Baptist

Baptists are a Christian denomination. They practice adult baptism which is done by immersion. Many Baptists consider the Bible to be inerrant and the literal word of God. Baptists are often opposed to the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.

Protestantism

Baptists are generally grouped together with Protestants. This is used to mean that they are "non-Catholic". When used in this sense, it is true. However, Protestant Churches are limited only to Churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation, starting in 1517. Baptist history extends much farther back than that, with some people believing that Baptist history extends all the way back to the apostolic Church. C.H. Spurgeon told the story of Baptist minister, Peter of Bruys, who suffered martyrdom in 1124.The Waldensian Confession of Faith of 1120 A.D. is distinctively Baptist.

Baptists also differ from Protestants doctrinally. The most obvious being that Baptists only practice "Believer's Baptism", the belief, that only born-again believers, not infants, can get baptized. The other distinguishing belief is 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 man who has the oversight of Baptist churches. Baptists have no denomination in the sense of an organization that controls local congregations. Each local church is autonomous and accountable only to Christ, who is its Head. Finally Baptists have always stood by the belief of separation of church and state.

Baptist Distinctives

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.
• 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.
• Two Ordinances: The local church should practice the ordinance of baptism and the ordinance of the Lord's supper.
• Individual Soul Liberty: Every person has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. Religious persecution has always been opposed by Baptists. This does not, however, exempt exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
• Saved, Baptized Church Membership: Every member of a Baptist Church must be saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have publicly proclaimed their faith through believer's baptism.
• 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.

Baptist Denominations

Baptist denominations include the more liberal American Baptist Churches and the conservative Southern Baptist Convention. Independent Fundamental Baptists tend to be more conservative than either of these groups.

Baptist Music

The music often heard in Baptist churches tends to be uplifting and hopeful, rather than the meitative mood often set in more liberal churches. The lyrics also tend to focus on the afterlife (Heaven), putting one's life in God's hands, or the world after the return of Jesus Christ. Popular Baptist hymns include:

• "The Old Rugged Cross"
• "Leaning on the Everlasing Arms"
• "Amazing Grace"
• "This Little Light of Mine"

External Links

• Baptist History and Heritage Society
• Associated Baptist Press - An Independent Baptist news agency
• Baptist Press - A Southern Baptist news agency