The Meaning of “Baptist”

A Very Diverse Family… Over 55 million baptized believers, a total community of perhaps 150 million Over 55 million baptized believers, a total community of perhaps 150 million Counting our children, this would make us the fourth-largest Christian tradition, after Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, and Eastern Orthodox Counting our children, this would make us the fourth-largest Christian tradition, after Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, and Eastern Orthodox 7 million in Africa, 5 million in Asia, but… 7 million in Africa, 5 million in Asia, but… Nearly four out of five Baptists are American (d’oh!) Nearly four out of five Baptists are American (d’oh!)

First Things First… Our first duty is to be faithfully Christian, and then go from there… Our first duty is to be faithfully Christian, and then go from there… 400 years – 2,000 years 400 years – 2,000 years We cannot choose to be “more Baptist” and “less Christian” We cannot choose to be “more Baptist” and “less Christian”

What do you think makes a Baptist “baptist”?

The Parts of the Baptist Wheel: Axle Axle (Central Idea) Spokes Spokes(Principles/beliefs) Rim Rim(Practices)

“Friction,” a.k.a, Sacred Power

The Axle: The Free God Calls a Gathered Church

The Free God “All the power on Earth cannot make one Institute or Divine ceremony in Religion, because God’s Authority is then usurped by Man…” – Thomas Grantham Idolatry = humanity trying to control what it worships!!

A Gathered Church Brought together not by custom or law, but by the call of God Brought together not by custom or law, but by the call of God Both our “gathering” and “being gathered” Both our “gathering” and “being gathered” Emphasis on fellowship and community - covenant Emphasis on fellowship and community - covenant

On to the Spokes! The Rule of Christ The Rule of Christ A Discipling People A Discipling People Freedom of Conscience Freedom of Conscience Primacy of Scripture Primacy of Scripture

The Rule of Christ “In Christ” “In Christ” Matthew 18 Matthew 18 The goal: consensus in The goal: consensus in imitation of Jesus under the guidance of the Spirit “Christonomy” “Christonomy”

A Discipling People “Regenerate” or…“no imposters, please” Personal experience of being “gathered” Mutual accountability – “walking the walk”

“All penitent and faithful Christians are brethren in the communion of the outward life” – John Smyth “Those thus called, he commandeth to walk together” – 1677 London Confession

Freedom of Conscience To keep from violating To keep from violating the sanctity of others To protect the integrity To protect the integrity of God and Church

Primacy of Scripture Tradition = bad? Tradition = bad? Tradition = useful Tradition = useful Bible as norm Bible as norm (e.g., Lent)

The Wheel Hits the Ground Believers’ Baptism Believers’ Baptism Congregational Congregational Liberty Liberty

Believers’ Baptism What’s wrong with infant baptism? What’s wrong with infant baptism? State church – nominal Christians State church – nominal Christians

The NT pattern (Acts 2, Romans 6) The NT pattern (Acts 2, Romans 6) World Council of Churches: World Council of Churches: “baptism upon personal profession of faith is the most clearly attested pattern in the New Testament documents” Vatican II: believers’ baptism “the theological norm” Vatican II: believers’ baptism “the theological norm”

Congregationalism All have the ministry of the “royal priesthood” All have the ministry of the “royal priesthood” vs. St. Ignatius of Antioch Diversity of gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) Diversity of gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12)

Church meeting Church meeting Bottom-up instead of top-down Bottom-up instead of top-down NOT independence! NOT independence!

Defense of Religious Liberty Separation of church and state Separation of church and state Aid to the harassed, persecuted Aid to the harassed, persecuted Still an issue Still an issue