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Understanding Baptist Distinctives
Part One:
Introduction:
The Bible tells us in I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” I realize that the primary application of this passage is regarding salvation, but I also believe based on this and other passages that we should know what we believe and why we are what we are. How often do you field a question like Why do you go to church there? Or why are you a Baptist? Or what makes your church different that all the others? When things like this arise, and they do, we should stand ready to give an answer. Take a moment and open your phone book to the yellow pages and look up churches. After the general church listing you will find churches broken into categories. Count how many there are. For further head scratching count the number of Baptist headings. In Macon, GA where we presently are, there are 54 different categorized church headings. The world Christian database lists 5,989 denominations, associations and conventions, If you really want to scratch your head, click the following link and look at all of the different groups listed : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations Of course it should go without saying that all of these groups have differences from each other and things that are different are not the same.
With all that being said realize the following thoughts:
Is any of this important? Why does it matter? What is it that makes us different? Several weeks ago I began teaching some of these things in church, I have taught them before in other places, and I am sure I will teach them in the future. Historically we as Baptists have been a persecuted people many of our Baptist brethren were killed or tortured at the hands of the Catholic church for failing to submit to the church’s authority. Bible believing Baptist preachers of old had their tongues cut out for preaching on the street. Then along came the protestant reformation. A careful study of history will show you that the end result of the protestant reformation was that we had two enemies instead of one. Martin Luther hated the Anabaptists (our forefathers) and persecuted them almost to the extent of Rome. Though there are many, here are just two direct Luther quotes:
“If anyone wishes to preach or to teach, let him make known the call or the command which impels him to do so, or else let him keep silence. If he will not keep quiet, then let the civil authorities command the scoundrel to his rightful master - namely, Master Hans [i.e., the hangman].”
"That seditious articles of doctrine should be punished by the sword needed no further proof. For the rest, the Anabaptists hold tenets relating to infant baptism, original sin, and inspiration, which have no connection with the Word of God, and are indeed opposed to it. ... Secular authorities are also bound to restrain and punish avowedly false doctrine ... For think what disaster would ensue if children were not baptized? ... Besides this the Anabaptists separate themselves from the churches ... and they set up a ministry and congregation of their own, which is also contrary to the command of God. From all this it becomes clear that the secular authorities are bound ... to inflict corporal punishment on the offenders ... Also when it is a case of only upholding some spiritual tenet, such as infant baptism, original sin, and unnecessary separation, then ... we conclude that ... the stubborn sectaries must be put to death."
I think we should take very seriously the matter of being a Baptist and our heritage. We should know why we are Baptists and fly the flag high with that being said please understand I don’t believe that Baptists will be the only folks in heaven, I believe that anyone who has turned from their sin and trusted Christ as saviour will be there (and this will exclude some Baptists I am sure). With all of that being said let’s begin to look at eight historic Baptist distinctives for easy memory they start with the letters B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S
B-The Bible is our sole authority in faith and practice
Throughout these articles I will quote from a book called “The New Directory for Baptist Churches" Which was written by Edward T. Hiscox and published in 1859 I know this book is available for sale on amazon.com or you can read the entire book online if you want by clicking this link: http://www.fbinstitute.com/hiscox/hiscoxindex.htm
The Bible is a Divine
Revelation given of God to men, and is a complete and infallible guide and
standard of authority in all matters of religion and morals; whatever it teaches
is to be believed, and whatever it commands is to be obeyed; whatever it
commends is to be accepted as both right and useful; whatever it condemns is to
be avoided as both wrong and hurtful; but what it neither commands nor teaches
is not to be imposed on the conscience as of religious obligation.
The New Testament is the constitution of Christianity, the charter of the
Christian Church, the only authoritative code of ecclesiastical law, and the
warrant and justification of all Christian institutions. In it alone is life and
immortality brought to light, the way of escape from wrath revealed, and all
things necessary to salvation made plain; while its messages are a gospel of
peace on earth and of hope to a lost world.
"The New Directory for Baptist Churches", by Edward T. Hiscox (1859)
The Bible has always been at the forefront of Baptist belief. We believe it is INERRANT (free from error), INFALLIBLE (incapable of error) and INSPIRED (God breathed) All that we do we should base on the Scriptures and all that we believe and reject we should have Bible reason for. We hold the Bible as our FINAL AUTHORITY in faith and practice. Because of this stand many have accused us of being Bibliolaters or worshipers of the Bible. This is not the case, we don’t worship the Book, however we do worship the God of the Book and because of this reverence and worship of God we hold his word in high esteem.
II Timothy 3:14-17 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Notice a couple of things this passage says about the Bible:
Consider the following verses and what they say about the Scriptures: Psalm 19:7-11 Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Luke 11:28; Romans 10: 17; Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:23; I John 2:14
How this sets us apart from other Groups:
1) Some set church tradition and the word of men above the revelation of God
2) Some set personal experience above the Scriptures-I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said- I don’t
care what the Bible says, I know what happened to me!”
Things to remember:
The Bible always has been and always will be right
If your life, actions or beliefs don’t line up with the Bible you are wrong
You should have a Bible reason for everything you believe and practice
You should devote your life to the study of God’s word
The book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the book
The First thing that sets Baptists apart from others is that we are people of the Book