What Baptists Believe:

• The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.

• Baptism is for believers only. This means that one must be aware of one's faith before being baptised. Individuals are not normally baptised before the age of 12. The form the ceremony takes is immersion, not the pouring on or sprinkling on of water.

• The church consists of believers only. Hence there can be no state or territorial churches comprising all the individuals living within a certain region. Members must give definite testimony to their faith.

• Church and state must be kept separate.

• All Christians are equal in the life of the church. Although some members may be given special responsibilities, this in no way detracts from the priesthood of all believers.

• Each local congregation is independent, but the congregations manifest their unity by joining associations or conventions.

(Adapted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1998 The Learning Company, Inc.)

In addition, Baptists believe in the freedom of individual interpretation, and have a long history of championing religious freedom.

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"Give a man an open Bible, an open mind, a conscience in good working order, and he will have a hard time to keep from being a Baptist." - A.W.Robertson