Overview
This summary compares the beliefs, history, and practices of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) with Independent Baptists, highlighting the origins, theological positions, doctrines, ministry approaches, and practical differences between the two groups.
Historical Origins and Development
- The C&MA began as two organizations founded by A.B. Simpson in 1887 and merged in 1897.
- The Alliance became a formal denomination in 1974 after decades of growth and the adoption of a statement of faith in 1965.
- The early focus was on deeper Christian living and global missions, not on polemics or strict doctrinal statements.
Core Beliefs and Theological Positions
- The C&MA's central doctrine is the "Fourfold Gospel": Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.
- Both C&MA and Independent Baptists are evangelical, holding to the Trinity, Christ’s divinity, atonement, and the inerrancy of Scripture.
- C&MA denies limited atonement; they believe salvation is available for all who accept Christ.
- Eternal security is not a settled doctrine in the C&MA, unlike the typical Independent Baptist stance.
- Both groups support progressive sanctification, but the C&MA emphasizes a distinct moment or experience of Holy Spirit filling, influenced by the Holiness movement.
Sanctification and the Holy Spirit
- The C&MA teaches both a crisis and progressive experience of sanctification post-conversion and encourages repeated spiritual renewal.
- Independent Baptists typically reject the idea of a second, sanctifying crisis.
- The deeper/higher life view is central in C&MA but variably received among Baptists.
Healing and Spiritual Gifts
- Healing through prayer and anointing by church elders is part of C&MA practice, considered an ongoing ministry of the church.
- The C&MA maintains miraculous gifts (including tongues) are still available but rejects charismatic excess and the Pentecostal evidence doctrine.
- Independent Baptists generally de-emphasize healing and hold cessationist views more commonly, though some are open to miraculous gifts.
Church Practices and Ordinances
- Both groups practice believer’s baptism by immersion and celebrate two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
- The C&MA usually practices open communion; Independent Baptists vary between open, close, and closed communion.
- Re-baptism is more common among Baptists based on church authority, rare in the C&MA.
Women in Ministry
- Women in the C&MA may serve in various ministries except those involving elder authority; Independent Baptists often hold to stricter limitations on women’s roles.
Church Structure, Separation, and Affiliations
- The C&MA recognizes both local and universal church concepts, while many Independent Baptists hold to local-only ecclesiology.
- The C&MA allows diversity in certain doctrines (e.g., security of salvation, rapture timing), while separation over doctrine is more pronounced among Baptists.
- The C&MA is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, reporting 2,000 churches and 500,000 attendees in the U.S.