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'''Independent Baptist''' churches, sometimes called '''Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB)''' churches, are [[Christian]] churches which specifically do not join any of the Baptist denominations.

'''Independent Baptist''' churches, sometimes called '''Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB)''' churches, are [[Christian]] churches which specifically do not join any of the Baptist denominations.

These churches predominantly adhere to [[fundamentalist]] [[conservative]] [[Baptist]] beliefs; however, there are also independent Baptist churches within the [[Reformed]] theological camp, many of which in the late 2010's withdrew from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] over concerns that it was "going liberal".

These churches predominantly adhere to [[fundamentalist]] [[conservative]] [[Baptist]] beliefs.<ref>However, there are a growing number of Baptist churches within the [[Reformed]] theological camp, many of which in the late 2010's withdrew from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] over concerns that it was "going liberal". Though they are technically "independent Baptist" in that they are not affiliated with a denomination, they are not considered IFB which historically has opposed Reformed theology.</ref>

Independent Baptist churches make up a small number of the Baptist churches in the [[United States]] and a small number of people who consider themselves Baptists belong to an Independent Baptist church.  They are strongest in the American South and the Midwest, though there are Independent Baptist churches all over the world.

Independent Baptist churches make up a small number of the Baptist churches in the [[United States]] and a small number of people who consider themselves Baptists belong to an Independent Baptist church.  They are strongest in the American South and the Midwest, though there are Independent Baptist churches all over the world.

IFB churches are almost universally supporters of [[Biblical inerrancy]] and [[Young-Earth creationism]].

IFB churches are almost universally supporters of [[Biblical inerrancy]] and [[Young-Earth creationism]].

They generally strongly oppose Calvinism, except they hold to the doctrine of eternal security.<ref>There are, however, a growing number of Reformed Baptist churches which have withdrawn from denominations such as the Southern Baptist Convention and have not joined another denomination nor formed their own.  Though they are technically "independent Baptist", they would disagree with IFB's historical non-Calvinist position.</ref> They also generally oppose Pentecostalism and charismatic teachings.

They generally strongly oppose Calvinism, except they hold to the doctrine of eternal security. They also generally oppose Pentecostalism and charismatic teachings.

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).  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]].

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).  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]].