What are Baptist Beliefs?

An Easy Way to Remember Distinctions of the Baptist Denomination

Oct 26, 2009

What are Baptists' beliefs and how are Baptists distinct from other denominations? Distinctions are very important for comparing Baptists and other denomination

Baptists' beliefs are distinctly different from other denominations. So how are Baptists different? Here is an easy way to remember the Baptist Distinctions, with the acrostic "BAPTISTS."

Baptist Believe the Bible

The first, and most important to Baptists, Baptist belief is their sole authority for faith and practice is the Bible. No other source does the Baptist derive his theology. There may be many religious books for the many religious denominations, but Baptists put their faith in one book, The Bible.

Baptists Believe in the Autonomy of the Local Church

Baptists believe that the local church is to be autonomous, or self-sufficient. Christ is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18) and he gives the pastor of the church the task to “feed his sheep (John 21:15-17).” However, there is to no committee, board, or agency that is over the church to make its decisions.

Baptists Believe in the Priesthood of the Believer

Baptists have a belief in the priesthood of the believer. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5. In the Old Testament, the High Priest was the only one that could enter into the Holy of Holies and atone for sins. When the veil of the Temple was rent in twain (Matthew 27:51), Christ provided to all who know him personally access before the very throne of God (Ephesians 2:17, 18; Hebrews 4:16).

Baptists Believe there are Two Ordinances

The first ordinance of the Baptist Church is Baptism. Baptists believe that there is no saving power in Baptism. They believe that it is for public identification of their private justification received from Christ.

To help with the idea of baptism is the acrostic CAMP. This includes the right Candidate, the “saved;” the right Authority, the local church; the right Mode, immersion (Matthew 3:16); and the right Purpose, identification. Baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to Baptists.

The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper. Baptists do not believe that there is any special power in the bread or wine that changes it to the literal body and blood of Christ. They do not believe taking it will bring salvation. They believe that it is a picture of Christ’s atonement for sin on the Cross. “This do in remembrance of me (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).”

Baptists Believe in Individual Soul Liberty

Romans 14:12 says, “Every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.” This is saying that whatever a person feels led by God to do, that he should do it. No man can think for another, work for another, or receive salvation for another. Every man, woman, boy, or girl is responsible with the light he or she receives from God.

Baptists Believe in a Saved Church Membership

Many denominations believe that anyone that comes into the church can vote on the affairs of that church. The Baptists believe that saved church membership secures the doctrines, beliefs, and teachings within that church. The Baptist Church asks, “How can an unregenerate man vote on things concerning the Church of God?” Acts 2:47 and 1 Corinthians 2:13 and 14 are references for this distinction.

Baptists Believe there are Two Offices

The first office is that of the pastor. Titus 1:7-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 show the qualifications of the pastor, also called bishop or elder, of a church. He is the under-Shepherd, leading the sheep of Christ that has been given to his care. He is the leader of that church body, but another office is set to help the pastor.

The second office is the deacon. The Apostles instituted the office of the deacon so that the pastor would be free to minister to his flock and not be encumbered by the work of the Church (Acts 6:1-4). The deacon does not lead or guide the church in the Baptist Church. The deacon is to help and minister to the pastor in order to give the flock all the pastor’s attention.

Baptists Believe there should be Separation

Baptists believe that they are to live separated and holy lives (1 Peter 1:15, 16). They believe they are to be separated from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17) and separated to the Lord (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). Being a friend to the world, the Baptist believes, is to be at enmity, at odds or war, with God (James 4:4)

Baptists also believe there should be a separation of Church and State (Matthew 22:21). Roger Williams said it best when equated this separation to a wall dividing the weeds, government, from the garden, the church. The State is not to control the Church and there should not be an established Church Government, also known as a theocracy.

"BAPTISTS" Explains the Baptist Denomination

This simple acrostic should help others to remember what makes Baptists distinctively different from other denominations. This may not be all of them and may not suffice for some varieties of Baptists, but this generally covers the Baptist Distinctives and what a Baptist believes.

Greg Grey, , "Baptist Distinctives" Lecture Notes, February 2008, Crown College of the Bible

Bob Dalton, "Baptist Distinctives" Audio, October 6th, 2006, Crown College of the Bible

Pastor Clarence Sexton, "God's Work Continued" Lecture Notes, September 14th, 2009, Crown College Seminary

The copyright of the article What are Baptist Beliefs? in Baptist Church is owned by Mathew Seiller. Permission to republish What are Baptist Beliefs? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.