As to a Christian Church- Baptist
hold that a Church is a company of disciples, baptized on a profession
of their faith in Christ, united in covenant to maintain the
ordinances of the Gospel, and public worship of God. Also, Baptist are
to live godly lives, and to spread abroad the knowledge of Christ as
the Savior of men.
As to Baptism- Baptist believe
that baptism is the immersion, dipping, or burying a candidate in
water, on a profession of his faith in Christ, and that such is the
only form of baptism taught in the New Testament, or practiced by the
Apostles and first Christians. Consequently the form is essential to
the ordinance and nothing but immersion can be scriptural baptism.
As to Proper Subjects for Baptism-
Baptists assert that the only proper subjects for baptism are
regenerated person, i.e. those who have exercised and professed a
saving faith in Christ, and are living orderly Christian lives.
As to Proper Subjects for Communion-
Baptists claim that only regenerated person, baptized on a profession
of their faith, and living a Godly and Christian life as members of a
Church, have a right to or can properly partake of the Supper.
As to the Form of Church Government-
Baptists assert that each particular local Church is a self-governing
and independent of all other Churches. Guidelines governance are
set in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
As to Church Officers- The Baptist
Church officers are essentially the Pastor, Deacons and Trustees of
the Church.
As to Doctrinal Belief- Baptists
hold that the unity of the Godhead; Equal Divinity of the Father, Son
and Spirit; a full and free salvation proclaimed to all in Christ;
atonement and redemption by the sacrifice of Christ; justification by
faith, not by works, necessity of regeneration in order for salvation;
that the Holy Spirit is the author and finisher of saving faith and
sanctification, the personal election of believers; the perseverance
of saints by upholding grace the resurrection of the body, and the
life everlasting; also the endless duration of rewards of punishments
to be assigned by Christ, the judge of the quick and dead at His
coming and glory.
