the Baptist Distinctives ... what makes a Baptist, a Baptist:

atpollard · Dec 29, 2021

Just in case anyone was wondering what makes Baptists different from other Denominations, I offer a summary of the Baptist Distinctives as a clever acrostic with some supporting Bible verses.

What Are the Eight Baptist Distinctives?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Autonomy of the Local Church

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.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23

Priesthood of the Believer

“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.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

Individual Soul Liberty

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. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

Saved, Baptized Church Membership

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.
Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

Two Offices

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.
1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17–38; Philippians 1:1

Separation of Church and State

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.
Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 5:17–29

borrowed from https://www.garbc.org/about-us/beliefs-constitution/baptist-distinctives/

Major1 · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
Just in case anyone was wondering what makes Baptists different from other Denominations, I offer a summary of the Baptist Distinctives as a clever acrostic with some supporting Bible verses.

What Are the Eight Baptist Distinctives?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Autonomy of the Local Church

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.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23

Priesthood of the Believer

“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.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

Individual Soul Liberty

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. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

Saved, Baptized Church Membership

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.
Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

Two Offices

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.
1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17–38; Philippians 1:1

Separation of Church and State

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.
Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 5:17–29

borrowed from https://www.garbc.org/about-us/beliefs-constitution/baptist-distinctives/

The fact is that there is no single belief or practice that makes Baptists distinctive from other Christians.

Baptists endeavor to base each belief, practice, emphasis and organization on the teachings of the Bible. The desire of Baptists is to be as close to the New Testament model for an individual Christian and for a church that is humanly possible with God’s help through the instruction and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Albion · Dec 29, 2021

Major1 said:
The fact is that there is no single belief or practice that makes Baptists distinctive from other Christians.

I agree. When I read that list that our friend posted, my first thought was that there must be a hundred other denominations that believe the same way, and there are thousands that agree on a majority of the points that were identified, if not on every last one. .

It cannot be that something is a "distinctive" if there are many other examples of the same thing out there.

Not David · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
Just in case anyone was wondering what makes Baptists different from other Denominations, I offer a summary of the Baptist Distinctives as a clever acrostic with some supporting Bible verses.

What Are the Eight Baptist Distinctives?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Autonomy of the Local Church

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.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23

Priesthood of the Believer

“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.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

Individual Soul Liberty

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. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

Saved, Baptized Church Membership

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.
Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

Two Offices

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.
1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17–38; Philippians 1:1

Separation of Church and State

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.
Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 5:17–29

borrowed from https://www.garbc.org/about-us/beliefs-constitution/baptist-distinctives/

What if there are Baptists groups that do not agree with that statement?

BobRyan · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
Just in case anyone was wondering what makes Baptists different from other Denominations, I offer a summary of the Baptist Distinctives as a clever acrostic with some supporting Bible verses.

What Are the Eight Baptist Distinctives?
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Many other denominations hold to this one above.

atpollard said:
Autonomy of the Local Church

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.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23

On the one hand this destroys the notion of their even being such a thing as a "Baptist denomination" or a world wide "Baptist church" because at most you have "one local congregation" using this definition.

Be that as it may -- I want to agree that this is a distinctive of "the Baptist church" where I mean "denomination" and not "on local congregation" -- but when I look at "Southern Baptists" (for example) it is hard to ignore the fact that some congregations are members of it.

In any case - a zillion community churches also appear to hold this view.

atpollard said:
Priesthood of the Believer

“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.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

atpollard said:
Two Ordinances

The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

atpollard said:
Individual Soul Liberty

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. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

atpollard said:
Saved, Baptized Church Membership

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.
Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

However I do admit that the tradition based groups and Methodists and Lutherans etc do not agree since they would allow infant baptism.

atpollard · Dec 29, 2021

Not David said:
What if there are Baptists groups that do not agree with that statement?

Then the old joke applies:

Speaker 1: “How many legs does a cow have?”

Speaker 2: “Four.”

Speaker 1: “And if we say that a cow’s tail is a leg, then how many legs does a cow have?”

