Independent Fundamental Baptist Catholicism

Is it possible that Independent Fundamental Baptists have elevated unscriptural traditions ABOVE the King James Bible? YES!!! Matthew 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees !hich !ere o" Jerusalem sa#ing Matthew 15:2 $h# do th# disciples transgress the tradition o" the elders? "or the# !ash not their hands !hen the# eat bread% Matthew 15:3 But he ans!ered and said unto them $h# do #e also transgress the commandment o" &od b# #our tradition? Matthew 15: For &od commanded sa#ing 'onour th# "ather and mother( and 'e that curseth "ather or mother let him die the death% Matthew 15:5 But #e sa# $hosoever shall sa# to his "ather or his mother It is a gi"t b# !hatsoever thou mightest be pro"ited b# me) Matthew 15:! And honour not his "ather or his mother he shall be free% "hus ha#e $e made the commandment o% &od o% none e%%ect '$ $ou( t(adition) Matthew 15:* Ye h#pocrites !ell did Esaias prophes# o" #ou sa#ing Matthew 15:+ This people dra!eth nigh unto me !ith their mouth and honoureth me !ith their lips) but their heart is "ar "rom me% Matthew 15:, But in vain the# do !orship me teachin- for doct(ines the commandments o% men) "his se(mon is ./" a'out IFB doct(ines! It is a'out IFB 0chu(ch1 p(actices and the insistence that 233 Bi'le 'elie#e(s su'mit to thei( s$stem! 4hat is the histo($ o% Baptist chu(ch 'uildin-s5 Article b# *r% Vernon +% ,#ons http(--!!!%hvbdc%com-articles-baptist%html People are usually put in one of three religious groups. If you are not a Jew or a Roman Catholic, then automatically you are a Protestant. Consequently, Baptists are usually calle !Protestants.! "owe#er, this oes not match the facts. Baptists never have been Protestants.$ True "or earl# ./th centur# Baptist groups but 0OT true "or toda#1 2odern Baptists do practice much o" +atholicism !ith their building services% Protestants ate from the si%teenth century. &hey are the 'utherans, the Reforme , an others who were once Roman Catholics and left the Roman Catholic faith to start denominations of their own. &he Baptists ne#er left the Roman Catholic church as i 'uther, Cal#in an (wingli. They never left because they were never in. &hey i not begin their e%istence at the time of the Reformation, but hun re s of years prior to the Reformation.$ Again this is not entirel# true% $e !ill see that man# earl# Baptist leaders $E3E "ormerl# Anglican !hich is 4ust another branch o" +atholicism%

$i5ipedia on 3oger $illiams http(--en%!i5ipedia%org-!i5i-3oger6$illiams67theologian8 )lthough he too* holy or ers in the Church of +nglan , he ha become a Puritan at Cambri ge, forfeiting any chance of a place of preferment in the )nglican church.$ $i5ipedia on John 9m#th http(--en%!i5ipedia%org-!i5i-John69m#th67Baptist6minister8 ,myth was or aine as an )nglican priest in -./0 in +nglan . ,oon after his or ination, he bro*e with the Church of +nglan an left for "ollan where he an his small congregation began to stu y the Bible ar ently. "e briefly returne to +nglan .$ From this !e can see that t!o o" the biggest names "rom Baptist histor# !ere in "act "ormer Anglicans% *id either o" these t!o men bring along an# Anglican-+atholic baggage !hen the# le"t their s#stem? $e !ill see later on in this stud#% Bac6 to the a(ticle '$ 7e(non C) 3$ons: 1octrinally Baptists )re 2ot Protestants &he #iewpoint that Baptists share common octrinal groun with Protestant groups is not an accurate reporting of the facts. &here are si% stri*ing ifferences. -. Baptists belie#e with all their hearts that God's Word alone is sufficient for faith an practice. 3e rea !)ll ,cripture is gi#en by inspiration of 4o an is profitable for octrine...! 5II &imothy 67-89. :arious Protestant enominations ha#e cree s, catechisms an assorte octrinal stan ar s. Baptists hold to the Bible alone. ;. Baptists belie#e that Christ an only Christ is the "ea of the Church e#en as the ,cripture says, !Christ is the hea of the church! 5+phesians .7;69. There is no man who has the oversight of Baptist churches. Baptists ha#e no enomination in the sense of an organi<ation that controls local congregations. +ach local church is autonomous an accountable only to Christ, who is its "ea . ) Baptist church, while fellowshipping with congregations of li*e faith an practice, has no earthly hea quarters. Its hea quarters is in "ea#en.. 6. Baptists belie#e from their hearts in a free church in a free state. Christ plainly taught that the state an the church each ha its own realm when he sai , !Ren er therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar=s> an unto 4o the things which are 4o =s! 5?atthew ;;7;- 9. Baptists are vigorously opposed to union of state and church and believe that a state controlled church is a wretched excuse for Christianity and a plain departure from cripture. )ll of the Protestant Reformers fastene state churches upon their followers. 0. Baptists belie#e strongly in in i#i ual accountability to 4o because the ,criptures clearly teach that !e#ery one of us shall gi#e account of himself to 4o ! 5Romans -07-;9. ) priest cannot answer for you, a church cannot answer for you to 4o . 4o @parents cannot answer for you. 2o one is sa#e because of what his parents belie#e. 2o one is ,sa#e because of his i entification with any religion. "e will account for himself to 4o . Protestants .generally o not hol this scriptural octrine.

