Why Baptists

Biblical Authority

2 Peter 1:21 - 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 2:16-17 - 16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


Autonomy of the Local Church 

1 Thesalonians 1:1 - 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 18:17 - 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Revelation Chapter 2-3


Priesthood is All Believers 

1 Peter 2:9 - 9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:







Two Officers ordained of the Church  

Ephesians 4:11 - 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Pastor - (1 Timothy 3:1-11)
1 Timothy 3:1 - 1 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Deacon - (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:12-13)
1 Timothy 3:12 - 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.


Individual Soul Liberty of Free Choice 

Joshua 24:15 - 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Romans 10:9-13 - 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ... 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Other Scriptures:  Luke 13:34

Salvation by Faith Alone

Ephesians 1:13 - 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Other Scriptures:  Acts 8:35-38, Acts 10:44-48, Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12


Two Ordinance of the Church

Baptism - (Acts 8:35-38, Acts 10:44-48, Colossians. 2:12)
Acts 2:41 - 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Romans 6:3-4 - 3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 - 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: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.


Separation of Church and State 

Matthew 22:19-21 - 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Daniel 6:10 - 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Baptists and others encouraged the addition of the First Amendment of the Constitution which says:  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

Baptism Visitation Request

The Bible says that all professing Christians should be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20). Whether you've been following Jesus for a long time and never got baptized or are a new Christian, we would be honored to baptize you!