What is a Baptist?

[Armchair Apologist]

What beliefs and practices are essential in order to be properly defined as being "Baptist?"

What beliefs and practices would exclude one from being a Baptist?

In other words, what are the minimum "Fifteen Pieces of Flair" that is required in order to not get kicked out of the Baptist club?

And how do certain Baptists go above and beyond as they are encouraged to really "Express themselves?"

 

[David Lamb]

What beliefs and practices are essential in order to be properly defined as being "Baptist?"

What beliefs and practices would exclude one from being a Baptist?

In other words, what are the minimum "Fifteen Pieces of Flair" that is required in order to not get kicked out of the Baptist club?

And how do certain Baptists go above and beyond as they are encouraged to really "Express themselves?"

Although individual Baptist churches differ from one another on some things, all Baptist hold to certain distinctive beliefs, including:

1. The Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

2. Baptism as an ordinance for believers.

3. The autonomy, under God, of the local church.

4. A saved and baptised church membership

5. The priesthood of all believers.

6. Two ordinances: Baptism and The Lord's Supper

7. The separation of church and state.

I don't see how or why somebody would call themselves a Baptist if they believed that baptism is for little babies, that the Bible is not the final authority, that the church and the state are not separate entities, and so on. I don't know what the phrase, "Fifteen Pieces of Flair" means.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

2. Baptism as an ordinance for believers.

I believe we would both qualify this a little more by saying "Baptism by Immersion!" No sprinkling, pouring, and no baby baptism!

3. The autonomy, under God, of the local church.

What about all of these "Baptist" Churches that have multiple "Campuses" about town with each having their own "Campus Pastor?" Seems to be the latest trend and I can think of at four in the greater Houston area that are doing this!

4. A saved and baptised church membership

As much as practically possible, "goats" are inevitable.

I don't see how or why somebody would call themselves a Baptist if they believed that baptism is for little babies, that the Bible is not the final authority, that the church and the state are not separate entities, and so on. I don't know what the phrase, "Fifteen Pieces of Flair" means.

It is from a cult classic "Office Space" back in 1999, here is the actual clip, I'm just trying to be a smart aleck! :

 

[David Lamb]

I believe we would both qualify this a little more by saying "Baptism by Immersion!" No sprinkling, pouring, and no baby baptism!

Agreed.

What about all of these "Baptist" Churches that have multiple "Campuses" about town with each having their own "Campus Pastor?" Seems to be the latest trend and I can think of at four in the greater Houston area that are doing this!

I have never heard of such a thing, probably because I am in the UK. We do have Baptist churches that get involved in planting a new church, but once that new church has its own elders and deacons, then it too becomes an autonomus Baptist church.

As much as practically possible, "goats" are inevitable.

It is from a cult classic "Office Space" back in 1999, here is the actual clip, I'm just trying to be a smart aleck! :

Thanks.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

I have never heard of such a thing, probably because I am in the UK. We do have Baptist churches that get involved in planting a new church, but once that new church has its own elders and deacons, then it too becomes an autonomus Baptist church.

Yeah, I'm wondering if perhaps it is more of an American "Bible Belt" phenomenon myself? What you have described is the way it ought to be done but I guess some like either to retain control of these "satellite" churches or perhaps they are using the marketing capital of the personality of the Senior Pastor? Either way, I would question their authenticity of being actual "Baptist" churches.