Speaker 2: “Five.”

Speaker 1: “Wrong, four. Just because we say that a cow’s tail is a leg, doesn’t make it so.”

atpollard · Dec 29, 2021

BobRyan said:
but when I look at "Southern Baptists" (for example) it is hard to ignore the fact that some congregations are members of it.

It is important (if you want to understand Baptists) to understand what the Southern Baptist Convention IS and what it IS NOT.

First, the SBC owns ZERO church buildings and has ZERO church members. A 100 person local Baptist Church owns its own building and has its own members and has articles of incorporation that allow it to be tax-deductible all by itself with the SBC contributing NOTHING to its support or independence. However, it is hard for a 100 person church to support a missionary in the field and impossible for them to pay for their own Seminary to train ministers. So LOTS of little churches (all legally independent entities) decided to pool their missionary budgets in a para-church “conference” that could support missionaries collectively for all of the churches that chose to contribute. The conference could also greater coordinate missionary activities among many missionaries to better use resources.

As the Baptist Conference grew, it was also able to fund seminaries to train pastors for Baptist churches in general. Each Baptist Church is still free to hire whatever pastor they choose (SBC seminary graduate or not) and each church is free to contribute whatever they want to the SBC to fund the work of the conference.

The “power” and “property” and “people” are all in the local churches. The SBC only controls a missionary budget and operates seminaries. Any church can join or leave the SBC at any time by applying or sending a letter withdrawing.

The SBC also publishes the “Baptist Faith and Message”, which no church is REQUIRED to agree to, but which many Baptist Churches find useful. It explains the basic theology that the seminary teaches and most Baptists believe. It tends to be a fairly readable confession and fairly neutral on controversial issues.

Albion · Dec 29, 2021

Good points, but it's still a denomination by the usual sense of the word, just as the Churches of Christ are and also some others which allow a high degree of autonomy to local congregations. The word doesn't necessarily point to a standardized and/or hierarchical organization.

Denomination: A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name.

BobRyan · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
The SBC only controls a missionary budget and operates seminaries. Any church can join or leave the SBC at any time by applying or sending a letter withdrawing.

The SBC also publishes the “Baptist Faith and Message”, which no church is REQUIRED to agree to, but which many Baptist Churches find useful. It explains the basic theology that the seminary teaches

So then by controlling (owning operating) the Seminaries and the doctrinal statements being taught there - the SBC is what essentially makes "Southern Baptist" a defined "denomination" with a set of beliefs.

So for example of a Baptist church (local congregation) wanted to promote infant baptism and a priest leading its service - it could do so , and argue that it is "Baptist" belief/teaching. But could not claim the SBC teaches such a thing in the Seminary.

Not David · Dec 29, 2021

BobRyan said:
So then by controlling (owning operating) the Seminaries and the doctrinal statements being taught there - the SBC is what essentially makes "Southern Baptist" a defined "denomination" with a set of beliefs.

So for example of a Baptist church (local congregation) wanted to promote infant baptism and a priest leading its service - it could do so , and argue that it is "Baptist" belief/teaching. But could not claim the SBC teaches such a thing in the Seminary.

My dad's Free Methodist congregation looks basically like an Evangelical Church, I believe the only difference is that Infant Baptism is optional

atpollard · Dec 29, 2021

BobRyan said:
Many other denominations hold to this one above.

In any case - a zillion community churches also appear to hold this view.

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

True but not a distinctive since a number of us hold to that same view.

I suspect that you are missing the forest for the trees.
If a church holds all of these “not unique” beliefs then it believes everything that makes a Baptist church … Baptist. (In which case, it is probably a Baptist church whatever it calls itself).

The SDA church would not agree with all of the Baptist Distinctives. (Which is appropriate since you are not Baptists, you are SDA and have distinctive beliefs that make you SDA versus any other group - like Baptist or Methodist).

