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'''Baptist''' refers to any one of several [[Christian]] groups which, for the most part, hold to theologically and socially conservative positions (though there are notable exceptions).

'''Baptist''' refers to any one of several [[Christian]] groups which, for the most part, hold to theologically and socially conservative positions (though there are notable exceptions).

The largest Baptist group is the '''[[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC)''', which despite its name has churches in all 50 states.  The SBC is also highly influential in the social and political arenas of American life.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>

The largest Baptist group is the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC), which despite its name has churches in all 50 states.  The SBC is also highly influential in the social and political arenas of American life.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>

==History==

==History==

'''Baptists''' are descended primarily from the work of [[John Smyth]] (1554-1612) in [[England]]<ref>http://levellers.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/john-smyth-1570-1612-puritan-separatist-baptist-mennonite/</ref>  He fled to [[Holland]] due to persecution of the [[Anabaptists]], of which he was part.<ref>http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/anabaptists.html</ref>  Baptists arrived in the American colonies and became especially numerous in New England and Virginia. After 1800 the denomination grew rapidly but split in 1845 over the issue of slavery. Many slaves were Baptists and at the end of the Civil War they withdrew from white churches and set up their own network of Baptist churches.

Baptists are descended primarily from the work of [[John Smyth]] (1554-1612) in [[England]]<ref>http://levellers.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/john-smyth-1570-1612-puritan-separatist-baptist-mennonite/</ref>  He fled to [[Holland]] due to persecution of the [[Anabaptists]], of which he was part.<ref>http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/anabaptists.html</ref>  Baptists arrived in the American colonies and became especially numerous in New England and Virginia. After 1800, the denomination grew rapidly but split in 1845 over the issue of slavery. Many slaves were Baptists and at the end of the Civil War they withdrew from white churches and set up their own network of Baptist churches.

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==

Baptists have traditionally held to a set of beliefs that have developed into the Baptist Distinctives. The eight distinctives form the acrostic ''BAPTISTS''.

Baptists have traditionally held to a set of beliefs that have developed into the Baptist Distinctives. The eight distinctives form the acrostic ''BAPTISTS''.

*''Biblical Authority'': The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself.  Baptists generally do not recite or hold to the famous creeds used in many denominations (though they may not necessarily disagree with their content), and although many Baptist denominations publish a doctrinal statement (the Southern Baptist Convention's '''[[Baptist Faith and Message]]''' is a notable example), the statement is not binding on individual adherents or congregations (though an individual church may require it for membership, and the SBC does require adherence to the BF&M for its missionaries and employees).

*''Biblical Authority'': The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself.  Baptists generally do not recite or hold to the famous creeds used in many denominations (though they may not necessarily disagree with their content), and although many Baptist denominations publish a doctrinal statement (the Southern Baptist Convention's [[Baptist Faith and Message]] is a notable example), the statement is not binding on individual adherents or congregations (though an individual church may require it for membership, and the SBC does require adherence to the BF&M for its missionaries and employees).

*''Autonomy of the Local Church'': The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices.

*''Autonomy of the Local Church'': The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices.

*''Priesthood of the Believer'': Every believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people.

*''Priesthood of the Believer'': Every believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people.