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| | ==Beliefs== | | ==Beliefs== |
| − | The following acrostic backronym, spelling BAPTIST, represents a useful summary of Baptists' distinguishing beliefs; this acrostic was created by Dr. L. Duane Brown.<ref>http://baptistbulletin.org/?p=13598</ref> | + | The following acrostic backronym, spelling BAPTIST, represents a useful summary of Baptists' distinguishing beliefs, as cleverly developed by Dr. L. Duane Brown.<ref>http://baptistbulletin.org/?p=13598</ref> |
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| − | * Biblical authority (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) | + | * '''B'''iblical authority (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) |
| − | * Autonomy of the local church (Matt. 18:15–17; 1 Cor. 6:1-3) | + | * '''A'''utonomy of the local church (Matt. 18:15–17; 1 Cor. 6:1-3) |
| − | * Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5) | + | * '''P'''riesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5) |
| − | * Two ordinances (Believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:41–47; 1 Cor. 11:23-32) | + | * '''T'''wo ordinances (Believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:41–47; 1 Cor. 11:23-32) |
| − | * Individual soul liberty (Romans 14:5–12) | + | * '''I'''ndividual soul liberty (Romans 14:5–12) |
| − | * [[Separation of church and state]] (Matthew 22:15–22) | + | * [[Separation of church and state|'''S'''eparation of church and state]] (Matthew 22:15–22) |
| − | * Two offices of the church (Pastor-elder and deacon) (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1–2) | + | * '''T'''wo offices of the church (Pastor-elder and deacon) (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1–2) |
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| − | 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. This is because ''wine'' in the Bible refers to grape juice which may or may not be fermented. | + | 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. This is because ''wine'' in the Bible refers to grape juice, which may or may not be fermented. |
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| − | 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> | + | 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> |
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| | 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: |
| | Number of Baptisms by Age Divisions'' (Nashville: LifeWay Christian Resources, April 22, 2002).</ref> This belief in "adult" baptism is also held by some other prominent Protestant churches (such as the Churches of Christ and Pentecostal denominations), although the baptism of infants is customary in such Protestant bodies as the Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches. | | Number of Baptisms by Age Divisions'' (Nashville: LifeWay Christian Resources, April 22, 2002).</ref> This belief in "adult" baptism is also held by some other prominent Protestant churches (such as the Churches of Christ and Pentecostal denominations), although the baptism of infants is customary in such Protestant bodies as the Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches. |
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| − | Another distinguishing characteristic is to be found in the area of church government. Baptists believe that Christ and only Christ is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23); there is no "Pope" or ruling board that has authority over any individual Baptist church.<ref>Although the various Baptist denominations, such as the SBC, may decide that it will or will not accept an individual church into its group, it has no authority to replace that church's leadership nor to force it to close down.</ref> Each local church is autonomous and accountable only to Christ, who is its Head. Finally, Baptists have always stood by the belief that the church should not be state controlled.<ref>[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/why_baptists_are_not_protestants.htm Why Baptists are not Protestants by Dr. Vernon C. Lyons]</ref> | + | Another distinguishing characteristic is to be found in the area of church government. Baptists believe that Christ and only Christ is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23); there is no "Pope" or ruling board that has authority over any individual Baptist church.<ref>Although the various Baptist denominations, such as the SBC, may decide that it will or will not accept an individual church into its group, it has no authority to replace that church's leadership nor to force it to close down.</ref> Each local church is autonomous and accountable only to Christ, who is its Head. Finally, Baptists have always stood by the belief that the church should not be state-controlled.<ref>[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/why_baptists_are_not_protestants.htm Why Baptists are not Protestants by Dr. Vernon C. Lyons]</ref> |
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| | Some Baptists believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the only true word of God in the English language. This is because they believe other versions, such as the New International Version, are based on corrupted manuscripts, and some verses are reworded in a way that changes the meaning or are omitted altogether. This teaching is popular within the [[Independent Baptist]] movement. | | Some Baptists believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the only true word of God in the English language. This is because they believe other versions, such as the New International Version, are based on corrupted manuscripts, and some verses are reworded in a way that changes the meaning or are omitted altogether. This teaching is popular within the [[Independent Baptist]] movement. |