Why stay Baptist?

KW,

There are all different sorts of baptists in the world. Our baptist church uses the Book of Common Prayer in worship, and I would certainly argue that the gospel is well expressed (in several ways) in the Episcopal service.

Nevertheless, the baptist distinctives strip away the restrictions of accumulated traditions and superstitions (sadly, most baptists throw the baby out with the bathwater here) and give congregations the freedom to live out the gospel in the ways that best suit the needs of their communities. That freedom and flexibility is why I am still baptist.

Joshua

 

If we get back to the question posed in the topic header, it is because of the historic Baptist principles that we all DO stay Baptist. The distinctive of church autonomy IS Biblical. We are lucky to have the freedom of religion that we do and it is in large part due to the English government of the late 1600's trying to impose Church of England standards on the early colonists in this country.
Why stay Baptist? Because we rely on our own accountability to God and shun theological dictators and post-Biblical creeds. We believe that God's will is done in our churches because we are all a part of the Body.
There have been plenty of threads pointing out the problems with the modern SBC and I do not desire to rehash those arguments but the bottom line is that, as Baptist, we do not tolerate anyone telling us how to worship. No matter how strong one's opinion on the matter, that is the way it is.
As for Biblical doctrine, do you greet your fellow believers with a "holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; 1Corinthians 16:20; 2Corithians 13:12; 1Thessalonians 5:26; 1Peter 5:14)or handle snakes as described in the final passage of Mark? Does your SBC church observe feet washing? Or is it more accurate to say that your church chose Biblical doctrine that it found appropriate to that chuch membership's personal philosophy?
I do not agree with Joshua and I'm sure that he recognizes that but by every definition, he is as Baptist as you and I. The CBF exists because of the unBaptist statements and policies set up in the last 30 years.

- Clint

 

There is only one reason to stay Baptist: you agree with the doctrine.

If you don't agree with the doctrine you are not a Baptist. Don't go to a Baptist church.

 

Maybe there needs to be an ecclesiastical authority at the denominational level that will guarantee the traditional Baptist right of liberty of conscience, within traditional Baptist parameters, to each and every Baptist within the denomination. That way, minorities would be protected and guranteed their right to be fully included in the denomination rather than excluded by a lot of little "Baptist popes" who think their own misguided definition of what it means to be "Baptist" is the only acceptable definition.

 

Hi Michael -

We do have one ecclesiastical authority that is as quick as a snake and relentless as a pit bull. We call it the congregation. The congregation of a Baptist church is the final authority on church matters accountable only to God. Whether it be the president of the SBC or the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Mudwater, USA, they will not receive any support from a congregation that they have offended.

I think every pastor that submits to this board would agree that no matter how strong they may feel on a matter, in the business meeting they are only one vote and, unless they are independently wealthy, they are far better off using tact and reason than shaking their finger from the pulpit saying that their assembled priestly believers are dead wrong.

There is a huge difference between spiritual guidance and theological dictatorship.

- Clint

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>"Soul Freedom is the historic affirmation of the inalienable right and responsibility of every person to deal with God without the imposition of creed, the interference of clergy, or the intervention of civil government."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This is a quote from Shurden on Soul Freedom and in this country we have the right to worship as we see fit.

I'm a Primitive Baptist which you probably never heard of as there a so many Baptist of different types. How you worship God and in what manner you do it is between you and God and if you want to stay baptist do so. If you decide otherwise its your choice because we are all Gods children trying to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, no matter what label we wear... Brother Glen