What Makes a Baptist Christian?
These are the points of what makes a Baptist. Here are they:
B- Belief in the absolute authority of the Bible
Standing firm in the fact that in beliefs, traditions and doctrines ONLY the Bible stands. This is the principle of Sola Scriptura. Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
A- Autonomy of the local assembly of believers
Standing firm in this principle- Baptists are divided organizationally but united spiritually with Heaven as the central government. Acts 15 shows the organizational division. However in 1 Corinthians 12:11-20 and Ephesians 4:1-6 the unity of the church of Christ is there. Ephesians 4:15-16 reveals Christ is the spiritual head of the Church composed of autonomous churches.
P- Priesthood of the Christian
Every Christian is called upon as a priest in the sense, they do not need earthy mediation of priests like the Old Testament or that of the Catholic Church and other similar movements. Instead, they enter directly to God through their Great High Priest their Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
T- Two sacraments
There are two sacraments which however is not the same as the Roman Catholic view that it bestows grace in keeping the Christian saved, rather it is a sign or a pledge for Christians. Baptism is only for the believer and is to be done by immersion (Acts 2:41, Acts 8:38-39) in contrast to pouring or sprinkling and it is opposing to infant baptism which is not Scriptural or the belief that baptism is part of one's salvation. The Lord's supper is a symbolic ordinance done in the remembrance of what the Lord Jesus did for sinners so they can be saved (2 Corinthians 11:23-26).
I- Individual accountability
Every person is accountable to their own actions and must answer to God alone. (Romans 14:4-5)
S- Separation of the functions of church and state
The state was designed to maintain peace and order in a nation (Romans 13). On the other hand, the church on the spiritual side of man. Matthew 22:21 says, "Give what is to Caesar what is unto Caesar and give to God what is His." That means, the functions must never be intertwined in contrast to the Catholic Church being one with the Holy Roman Empire. Rather the church submits to the authority of the state unless the state does anything immoral and not in accordance to the Bible.
T- Two types of church authorities
God ordained only two types of authorities. There is the pastor (also called the bishop, not to be confused with the Roman Catholic bishop) and the deacons. The requirements are found in 1 Timothy 2:1-13.
S- Saved church membership
The belief in the fact that every saved person is a member of the Church which is in contrast to the heresy of joining a church in order to be saved. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
Here's what, even if a Christian is not using the name "Baptist" but is either an Evangelical or a Presbyterian, an Anabaptist, a "Protestant" or a Mennonite, if they adhere to the points above, they are still considered Baptist at heart! Please note that this ministry does not believe in the Baptist brider heresy, we also cater to the needs of our fellow non-Baptist Christians as well.