Baptist Distinctives

What makes a Baptist a Baptist? Someone once said that Baptists are like Heinz's products — 57 varieties. There are Southern Baptists and Northern Baptists (now called American Baptists, Hardshell Baptists, Softshell Baptists, Reformed Baptists, Missionary Baptists, General Association of Regular Baptists, Independent Baptists, Bible Baptists, Fundamental Baptists, Full Gospel Baptists, Seventh-Day Baptists, and many more. And that is just in North America. Although there are some significant and polarizing differences among these different Baptist denominations, there are certain things that most, if not all, Baptists hold in common: the Baptist distinctives.

1. Baptists believe in the authority of the Bible. The Bible is the first and final word in matters of belief and behavior.


2. Baptists believe in soul liberty. That means that each individual may believe according to the dictates of his or her own conscience.
   


3. Baptist believe in the autonomy of the local church. Each church is independent of hierarchical control. Churches are free to associate with other churches and religious bodies but are under no compulsion to do so.


4. Priesthood of all believers.


5. Baptists believe there are but two ordinances, preferring not to use the term sacrament. The two ordinances are believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
   


6. Baptists believe in a regenerate (born again), or saved church membership.


7. Baptists believe there are only two church offices: pastors and deacons.


8. Baptists believe in the separation of Church and State. This is understood to mean that the State cannot dictate to the Church nor is the Church to control the State.

There are often differences of interpretation and implementation of these distinctives among Baptists and some of these are also held by other denominations. Baptists are not creedal, meaning their belief system is not bound by any creed. Their view of the Bible and their belief in soul liberty allow them a liberty not readily available in other denominations of being able to come to a better and fuller understanding of the truth and of living out their faith with a good conscience.