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Line 1: − + − + − :Since its organization in 1845 in Augusta, Georgia, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has grown to over 16 million members who worship in more than 42,000 churches in the United States. Southern Baptists sponsor about 5,000 home missionaries serving the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean, as well as sponsoring more than 5,000 foreign missionaries in 153 nations of the world.+ + − + + + + + + + + + + Line 25:
Line 35: − − == Baptist Denominations == − − Baptist denominations include the more [[liberal]] [[American Baptist Churches]], based in northern states, and the much larger [[conservative]] [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC). It is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., and has churches in every state. Since its founding in 1845, the SBC has grown to over 16 million members in more than 42,000 churches in the United States. The SBC sponsors about 5,000 home missionaries serving the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean, as well as another 5,000 foreign missionaries at work in 153 countries. − − In addition many churches are independent; the Independent Fundamental Baptists tend to be more conservative than either of these groups. − − Most African Americans belong to the National Baptist Convention, with 7.5 million members, or to the smaller but more liberal Progressive National Baptist Convention, with over 2000 churches and a total membership of 2.5 million. Line 50:
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'''Baptists''' are a [[Christian]] denomination. They practice adult [[baptism]] which is done by immersion. With that adult baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers. 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> Baptists generally lack a religious hierarchy, tradition, or texts other than the [[Bible]], and they stress [[evangelical]] work. Their largest organization, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], has 16 million members and is an influential social and political group:<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>
'''Baptists''' are a [[Christian]] denomination. Their largest organization, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], has 16 million members and is an influential social and political group:<ref>http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/default.asp</ref>
Historically, '''Baptists''' are descended primarily from the work of [[John Smyth]] (1554-1612) in [[England]], who was originally an Anglican minister and a [[Cambridge]] graduate.<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>
Historically, '''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. It 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 Baptists churches.
== Baptist Denominations ==
Baptists generally lack a religious hierarchy, tradition, or texts other than the [[Bible]], and they stress [[evangelical]] work.
Though each Baptist is free to define his own beliefs, a revised collection of common principles held by [[American]] Baptists was set forth by the SBC in 2000.<ref>http://www.sbc.net/bfm/</ref>
Baptist denominations include the more [[liberal]] [[American Baptist Churches]], based in northern states, and the much larger [[conservative]] [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC). It is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., and has churches in every state. Since its founding in 1845, the SBC has grown to over 16 million members in more than 42,000 churches in the United States. The SBC sponsors about 5,000 home missionaries serving the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean, as well as another 5,000 foreign missionaries at work in 153 countries.
In addition many churches are independent; the Independent Fundamental Baptists tend to be more conservative than either of these groups.
Most African Americans belong to the National Baptist Convention, with 7.5 million members, or to the smaller but more liberal Progressive National Baptist Convention, with over 2000 churches and a total membership of 2.5 million.
==Beliefs==
They practice adult [[baptism]] which is done by immersion.<ref> In practice children are baptised at the age of 5 to 7.</ref> With that baptism, the individual acquires authority to determine matters of religion and [[faith]] for himself, or as part of a local congregation of believers. 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>
Though 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>
In 2004, [[conservatives]] at the SBC introduced a resolution calling on all parents to pull their children out of [[public school]] due to the [[liberal]] indoctrination there. The resolution was defeated, not because Baptists disagreed with the motivation, but because the SBC did not want to usurp parental authority over how to educate their children.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38986</ref>
In 2004, [[conservatives]] at the SBC introduced a resolution calling on all parents to pull their children out of [[public school]] due to the [[liberal]] indoctrination there. The resolution was defeated, not because Baptists disagreed with the motivation, but because the SBC did not want to usurp parental authority over how to educate their children.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38986</ref>
*''Two Offices'': Baptists believe there are two offices in the church, Pastor and Deacon.
*''Two Offices'': Baptists believe there are two offices in the church, Pastor and Deacon.
*''Separation of Church and State'': God has established both government and the church. They fulfill two separate roles in society. The Church should not control the government, and likewise the government should not control the Church. This does not mean that individual Christians are prohibited from participating and influencing government toward righteousness.
*''Separation of Church and State'': God has established both government and the church. They fulfill two separate roles in society. The Church should not control the government, and likewise the government should not control the Church. This does not mean that individual Christians are prohibited from participating and influencing government toward righteousness.
== Baptist Music ==
== Baptist Music ==
== References ==
== References ==
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