HISTORIC BAPTIST PRINCIPLES

PART THREE

TEXT: Acts 1:1-2

Baptists have existed from the time of John the Baptist and Christ. They were not always called "Baptists"; neither were believers always called "Christians." There were Novatianists, Donatists, Montanists, Paulicians, Albigenses, Bogomils, Waldensians, and many more. Many of these were often listed under a more general name, "Anabaptists". All had one thing in common. They sought to follow the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God, and to carry on the principles and simplicity of New Testament faith of Christ and the apostles.

Two fundamental characteristics are found in these groups-

· 1. Their simplistic practice of following the Bible as the final authority in faith and practice.

2. Their belief in the local visible church with opposition to any idea of a universal (catholic) church and the doctrines and practices which were found in Romanism.

There are ten distinctives held by Baptists of history, but denied by many in modern times. These distinctives still make a distinction between true historic Baptists and those who are really more Protestant than Baptist, such as only call themselves Baptist without knowledge and practice of true Baptist faith. It takes more than immersion in water to make a true Baptist.

These ten distinctives are:

1. THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST:

• A. This was Peter's theme on the Day of Pentecost:
• Acts 2:36.
• B. Jesus is the Head of His Church, which is His body:
• Ephesians 1:22
• 1. As Lord He called to Himself, a Body-Church.
• 2. That body is visible, always localized in congregations of believers, Scripturally baptized, and covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission.
• C. Every believer is to submit to Christ as sovereign Lord of all.

2. THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES:

• A. The Bible is the final word as to doctrine and practice:
• 1 Timothy 3:16.
• B. The Bible is the Baptist Creed:
• 1. The Jews erred by traditions.
• 2. Counsels, customs, traditions of men must adhere to the "What saith the Scriptures?"

3. THE FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL:

• A. Liberty for All:
• Baptists believe that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
• The declaration of liberty in the American constitution is based upon the Bible. Salvation is for everyone that believeth, and is an individual experience and an individuals personal responsibility.
• Each individual is a free moral agent, and responsible for his own actions. Note: Do not confuse this term with the Arminian use of "free will." Man's will is bound by his total human depravity. He is not free to will his own salvation apart from the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit.
• Baptists believe that all men have liberty to worship or not to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.
• Baptists insist upon this right, not only for themselves, but also for others.
• B. Baptist belief in liberty involves religion as well as politics:
• Baptists have been the first to speak out against slavery, and on many human rights issues, ever mindful of the restrictions of Scripture:

4. A REGENERATE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:

• A. Baptists believe that the membership of a New Testament Church is to be made up of only those who personally and individually confess Christ as personal Savior and Lord, and have been born again into God's family.
• Unregenerate, including infants are not to be members of the Church.
• B. Baptists believe that before a person can be a member of one of the Lord's churches, they must experience the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, brought about by repentance of sin and faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ.
• C. Upon this fundamental principle rests the Baptist conception of the church as a gathering or assembly of believers. Only those said to be converted to Christ, are said in Scripture to become members of New Testament Churches.

5. THE BAPTISM OF BELIEVERS ONLY:

• Baptists believe in two ordinances, the baptism of believers and the Lord's Supper, and to be obeyed in that order.
• A. Baptism:
• 1. The Biblical use of the word baptism means immersion.
• 2. Is symbolic, not sacramental.
• 3. Declares public identification with Christ.
• 4. Declares obedience to the command of Christ.
• 5. Confession of faith followed by obedience.
• 6. No one can contract for another; it follows repentance and faith.
• 7. Not for infants or anyone incapable of repentance and faith.
• 8. The authority of baptism is in the local church, not the minister.
• B. The Lord's Supper:
• 1. Was instituted by Christ Himself.
• 2. Was given to the apostles and churches.
• 3. Is only for members of the local church.
• 4. It is restricted to those who are saved, baptized, church members.
• Acts 2:41-42.
• 5. It is carried out as a memorial of Christ's death and shed blood for believers.
• 6. Its emblems the unleavened bread and the wine are symbols only and do not replace or take the place of Christ Himself, His blood or His body. Baptists deny the Roman doctrine of Transubstantiation and the Lutheran doctrine of Consubstantiation. At the Lord's table, Baptists remember the Lord's death, confess the Gospel, and look for the coming again of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• C. The order of Ordinances: Acts 2:38-42
• These verses give the Scriptural pattern for baptism, membership and the observance of the Lord's Supper.

6. THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS:

• This basic spiritual principle underlines the democratic church life among Baptists.
• A. Every believer may receive salvation and have free personal access to God the Father at any time.
• 1. Christ is the High Priest, and every believer can go to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. There is only one mediator between God and man, which is Jesus Christ.
• 2. No sacrament, priest, or other person has exclusive powers in matters of salvation and the forgiveness of sins.
• B. Inherent also in the Priesthood of Believers, is the Baptist belief that each believer may interpret the Scriptures for himself as he is guided by the Holy Spirit.
• C. Baptists are opposed to special distinction between the clergy and the laity:
• 1. Pastors do not have special priestly powers.
• 2. Every believer has a personal responsibility to work and to witness for Christ as called and enabled of God.

7. THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION:

• Each local church (and there is no other kind) is autonomous, sovereign in herself, or ecclesiastically independent.

· · A. There is no office or government above that of the local congregation, except Christ Himself.

B. Baptists do not believe in Popery of any kind.

C. All ministries, offices, committees are subject to the congregation or membership of each local church.

D. All ordinances are given to the church and as such are administered by the church.

E. Local churches may associate with others in mission as long as they maintain their own sovereignty. In inter-church work, they may send messengers, but should never delegate any authority. Authority belongs with the church.

8. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE:

A. The Church and State have separate functions:

B. Jesus made a distinction between Caesar and God:

C. The State should not interfere with matters of the Church, neither should the Church seek to dominate the State:

D. Baptists believe they should be loyal, patriotic citizens.

E. Baptists believe in obedience to the State except in areas where it is contrary to the Word of God:

F. Baptists believe that churches, her agencies, such as schools, should not be supported by the state or public taxes.

9. WORLD MISSION:

• True Baptists have ever been "Missionary Baptists."

· A. The Great Commission was given to the Church:

· Matthew 28:19-20.

B. Evangelism is a distinctive characteristic of Baptists:

C. The primary purpose of the Great Commission is to preach the gospel, and plant New Testament Churches.

D. Schools and associations are voluntary and not to usurp authority over the local church.

E. All schools, mission work, and missionaries should be sponsored by a local New Testament Church.

F. Churches may cooperate together in the support of schools and mission work.

G. Historic Baptist Churches ought to establish other churches, which then become sovereign bodies. Churches start other Churches, not missions.

CONCLUSION:

To be a true Baptist you must repent of your sins, receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior; follow Him in baptism by the authority of a Scriptural New Testament Baptist Church. One must then follow the above principles in faith and practice.

If you would like free information on God's plan of salvation, please write us today.

This series of outlines on Historic Baptist Faith are available on cassette from Baptist Pulpit Ministries.

We also recommend the following books by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Introduction to the New Testament Church

The Jew, The Gentile, and The Church

Baptist Church Polity

How to Build a New Testament Baptist Church

Historic Baptists and The Doctrines of Grace

The Road Called Pain

Jesus Took Me Further -by Marguerite Godbout

A Historical and Doctrinal Defence of the Albigenses- by Elder D. Paul Tuck Jr.

(Write for complete list of books available from BAPTIST PULPIT MINISTRIES)

You may find our list of Publications on our Publications Page

Baptist Pulpit Ministries is sponsored by LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.