Bible Way Baptist Church

Baptist Distinctives

Baptists have traditionally held to a set of beliefs that have developed into the Baptist Distinctives. The eight distinctives form the acrostic BAPTISTS.

• Biblical Authority: The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself.
• Autonomy of the Local Church: The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices.
• Priesthood of the Believer: Every believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people.
• Two Ordinances: The local church should practice the ordinance of baptism and the ordinance of the Lord's supper.
• Individual Soul Liberty: Every person has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. Religious persecution has always been opposed by Baptists. This does not, however, exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
• Saved, Baptized Church Membership: Every member of a Baptist Church must be saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have publicly proclaimed their faith through believer's baptism.
• Two Offices: Baptists believe there are two offices in the church, Pastor/Elders and Deacon.
• Separation of Church and State: God has established both government and the church. They fulfill two separate roles in society. The Church should not control the government, and likewise the government should not control the Church. This does not mean that individual Christians are prohibited from participating and influencing government toward righteousness.