

The mission of this site

Let me first say this site will not promote IFB bigotry. While I do believe that the IFB interpretations of the Scriptures as a whole are correct that does not mean other denominations or other non-IFB Baptists are second class citizens. There are good, conservative, Bible believing Christians who will disagree with me as well as the general IFB outlook on the Scriptures.

Sometimes I may come across very strong on a view I have and I don't want that to come across as me being an IFB bigot. The only area I will be willing to be a called a "religious bigot" in is that of Christ and Christ alone. Jesus Christ is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE - no one can be saved by anyone else except Christ. There is one true God manifested in three eternally distinct persons - on things like these(Fundamentals of the Faith) I will stand unapologetically.

When it comes to other issues like church structure ,missions,baptism,prophecy and Christian living I will still stand strong but I realize there will be good Christian men who will have differences of opinion and understanding on these issues. On these we graciously agree to disagree.

While the primary mission of this site is to call for reform within IFB churches it is not the only mission. I hope to reach the lost through this site as well as those Christians who may be entangled in Christian denominations that are much more full of error than IFB Churches. I also hope to provide resources for IFBs on practical Christian living.

Test Everything

The theme verse of this web site is 1 Thessalonians 5:21, which tells us that we as Christians are to "Test everything. Hold on to the good."

First we are to "Test everything":

We are to test our doctrines, convictions and standards by the only infallible source of truth - the Bible. Many times though we as Christians and even IFBs test things by the Bible AND tradition, culture, feeling and emotion.

Second we are to "Hold on to the good":

Each generation should test the doctrines,convictions and standards of the previous generation. If the doctrines,convictions and standards of the previous generation are based on solid biblical commands or principles then they will stand the test of time.

Many times we as Christians believe our convictions and standards are based upon the prodding of the Holy Spirit and not our feelings, emotions, and cultural background.

The Bible though, warns us and admonishes us to "test the spirits" to see if what we are believing is from the Holy Spirit or another spirit. Once again, how do we test everything - including our feelings? By the Word of God.

I John 4:1(NIV)
"Dear friends,do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reforms Needed in IFB churches

When I say "Reforms" let me give a little clarification. These are things that I have researched and found to be problems. You may agree with some points and not others. I hope you will examine my upcoming articles that will deal with these points.

I love IFB churches, I was raised in them for most of my life. They are the closest thing to what I believe, based on my study of the scriptures, a New Testament Church should be. Having said that, here are the reforms I believe are needed in IFB churches:

• I understand that from the very beginnings of fundamentalism the whole Calvinist/Arminian debate was buried so that we could join together to defend the fundamentals of the faith. But we need return to teaching Sovereign Grace theology (unconditional election). This does not mean we don't evangelize or send out missionaries, but that we don't make salvation center around man instead of God.
  
  
• Get rid of translation worship(KJV Onlyism) and return to the historic Christian stance of ascribing inerrancy to the original autographs. Allow the common man to read the Bible in his common language and allow him to understand it just as those who 2000 years ago read it and understood it in their common trade language.
  
  
• Stop preaching that Christians must give 10 percent of their gross income to their local churches. Tithing was instituted by God for the nation of Israel as a theocracy. Preach New Testament Free will offering and let each man give as the Lord has laid on his heart to give, not under compulsion.
  
  
• Stop preaching Dispensational Theology and return to Historic Premillenialism. Stop preaching that there are two peoples of God (Israel and the Church) when in fact all the elect from Adam to present are the children of God and part of the body of Christ.
  
  
• Stop using the modern invention known as the "Altar Call". This practice causes man-centered worship and false conversion experiences based upon feeling and emotion rather than the true drawing of the Holy Spirit. Converts were brought to Christ for over 1700 years without this "new method" started by Charles Finney in 1835. Charles Spurgeon was right in his opposition to using it in his church.
  
  
• Stop teaching the commands and traditions of men (like prohibitions against disputable things such as movies,television, dress and other leisure activities) as the commands of God. (Lets read and practice Romans 14)
  
  
• Stop promoting Baptist Bigotry. Some Baptist churches have even gone as far as saying only Baptists are a part of the body of Christ - all other Christians are seen as second class citizens. This does not glorify God and only hurts us in trying to reach out to those Christians who may be in error or part of churches that are in error.

I have a letters section on this site and I hope to hear from those of you who view my site. Whether you totally disagree or agree with me, or somewhat agree with me I would like to hear from you. I reserve the right to post any letter someone sends me but if you want to be anonymous I will put only your first name and state.

I have spoken with many IFBs who feel exactly the same way I do about changes needed in fundamentalism. I want to help those of my fellow brethren who have been frustrated with the errors and excesses in our movement and want to see change.