Who Are Baptists?

        Baptists emerged as a distinct denomination out of the left wing of the English Protestant Reformation. Influences from
the Continent, particularly from the Anabaptists, played some role in our origin, but Baptist origins and early motifs are
primarily British.

        The English Reformation fostered an intense search for a church that faithfully followed biblical norms in faith and
practice. This search led to such successive reform movements as Puritanism and Separatism. From their own reading of
the Bible, some of the Separatists concluded that baptism should be applied only to believers.

        In time they reached the further conclusion that such baptism of believers should be applied by the ancient practice of
total immersion. These developments provided the avenue for the emergence of churches that acquired the nickname of
"Baptist". It was originally a term of derision.

        The two groups of Baptists in England had separate origins. The General Baptists, the older of the two groups, as their
name implies, held to a "general" atonement. They taught that Christ's death applied to all who would believe and accept it.
Their earliest church dates from about 1609, formed by John Smyth while in exile from Amsterdam.

        The more Calvinistic group, the Particular Baptists, held to a "particular" atonement. They taught that only the elect could
be saved. The earliest Particular Baptist Church was formed in London by 1638.

        The two Baptist groups also differed in ecclesiology; the Particulars were more independent, while the Generals were
more connectional. The General Baptists also favored a strict and at times hostile separation from the Church of England,
while the Particular Baptists held to milder forms of semi-separation. Differences between the two groups diminished in
time, and in the nineteenth century they merged.

        For the first generation, the Baptists existed only in scattered churches; they did not form anything as cohesive and
united as to be called a "denomination". For the Baptists, as for other reform groups in England, religious lines were fluid
and ever changing. Gradually through outstanding leaders and through shared confessions of faith, the Baptists found their
way to a more united outlook as a cohesive denomination.

        John Smyth was the earliest leader of the Baptists. The Anabaptist influence was so strong in his life that he became a
Mennonite. Thomas Helwys was a layman who helped Smyth in the founding of the Baptist Church in Amsterdam and
pastored the First Baptist Church in England. He was martyred for his Baptist beliefs. He dared write to the King of England
that the King was a mortal man and had no power over the spiritual life of his subjects.

        The Baptist experience is rich and diverse. Prominent politicians from across the spectrum; Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Newt
Gingrich, Jesse Helms, and Jesse Jackson all are Baptists. Some Baptists worship with the minister in a robe, a suit or an
open collar shirt on Sundays. For some, the pastor is called Doctor, Reverend, Preacher, Pastor or Brother. It is hard to
identify a generic Baptist!
The one theme that is probably true of most expressions of the Baptist experience is freedom. Freedom lies deep in the life
of Baptists. While there are many Baptists who are intolerant and not comfortable with diversity the historic roots of the
Baptist faith all involve freedom.

        There are four great freedoms for which Baptists are recognized world wide for practicing. They are:

        1. Bible Freedom. Each Baptist is free as they are led by Jesus Christ to study and obey scripture for themselves. The
Bible is central in the life and practice of Baptists. Baptists agree on the authority of scripture as the guide for our faith and
practice.
But Baptists are unable to agree on which human theory about the inspiration of scripture is the best theory. The authority of
scripture, rather than human theories about inspiration, has been the common theme of Baptist life.
The Bible is the primary source for guidance and instruction. The Bible is the final authority in moral responsibility, Biblical
beliefs and human relationships.
Yet, our human understanding of scripture is never complete. So Baptists believe ongoing Bible study is vital.
Baptists reject the authority of any person or human document to dictate belief or force conformity of belief. The individual is to
be free to follow God's leadership. Baptists may have statements about what some Baptists generally believe. But they have
rejected creeds because they lead to forced conformity.
Responsible individual interpretation of scripture is a fundamental Baptist belief. While this invites diversity, it also frees the
individual to be responsible to God and God alone. A diligent study of scripture with an open mind and reverent spirit will lead
an individual to know God's will.

