About your particular Baptist denomination?

1. BMA Baptists strongly believe in the Inerrancy of the Bible.

2. BMA Baptists use many versions of the Bible but probably prefer KJV, NKJV, NIV.

3. BMA Baptists are not against movies and nice clothes but support morality and decency in all conduct.

4. BMA Baptists expect members to attend, support, and serve God with all their hearts, souls, and might.

5. BMA Baptists like many styles of music for worship services but especially favor Old Gospel Hymns.

6. BMA Baptists meet twice on Sunday and on Wednesday evening. But we also schedule other services such as seminars, revivals, fellowships.

7. BMA Baptists believe they exist for the purpose of winning people to Jesus.

Rufus

 

Rufus: You just discribed our Missionary Baptist Church to a T. You Guys and Girls keep this up, I am learning a lot. Thanks, Rick Sr.

 

Our church is part of the Alliance of Baptists, which is also where my chaplaincy endorsement is. It should be noted that there is certainly diversity among Alliance churches on all of these issues.

Inerrancy of the Bible: I don't know anyone in the Alliance who would use the word "inerrant" because of the political implications. The writings in the Bible are the defining documents of the Christian faith, and are the human record of God's revelation.

Bible versions: The NRSV is by far-and-away the most widely used version.

Separation from the World: Christians are distinguished primarily by their willingness to love their neighbors as themselves. Compassionate, ethical behavior sets us apart; and we are distinguished by our diligent and committed work in our community. As far as movies, bars, dancing, and that sort of thing - I know of no Alliance churches that have any concerns in that regard.

Church service: Alliance churches are "covenant communities" and service is a part of that covenant. Church members take turns serving in the nursery, greeting, serving as ushers, readers, and liturgists. They are also active during the week in various intown, cooperative social ministries.

Music: Some churches are less formal than ours, but we are very high-church and liturgical; so the music includes a lot of Bach and the like.

Frequency of services: Sunday mornings and many Wednesdays.

Soul winning: Do you mean on the local level or in terms of global missions? Locally, Alliance churches generally take a holistic approach to mission seeking to meet the physical and spirtiual needs of their communities. In the big picture, the Alliance is involved in mission work in Africa and Cuba.

Joshua

[ February 05, 2003, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua ]

 

Gosh, I've been a member of Southern Baptist Churches for most of my life and cannot believe all SBC's are not involved in soul winning!

Our Southern Baptist Church is VERY active in soul winning and its importance is preached from our pulpit. We have regular times on our weekly schedule for this, but as Christian's, we are expected to share Jesus daily.

Just today our wonderful pastor, Bro. Alan Quigley, spoke at length about winning others to Christ. He also preached against coming to church on Sunday and then going on Sunday night to see questionable movies, going out on Friday nights to have a few drinks after work .......

Our church membership is going through F.A.I.T.H. training. I took it last winter.

Diane

 

Where do your churches stand on matters such as these?

Gospel Standard Strict Baptist, UK

Innerantcy of the Bible.
Yes, absolutely

Bible versions.
1611 used in services, and usually by most people. Other versions at people's discretion for private use.

Seperation from the World: ie: movies, modest dress etc.
Yes. Most people do not own a TV, or go to the movies, or listen to modern music. I must admit I was rather surprised to see a thread here discussing the commercial breaks on TV on Superbowl Sunday.
A lot of the "separation" is cultural it has to be said, since we are one of those dynastic denominations, and there is a degree of legalism in it - the extremists wear black suits and ties ALL the time. Equally, there is a lot of political conformity that denotes lack of thought.

Church service. (what members are expected to do to serve the church, such as ushering, nursery, teaching, greeting etc.)
We have only two offices, Pastor and Deacon. The deacon(s) takes care of the pleasantries. In some of our extremist churches, church is just a preaching station - you go in, you sing and listen, you go out and home. But in others like ours, we happily welcome poeple, and stand around talking afterwards.
Service is about 90 minutes, with 45-60 mins for the sermon.
We don't have a Sunday School at the momoent, as the children we have are too young.

Music.
Yes, from necessity, since none of us can sing unaided. We use an electronic organ with a computer controlled selction of tunes.

Frequency of services.
Two on Lord's Day, one mid week

Soul winning.
A loaded term I think. I assume it means specific actions called evangelism. We have nothing internally - soft lights, altar calls, "Gospel Messages". We prefer one-on-one evangelism, meeting people in their homes. Our extremists are hyper-calvinist of the worst variety, and almost lock the doors (like the extreme Plymouth Brethren).

 

I've attended SBC all my life (32 years) and there has always been heavy emphasis on soul winning and the Great Commission. Lots of growth-oriented teachings, which start with bringing new people to church, which leads to needing to build a larger sanctuary and activities building, which leads to more new people joining, and on down the line. It's a never ending process. I don't have a problem with that, personally.

