@BowsacNoodle@Deplorable_Degenerate@Crux_Invictus@SuperLutheran@nugger Yeah, it was either settle or form my own. We do have have great relationships there and discuss where we think the message of the day was in error and the pastor does try to answer or research. It's at least not intentionally poor just ignorant to controversy. I do like that their mission is local only, they don't go where they can't draw members from like the big SBLCs supporting whole African nations that don't fix the problems at home at all.
@BowsacNoodle@Crux_Invictus@nugger@SuperLutheran An independent Baptist church has 8 Distinctives. Baptist conventions will use similar but modify them so that their associations and conformity with the state aren't issues. Some conventions and independents will have 7 to 11 Distinctives
@BowsacNoodle@Crux_Invictus@nugger@SuperLutheran Baptist conventions give Baptists a bad rap and are a libel. The conventions are very prot in action while the unaffiliated Baptists are certainly not prots.
@BowsacNoodle@Deplorable_Degenerate@Crux_Invictus@SuperLutheran@nugger The non-D I unfortunately attend for reasons has terrible mishmash doctrine like your menu analogy. No homos or prosperity at least. They've talked amillenial and post millennial in the same breath, used trump in slideshows, and other wacky stuff. They're rudderless but it's less than 20 people and the fellowship are good believers. For doctrine I have to go online.
@BowsacNoodle@KingOfWhiteAmerica It's frustrating that catholics and their offshoots think there is only caths, orthos, and prots and forget that it was their state mandated beliefs, mirroring that of the pharisees and sanhedrin intermarriage, that killed millions of believers across Europe from the 6th century through the 16th and still revere augustine of hippos unchristrian doctrine of war.
@James_Dixon@patris@JohnYoungE@Escoffier@KingOfWhiteAmerica@Sulla_Felix@somemightsay Standardized and biblical aren't really saying the same thing. A marriage ceremony is nice to have but it's not required for a holy marriage. A Christian should want to be married in their local church. Neither is a funeral ceremony. Baptism and Last Supper are a show of obedience. There should definitely be a welcoming process and learning process that graduates into membership. After salvation, new Christians should be introduced to Jesus' commandments, and the books of John and Revelation and baptized. Growing into the church should have a rebirth into accountability as a preteen and baptism before full membership.
Biblical Authority The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority. ( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Autonomous Local Church The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a church cannot be a “member” of any other body. ( Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
Priesthood of the Believer “Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God–whether we are a preacher or not. ( 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10)
Only Two Ordinances The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins. (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Individual Soul Liberty Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. (Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Restricted Church Membership Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
Two Offices The Bible mandates only two offices in the church: elder and deacon. The three terms—”pastor”, “elder”, and “bishop/overseer”—all refer to the same office. The two offices of elder and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. ( 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1)
Separation of Church and State God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19-20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government. (Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29)
The rest isn't required for salvation but for obedience, because we want to please God and obtain great station in his heavenly kingdom. If we could do that 100% effectively, we wouldn't have needed him as our only saving grace. The church is to help one another in ministry, fellowship and expansion.