Changes

There are numerous smaller bodies, usually with long histories, such as the Calvinistic Baptists, General Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Old Regulars, Two Seeders, Independents, Lamarkeans, and Seventh Day Baptists.<ref> Leonard (2005)</ref>

There are numerous smaller bodies, usually with long histories, such as the Calvinistic Baptists, General Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Old Regulars, Two Seeders, Independents, Lamarkeans, and Seventh Day Baptists.<ref> Leonard (2005)</ref>

==Beliefs==

==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>   

They practice adult [[baptism]] which is done by immersion.<ref> In practice children are baptised at the age of 5 to 10; 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> 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>

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>