What I do have a major problem with is that there simply is not enough emphasis on DOCTRINE and teaching the foundations of the Scriptures. Sure there's always a lot of Bible Studies (either in Sunday School or in a home study) on certain issues, but hardcore doctrinal discussions are not as frequent as I think they need to be within most SBC congregations. Who's with me?

Oh, and Joshua, I just wondered if you actually believe that Christ was the promised old Testament Messiah and that he physically rose from the dead and will return some day? Did these things actually happen in real history or are they just abstract ways of looking at certain events that didn't actually happen that way? Sorry to be so crass, but you truly come across as a highly educated yet somewhat arrogant guy who doesn't sound Baptist in the least. Just my opinion.

 

Hi folks,stumbled accross your conversation today,too cold to attend church here,about 50 degrees below zero in the wind .Have enjoyed all i've read,same here,baptists come in many different varities.
Everything mentioned above can be found here in Canada,moving to a new town can prove to be a struggle if your looking for the exact same church.
Differences have caused much strife and concern for our LORD i'm sure,too bad civil conversations like this one couldn't be the norm.
Our pastor is a baptist to the bone [baptist born and baptist bred and when i'm gone i'll be baotist dead]is one of his favorite expressions,But our church will fellowship with others which may be different as long as a love for the Savior is apparant.
Again good topic ER

 

Oh, and Joshua, I just wondered if you actually believe that Christ was the promised old Testament Messiah and that he physically rose from the dead and will return some day?

Yes to all of the above.

Did these things actually happen in real history or are they just abstract ways of looking at certain events that didn't actually happen that way?

Are you asking if I think the Resurrection was a historical event? Yes, I do.

Sorry to be so crass, but you truly come across as a highly educated yet somewhat arrogant guy...

Arrogant? How so?

who doesn't sound Baptist in the least...

That's odd, but as I've learned since coming here there are a lot of people who have fairly narrow understanding of what a baptist is. I've been a baptist for all of my life, graduated from a baptist seminary, am endorsed as a baptist chaplain, and am ordained as a baptist minister. I'm not IFB or SBC, but they aren't the only baptists in the world .

Joshua

P.S. Bob, I think the Bible itself has quite a bit of wiggle-room in it; but that's a different thread.

 

And I'm sure there are some Baptists who think I should be tarred and feathered because I support some CCM artists (those would be many fundamentalists ), because I might actually use other translations besides the KJV to try and best understand Scripture (probably many fundamentalists again ), and because I don't support Promise Keepers (thousands of brainwashed Baptists of all walks are no doubt disturbed that I would dare question that emotional experience ).

 

That is the reason why attendance at Discipleship Training(nee Church Training, nee Training Union) has decreased dramatically in recent years. Also, the absence of "hardcore doctrinal discussions" seems to be why so many young people leave the church and/or are attracted to cults.

 

is this liberal southern baptist the same as sbc?
if it is , i've been to a few, that have excellent soul winning opportunities, prayer walks, back yard bible studies, cold calls( just go knocking on doors) block parties,etc...if it's not same as i mentioned above my apologies for butt'n in....

 

Hello Laurenda,

I attend an independant conservative Baptist Church (founded in 1781). In regard to your questions, the following are taken from the churches statement of faith or pastor's sermon:

Innerantcy of the Bible.

The bible is innerant and God breathed as recorded by the original writes in the original languages.

Bible versions.

No official version but KJV and NAS considered by many to be best translations. However, many including myself use the NIV.

Seperation from the World: ie: movies, modest dress etc.

Encouraged but not legalisticly, every believer is expected to use their own discretion guided by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit.

Church service. (what members are expected to do to serve the church, such as ushering, nursery, teaching, greeting etc.)

"Every member a minister" is the attitude towards church service. All are encouraged to seek how they can be used of God for works of sevice to the mission of the church.

Music.

A mix of contemporary and hymns, mostly contemporary choruses.

Frequency of services.

Sunday and Wednesday night. Services for special occations (Christmas eve, etc.)

Soul winning.

Very highly committed to evangalism with many differnt types of outreaches to the community and emphasis on personal evangalism.

 

Little Bethany Primitive Baptist Church in San Diego, CA. I agree with what Brother Jeff said as I see no difference from his church and my church... I believe and he can correct me if I am wrong... Most Primitive Baptist are generational... I'm third generation that I know of... Maybe that is changing but that what I feel has been true over the generations... May be more so with preachers also... I've been in the Primitive Baptist Church for 35 years... I'm song leader and church clerk like my dad before me!... Brother Glen

 

I'm afraid I am sheltered. Until seeing this website, I never new there were different types of Baptists.
I grew up in a very strict Baptist church, No pant, make-up, secondary music, movies, dresses 2" below the knee.
I have a question of my own. Don't all Baptists believe " once you are saved, you are always saved"?

 

IN addition to Free-Will baptists rejecting, once saved, always saved, so do General Baptists and Separate Baptists.