.. Baptist people furthermore ha#e always hel to belie#ers= baptism. 2one of the Protestant Reformers hel this Bible teaching. In the ,criptures, faith an repentance always prece e baptism. An the ay of Pentecost Peter plainly tol the people, !Repent an be bapti<e ! 5)cts ;76B9. &his ob#iously means that there is no infant baptism since infants are incapable of repenting. 2o unbelie#ers are to be bapti<e . &he Reformers followe Rome in their teaching on baptism. Baptists ha#e hel stea fastly to the octrine of Christ an "is )postles on this point. 8. Baptists, on the basis of ,cripture, ha#e always hel to a regenerate church membership> that is, a membership that is ma e up only of people who gi#e a cre ible profession of faith in Christ. In the apostolic church, only those who became belie#ers, those who recei#e the 3or of 4o an who ha repente of their sins, were bapti<e an recei#e as church members 5)cts ;70-9. &here was no automatic or formalistic membership in apostolic churches nor in Baptist churches to ay. Crom the re#iew of these simple points it is more than clear that octrinally Baptists are not Protestants.$ 9ounds good but there are multiple problems !ith claiming the above points% .% 2odern da# Baptist churches are doing 2A0: things !hich have no basis in scripture1 ;% 2an# IFB practices are straight out o" the +atholic catechism and 0OT "ound in the KJV Bible1 <% Points ; and < are directl# contradicted b# IFB churches !ho are under =>.c< incorporation1 ?% I have been to man# di""erent IFB churches and I can assure #ou that the# are 0OT made up entirel# o" a @regenerate church membershipA1 Baptists ha#e ne#er been lin*e with Protestants an ha#e ne#er been i entifie with the Roman Catholic Church. &hrough the years before an after the Reformation, they ha#e maintaine their i entity an been faithful to the ,criptures. Real Baptists hold to the plain teaching of Christ and the !postles.$ Baptists are not Protestants but hol tenaciously to the original precepts an practices of Christ an the apostles. Baptists belie#e the pure 3or of 4o to be sufficient authority on all matters. Baptists re"ect all human religious traditions and practices that have originated since the time of the apostles.$ The above t!o paragraphs contain some outright ,IE91 .% There are 0O buildings called @churchesA in the 0e! Testament1 ;% There are 0O altar calls1 <% There are 0O 9unda# schools1 ?% There are 0O choirs1 =% There are 0O revival meetings1 B% There are 0O $ednesda# evening pra#er meetings1 /% There are 0O social events1 C% There are 0O Bible Dniversities1 E% There are 0O special out"its "or !orship1 Mode(n IFB 0chu(ches1 do M2.Y thin-s which ha#e ./ 'asis in sc(iptu(e!

2 B(ie% Su(#e$ o% Independent Fundamental Baptist Chu(ches $hat are their Belie"s and 'istor# +ompiled b# +ooper P% Abrams III All 3ights 3eserved http(--bibleFtruth%org-Baptist'istor#%html #W$!T % !& %&'(P(&'(&T )*&'!+(&T!, B!PT% T C$*RC$&he name In epen ent Cun amental Baptist Church is use tra itionally by churches which pattern themsel#es strictly after the example of the early church, as foun in the 2ew &estament. &o ay the name Baptist is use by many churches that are not following the teachings of the &ew Testament.$ 'e actuall# condemns all IFB church buildings1 Athers ha#e to a lesser egree compromise the 3or of 4o by their teaching, practices, an church polity by trying to conform to popular religious trends. &hese worl ly churches still call themsel#es !Baptists,! but in fact they o not belie#e or practice what true Baptists ha#e historically belie#e an more importantly, what the 3or of 4o says. &he true In epen ent Cun amental Baptists ha#e no association or fellowship with these churches because they teach or practice things contrary to the 2ew &estament.$ 2odern IFB @churchesA con"ormed to the @popular religious trendsA o" their da# !a# bac5 in the earl# ./>>Gs% $e !ill see later that man# o" the earl# Baptists actuall# opposed the !hole church building s#stem% &rue In epen ent Cun amental Baptist Churches uphol the purest teachings of the early church as re#eale in the 2ew &estament.$ Again this is an outright lie% IFB @churchesA do 0OT uphold the purest teachings o" the earl# church% .ow loo6 at this ne8t admission! 3hen the Roman +mperor eclare Christianity the religion of Rome, he !con#erte ! hor es of pagans that ma e up the +mpire. Pagan temples became the meeting houses for .Christians/.$ 9uestion: I" the 3oman +atholic church trans"ormed pagan temples into meeting houses "or +hristians then !here did Independent Fundamental Baptists get their buildings "rom? :2&2.ISM! Ecclesiastes 1:15 "hat which is c(oo6ed cannot 'e made st(ai-ht( and that !hich is !anting cannot be numbered% 1 Co(inthians 1;:2; But I say that the things !hich the &entiles sacri"ice the$ sac(i%ice to de#ils and not to &od( and I !ould not that #e should have "ello!ship !ith devils% 1 Co(inthians 1;:21 :e cannot drin5 the cup o" the ,ord and the cup o" devils( #e cannot be parta5ers o" the ,ordGs table and o" the table o" devils% 1 Co(inthians 1;:22 *o !e provo5e the ,ord to 4ealous#? are !e stronger than he?

@There is no !a# to do a !rong thing the right !a#%A 7*r% Paul &lanville 2%*%8 It is h$poc(itical %o( IFB chu(ches to condemn CCM %o( 'ein- wo(ldl$< when the$ themsel#es ha#e adapted :2&2. temples and made them 0Ch(istian1! :lease notice the :2&2. &(ee6 2mphitheate( desi-n:

.ow notice these Baptist 0chu(ches1:

First Baptist +hurch o" 3a#to!n

First Baptist +hurch o" 0e!port 0e!s VA

Preston!ood Baptist +hurch Plano TH

9econd Baptist +hurch 'ouston TH

:onsei +entral Baptist +hurch 9eoul 9outh Korea

Jac5 '#les +hurch First Baptist +hurch o" 'ammond I0 But what a'out the e8te(io( o% the ancient :2&2. &(ee6 'uildin-s5

4h$ is 'oth the inte(io( and e8te(io( o% =ac6 >$les chu(ch patte(ned a%te( &(ee6 pa-an temples5

4hat a'out Cha(les >addon Spu(-eon?s 3ondon Met(opolitan "a'e(nacle5

It doesn?t -et much mo(e 'latant then this!!! 2lso notice the(e e8actl$ ! columns out %(ont< @ust li6e the &(ee6 :a(thenon! 4hat is the histo($ o% this 0chu(ch1 'uildin-5 http(--!!!%metropolitantabernacle%org-+harlesF9purgeonF2etropolitanFTabernacle The Tabernacle )ellowship goes bac* to the year -8.D, thirty years after the sailing of the Pilgrim Cathers, an at the time that Parliament ha Eust banne Baptist meetings. &he &abernacle traces its roots to a congregation which bra#e constant persecution, an which met in a house in Fennington belonging to 3i ow Colfe. &he meeting grew rapi ly un er its first pastor, William Rider, who apparently ie in the plague. &hen came Ben"amin 0each, famous for his boo*s @ still in eman @ e%plaining the miracles, parables an metaphors of the Bible. ) prominent lea er among Baptists, he le the church through much persecution, an built its first chapel near Tower Bridge as soon as freedom came to Baptists in 1233.$ Isn?t it inte(estin- that the$ 'uilt a 'uildin- (i-ht a(ound the time 2me(ican 0Baptists1 we(e sta(tin- to 'uild thei( 0chu(ch1 'uildin-s!

