September 21, 1999 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - I am pleased to report that the Washington State Baptist Bible Fellowship has separated itself from the national organization. The disobedience represented by Jerry Falwell and many other men in the national BBF is very serious. The New Evangelical philosophy that these men hold will destroy any fundamental Baptist church that does not separate itself distinctly and plainly from it.

The following report is from Pastor Gordon Conner of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Vancouver, British Columbia:

EVENTS IN WASHINGTON BBF
By Pastor Gordon Conner, tbcvan@tabernacle.bc.ca

Dear Brethren:

I was privileged to attend the meeting of the Washington State Baptist Bible Fellowship (WSBBF) on the 13th and 14th of September held in Selah, Washington. I have appreciated the stand and purpose of these men and count them to be faithful, separated men. For some time they have wrestled with developments that have occurred within the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) namely the perceptible drift away from the roots of their fellowship and, more importantly, away from Biblical principles of separation. I am aware that many independent men have avoided the BBFI because of areas of compromise, but these men in the state of Washington have exhibited strong convictions to the things of God.

Many of you are aware that at the BBFI National meeting in February of 1999, Jerry Falwell was invited to be one of the keynote speakers. This, as you can imagine caused quite an uproar, and the WSBBF passed a resolution of protest and sent it to the leadership of the BBFI. Without going into all the details, they were basically given the "brush off." Because to this response and the many issues at stake, the WSBBF determined to disconnect itself from BBFI. This was not an easy decision for them to make. Many of them had gone to school in Springfield, some had only known BBF from childhood up, one 74 year old pastor had been in the BBF from its inception 50 years ago -- yet they were willing to take a stand for the truth and "come out from among them." I am going to include portions of a cover letter that was sent out last night -- over 4,000 letters to every name listed in their directory --and the actual resolution that was passed.

This is open information, and I would encourage you to pray for these men and many others like them who may be challenged to take action as well.

FROM THE LETTER:

"Enclosed please find a copy of our Washington State Baptist Fellowship resolution, which rescinds our relationship with the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, effective immediately. This resolution was passed by a large majority vote (22 for, 1 against, 4 abstain) of our pastors at our September 14, 1999 meeting hosted by the Bible Baptist Church of Selah, Washington.

"Simply stated, we believe that although the documents of the BBFI (Articles of Faith, Constitution & Bylaws, School policies, Mission office materials, etc.) are strong and right doctrinally, there has been a continual slide away from the truths of these documents. It is generally understood that the term "WE" in the BBFI documents always refers to the pastors of the Fellowship. We recognize that there has been a failure by many to hold to the truths of these documents and to honestly comply with what they say. This type of hypocrisy coupled with the blatant inconsistencies in the BBFI that we have documented have brought us to the place that as a regional Fellowship we can no longer be associated with the BBFI.

"This decision was not based upon a whim, personality conflicts, nor power struggles, but rather upon principles of the Word of God, as we understand them. Much time and effort has gone into the process that helped us to arrive at this conclusion. Numerous facts have been collected, documented, researched, debated and understood by the pastors of our state; and though the resolution in self-explanatory we welcome any sincere and honest inquiry regarding the facts that have brought our Fellowship to this action."

HERE IS THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION:

"Be it resolved that the Washington State Baptist Bible Fellowship rescind its relationship to the Baptist Bible Fellowship International.

"Whereas Baptist Bible College has made a departure from the stand of our Washington State Fellowship concerning the King James Bible (that the King James Bible is THE Word of God for the English speaking peoples),

"Whereas The Baptist Bible Fellowship International has made a move away from Biblical ecclesiastical separation as evidenced by the receiving of Jerry Falwell in the Fellowship with open arms,

"Whereas we recognize an increasing involvement with Promise Keepers and other Charismatic and ecumenical activities within the Fellowship,

"Whereas there is an increasing departure from the King James Bible among the churches of the BBFI we deem it necessary to take the following actions.

"Resolved, That the name of the Washington State Baptist Bible Fellowship is hereby changed to Northwest Baptist Fellowship and that the official affiliation with the Baptist Bible Fellowship International is hereby rescinded. This action is not intended to dictate to any church or churches what schools they are to support, what meetings are to be attended, what missions clearing houses are to be used, what missionaries are to be supported, or anything that is to be done as individual churches. This action does not advocate the dropping of Baptist Bible Fellowship missionaries."

As you can see, this has been an important event for these dear men. Whether you still agree or not with this type of fellowship, these men are to be commended and encouraged--they will be paying a price for their decision ("Events in Washington BBF," Pastor Gordon Conner, tbcvan@tabernacle.bc.ca).