Who are the Baptists?

The logical question that comes to mind when you hear the word Baptist is: "Who are the Baptists?"

The Baptists are men of the Scripture

Any religious group must first decide what will they make as a foundation of their believes and practices. Baptists have The Scripture as the only ultimate authority and revelation. They don't add nor withdraw anything that is written there. No other subsequent writing or saying is normative for the Baptist church.

They are unique from this point of view! Revelation belongs completely to the Scripture.

The attitude towards the Scripture — Serious studies, reading, memorizing

Baptists fight for the liberty of conciseness

Born during religious persecution, Baptists were from the very beginning freedom fighters. Each person is free to decide what to believe, being direct responsible in front of God. No authority or person should persecute another on religious grounds.

Baptists are saved through belief and repentance

Salvation is not inherited but it is received. The belief in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (who is God and man at the same time) goes along with the sincere repentance (which is done by admitting, confessing and leaving the sin).

A Holy Life is nonnegotiable!

Baptists are baptized at a responsible age

The baptism, that the Lord Jesus commanded, is asked by the candidate who has repented and believed in him, as a volunteer act of obedience, and as an exterior testimony of a born again soul.

The baptism does not wash away ones sins.

Baptists gather in autonomous local churches

The church is the gathering of the born again people, who come in the presence of the Holy Spirit under the authority of God. Association of churches is the administrative and representative.

Church discipline.

Baptists fight for the separation of the Church from the State

They understand literally the word of Lord Jesus: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Mathew 22:21). The Church belongs to God and the State does not have the right to interfere with internal issues.

They don't accept to be remunerated by the State.

Baptists are missionaries by definition

The German missionary Gerhard Onken spoke the truth when he said: "Every Baptist is missionary." Mission — not proselytism...

The Baptist Church is a family of God, imperfect but aiming towards perfection, sincere and dynamic, with the foundation in Christ, imitating his image more and more everyday.

Baptist Church — is where the spiritual pilgrimage ends.