BAPTIST
DISTINCTIVES
What are Baptist distinctives?
Those teachings which distinguish us or make us distinct from other church groups.
Which are the Baptist distinctives?
"B" BIBLICAL AUTHORITY - II Timothy 3:16,17
Baptists believe that the Bible is the final authority for us.
No word of man or council of men can ever supersede the Bible.
"A" AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH - Matthew 18:15-17
Baptists believe that the local church is an independent body accountable to no one but our Lord. There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate what a local church can or should do.
"P" PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS - l Peter 2:5-9
Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly through the Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. There is no need for any human mediator.
"T" TWO ORDINANCES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - Acts 2:41-47; l Corinthians 11:23-32
There are only two ordinances for the local church to practice today - baptism and communion.
"I" INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY - Romans 14:5-12
Baptists believe that every individual has the liberty to believe as his conscience or soul dictates. A person should not be forced to believe anything against his will.
"S" SAVED, BAPTIZED, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - Acts 2:41-47
Every person who is saved should be baptized and join a local church. Furthermore, only saved and baptized individuals should be allowed to become members of a local church.
"T" TWO OFFICES IN THE CHURCH - l Timothy 3:1-13
The Bible teaches that there are only two offices in the church -- pastor and deacon. There is not Scriptural support for the hierarchy of offices in many churches today.
"S" SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE - Matthew 22:15-22
The church and state are two separate spheres, and the one should never control the other.