Why are you a Baptist?

Baptist Distinctives:
Biblical authority
Local church autonomy
Priesthood of the believer
The two ordinances (neither of which save)
Individual Soul Liberty
Saved, baptized membership
Two offices, pastor/elder and deacon

These distinctives define baptistic beliefs. Being Baptist should be more about what one believes than what label we want to wear.

Individual soul liberty refers to the right of every human being to believe as they wish without oppression. It does not allow that someone can believe anything they wish and still be defined as "Baptist."

I believe that Baptist bear the most resemblance to the original new testament church.

 

ScottJ
Is it really freedom if you are not allowed to misuse a term like baptist? Soul freedom/liberty is defined as someone is allowed to believe whatever they wish without oppression, even if that held belief is wrong or improperly defined. How many groups do you know that call themselves Christians but in reality are not? Mormans are a great example of this, that is what makes it so hard to witness to them, they use the same terms but they define them totally different. There is not any Baptist Police Department out there, thankfully, so if someone chooses to misuse a term that means so much to you and me, then the concept of Soul Freedom says we must allow them to do so. That doesn't mean they are accurate, but it is their right to be inaccurate. Priesthood of the believer is similar with the expection being that unlike Soul Freedom there is a set standard, God's Word to clarify what people can and cannot believe and still be a believer. I would also add that God'd Word is always the standard in all areas of life, even if we choose not to heed to the instructions found within. Soul Freedom and Priesthood of the Believer both are vital to baptist life.

 

I am a Baptist because I am a Calvinist and the Southern Baptist Convention was founded by Christians who were for the most part Calvinists. The Founders Ministries(www.founders.org) is working to bring reformation to Southern Baptist Churches and I support them in their efforts.

Also, I believe that baptism should be by immersion of those capable of showing faith.

Ken

[ July 18, 2002, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Ken Hamilton ]

 

I began as RLDS, was heavily influenced by Pentecostal Doctrines into my later years. When I began reading and studying the Bible for myself, I became Baptist.

 

I’m a Baptist by choice…. I’m a “Christian” by the Grace of God….

 

That just about sums it up. Good job!

 

I agree. Obviously to be consistent, we cannot stop someone from claiming a label when their beliefs defy its definition. My contention is that it should not be this way and that Baptist who are faithful to the distinctives should contend with those who are not in order to preserve the title's meaning. Unfortunately, it is probably already too late to save the "Baptist" label from being virtually meaningless in regard to doctrinal expectations.

 

I believe the Bible. Baptists seem to come the closest to a true New Testament Bible church.

 

Amen! John3V36

 

While lost, the Lord led me to a Baptist church. Praise to the Lord.

 

These seem to sum up my reasons for being a Baptist. But the main reason is because God has called me to be one. I have moved a good bit in my life, and each time, I pray and say, “God, lead me to where you would have me serve.” And each time, I find myself drawn to a local Baptist church. I have tried other denominations, but always come home to foundational biblical truths, as preached in most Southern Baptist churches, although I agree with Pastor Bob that hypocrisy a liberalism are eroding our ranks. One need only look at some of the liberal pastors who contribute to this board.

If standing firm on the “plumb line of God’s Word” makes me “Religious Right,” then I’m proud to be in the center of God’s Word, no matter how “far right” that makes me in the world’s view.

God bless,
John

 

I'm Baptist because that is where God stuck me. The Baptist's is where he sticks all the closed minded people . We're allowed to wear blinders and walk and independent walk that works for us from within. It works for me!

[ August 03, 2002, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: post-it ]

 

Excuse me for butting in here, but I'd like to make a suggestion, BrianT. I have found that sometimes people's questions don't get answered the way they want them to be answered because the question is too general. Perhaps if you ask GrannyGumbo some specific questions, you will get the answers you're looking for. It's just a suggestion, but I hope some other people on the board will do the same in some of the other threads.

Cheryl

 

Hey! Whatever floats your boat!!

 

Revelator,

Praise the Lord, I was saved in a liberal church, but a church that still sought the lost. As I studied God's Word, I noticed things that did not coinside with The Bible. I mentioned these things to the Pastor and he said "We have liberty in Christ". I said OK.

That started my search for a church that followed Scripture. We found a church that was 90 miles away. A friend of mine was with me in Chicago, and I wanted to go to Wednesday night meeting. He suggested a Baptist Church. It just so happened that there was one only a 1/2 mile from us. Mind you, I had no idea what a Baptist was or what they stood for.

I travel all over the US, and have found that the Baptist's seem to consistantly follow God's Word. I looked for a Baptist Church where we moved to, and found one, and guess what? It follows God's Word too!

One more interesting fact. They were all IFB's. And they were all KJB churches, also.

So, why am I a Baptist? Because I have found that they consistantly follow God's Word!

 

Hi there!

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I've only been a Baptist for a year or two, and apparently this really isn't something that's brought up often in my church. Either that or else I just hear it put into different words than you all have used. However, one of the things I've heard a few of you talk about is things that all seem to be along the same lines, but I don't know what they are. Terms such as "Liberty of the human soul," "Individual soul liberty," "Soul Freedom," or "Freedom of conscience/religion" are just a few of the different onces I've heard, although I think that last one MIGHT be different from the other three. Could anyone tell me what these are talking about? I don't know if I agree with them or not because I don't know what they're referring to! Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Drew

 

Ask anyone on here I'm a Primitive Baptist... I believe in the doctrine and practice of the Primitive Baptist Church... If you want to find out what a Primitive Baptist believes and practices visit the Baptist Board Library Archive!... Brother Glen

 

I definately believe the Independant Fundamental Baptist is the closest we thing we have to how Paul set up the first churches we see in his epistles.

But I am glad God got a hold of me before the Baptists did.

 

I am an "independent" Baptist because my younger sister first went to a Baptist church, and she and her boyfriend at the time witnessed to me. And as I grew, their p.o.v. and theology seemed to be right on. The independent "Bible" churches I've visited and the one I had a chance to work in held a similar view of things. I still agree with that viewpoint, however lately, I find there seems to be something lacking in the corporate worship that I experience when I worship alone. I think I've become just a bit more "Bapti-costal" in my tendencies. I don't look for "evidenceofsalvationthruspeakingintongues," but I do hunger for more freedom of worship.

Brett

 

Ditto for me! </font>[/QUOTE]And I will third that!