What is a Baptist?

A Baptist is one who adheres to the distinctives of the Baptist faith.

Of course, this begs the question "what are the distinctives of the Baptist faith?" I have often seen the acrostic used on this board that goes thusly:

B - Baptism by immersion or Believing membership
A - Autonomy of the local church
P - Priesthood of the believer
T - Two ordinances (baptism / Lord's Supper)
I - Individual soul liberty
S - Separation of church and state
T - Two officers, pastor and deacon

Here, also, are a couple of threads that may help stimulate some ideas. They are both in the archives so you will need the passwords 2001 and 2002:

http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=57;t=000976 (2001)


http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=58;t=000938 (2002)

I'd have trouble limiting this discussion to just a few minutes, Mark! Better you than me (for the congregation's sake)!

 

Mark,

The way I believe I'd approach this is to start with what kind of Baptist I am.

Obviously your pastor and your Church has some idea of what all that entails.

Then I would present other Baptists and be very careful not to misrepresent their identity.

Sometimes we Baptists just assume the worst about people who are unlike us.

My uncle used to have a favorite saying that went something like this.

"There's so much good in the worst of us
And so much bad in the best of us
That it hardly behooves any of us
To complain about the rest of us."

I think that applies to the majority of Baptists I have met.

 

Mark... I agree with everything that has been said... I have a book before me that was given to me by my father called... Why I Am A Primitive Baptist.

Not only am I a Baptist but I'm certain type of Baptist... That sets me apart from other Baptist... What type of Baptist are you and what sets you apart from other Baptists?

Why do you go to the church you go to?... Why don't you go to a different church or one of a different denomination?... Why does the Baptist Church and its people and its doctrinal beliefs and practices set it apart from others that makes you want to worship with them?

Are there family ties and is that the reason you joined?... Why are you where you are and what holds you there?... Is it history?... Is it the Bible?... Is it the mode of Baptism?... Is it the doctrine and practice?... Is it the people?... Is it in the blood?... Is it a feeling that you get in the house of God?... What compelled you there and what holds you there?

No matter what answers you come up with this is for you and you alone... The same goes for the congregation you talk to as there are a myriad of reason why one is a Baptist same as there are a multitude of Baptist denominations that give each there identity!... Brother Glen & Sister Charlotte

 

In the language of algebra: Where there are x Baptists, there will be x+1 opinions on any given subjects.

 

Hi Clint, Mark,

And to prove Exxon's rule here are is the
GARBC acrostic for the eight Baptist Distinctives.

Biblical Authority Bible is final authority in matters of belief and practice
Autonomy of the Local Church
Priesthood of the Believer
Two Ordinances
Individual Soul Liberty
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Two Offices
Separation of Church and State

Here is the URL which has a blurb which might be helpful.

http://www.garbc.org/garbc_home/baptdist.shtml

HankD

 

I even have some question with "two officers- pastor and deacon" Are those distinctively and unique with Baptists alone??? I don't think an acronym sufficiently describes BAPTISTS.
I tend to believe that being Baptist means being FREE. Free to interpret Scripture with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, free to worship, free access to the throne of God, free to be a Baptist without another Baptist telling you what your are to believe.

 

Actually this concept is a Baptist Distinctive:

Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

Taken from the GARBC URL given previously.

HankD

 

I agree can a baptist who is true to the baptist belief with his soul freedom and liberty just believe everything under the sun?... I don't think so!

What set the baptist apart from say the Methodist... Lutherans... Presbyterians... Church Of Christ... Pentecostals... And The RCC among others. Is a baptist no matter whether he is a freewiller... a predestinarian... a calvinist... or any other name he may call himself... If he leaves the parameters of what a baptist is... Is he still a baptist?... Even though he has exercised his soul liberty?

I say if he leaves the parameters of the doctrine... Say he pours instead of immerses has he not ceased to be a Baptist?... Even though he says there is a misinterpretation in scripture and I must pour. Must all the Baptist Distinctives be met to be called a Baptist or are the distinctives flexible?... Brother Glen & Sister Charlotte

[ April 22, 2003, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

No they do not have to be met and/but of course he can call himself a Baptist, that is the essence of Soul Liberty.

But by the same token you are free to say he is not a Baptist according to your criteria of what constitutes a Baptist.

HankD

 

Mark, first I would like to address a few comments to the question, "What defines a Baptist?" The Baptist distinctives are very important, especially historically. The reason I say "historically" is because many groups have adapted and/or adopted these distinctives, and so to many they do not now appear to be "distinctive." I would say that in England and early America, one would find few that held many of these distinctives as did the Baptists, and none with that particular combination. These are intended to identify things that stood out about Baptists. We should not think, though, that these distinctives were held "in a vacuum." In common with the majority of Christendom, Baptists held what was considered orthodox principles, and what many might identify today as fundamentals - trinity, virgin birth, salvation by grace, etc. I say this because some believe what being a Baptist means is simply reducing to the lowest common denominator and finding what minimal things are held in common by ALL "Baptists." This is the approach found in The Baptist Identity, which I list below.
Next, I would like to mention a few things that might be helpful in your talks on Baptist history and heritage. There are two books, somewhat antithetical, that address (or purport to) the idea of "what is a baptist?". Though I don't agree with either, and very little in one, I think they are important reading for perspective on the subject: </font>

• More Than Just A Name: Preserving Our Baptist Identity [R. Stanton Norman; Broadman & Holman; Nashville, TN; 2001; pb, 198 pp.]</font>
• The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms [Walter B. Shurden; Smyth & Helwys; Macon, GA; 1993; pb, 119 pp.]</font>

A book I would recommend for your topic is: </font>

• The Baptist Heritage [J. M. Holliday; Bogard Press; Texarkana, TX; 1974; pb, 120 pp.]</font>

This is an unusual book with lots of "odd" and tidbit information that might be interesting to use in your case. One thing he discusses is the "connections" of Baptists to several early American political leaders [I am a little skeptical of the account of Washington's baptism, though it appears to be from a credible source].

To keep the cost down, also check out internet resources, such as: </font>

• Baptist Cameos - good little biographies, though not footnoted</font>
• SBHLA Biographies - interesting bios from J. R. Graves to Lottie Moon</font>
• Memorial Biographies of General Baptist Ministers - bios of General Baptist Ministers of the Stinson group you might find interesting</font>
• Baptist Bios</font>
• Baptist Histories</font>

 

A Baptist is a Christian who believes that baptism comes only after a person makes a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In other words, Believer's Baptism.

 

Hello, bapterian. Welcome to the Baptist Board!