Alliance of Baptists American Baptist Association American Baptist Churches USA Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America Baptist Bible Fellowship International Baptist General Conference Baptist Missionary Association of America Baptist World Alliance Central Baptist Association Christian Unity Baptist Association Colored Primitive Baptists Conservative Baptist Association of America Continental Baptist Churches Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Evangelical Free Baptist Church Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of America General Association of BaptistsGeneral Association of General Baptists General Association of Regular Baptist Churches General Six-Principle Baptists Global Independent Baptist Fellowship Independent Baptist Fellowship International Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America Interstate & Foreign Landmark Missionary Baptist Association Landmark Baptist Church Liberty Baptist Fellowship National Association of Free Will Baptists National Baptist Convention of America, Inc National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the U.S.A. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A. New Testament Association of Independent Baptist Churches North American Baptist Conference Old Regular Baptists Old Time Missionary Baptists Original Free Will Baptist Convention Primitive Baptists Progressive National Baptist Convention Reformed Baptists Regular Baptists Separate Baptists in Christ Seventh Day Baptist General Conference Southern Baptist Convention Southwide Baptist Fellowship Sovereign Grace Baptists United American Free Will Baptist Church United American Free Will Baptist Conference United Baptists Unregistered Baptist Fellowship World Baptist Fellowship

Baptists are a non –creedal folk who are identified by certain traits rather than by doctrinal creeds. Claiming no creed but the Bible, Baptists express their uniqueness through a series of distinctives. In this list the word BAPTISTS is used as an acrostic to discuss what defines a Christian as a Baptist.

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture's inherent authority. 1st Thessalonians 2:13

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body. Colossians 1:18

Every born-again believer has direct access to the throne of God. Therefore, since every child of God shares in the priesthood of the believers, all have the same right as ordained ministers to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in Christ's name. This is first and foremost a matter of responsibility and servanthood, not privilege and license. 1 Peter 2:5

We practice believer's baptism by immersion because it preserves the picture of saving truth. No other form pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Romans 6:1-5 We believe that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic ordinance, picturing Christ's body broken for our sins and His blood shed for our redemption. It is not a saving ordinance, but helps us remember His death, and inspires us while looking forward to His coming. It is to be observed by regenerate, obedient believers. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

Every individual Christian has the liberty to believe, right or wrong, as his/her own conscience dictates. While we seek to persuade men to choose the right, a person must not be forced to into compliance, realizing that it is not always the larger group who holds the truth when, in fact, our heritage as Baptists has demonstrated the worth of every individual believer. Romans 14:12

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 believer's baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Acts 2:41&47

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, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. 1st Timothy 3:1-13

God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church's purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government. Romans 13:1-3

Five Sources of Authority: 1.The Bible 2.The Book of Mormon 3.Doctrines and Covenants 4.The Pearl of Great Price 5.The Teachings of the current president of the church.

KJV only “…so far as it is correctly translated.” Progressive revelation vs. Christocentric progression

Translated and published by Joseph Smith in Given by the angel Moroni who died in 5 th Century A.D. Moroni was the son of Mormon. Tells the story of the Jews who migrated to Central America and lived there 600 B.C to 421 A.D. (date of writing of Book of Mormon). Group killed off by Native peoples.

Revelations that came primarily to Joseph Smith First edition. Current Edition has over 138 revelations 1978 – makes possible for African descendants in priesthood.

Contains selections from “Book of Moses”; “The Book of Abraham”; Smith’s retranslation of Matthew 24; “The First Vision”; “The Articles of Faith.” Pieces of “Book of Abraham” were discovered in 1967 (Egyptian Book of the Dead).

“I cannot believe it is almost time for conference again in just over a week. In case you don't know what General Conference is, it is a time twice a year where we listen to men and women who are called of God to teach us how to become more Christ-like in these latter days. We listen to many different people including our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson who we believe is a prophet, seer, and revelator who gives us modern day revelation for us from our Heavenly Father.” - a Mormon blog.

God Plurality of gods. God is one of many gods. He chose a spirit wife and fathered all human spirits. Has a physical body. God is always changing, progressing upward.

Jesus Born of a sexual union between God and Mary. Married to Mary for a time. Some Mormons believe Jesus married to Mary and Martha at wedding in Cana. Later to Mary Magdalene. Jesus’ death on cross atones for sin up to time of belief (beyond that keeping the “ordinances and commandments” of the Mormon Church.

Human Beings People began as spirit beings – wait for bodies – lose memory of preexistence. This life is probation. One who becomes a Mormon can progress after death and become a god.

Future Life Hell is for Satan and his angels. All others live in one of three “kingdoms.” Celestial Kingdom For good Mormons “Here a man married in the temple will live with all his wives and children, continuing to procreate spiritual children and ruling over them… progressing until he becomes a god.” (Igleheart) Terrestrial - For all honorable men who did not become Mormons. Telestial Kingdom – For unbelieving and wicked.

Baptists: Interfaith Witnessing by Glen Igleheart (Foreign Mission Board of Virginia) 1984