Autonomy Of The Local Church

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church.  All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself.  Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing.  No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices.  Autonomy does not mean isolation.  A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body.

Colossians 1:18

2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23