>ow a'out this 0chu(ch15

.otice also the (ound dome on the (oo%)

9econd Baptist +hurch 'ouston TH Aon?t tell me the 3o(d =esus Ch(ist is 'ehind all o% this! 3et?s loo6 at the inte(io( o% these pa-an temples:

.otice the cente( co((ido( leadin- to the alta(< and the nume(ous pilla(s)

St) :ete(?s Basilica in Bome has the same a(chitectu(e!

'ere !e have the ruins o" the supposed @oldest +hristian churchA in the !orld and #et it is built !ith the same center corridor lined !ith columns leading to the altar in the "ront1 3ihab Jordan is !here this 9t &eorgeous @+hurchA !as supposedl# "ound%

But what a'out the steeple5 http(--christianFrestoration%com-"masonr#-obelis5s%htmI'istor#

In =Aur Phallic "eritage= we are tol that =)ll pillars or columns originally ha a phallic significance, an were therefore consi ere sacre . Pan, the goat go an go of sensuality, was often represente as an obelis*. ) former witch writes =&he obelis* is a long pointe four si e shaft, the uppermost portion of which forms a pyrami . &he wor =obelis*= literally means =Baal=s shaft= or Baal=s organ of repro uction= 5Page 60- ?asonic an occult symbols illustrate . 1r. Cathy Burns9$ .otice this in%o on the a'o#e we'site:

!) true +gyptian Abelis* is -D times higher than its wi th...$ Aaniel 3:1 J 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing made an image o" gold !hose hei-ht was th(eesco(e cu'its< and the '(eadth the(eo% si8 cu'its( he set it up in the plain o" *ura in the province o" Bab#lon% Aaniel 3:2 Then 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing sent to gather together the princes the governors and the captains the 4udges the treasurers the counsellers the sheri""s and all the rulers o" the provinces to come to the dedication o" the image !hich 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing had set up% Aaniel 3:3 Then the princes the governors and captains the 4udges the treasurers the counsellers the sheri""s and all the rulers o" the provinces !ere gathered together unto the dedication o" the image that 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing had set up) and the# stood be"ore the image that 0ebuchadneKKar had set up% Aaniel 3: Then an herald cried aloud To #ou it is commanded O people nations and languages Aaniel 3:5 &hat at !hat time #e hear the sound o" the cornet "lute harp sac5but psalter# dulcimer and all 5inds o" music5 #e "all do!n and !orship the -olden ima-e that 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing hath set up( Aaniel 3:! And !hoso "alleth not do!n and !orshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst o" a burning "ier# "urnace% Aaniel 3:* There"ore at that time !hen all the people heard the sound o" the cornet "lute harp sac5but psalter# and all 5inds o" music5 all the people the nations and the languages "ell do!n an !orshipped the -olden ima-e that 0ebuchadneKKar the 5ing had set up% 4hat was this 0-olden ima-e15 B> cubits high L B cubits !ide 7breadth8 Is it an# !onder that 9hadrach 2eshach and Abednego re"used to bo! do!n to an uncircumcised P'A,,D91

I% $ou don?t 'elie#e mode(nCda$ o'elis6s s$m'oliDe the male o(-an< then ta6e a loo6 at what Buenos 2i(es< 2(-entina did to commemo(ate 4o(ld 2IAS Aa$ on Aecem'e( 1< 2;;5

"his pe(#e(ted< wic6ed nation placed a -iant condom on thei( /'elis6 'ecause the$ 6now what the /'elis6 t(ul$ s$m'oliDes! So what happens when $ou com'ine a pa-an temple with an /'elis65

You -et a 0chu(ch1 'uildin-!

http7GGsacre @te%ts.comGsroGrrmGrrm6-.htm &he )rchitectural 4enealogy of the =&ower= or =,teeple= isplays other phases of the alterations of the =upright=. )ll towers are escen ants of the biblical #oti#e stones, an in multiplying ha#e change in aspect accor ing to the i eas of the people of the country in which they were raise . &his )rchitectural 4enealogy of the =&ower= or =,teeple= gi#es many #arieties. &he groups on p. ;00 supply new changes in the &ower or Hpright, an furnish e#i ence how it passed into the Christian times4 and became the steeple. 3hen thus change an repro uce , accor ing, to the

+lic5 to enlarge Figs% B<FBE

Fig% B<( *ruidical 9tone in Persia) Fig% B?( *ruidical +ircle at *arab in Arabia Fig% B=( GKitGs +ott#FhouseG Kent) Figs% BB% B/ Ancient British +oin mentioned b# +amden) Figs% BC and BE( 9t% 2ichael or the 9un 7'ercules8 Fig% BC( England( 9t% 2ichaelGs 2ount 2ountGs Ba# +orn!all% G*ragonG 'orns or Fires% 72oloch or Baal8 British +hannel G*ragonF mouthG 7&alilee "rom the $est8 Fig% BE( France 0ormand#( 2ont 9t%F2ichel% 7G2ont4oie1G G2ont4o#1GFFold BattleFcr# o" the &auls%8 G*ragonG% 'orns or Fires% 72oloch or Baal8%

+lic5 to enlarge Figs />F/=

Fig% /.( 3ound To!er *evenish Ireland) Fig% /> 3ound To!er Ireland) Fig% /;( Obeliscus) Fig% /<( /'elis6) Fig% /=( T!o 3ound To!ers%

architectural i eas of the buil ers of the ifferent countries. where the same memorial pillar was raise , it assume in time the peculiarities of the 4othic or pointe style. &he steeples of the churches, the figures of which we gi#e on p. ;00, in icate the gra ual growth an e%pansion of the romantic or pointe architecture, which is generally calle 4othic> an they pro#e how the upright, or original phallic form4 was adopted and gradually mingled in Christian architecture@@in reality at last becoming its dominant feature/

+lic5 to enlarge Figs% /? // /B /C

Fig% /?( Prop#lon Thebes) Fig% //( The G+ootub 2inarG near *elhi supposed to have been built circa .;;>) Fig% /C( Antrim 3ound To!er) Fig% /B( 3ound To!er at Bhaugulpore India%

