What is a Baptist Church? - Community Baptist Church

Through many years, the name “Baptist” has come to mean a church that teaches and preaches that the Bible is our true authority, that churches should be locally governed by the born-again members of the congregation and have two offices – pastor and deacons, that each of us has the right and responsibility to have a personal relationship with God apart from a church hierarchy and should live a godly lifestyle after coming to know Him personally. Although independent Baptist churches have no affiliation with a denominational headquarters, we strongly affirm our commitment to biblical truth and to these Bible distinctives that define our name.

This simple acrostic helps to sum up the core distinctives of Baptists:

Biblical Authority in all matters of faith and practice. We believe the Bible is inspired and infallible and is the final authority. It is from God’s Word that we understand and teach the fundamental doctrines of our faith as well as pattern our church polity. (See 2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17; Acts 17:11; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20–21.)

Autonomy or self governing power of the local church. We believe that every local church should be independent of a hierarchical framework or outside governmental structure. (See Colossians 1:18; Acts 13–14, 20:19–30; Ephesians 1:22–23.)

Priesthood of believers. God’s Word assures believers that we have direct access to God through our relationship with Christ. We believe and teach that the priesthood of the believer is the unspeakably precious privilege of every child of God. (See Hebrews 4:14–16; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; 1 Peter 2:5–10.)

Two offices within the church. Scripture only mentions two church offices—pastor (also referred to as elder or bishop) and deacon. These two offices are to be filled by godly men of integrity in each local church. (See Philippians 1:1; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:6–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4.

Individual soul liberty. We believer that each person must make a personal decision of repentance and faith in Christ. (See Romans 10:9-17, 14:1-23.)

Saved, baptized church membership. We teach that church membership is limited to those who have publicly professed that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, have obediently followed the Lord in Believer’s Baptism by immersion, and have evidenced true conversion by a changed life. We do not place infants on our membership list. Each member, regardless of age, must give a testimony of salvation by grace based on faith and not of works. (Acts 2:41-47, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 4:3)

Two ordinances—baptism and the Lord’s Table (also called communion). These ordinances have no part in salvation and only serve as pictures of what Christ did for us. (See Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Acts 2:38–43, 8:36–38; Romans 6:1–6)

Separation and personal holiness. We believe that Christ’s ultimate sacrifice demands our complete consecration, and we desire that our daily living would reflect the holiness of our great God. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:16.)