TENTH COMMEMORATIVE ANNIVERSARY EDITION ...men that had understanding of the times, to know what [they] ought to do... I Chr.12:32 Volume 10, Issue 4 Publication of the Global Independent Baptist Fellowship. September 2010 CLEVELAND, OHIO: NOVEMBER 14, 2000 – BIRTHDAY OF GIBF TEN YEARS OF DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY A RECORD OF THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF THE GLOBAL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP By Robert Lewis I do not presume to be the historian for the movement this spiritual journey. The more I hear and read, the more I have read about our spiritual family tree and concluded named Global Independent Baptist Fellowship. I realize the matters which gave birth to the Global that there have been people in every generation, since Nevertheless, having promised the Lord that I would go Independent Baptist Fellowship are many and diverse. I Jesus walked upon the earth, who are connected in a broad through any door of service and opportunity He provides, must say, to the credit of all involved, up until this very way with what some call “Baptist Principles.” Those I shall undertake the task of reviewing our history, as moment there has been little-to-no ugly discourse or principles were espoused in the Apostolic Age, endured requested by the editor of this publication. I count it an name-calling. Such deportment, while wrestling over through the Dark Ages, persisted amid the Reformation, honor to do so. passionate issues, can only be realized when men of and continued into the Modern Era. Early adherents to This record on the now ten-year journey of the GIBF is character purpose to keep emotions from governing their those principles were not always known by the name by one (me) who has personally made the trip, and actions. “Baptist,” but in faith and practice they were Baptists. The continues on in it. It has been and is a truly grand Everyone active in the movement is thankful for the name, originally intended to be disparaging, was branded adventure. While traveling together on the ancient amalgamation of scores of God’s people around the world on them by their detractors and persecutors. Then, from pathway, we GIBF sojourners have rejoiced in the into what is called the Global Independent Baptist the time of the Inquisition to today, those gladly identified camaraderie of those who accept the same authority, hold Fellowship. It is an ongoing enlistment in an ongoing as Baptists by name were scattered around the globe. They to the same philosophies and convictions, fight with the lineage. Our philosophies, operations and message were have held sacred those prized Baptist principles and have same weapons, and build with the same tools. set in place long ago by spiritual giants of the past. We paid for them, in many cases, with their own blood. Of necessity I have relied much on the memories, notes have not discovered new doctrine, nor have we invented Primarily, those sacred principles include the following: and conversations of others who have also been a part of new practices in our attempt to raise the standard of the 1) Sole Authority of the Scriptures; 2) Salvation by Grace Lord in our generation. Our desire is to strengthen and through Faith; 3) Baptism for Believers Only; 4) Eternal 10TH ANNIVERSARY GIBF build upon that long-established standard, leaving a Security for True Believers; 5) Autonomy of the Church; clearly-marked path for those who continue after us. 6) Separation of Church and State; and 7) Priesthood of MTG. IN CLEVELAND, OHIO This recounting of the GIBF journey will be the Believer. These are not the only things Baptists believe summarized in four large steps – FIRST, our origins: Our (and not all Baptists agree in every detail on what they do SEPT 20-22 (see details on page 7) Historic Roots: The Baptist Umbrella. believe); but these are the roots of the tree from which we ...continued on page 2 tenth anniversary perspective By Frank Wood, GIBF Nat’l Moderator The Heritage Pulpit Ten years ago this National Moderator. “ANNIVERSARY CONTEMPLATIONS” November, I attended Many people felt, and some still believe, A message by G. Beauchamp Vick (1901-1975) the Friends of that the GIBF was started as a knee-jerk Heartland Meeting reaction to a single issue at Baptist Bible This was the 25th Anniversary Commencement Address at Baptist Bible College hosted by Cleveland College in Springfield, Missouri (our Dr. Vick’s last sermon there before his death the following September. Baptist Church. I disagreement with the ladies dress code). Go with me over a hundred years ago to a scene that was enacted attended the meeting That perception is very far from the truth! in the heart of Europe. It was a number of years after the fateful battle not knowing the significant things that They also accused us of starting a new of Waterloo, which changed the history of Europe and the world. There was a strange would take place that week, other than the fellowship because of a few of our gathering there; the honorees on that occasion were varied in their looks and in their great preaching and good fellowship with “preferences.” As we prepare to celebrate actions. The honorees were called to the platform to face him who had been their many like-minded servants of the Lord. At our tenth anniversary, I would like to make emperor in years past. Some limped up to the platform on wooden legs; some had a the meeting, the Friends of Heartland clear that the GIBF was started and patch over one eye; some were unable to salute their former emperor because they had decided to disassociate Heartland Baptist continues to be based upon the Biblical empty sleeves. There was but one thing in common with all these men as they passed by, Bible College from Baptist Bible doctrines that we hold to and the and they received that one thing in common: the medal which their former commander Fellowship International, and we voted to convictions we have that are based upon pinned upon them. It was not a gold or silver medal; it was a simple, plain, iron disk. start a new fellowship which was later those doctrines. The Biblical doctrines that Not pretty in appearance. And on that peculiar, rough, rude medal were just three words: named the Global Independent Baptist were being and continue to be “I Was There.” Those three words were meaningful. Fellowship (GIBF). compromised by many independent Tonight I would cite for you those who were there on another fateful occasion – that In the last ten years we have seen Baptists are the doctrines of personal and famous Texas Hotel meeting (in Fort Worth, Texas). I’m going to ask everyone who was significant growth and progress at ecclesiastical separation, as well as there to stand together with me; will you please?...all who were in that meeting in the Heartland Baptist Bible College, as well as Bibliology and ecclesiology. We believe in Texas Hotel, twenty-five years ago this very week, the third week in May 1950. in the GIBF. We now hold two national maintaining high standards of personal There’s not a hundred left! Some have graduated to higher planes. GIBF meetings each year – one in separation, and we are Baptists who are Each of us who were there whom God has preserved to this good hour can say with February and one in September; and we not ashamed of being called Baptists! We Napoleon’s old guard, “I Was There!” Thank you; be seated. have Global Independent Baptist Missions believe the only scriptural church is a Certainly the scars and sacrifices of those early years have left us with OUR as well as the Global Baptist Times. (There doctrinally-sound Baptist church, and we HERITAGE – a great heritage! We are reminded in the Word of God to esteem the are also several state and multi-state are “closed” in the operation of church heritage purchased for us and handed down to us. We’re enjoined through the inspired fellowships around the country that are ordinances. We also have a strong pen of Isaiah to remember some things: “Hearken to me, ye that follow after aligned with the GIBF). The Annual conviction that the King James Bible is righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the meetings, the missions program, and our God’s preserved Word for English- hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” (Isa. 51:1) Therefore, we emphasize our heritage. paper have been and are being greatly speaking people. Inherent in any successful movement is some intangible-something called “Pioneer blessed and used of the Lord. I am very There are still a great number of Spirit.” What is it? I think there are several ingredients necessary to make up a pioneer glad to be a part of the GIBF, and I doctrinal beliefs we have in common with spirit and our Christian heritage. consider it a privilege to serve as the most other independent Baptists, as well The first I would name is a faith to attempt the impossible. ...continued on page 14 ...continued on page 4 G L O B A L BAPTIST TIMES have their operations established on Bible truth, and then, relevant” even though that definition evolves from time TIMES EDITORIAL knowing their nature, give vigilant attention to holding to time. Their misguided perception of success and By the editor fast that position, while routinely charging those coming notability equates to popularity and financial after them to do the same.