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Bible Believing Church

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Jan 20, 2018.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    What makes a church a Bible Believing church?

    What doctrines and or practices must a church adhere to in order to be BB?
    Are there doctrines and or practices that would preclude an otherwise BB church from being so?
     
  2. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    It's both, their Doctrine and Practice. If either stray from a Biblical view, then it nullifies them as a BB. Of course, we have to consider that probably most fellowships have leadership which was trained according to their Systems of Theology, so to be fair I don't think we could nullify every Church as a BB because their Doctrine differs on "non-essential" Doctrine as some refer to it (and I won't list certain doctrines I might disagree with as examples). I think most have a sincerity in their doctrinal positions, and that is why they are members of that particular church. But, when we see doctrine completely outside of the Word (i.e., plurality of gods, men becoming gods, false christs, etc), I think we can safely say they are not BB, and usually there is an alternate "Holy Writing/s" that obscure the Bible itself.

    So I guess I am saying that we should be careful as to how we judge the sincerity of any group, but judge strongly that which is blatant heresy, and not be afraid to say so.


    God bless.
     
  3. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    It is far easier to show an assembly that does not hold to the BB as to try to list the essentials of one that does.

    Not because of the complexity, but because of the length of the list.

    a extremely short list:
    Sinfulness of humankind
    Virgin birth and completely virtuous life of Christ
    Blood, death, resurrection and return of Christ
    The work of the Holy Spirit
    The gathering and fellowship among other believers
    The organization and focus of the assembly
    The individual responsibility to run with honor the race
    The judgment of believers and unbelievers
    The final estate of believers and unbelievers​

    All these and more are established in the articles of faith in which the fellowship unifies.

    What removes a church from being BB?

    Anything that is taught, living allowed, or agreement with that which is anti-christ.

    For example:
    The church agreeing with
    lifestyle choices that are not Scriptural
    allowing women to speak in the assembly​

    One of the great controversies of the Baptist church a few centuries ago was over the matter of congregational singing.
    A certain minister had encouraged the people to sing a closing hymn taking the authority from the statement that the group in the upper room sang a hymn before they left the room.

    I became a huge problem, because some thought that women were then presenting the gospel in the assembly. That was strictly forbidden in the Scriptures.
     
  4. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    I believe the definition of a Bible believing church can be as simple as the following verse:
    Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

    The difference in the apostles’ doctrine and many things that are being taught in churches today is that the apostles received their doctrine directly from the Lord Himself. Anything extra-biblical or man-made is not, by definition, the apostles’ doctrine.

    Let me be quick to say that standards or practices that are based on biblical principles, even though they may not be specifically mentioned in the Bible, are still scriptural as long as they are based upon scriptural principles.
     
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    For example Sunday School?
     
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    When I see the term used in a church’s name two particular characteristics come to mind,
    • Dispensational
    • Young-earth Creationist
    Both claim to be founded upon a literal interpretation of the scriptures.

    I’d be interested to know if anyone knows of a modern Bible Believing church that doesn’t follow one or both of these practices.

    Rob
     
  7. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Certainly. Any opportunity to fulfill a key tenet of the Great Commission is scriptural.
    Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...

    I know Bible-believing church who have Sunday school and some that do not. That is not the litmus test, in my opinion.
     
  8. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    So you reject a dispensational view and YEC as founded on a proper interpretation of Scriptures?


    God bless.
     
  9. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I offered no opinion (and do not intend to in this thread) regarding my personal beliefs in the statement I made.

    It was merely my opinion and an possible cause.

    Rob
     
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