Baptist Distinctives and the SBC

There are several distinct beliefs that Baptists across the board hold to. They are the core building blocks that distinguish Baptists from other denominations. Each belief by itself is not necessarily limited to baptist circles. It is the combination of beliefs that create the Baptist distinctive. Sugar, flour, and eggs may be common to cookies, cakes, and any other number of goodies, but the specific quantities and other ingredients are what separate them in very obvious ways. Baptists share most of their beliefs with other denominations, but the particular recipe is unique.

Let's consider some Baptist distinctives and contrast the ways many Southern Baptist Churches understand them.


1. Believer's Baptism by Immersion

This is probable the most core doctrine in Baptist belief. Baptism is only administered to those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ, not to infants (who cannot profess faith in God). This can be called credo-baptism. Is this what Southern Baptists believe? Yes, but it is not what they practice. They practice a hybrid form of pedobaptism (infant baptism). Instead of baptizing infants who have not made a profession, they baptize children who recite a prayer. The sign of the covenant is repeating after me.


2. Regenerate Church Membership

Baptists have been adamant that only saved persons should be memers of the church. People should not be born into church membership. They should only be admitted when they are saved, bearing the fruit of the Spirit. How do Southern Baptists fare on membership? Some denominations practice pre-regenerate church membership. For example, they allow children and infants to be members of the church who aren't 'saved,' yet. Southern Baptists practice unregenerate church membership. That is, they allow into membership anyone who will attend and hopefully tithe to the church with no regards to genuine salvation or spiritual fruit. Regeneration is unnecessary, only initial participation (because they will likely quit coming after a year or so but perpetually haunt the church roll).

3. Priesthood of All Believers

Who can approach God in prayer? Not just super religious, it's all regenerate souls. We are called a nation of priests. We are all accountable before God. We pray directly through Jesus to the Father without the need of any super religious intercessor. Surely Southern Baptists adhere to this, we don't have any priests? Kinda. But not really. Sure, we all pray to God without having to go through a priest, but we leave praying often and fervently to the pastor. We are content to say mealtime prayers and a quick prayer before we go to bed and think ourselves a priesthood. I'll give the SBC a semi-priesthood of all believers.

4. Congregational Church Polity

The essence of congregational church polity is found in Acts 6:5, "The statement found approval with the whole congregation..." (NASB). The church did not need some one to be king over them because Christ sits as King directly over the hearts of all believers. We never see them cast lots after the coming of the Holy Spirit because God was leading them directly. Things found approval or disapproval with the whole congregation because they were in unity following the Holy Spirit. Is this what Southern Baptists do when we practice the democratic process? No. We practice majority rule. It is quite different from congregational polity. Regardless of the Spirit's impression on our hearts, we rule by whatever the majority thinks. This would probably be sufficient if we also practiced regenerate church membership. But, since we do not, majority rule is open for disaster.

Stay tuned for: The Lord's Supper and Baptism, Missions and Evangelism, Biblical Authority, and more...