Mailing address:
P.O. Box 484
Blenheim, New Zealand
Phone:
03-578-9990
Email:
pastor@mbbc.org.nz
Frequently
Asked Questions
Why do you
call your self an independent Baptist church?
By the term "independent"
we simply mean that we are not part of any
convention, association or union. All of the
churches in the New Testament were self-governing,
independent churches without any form of outside
control. We do fellowship with other churches
of like faith and practice, but our guidance
comes from the Holy Spirit and the written
word of God - not from an ecclesiastical body.
Are you part of the Baptist denomination?
Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a "Baptist denomination" - the "Baptists" do not have a human founder as such. The term "baptist" was first applied to local groups of believers in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries who believe much like we do today. In fact, because we hold to a literal interpretation of God's Word, churches like ours can be found throughout church history, although by various names, all of the way back to the early New Testament churches, as well as around the world today.
So where did the "independents" come from?
At one time, ALL Baptist
churches were independent assemblies. Though
many formed unions and conventions for various
reasons, many others have chosen to remain
independent bodies throughout the centuries.
Independent Baptist churches are not something
new, but something very old and well established
in church history. In New Zealand all Baptist
churches were independent until the formation
of the Baptist Union in the 1880's. We know
of about 30 Independent Baptist churches in
New Zealand today.
What do you mean by "non-charismatic"? Don't you believe in the working of the Holy Ghost?
We definitely DO believe
in the ministry of the Holy Ghost as testified
to in scripture. However, we do NOT believe
that the apostolic sign gifts (such as speaking
in tongues, the gifts of healing, etc.) are
valid for local churches today. This is not
a hastily arrived at doctrine, but a valid
position based on clear teaching of scripture
that we would be more than willing to discuss
in detail with anyone who is sincerely interested.
For more information see our book In
Spirit and In Truth.
So you don't believe in divine healing either?
To the contrary, we DO believe in divine healing, but NOT that the apostolic sign "gift of healing" is valid for today. God can and does heal in response to prayer, but he does NOT work through so-called healers today with the same gifts of healing exercised by the apostles in the early church. Again, we would be more than glad to enter into correspondence with anyone on this point who is sincerely interested in what scripture has to say.
What do you do in your services?
Our mid-week Bible study
consists of a time of prayer, fellowship and
study of the word of God, verse by verse.
Our Sunday services similarly involve fellowship
with God's people and praising God in song,
prayer, and the preaching of his holy word.
In all our services we open the word in such
a manner that you can see and examine it for
yourself.
Why did you start
a church in Blenheim?
Over 90% of our town does not go to church on a regular basis. The odds are that you are part of the 90% - YOU are therefore the reason why the Marlborough Bible Baptist Church exists in Blenheim!
