Our Affiliation

Bible Baptist Church is a fully independent "Regular Baptist" church. (By "Regular" we mean that we hold to the historic doctrinal position of Baptists explained here, rather than the beliefs of other denominations or "brands" of Baptists who may not hold to each of those distinctives.) As a fully autonomous body, we are not part of any kind of denominational hierarchy and are fully free and responsible before God to worship and serve as we believe the Lord has instructed us from His Word.

Even so, just as a Christian is more likely to grow in the fellowship of a local church, so other churches benefit from fellowship with other churches of like faith and order. There is even evidence that New Testament churches enjoyed some form of fellowship or association (2 Corinthians 8:18f.; Romans 15:25f.).

Associations must never violate the sovereign independence of the local churches, but are a vital source of fellowship and encouragement and allow churches to take on ministries that would not be effective if we all stood alone. Here are the fellowships or associations with which we are a part:

Central New York Association of Regular Baptist Churches
The Central New York Association of Regular Baptist Churches is an association of separated, Bible-believing Baptist Churches located in the Central New York area. The purpose is to "raise a standard of Biblical separation from worldliness, modernism and apostasy; promote fellowship and spreading of the Gospel through our Regular Baptist affiliated missionary agencies and schools." It provides youth programs, promotes Camp Bayouca and other activities approved by the churches.

Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches
[ web site ]
The Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches is an association of more than 180 churches across New York State with the same doctrinal position. Fall, Winter and Spring Bible Conferences are held with the Annual Business meeting occurring during the October (Fall) Conference. Many other rallies, workshops and special conferences are provided for youth, adults, pastors throughout the year. Rev. Craig Golden is State Representative (Endicott, NY).

General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC)
[ web site ]
The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches is composed of approximately 1,600 independent Baptist Churches across the United States. Although a separate entity, it is similar to the above associations, except that it is national in scope. An annual Bible conference is held on the last week of June. (A different state & city is chosen for the conferences.) A council of eighteen plans the conferences and assists where needed. The official magazine is the Baptist Bulletin, and the Sunday School literature department is Regular Baptist Press.