Cig. /8 represents one of the 3estern &owers of ,t. Paul=s Cathe ral, 'on on, which is one of the ouble lithoi 5or obelis*s9, place always in front of e#ery temple, Christian as well as heathen.$ Ao $ou (ealiDe what we @ust (ead5 Steeples a(e actuall$ pa-an< :>233IC s$m'ols!!! >ow can &od 'e pleased with this5 3et?s -et 'ac6 to the a(ticleE 2 B(ie% Su(#e$ o% Independent Fundamental Baptist Chu(ches Baptists, basing their beliefs solely on the Bible, an the 2ew &estament...$ Yeah (i-ht! I don?t thin6 so) )s with any true 2ew &estament church, its #ali ity as a true church appro#e of 4o , oes not, nor or has e#er reste on its name or on a succession of churches. ) true 2ew &estament church must be solely iscerne base on its a herence to the principles of 4o =s 3or .$ "hen all mode(n IFB chu(ch 'uildin-s a(e ./" .ew "estament chu(ches! &he line of +nglish churches that can be trace , who calle themsel#es Baptists, began in -8-D in "ollan . &his is not to say there were no Baptists in Britain earlier, but that this began a line of churches whose history can be trace . It began with a man name 5ohn myth, who was an or aine bishop in the Church of (ngland. In -8D8, after nine months of soul@searching an stu y of the 2ew &estament, he was con#ince the octrines an practices of the Church of +nglan were not biblical, an thus he resigne as priest an left the church. Because of persecution by the )nglican Church of all who isagree with it an who refuse to agree to its authority, John ,myth ha to flee +nglan . In )mster am, he, with &homas "elwys an thirty si% others, forme the first Baptist church of +nglish people *nown to ha#e stoo for baptism of belie#ers only.

,myth belie#e the only real apostolic succession is a succession of biblical &ew Testament truth, an not of outwar or inances an visible organi6ation such as the Church of +nglan or the Roman Church. "e belie#e the only way to reco#er was to form a new church based on the Bible.$ "he w(ite( o% this a(ticle %ails to tell the (eade( what 6ind o% 0chu(ches1 =ohn Sm$th was settinup) 4as he BE233Y a Baptist5 http(--4ohnsm#th%orgRegar ing the i entity an associations of the =Baptist Church=, Crosby wrote !In the year -8B6, the Baptists, who ha hitherto been intermi%e among the Protestant 1issenters, without istinction, an so consequently share with the Puritans in all the Persecutions of those times, began now to separate themsel#es, an form istinct societies of those of their own persuasion! 5Crosby, &he "istory of the +nglish Baptists, I. -0I9. Baptist historians in their boo*s an web sites too often remo#e the i entity =church of Christ= from their sources, replacing the bible i entity with either =Baptist church= or Eust =church=, both are a falsification of history.$ )n Eust where i the churches of Christ ta*e their i entityJ )s with all matters pertaining to octrine, the scriptures @ Romans -87-87 !,alute one another with an holy *iss. &he churches of Christ salute you!. )ccor ing to "erbert ,*eats in his boo*, ="istory of the CR++ C"HRC"+, of +nglan -8BB@ -B/-= 5-B.-, with a continuation by Charles , ?iall -B/-9, there were congregations separate from the Church of +nglan baptising belie#ers in +nglan prior to "elwys. ,*eats gi#es the earliest ate of -0-I, another ate he quotes is -.B/ regar ing se#eral congregations 5page -B9. )lso accor ing to ,*eats there were no !Baptists! in +nglan who hel to Cal#inism prior to about -80D 5page 6;9. ,*eats was an in epen ent ha#ing no Baptist affiliations, ha#ing no a%e to grin . Conclusion @ ,myth ie in "ollan , forming no lasting church, an no church in +nglan . It was his frien an colleague, &homas "elwys, who forme a church of Christ in 'on on, along bible principles. 2either starte the Baptist church enomination, which came into being about three eca es after their eaths. It is also true that churches of Christ were in 'on on prior to the congregation of "elwys an elsewhere in +urope. &he impression left by historians is that no church of Christ e%iste prior to )le%an er Campbell, an that Baptist churches originate with John ,myth 5,mith9. Ather Baptist historians ta*e a line of succession bac* to the church of the first century, of such a min was ,myth. ,uch is not true but re#isionist history. 7n investigation the Baptist Church in all of its various denominational forms was an apostate movement which came out of the churches of Christ in the 1289s4 from which it spread abroad into the world/ There was no Baptist church of that name or denomination prior to the 12:9s/ Churches of Christ foun e on biblical principles prece e the Baptist church from where that enomination came out, as can be with ease confirme by the rea ing #arious confessions of faith,

as publishe by the Baptists. 4hat ha#e we lea(ned5 .% John 9m#th !as 0OT the "ounder o" the Baptist church% ;% 'e did 0OT build a @churchA building and call it Baptist1 <% IFB historians are l#ing and covering up the "acts o" histor#1 But now we will (etu(n to the a(ticle: 2 B(ie% Su(#e$ o% Independent Fundamental Baptist Chu(ches The article discusses a man named @'anserd Kno!lesA% &he Presbyterians, who are Cal#inists, then too* up the persecution of biblical belie#ers an forba e Fnolleys from preaching in parish churches. "e, howe#er, continue to preach by holding services in his own home. Ane of the last acts of the Presbyterians, before the 'ong Parliament in +nglan fell, was to pass a law imposing the eath penalty on anyone who was caught hol ing to what they calle !+ight +rrors in 1octrine.! &hese ! octrines! inclu e infant baptism. Fnolleys was imprisone many times an suffere at the han s of the ! tate Church.! "e is only one of many such go ly men who woul not compromise 4o =s truth. &he !crime! of these men was that they belie#e the Bible was 4o =s &ruth, an re"ected dictates of false churches and men.$ Sounds 6ind o% li6e toda$< doesn?t it! $e have state churches% 'e !as persecuted "or !orshiping at 'O2E1 @T$( B(G%&&%&G 7) T$( B!PT% T %& !+(R%C!/ Roger 3illiams is cre ite with foun ing the first Baptist church on )merican soil, howe#er as state earlier the e#i ence shows that John Clar*e began the first Baptist church in )merica in ?arch of -86B a year before Roger 3illiams - 3illiams actually foun e the secon Baptist church in )merica. "e is an e%ample of those who reEecte the scriptural errors of the )nglican Church, an the Puritans who were roote in )merica. John Clar*e, was a 2on@Conformist, an recei#e his uni#ersity training among the Pilgrims of Plymouth, +nglan from -8DI@-8;D. Bic*nell it was reasonable to assume that member or in fellowship with the Baptist of "ollan , as early as -8--.; "e tra#ele to )merica in -86I arri#ing in Boston. It is belie#e he left +nglan to escape religious persecution. Imme iately, upon arri#al he obser#e the i#ision with the colony an both ci#il an religious matters. 1uring the course of the ne%t few years 1r. Clar*e preache an stoo strongly for soul liberty an free om of religion. "e foun himself continually at o s with the colony magistrates. "e along with John Cran all, Aba iah "olmes came to the town of 'ynn, ?assachusetts on a pastoral #isit. &hey were #isiting the home of a blin man name 3itter who ha#e run afoul of the magistrates by spea*ing out again infant baptism. &he colony authorities learne of the #isit an issue a warrant to search 3itterKs home. 3hile Clar*e was preaching the constables arri#e an arreste them. )fter being ta*en to a ta#ern an being fe they were ushere to a church ser#ice being hel the pe obaptists.