BobRyan · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
I suspect that you are missing the forest for the trees.
If a church holds all of these “not unique” beliefs then it believes everything that makes a Baptist church … Baptist. (In which case, it is probably a Baptist church whatever it calls itself).

The SDA church would not agree with all of the Baptist Distinctives. (Which is appropriate since you are not Baptists, you are SDA and have distinctive beliefs that make you SDA versus any other group - like Baptist or Methodist).

I agree. I also agree that when you add all 8 distinctives as you list them - that together they make a good general description of "Baptist".

My comment about a Baptist preaching infant baptism and having a priest was just a personal question of my own that I have about the model that has each church as its own island believing whatever it wants and calling itself "Baptist" - since that includes the case of those that it only hold to a few of the 8 unique teachings and yet would say "baptist" in their name.

Adventists ran into the problem early in their history and eventually had to come up with their own version of "Baptist Faith and Message" to more specifically define what it meant to be Adventist and eliminate some confusion that was creeping in early in our history.

atpollard · Dec 29, 2021

BobRyan said:
So then by controlling (owning operating) the Seminaries and the doctrinal statements being taught there - the SBC is what essentially makes "Southern Baptist" a defined "denomination" with a set of beliefs.

Graduates of SBC seminaries disagree on questions as basic as Calvinism (called Particular Baptists after the belief that God saves “particular” people) vs Arminianism (called General Baptists after the belief that the salvation offered by Jesus is “general” = “available to all”). Even within a large Baptist Congregation, it is common to have both General and Particular Baptists worshiping together. [Remember the Baptist Distinctive about everyone having an obligation to follow their own conscience within the bounds of ‘Sola Scriptura’].

So the concept of a specific “Baptist” set of beliefs is peculiar (outside of the Biblical basics … you start talking about salvation without Jesus and the Elders will sit you down for a serious BIBLE conversation.) Go and read the Baptist Faith and Message for yourself and see if there is anything in it that YOUR church would disagree with. It is pretty basic stuff. Other than Credobaptism (baptize believers, do not baptize babies) almost any denomination would agree with most of the BF&M.

BobRyan · Dec 29, 2021

atpollard said:
So the concept of a specific “Baptist” set of beliefs is peculiar (outside of the Biblical basics … you start talking about salvation without Jesus and the Elders will sit you down for a serious BIBLE conversation.) Go and read the Baptist Faith and Message for yourself and see if there is anything in it that YOUR church would disagree with. It is pretty basic stuff. Other than Credobaptism (baptize believers, do not baptize babies) almost any denomination would agree with most of the BF&M.

True - but I don't think most Baptist local congregations would suppose that another church is really "Baptist" even if it called itself by that name - if it denied believer's baptism as the only valid form ...

I "guess" that is also true of one that denied the sola scriptura testing method for all doctrine and practice.

I "guess" it would also be true if it came across one that proclaimed the Pope as the spiritual leader of the Christian church on Earth, or taught in favor of purgatory or approved of prayers to the dead.

atpollard · Dec 30, 2021

Not David said:
My dad's Free Methodist congregation looks basically like an Evangelical Church

Sitting in the pew, interacting with fellow Christians ... I find most churches look pretty much alike. It is the decorations in the buildings and the music that is played that varies most ... and that changes from church to church WITHIN a denomination as well.

From personal experience, I can affirm that:

Lutherans love Jesus and each other.
Catholics love Jesus and each other.
Anglicans love Jesus and each other.
Presbyterians love Jesus and each other.
Evangelical Frees love Jesus and each other.
Church of Gods love Jesus and each other.
Pentecostals love Jesus and each other.
Southern Baptists love Jesus and each other.
Methodists love Jesus and each other.

I suspect that the same is true for many other Denominations, these are just the churches that I have attended and can speak to from first hand experience. Hands down the Greek Orthodox throw the best "Dinners" but I never had the opportunity to worship with them ... Baklava and Saganaki (need I say more).

atpollard · Dec 30, 2021

BobRyan said:
I "guess" it would also be true if it came across one that proclaimed the Pope as the spiritual leader of the Christian church on Earth, or taught in favor of purgatory or approved of prayers to the dead.

