What's so good about baptists???

They're diverse.

 

I would agree with that, Bartholomew. There are many who claim to be baptist that you would never be able to tell based on their beliefs. A long time ago, the name Baptist made a difference or at least stood for something. Now I believe it does more harm than good.

Sorry Sue, baptist were never diverse. The way is strait and narrow not diverse.

 

Baptists are never boring

 

Seriously, I thought all Baptist believed the way I do until I found this Board.

 

Walls, I think Sue was being humourous about how different we all are. Not about the way to Heaven. IMO

 

Thank you Thankful!

Yes, I was talking about how different we are as individuals and how many different Baptist denominations are in existence.

I still think there are a few doctrinal issues that tie Baptists all together.

And Bartholemew; What you said about Baptists can be said about ANY denomination in this day and age and yes, I agree, it is sad.

Just curious...I noticed you always capitalize Anglican, but never Baptist.

Sue

 

A lot of folks don't capitalize baptist (Leon McBeth - the baptist historian, for example) since it's not a formal denominational identity. Instead, it is an approach to faith that has always had considerable diversity in its final product.

Joshua

 

Bartholomew,

Though I consider myself a strict Baptist - from the traditional Baptist perspective - I'm with you in being perplexed as to why this discussion group allows posting by people who are basically infidels in their philosophy just because they wear the "Baptist" tag.

I suppose a Freewill Baptist could post here, and yet a "Church of God" or "Assembly of God" could not. And yet both of these denominations are very similar to Freewill Baptists and more similar to traditional Baptists in doctrine than to some of the "Infidel Baptists" who post here.

I am not trying to minimize the errors to which any of these groups hold. Notwithstanding, I don't really understand the purpose of having a discussion group based strictly on a name.

My guess is that it has something to do with advertising policies. Perhaps the administrators could fill us in.

As for what being a Baptist means to me - some of the distinguishing Baptist doctrines which have traditionally set Baptists apart from the Protestant churches are

1. Eternal security of the believer.

2. Only two church ordinances which are symbolic not sacramental.

3. Believer's baptism by immersion only.

4. Congregational church government.

5. The Bible as the sole rule of practice.

Mark Osgatharp

 

RSR,

So, we were not talking about the "vast majority" of posters. We were talking about why an infidel who wears the Baptist tag can post while, for example, a non-denominational who may be almost identical to Baptist doctrine cannot, because he does not wear the Baptist tag.

For example, a Bible Church member can't post - though many Bible churches could not be distinguished from the average independent Baptist church.

And yet someone who rejects the authority of the Bible - which is one of the most integral Baptist doctrines of all - and teaches universalism and condones perversely immoral practices can post, simply because he wears the Baptist tag.

Now tell me how much sense that makes from any spiritual point of view.

As for my statement about advertising policies, that is just what I said it was - a "guess." I know nothing about who owns and operates the board nor what their philosphy is, other than that they have a very peculiar policy as to who they will and won't let post.

Hey - I just had another "guess" as to why this policiy exists - maybe it is for the express purpose of making the "Baptist" brotherhood appear broader than it actually is. Maybe the owners could clarify for us.

Mark Osgatharp

 

What's so good about Baptists? Well, honestly, I can't speak concerning all who wear the name. But I'd sure like to tell you about the little church I was so blessed to be part of.

Let me begin by explaining that I was born again on Easter Sunday of 1975 in a small Pentecostal Holiness church not far from where I lived in west Tennessee. For the next 20+ years I served in the Pentecostal Holiness Church, and in the Church of God. Somewhere along the way the Lord began to open my eyes to the scriptural truth about the security of the believer. As most of you know, that is a truth that most of my Pentecostal brothers haven't been able to accept. I became so uncomfortable that I felt compelled to leave the Church of God in which I had served as lay associate for 2 pastors.

I heard that an old acquaintance had taken the pastorate in a small Baptist church just a few blocks from home. I was looking for a new church home, anyway, and thought I'd go hear him. While there, I felt the definite leading of the Holy Spirit to stay with that little church. I was deeply impressed that the Lord had some things to teach me there. And he did.

And here are some of the things that were so good about that bunch of Baptists...first of all, from the moment I entered the door of Calvary Church I was embraced, and treated like family. The people as a unit were gracious in their love.

Second, although I never made secret of or apology for my background no one ever had an ill word or a word of judgment against me.

Most important, even though I was 'different', in terms of my Christian roots, the pastor and the people had enough faith in our Lord and enough confidence in the Holy Spirit to allow me to not only become a member of the church, but to minister through teaching in Sunday school, and preaching the Word.

And that little church was the first group of believers I had ever seen who could conduct business meetings, disagree, and still come away loving one another.

The people of Calvary Baptist Church, in Humboldt, Tennessee were a loving, dedicated group of born again children of the Living God who worked tirelessly and unselfishly and loved one another freely.

As I said, I can't speak concerning all Baptists. But I can tell you many things that were great about the church that adopted me.

 

I have to agree with you and Bartholomew….. Although I don’t think that the Baptist have a patent on religion, I generally think that Baptist are closer in their interpretation of the Bible, more so than any other denomination….. I also think that the moderators on these boards ought to make a stand on the Word of God….. Even if they lose every poster on the board….

They’re things that are so easily interpreted in the Bible, such as men sleeping with men, brethren, that is an abomination in the eyes of God…. Anyone with Christ’ spirit ought to be appalled that there are so called Baptist, on this board, that are openly, and defiantly, upholding this ungodly practice….. Moderators, brothers and sisters, It should not be allowed to flourish on this board…. Especially, if those that support homosexuality are using the name of a Baptist to justify their ungodly posting… I will not claim any part of any organization that openly supports gays….. That openly supports abortions… That openly supports atheism… Its time to call a spade a spade…..

