Many
Southern Baptist pastors have sold out themselves and their church for low
interest loans or low tuition education.
There
are some who think that the only difference between independent Baptist
churches and Southern Baptist Churches is the liberalism and lack of
separation in the Southern Baptist Churches. But we have a far greater
difference than that.
We
are independent because of THE EXAMPLES IN THE WORD OF GOD.
Paul
began more churches than any man in the Word of God, yet he never united
them in an association or convention.
No
where in the Scriptures is any organization mentioned that is above or over
the local church, Cp Matthew 18:15-18.
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The
Word of God teaches:
I.
LOCAL CHURCH AUTHORITY OVER THE LORD'S MEETINGS.
Each
church is governed under God, by its own congregation.
II.
LOCAL CHURCH AUTHORITY OVER THE LORD'S MONEY.
A.
Local Churches Accept the Lord's Tithe.
B.
Local Churches Accountable for the Lord's Tithe.
We don't pay for their ungodly programs.
We don't pay their ungodly professors.
Ill.
LOCAL CHURCH AUTHORITY OVER THE LORD'S MISSION WORK.
Our
missionaries are:
A.
Selected by the local church, Acts 13:1-4
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
B.
Sent out by the local church, Acts 13:1-4
C.
Subject to the local church, Acts 14:26-27
Acts 14:26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
D.
Supported by the local churches, I Corinthians 16:1-4
1 Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
1 Cor 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
1 Cor 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
Here
we find four principles in God's plan for giving to missions
1.
It is to be systematic giving, -upon the first day of the week
2.
It is to be total involvement, -let every one of you
3.
It is to be -according as God has prospered him
4.
It is to be given to the local church and distributed by the
authority of the local church, Vs 3-4
Since
the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention in Augusta, Georgia in
1845, the denominational mission programs have removed the burden of
missions from the heart of the church to the headquarters of the convention
and they make missions giving appear to be a choice. God commands that every
member of the church give, and He wants the burden of missions in the local
church.
IV.
LOCAL CHURCH AUTHORITY OVER THE LORD'S MINISTRY.
God
has greatly used Independent Baptist Churches to:
A.
Preserve the Integrity of the Scriptures
B.
Proclaim the Importance of Separation, -both personal and positional)
C.
Promote the Interest in Soulwinning
D.
Provide Insight on the Second Coming
by
Bro. Stinnett Ballew