Remember this Baptist Distinctive:

atpollard said:
Individual Soul Liberty

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. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9

So a Church (local body of believers) that required that all members believe:

the Pope is the spiritual leader of the Christian church on Earth
in purgatory
prayers to the dead.

Would NOT be a Baptist Church first and foremost because it demanded ALL MEMBERS violate their individual soul liberty.

Now, ONE MEMBER of a Baptist Church could believe that "the Pope is the spiritual leader of the Christian church on Earth" without being forced to leave the church. There is nothing in scripture that directly forbids that belief and a sincere Christian could read the preeminence of Peter into some of Jesus' statements. Petrine succession is a non-Biblical teaching (meaning that the Bible is completely silent on the subject), so one could believe that without contradicting scripture (within the limits set by the rest of scripture).

ONE MEMBER could be convinced of a great many things with respect to the fate after death. Eternal Conscious Torment, Annihilation, even a Finite Period of Torment and Universal Salvation. Some are harder to support from scripture than others, but none are IMPOSSIBLE to believe from what little God has chosen to tell us. So a Baptist could believe in purgatory (but no local church could require all members to believe in it).

Now the reality is that a person or group that supports all three of those items, would probably be HAPPIER under the umbrella of another denomination ... I suspect that the RCC would welcome them with open arms (unless they taught some other heretical belief that offset their Catholicism - like rejecting Christ as the Savior and embracing the OT animal sacrifice for sins).

atpollard · Dec 30, 2021

BobRyan said:
True - but I don't think most Baptist local congregations would suppose that another church is really "Baptist" even if it called itself by that name - if it denied believer's baptism as the only valid form ...

I "guess" that is also true of one that denied the sola scriptura testing method for all doctrine and practice.

I "guess" it would also be true if it came across one that proclaimed the Pope as the spiritual leader of the Christian church on Earth, or taught in favor of purgatory or approved of prayers to the dead.

There is an old joke that says: "Baptists practice multiplication by division."

That means that Baptists will argue and split into two churches over anything ... what color the new carpet in the sanctuary should be.

There is grain of truth in it. There is a Southern Baptist group of churches because of the Civil War ... the Church split over the question of the Civil War (both slavery and states rights ... but mostly "us" and "them" thinking). There are Baptist Churches that embrace the KJV Bible as the "best" translation and split from the other Baptist church in town that uses those "modern" translations. There are Baptist churches that prefer the old hymns and Baptist churches that want rock-and-roll music.

Some wring their hands at the "division within the body of Christ". I never saw it that way. I always thought of the verses:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. [1 Corinthians 9:19-23]

I believe that God knows exactly what He is doing and everything is still going according to His plan.

Major1 · Dec 30, 2021

Not David said:
What if there are Baptists groups that do not agree with that statement?

"BAPTIST" is just a word.

Anyone can that they are a Baptist.

BobRyan · Dec 30, 2021

atpollard said:
There is an old joke that says: "Baptists practice multiplication by division."

That means that Baptists will argue and split into two churches over anything ... what color the new carpet in the sanctuary should be.
There is grain of truth in it.

ok.. I guess I can't argue with that point.

There is a Southern Baptist group of churches because of the Civil War ... the Church split over the question of the Civil War (both slavery and states rights ... but mostly "us" and "them" thinking). .

I thought it was over the fact that in the south they wanted to have a specific evangelist assigned for them who happened to have owned slaves - and the existing baptist group in America that they were affiliated with would not allow it - so they formed a new group.

Hazelelponi · Dec 30, 2021

atpollard said:
called Particular Baptists

You also have Primitive Baptists too.. but they don't donate to the SBC...

the Baptist Distinctives ... what makes a Baptist, a Baptist:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Facilitator

I'm back!

Junior Member

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Well-Known Member

Facilitator

Junior Member

I'm back!

Well-Known Member

Junior Member

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Well-Known Member

Junior Member

:sighing:

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