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 [[Rick Warren]] and [[Joel Osteen]], and to a lessor extent, [[Billy Graham]]. 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]]; some holding 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) Independent Baptist churches typically refuse to work with any other Christian church, for fear that doing so will result in a compromise in doctrines or lead to a [[New World Order|one-world religion]]. IFBs generally have even stronger opposition to [[Mormonism]] and [[Jehovah's Witness]], often considering the two to be [[cult]]s.

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 [[Rick Warren]] and [[Joel Osteen]], and to a lessor extent, [[Billy Graham]]. 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]]; some holding 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) Independent Baptist churches typically refuse to work with any other Christian church, for fear that doing so will result in a compromise in doctrines or lead to a [[New World Order|one-world religion]]. IFBs generally have even stronger opposition to [[Mormonism]] and [[Jehovah's Witness]], often considering the two to be [[cult]]s.

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, with almost all shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, and with most being highly critical of movies and television, with some avoiding secular programming altogether (to the point of not even having a television set in the home, and in some cases no computer or internet access). Independent Baptists typically dress very conservatively: some congregations discourage women 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, sometimes due to a lack of other options, and sometimes because the IFB families themselves work in the public school system. However, IFBs are often critical of the education system as a whole, particularly anything related to [[evolution]] or [[sex education]].

They tend to be highly conservative in lifestyles, with almost all shunning alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, and with most being highly critical of movies and television, with some avoiding secular programming altogether (to the point of not even having a television set in the home, and in some cases no computer or internet access). Independent Baptists typically dress very conservatively: some congregations discourage women 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<ref>In fact, the two major homeschool publishers are ''A Beka Books'' (affiliated with [[Pensacola Christian College]], an IFB school) and ''BJU Press'' (affiliated with [[Bob Jones University]], technically non-denominational but has strong influence within the IFB community).</ref>; 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, sometimes due to a lack of other options, and sometimes because the IFB families themselves work in the public school system. However, IFBs are often critical of the education system as a whole, particularly anything related to [[evolution]] or [[sex education]].

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.

A major difference between IFB churches and Southern Baptist churches is the support of missionaries. Churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and similar organizations support missionaries through a mission board, whereas IFB churches support missionaries directly. To become an IFB missionary, one typically multiple IFB churches asking for their support, a process known as "deputation." The missionary then relies on pledged support to carry out mission work, which often involves traveling to a distant location to deliver the gospel to people far away or delivering the gospel to people locally who are difficult for the average person to reach, such as people in prisons, schools, or nursing homes.

A major difference between IFB churches and denominationally-affiliated Baptist churches is the support of missionaries. Churches affiliated with Baptist denominations support most missionary work through a denominational mission board, whereas IFB churches support most missionaries directly. To become an IFB missionary, one typically visits multiple IFB churches asking for their support, a process known as "deputation." The missionary then relies on pledged support to carry out mission work, which often involves traveling to a distant location to deliver the gospel to people far away or delivering the gospel to people locally who are difficult for the average person to reach, such as people in prisons, schools, or nursing homes.

==Notable Independent Baptists==

==Notable Independent Baptists==