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:  
 

1. 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.   
2. 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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