Uniqueness 1: Baptist doctrine and faith are rooted in the New Testament.

Uniqueness 2: Baptist believes that a person’s eternal destiny is based on whether or not he or she receives the gift of salvation offered by the Lord Jesus

Uniqueness 3: The Baptist congregational system embraces two fundamentals: leadership of the Holy Spirit and involvement of the entire membership.

Uniqueness 4: Baptist believes in believers’ baptism by immersion – a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection.

The uniqueness we outlined above will be extensively discussed below as how they are working in the Baptist denomination.

1. Our beginning 

Read Mark 16: 15-16. Each of the four Gospels ends with a commission from Christ to His of the earth. The emphasis in verse 16 is not on believing in Jesus Christ led to a public declaration38), and being baptised sometimes cost people their Baptist denomination got her name from John the Baptist. the Baptist denomination was named by This is not the case. Like most religious groups, the practice of baptism is by immersion. Early opponents have other less complimentary names. The exact origin of present-day Baptist has its roots within the Free Church movement. There are four schools of thought about the origin of the Baptist. These and English Puritan descendants’ schools of thought:

John the Baptist as the Father of Baptists: Some people believe that Baptists, as an organised church, originated in the New Testament times, particularly through the ministry of John the Baptist. This is because the way he baptised people was unique. He acted as a priest who baptised the convert by immersion as a sign of repentance. He baptised Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Baptist’s doctrine and faith are certainly rooted in the New Testament.

Succession Theory of Origin: Some other people believe that believers who share the same faith conviction as Baptists have always been since the inception of the Progression of the typical type of Baptist faith from the days of John the Baptist and the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Some of the groups which maintained Baptist faith principles before the present-day Baptists were the Mennonites. They believed in the authority of the Bible and the baptism of genuinely converted people as those who could be church members.

 Anabaptists as the Origin of the Present Day Baptist: Anabaptists was a nickname but became a real name. Anabaptists developed as a radical religious and social movement during the Reformation in 16th-century Europe. “Anabaptist” means “re-baptizer. “The group is an offshoot of the Reformation movement. Anabaptists thought that the reformation had not gone far enough and urged are turn to a more simple faith as reflected in the apostolic church. The movements taught the Scriptures to the common people by using a strong evangelical emphasis. These groups were so effective that they were actively opposed by the established churches in their area.

The opinion is that Baptists came from Anabaptists because of Anabaptists’ persistence on the need for baptism for those who are converted alone. But some earliest Anabaptists like Hub Maier practised effusion (water poured on the head). Anabaptists and present-day Baptists had a common struggle against the state church and baptism of the regenerate individual alone, but the Anabaptists did not strongly oppose effusion.

Baptist as an Offshoot of 17th-Century Puritanism: Congregationalism: According to McBeth, Baptists came into existence in England in the early seventeenth century. The present-day Baptists are the descendants of those who have always believed in immersion. John Smyth and his brethren migrated to Amsterdam in 1607 because the city provided religious liberty. The name Baptist as a denomination was first used in Amsterdam in 1609.

The early Baptists were convinced that those who should be church members are those who genuinely make the decisions to follow Christ. They suffered and were persecuted for their faith.

They believed in baptism by immersion (also known as baptism by submersion) as against baptism by effusion (pouring of water) and by aspersion (sprinkling of water), specifying whether the immersion is total or partial, but very commonly with the indication that a Baptism is an act done after one has made a personal commitment to become Jesus Christ’s follower at an age that one could make pale of taken personal decision on his/her own. This is in opposition to infant baptism.

How to become a member of a baptist church

• Be born again. No one becomes a member of a Baptist church by birth.
• Be baptised by immersion. Take a step of baptism after you have decided to follow Jesus.
• You can transfer your membership. Baptist admits those who have been baptised by immersion in any Baptist church or Evangelical church into the membership of the church.
• Believe in God’s Word as the final authority over your life.
• Be committed to the teachings of the Lord Jesus.

