Baptists are a diverse group. Most
people groups are represented both in America and across the world.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was Baptist and so was segregationist
governor Lester Maddox. Democratic presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill
Clinton and conservative Republican Senator Jesse Helms are all
Baptists. Baptists are organized into various denominations including
the Southern Baptist Convention (the largest Protestant denomination
in America) but many choose to remain independent.
Within this diversity lies a
distinctive group of beliefs that Baptists hold in common. These
beliefs are not exclusive to Baptists, other denominations believe
them as well. It is the combination of these beliefs that create the
Baptist identity.
These beliefs include the authority of
the Bible, soul competency, salvation by faith alone, local church
autonomy, religious freedom and a strong emphasis on evangelism and
missions. The Baptists are more commonly identified by the belief in
believer's baptism by immersion.
Diversity and freedom are a common
theme among Baptists but some headline-grabbing individuals within
our denominational family make us look mean and controlling. It's
important for Baptists to understand our history and doctrine. This
Sunday I begin a sermon series about being Baptist that will be
accompanied by this blog and a study of Baptist doctrine on Wednesday
nights.
3 comments:
Can't wait for this series to begin. We all need to know why we are who we are - Baptists!
Can't wait to hear ye share why we are who we are - Baptists! I imagine many in our congregation will be surprised at some things they didn't know.
It is so hard to imagine that even churches that have the name "Baptist" in their name are not preaching or leading the church the way the Lord would want them to lead it. I can say I learned this the hard way. I also learn that if we do not know the scriptures that we can fall for a false leader or corrupt church. I plan to read my bible a lot more and to study it as much as I can.
Thank you, Pastor, for this series.
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