But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

We are constantly being fed a steady diet of ‘political correctness’ from many of our politicians and members of the news media. It seems like we are just moments away from the thought police knocking at our front door to inform us that our views are contrary to what 60% of the public believes.  In Rome in the first century the majority of the populace engaged in emperor worship. Caesar was considered God and king and demanded such an acknowledgement from his subjects or face severe punishment. The early Christians clearly understood that Jesus Christ alone was their Lord and King and refused to pay homage to Caesar in such a fashion. As a result, they suffered persecution for their beliefs. They suffered gladly rather than betray their faith in God’s Son. Some were imprisoned, others tortured, and some experienced martyrdom.

Baptists have historically adhered to certain distinctives that set us apart from other denominations. Among these are:

I-       Believer’s baptism by immersion. We do not sprinkle or pour water on converts; however when a person has publicly confessed Christ as Savior he is completely submerged for one second identifying with Christ’s burial. Christ died four sins, the believer in Christ is dying to the controlling power of sin. We do not baptize infants.(Acts 2:41)

II-      Autonomy of the local church. The local church must be free from all hierarchical or denominational control. We do not submit to the authority of any ecclesiastical power anywhere in the world. Christ is the Eternal Head of the church. (Colossians 1:18) For more information on this, see my article entitled “What is an independent Baptist church?” in the archive section of this website.

III-     Priesthood of all believers. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God and one Mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Any believer may approach God by faith based upon the shed blood of Christ, the One true Great High Priest.

IV-     The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. When the writings of the Bible are rightly divided they instruct believers in the way of truth and righteousness. No other book is needed in order for the Christian to know and serve God.(Psalm 119:128)

V-      Individuals must be regenerated in order to become church members. Only those that have experienced the new birth may unite with the church. (John 3:5)

VI-     Salvation by grace through faith without works or deeds of the law. (Ephesians 2:8).

VII-    The eternal security of the believer. We are saved forever and we do not keep ourselves, but we are preserved in Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 1:5)

VIII-   Separation of church and state. To protect the church from the establishment of a state religion. (Matthew 22:21)

The world is the antithesis of the church. It is not sanctified by the Spirit of God, it is not walking in obedience to God’s statutes, it is not seeking God’s righteousness, it is not free from spiritual bondage, it is not being conformed to Jesus Christ, it is not being preserved from everlasting judgment, it is not interested in glorifying God. But the church is able to experience all these things.

Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. His presence in our soul sanctifies us and has a direct impact on our affections and attitudes. Coupled with the clear instruction of Scripture we are BLESSED with a world-view that is distinct and contrasts with the secular humanistic / post Christian world view that does not honor God or HIS institutions. To us all life is precious, the traditional family is worth fighting for, the commandments of God are a light, the local church is important, the Bible is authoritative, salvation is a welcome gift, and our body is a sacred temple.