Baptist beliefs are not completely consistent from one church to another, asBaptists do not have a central governing authority. However, Baptists do hold some common beliefs among almost all Baptist churches.
Since the early days of theBaptist movement, various organizations have adopted commonconfessions of faith as the basis for cooperative interdependency among local churches.[1] These would include beliefs aboutone God, thevirgin birth, theimpeccability,miracles,vicarious atoningdeath, burial and bodilyresurrection of Christ, the need forsalvation (although the understanding of means for achieving it may differ at times),divine grace, theChurch, theKingdom of God,last things (Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge everyone in righteousness),evangelism andmissions.
Baptist beliefs are seen as belonging to the two historical strands:General Baptists (Freewill Baptists), who uphold anArminian soteriology, andParticular Baptists (Reformed Baptists), who upholdCalvinist soteriology.[2] The1689 Baptist Confession of Faith is subscribed to by a consensus of Particular Baptists, whereas theOrthodox Creed is widely accepted by General Baptists. A third, recent strand calledIndependent Baptists, might embrace a strict version of either Arminianism or Calvinism, but are most notable for theirfundamental positions onBiblical hermeneutics, family and the social order, and advocacy of "King James Onlyism."[citation needed] In addition to the distinctive doctrines of Protestantism, Baptists reject the theological validity and covenantal value ofpaedobaptism. While certainIndependent Baptists adhere tomemorialism, the General Baptists and Reformed Baptists teach thereal spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist.[3]
The followingacrosticacronym, spellingBAPTIST, summarizes Baptists' distinguishing beliefs:[4]
Sometimes another "S" is added, makingBAPTISTS:
Baptists practicebeliever's baptism and theEucharist, or Communion, as theordinances instituted in Scripture (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).[6][7]These are typically referred by asordinances (meaning "obedience to a command that Christ has given us")[8] which has historically been used by Baptists interchangeably with "sacraments" (activities God uses to impart salvation or a means of grace to the participant).[9] Other sacraments includethe laying on of hands andanointing of the sick, as expressed in theStandard Confession (1660), as well asWashing of the Saints’ feet.[10] The communion and foot washing service is practiced regularly by members of theSeparate Baptists in Christ,General Association of Baptists,Free Will Baptists,Primitive Baptists,Union Baptists,Old Regular Baptist,Christian Baptist Church of God.[11] Certain churches in the Baptist tradition continue to practicehead covering for Christian women as a biblical ordinance.[12][13]
Baptists hold their services of worship onSunday and first-day Sabbatarianism has been the dominant position among Baptists. However, there is a group known as theSeventh Day Baptists whose origins are derived fromAnabaptism and the pre-Reformation. Seventh Day Baptists gather and worship on the seventh day of the week on Saturday. A large portion of Seventh Day Baptists adopted the teachings of the Sabbath, which led to the formation of theSeventh-day Adventist Church.[14]
Baptists are descendants of theSeparatists who, according to some, were probably influenced by Continental Anabaptists, like other Dissenters. Thus the Baptist tradition is considered an outcome of theReformation.[14] In the early 17th century, those individuals who called themselves Baptists dissented fromthe Church of England.[14] Some notable Puritan dissenters includedJohn Smyth andThomas Helwys who were acknowledged as key pioneers for the Baptist denomination.[14]
Furthermore, some Baptists (notablyLandmarkists or "Baptist Bride" adherents) hold to a belief inperpetuity, which embraces the notion that the Baptists existed since the time of Christ until today as the Church of Christ founded in Jerusalem was Baptist. Those who believe in this Baptist perpetuity, view the Baptist tradition as not being a critical aspect of the Protestant Reformation.[14]
It is, however, well known by the community at home and abroad, that from a very early period they have been divided into two parties, which have been denominatedGeneral andParticular, which differ from each other mainly in their doctrinal sentiments; the Generals being Arminians, and the other, Calvinists.
John Calvin and most other Protestant leaders rejected the Roman Catholic sacramental system but retained its vocabulary, applying the term "sacrament" only to ordinances instituted by God himself (cf. Westminster Confession of Faith 27; Belgic Confession 33). ... Unlike Baptists and Anabaptists, who tend to speak of baptism only as an "ordinance," Calvinists have characteristically spoken of baptism not only as an ordinance but also as a sacrament or a mystery, a rite through which God applies grace.
These two Sacraments, (viz.) Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, are Ordinances of Positive, Sovereign, and holy Institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Lawgiver, to be continued in his Church to the end of the259 World; and to be Administred by those only who are rightly qualified, and there-unto called, according to the Command of Christ, in Mat. 38.19.
Gospel Ordinances – Free Will Baptists believe the Bible teaches three ordinances for the church to practice: Baptism in water by immersion, the Lord's Supper, to be perpetuated until His return, and the Washing of the Saints' feet, an ordinance teaching humility.
Female members should remember the teaching of 1 Cor. 14:34–35, and so must ask questions at Members' Meetings through their own husbands or a male member of the Church. Female head covering is the teaching of Holy Scripture, as seen in 1 Cor. 11, and so is to be observed by all female Church members in all Church Services, business and prayer meetings.
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