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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 (though there is a growing number of Reformed Baptist churches which have left denominations), except they hold to the doctrine of eternal security. 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]].

==Notable Independent Baptists==

==Notable Independent Baptists==

Independent Baptists include [[Dale Bigham]], [[J. R. Church]], [[Aaron Denson]], [[Edgar Feghaly]], [[Buck Hatfield]], [[Mike Herbster]] and his father Carl and brothers Matthew and Mark; Bob Jones, Jr., Bob Jones, III, [[Kevin O'Brien]], [[Don Ohm]], [[John R. Rice]], [[Peter Ruckman]], [[Ross Spencer]], and  [[Jimmy G. Tharpe]]. [[Jerry Falwell]] began his ministry as an Independent Baptist, but later led his church to the Baptist Bible Fellowship International and then also to the Southern Baptist Convention. Hymn writer and composer [[Ron Hamilton]] of Greenville, [[South Carolina]], the creator of the ''Patch the Pirate Adventures'', geared to win children to Jesus Christ, is another noted Independent Baptist.

Independent Baptists of note include:

*[[Dale Bigham]]

*[[J. R. Church]]

*[[Aaron Denson]]

*[[Jerry Falwell]] <ref>Falwell began his ministry as an Independent Baptist but later led his church to the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (which holds to many of the same views but is an organized denomination) and then later to the Southern Baptist Convention; thus, he was no longer Independent Baptist in his later years.</ref>

*[[Edgar Feghaly]]

*[[Ron Hamilton]] (hymn writer/composer and creator of the ''Patch the Pirate Adventures'', geared to win children to Jesus Christ)

*[[Buck Hatfield]]

*[[Mike Herbster]] and his father Carl and brothers Matthew and Mark

*Bob Jones, Jr. and Bob Jones, III (Bob Jones, Sr., the founder of [[Bob Jones University]] which is influential in the IFB movement, was a Methodist)

*[[Kevin O'Brien]]

*[[Don Ohm]]

*[[John R. Rice]]

*[[Peter Ruckman]]

*[[Ross Spencer]]

*[[Jimmy G. Tharpe]]

==Notable Independent Baptist Institutions==

==Notable Independent Baptist Institutions==

Several [[colleges]] with comprehensive academic offerings, including [[Pensacola Christian College]] in Pensacola, [[Florida]], are affiliated with this group.  [[Bob Jones University]] is associated with the group despite officially being non-denominational and being founding by a [[Methodist]]. [[Liberty University]] was originally an Independent Baptist institution; though Falwell's church united with the SBC the university is now non-denominational and evangelical.

Several [[colleges]] with comprehensive academic offerings, including [[Pensacola Christian College]] in Pensacola, [[Florida]], are affiliated with this group.  [[Bob Jones University]] is associated with the group despite officially being non-denominational and being founding by a [[Methodist]]. [[Arlington Baptist University]], founded by Norris, is also Independent Baptist.

Many Independent Baptist Bible colleges are small institutions operated by a local church, such as Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, Florida.  The smaller colleges usually do not have comprehensive academic offerings like Pensacola Christian or Bob Jones, limiting their courses to those needed for ministerial service within IFB churches.  Also they frequently eschew accreditation on the basis of wanting to maintain their independence.

Many Independent Baptist Bible colleges are small institutions operated by a local church, such as Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, Florida.  These smaller colleges usually do not have comprehensive academic offerings like Pensacola Christian or Bob Jones, limiting their courses to those needed for ministerial service within IFB churches.  Also, they frequently eschew accreditation on the basis of wanting to maintain their independence from "governmental intrusion".

 

[[Liberty University]] was originally an Independent Baptist institution; though Falwell's church united with the SBC the university is now non-denominational and evangelical.

==References==

==References==