Baptist beliefs
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Baptist beliefs are not completely consistent from one church to another, as Baptists do not have a central governing authority. However, Baptists do hold some common beliefs among almost all Baptist churches.
Since the early days of the
In addition to the distinctive doctrines of Protestantism, Baptist theology in general is committed to a
Overview
The following acrostic acronym, spelling BAPTIST, summarizes Baptists' distinguishing beliefs:[3]
- Biblical authority (Matt 24:35; 1Pet 1:23; 2Tim 3:16–3:17)
- Autonomy of the local church (Matt 18:15–18:17; 1Cor 6:1–6:3)
- Priesthood of all believers (1Pet 2:5–2:9; 1Tim 2:5)
- Two ordinances (believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:41–2:47; 1Cor 11:23–11:32)
- Individual soul liberty (Rom 14:5–14:12)
- Saved and baptized church membership (Acts 2:41–2:47; 1Cor 12:12; 2Cor 6:14; Eph 4:3)
- Two offices of the church (elder and deacon) (1Tim 3:1–3:13)
Sometimes another "S" is added, making BAPTISTS:
- Separation of Church and State [4]
Practices
Baptists practice believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion) as the ordinances instituted in Scripture (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).[5] Most Baptists call them "ordinances" (meaning "obedience to a command that Christ has given us")[6][7] instead of "sacraments" (activities God uses to impart salvation or a means of grace to the participant).[8][5] Therefore, historic Baptist theology considers that no saving grace is conveyed by either ordinance and that original sin is not washed away in baptism.[citation needed] Baptists have traditionally believed that they are symbols.[citation needed]
Many Baptists observe
Varying views
Almost all Baptists hold their services and worship on Sunday. However, there is a group known as the Seventh Day Baptists whose origins are derived from Anabaptism and the pre-Reformation. Seventh Day Baptists gather and worship on the seventh day of the week on Saturday. A large portion of Seventh Day Baptists adopted the teachings of the Sabbath, which led to the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[10]
Baptists are also viewed as the descendants of the
Furthermore, some Baptists (notably Landmarkists or "Baptist Bride" adherents) hold to a belief in perpetuity, which embraces the notion that the Baptist belief and practice existed since the time of Christ until today as the Church of Christ founded in Jerusalem was Baptist. Those who believe in perpetuity view the Baptist belief as not being a critical aspect of the Protestant Reformation.[10]
Baptist theologians
See also
References
- ^ Brackney, William H. (1999). Historical Dictionary of the Baptists. Scarecrow Press. pp. 160–161.
- ^ Benedict, David (1848). A General History of the Baptist Denomination in America and Other Parts of the World. Lewis Colby. p. 325.
It is, however, well known by the community at home and abroad, that from a very early period they have been divided into two parties, which have been denominated General and Particular, which differ from each other mainly in their doctrinal sentiments; the Generals being Arminians, and the other, Calvinists.
- ^ Cummins, David L. This Day in Baptist History 2. Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2000.
- ^ Eight Baptist Distinctives
- ^ ISBN 9780310866985.
John Calvin and most other Protestant leaders rejected the Roman Catholic sacramental system but retained its vocabulary, applying the term "sacrament" only to ordinances instituted by God himself (cf. Westminster Confession of Faith 27; Belgic Confession 33). ... Unlike Baptists and Anabaptists, who tend to speak of baptism only as an "ordinance," Calvinists have characteristically spoken of baptism not only as an ordinance but also as a sacrament or a mystery, a rite through which God applies grace.
- ISBN 978-1449712112.
- ^ Sacrament versus Ordinance – Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)
- ^ "Lutherans and Baptists: What is the difference between confessional Lutheran beliefs and the beliefs of Baptists?". WELS. 2015-03-09. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ Brackney, William H. (1999). Historical Dictionary of the Baptists. Scarecrow Press. pp. 219–220.
- ^ )