Since the Scriptures do not have the term legalism we are left to deduce the teaching from Scripture.
And that teaching is given in Acts 15 and expounded on further in the Book of Galatians. The Judaizers were followers or adherents of the Law, hence the term legalists or legalism. They believed it was required for salvation. They followed Paul wherever he went. Paul spends the entire book of Galatians dealing with this subject.
Sure, there is a form of legalism that pertains to justification, but the whole of legalism can be summed up as any teaching that determines one's approval from God based on rules that are either not found in Scripture or are clearly no longer in effect.
Legalism amounts to a works based salvation as is shown so clearly in Acts 15.
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. (Acts 15:1)
--The requirement for salvation, according to these Judaizers (legalists) was circumcision and keeping the law. Unless you adhered to these two things you could not be saved. This is what the Jerusalem Council was about--legalism.
Let me ask you, if the above is not a definition of legalism, does it describe any other term? Is there some form of check against doctrine that can say one is merely justified by grace but still has to observe stringent, Pharisaical rules to maintain a fellowship with God and not face His wrath on earth? It seems to me that many pastors focus on the "works-salvation" facet of legalism only so they can scream and shout draconian rules for "sanctification."
The issue that you are speaking of is holiness (or sanctification) not legalism. It is worldliness vs. holiness. Many pastors have those "draconian rules" as you see them, because they are worldly and they believe their standards of conduct are more Godly or will keep a person more Godly.
Remember that all Baptist churches are independent and autonomous. That is one of the Baptist distinctives. That is what makes us different. Thus when you join a church you ought to know what you are getting into before you join. If you do, you have no right to judge another church's standards. They are independent from yours. Some churches don't believe in musical instruments (like the COC). Does that mean they are legalistic? No, it means they have come to that conclusion through a study of Scripture. And their conclusion is different than yours.
Another Baptist distinctive that we have is soul liberty. Every church has the FREEDOM to believe what they think is right, and not to be judged or persecuted by anyone else. As someone gave the example, if the pastor (and church) decided that all male members ought to wear blue shirts is it wrong; is it legalism? No, it is not wrong and it is not legalism. It is their right to make the decisions they want to make. The decision is neither Biblical or unbiblical. It is outside of the Bible. Many businesses and schools have uniforms. This is really a needless tangent, but it is just to illustrate a point.
Every church is autonomous and can decide on what standards they want for their own church. That is not legalism. Most of the time it has to do with holiness vs. worldliness. If you don't like the standards of the church then don't go there. It is as simple as that. But don't condemn it either. They have their rights.
