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Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis  Quote:
Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist Quote: |
No doubt it's the case that everybody identifies with a larger body. It's just completely inconsistent for an Independent to do so.
| Why? It would be inconsistent with an independent church if a larger body could exercise influence in doctrine or practice against the will of the local body. That local bodies of like-mind come together to further the work of the gospel and strengthen one another is in no way inconsistent. Would we call the 1689 LBC inconsistent with Baptist practice or theology? I suppose some would. | I meant in the manner that the context was speaking of. In other words, "We Southern Baptists..." or "...this is not the Southern Baptist way..." is not consistent with independent ecclesiology. |
I can see that. But I can also see, say members of ARBCA, all agreeing on a number of doctrinal points, then saying, "We ARBCA churches agree on...." It's not that ARBCA has superseded the the local church; it's that the commonality of doctrine or practice creates a common bond or identity.