Concluding Thoughts on the NTAIBC and the FBFI

Thanks, Brother, for keeping us apprised of and linked to this series. I enjoyed reading it all up through Bauder's summation here. I have a few comments on his concluding thoughts.

I agree that NT churches enjoyed a level of cooperation -- imo, much greater than churches in the present. On the other hand, I wouldn't agree that NT churches always had "organization outside and beyond the local congregation," if he has in mind organization of the kind we think of today in associations, conventions and fellowship. We often read what we have devised into the text, but if we didn't already have what we have we probably wouldn't get it out of the text.

This is a keen observation of a recurring theme, and not only among fundamentalists. The "common dangers" which bring us together -- once vanquished -- most often cannot hold us together.

Perhaps in these disagreements is where we should say let's go our ways and wish each other the best rather than engage in a denominational duel to the death. [I have also developed the opinion that the denominational duel to the death can be more about the "furniture" (auxiliaries, denominational organizations) than the "faith" (doctrinal truth).]

In studying denominational division, I have often been impressed that personal differences were a major player more than doctrinal or procedural differences. Not to say there are never important principles at play; just that we often let our personal opinions outweigh important principles.

 

This shows wisdom learned by experience. A simple fellowship makes more sense (to me) than creating something churches join. And when they own property together they have something to fight over besides just doctrine!

A couple more of my own observations. [1] The concept of FBFI -- a fellowship open to any interested individuals -- is appealing to me, though the FBFI itself wouldn't be my cup of tea. It is, imo, too "tight" a fellowship in some areas (pretributionalism, e.g.) and too loose in others (e.g., the statement on the Lord's Supper seems to be worded to allow any variation, including open communion, as long as it includes "self-examination"). [2] Many people probably assume that all IFB fellowships are "created equal". But all of them are not simple fellowships of individuals. BBFI, for example, is a fellowship of Baptist pastors of supporting Baptist churches; that is, churches that financially support a BBFI missionary or some BBFI entity. In doing so, it is more like a denomination than a fellowship of individuals.

 

Is here a website that describes this please? And what is the CBA?

 

As far as the CBA, they have a web site, but it does not include any history of it (that I am aware of).
CBAmerica

 

Thank you.