I am often asked, “What denomition are you?” However, a better question would be, "What do you believe?" Really, a denomination is nothing more than a group of people who share the same beliefs. So, really, if you get right down to it, there are only two denominations: those who are saved and believe in Christ, and those who are not.

The names we often ascribe to different groups (Baptists, Protestants, Roman Catholic, Mormons, etc.) really are meaningless. They divide and cause confusion, but they are also clear indicators of what we believe and why. I have said this before, but I will say it again: I am a Baptist. Why am I a Baptist? I am a Baptist because I believe the Bible. It really is that simple! As I examine the Bible, and compare it to other sects and religions, I cannot see any other cult, sect, religion or practice that honors and adheres to the Word of God.

In class somewhere, I was given a simple acrostic which clearly defines some of the major differences between a true Baptist and some of the other religions out there.

B - Biblical Authority

Definition: The Bible is the ultimate authority for all matters of faith, practice of worship, and lifestyle of the believer. Regardless of what any single person or group of people may believe to be true, the Bible must be considered the final authority. If the opinions of any person or group of people disagree with the Bible, those opinions should be discarded.
We can accept the Bible (KJV for the English-speaking people) as our ultimate authority because of the nature of the Scripture. The Scriptures is the very WORD of GOD to man. We know that God simply cannot lie, and the Bible has proven itself to be the Word of God!

Men have tried to elevate creeds and traditions to be equal to the Word of God. Most notable of these are the Mormon Church with their Book of Mormon and the Roman Church (aka Catholic) with their various creeds, councils and the ramblings of their pope - all of which see to change the truth of the Word of God to suit the leaders of the church at the moment.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15-1, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:20, 21

A - Autonomy of the Local Church

Definition: 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.

Many churches submit themselves to other authorities outside of the church. Sadly many Baptist Churches do this as well. We are all familiar with the Southern Baptist Convention, but there is a dirty little secret within our fundamental circles! While we all teach and preach the automy of the local chruch, there are many Independant Baptist Churches which are anything but Independant. In the course of my travels as a missionary, I have visited churches which only support missionaries from a selected mission board. Second, we were in the process of officially starting our ministry, we looked at several options. We just assumed that, as missionaries, we must join some mission board, but as we looked at mission boards and compared them to Scripture, we were shocked to learn some things! For example: Suppose I was called to be a church-planting missionary. There are a couple of boards that insist on some things: First, they maintain ownership of any property purchased on the field. Second, with some of these board, even if the missionary plants a church (effectively becomming that church's pastor in the process), the Pastor of that new church must report to the mission board. Is that new church autonomous?

Scriptures: Colossians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23

P - Priesthood of the Believer

Definition: 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.

By contrast, many of the other false religions require you to go through some priest. This is not Biblical. In my opinion, this is a ploy designed to keep the individual believer from practicing true worship. The so-called priests maintain a control over the church member and dole out only what they want the church member to know. Effectively, these so-called priests insulate their followers from the Bible and from the truth of the Word of God. The Roman Church even goes so far as to teach that the individual cannot know the Word of God. Of course, they also try to keep the Word of God from the common man. During the middle ages, The Roman Church was the leader in the persecution of Christians. The cause of the persecution? The Christians wanted a Bible that was a faithful translation of the original manuscripts into their own language. Because they dared hold a Bible or even a fragment of a Bible, they were tortured and murdered by the Roman (Catholic) church.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:5, 9, Revelation 5:9, 10

T - Two Ordinances

Definition: The local church should practice two ordinances

1. Baptism of believers (those who are saved) by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptistism is not a means of salvation. Being baptised will not save you. It is merely symbolic of your salvation.
2. The Lord's Supper; or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:19, 20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

I - Individual Soul Liberty

Definition: 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.

Although we have the liberty to determine what we will choose to believe or reject, we are still accountable for the the truth of the Word of God. If one chooses not to accecpt the Word of God, that person will be judged according to their works - according to the fruits of their sin nature. Choosing to reject the Word of God does not remove one's respnsibility.

Scriptures: Romans 14:5,12, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Titus 1:9

S - Saved, Baptized Church Membership

Definition: 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.

Scriptures: Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 4:3

T - Two Offices

Definition: The Bible mandates only two offices in the church--pastor and deacon. The three terms --"pastor","elder" and "bishop," or "overseer" --all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.

Scriptures: 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Acts 20:17-38, Philippians 1:1

S - Separation of Church and State

Definition: 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 and 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.

 

 

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