It was said on another thread that Lucifer being Satan was a Baptist teaching. Do you really know what it means to be a Baptist? The basic required beliefs for being a Baptist are called the Baptist Distinctives.
I did not learn the Baptist distinctives growing up, not from Sunday School teachers, not from my Baptist pastor father, not from deacons, not at the Bible college from which I graduated in 1976 (Tennessee Temple). That Baptist college didn't even require a class in Baptist history or doctrine. So, when I went before the candidate committee of the mission board I was to go to Japan under, I could not tell those good Baptist pastors and evangelists why I was a Baptist. I was extremely embarrassed by that. They sent me to a scholar who could help me, so some months later when I went before a candidate committee again I was able to stand up and be an informed Baptist.
So, what does it mean to you to be a Baptist? Do you have a list of Baptist distinctives? Please share your list on this thread, and I'll get back to you on it--possibly not until Monday, since we have an ordination council this morning, plus my younger sister is here for a few days.
From High Point Baptist Church
What Are the Eight Baptist Distinctives?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word BAPTISTS.
1. Biblical Authority
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority. (
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
2. Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body. (
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
3. Priesthood of the Believer
“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God–whether we are a preacher or not. (
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10)
4. Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
(Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
5. 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)
6. Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
7. Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church: elder and deacon. The three terms—”pastor”, “elder”, and “bishop/overseer”—all refer to the same office. The two offices of elder and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. (
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1)
8. Separation of Church and State
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19-20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.
(Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29)
Can be added to, but looks like a great starting point
Please notice nothing on must be pretrin premil. must hold to Kjvo, etc
Dumb me, I didn't think people would be parroting what others thought they were. But I actually did say in the OP: "So, what does it mean to you to be a Baptist? Do you have a list of Baptist distinctives?" I did not say, "Look 'em up and find the best list." 
