TEN REASONS WE LEFT

To those in the IFB who are quick to say, “Well, you left so you could be worldly, or you just don’t like hard preaching, or our standards”... No.

We left because:

1. You have added to the scripture where the scripture is silent.

2.    You don’t believe practically in the indwelling power and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the individual believer, so you have to be that for us.

3.    You no longer represent historic Baptist and Protestant orthodoxy. In theory you are Baptist, but in practice you are still catholic.

4.    You've become theologically lazy. You're well versed in soundbites & old timey rhetoric, but there's no content in those empty words. That's why your sermons are full of jokes, funny stories & personal experiences. You're making noise when you preach, but you say nothing.

5.    You've elevated secondary and tertiary things to be as equal & even more highly emphasized than the gospel of Christ itself. Bible versions, dress standards & music preferences are ZEROS on the scale of importance in the Christian life and pursuit of holiness.

6.    You've redefined holiness. Do you know what it is? Holiness is Christ in me, not standards. Paul said in 1 Cor. 1:30, It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

7.    Bible Christianity isn't synonymous w/ American Christianity. Stop interpreting Scripture as if God wrote it in English to the USA 100 years ago. If a standard isn’t applicable through all ages & to all cultures, then it is a preference & not a Bible command.

8.    The Bible is not your final authority. You say it is, but you twist the scripture to fit your own preconceived opinions and preferences. Hermeneutics? Exegesis? Expositional preaching? Do these words mean anything to you? No, sadly they don’t.

9.    You do not value unity among believers. Jesus prayer in John 17 was that his followers would be one. Jesus said in John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” but no, You spend most of your time talking down about how other Christians are not as right w7 God as you & why they need to change. You mock & criticize them rather than extend a loving hand to help them. You separate from them too over secondary issues even though you will spend eternity w/ them in Heaven.

10.  We have seen so many lives damaged by abuse, addiction, greed, and manipulation because the leadership in the church was focused on what the outside of the cup looked like, and they didn’t have much concern for the inside. Outwardly you made people conform, but inwardly they weren’t being transformed. Spiritual change always happens from the inside out when it’s of God.

 

Scripture:

Jesus said in Matthew 23:27-28 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs  which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Jesus said in Mark 15:8-9, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as  doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Paul said in Galatians 1:14, "And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers." (while he was killing the church)

 

In conclusion: We didn’t leave for any rebellious reason, but rather because Jesus was not preeminent & God’s truth was being directly jeopardized by your religion. We will not support that. As a matter of fact, we will fight against it. We will contend for the faith in love.