 

Thank you.

 

And both intersperse themselves between you and the One you're trying to call.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies equally. Has our phone service gotten better since AT&T was broken up? Nah. Has our Baptist freedom to worship God improved since the SBC went fundamentalist? Nah... sadly not in my church.

--Ralph

 

Laurenda, et al :

I thought I'd chime in on your questions regarding particulars about the church.

The Inerancy of the Scriptures is a long held Baptist belief that spans across most all Baptist Denominations both historically and among contemporaries. We believe the Scriptures to be Inspired by God Himself,(2Tim3:16) and while human instruments were utilized by God to pen the words, the author is God, (2Pet2:21). In fact, Paul argues that the things he taught,ie: the gospel, never entered into the mind of man. (1Cor2:7-13). Therefore there can be no errors in God's word. Inconsistencies or contradictions are neither and once examined in light of Scripture proves it so. In modern times liberal theologians and skeptics alike have joined a growing chorus suggesting that inspiration does not extend to all Scripture. Thus they can pick and choose what they like, discard what what dont. But Bible believeing Baptists generally support the complete inerancy of Scripture.

Bible Versions are becoming more and more prevalant. I have learned that most Bible students use a version they have become familiar with. I was first introduced to the KJV, (also known as the Authorized Version -AV), I then tried the ASV & RSV. I eventually went back to the AV since almost all work relates to it. I simply preferred it for it's authenticity. And while the original 1611 KJV was subject to grammatical errors, (remember there were some 70 editions because of corrections)today it stands by itself in almost every catagory. But it was not until after I studied the reasons why the KJV is preferred that I came to really respect and love it's worth. Our church, which is Primitve Baptist, uses, quotes and encourages the use of the KJV. What every Bible student and church goer should be able to communicate is the reason why they use the version they do. As to the amount of versions today, it can be traced to one thing....money! I will ask every Bible reader this question about the version they use...Does it have a copy write? and Why?

SEPARATION 'FROM' THE WORLD: Baptists again seem to be consistent in this area. In one word, MODEST! (1Tim2:9) That modesty should be known to all, both in the church and out.(Ph4:5) If we dress provokingly we dress contrary to God's will. So, while we are in the world we are not of it. John in his Epistle says a lot about the world being contrary to God. (1Jn2:15-17) If we live like the world we do not reflect the mind of Christ and therefore loose our witness or testimony. Fashion is of this world. Does our church offer an alternative to the world? Or do they simply mirror the world?

Church service should reflect the Holy Scriptures. What did the early NT Church do? In Acts 2:42 we get a good picture of what our churches should be. Preaching and teaching doctrine in all things, meeting for fellowship in the Word with like minded believers, Baptism (v41) and celebrating the Lord's Supper, prayers and praising God through song & hymn.(v47) These are foundational elements of the Church.(1Cor3:10)After this, churches have certain traditions like collections (1Cor16:1); Feet washing (Jn13:17); meeting days(1Cor16:2; Acts2:46); meeting times(Acts20:7), etc.. These traditions vary from Church to church. Obviously the size of the congregation may determine specifics in these areas, like how to collect offerings and when to meet.

MUSIC - Thats a great part of worship. We use the instrument of the NT, God made it and always without exception sounds beautiful to His ears! It is the heart! (Col3:16)
To give God all the glory we use what he has provided, and not to limit ourselves to man made instruments. While we love and adore the talents of people to play instruments, when in church we prefer to give God all the glory. We sing using hymns, (Old School Hymnal 12) OT psalms & spiritual songs. There are many good Baptist Hymnals avaialble today. As a side note, musical instruments were for centuries not apart of the divine worship service, not because they did not exisit, but because the early church never used them when meeting. In early America, they were first introduced to assist and incite emotional appeals for conversion. The NT is silent on the use of instruments in worship services. Our church does not depend upon the need of talented individuals to perform, rather we simple make 'noise'or music that is pleasing to God. Beyond all that, I simply enjoy acapella singing. I can not personally carry a tune in a bucket, but when we sing together we can blend and it's wonderful.

(Frequency of service was answered above.)

Soul Winning. Soul winning is Scriptural, (Prov11:30). But we can not expect to awaken the dead.(Eph 2:1)Or for that matter, teach unregenerate mankind to 'know the Lord.'(Heb8:11) This is God's work in our hearts.(Jn6:44) But soul winning in respect to conversion to the truth of the Gospel is our work.(1Cor4:15, Eph1:13) Our churches must have an evangelical spirit for the lost sheep 'of the house of Israel', ie: elect. We must preach not only to teach and warn but win! The fact that God will bless us in preaching the Gospel is our hope. How else shall they believe?, Paul asks.(Rom10:13-15) The answer is, they wont except we preach to them!


God Bless

Jeptha

[ March 03, 2003, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Jeptha ]