Why are we Baptists?
Many "Baptist" churches have removed the title "Baptist" from their name in the last decade or so. Each church has its own reasons for doing so, but a popular reason is that the name "Baptist" is a denomination and therefore could be limiting to people who may be looking for a church home.
Unlike other denominations, Baptists are not all the same or all part of the same group. There are Baptist churches that are part of separate denominations, but we (Liberty Baptist) are an independent church. We are not part of any group or hierarchy.
Baptists are not Protestants either. We did not "protest" and break away from another group. Ironically, the name "Baptist" was placed upon us by other groups because we believed and taught Biblical baptism was only after salvation and only by immersion. We still do teach this truth!
Our history does not go back to the reformation but to the book of Acts. There are certain doctrinal beliefs that we adhere to that distinguishes us from other churches and can be traced through our history back to the the Lord Jesus and the early church in the book of Acts. We call them "Baptist Distinctives" and they can be listed as an acrostic:
B: Bible is the Final Authority for Faith and Practice.
A: Autonomy of the Local Church.
P: Priesthood of the Believers.
T: Two Ordinances; Baptism and the Lord's Table.
I: Individual Soul Liberty.
S: Saved and Separated Church Membership.
T: Two Offices; Pastors and Deacons.
S: Separation of Church and State.
Not all Baptist churches agree with these teachings because we are not all the same. Liberty Baptist Church will remain a Baptist church because we do follow these teachings. They are important.
The term "Baptist" is a Biblical term. You may remember John the Baptist who baptized Jesus. In fact, he baptized many people! Luke 7:28 states, "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
Baptists have a long and incredible history! It is an incredible history because it was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ! This article, although brief and not exhaustive, explains why we are Baptists for those who may have any questions why we are.
Unlike other denominations, Baptists are not all the same or all part of the same group. There are Baptist churches that are part of separate denominations, but we (Liberty Baptist) are an independent church. We are not part of any group or hierarchy.
Baptists are not Protestants either. We did not "protest" and break away from another group. Ironically, the name "Baptist" was placed upon us by other groups because we believed and taught Biblical baptism was only after salvation and only by immersion. We still do teach this truth!
Our history does not go back to the reformation but to the book of Acts. There are certain doctrinal beliefs that we adhere to that distinguishes us from other churches and can be traced through our history back to the the Lord Jesus and the early church in the book of Acts. We call them "Baptist Distinctives" and they can be listed as an acrostic:
B: Bible is the Final Authority for Faith and Practice.
A: Autonomy of the Local Church.
P: Priesthood of the Believers.
T: Two Ordinances; Baptism and the Lord's Table.
I: Individual Soul Liberty.
S: Saved and Separated Church Membership.
T: Two Offices; Pastors and Deacons.
S: Separation of Church and State.
Not all Baptist churches agree with these teachings because we are not all the same. Liberty Baptist Church will remain a Baptist church because we do follow these teachings. They are important.
The term "Baptist" is a Biblical term. You may remember John the Baptist who baptized Jesus. In fact, he baptized many people! Luke 7:28 states, "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
Baptists have a long and incredible history! It is an incredible history because it was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ! This article, although brief and not exhaustive, explains why we are Baptists for those who may have any questions why we are.