📖 Biblical Warning Against Such Control
> “Neither as being lords over God's heritage...”
— 1 Peter 5:3
> “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth…”
— 1 Corinthians 1:2
(Paul wrote directly to the local church, not to a hierarchy or association.)
🛑 When Associations, fellowship Go Beyond Their Biblical Role:
They:
Become unscriptural in function.
Destroy the independence of local churches.
Risk becoming hierarchical and political, like denominations.
✅ Right Role of an Association and fellowship (Baptist View):
Fellowship of equals — no church above another.
Helps in missions, education, disaster response, etc.
Cannot command, only recommend.
Local church remains the highest authority under Christ.
🧭 Baptist Principle:
> "Each local New Testament church is autonomous and accountable only to Christ."
This is a foundational truth of Missionary Baptists, Landmark Baptists, and many others.
