We as Baptists do not always agree on the identity of irregular church church doctrines. There are those we as Baptist hold in common that constitute Baptist districtives.
Such as believer's immersion.
One thing to note, irregular church doctrines are always contrary to the clear Apostolic teaching of the New Testament.
Believers baptism by immersion is a misnomer in itself and there is no agreement among Baptists on the doctrine of baptism. A more accurate name might be "professors" baptism. Just because we insist on baptism by immersion does not mean that everyone who we baptize is actually a true believer. Certainly baptism in water is not part of the gospel of salvation.
1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Paul was not a member of the local church at Corinth and did not even claim to be a Baptist as far as I can tell, yet he baptized Crispus and Gaius and the family of Stephanus, and they were members of the church.
The mode of baptism by immersion in water is the only part of Baptism on which all Baptists seems to agree. The purpose of God in commanding baptism and it's symbolic meaning is certainly not a point of agreement. This is illustrated on this very forum by a Landmarker, whose systematic doctrinal position assigns all kinds of heresies to it's practice, as well as to it's meaning, even to who may or may not baptize to make it acceptable in their circle. Paul, the great apostle of the faith would not qualify in their system.
Baptism by immersion in water does convey a real and actual purpose of God in reality. Baptism by immersion in water did not begin with the church of Jesus Christ. It began with the deliverance of Israel from Egypt by Moses, a picture of the spiritual new birth.
1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Therefore, in everything but the mode, baptism is an irregular doctrine among Baptist groups.
