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Question for Baptists
- Thread starter Mur
- Start date
Which one? there are many, many Baptist groups
but to be a bit general -
Each local Baptist church is independent and autonomous.
There are no higher HQ - granted many local churches affiliate with a local, state or national group,
but that is only for fellowship and working together. Such group has NO authority over a Baptist church.
Baptists believe in immersion - as that is what the original Greek demands. In addition, immersion is a symbol
of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
We do not have any sacraments - as a sacrament - is designed to achieve grace.
Rather we have two ordinances. - Baptism and the Lords Supper
Salvation is by grace thur Faith - and cannot be earned.
In addition, sprinkling a baby will not get him any closer to Heaven.
You noticed I used a lower case "c" for church - as there is no such thing as the "Baptist Church"
Hope this helps - if you have any specific questions - feel free to ask.
Thank you so much! Can you explain your statement there as if you were writing "Understanding the Baptist church for Dummies"?
Silverhair
Well-Known Member
Key Baptist Distinctives
Baptists are known for several core beliefs that distinguish them from other Christian denominations. These distinctives are rooted in biblical teachings and emphasize the autonomy of local churches and the importance of individual faith.Main Distinctives
| Distinctive | Description |
|---|---|
| Biblical Authority | The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. It is considered inerrant and inspired by God. |
| Believer's Baptism | Baptism is reserved for individuals who have made a personal decision to follow Christ, emphasizing immersion. |
| Autonomy of the Local Church | Each church governs itself independently, without external control from higher church authorities. |
| Congregational Polity | Decisions are made collectively by church members, reflecting the priesthood of all believers. |
| Individual Soul Liberty | Every person has the right to worship according to their conscience, free from coercion. |
| Saved and Baptized Membership | Church membership is limited to those who have professed faith in Christ and have been baptized. |
| Two Ordinances | Baptists observe two ordinances: Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper, both instituted by Christ. |
In regards to Baptism and the Lords Supper - we do not consider them a sacrament as those two actions have nothing to do with obtaining salvation.Thank you so much! Can you explain your statement there as if you were writing "Understanding the Baptist church for Dummies"?
Thus we use the term ordinance to indicate that we do so as a memorial/remembrance/ command.
Every person has the right to worship according to their conscience, free from coercion.
The fly in the buttermilk is the dispute arising from the lost's ability to believe the gospel. The Reformed folks, deny this with their doctrine of total spiritual inability.
Yes, those who push false doctrine have the right to believe they are advocating truth, but there is a price, and if they prevent others from entering the kingdom, the price will be high.
Ok thanks!
I feel blessed and grateful to God for allowing me to know and follow the Son, who is our Lord and Savior. For me, it is the ultimate honor and blessing to be called by the Father to be a follower of Christ. I am overwhelmed with contentment to be a member of Jesus's church, which I interpret to be his body of faithful followers, and I don't want to be anything else. Why would I?