Q#1: “Why should a Christian be a, ‘B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. Christian’?”
A#1: “Because truth matters, and what we believe determines how we behave!”
NOTE: Baptists are not the only Christians who believe these things, but we are the only Christians who believe all eight of these things!
Many other denominations believe, teach, and practice some of these eight biblical truths!
A few other denominations believe, teach, and practice most of these eight biblical truths!
Only Baptists believe, teach, and practice all eight of these biblical truths!
Believing, teaching, and practicing these eight biblical truths is what makes us B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S.
Biblical Authority!
1st Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly[1] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
2nd Timothy 3:15-17
(15) “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(16) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
2nd Peter 1:20-21
(20) “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (21) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”.
Autonomy of the Local Church!
Colossians 1:18 “And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
2nd Corinthians 8:1-5
(1-5) (1) “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, (2) for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. (3) For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, (4) begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—(5) and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
Priesthood of every individual Believer!
1st Peter 2:5, 9
(5) “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
(9) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Revelation 5:9-10
(9) “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, (10) and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Two Ordinances of the Church!
Matthew 28:19-20
(19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Luke 22:15-20
(15) “And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (16) For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (17) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. (18) For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (19) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (20) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
Individual Soul Liberty Romans 14:5,12
(5) “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
(12) “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
2nd Corinthians 4:2 “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Saved, and baptized (by immersion following competent profession of faith) church membership!
Acts 2:41-47 (41) “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (42) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (43) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. (44) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (45) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
(46) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
1st Corinthians 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
Two Officers in the Local Church!
1st Timothy 3:1-13
(1) “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (2) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (4) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (5) for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
(6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
(8) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 20:17, 28
(17) “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.” (28) “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
“Elders” (presbuteros) “spiritually mature…”
“Overseers” (episkopous) “Superintendent”
- Care for…” (poimainein) “Shepherd/Pastor”
Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.”
“Overseers” (Elders/Pastors) serve the Church by leading it! “Servant-Leaders”
“Deacons” serve the Church by serving it! “Lead Servants”
Separation of Church and State!
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