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Poll-- dropping the name "Baptist"

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Alcott, Mar 11, 2008.

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Is it alright for a Baptist church to drop the name Baptist?

  1. Yes, because Baptist churches vary enough that the name means little to an observer

    11 vote(s)
    27.5%

  2. Yes, because the name Baptist is not a scriptural name for a New Testament church

    9 vote(s)
    22.5%

  3. Yes, because the name Baptist has become too associated with very conservative personalities

    6 vote(s)
    15.0%

  4. Yes, because other descriptive names may identify the church and its beliefs more accurately

    13 vote(s)
    32.5%

  5. Yes, for another reason not stated above (please share)

    12 vote(s)
    30.0%

  6. No, because ‘Baptist’ is a name and a history to proclaim with a sense of honor

    7 vote(s)
    17.5%

  7. No, because dropping the name may deceive an observer as to the type of church

    5 vote(s)
    12.5%

  8. No, because ‘Baptist’ necessarily means personal salvation through Christ only

    1 vote(s)
    2.5%

  9. No, because ‘Baptist’ necessarily means Bible-believing and congregational

    1 vote(s)
    2.5%

  10. No, for another reason not stated above (please share)

    2 vote(s)
    5.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
Top Posters
  1. Alcott

    Alcott Well-Known Member
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    Is it alright for a Baptist Church, which retains its doctrines and its associations (if any) to drop the name Baptist from its name, and for what reason(s)?
     
    #1 Alcott, Mar 11, 2008
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    “Go ye therefore and make Baptists in all nations, baptizing them in Baptist named churches, even to the end of the ages."
    Matthew 28:somethin' :rolleyes:

    Really I think that a name change should be left up to the people that attend the church.

    If someone outside the fellowship doesn't think they should, they're blowing hot air.

    Rob
     
    #2 Deacon, Mar 11, 2008
  3. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    If a local church wants to take Baptist off their name then that's their business.
     
    #3 sag38, Mar 11, 2008
  4. Palatka51

    Palatka51 New Member

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    Sag38 has expressed my thoughts as well. However, for me personally I will always gravitate to the Baptist name.
     
    #4 Palatka51, Mar 11, 2008
  5. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Personally, I'm a Baptist and I wouldn't change the name. If my church has a bad reputation or there is a stigma against the word Baptist in the community then changing the name isn't really going to fix anything. Instead of changing the name, why not work in reality to change the reputation?
     
    #5 sag38, Mar 11, 2008
  6. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    I think it depends on what is meant by a "Baptist Church". If we mean a church that holds to distinctives such as baptism of believers by immersion, and the autonomy, under God, of the local church, then I would suggest that there are already plenty of "Baptist Churches" that have never had the word "Baptist" in their names, so they cannot drop it.
     
    #6 David Lamb, Mar 12, 2008
  7. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    A baptist church dropping their name, and not worrying about what outsiders think is just being Baptist. It's the autonomy thing.

    If they want to, they should.
     
    #7 tinytim, Mar 12, 2008
  8. Berean

    Berean Member
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    Read B M Carrols "Trail Of Blood"and you wll proudly claim the name Baptist.
     
    #8 Berean, Mar 13, 2008
  9. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    "Trail of Blood" is like a great novel. Interesting reading and it has some rare parts actually is based on truth.

    If a church is a Baptist Church (polity - the word has meaning, even if evil association with the "x" types on one end or the liberal types on the other) it is one whether the word "Baptist" is on the letterhead or not.

    Our present new-church ministry is "Sovereign Grace Church". Now UNDER that title is "A Reformed Baptist Congregation" and that explains in more detail where we would fit on the denominational spectrum.

    www.sovereigngracechurch.com
     
    #9 Dr. Bob, Mar 13, 2008
  10. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    Yes.
    If I retire and went back to the Philippines and God directs me to start a church in an area because He has much people in it, then I will probably name it after a creek, or river, or hill, or something in that area and just call it "The Church at Bald Hills", or "The Congregation at Squatters' Creek" and, like Dr. Bob put below that "Old Line (or School) Primitive Baptist".

    What good will it be to retain the title Baptist after Primitive, or vice-versa, if we follow the modernist road, anyway ? (Just speaking of Primitive Baptists. You others can go your way, no offense meant).
     
    #10 pinoybaptist, Mar 14, 2008
  11. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    Drop the name of Baptist?

    I like this motto: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you change the name, some will leave and go to another "Baptist" church. As long as everyone is happy with the name, just leave it be. I belong to the Old Regular Baptists. Drop Baptist, and I am Old Regular....doesn't have the same appeal to me.


    Willis
     
    #11 convicted1, Mar 14, 2008
  12. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    If you choose to recommend the book, you might wanna' find out who the 'author' is.

    Gives the recommendation more credibility!

    Ed
     
    #12 EdSutton, Mar 14, 2008
  13. kmichael

    kmichael New Member

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    I am "exceedingly" proud to be a Baptist. I am "exceedingly" proud to be a Southern Baptist. I am exceedingly proud. I am "exceedingly" proud to be a Southern Baptist pastor. I am "exceedingly" proud to shepherd a Baptist flock and cooperate with other Baptists. I affirm the BFM2k "exceedingly"!

    That said, I have no problem with some churches dropping the word "Baptist" from their church name. In fact, I have a list of churches in my own denomination which I think ought to drop the name Baptist from their church sign.

    As for me and my house...you can call us Baptists.

    Anyone heard the new replacement for the word "Christian?" "Jesus Follower"

    The Pharisees and the mob followed Jesus too. :)

    :jesus:
     
    #13 kmichael, Mar 16, 2008
  14. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    There's lots of beliefs I am proud of and which I want to make clear to people... so based on that and to identify our church I am going to rename our church: The First Inerrant Deity Believing, Subsitutionary Death, Physical Resurrection, Pre-mill, Pre-trib Southern Baptist Church.

    The only problem is that after the name, I don't have enough room on the sign to let people know when the services are. :tonofbricks:
     
    #14 Tom Bryant, Mar 17, 2008
  15. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    It's just a term. Christianity used to be called "the Way" also. There are many who claim the name Christian but who are just as lost as a common pagan.
     
    #15 StefanM, Mar 17, 2008
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