Why Baptist?
Why
are we Baptists instead of Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, etc? What is
it that makes Baptists both unique and correct?
First
of all, it is important that we remember that all who trust Jesus are
Christians. That is not to say that all who call themselves
Christians are indeed saved. Neither is it to say that all who call
themselves Baptists are saved. It is to acknowledge the fact that
Baptist church membership is not necessary to salvation: trusting
Jesus is necessary to salvation.
Baptist Identity In Doctrine And Practice
Things Common To Baptists And Many Other Christians
There
are some doctrines that make Baptists unique among other groups of
professing Christians. It is not a single doctrine that causes
Baptists to be unique, but the combination of doctrinal beliefs and
practices.
Baptists
hold many doctrines in common with other professing Christians. Among
those are: The Trinity, the inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy
of Scripture, the doctrine of original sin, the belief in the virgin
conception and birth of Jesus, Jesus’ sinless life, His death for
our sins, His burial, and His literal, bodily resurrection from the
dead. We also hold to His ascension into Heaven to sit at the right
hand of the Father, and His bodily return to Earth in power and glory
to establish His Kingdom, the judgment of both the righteous and the
wicked, the eternal joy of the saints and the eternal punishment of
the unbelievers, and the promise of a new Heaven and Earth.
That Which Makes Baptists Unique
There
are doctrines which make Baptists unique among professing Christians.
Not all of these doctrines are held by all Baptists. Since the
beginning of Christendom there have been those who have not held to
everything that is mentioned here. The failure to do so has often led
to Baptists losing their unique identity as Baptists, though the name
may remain on the church and on the sign. The totality of the
doctrines believed is what makes Baptists unique. In addition to the
fundamental doctrines of Christianity listed above, these are as
follows:
-
The eternal security of the believer in Christ. (John 10:27-30;Romans 8:28-39;Ephesians 1:12-14;1 Peter 1:1-9).
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Baptism of believers by complete immersion in water as an ordinance that is requisite to church membership. (Matthew 3:1-18;28:18-20;Acts 2:38-47;Romans 6:1-4)
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The beginning of the New Testament church during Christ’s earthly ministry. John came immersing those who repented, and Jesus led His followers to do likewise. (See Matthew 3:1-18;John 4:1-;Matthew 28:18-20)
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The identity of this church as Baptist in doctrine and practice.
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The independence and autonomy of the local church under the headship of Christ and the leadership of His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3;Galatians 1:1-5 Note that here the churches are recognized as local and distinct bodies with no connection to one another beyond that of Christian fellowship. None had authority over the other. See also Revelation chapters 2-3, 2 Corinthians 8:18-24 and Colossians 1:1-2;4:15-18.)
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The Lord’s Supper, or Communion Service, as an ordinance in the church by which the members of the church remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, as well as the promise of His return. (Matthew 26:17-30;Luke 22:1-20;1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
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That Baptists have existed in all ages since Christ established His church and are not Protestant, having begun before the Roman Catholic Church.
What
we must all recognize is that there are indeed Christians in many
denominations, but it is very important that we all unite ourselves
to a church that is Biblical in doctrine and in practice.
