Baptist Distinctives and Polity

What are the two lenses that we use to define Baptists?

doctrinal lens and experiential lens

What makes Baptists distinct?

it is not the individual beliefs that make them distinct but the amalgamation of them that describes Baptist beliefs

What are the beliefs of Baptists?

believer’s baptism by immersion, authority of Scripture, Lordship of Christ, priesthood of the believer, regenerate church membership, religious freedom, congregational polity

Define the authority of Scripture for Baptists

the foundational authority for all matter of faith derive from the Bible

Define the Lordship of Christ for Baptists

Jesus rules objectively in the world and subjectively in the lives of the believers

Define priesthood of the believer for Baptists

one can go to directly to God with out a human mediator

Define regenerate church membership for Baptists

membership is for believers only

Define believer’s baptism by immersion for Baptists

baptism is the local expression of one’s conversion

Define religious freedom for Baptists

faith cannot be forced and the states should not dictate matters of faith

Define congregational polity for Baptists

each congregation is autonomous in choosing its leaders and stating their beliefs

What is a sacrament?

a means by which God’s grace is conveyed to you when you participate in a certain practice

What are the two sacraments/ordinances of Baptists?

Lord’s Supper and baptism by immersion

What are the other practices of some other Baptists?

foot washing, public washing, laying on hands of new members

What is polity?

how we practice the faith; how we govern/organizational structure that a congregation has

What are the models of Church Government?

hierarchal/episcopalian, representative/presbyterian, congregational

Describe the hierarchal/Episcopalian model?

practiced by Catholics and Anglicans; power decisions flow from the top down; any decision at the higher ecclesiastical level is binding to lower level

Define the representative/presbyterian model

practiced by Presbyterians and Methodists; the congregation elects elders to serve a church board (session) to make decisions; the session sends elders and pastors to the presbytery which makes decisions for a region; the presbytery chooses delegates to the synod and any decision made at higher ecclesiastical level binding to the lower levels

Define the congregational model

practiced by Baptists and Mennonites; the local church is governed by the members; decisions made by consensus not uniformity; congregations can voluntarily join together in associations/conventions

What are the cooperative methods among Baptists?

society, convention, and conference

What does a “society” for Baptists mean?

it is made up of individuals and the membership is based solely on financial contributions to the society; the organization is around a single issue/mission; examples are the Bible Society, the Foreign Mission Society, and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Pastors

What does a “convention” for Baptists mean?

it is made up of individuals sent by financially contributing churches; it coordinates a variety of ministries and missions; examples are the Foreign Mission Board, the Home Mission Board, and the Sunday School Board