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What is a Baptist????

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Bro K, Jun 4, 2010.

  1. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Thanks for jogging my memory. The term has also been attributed to others, but the first time I heard it was from Dr.Sullivan


    I won't quibble over the term denomination. I can live with it as long as they don't describe the Southern Baptist Convention as the Southern Baptist Church. The only Baptist church of any group (SBC, IFB, ABC, et al is a local congregation.

    Baptist churches are as independent and autonomous as they want to be. A Baptist congregation cannot be forced to change one doctrine or policy. Pressure may be brought, fellowship may be withdrawn. But i do not know of a single Baptist church which ever changed its doctrine in order to remain in cooperation with other Baptist churches.
     
  2. Mississippi John

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    I have attended 12 services at fsbc casper.... they are more Conservative than I'LL EVER BE.

    You are wrong , my brother.

    Please DO NOT condemn them to hell, because they are not fundamentalist enough for you, Dr. Bob.
    Historic baptist distinctive 's are Fundamental to their beliefs.


    DO NOT spread opposition or hatred on them because they are not Calvinist's like you Brother.
     
  3. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    The number one fact that does not have to be stated is that Jesus Christ is the head of every New Testement church. This is hardly a hierarchy, which is made of flawed humans making flawed decisions and are actually under the illusion that they know better than the local church.

    Regardless of our common beliefs, we are in no shape, form, or fashion a denomination. For example, at our next business meeting, if I bring up a resolution to sever ties with the SBC, and the vote passes, not one thing will change. We will still be East Baptist Church, fully functional as ever. In fact, from a financial standpoint, we would be better off. If I were in a Methodist or Presbyterian Church, I would have no right to bring forth such a resolution, and if I could, the church would have no identity or for that matter, might not be able to even legally function. The hierarchy is wrapped up in building ownership at times, deciding who is going to be pastor, and a formal relationship of how the church is run. Before anything got that far the "powers that be" from above would be down to that local church to clean house. (in all their infinite wisdom)

    I think associations and cooperation with other churches is fine, but it comes second to the independence of the local church.
     
  4. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I seriously doubt that Dr. Bob meant that non-Cavinists are condemned to hell. In fact, I do not think he even mentioned Calvinism as an essential for being a Baptist.
     
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Wow. English 101 time. I said FBC = FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. Not Southern Baptist who cleverly named their church First SOUTHERN Baptist 65 years later!!

    I have been at FSBC a number of times, know the pastor (and pray as a church for him in his chaplaincy role) and many of the people. You show more hate (over non-related issues) than you should.

    In 1956 there was ONE Baptist church in Casper - First Baptist. It was so liberal then that a group of conservative Baptists (CBAofA had broken from the liberal Convention after WWII) and put up a tent and took our full-page ads in the Casper paper to start a new, fundamental church.

    They started THREE!! Calvary Baptist, Emmanuel Baptist and Riverview (now Lighthouse) Baptist. Only THEN did the SBC send missionaries to Casper to start Southern Baptist churches.

    You can imagine 50+ years later, a woman pastor, people allowed to join who are not baptized, etc, how much FURTHER away from "Baptist" polity and distinctives FBC Casper is.

    So, brother, no shots at First Southern. You erred in simple reading.
     
  6. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    saturneptune states (#23):"The number one fact that does not have to be stated is that Jesus Christ is the head of every New Testement church"

    Know some churches which definity needs to be reminded that 'Christ should be the head of their church'. Mt 21:12-13 tell us of when Jesus went into temple of God and said "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have it a den of thieves". The number one fact THAT DOES have to be stated over and over is that Jesus Christ SHOULD BE the head of every TRUE church. One could say 'must' instead of should, but we know that His will is not forced upon no one.

    Whether a church is a "New Testement church" in in the eye of the beholder!
     
  7. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Yes, and you have been here long enough to know there are at least 1000 definitions of a NT church on this board alone. If a church does not know Jesus Christ is its head, then they are neither true nor New Testement.
     
  8. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I do think the definition of a Baptist is not subjective--that that are some objective criteria.

    A Baptist church teaches salvation by grace through faith. Always. A church which teaches more than that is not Baptist.

    A Baptist church teaches baptism by immersion of believers only by a proper administrator as a public testimony of one's conversion. A sprinkling church is not Baptist. A baptismal regeneration church is not Baptist. A church which attaches sacramental value to baptism is not Baptist.

