Changes

Historically they have not hesitated to practice Biblical separation from groups and persons not holding to similar views: many churches either broke away ''en masse'' from other Baptist denominations (mainly the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) or split off from churches which remained in the denominations.  As such they tend to speak against more popular Christian teachers such as [[Billy Graham]], [[Rick Warren]], and [[Joel Osteen]].  However, this practice has waned in recent years among larger congregations which have, in some cases, joined or rejoined denominations (an example being Thomas Road Baptist Church, which was originally independent and a member of the quasi-denominational [[Baptist Bible Fellowship International]], but later joined the Southern Baptist Convention and now is dually aligned with both groups).  Of all the Protestant groups they have the hardest stance against [[Roman Catholicism]]; they generally hold to the view that it is the [[Whore of Babylon]] mentioned in Revelation 17-18.  Even on matters where they would agree with another denomination (such as abortion) they refuse to have any association with them due to their hard stance on separation.

Historically they have not hesitated to practice Biblical separation from groups and persons not holding to similar views: many churches either broke away ''en masse'' from other Baptist denominations (mainly the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]) or split off from churches which remained in the denominations.  As such they tend to speak against more popular Christian teachers such as [[Billy Graham]], [[Rick Warren]], and [[Joel Osteen]].  However, this practice has waned in recent years among larger congregations which have, in some cases, joined or rejoined denominations (an example being Thomas Road Baptist Church, which was originally independent and a member of the quasi-denominational [[Baptist Bible Fellowship International]], but later joined the Southern Baptist Convention and now is dually aligned with both groups).  Of all the Protestant groups they have the hardest stance against [[Roman Catholicism]]; they generally hold to the view that it is the [[Whore of Babylon]] mentioned in Revelation 17-18.  Even on matters where they would agree with another denomination (such as abortion) they refuse to have any association with them due to their hard stance on separation.

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, along with movies and television.  Dress is highly conservative: women are discouraged from wearing pantsuits, and it is extremely rare for the pastor not to wear a coat and tie while preaching. [[Homeschooling]] is quite prevalent among IFB's; while other families may send their children to a private Christian school, often sponsored by an IFB church. Nonetheless, some IFB families send their children to [[public school]], sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes hoping that their children will provide a good testimony to other children, and sometimes due to a lack of other options.

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, along with movies and television.  Dress is highly conservative: women are discouraged from wearing pantsuits, and it is extremely rare for the pastor not to wear a coat and tie while preaching. [[Homeschooling]] is quite prevalent among IFB's; while other families may send their children to a private Christian school, often sponsored by an IFB church. In fact, one of the largest publisher of homeschooling materials is Abeka, which is affiliated with [[Pensacola Christian College|an Independent Baptist college in Florida]]. Nonetheless, some IFB families send their children to [[public school]], sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes hoping that their children will provide a good testimony to other children, and sometimes due to a lack of other options.

A key characteristic of IFB churches is their general adherence to the [[King James only]] position on the Bible; a significant number specifically state in their official doctrinal statements that no other translation will be used in their teaching.  Others may allow the use of alternate translations but only to show how they differ from the KJV and why they consider the KJV the correct translation.  Only a very few do not hold to the KJV only position.  There are differences to the level of KJV only held: some (small in number, but highly vocal on internet and other social media platforms) hold to the [[Peter Ruckman]] "advanced revelation" view of KJV only but this is not the majority position.

A key characteristic of IFB churches is their general adherence to the [[King James only]] position on the Bible; a significant number specifically state in their official doctrinal statements that no other translation will be used in their teaching.  Others may allow the use of alternate translations but only to show how they differ from the KJV and why they consider the KJV the correct translation.  Only a very few do not hold to the KJV only position.  There are differences to the level of KJV only held: some (small in number, but highly vocal on internet and other social media platforms) hold to the [[Peter Ruckman]] "advanced revelation" view of KJV only but this is not the majority position.