What Is an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Church?

1. Independent -

An independent church is a church that is self- governing and self-propagating. It is free from any control from outside its membership including a denomination or convention.

2. Fundamental -

A Fundamental church is a church that believes in the fundamentals of the faith.

A few fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures are:

The inerrancy of Scripture meaning Scripture is without error.
The virgin birth of Christ.
The substitutionary atonement of Christ.
Christ’s bodily resurrection.
Christ’s bodily return to earth in the second coming.
These beliefs were reaffirmed because many churches were rejecting these doctrines in the early 1900’s. In more recent years, fundamentalism has also been associated with separation from apostasy and worldliness.

3. Baptist -

A Baptist church is a church which adheres to all of the following distinctives:

Biblical Authority - The Bible is the final authority for the faith and practice of the church. * 2 Tim 3:16-17

Autonomy of the Local Church - Each church is sovereign and cannot be controlled by a board, hierarchical system, or another church.* Acts 6:1-7

Priesthood of believers - Every believer can go directly to God without human intercession. * Heb. 4:14-16

Two Ordinances of the Local Church - Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Table.

Believer's Baptism - A person is baptized by immersion after he places his faith in Jesus Christ. * Acts 8:35-39

The Lord's Table - The Lord's Table is a symbol of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. * 1 Cor. 11:23-24

Individual Soul Liberty - Every individual has a right to interpret the Bible for himself and believe that interpretation. * Rom. 14:5-12

Saved Church Membership - Only saved individuals can join the local church for himself and believe that interpretation.* 1 Cor. 1:2

Two Officers of the Local Church - Pastor and Deacons. * 1 Tim. 3:1-13

Separation of Church and State - There should not be any organic union of the church with the state. * Mat. 22:15-22; * Rom 13:1-7

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: - 1 Peter 3:15