"Why We Are A Baptist Church"

INTRODUCTION: Baptist Distinctives are those teachings which distinguish us from other denominational groups. These distinctives are primarily beliefs of doctrine, polity and practice. Other churches may hold to some of these distinctives, but not all of them. These distinctives have been true of Baptists historically, but some Baptist churches have become so liberal today that they no longer believe what Baptists historically have taught.

These teachings emerged as distinctives of Baptists because Baptist interpreted the Bible literally and practiced these teachings faithfully while many other churches did not. In time these distinctives became the distinguishing marks of Baptist around the world. Technically, the Baptist Distinctives should really be called the Biblical Distinctives of Baptists. They are not just denominational ideas, but biblical principles which we hold dear to our hearts.

B. BIBLE AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY: We believe that the Bible is the final authority. No word of man or council of men can ever supersede the Bible.

1. "The things that I write unto you are the commandment of the Lord." I Cor. 14:37

2. "The gospel which was preached unto me is not after man...but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal. 1:11-12

3. "...ye received the word of God...not was the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God." I Thess. 2:13

4. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." 2 Tim. 3:16

5. "...holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:21

A. AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: We believe that the local church is an independent body accountable to no one but our Lord. There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate what a local church can or should do.

1. No higher appeal in discipline - Each local church should solve its own problems: Matt. 18:15-17

2. Chooses its own officers: Acts 6:1-7

3. Local church alone sends missionaries: Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27

4. The church at Antioh did not appeal to a head- quarters or to the apostles. The judgment of the church in Jerusalem was advisory, not binding.   Acts 15:1-35

5. The local church has final authority in matters of discipline. I Cor. 5:1-5,12,13; 2 Cor. 2:6

P. PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS: Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly through the only Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Further, that Christ's work and ministry as High Priest is the basis for our eternal security.

1. Believers are to come confidently to the throne of grace.  Heb. 4:14-16

2. We are to draw near in full assurance when we come to God in prayer. Heb. 10:19-22

3. Believers are to offer spiritual sacrifices to God to praise Him.  I Peter 2:5,9

4. Believers are saved for eternity by work of Christ.  John 10:28-30; Eph. 2:8-9; John 17:11-12; I Pet. 1:4-5; I John 5:12-13; Heb. 7:24-25; Rom. 8:37-39; Eph. 1:13

T. TWO ORDINANCES: We believe that their are two ordinances for the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

1. Baptism: Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:26-40; 10:48; 16:15; 16:33; 22:16; 2:42

2. The Lord's Supper: Matt. 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke 22-24; John 19:20; I Cor. 11:23-32

I. INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY: We believe that every person has the liberty to believe as his own conscience or soul dictates and interpret Scripture to the best of his/her understanding. A person should not be forced to believe anything against his will.

1. Each person must choose, and Paul did not interfere with the choice of the individual in matters of understanding. Romans 14:5-12

2. Jesus did not force people to believe, but wept over Jerusalem. Luke 13:34

3. Jesus offered eternal life, but it was the woman's choice. John 4:1-29

4. Paul and Barnabas differed on a decision regarding the taking of John Mark with them, but they simply departed and went their own ways. Acts 15:36-41

*One person's liberty ends where another's liberty begins

*Liberty does not mean a believer does what he wants, and does not care about others.

*Individual liberty is not a justification for disobedience to Scripture.

S. SALVATION BY GRACE AND REGENERATE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Every person who is saved should be baptized and join a local church. Only saved and baptized individuals should be allowed into membership of the local church.

1. People received the Word of God and were baptized. Acts 2:41-42 - These people immediately identified themselves with the local church.

2. They were "in Christ", called saints, and were baptized.  I Cor. 1:1-16 - Members of the Corinthian church were saved

3. The Christians at Thessalonica were called brethren and the "church"' by Paul.

4. The passage implies that the membership of the church was known since a list of certain people was compiled. I Tim. 5:9

5. Members should meet regularly with other members.  Heb. 10:25

T. TWO OFFICES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: We believe that there are two offices in the local church: pastor/s and deacons. There is no scriptural support for the hierarchy of offices in many churches today.

1. Pastor: Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5-7; I Peter 5:1-4

2. Deacons: Acts 6:1-7; Rom. 15:25; Phil. 1:1; Eph. 6:21; I Tim. 3:1-13

S. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: The church and the state are two separate entities and one should never control the other.

1. The earthly sphere (government) and the heavenly sphere (God) are separate. Each has authority and is to be obeyed. The church is the visible form of God's realm today. Matt. 22:31

2. When the state makes a demand that conflicts with what Christ demands, we must obey God rather than the state. Acts 5:29