What is an Independent Bible Church?
 
To many, an independent church is a strange phenomenon. Being accustomed to large religious structures such as Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, or others, it’s hard for some people to comprehend what an Independent Bible Church is all about.
 
Actually, independent churches have existed since the first congregations were formed by the Lord through the teachings of the Apostles. As Christ commissioned the twelve Apostles, they were sent out preaching and teaching about Christ and establishing scripture-based churches. The early church in its purity knew nothing of denominations or ecclesistical hierarchies. Rather, the churches established by the Apostles were all independent churches, free from outside control. Each congregation had its own leadership, and was independently accountable to God. 

An Independent Bible Church recognizes that the Scriptures do not reveal the existence of any synod, conference, association, presbytery, or other form of human organization exercising control over the local church. Each local church was viewed as a self-governing body that chose its own officers, exercised its own discipline, handled its own problems, and insured that purity of doctrine was maintained.

 
When the term “independent” is used in reference to a church, it does not mean that they claim to be the only true church, or that advice or council will not be received from other churches. Nor does the word “independent” mean that such a congregation will isolate itself from the needs of other churches. Rather, an Independent Bible Church attempts to practice New Testament Christianity in the manner designed by God in the Bible, so that each assembly recognizes Christ as its Head, having focused dependence by prayer and faith, only on the Lord, in order to cultivate spirituality among its members.

An Independent Bible Church is one that stands for the historic fundamental Christian faith. Many churches in recent years have moved away from the early teachings of the Christians. They have substituted human theories for Biblical authority. Independent fundamental churches continue to uphold the Bible as the Divinely-inspired authority for Christian faith and practice. 

A Bible church places proper importance on correct Biblical doctrine. Among the doctrines emphasized are the following: the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible; the virgin birth, absolute deity, sinless life, atoning death and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; His priestly work in heaven, salvation through faith, the reality of Satan and his work, the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, the pre-millenial coming of Christ for His church, a period of great tribulation on earth, the return of Christ to establish an earthy kingdom, the judgment and eternal doom of the lost, and eternal reward of the saved.

 
Independent churches stand as a protest to the religious belief (often called “modernism”) that has engulfed so many of the large denominations. Men claiming to be ministers of Christ deny the verbal inspiration of scripture, question the virgin birth of Christ, deny the necessity of faith in the shed blood of Christ for salvation, accept the theory of organic evolution, and in many ways, oppose the Christian faith. Yet such men are accepted as ministers in good standing in some church groups. In obedience to the Word regarding false teachers, independent churches refuse to cooperate with denominations and councils of churches that condone the presence of such unbelieving religious leaders.
 
One of the first things people notice about Independent Churches is the fact that almost everyone comes to church with their Bibles. Not only do they bring their Bibles, but they use them in the regular services of the church. The Bible is looked upon, not as an obscure religious text book to be studied by a priest or minister, but as a guide for every Christian and the source of instruction for his daily life. 

The pastor uses the Bible in his pulpit ministry. He reads from it and his congregation follows him in searching out various passages. He is not endeavoring to impose upon the people some human observations concerning “religion,” but rather he is seeking to unfold the exact revelation which God has given us in the Bible. 

Preaching in Independent Bible Churches is not simply delivering some ethical or social precepts, but it is an exposition of the written Word of God as found in the Bible.

 
Independent Bible Churches place their loyalty to Christ and His Word above any earthly organization. Such a church intends to maintain a Bible-centered ministry, showing human traditions and religious intentions as a poor substitute to the eternal Word of God.