Why Baptist?

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:

1. 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).
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. The identity of this church as Baptist in doctrine and practice.
5. 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.)
6. 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)
7. 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.