&he warne the constables that they were Baptists an if ma e to atten the ser#ice they woul ha#e to testify because they were issenters. 'ater they were ta*en to the Boston Eail an charge with hol an unlawful church ser#ice an isturbing the ser#ice they were force to atten . &hey were then trie by the go#ernor of the colony, John +n icott an without accuser, witness, Eury, or rule of law were found guilty of holding an illegal worship service. &hey were fine twenty poun s each or sentence to be well whippe .$ Clar*e an Cran all pai their fines, but "olmes refuse an was publicly whippe with thirty lashes.< &hese men continue to preach 4o Ks wor refusing to compromise or let the Puritan go#ernment intimi ate them.$ Aoes this sound %amilia(< 6ind o% li6e it has happened 'e%o(e5 2cts :1 J And as the# spa5e unto the people the p(iests and the captain o% the temple and the Sadducees came upon them 2cts :2 Bein- -(ie#ed that the$ tau-ht the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection "rom the dead% 2cts :3 And the# laid hands on them and put them in hold unto the ne8t da$( "or it !as no! eventide% 2cts : 'o!beit man# o" them !hich heard the !ord believed) and the number o" the men !as about "ive thousand% 2cts :5 J And it came to pass on the morro! that their rulers and elders and scribes 2cts :! And Annas the high priest and +aiaphas and John and AleLander and as man# as !ere o" the 5indred o" the high priest !ere gathered together at Jerusalem% 2cts :* And !hen the# had set them in the midst the# as5ed B$ what powe(< o( '$ what name< ha#e $e done this5 2cts :+ Then Peter "illed !ith the 'ol# &host said unto them :e rulers o" the people and elders o" Israel 2cts :, I" !e this da# be eLamined o" the good deed done to the impotent man b# !hat means he is made !hole) 2cts :1; Be it 5no!n unto #ou all and to all the people o" Israel that b# the name o" Jesus +hrist o" 0aKareth !hom #e cruci"ied !hom &od raised "rom the dead e#en b# him doth this man stand here be"ore #ou !hole% 2cts :11 This is the stone !hich !as set at nought o" #ou builders !hich is become the head o" the corner% 2cts :12 0either is there salvation in an# other( "or there is none other name under heaven given among men !hereb# !e must be saved% 2cts :13 0o! !hen the# sa! the boldness o" Peter and John and pe(cei#ed that the$ we(e unlea(ned and i-no(ant men the# marvelled) and the# too5 5no!ledge o" them that the# had been !ith Jesus% 2cts :1 And beholding the man !hich !as healed standing !ith them the# could sa# nothing against it% 2cts :15 J But !hen the# had commanded them to go aside out o" the council the# con"erred among themselves 2cts :1! 9a#ing $hat shall !e do to these men? "or that indeed a notable miracle hath been done b# them is mani"est to all them that d!ell in Jerusalem) and !e cannot den# it% 2cts :1* But that it spread no "urther among the people let us straitl# th(eaten them that the# spea5 hence"orth to no man in this name% 2cts :1+ And the# called them and commanded them not to spea6 at all no( teach in the

name o% =esus% 2cts :1, But Peter and John ans!ered and said unto them $hether it be right in the sight o" &od to hear5en unto #ou more than unto &od 4udge #e% 2cts :2; For !e cannot but spea5 the things !hich !e have seen and heard% 2cts :21 9o !hen the# had %u(the( th(eatened them the# let them go "inding nothing ho! the# might punish them because o" the people( "or all men glori"ied &od "or that !hich !as done% 2cts :22 For the man !as above "ort# #ears old on !hom this miracle o" healing !as she!ed% 2cts :23 J And being let go the# !ent to their o!n compan# and reported all that the chie" priests and elders had said unto them% 2cts :2 And !hen the# heard that the# li"ted up their voice to &od !ith one accord and said ,ord thou art &od !hich hast made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is( 2cts :25 $ho b# the mouth o" th# servant *avid hast said $h# did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things? 2cts :2! The 5ings o" the earth stood up and the rulers !ere gathered together against the ,ord and against his +hrist% 2cts :2* For o" a truth against th# hol# child Jesus !hom thou hast anointed both 'erod and Pontius Pilate !ith the &entiles and the people o" Israel !ere gathered together 2cts :2+ For to do !hatsoever th# hand and th# counsel determined be"ore to be done% 2cts :2, And no! 3o(d< 'ehold thei( th(eatenin-s( and grant unto th# servants that !ith all boldness the# ma# spea5 th# !ord 2cts :3; B# stretching "orth thine hand to heal) and that signs and !onders ma# be done b# the name o" th# hol# child Jesus% 2cts :31 And !hen the# had pra#ed the place !as sha5en !here the# !ere assembled together) and the# !ere all "illed !ith the 'ol# &host and the$ spa6e the wo(d o% &od with 'oldness% .otice a %ew thin-s: Peter and John !ere having great a""ect preaching to the people% 'o! did the religious and political leaders react? The# as5ed Peter and John !hat their @authorit#A and @po!erA !as to preach1 $hen the leaders "ound that the# didnGt recogniKe their manFmade s#stem but submitted to &od onl# the# commanded them not to spea5% /%%iciall$ (eco-niDed and stateCapp(o#ed (eli-ious o(-aniDations a(e ./" o% &od! 2cts 5:25 Then came one and told them sa#ing Behold the men !hom #e put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people% 2cts 5:2! J Then !ent the captain !ith the o""icers and brought them !ithout violence( "or the# "eared the people lest the# should have been stoned% 2cts 5:2* And !hen the# had brought them the# set them be"ore the council( and the high priest as5ed them 2cts 5:2+ 9a#ing Aid not we st(aitl$ command $ou that $e should not teach in this name5 and behold #e have "illed Jerusalem !ith #our doctrine and intend to bring this manGs blood upon us% 2cts 5:2, Then Peter and the other apostles ans!ered and said 4e ou-ht to o'e$ &od (athe( than men) 2cts 5:3+ And no! I sa# unto #ou 3e"rain "rom these men and let them alone( "or i% this counsel o( this wo(6 'e o% men< it will come to nou-ht: 2cts 5:3, But i% it 'e o% &od< $e cannot o#e(th(ow itE lest hapl$ $e 'e %ound e#en to %i-ht

