AV Bible Believers Fellowship

Being Baptist

I have said before and so I say again, being a Baptist is not about a " denomination" it is about doctrine.

History, without doubt, proves Baptist doctrine existed before the 17th century.

Baptist doctrine goes all the way back to Jesus. He took the materials ( the message, baptsim and some disciples) based on the preaching and preparation of John (dare I say it) THE BAPTIST and started His church, (see Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:14.)

Matthew 3:2 (KJB) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 (KJB) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Are John and Jesus preaching the same gospel?

Isn't this the same message Paul preached in Acts 26:20 (KJB) But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance...? compared to Matthew 3:8 (KJB) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance...

And isn't this the same message we preach that Jesus commanded in Luke 24:46-48 (KJB) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. ?

And as far as Baptism, doesn't our baptism follow the same pattern of John, as submiited to by Christ, carrried on by Him and His disciples in Matthew 3:16-17 (KJB) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.....?

John 3:23-27 (KJB) And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven.

John 4:1-2 (KJB) When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Do we not carry this on, as part of the Great Commision, this same preaching of the gospel and practicing of Baptsim that John, Jesus and His disciples did? Mark 16:15-16 (KJB) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Ephesians 4:3-6 (KJB) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Again and again, it IS a matter of doctrine not denomination. Yes there are many Baptist denominations, but I have never in my saved life belonged to a denomination, I belong to a Doctrine that comes from Jesus and the Aposltes, Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJB) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 2:16-22 (KJB) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The church is the Lord's body (Ep 1:22, 23). Their are 2 prerequisites to gain entrnace into it, 1) by the Spirit's Birth, Ep 2:18 and 2) Scriptural Baptism, Ep 4:4, 5. That is sound doctrine not denominational theory.

Ephesians 3:21 (KJB) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Though we Baptist's may vary to certain degrees on some of these minute details, we preach the same gospel and practice the same baptism that John and Jesus did. Our Doctrine has been around for 2000 years. Selah.

From a note on Facebook.

The Biblical Distinctives Of Baptists


What are Baptist distinctives?

Those teachings which distinguish us or make us distinct from other church groups.


Which are the Baptist distinctives?

"B" Biblical AUTHORITY - II Timothy 3:16,17
Baptists believe that the Bible is the final authority for us.
No word of man or council of men can ever supersede the Bible.

"A" AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH - Matthew 18:15-17
Baptists believe that the local church is an independent body accountable to no one but our Lord. There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate what a local church can or should do.

"P" PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS - l Peter 2:5-9
Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly through the Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. There is no need for any human mediator.

"T" TWO ORDINANCES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
Acts 2:41-47; l Corinthians 11:23-32
There are only two ordinances for the local church to practice today - baptism and communion.

"I" INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY - Romans 14:5-12
Baptists believe that every individual has the liberty to believe as his conscience or soul dictates. A person should not be forced to believe anything against his will.

"S" SAVED, BAPTIZED, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - Acts 2:41-47
Every person who is saved should be baptized and join a local church. Furthermore, only saved and baptized individuals should be allowed to become members of a local church.

"T" TWO OFFICES IN THE CHURCH - l Timothy 3:1-13
The Bible teaches that there are only two offices in the church -- pastor and deacon. There is not Scriptural support for the hierarchy of offices in many churches today.

"S" SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE - Matthew 22:15-22
The church and state are two separate spheres, and the one should never control the other.

http://www.canadianbaptistbiblecollege.com/baptist.html

Mod note: Baptists believe in baptism by immersion only. It is an outward sign of an inward decision and also admits the saved individual to the membership of the local church (Acts 2:41, 47).

I believe all of that except church membership stuff (I believe the only church you can be a member of is the church of His body, and this church is joined by belief - it disgusted me whenever my previous pastor would spend 20 minutes before the Lord's Supper explaining to visitors how they could qualify to partake in the Lord's Supper, and then just pass right by them anyway, giving them no choice, thus making himself the Holy Spirit), but I refuse to call myself a baptist anymore. But that is mainly from personal experience and hurt I have felt from baptist churches.

(06-20-2010 05:07 PM)Luke Wrote: [ -> ]I believe all of that except church membership stuff (I believe the only church you can be a member of is the church of His body, and this church is joined by belief - it disgusted me whenever my previous pastor would spend 20 minutes before the Lord's Supper explaining to visitors how they could qualify to partake in the Lord's Supper, and then just pass right by them anyway, giving them no choice, thus making himself the Holy Spirit), but I refuse to call myself a baptist anymore. But that is mainly from personal experience and hurt I have felt from baptist churches.

