Expert: Clive Heath - 9/26/2009

Question
My father in law is a retired ordained Southern Baptist preacher, and I was raised in a Freewill Baptist Church, saved and baptised in that church as a child, all I hear from my in-laws when brought up about which church I grew up in is that I was basically brought up in a Holiness based church. I'm also told that if it's not Southern Baptist, that I was wasting my time going to that church. My question is, is the Freewill Baptist of a Holiness base or is it still Baptist based?

(My in-laws has it to where I don't want to even go to church because if it's not a "Southern Baptist," then they are ashamed of my husband & I and they raised him, "better than that.")

Answer
Hi Michelle,

First of all I am sorry for for the delay in answering but for some reason your question has only just got to me.

I will do my best with this for you, but you hve to remember that I am in the UK, where a Baptist Church is a Baptist Church!

I have to say that I am surprised in the views and comments of your in laws, no matter what his views are very bigoted indeed no matter what Curch you attended.They need to remember that God gave us all a free will, that in itselff says every thing.

As long as you grew up with Baptists beliefs [which you obviously have] and that you have the Lord and forgiveness in your heart then you are a true Baptist, if they are ashamed of you because of the Church you attended then they are the ones with the problem as they are not following the teachings of the Bible.

Hope this helps.

Love and God Bless

Clive