The Bible says to not let your good be evil spoken of….. In the last day they will call evil good, and good evil….. They’re certainly doctrinal subjects that we can agree to disagree on…. BUT…. these abominations should not for one moment be tolerated…. I think all moderators should take a stand against those that openly oppose the Word of God…… Amen!

 

I "are" a Baptist and have been a long time.

What's so good about Baptists?

We did not chose the name "Baptist" ourselves; it was given to US by others who opposed US. But, as with many names, it stuck.

I'm proud to be a Baptist. If I wasn't a Baptist, I'd be ASHAMED!

rufus

P.S. Under the umbrella "Baptists" you will discover diverse beliefs, even heretical ones.

 

Dear Graceforever,
I must disagree with you. I don't see an agenda of pro-homosexuality all over this board. There are a couple of people who think that some homosexual relationships are okay.
(I am not one of them.) But every time they say it, MANY people speak forcefully against it.
And the people like Rev. Joshua with this opinion
are not constantly expressing it.
In spite of being wrong on this issue , Rev. Joshua always seems to post with courtesy.

Baptists are a very diverse group (or groups). Historical distinctives of Baptists from other groups have not been so much on basic doctrines about the nature of God and man as about church government issues and the priesthood of the believer.

The BB has been a shocking experience for a lot of us. I have been so much in the company of conservative SBCers in a state in which 25% of the population is on the rolls of a Baptist church, I never till the BB had any idea of what many Baptists think. I am SURE now that I, a Christmas-tree decorating, Easter-egg dyeing, pants-wearing, NIV-reading, C.S. Lewis-reading, jewelry wearing, non-Calvinistic, etc., etc., etc., Baptist do MANY things that would make many of the IFB'ers on this board wonder about me.
But on the other hand,I am not trying to join an IFB church and none of the things I have listed or many others are against my local church's policies.
Well, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and I'll meet you here, there, or in the air!

Karen

 

Dear Graceforever,
I must disagree with you. I don't see an agenda of pro-homosexuality all over this board. There are a couple of people who think that some homosexual relationships are okay.
(I am not one of them.) But every time they say it, MANY people speak forcefully against it.
And the people like Rev. Joshua with this opinion
are not constantly expressing it.
In spite of being wrong on this issue , Rev. Joshua always seems to post with courtesy.

Baptists are a very diverse group (or groups). Historical distinctives of Baptists from other groups have not been so much on basic doctrines about the nature of God and man as about church government issues and the priesthood of the believer.

The BB has been a shocking experience for a lot of us. I have been so much in the company of conservative SBCers in a state in which 25% of the population is on the rolls of a Baptist church, I never till the BB had any idea of what many Baptists think. I am SURE now that I, a Christmas-tree decorating, Easter-egg dyeing, pants-wearing, NIV-reading, C.S. Lewis-reading, jewelry wearing, non-Calvinistic, etc., etc., etc., Baptist do MANY things that would make many of the IFB'ers on this board wonder about me.
But on the other hand,I am not trying to join an IFB church and none of the things I have listed or many others are against my local church's policies.
Well, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and I'll meet you here, there, or in the air!

Karen

 

First of all...this is a Baptist Board and that is why you see mostly Baptist posters. Other denominations have their own board and we don't trod there (as a rule).

Secondly: We have some very Godly moderators and I have seen most of them, at one time or another, take a stand for God and close threads down where posters started attacking other posters personally.

Thirdly: As I stated in my first post, we are diverse. Most denominations are. But as long as we have basic doctrine holding us together; we are still Baptists.

Fourthly: We have convictions that will not be changed; but we have preferences that sometimes will and that is what all the 'pushing' threads are about.

Fifthly: When a poster goes so far away from biblical doctrine, the rest of us posters jump in and straighten them out!

Sixthly: We DO have a forum where all other denominations can post.

Seventhly: (The number of completion and fulfillment) We believe in free speech! What's so good about Baptists? I are one!


Sue

 

I Am Blessed,

You said,

"As I stated in my first post, we are diverse. Most denominations are. But as long as we have basic doctrine holding us together; we are still Baptists."

Which is the whole point in question - there are some "Baptists" here who do not hold any basic Baptist doctrines. They could just as well be called, anti-Baptists or, more appropriately, anti-Christ.

And yet they are allowed to post since they label themselves with the "Baptist" tag. And yet someone who may share many doctrines - even most doctrines - with the Baptists is not allowed to post because he does not wear the Baptist tag.

There has to be a reason for this policy, and it most certainly isn't common sense, reason, fairness, nor commitment to Christ. What the reason is we still don't know other than the bald assertion that "this is a Baptist discussion board."

By taking this position the operators have degraded the time honored term "Baptist" to a meaningless label.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Good Post, Karen

I am grateful to this board for opening my eyes to the beliefs of others. I belong to the same group of Baptists that Karen does.

I don't think anyone should be banned from this board for a difference of opinion or interpretation. (Sometimes the way they present their opinions, etc would be a good reason...when they attack another poster )

As to other religions or demonations, there is a forum for that.

I also appreciate Rev. Joshua and read his posts with interest. He never attacks a person that has a different opinion as his. He states his beliefs without arguing, IMO.

I am a Baptist and I am very proud to be a Baptist.