What unites Baptists?

[Tenorvoice]

Actually the thing that I belive that unites Baptist is the we really consider ourself part of The Family of God. We take "RO 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. " pretty serious. Whenever our church family has a issue that come us in their life they know that they can turn to their Church Family and not be judged because of it. They know that they will be conforted and that we will cry with tham when it is needed and that we will be there for them. On the flip side too, whenever there is rejoicing to be done the Church will be full of it I can be shure of that.

Take a look that the words of this song that explains the "Family of God" the best I think:

• • Chorus
    I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
    I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
    Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
    For I'm part of the family,
    The Family of GodYou will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
    It's because we're a family and these are so near;
    When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
    And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. Chorus
    I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
    I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
    Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
    For I'm part of the family,
    The Family of GodFrom the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
    No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
    From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
    I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!
  • Chorus
    I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
    I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
    Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
    For I'm part of the family,
    The Family of God

 

[Frankie]

Well, it seems that none of us are really united in what unites us..... LOLOLOLO

 

[computerjunkie]

I work for the senior pastor at my church and he has put together a new deacon training handbook. One of the sections is "Baptist Distinctives". Here is the outline of what is defined as to what makes us "Baptists".

1. Belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ
2. The authority of scripture for faith and practice
3. The priesthood of all believers
4. The autonomy of the local church
5. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state
6. Believers baptism by immersion
7. A symbolic view of ordinances
8. Emphasis on missions and evangelism

I can elaborate on any points of the outline if anyone wants to know!

CJ

 

[BT]

What is it that unites Baptists? And don't tell me Jesus Christ. If He were the case, there wouldn't be any division among any of us; I know we are all part of Christ's body, the Church, but that's not what I'm asking here.

Is it theology? Or common interpretation of scripture? Or just the fact that scripture alone is means through which a person can know God? Or is it a common disagreement with the teachings and practices of other denominations? Or is it something else entirely?

Good question and the answer is a little of both and a couple of other things

In short there are 7 Baptist distinctives which we hold to and which hold us together....

A better answer is that it is Jesus Christ . Baptist isn't a name that we chose per-say it was a name given to us.

 

[BT]

While I do not disagree with the distinctives that computerjunkie posted. There are a couple of things that her pastor may have tailored for his congregation in particular.

The classical baptist distinctives are as follows:

B - Bible is the sole authority for the church
A- Autonomy of the local church - no hierarchy from outside to tell churches what to do and how to conduct services etc.
P- Priesthood of the believer - any believer can approach God without a priest
T- Two church ordinances - believers baptism and the Lord's Supper
I- Immersion baptisim for believers only
S- Saved church membership - you can't be a member of the church unless you have been saved - unlike Protestant churches
T- Total separation of church and state - no government money accepted, no control

 

[Filia Mariae]

Hi BT ,

I had a couple of questions about what you posted.

S- Saved church membership - you can't be a member of the church unless you have been saved - unlike Protestant churches

Would young children then not be considered church members, or would they be considered members via their family?

T

- Total separation of church and state - no government money accepted, no control

I didn't know this. So do you guys not take any government funding for charitable work? I think this is a good idea, and as a Catholic, I am seeing the repercussions of accepting government money for charitable funds, when the government then attempts to force us to pay for birth control and abortion.

It can be difficult to know whether we should use government money to promote charitable work, but I am leaning more and more toward rejecting government funds because there are always strings attached.

 

[BT]

Hi BT ,

I had a couple of questions about what you posted.


Would young children then not be considered church members, or would they be considered members via their family?


I didn't know this. So do you guys not take any government funding for charitable work? I think this is a good idea, and as a Catholic, I am seeing the repercussions of accepting government money for charitable funds, when the government then attempts to force us to pay for birth control and abortion.

It can be difficult to know whether we should use government money to promote charitable work, but I am leaning more and more toward rejecting government funds because there are always strings attached.

Hi Carly

I'd love to answer your questions.

1. No children (who are unsaved) are not considered members of the church. Church membership includes the ability to vote on issues of budget, planning etc. Children are often saved at a young age and usually wait to become members until they are in the teen years, at which time they can vote and be involved with that aspect of church life. A child who was saved and whose parents were members would still not vote unless they became members themselves or were members. See if the "Smith" family are all Christians and want to become members then they will do it in such a way where the "Smith Family" is requesting membership. As long as they have all professed salvation through the shed blood of Christ, and have been baptised (here or somewhere else by full immersion, and by their own choice) they would be accepted as all members. Normally the father and mother would be the only ones to vote and would vote the wishes of the family, except if the teens wanted to vote they would be permitted.

2. We do not accept any funding from the government for any charitable work or any other purpose. As you said there are strings attached! We raise all of our own funds in house.

Hope that helps

 

[Cright]

Hi Carly

I'd love to answer your questions.

1. No children (who are unsaved) are not considered members of the church. Church membership includes the ability to vote on issues of budget, planning etc. Children are often saved at a young age and usually wait to become members until they are in the teen years, at which time they can vote and be involved with that aspect of church life. A child who was saved and whose parents were members would still not vote unless they became members themselves or were members. See if the "Smith" family are all Christians and want to become members then they will do it in such a way where the "Smith Family" is requesting membership. As long as they have all professed salvation through the shed blood of Christ, and have been baptised (here or somewhere else by full immersion, and by their own choice) they would be accepted as all members. Normally the father and mother would be the only ones to vote and would vote the wishes of the family, except if the teens wanted to vote they would be permitted.

2. We do not accept any funding from the government for any charitable work or any other purpose. As you said there are strings attached! We raise all of our own funds in house.

Hope that helps

Excellent post, great explanation I would just like to add that the children are not treated differently. They go to church/sunday school, learn about the word, are nourished and raised to grow in Christ... the church is a place for family. The difference between members and attenders is that the members can vote on church issues, hold church offices (not really the right word for it) and they have a responsibility to serve the church as well as grow in it.

God Bless,
Carina

PS.. great questions and great answers here!