a-ainst &od) 2cts 5: ; And to him the# agreed( and !hen the# had called the apostles and beaten them the$ commanded that the$ should not spea6 in the name o% =esus and let them go% 2cts 5: 1 And the# departed "rom the presence o" the council re4oicing that the# !ere counted !orth# to su""er shame "or his name% 2cts 5: 2 And dail# in the temple and in ever# house the$ ceased not to teach and p(each =esus Ch(ist) 9uestion: 'o! man# IFB church buildings have @come to noughtA?

.> >>> members do!n to an abandoned building toda#1 2nothe( (eason %o( 0chu(ch1 'uildin-s is %o( c(edi'ilit$ with the lost wo(ld! 7Page =?<8 The ,a! o" Public Education b# E% Edmund 3eutter Jr% M 3obert 3% 'amilton% +op#right .E/> The Foundation Press Inc%

1 Samuel +:1 J And it came to pass !hen 9amuel !as old that he made his sons 4udges over Israel% 1 Samuel +:2 0o! the name o" his "irstborn !as Joel) and the name o" his second Abiah( they were 4udges in Beersheba% 1 Samuel +:3 And his sons !al5ed not in his !a#s but turned aside a"ter lucre and too5 bribes

and perverted 4udgment% 1 Samuel +: J Then all the elders o" Israel gathered themselves together and came to 9amuel unto 3amah 1 Samuel +:5 And said unto him Behold thou art old and th# sons !al5 not in th# !a#s( no! ma6e us a 6in- to @ud-e us li6e all the nations% 7&ive us a church building li5e the +atholics and Protestants have18 1 Samuel +:! But the thing displeased 9amuel !hen the# said &ive us a 5ing to 4udge us% And 9amuel pra#ed unto the ,O3*% 1 Samuel +:* And the ,O3* said unto 9amuel 'ear5en unto the voice o" the people in all that the# sa# unto thee( "or the$ ha#e not (e@ected thee< 'ut the$ ha#e (e@ected me< that I should not (ei-n o#e( them% 7The people re4ected the ,ordGs rule in their lives and !anted the priestFclass-lait# s#stem o" +atholicism instead18 1 Samuel +:+ According to all the !or5s !hich the# have done since the da# that I brought them up out o" Eg#pt even unto this da# !here!ith the# have "orsa5en me and se(#ed othe( -ods so do the# also unto thee% 7The people served gods li5e mammon% The# !anted to !orship the ,ord in pagan temples18 1 Samuel +:, 0o! there"ore hear5en unto their voice( ho!beit #et protest solemnl# unto them and she! them the manner o" the 5ing that shall reign over them% 1 Samuel +:1; And 9amuel told all the !ords o" the ,O3* unto the people that as5ed o" him a 5ing% 1 Samuel +:11 And he said This !ill be the manner o" the 5ing that shall reign over #ou( 'e !ill ta5e #our sons and appoint them "or himsel" "or his chariots and to be his horsemen) and some shall run be"ore his chariots% 79ons are ta5en to Bible +ollege and 9eminar#8 1 Samuel +:12 And he !ill appoint him captains over thousands and captains over "i"ties) and will set them to ear his ground and to reap his harvest and to ma5e his instruments o" !ar and instruments o" his chariots% 7The big megaFchurches need all sorts o" business positions li5e treasurer secretar# etc%8 1 Samuel +:13 And he !ill ta5e #our daughters to be con"ectionaries and to be coo5s and to be ba5ers% 7Ba5e sale to raise mone# "or missions or building programs18 1 Samuel +:1 And he !ill ta5e #our "ields and #our vine#ards and #our olive#ards e#en the best of them and give them to his servants% 1 Samuel +:15 And he !ill ta5e the tenth o" #our seed and o" #our vine#ards and give to his o""icers and to his servants% 7The megaFchurch pastors !ill ta5e #our .>N tithe and get rich o"" o" it18 1 Samuel +:1! And he !ill ta5e #our menservants and #our maidservants and #our goodliest #oung men and #our asses and put them to his !or5%

