What is a BAPTIST
Church?
When Jesus initiated the community of those who
followed him, His prayer was that they might be one. For many reasons
over the years the church has divided into different families, with the
Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the Protestants being the three
major groupings today. In the UK, Protestants are made up of the Church
of England family and the non-conformist family. The Baptist family is
one part of the non-conformist branch of the church, having their origin
in the mid-sixteenth century.
Where did BAPTISTS
come from?
Baptists were given their name as a term of
abuse because they believed that the Bible taught the baptism of those
who were old enough to be real believers, and not the christening of
infants. They also believed that the church should not be under the
authority of the state, and for these things they were severely
persecuted. Many of the first Baptists fled to Holland, where there was
a greater degree of religious tolerance and the first real British
Baptist Church was inaugurated there by Pastor John Smythe. Today
Baptists can be found all over the world, with strong representation in
America and in parts of the Russian Federation.
What are the main
distinctives of a BAPTIST church today?
- Baptists have a firm belief in
conversion
In other words, they believe that becoming a Christian believer does
not happen automatically to a person because of the country they
live in or the beliefs of their family. A person has to make a
conscious decision to trust Jesus Christ, to accept His forgiveness
and love that He made available through His death on the cross, and
to follow His way in the living out of our lives. This may happen at
one unforgettable crisis point in life, or it may happen through a
slow process involving lots of much smaller decisions.
- Baptists practice Believer's baptism
It is our belief that the Bible teaches baptism as a way of making a
public confession that a person is following and trusting in Jesus
Christ. We therefore baptise those who know that they are real
believers by their own choice.
- Baptists also celebrate the birth of a
child
Although we do not 'christen' babies, we do publicly thank God for a
new baby and pray for God's help and guidance on them at the start
of their lives. At such a service (often called a 'Dedication
Service'), the parents also promise to fulfil their God-given role
to the best of their ability with God's help, and the church
promises to support them in that.
- Baptist services are created for each
occasion and not taken out of a book
Whereas some Christians like the predictability and form of a
written service, Baptists enjoy more freedom in the structure of
worship. There is therefore considerable variety and it is the
responsibility of the leaders to let God guide them as they plan
each service.
- The Bible is very important for Baptists
Although the Bible is important for all Christians, it has a central
place in Baptist understanding. Through the Bible we understand
God's will for us and nothing is equal to, or more important than,
God's word to us in the Bible.
- Baptists think of the church as a
community or family
The church is not a building, but it is the people who use the
building for their Christian activities. Knowing and understanding
each other is very important and we seek to be an inclusive, caring,
loving family. Although we fall short always, this is what we aspire
to.
- Baptists believe that women can exercise
ministry
There has been lots of talk in some parts of the church as to what a
woman can and cannot do in the life of the church. For many years,
women have exercised ministry alongside men in Baptist churches.
- To belong to a Baptist church you need
to become a 'member'
Not all churches operate a system of membership, but Baptists do.
When a person is committed to the life and work of a local Baptist
church, they become a member of that church. It is the members who
have the responsibility for the finance, buildings, programme and
the ministry of the church.
- Decisions in a Baptist church are made
by the members
The main decisions made in the life of a Baptist church are made
when the members gather together in a bi-monthly 'Members' Meeting'.
Here each member has an opportunity to contribute to the prayerful
discussion on a topic and each member is given the responsibility of
deciding what the will of God is in regard to the matter in
question. Only when a substantial majority of the membership is
agreed will a decision be made.
- Baptists believe passionately in
overseas mission
Baptists have a history of being involved in mission. William Carey
was the founder of the Baptist Missionary Society and despite being
told to 'sit down young man' by his contemporaries, he stirred the
church into concern and action for those living in other countries.
Today, Baptists are widely involved in all kinds of overseas
mission.
- Baptists believe that evangelism and
social action belong together
One of the most famous Baptists is Billy Graham, whose enthusiasm
for evangelism is known all over the world. At the same time,
Baptists have also believed that as part of our mission we have the
responsibility to show Christian love and care in practical and
social action towards those in need and those who are on the margins
of society. Martin Luther King was a famous Baptist who pioneered
racial equality in America.
- Baptists are independent, yet enjoy good
relationships with others
A Baptist church is not subject to the authority of anyone outside,
and makes its own decisions, as guided by God, about its life and
activity. But this does not mean that we work in isolation from
others. We are involved with other Baptist churches through the
various layers of the Baptist Union, which is a resource
centre for all Baptist churches. We are also related to the Baptist
churches in Europe through the European Baptist Federation,
and with other Baptist churches throughout the world through the
Baptist World Alliance. In the UK, we relate to all other
evangelical churches by being a member of the Evangelical
Alliance, and at a local level we also belong to and work
closely with Churches Together in Selsdon & Addington.
- Baptist churches do not get money from
any central funds
The congregation of each Baptist church is entirely responsible for
raising all the money it needs through the offerings, for its
activities and to pay its staff. We also try and help other Baptist
churches that are not as well off as we are, and support initiatives
in mission through chaplaincies and special ministries, by giving
money to Baptist 'Home Mission'.
- Baptists have a strong concern for
religious freedom
Because they were once a persecuted minority, Baptists have a
special concern for minority groups, and for issues about the
freedom of religion. They also believe that the church must be free
from ties to the state, so that the church is free to criticise the
state if it needs to.
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