Aaron <> wrote in message . > >Terry & Utahna" <> wrote in message

> .

<> > I am an Independent, Bible Believing, Fundamentalist Baptist. However, in

> the Pacific Northwest you have to be careful by calling yourself

> Independent. Up there the term carries with it the association of being

> BBF. I'm not sure how the BBF operates elsewhere around the country but

in > the NW the BBF typically are a bunch of loony Baptist Briders.

I would hope also that suspicion of 'Independence' is rooted in the biblical notion of community... 'Independence' is a somewhat modern/Western notion... >

> I am Independent because in the NT each Church was under the authority of

a > local Pastor who was in submission to no one person, group, council,

> committee, organization, or fellowship except God.

What about the authority of apostles (vide the council of Jerusalem, and Paul's authority) and prophets?

> I am Bible Believing because that is the example given in the NT.

Where?

> I am Fundamentalist because certain Fundamentals, certain doctrines are

> important.

In two places Jesus gives us a small list of what is important. Are these in your doctrinal statement, or listed with your 'Fundamentals'? (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42)

> Again, the NT constrains us from being in association with those

> who believe otherwise concerning certain matters of faith, and doctrine.

Certainly the NT is strong on orthodoxy, but it's also strong on diversity (which is why, for example, you need both James and Paul)...

> Aaron...

Keep stirrin' the pot Aaron!

Rowland Croucher