        2. Soul Freedom. Soul freedom is the responsibility of each individual to deal with God personally without a creed, the
clergy or civil government interfering or trying to control their search for God's will and truth.
Baptists believe each individual (except for infants, young children and adults with significant mental impairment) is
competent to make moral, spiritual and religious choices. The individual is also liable to God (and God's judgment) for their
decisions.
Conversion by conviction means you must decide if you will follow Jesus or not. The individual approaches God personally,
directly and voluntarily. A person may choose to accept Christ or reject Christ. The choice is with the individual. Baptists
recognize that without freedom to choose, there is no authentic faith.
Each Baptist is a minister. Every church needs each member to discover their gifts and serve God. Each member can make
a significant impact.
The differences between members are differences in function. Not everyone is a pastor but everyone is their own priest. All
members including the ministerial staff are equal in the eyes of God. No one has any inherent superiority because of the
position or office they hold in the church.
Free and faithful Baptists have long agreed that the only Lord a Christian has is Jesus. If Baptists are acting under the
guidance and control of Jesus Christ then unity and freedom are possible and inevitable.

        3. Church Freedom. Baptists have always believed in the freedom of the local church under the leadership of Jesus
Christ to practice their faith. Baptist churches choose their leadership, determine who can be a member, decide how they will
worship God, select and ordain people to the Christian ministry and choose with whom they will cooperate for missions
beyond the local church context.
No outside denominational structure has any authority over this church. It is autonomous and free from outside control. The
church owns its property and employs its ministers.
Authority in each church rests with the congregation. Some Baptist congregations delegate authority to different groups, but
retain ultimate control.
In the event of a ministerial vacancy the church selects a group of members who seek out a new minister. No one outside the
local church controls the selection or dismissal of a minister. Each church determines when, how and to whom the
ordinances (Baptism and Lord's Supper) are provided.
It is an accurate statement that no two Baptist churches are alike. Each one is different because they reflect the personality of
the congregation.

        4. Religious Freedom. Early Baptists were persecuted in England and America because they were not the established
(or state sanctioned) denomination. Thomas Helwys was eventually executed because of his refusal to give the King control
over his spiritual life.
In America, Baptists were arrested and persecuted in the colonies because they were not the official religion. Baptist pastors
were placed in jail for preaching and holding Bible studies not sanctioned by the state church (in most colonies Anglican or
Episcopal churches were the official churches). They were in violation of the law for following God's leadership.
In American history, two distinct streams of thought converged. The rationalists wanted the government free of church
interference and control. Radicals like Baptists wanted the church free of government interference and control.
The result was the first amendment to the United States Constitution (article one of the Bill of Rights). Virginian John Leland,
a prominent colonial Baptist agreed to support James Madison to be a delegate to the Constitutional Congress if he would
support an amendment separating church and state. Madison was elected and was instrumental in the writing of the Bill of
Rights. A free church in a free state is the distinctively Baptist contribution to American democracy.
Early Baptists wanted religious liberty. Toleration is a concession from a superior to an inferior. Liberty is a matter of principle
and an inalienable right. Baptists were so confident in the power of the Gospel that freedom for every religion to exist was not
intimidating.
        Balthasar Hubmaier, an early Anabaptist, said "Faith is not the product of the heretics tower." If a person is free to
believe, they must be free not to believe.
Historically, this belief has caused Baptists to oppose government aid to parochial or church schools, any form of state
sponsored, written or controlled prayer or religious exercise. While often misunderstood it is the historic Baptist position.

        As you might expect there is difference of opinion about the expressions of these freedoms among Baptists. But that is
the result of freedom; each Baptist and Baptist church following God leadership.
For Christians who grew up in a different tradition this may sound confusing. Freedom can be that way. Absolute freedom is
an invitation to anarchy and confusion. The one common thread that holds us together is Jesus Christ.

        A common commitment to knowing and doing the will of God provides a consensus in the church body. Because of
human limitations, we may not all come to the same conclusion about God's will for the church. Yet, God is able to lead the
church to a consensus decision. A one hundred percent agreement, on any decision while desirable, is rarely possible in a
Baptist church.
        Humility and mutual respect keep the church united. Humility reminds us that no one can claim to have the monopoly on
understanding God's will or have the infallible interpretation of a Biblical text. Mutual respect reminds us that the other person
could be right even if they are in the minority.
Who We Are
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Warm Springs, Georgia
"Modeling the Life of Christ to Our Community"