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Is being Baptist still synonomous with being Biblical?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Onlybygrace, Dec 3, 2010.

  1. Onlybygrace

    Onlybygrace New Member

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    We have as Baptists have a heritage of being called "the people of the book". Being Baptist used to mean something and stand for something. Do you feel that is still the case or do you believe things have changed? What are your reasons for your viewpoint?:tonofbricks:
     
  2. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    The problem is that no one can seem to understand what is meant by what Baptists mean or what we stand for. I have heard some say that the predominant feature among baptists is the priesthood of believers. Others see it about being led by the Bible. But Baptists have always been widely divergent in their views all of them believing that "they" are really baptists, myself included.

    Personally I see Baptists becoming much more non-denominational than being Baptists. To me, that's a bad thing.
     
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    People of the Book....Huh?. Thats not the image it congers up here in the North East. If you were to say Orthodox then maybe. Really, Baptist has a bad connotation here in Northern NJ.
     
  4. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    What is it about Baptists that conjures up a negative image in the NE?

    I can't speak for every church, only my own. We are people of the Book.

    If you came to our church without knowing our denomination, you'd go away saying, hey they're Baptist.
     
  5. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    The baptist view of the trinity is the only correct view. However, being as such many versions of baptist whether its all biblicial depending on what kind of baptist you are is up for questions.
     
  6. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I found this statement interesting;
    "But Baptists have always been widely divergent in their views all of them believing that "they" are really Baptists, myself included."

    In looking up the word "divergent" I found this meaning
    "moving in different directions"

    I think this fits most people who are Baptist. While they claim unity through the name they remain divisive in their understandings and beliefs. They mostly move in differing directions even within the same denomination and church instead of being convergent "tending to come together from different directions."

    When I talk to those who are 30 and 40 years older then me I find that there has been a great deal of change in the Baptists. From what I hear they used to be much more in agreement in beliefs and lifestyles.
     
  7. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    That is a hilarious question, since Baptists can't agree on much of anything.

    Even then, no.
     
  8. Onlybygrace

    Onlybygrace New Member

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    Thats a great insight freeatlast... Here in south africa the catch phrase among baptists is :LET'S AGREE TO DISAGREE!

    What in tarnation does that mean. I mean I know what it means(what it says) but what does it mean FOR us? What are the implications of adopting such a philosophical statement? Are we now saying that we are happy to allow private interpretations of scripture and that personal doctrinal bias takes precedence of corporate doctrinal consensus?
     
  9. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Legalistic, Fundamentalist, pecular.....pretty much in the same category as Mormons & Jehovah's Whiteness folks.

    Unfortunately up in Northern NJ & NY your really not recognized or liked. But neither are other orthodox groups like OPC (which are by the way dieing a slow death). Whats growing are Catholics & Mega Churches. Also churches that were Baptist are changing their names inorder to remain open & in order to attract the wayward Catholic.
     
  10. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I agree. The phrase "we agree that we disagree" sadly is one that is used just about every place. It is a catchy phrase and also an unbiblical phrase. What is happening is that the church simply does not agree with itself or even a greater problem with the bible that they claim to hold so dear. So when disagreements arise and no one is willing to change their view, to try and bring the two parties together they settle on "we agree that we disagree" go their way and nothing is solved leaving one correct in their understanding and one wrong or both wrong.
    The problem is that there is no virtue in disagreeing even if we agree that we are in disagreement and we disagree on a matter we are still in disagreement. Scripture says it this way;
    Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

    The answer is no they cannot and seeking peace at all cost putting on a false smily face is not the biblical way. We are to be in agreement or there is no peace. Artificially covering disagreements with fancy phrases does not make peace. What it does is burry falsehood only to rise in greater disagreement for another day causing greater divisions. Again there is no virtue in disagreements. I am afraid that we have become a people who is Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Baptist way? Well I am sure each will decide, but most likely more true then not.
     
    #10 freeatlast, Dec 3, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2010
  11. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    OBG....I wouldnt consider you very doctrinal. Like you said too many varried groups. do you consider Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton Baptists....they are you know. How bout the argument between Calvinist & Free Will Folks? Is a Fundi a Baptist....well yes they are, I think? How bout the wingnut Westboro Church?
     
  12. Onlybygrace

    Onlybygrace New Member

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    :thumbs:

    So are we then to pursue being Biblical at the expense of being Baptist?

    :eek:
     
  13. Onlybygrace

    Onlybygrace New Member

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    Well that depends on how you define doctrinal and in what context you are using it. To me doctrinal is as doctrinal does!

    :thumbs::smilewinkgrin:
     
  14. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    But we must keep in mind that where two or three Baptist are gathered together, four or five opinions will exist.

    There will never be unanimity of opinion on every single viewpoint (on this side of Glory, that is).

    Fortunately, when we all get to Heaven, folks will realize just how stinkin' brilliant I am. Modest, too. :eek: :D
     
  15. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    don't see where Scripture says the Corinthian church must be in agreement totally with the Colossian churches or the Thessalonicans or Roman churches. the only real agreement we probably have is the Saviorhood of Christ, and even that is subject to interpretation, like, is He REALLY a Savior ALREADY, or does He need our approval and consent to be our Savior....the earlier churches were in agreement on this point.
     
  16. SRBooe

    SRBooe New Member

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    I used to think I knew what Baptist were. This I joined this forum.

    Now I don't know what a Baptist is.

    I am not surprised the people in New Jersey don't like'em. Watered-down Christianity sells better up in the Northeast.
     
  17. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I disagree in a sense with what you're saying.

    In the South, Christianity is often equated simply with church attendance, saying "yes ma'am," and standing for the National Anthem: It's what good folks do.

    I think that often times in the South, we are a crucible for lukewarm, cultural but not authentic, Christian faith.

    At least in more secular areas of the world, living the Christian life flies in the face of culture--thus meaning it's harder to be fake there.

    In other words, taken to the extreme: In Iraq and Afghanistan...are there many Christians? Nope. But the ones that are there sho' nuff mean it.
     
  18. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    nope......just makin money flys. Churches [snipped] . More of a pain in the neck to be honest. Thats mostly Protestants & if you can find a Baptist Church, thats pretty rare.

    Some Catholic Churches are serious but most are nonsense these days.
     
    #18 Earth Wind and Fire, Dec 3, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2010
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    The real cool thing SR is that we are all moving to Florida.....LOL
     
  20. RevGKG

    RevGKG Member

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    On what do you base this statement?
     
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