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What is a Baptist???

By Pastor Jamey
 
You Never Know!
        This is a very hard question to answer.  The reason being, it differs from place to place.  Now some Baptists would not admit this but its true.  You never quite know what you are going to get when you go to a Baptist Church.  Some are strict, some are liberal.  Some believe in eternal security (??Whats that??) and some don't.  Some hate dancing, some don't.  Now some might think this is a problem, but really its not.  It just means that being a Baptist has a certain ammount of freedom in it. It means that no two Baptist Churches are exactly alike.  If you want to find out if a Baptist Church is right for you, you need to visit it and find out what the people are like.

1) Its A Denomination
        Back to our definition.  Baptist can first be looked at as a denomination.  A Denomination is an established religious group, which has usually been in existence for many years and has geographically widespread membership. It typically unites a group of individual congregations into a single administrative body. Denominations differ greatly in the sharing of power between individual congregations and the central authority. Baptist churches have historically allowed individual churches to hold diverse beliefs.  That where the individual flair comes from.  Other denominations centralize authority, and allow congregations little freedom to differ in beliefs or policies.

2) Its A People
        Secondly, Baptist can be looked at as people.  What makes one a Baptist?  Simply put, if you join a Baptist Church, then you are a baptist.  There is nothing magical or mysterious about it.  Jesus really doesn't care if you are a Baptist, or Pentecostal, or Lutheran, or Catholic, or ......, get the idea?  Joining a Church doesn't get you to heaven.  Being a church member doesn't get you to heaven.  Being a Baptist, or Catholic, or whatever, doesn't do you a whole lot of good unless your heart is right before God. That's the point of the Gospel.  Is your heart right before God?  Has Jesus entered into your heart and forgiven your sins?  Have you given your life to the Saviour who died to give you eternal life?

3) Its A Belief
        Thirdly, a Baptist can be looked at as a system of beliefs.  Have you ever heard someone say, "But I'm a methodist!"  What are they really saying.  What they are really saying is this...I grew up in a methodist Church and I'm used to the way it runs.  When you say that you are a baptist what you are really saying is..."I like what Baptists believe."  Now I know what you're thinking..."But you said that all Baptists are different!?"  Yep, I did say that, but within the Baptist denomination there are usually a few things that they all believe in.  There are some beliefs that all Baptists hold in common.  If you would like the definitive source on what Baptists believe you can visit the Baptist Faith and Message, or you can keep reading for the condensed version.

        Now you may be thinking there is nothing special in what you believe.  All Christians believe those things.  Well if they are a Christian they probably do.  Like I said before, there is nothing magical in being a baptist.  If God has called you to a Baptist Church then go.  If that's the church you feel at home in, then go.  If that's the church that you feel you can best serve God in, then go.
        But what if I don't like baptist churches?  Well as a baptist pastor I would ask you, "Why?"  There's got to be some baptist church somewhere that you like?  "But I like the pentecostal church down the road."  Well you know what I say?  Good for you.  And if its a bible-believing Church my blessings are on you.  Baptists aren't the only denomination or people who are going to heaven, they are just one of them.  There are several other good denominations and churches and people.  If you have given your life to Jesus, then ask Him to guide you to the one He wants you in.
 

        There is nothing special about being a baptist.  We are just a group of Christians sharing similar beliefs whom God has brought together for His purpose.  We aren't the only group, but we are a good group.  Hopefully you will find among baptist this one desire...To follow the Bible and whatever it says.  More than anything else this is in the heart of a Baptist.  God Bless and Catch you later.