    A Baptist church teaches eternal security.
    A Baptist church teaches the deity of Christ
    A Baptist church teaches the visible return of Jesus to earth.
    A Baptist church treates the Lord's Supper as a memorial, with no sacramental value. No church which teaches that it is a sacrament should claim to be Baptist.

    The officers of a Baptist church are pastors and deacons. Elder-led churches are okay if you define an elder as the pastor.

    The power in a Baptist church resides in the congregation, acting as a congregation.

    Yes, I know that some Baptist churches call communion a sacrament.
    Yes, I know that some Baptist church believe one may lose his salvation
    Yea, I know that some Baptist churches accept sprinkling as a legitimate baptism

    I also know that when one sees a Baptist church sign, he will assume that it believes none of those three
     
    #28 Tom Butler, Jun 6, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 6, 2010
  9. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Bro K,
    My idea of a New Testement Church closely mirrors Tom Butler. The only thing I might differ on is one issue he mentioned that is not an essential one way or the other. In general, I am opposed to elder rule in a church. I have found over the years that a collection of elders has no more wisdom than the collective wisdom of a congregation most of the time. Some elders, especially those who hold the office a long time, tend to start thinking they have some special spiritual insight, which in fact turns out to be liking to be the center of attention.

    Elder rule also puts the power into the hands of a few, which, on a larger scale, is the same way a hierarchy works. The Elders that were running the Presbyterian Church in which I grew up tended to be the wealthy or influencial in the community, which has nothing to do with spiritual insight or maturity. Arrogance and pride are not qualities for Christian leadership.
     
  10. Whowillgo

    Whowillgo Member
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    I believe the post asked what is a Baptist. A great question for those of us who are so independant we would squirm at the thought of a generalization.
    A Baptist can be one or all of the following which can be easily found posting on this board.
    1. The Greek Police
    2. The spelling police.
    3. The one who uses the term illiterate in describing his brother who does not have a graduate degree in the languages although that same brother will be preaching from the pulpit on Sunday morning about the same Jesus.
    4. The one who uses the term elitist to describe his brother who has a graduate degree although that same brother will preach from the pulpit on Sunday about the same Jesus.
    5. The one who sits at his or her desk with their thesarus handy to make sure their post has a greater impact.
    6. The one who must drop names
    7. The one who is an intellectual bully
    8. The one who sincerely seeks help but finds ridicule
    9. The one who probably posts from a laptop at the back of the little yellow bus.
    10. The ONES who love Jesus Christ as their Lord and know that only by His sacrifice were they saved and that no matter how angry the others may make them they will gladly share heaven with them

    These are Baptists and God loves them all.
     
  11. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    Don't know about "1000 definitions"; maybe "1000 opinions" :godisgood:
     
  12. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    You got me on that one. One of the main things one will encounter here is those who equate Biblical truth with their opinions. Aside from defining the NT church, you will see it in Bible versions, Calvinism vs free will, end times, creation, drinking, smoking, etc, and communion. Oh, and do not forget about who is closer to the Lord, Republicans or Democrats.
     
  13. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    We have this brochure in the lobby of our church..........







    http://marbc.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/baptist-distinctives.pdf
     
  14. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    'those who equate Biblical truth with their opinions': This is a battle we fight (or should fight) each time we post. I try to list Bible verses to support my beliefs; however, there probably has been or will be times when the Flesh will reveal my Opinions.
     
  15. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    That is a pretty good definition.
     
  16. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I can settle the last one... It was a Re-publican that said "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner."... ROFL!! At least that's what I used to call them when I was a little kid...

    I always thought Jesus ate with the sinners and Re-publicans.. and I imagined Jesus having breakfast at congress!!!

    Seriously Only a Republicrat can be close to God... !!! JUST JOKIN FOLKS!
     
  17. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    How does "American" end? I CAN

    How does "Republican" end? I CAN

    How does "Democrat" end? RAT
     
  18. Mississippi John

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    My bad Doc.....I forgot about those American Baptists. Please accept my sincere apology.


    The woman Pastor doesn't bother me a lot....I don't know anything about her.

    I do think Baptists should be immersed....but sprinkling works in a pinch......but not for infants, only believers.
     
  19. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    Well Said :thumbsup: I've already been "arrested" once !! I gave MY FATHER his badge #. It's a shame you had to list #8; but truth is truth. Thanks for standing up.
     
  20. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    A Baptist is not a Methodist.
     
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