Baptist
National Association of Free Will Baptists
25. Can a saved person ever return to a state of not
being a Christian?
Answer: Yes. Though a believer enjoys the keeping power
of God (John 10:28), he can stray into sin and harden his
heart against God’s convicting power to the point that
he could abandon his faith in Jesus. Such a person is lost
forever and without hope (Hebrews 6:4-6)
being a Christian?
Answer: Yes. Though a believer enjoys the keeping power
of God (John 10:28), he can stray into sin and harden his
heart against God’s convicting power to the point that
he could abandon his faith in Jesus. Such a person is lost
forever and without hope (Hebrews 6:4-6)
33. What is the Washing of the Saints’ Feet?
Answer: It is a commemoration of Jesus’ washing the dis-
ciples’ feet, which teaches humility and reminds the believer
of the necessity of a daily cleansing from sin (John 13:2-17).
Answer: It is a commemoration of Jesus’ washing the dis-
ciples’ feet, which teaches humility and reminds the believer
of the necessity of a daily cleansing from sin (John 13:2-17).
We believe that those who abide in Christ have the assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is possible for him to turn away from God and be finally lost.
Several associations and local churches recognize feet washing as an ordinance. We believe that this should be left to the individual, and that neither the practice nor the non-practice of it should be any bar to fellowship, either in the church, the local association, the Presbytery, or the General Association. )
Biblical Authority
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church–pastor and deacon. The three terms—“pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop,” or “overseer”—all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:17–38; Philippians 1:1)
Separation of Church and StateBiblical Authority
The King James Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority. (2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)
Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body. (Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23)
Priesthood of the Believer
“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God—whether we are a preacher or not. (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10)
Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins. (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32)
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. (Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ by being willing to turn from sin and turn to Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
Two Offices
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1–7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence governments toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government. (Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 5:17–29)
Constitution
The Following Major Baptist groups and a few of the Major unbiblical Doctrines they follow
Assorted publications on Baptist History
The Basic 8 Baptist Distinctives for True Baptist
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
Salvation does not include Repentance as being willing to turn from sin
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
Salvation is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
9 American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership.
American Baptist Churches USA today is the most racially inclusive Protestant body. Represented in our churches are equally diverse worship styles, cultural mores and approaches to Scriptural interpretation. The resulting challenges and opportunities have made us stronger —through fellowship, respect, mutual support and dialog, all based on a belief that unity in Christ involves growth and understanding.
American Baptist Churches USA today is the most racially inclusive Protestant body. Represented in our churches are equally diverse worship styles, cultural mores and approaches to Scriptural interpretation. The resulting challenges and opportunities have made us stronger —through fellowship, respect, mutual support and dialog, all based on a belief that unity in Christ involves growth and understanding.
We celebrate the special gifts of all believers, testifying that God can use each of us in the overall outreach of ministry. Paul states that “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers” all work for “building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11,12). The affirmation of lay leaders as integral to church vitality and the ordination of women, practiced in our denomination for more than a century, underscore the belief that many have been called by God to serve.
Primitive Baptist
Jesus said we ought to wash each other's feet, and Primitive Baptists do so. "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well ; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 3: 13-14).
We believe God, before the foundation of the world, unconditionally elected a definite number of the human family in Jesus Christ and ordained them to eternal life and glory. (Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9:11-13, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Acts 13:48)
We believe that as our Lord and Savior washed His disciples' feet, we ought to wash one another's feet. (John 13: 4-17, 1 Timothy 5: 9-10)
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
The growth of BWA membership is marked by increased cultural diversity. This diversity
includes various cultures, languages, customs, histories, racial identities, ways of expressing
theological conviction, and personal and communal encounters with Christ in different cultural
contexts. By God’s grace, the BWA reflects, in a visible way, the rich diversity of the one body
of Christ.5
includes various cultures, languages, customs, histories, racial identities, ways of expressing
theological conviction, and personal and communal encounters with Christ in different cultural
contexts. By God’s grace, the BWA reflects, in a visible way, the rich diversity of the one body
of Christ.5
Salvation does not include Repentance as being willing to turn from sin
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments alone as verbally, plenarily inspired of God, without error in the original writings and the sole authority of faith and practice, providentially preserved as God’s eternal Word (2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Pet. 1:23
Repentance is not defined by what it means, not clear
We believe that the depraved sinner is saved wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and the requisites to regeneration are repentance toward God and faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3-5; John 3:16-18; Acts 20:21; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9), and that the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and
indwells every believer (John 3:6; John 16:8, 9; Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Eph. 4:30; Titus 3:5).
the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3-5; John 3:16-18; Acts 20:21; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9), and that the Holy Spirit convicts sinners, regenerates, seals, secures, and
indwells every believer (John 3:6; John 16:8, 9; Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Eph. 4:30; Titus 3:5).
No Stand on which Bible is God's Word today
Drinking Alcohol is not considered a sin in many churches
Sodomites are in many churches are welcomed with their lifestyle after they profess Salvation
This is not your mothers Church mentality is common
CCM/Rock Music very common with light shows etc.
