Fellowship Baptist Church
is
Distinctively Baptist
B – Bible is our sole authority
The Bible, which is the word of God, is the sole authority in a true Baptist church: the church being the Lord’s, the Bible being His word.
II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
I Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because, when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
A – Autonomy of the local church
A true Baptist church has no earthy hierarchy: it’s only Head is the Lord Jesus Christ; the congregation being His body. The local Baptist church is
Autonomous: self-governing
Indigenous: self-supporting
Ephesians 1:22-23 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
P – Priesthood of the believer
A true Baptist church has no earthly priesthood; yet, every believer is a priest unto himself before the Lord: we have free access to the throne of God’s grace.
Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of god, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
I Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
T – Two church ordinances
A true Baptist church has only two ordinances; Baptism and the Lord Supper. These are not efficacious in any way, but are traditions handed down to us by the Lord to keep in memory His sacrifice for our sins, and our belief in the gospel of Christ.
I Corinthians 11:2 “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you.”
Matthew 28:18 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
I Corinthians 11:23 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:”
I – Individual soul liberty
A true Baptist church is made up of individual believers who are directly guided by God, and therefore, are directly accountable to God for their personal decisions toward God’s will. Even though the church is to persuade men through the preaching of God’s word, every individual is guided by their own conscience by the conviction of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 12:48 “. . . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
II Corinthians 5:10-11 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terro of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your conscience.”
S – Saved, Baptized church membership
A true Baptist church is made up of individuals who have first accepted the Lord as his personal Savior, and then, followed the Lord in believer’s baptism.
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Acts 8:36-37 “. . . and the eunuch said, see, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
T – Two church offices
A true Baptist church only has two church offices; the office of the Bishop and the office of the Deacon. Each office held only by men among the congregation.
Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacon:”
I Timothy 3:1 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 8 “Likewise must the deacons.”
S – Separation
A true Baptist church practices separation: separating that which is holy from that which is unholy. The Bible teaches at least three general areas of separation
Ecclesiastical Separation: from those religions who’s doctrine and practices are not Scripturally founded.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Governmental Separation: from the strong arm of the government in matters of doctrinal beliefs and practices.
Matthew 22:1 “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Personal Separation: from those whose lives are worldly and sinful.
Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”