1 Samuel +:1* 'e !ill ta5e the tenth o" #our sheep( and $e shall 'e his se(#ants% 7:ou better be @in churchA ever# time the doors are open1 I" #ou donGt then #ou are @un"aith"ulA18 1 Samuel +:1+ And #e shall cr# out in that da# because o" #our 5ing !hich #e shall have chosen #ou) and the ,O3* !ill not hear #ou in that da#% 7+hristians toda# have more troubles then ever be"ore but more @churchA buildings too18 1 Samuel +:1, 0evertheless the people re"used to obe# the voice o" 9amuel) and the# said 0a#) but we will ha#e a 6in- o#e( us) 1 Samuel +:2; That we also ma$ 'e li6e all the nationsE and that ou( 6in- ma$ @ud-e us< and -o out 'e%o(e us< and %i-ht ou( 'attles) FIsnGt that something111 2odern da# +hristians eLpect their pastor to "ight their battles "or them18 1 Samuel +:21 And 9amuel heard all the !ords o" the people and he rehearsed them in the ears o" the ,O3*% 1 Samuel +:22 And the ,O3* said to 9amuel 'ear5en unto their voice and ma5e them a 5ing% And 9amuel said unto the men o" Israel &o #e ever# man unto his cit#% Ch(istians in the 1*th and 1+th centu(ies wanted to ha#e pa-an 'uildin-s to meet in< so the$ could loo6 li6e e#e($'od$ else! "he$ -ot what the$ wanted< and the 3o(d is now %o(sa6in- this land! Bac6 to the a(ticle: Bo-e( 4illiams @3illiams gra uate from Cambri ge Hni#ersity in -8;I, an was apparently or aine in the Church of +nglan . "e soon embrace !,eparatists! i eas an eci e to lea#e +nglan . In -86-, he arri#e in Boston. "e was much isplease with the Puritan theocracy. "e strongly belie#e in separation of church an state an uphel the principles of soul liberty. !,oul liberty! is a belief that e#eryone is responsible to 4o in i#i ually. It bases its belief in the 2ew &estament teaching that e#ery belie#er is a priest to himself, ha#ing full access to 4o without the nee to go through a church, church lea er or priest. 5"ebrews 07-.@-8> -D7-/@;;9 1espite his #iews, he was ma e the pastor of the church in ,alem. ,hortly after that, because of his octrinal preaching, he was force to lea#e ,alem an went for a short time to Plymouth. "e returne to ,alem where he was summone before the court in Boston because of his outspo*en beliefs an was banishe from the colony. &he charge recor e against him was that !he broached and divulged new and dangerous opinions against the authority of the magistrates.! Clearly, he was banishe because he belie#e in religious free om an belie#e an taught the 2ew &estament was a belie#er=s sole source for his faith an practice. "is !crime! was that he reEecte the unbiblical i eas of the state church such as infant baptism an other false teachings of the Puritans. &he Puritans ro#e him from their colony in the ea of winter.$

It shoul be note that at first Williams did not identify himself as a Baptist. "owe#er, he continue to rea the 2ew &estament an became fully aware that infant baptism, sprin*ling for baptism, an allowing unsa#e people to be members of the church was not scriptural. &hus, resol#ing to follow the 'or =s comman s in truth, in ?arch, -86/ he forme the Baptist church in Pro#i ence, R.I.. "e began by bapti<ing himself which is not biblical baptism. "e then bapti<e ten others who became the members of this church. ,hortly afterwar , 3illiams with rew from the church an became what he calle a !see*er.! "istory oes not recor why he woul not i entify himself as a Baptist although he set up a Baptist church. Please note that this presents no problem for this first Baptist church in )merica. &his church was not foun e on a man, but on the Bible.$ So appa(entl$ acco(din- to the autho(< an$one who 'elie#ed in 'elie#e(?s 'aptism was automaticall$ classi%ied as a 0Baptist1) =ohn Sm$th was ./" a Baptist! Bo-e( 4illiams was ./" a Baptist! &he sole authority for any true church is 4o =s 3or an not its human foun er, or its heritage. 2ot once in the 2ew &estament o you fin e#en a hint that a church was legitimate because it was foun e by Paul, was establishe by the church at Jerusalem or )ntioch, or called itself by a particular name. "owe#er, no one shoul thin* little of the name of Baptist, for it is the name that most has i entifie those in i#i uals an churches that ha#e uncompromisingly stoo on the 3or of 4o . "istorically, Baptists are the only group in modern times whose churches were founded on the criptures alone and not on the traditions or wor=s of some man. Baptists ha#e always been the champions of the 3or of 4o an preaching of the 4ospel. "istory is clear7 there is no other enomination that has so lo#e an been faithful to God's Word as ha#e the Baptists.$ "his is anothe( out(i-ht 3IE< and we will continue to demonst(ate this! 4hen was the %i(st Baptist chu(ch BGI3AI.& 'uilt in 2me(ica5 http(--!!!%"irstbaptistchurchinamerica%org-?page6idO/? &he Cirst Baptist Church in )merica 3illiams soon gathere the faithful in regular worship in his home, hol ing ser#ices se#eral times a wee*. )fter about two years, this little congregation became the first Baptist church in the 2ew 3orl . 3illiams conclu e that belie#erKs baptism was the only #ali concept of baptism. ,ince he an all his congregation ha been bapti<e as infants, in late -86B he ha himself rebapti<e an then he rebapti<e his floc*. "owe#er, 3IlliamsK spiritual Eourney i not en here. 3ithin months he came to oubt that any e%isting institution coul #ali ly call itself the church. "e conclu e that the church ha ie when the Roman +mperor &heo isius ha ma e Christianity the state religion of the +mpire aroun 6B. ).1. "e belie#e that all of the rites an practices of the church ha become in#ali an

corrupt. ,A, in the summer of -86/ he resigne , but he cherishe the belief to the en of his long life 5-8B69 that the church that he plante was base on ,cripture. "e remaine stea fast in his efense of religious free om, an his influence cause Rho e Islan to be a unique ha#en of religious liberty in the se#enteenth century. &he Baptist church li#e on un er the lea ership of +l ers or aine from its ran*s from -86/ to -II-. They had no meetinghouse until 1>99/ %n that year4 the pastor4 Pardon Tillinghast4 erected a tiny building on a ;9 by ;9 foot lot he owned on &orth +ain treet/ &his soon pro#e to be ina equate as the church grew, so a secon meetinghouse, measuring 0D by 0D feet was erecte ne%t oor to the first one. Pro#i ence continue to grow through the eighteenth century, an the 4reat )wa*ening increase the number of Baptists all o#er 2ew +nglan . Cinally the present meetinghouse was built. Its si<e an beauty in icate that the irection of Baptist wor* in Pro#i ence ha come un er the lea ership of James ?anning.$ Below is an e8ce(pt %(om a 'oo6 entitled: 02 3ittle =ou(ne$ "o "he >ome /% Elde( :a(don "illin-hast1 F:a-e 13H

0otice that these earl# @BaptistsA did 0OT meet in a @churchA building "or over B> #ears1 The !ealth# Elder Pardon Tillinghast "inanced the "irst building and #ou !onGt believe ho! he raised the mone#111

