Category Archives: About

Distinctives

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Liberty Baptist Church is a King James Bible believing, gospel preaching, premillennial, pre-tribulation rapture, soul winning, missions-minded, independent, Baptist church.

Church is about pleasing and glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31; Revelation 4:10-11). It is not about adapting to the social whims of society (Romans 12:2).

Our Mission

Our mission is to win the lost, edify the saints, and glorify the Savior (Matthew 28:18-20).

Modern versions of the Holy Bible

We believe the King James Bible that we hold in our hands from cover to cover without apology or excuse. Rather than correct the Bible, we let it correct us. New versions are not the same. They change names, numbers, prophecies, and key doctrines. We serve “the Son of God,” not “a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25), and there is a difference.

Salvation

Salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gospel is “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Hyper-Calvinism & Other

We reject Hyper-Calvinism and its teachings of total inability, unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace as unscriptural.

We reject replacement theology. The church has not replaced Israel. Many prophecies related to the Jews and their land are yet to be fulfilled.

We reject ecumenicalism, the emergent church movement, and the modern charismatic movement.

Manner of Ministry

Leading by example

The pastor is NOT to be a dictator (1 Peter 5:1-3). Sheep are to be led.

It should also be mentioned that the pastor is not a pope or a secondary Savior. When people start quoting a man rather than the Scriptures, something is wrong. Faithful pastors should be honored, but not worshipped.

Visiting people

The pastor visits people, not houses. He does not care about the condition or contents of a house (as in your movies, etc.). He is not interested in being an inspector. He preaches the truth and trusts the Holy Spirit to deal with anything that is not right. A visit is to see a person and minister to them.

Modesty

The Scripture teaches modesty. That is what we preach and practice. However, we do not run off our guests because they do not meet someone’s standards.

Open and honest

We try to communicate and keep people informed. An informed people is a happy people. Bank statements which show copies of all the cleared checks as well as the transactions are posted in the church for everyone to see. The church’s monthly financial statement lists every check and transaction. Church is not a secret society. We want members to know, not think or hope, that everything is above board.

Immorality among the leadership

We are not tolerant of fornication, adultery, pornography, pedophilia, extortion, etc. among church leadership. This is way too common these days.

  • God established the home, the church, and civil government. Each should operate in its God given role. There are clearly things that fall under church discipline (1 Corinthians 5). However, there are clearly things that do not.
  • We teach that a God given role of government is to punish crimes (Romans 13:1-4; Genesis 9:6). Crimes are defined as causing harm to someone’s person or property. For example if someone committed a murder, it would be unimaginable that one would not call law enforcement. The same is true with crimes such as child molestation, which not a matter for the church to handle, but a serious crime. In such cases call the police.

Religious politics

We are against religious politics. This would include covering up gross moral sin contrary to the commands of Holy Scripture “for the good of the church.” The goal in such instances should be confession and restoration to fellowship, not covering it up, running off victims, and allowing the sin to continue. Religious politics would also include lying or deliberately misleading people in general.

Rock music and new age music

Music has a culture. Rock music (regardless of whether you add a Christian label or not) has a culture of rebellion and immorality. This is contrary to the working of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6-8; Galatians 5:16-26).

Music is not neutral, it is spiritual. David played the right music with his harp with no words and the evil spirit departed from King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The right words should be accompanied with the right kind of music.

Membership & Baptists

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A new believer or candidate does not need to understand everything in order to join. It is important they not be in opposition to these scriptural items.

How to Become A Member of Liberty Baptist Church

Outside of restoration, there are three ways to join the church.

  1. By baptism here at Liberty after salvation.
  2. By transfer of letter (church membership) from another Baptist church of like faith and practice.
  3. By statement of faith that you have been scripturally saved and afterward baptized by immersion.

Baptist Distinctives

Here is an Acrostic where the first letter from each spells BAPTISTS

  • Bible as final authority
  • Autonomous
  • Priesthood of the believer
  • Two ordinances (Baptism & the Lord’s supper)
  • Individual soul liberty
  • Saved membership
  • Two offices (Pastors & Deacons)
  • Separation of church and state.

Baptists are different.

  1. A regenerated church membership is not required of the other major denominations, as those denominations count on sprinkling a baby to regenerate it. Scripturally we cannot accept any kind of infant baptism for any reason.
  2. The autonomy of the church means absolute freedom from any and all outside interference from state, government, other churches, other religious bodies, or other individuals.
  3. Another distinctive is eternal security.
  4. Rejection of a Nicolaitan hierarchy which overthrows the priesthood of the believer.
  5. The term “Baptist” is necessary, because if it is not labeled as such, then there is no doctrinal mark whereby it can be proved to be never-Roman Catholic. “Baptist” is the one organized church that has never and will never agree with Rome on the priesthood, the mass, Mary, the plan of salvation, the future, the leadership in the local church, the position of the believer in Christ, or the GOALS and AIMS of the church as a missionary organization.
  6. Baptists are not “Protestant,” as they did not come out of the Roman Catholic church.
  7. Since the book of Acts there have always been believers who believed in salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ (death, burial, and resurrection).

The Baptists have an unusual place in all of these matters, for they are the only group that obeyed the New Testament when it came to water baptism. Baptists can trace their “distinctives” clear back to the book of Acts. No other group can do that.

Soul Winning & Missions

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Liberty Baptist Church has a heart for reaching the world with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We practice door to door visitation, public witnessing, and street preaching.

We support missionaries through our finances and prayers. You can find a list of our missionaries as well a their most recent prayers letters at the back of the church and here online.

Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Philippians 4:14–18 “Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

Pastor

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Dr. John Wheeler, Pastor

I received Christ at the age of five and it has been a joy to serve the Lord from my youth. I love the Lord, His word, and his people. I am glad to be part of the Liberty Baptist Church family and to proclaim Liberty in Jesus.

My wife and children are my greatest blessing. My wife, Bethany, has been literally around the world and back with me. She grew up in a pastor’s home and is familiar with the joys and heartaches of ministry. She loves and walks with God, and loves God’s people. She is an excellent wife and mother. Our daughter, Ashton is a godly young lady that the Lord has specially gifted in music. She is a graduate of Crown College of the Bible. On July 3, 2020, Ashton married Andrew Reisinger and in September, 2022 gave birth to our first grandchild, Avonlea. Our son, Riley, is growing into a fine young man. I am grateful for my family.

For more from Dr. Wheeler, visit: https://drjohnwheeler.com