Section 4: Baptist Distinctives

In addition to the doctrine stated above, we believe the following items which link us historically with those in a Baptist tradition and make us distinctively Baptist:

  • Christ is God. He has rights of ownership over our Church as its head and over each individual purchased with His blood.

  • We trust the Bible for doctrine, guidance, and instruction. It is the final answer in matters of authority since it has been spoken by God.

  • Only those who are born again may be members of the local church.

  • Baptism follows belief in Christ as an obedient step of identification with Him and His church. The only Biblical mode is by immersion.

  • From the time of regeneration we grow more like Christ continually as a process.

  • Christ has won for every believer the right and privilege of direct access to God. We do not need anyone to mediate our relationship with Christ.

  • The local church makes its own decisions, apart from external organizations. We believe the government should not establish a state religion and should respect free exercise of religion.