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BAPTIST
DISTINCTIVES
By:
Pastor Charles L. Dear, Min.D.
Introduction: The term Baptist is used so widely and freely by a variety of churches, not
all of which may continue to esteem and practice the particular doctrines which set historical Baptists apart from
every other denomination, including all Protestants.
Baptist Distinctives are best described by an acronym which uses the letters
B A P T I S T S to define what a real
Baptist is. A brief listing of those distinctives follows, which are described in more
detail below:
B -
Biblical Authority for faith and practice
A - Autonomy or self-government of
each Baptist church
P - Priesthood of All Believers in Jesus Christ
as a personal Saviour
T - Two Ordinances from Jesus Christ: Believer's
Baptism The Lord's Table
I - Individual Soul Liberty of the believer
S - Saved, Baptized Church Membership
T - Two Offices of the local church: Pastor
and Deacon
S - Separation, especially of Church and State
Biblical Authority: The Bible is the final authority for everything that we believe and practice, both in
our personal lives and in the operations of the local Baptist church. The Bible tells us it is God's revelation to
man of everything that we need to know in order to be in right relationship with God and with each other.
Autonomy of the Local Church: Each local Baptist church has the right to conduct its own business, receive
and spend its own money, own its own property, elect its own leadership, without any interference from any person
or organization outside of its membership, in accordance with Scripture.
Priesthood of All Believers: Every person who has received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour has the
privilege of praying to God and worshipping God, without the necessity of a priest.
Two Ordinances or Commands from Jesus Christ:
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Believer's Baptism:
The baptism by immersion of one who has already confessed publicly of their faith in Jesus Christ as their
personal Saviour. It serves to publicly declare the believer's identification with Jesus Christ in His death,
burial and resurrection, portrayed by the baptism. Believer's Baptism excludes infants or others who cannot
express their faith in Christ as their Saviour.
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The Lord's Table - Communion:
The regular gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of
Calvary. It serves as a constant reminder of the price of our salvation and encourages believers to keep in
right relationships with Christ and other believers, in order to participate.
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