Baptists- A Quick Overview

Baptists come in many shapes and sizes.  Baptists are very diverse.  Some Baptists shout, some are more solemn, and most fall somewhere in the middle.  Some Baptist preachers wear suits, others robes, and some casual clothes.  Some Baptists sing praise songs and others hymns.  There are Baptist churches that clap and raise hands and there are others that frown at such things.  In some Baptist churches women are silent and do not speak or even teach Sunday School.  In some Baptist churches women are very involved in the life of the church and are often the strength of the congregation.  In some they even preach!  Baptists are diverse and yet there are some things that are similiar.

Baptists historically have 2 offices- Pastor and Deacon.  Pastors are the ones who lead the church, preach, baptize, and usually are paid.  Deacons are lay folks (no clergy) who serve in the church in leadership roles.  In some churches deacons make major decisions and in others they are servant who do ministry roles.  These two offices are usually ordained.  This means they have been through a service of prayer and commitment and the word ‘ordained’ means ‘set aside.’  Often hands are laid on their shoulders or head and prayers are said.  Some Baptists (a few) are adding ‘elders’ who serve in a leadership role.  As churches grow larger other ministers (music, youth, education, etc) are added. 

Baptists have 2 Ordinances– Catholics talk about 7 Sacraments.  Baptist have 2 and they are called ordinances.  They are not seen as giving grace but more of a memorial-to symbolize something else.  The two are Baptism and Lord’s Supper/Communion.  Baptism is by immersion (completely put under water) and is called “BELIEVER’S BAPTISM” and this means no infants.  A person must accept Christ by their own decision and then are baptized.  Baptism is not part of salvation and not necessary for salvation.  Baptism is done as a symbol of the decision to follow Christ and entrance into the church.  Lord’s Supper/Communion is taking the bread and cup.  Baptists usually don’t drink from one cup but many cups (started for health reasons long ago) and usually pass the plate to them (sometimes they come forward).  Baptists generally don’t do it at every service (always exceptions) and set the frequency.  Christ is not literally or spiritually present but this is a memorial/symbol of Jesus’ death (body and blood of Christ).  Usually deacons and pastor serve it.

Baptists are local focused.  Baptist churches are totally free of control from other churches and denominations.  The local church owns it’s own property, makes it’s own decisions, and no one controls it from outside.  They pay their own bills, etc.  Some denominations own the land of local churches but not in Baptist circles.  Baptists historically unite over missions, resources, and education.

Baptists are freedom folks.  Walter Shurden talks about the 4 Fragile Freedoms and this is a good summary of what drives Baptists.

*Bible Freedom– historically Baptists do not have creeds to sign or recite but focus on the Bible alone.  Baptists promote Bible study and reading.  Many Baptists do have a Constitution and By Laws in their church as guiding documents but they change and are not set in stone forever.  Baptists often have ‘confessions’ that state beliefs but try to keep them from becoming controlling.

*Individual Freedom– Priesthood of the Believer is a term that stresses that a person is able to have access to God without aid of a priest and that he or she is equal before God.  People are responsible to answer to God and serve God.

*Religious Freedom– Baptists have historically fought for church/state separation and do not support a church state connection.  Baptists desire for all to have a right to believe or not believe.  Baptists have stressed this throughout history.

*Church Freedom– Each church is free and can cooperate with denominations but not be controlled by them. 

Basic Christian Beliefs–  Baptists like many other churches hold to basic universial historic Christian beliefs.  Baptists believe salvation is through Jesus only and each person needs Christ.  Jesus lived, died, and rose again.  Baptists believe in the power of prayer, the Bible as the word of God, the need for the church, and the need to share the good news of Jesus.  Baptists are Trinity folks and believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Baptists like other denominations argue about the details but do hold to basic Christian concepts.

In future blogs I will go over the history (were we came from) and the fights we’ve fought.  Plus I’m going to address baptism and the Lord’s Supper at some length.

Derik

Do Denominations Matter?

First I have to say that I am a Baptist.  Having said that I don’t think that Baptists have all the answers and that we are the one true church.  Believe it or not there were a group of Baptists (Landmark movement) who thought that and believed only Baptist preachers should speak in Baptist churches, no other baptism was valid, and communion was not to be shared with other churches much less other denominations.  I am not a Landmarkist.  However I also do not think that denominations serve no purpose and do not matter.  As a Baptist pastor I teach classes on Baptist Heritage in the churches I serve.  I believe Methodists should teach about their tradition as well.  I believe all traditions should do this.

I do believe that when we get to heaven all that matters is that you know Christ and denominations at that point will not matter.  There is an old joke about a man who dies and goes to heaven.  Saint Peter takes him for a walk and he sees all denominations praising God.  He walks by one room and sees some quiet stern looking people sitting there.  “Who are they?”  “Shhh,” said Peter, “That’s the Baptists and they think they are the only ones here.”

Some say we live in a post-denomination age and that denominations are dying and it doesn’t matter.  I disagree. I believe denominations do matter and I don’t think God minds.  God created diversity (check out a rainbow) and made us diverse.  Denominations have theological differences and so we can’t all merge into one super church (nor is anyone advocating this).  Some might think churches can just be Christian and local churches can shape themselves how they need too.  That isn’t a bad idea but denominations still serve a major purpose.  When I see Methodist, Presbyterian, etc it can serve as a helpful way for me to know what that church is and while I realize they are still different I can know a sense of what I’m visiting.  Basically when I see a church sign I should know how that church “does church.” 

Let me give an example.  I know Methodists are sent their pastors.  Baptists choose their pastor and everyone votes.  I like the Baptist way but that doesn’t make Methodists wrong it just means we are different.  I know I can choose the one that best fits how I can best serve God.  Even in a tradition such as Baptist I know not every church will meet my needs or ‘click’ with me and I might visit several before I find a church home but knowing the tradition helps. 

Theology is also important.  Presbyterians come from a Calvinist tradition and Methodists from a more free will one.  Catholic theology is not the same as Protestant.  Some practice infant baptism and some don’t and that is important to know. 

I’m a Baptist and I like the Baptist way.  It isn’t for everyone but it is for many.  I like the way we ‘do’ church and I like the basic tradition.  So in the next few blogs I’m going to tell the Baptist story, share who we are, and discuss some things that are helpful to us.

As you read this if you are not Baptist take heart.  I’m not declaring my superority over you!  I respect you and hey I read from all Christian traditions and often visit them.  We are friends in Christ.  Baptists, Methodists and others come together and work on common interests and projects all the time and we should. 

I realize the heart of any church is the local body.  It’s where ‘the action happens.’  And yet we connect outside ourselves to do what one can’t do.  How we do it and with who says much about that local body.

So join me as I explore–being Baptist!  Does it matter? You bet!

Derik