Searching the Scriptures for the True Church Lesson 2 Tracking the Distincitves Distinctives of The Baptist Faith The True churches aka the Baptist churches throughout the ages have been identified not by their name but by their beliefs. These beliefs separated them from others and often singled them our for persecution. These beliefs or distinctives mark us as Baptist. We can track the true church by these dinstinctives even through the stream of time. If we see the same beliefs, ordinances and doctrine taught in the New Testament, practiced by Baptist churches today, we can be confident that we still have the true church founded by Jesus Christ with us today. We will use an acrostic to help us remember our BAPTIST Distinctives. B - Biblical Authority The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is Gods very word and carries the absolute authority of God Himself. Where the Bible speaks Baptist speak where it is silent we are silent. What it commands we do what it prohibits we avoid. There is no authority equal to the Bible and no person or group may change, add to, override or contradict its authority. It was complete with the book of Revelation and is true in every word and thought. A - Autonomy of the Local Church The local church is an independent body accountable only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who founded it and is its head. All authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious power or hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a churchs beliefs or practices. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests, but a Baptist church cannot be a member of any other body nor under authority outside the church. Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23 P - Priesthood of the Believer Every true believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and His people. As priests, we can study Gods Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God because each of us is indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10; Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 8:26-27 T - Two Ordinances The local church should practice two ordinances: Baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and The Lords Supper, a memorial of His death upon the cross for us. These ordinances are purely symbolic and have no saving or sustaining merit in themselves. Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 I - Individual Soul Liberty Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the his own heart as regards spiritual truth. No one should be forced to profess a belief in any belief against his own convictions or will. Baptists throughout the centuries have been persecuted for their beliefs but even when a majority have never persecuted others. Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9 S - Saved, Baptized Church Membership Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believers baptism. Salvation is by grace through faith and is once for all. Salvation cannot be earned but only received as a gift of God through faith. Once a person truly believes they can never be lost again, they are eternally secure by the power of God. Membership in the church is based upon baptism of an individual old enough to understand the consequences of sin and the choice they must make in Christ. Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3; Matthew 3:13-16; Acts 8:36-37; Pslams 37:23,28; Romans T - Two Offices The Bible mandates only two offices in the church--pastor and deacon. The three terms--pastor, elder, and bishop, or overseer--all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, and are elected or removed by the authority of the local church. 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1 S - Separation of Church and State God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The governments purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the churchs purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christian influence should be exerted through opinion and the election of moral leaders by involved Christians as well as praying for our leaders but the line between influence and control must be clearly understood. Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:27:23 +0000
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