I'm with you, Luke. I may be Baptistic in belief, but I've started calling myself a Bible Believer. I don't call myself a Baptist anymore either.

Amen Luke and Laura. I am the same way. I posted the original article, because of what was posted about the Baptist doctrines not being here until the Reformation.

Hi Everyone.

I was born into a Brethren family, and a good solid Christian family it is. I do not call myself a Brethren, if I have to fill in a "demonination" on a form etc; I always put Born again Christian. That always gets the eyebrows lifting and the strange whisperings, but who cares, I certainly don't. I do not "belong to or have joined" any church here as there simply are NO Bible believing churches within a 100 miles or more so Steve and I observe the Lord's supper at home to-gether. The Gospel Hall where my parents went until their old age has now even tried using the NIV "for comparison", this forum and my home forum are both great sources of learning and fellowship for me and I would never compromise that to say I "belonged" to such and such church.

Blessings to you all.

In Christ.
Valerie.

Gary and Valerie!

My wife and I have hashed and rehashed this topic over the last 10-15 years. Because of the growing apostasy, yes, even in our "Baptist" churches, it has forced many, like some of you brethren who've posted above to take the, Bible Believer stand. Just for comfort, the Christians in other lands, i.e., Romania, etc., call themselves, and are refered to by others as, Believers, or Repenters.

Often it says, BAPTIST on the sign out front, but they are not BAPTIST in their hearts. Baptist USED TO mean something. It once was marked by the following:

Christ
Humility
Love
Evangelism
Persecution
Prayer
Power

Then, they obtained status with the coming of the Constitution and in time they became "acceptable." Unfortunately, some, in an effort to BE acceptable toned down the commitments of the early believers called Baptist. When it came to the teachings of the Humble Galilean, they took them literally. They tried to walk out the lessons in the Sermon on the Mount. They tried to do such outlandish things as:

Love their enemies
Bless their enemies
Walk in humility
Pray always
Love the unlovely, etc.

They didn't have to have revivals, their testimony was that of. . . ALIVE in Christ. It COST them something. In the 20th Century, our religion costs us NOTHING. Since it does not cost, we can do with or without it. . . we think. Consider:

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

When we think of this verse Paul used between the Gentiles bride and Israel, we should apply it to ourselves. Does God owe the Baptists anything? A strong, and resounding, NO! He will take up the candlestick of his presence and go down the street and look for some humble fellowship, on their knees, breaking their hearts wide-openned before the throne of grace for the power and presence of the Living Christ!

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless [when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

He did not ask, "...shall he find Baptists..." BUT, if he does find Baptists, will they be earmarked by that of their predessors, or will they have falled asleep while the enemy came in and took all their children to the world?

God help all believers, God help the Baptists in these last days.

(06-20-2010 05:07 PM)Luke Wrote: [ -> ]I believe all of that except church membership stuff (I believe the only church you can be a member of is the church of His body, and this church is joined by belief - it disgusted me whenever my previous pastor would spend 20 minutes before the Lord's Supper explaining to visitors how they could qualify to partake in the Lord's Supper, and then just pass right by them anyway, giving them no choice, thus making himself the Holy Spirit), but I refuse to call myself a baptist anymore. But that is mainly from personal experience and hurt I have felt from baptist churches.

I see where you're coming from and I'm guessing if I had the experiences you had I might feel the same way. However, I'm proud to call myself a Baptist because of the doctrine and history of the movement. However, I always qualify it by stating that I'm a Bible-Believing Baptist.

As far as the local church, it's an absolutely vital New Testament doctrine. Throughout the book of Acts God always used the local church to do things, and Paul and Jesus (in Revelation) addressed local churches because that's God's pattern. God clearly established the need, purpose, and authority of the local church. The idea of being under the authority of God alone, without a local church being involved in some way, is unbiblical.

I speak this solely as an encouragement to you to find a church that will help encourage you in the Lord. There is no perfect church and there never has been a perfect church, ever. The local churches in the New Testament all had problems - adultery, heresies, strife, man-followers, hypocrites, etc. God never told the good people in those churches to bail out on going to the local church. If the leadership is corrupt, that's one thing, but every church is going to have its problems.

If you've been hurt, I encourage you to start afresh in a new local church and to resist the urge to "go rogue" and not be part of a church. It's not Biblical at all, and you won't find peace there. God will bless you for getting plugged in somewhere; we're built for fellowship and interdependence.