Changes

Many Baptists consider the [[Bible]] to be inerrant and the literal word of God. Baptists are often opposed to [[gambling]] and the use of [[tobacco]] and [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]]<ref>http://www.abpnews.com/2885.article</ref>, the latter to the point that the "wine" in [[The Lord's Supper]] will be grape juice.

Many Baptists consider the [[Bible]] to be inerrant and the literal word of God. Baptists are often opposed to [[gambling]] and the use of [[tobacco]] and [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]]<ref>http://www.abpnews.com/2885.article</ref>, the latter to the point that the "wine" in [[The Lord's Supper]] will be grape juice.

With baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers. Although each Baptist is free to define his own beliefs, a revised collection of common principles held by Baptists was set forth by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/bfm/</ref>

With baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers. Although each Baptist is free to define his own beliefs, most denominations will have a "statement of faith" which generally agrees on major doctrines (e.g. the Virgin Birth) while allowing for differing views in other areas (e.g. how End Times prophecy will take place).  The [[Baptist Faith and Message]] of the Southern Baptist Convention is an example of such a statement; it was most recently revised in 2000.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/bfm/</ref>

Baptists differ from many Christian denominations doctrinally. The most obvious difference is that Baptists reject [[infant baptism]], and instead practice "Believer's Baptism", the belief that only born-again believers, old enough to understand what it means to become a Christian, are eligible baptism candidates. In practice, children are baptized at the age of 5 to 10.<ref>see Strategic Information and Planning Section, ''2001 Annual Church Profile Statistics:

Baptists differ from many Christian denominations doctrinally. The most obvious difference is that Baptists reject [[infant baptism]], and instead practice "Believer's Baptism", the belief that only born-again believers, old enough to understand what it means to become a Christian, are eligible baptism candidates. In practice, children are baptized at the age of 5 to 10.<ref>see Strategic Information and Planning Section, ''2001 Annual Church Profile Statistics: