Although probably most people think of believer's baptism as the distinguishing feature of Baptists, they are not the only Christians to practise it.
Nor are they the only Christians to believe in congregational church government, the priesthood of all believers, or the separation of church and state. It is the combination of these various beliefs which make Baptists distinctive.
The Lordship of Christ Jesus is Lord is the distinctive confession of faith. As individuals and as churches, Baptists seek to make Jesus Lord of every aspect of their lives.
The authority of the Bible Baptists believe that the Bible shows us God's way for living. As radical believers, Baptists seek to root their lives in the revelation of God's truth.
Baptism for believers On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists claim that baptism is for believers only. Baptism is only for those who are able to declare Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Jesus claim on their lives, Baptists practise baptism by immersion, in which candidates symbolise their desire to die to self and to live for Christ. As individuals and as churches, Baptists seek to make Jesus Lord of every aspect of their lives. Baptists believe that the Bible shows us God's way for living. As radical believers, Baptists seek to root their lives in the revelation of God's truth.
The local church Baptists understand the church as a community of believers who gather together for worship, witness and service. In the Baptist model of a believer's church every member has a role to play, whether in teaching, faith-sharing, evangelism, social action, pastoring, guiding, serving, prophetic insight, praying, healing, administration or hospitality.
The priesthood of all believers In a Baptist church, an illustration of the priesthood of all believers is the church meeting. This is the occasion when members come together to understand in prayer God's will for their life together. In Baptist churches the final authority rests not with the ministers or deacons but with the members gathered together in church meetings. It is the church meeting which, for instance, appoints ministers, elders, deacons, and others who exercise various forms of leadership within a local congregation, agrees financial policy and determines mission strategy. Church meetings tend to take place mid-week, normally on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Local churches will usually call a minister to serve among them. The minister functions as a church member with special responsibilities in caring for the members and leading in the church's mission. Their authority is in the affirmation of the congregation acting under God's guidance. They are almost invariably recognised by the wider family of churches.
Interdependence Baptist churches have always come together in regional, national and international associations for support and fellowship. On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists believe that churches should not live in isolation from one another but rather be inter-dependent.
Sharing the faith Baptists believe that each Christian has a duty to share their faith with others. William Carey was a Baptist who is known as the father of the modern missionary movement. Along with this emphasis on evangelism, however, Baptists recognise that mission includes social action and involves promoting justice, social welfare, healing, education and peace in the world.
Religious freedom Religious freedom for all has always been a keystone of the Baptist way. Within Baptist churches, tolerance for differences of outlook and diversity of practice is encouraged.
How are Baptists different from other Christians? In other Christian traditions, church membership is not always clearly defined. In a Baptist context, baptism involves not only commitment to Christ, but also commitment to Christ's Church. For Baptists, church membership involves a commitment not only to work together to extend Christ's Kingdom, but also to love one another and stand by one another whatever the cost.
Declaration of Principle Those churches, colleges, associations and other organisations which belong to the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) unite on the basis of a declaration of principle:-
1 That our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
2 That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who "died for our sins according to the scriptures; was buried and rose again the third day".
3 That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.
Why be baptized?
Once you have taken Jesus Christ into your life and fully embraced his teachings, your next step is to be baptised.
Jesus set an example The command of Jesus is reinforced by his own example in being baptised himself. Despite John the Baptist's protestation, Jesus insisted on being baptised. Jesus said, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness". Jesus did not agree to be baptised with a view to washing his sins away. Rather in Baptism he took his first step to the cross by identifying himself with us in our sinfulness.
Declaring a union with Christ Baptism is a dramatic way of declaring your solidarity with Jesus. The only thing needed is a large quantity of water! Even today in warmer climates people are baptised in rivers, lakes and ponds. Although, in Britain it is more common for a baptistry to be used.
Spectators at a baptism are asked to imagine that the water is a watery grave. So when you are submerged under water, you will identify with Jesus who died and was buried, for a split second you will disappear, like Jesus, off the face of the earth.
In most Baptist churches as you are baptised you will be taken backwards into the horizontal position of a coffin. Then, like Christ, you will symbolically rise from the dead.
Paul (Romans 6:4), describes the newly baptised as rising to live a new life. As you go under the water, you will be declaring your resolve to die to your old way of living, and as you rise from the water your resolve to follow Christ's example. Questions people ask...
What if I were baptised as a child? Many people who turn to Christ have already been baptised as a small child. If this applies to you, be baptised again as a believer. Baptists believe that baptism without faith is not the baptism of the Bible.
What if I have been confirmed? If at your confirmation service you meaningfully confirmed the promise made on your behalf by your godparents, then some Baptist churches will welcome you on your profession of faith. However the same argument still applies. The New Testament knows only one baptism the one baptism in which by faith Jesus is confessed as Lord.
How old do I have to be to be baptised? Baptists practise believer's baptism not adult baptism, for this reason Baptists have avoided trying to set a minimum age.
What about the laying on of hands? Many Baptist churches are bringing back the old Baptist practice of accompanying baptism with the laying on of hands. This custom has its roots in the New Testament, where we find the apostles laid hands on their new converts to pass on the gift of the Holy Spirit.
There is no one distinctive Baptist belief!
Why be baptized?