0>isto(ic Sh(ines /% 2me(ica1 F:a-e +2H

2 S"2"E 2::B/7EA 3/""EBY 42S GSEA "/ FI.2.CE ">E FIBS" B2:"IS" C>GBC> BGI3AI.& I. 2MEBIC2!!! :(o#e('s 13:11 4ealth -otten '$ #anit$ shall be diminished( but he that gathereth b# labour shall increase% :(o#e('s 2+:22 'e that hasteth to 'e (ich hath an e#il e$e and considereth not that povert# shall come upon him% http(--!!!%"irstbaptistchurchinamerica%org-?page6idOC; &he ?eeting "ouse, built in -II0 to -II., was the largest buil ing proEect in 2ew +nglan at that time. &he buil ing, BD by BD feet, seate -,;DD people, equal to one thir of Pro#i enceKs population then. &he construction was greatly ai e by the fact that the British ha close the port of Boston as punishment for the Boston &ea Party. ?any shipwrights an carpenters were thrown out of wor* an came to Pro#i ence to buil the meetinghouse. &he structure was e icate in ?ay -II. an the -B. foot steeple was a e shortly thereafter. &his was the first Baptist meetinghouse in 2ew +nglan to ha#e a steeple. &he steeple went up in three an a half ays, an it has sur#i#e time an hurricanes since then. &he architecture is a blen of +nglish 4eorgian an the tra itional 2ew +nglan meetinghouse style. &he 4eorgian aspects, borrowe from )nglican church esigns, inclu e the e%terior portico an steeple an many interior elements, such as the Palla ian win ow behin the high pulpit, the fluted Tuscan columns, the groine arches in the balcony, an the split pe iments o#er the oors. )ll of this was superimpose on a plain, 2ew +nglan meetinghouse, with its white walls, clear glass win ows, ominant pulpit, an lac* of any religious symbols. &he iconoclastic Baptists regar e all symbols, e#en the cross as icons an i ols. ) gran chan elier from 3aterfor , Irelan , was a e in -I/;.

In the -/th century the au itorium un erwent many changes, inclu ing new pews 5-B6;9, a ing an organ 5-B609, an interior baptistry 5-B6B9, se#eral gas chan eliers 5-B.Ds9, painte ceilings, an an a ition to the rear of the buil ing with a memorial staine glass win ow 5-BB09. %n 1?:> former member 5ohn '/ Roc=efeller4 5r/ made a gift to enable the church to restore the +eeting $ouse mostly to its original appearance. &o ay the ?eeting "ouse, a national historic lan mar* buil ing, is regar e as one of the must see$ places in Pro#i ence for anyone intereste in )merican architecture.$ 4hat a nice chu(ch mem'e(! Bac6 to the a(ticle: 2 B(ie% Su(#e$ o% Independent Fundamental Baptist Chu(ches @"owe#er, after in epen ence was won an the Constitution an Bill of Rights was written which ga#e all )mericans religious free om, the Baptists again began to grow until to ay they are the largest denominational group in the *nited tates.$ >ow do Baptist 0chu(ches1 -(ow5 B$ %i-htin-< st(i%e< and di#isions! I personall# have seen man# in m# o!n li"e% W$!T +!0( ! TR*( B!PT% T-@ @If the following fi#e istincti#es are the beliefs of a church, then you will ha#e a true Baptist church. %f a church cannot answer in the positive to each of these distinctives4 then you do not have a &ew Testament or Baptist church/ %f they identify themselves as Baptists they are misusing the name/ T$( )%A( B!PT% T '% T%&CT%A( -. 3+ )CC+P& A2'Y &"+ 2+3 &+,&)?+2& ), AHR )H&"ARI&Y I2 )'' ?)&&+R, AC C)I&" )21 PR!CT%C(. &his means that Baptists o not accept any authority e%cept the 2ew &estament ,criptures in regar to church polity, practice an octrine. &he institution of the local church 5e**lesia @ assembly9 is not foun in the Al &estament. &he institution of the local !e**lesia! was not institute until Pentecost after the 'or ascen e into hea#en. Christ is hea of the local church, an it is "is bri e. 3e belie#e the 3or of 4o , the Bible is complete an it solely, !. . . Is gi#en by inspiration of 4o , an is profitable for octrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of 4o many be perfect, throughly furnishe 5equippe 9 unto all goo wor*s.! 5; &imothy 67-8@-I9 3e reEect that 4o is gi#ing suppose !new! Re#elation, belie#ing that 4o forbi s any a ing to or ta*ing away of the canon of ,criptures. 5Re#. ;;7-B@-/9 We do not accept any authority over the &ew Testament Church4 but Christ $imself4 inclu ing any hierarchy to inclu e popes, mo ern ay prophets, or councils of churches. 3e belie#e the si%ty si% boo*s of the Bible are the inspire , inerrant an infallible wor of 4o .$ 233 IFB chu(ch o(-aniDations a(e e8cluded 'ecause thei( 0p(actices1 a(e ./" 'ased on sc(iptu(e< and man$ a(e 5;1c3!

@<% 3+ B+'I+:+ I2 ,&RIC& ,+P)R)&IA2 AC C"HRC" )21 ,&)&+. 2o power on earth is higher than 4o =s 3or , an a church shoul not be in any way yo=ed or controlled by the state, or any ci#il authority in religious matters.$ 5;1c3 Baptist chu(ches a(e disIuali%ied then! C7&C,*'%&G R(+!R0 ) church which cannot answer yes to all of these questions cannot historically call itself a Baptist church, nor can it legitimately call itself a &ew Testament church. &hese are the istincti#es that separate true Baptists an from all Protestants, any organi<e church, octrinally unsoun church, or !Christian! cults. ) person can rightly ta*e godly pride in truthfully bearing the name Baptist.$ :(o#e('s 1!:1+ Pride goeth be"ore destruction and an haught# spirit be"ore a "all% :salm 1;:2 The !ic5ed in his pride doth persecute the poor( let them be ta5en in the devices that the# have imagined% :salm 1;:3 For the !ic5ed boasteth o" his heartGs desire and blesseth the covetous whom the ,O3* abhorreth% :salm 1;: The !ic5ed through the pride o" his countenance !ill not see5 after 4o ( &od is not in all his thoughts% So what ha#e we lea(ned %(om this stud$: .% The earl# @BaptistsA li5e 3oger $illiams John 9m#th Thomas 'el!#s etc% never actuall# called themselves b# the name o" Baptist% ;% 0o earl# believers met in buildings until around the #ear ./>>% <% The "irst baptist church building in America !as "inanced b# a stateFapproved lotter# and later "unded b# John *% 3oc5e"eller Jr%1 ?% 2ost Baptist church buildings toda# are the result o" splits and division% =% $hile the# claim to not be @ProtestantA their practices come "rom 3oman +atholicism% 4e will demonst(ate this in the ne8t stud$! :(o#e('s 21:1! The man that !andereth out o" the !a# o" understanding shall remain in the con-(e-ation o% the dead%