2. What we believe 

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Paul wrote to Timothy, his spirituals on, to continue in what he has learnt and become convinced of. He affirmed that the Scriptures that Timothy has learnt from his infancy have made him wise. Paul also talked about the efficacy of the Word of God. He testified to the divine origin and character of the Bible. Paul asserted that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The word “inspired” means ‘God-breathed,’ filled with the breath of God. The Spirit of God enabled men of God to write the Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21), for the Spirit of God is the “breath” of God.

The Baptist denomination bases its faith and teachings on the Word of God. There are many churches in contemporary society. Some have a one-word name: Baptist, Methodist and Anglican. Some have two or more words name: Deeper Life, Winners Chapel, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Mountain of Fire and Miracles. Are there similarities and differences between these churches?

Some common doctrinal positions

Biblical Authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25): Baptists hold the belief that what the Bible teaches is the final authority for faith and practice. No other writing compares to the Bible. The Bible stands alone among all other writings as it is uniquely from both God and about God.

Faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9): Baptists believe that salvation is by grace through faith. Baptist as an evangelical denomination believes in a person’s eternal destiny. Under this is Soul Competency (Liberty) Matthew 16:27;2 Peter 3:9.Baptists hold that each individual is free to state that every normal individual is capable of making holding the salvation that Jesus Christ Brought. This makes Baptists sectarians in nature.

Priesthood of the Believer (1 Timothy 2: 5; 1 Peter 2: 5, 9): The Baptist believes that there is no need for any intermediary between intermediaries Hence, each believer is supposed to be a priest who is ministering grace to other people. Baptists believe that there is no God. God through the power of the Holy Spirit has been made to God with his/her petitions and prayers, and God is willing to make His will known directly to everyone.

Distinctive doctrinal belief of the Baptist

Autonomy of the Local Church (Revelation 1:11, 20): Congregationalism is a form of church government, or polity, in which each member of the church has the privilege of getting involved in the decision-making of the church. Church autonomy is about the privilege that a congregation in a particular locality has to self-govern, sponsor and fund itself. Each congregation is free to operate as an entity without any interference of the government or any ecclesiastical authority. Baptists hold that the Church and state are two separate entities and one is not subjected to another. Both are ordained tenets of the Church (Acts 5:29; Romans 13). Consequently, each church elects its pastor and cons which are the main officers of the church.

Two Ordinances (Acts 8:36-37; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31): Baptists believe that the Bible teaches two ordinances which are special services of the local church. The ordinances are Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper. They are not called sacraments because they are not necessary for salvation. Baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ for all Christians. Jesus was also baptised. Baptism symbolically represents the death, burial and resurrection which a believer has experienced spiritually in identification with Jesus’ death.

Similarly, the Lord’s Supper stands for covenant meal with Jesus and the Church which is the body of Christ. It is sometimes called” communion.” It is the partaking of unleavened bread and grape juice. We do this in remembrance of Christ’s broken body and shed blood.

3. How we operate 

The diversity in the background of the cosmopolitan nature of the church. Spirit gave directives to the leaders (c.f. 8:29; Baptist10:19; 13:4). Congregational which identified the church with their ministry system embraces the event here demonstrates the leadership of two fundamentals: the Holy Spirit over the church and leadership of the church. Holy Spirit and Baptist operates congregational polity of church administration because of the involvement of the entire of worship towards God, nurture towards one membership. Congregational polity is as defined the form of church government in which human authority rests with the local or particular congregation when it gathers for decision-making. Baptists are different from other Christian denominations in terms of polity. Baptist churches operate a congregational system which embraces two fundamentals: These are the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the involvement of the entire membership.

How the baptist church is governed

Jesus is the Head of His Church: Baptists believe that the head of the Church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 23; Colossians 1:18), whose mind is the leaders and the followers. Seek to know through discussion towards decision making that may intention through the written Word called the Bible. The Baptist as the congregation. This liturgy communicates the idea of the centrality of the Bible.

Baptised Church Members are involved in Decision Making: Baptist operates congregational policy. Congregational is not the same major difference between Baptists and many other denominations is legitimate authority over the church regarding beliefs and religious practices. In addition, all the members within the church fellowship are to have an equal voice in the governance of the church.

Baptist Congregational System Has a Place for Church Leaders: Baptists have historically interpreted the New Testament Scriptures to describe congregationalism with the biblical leadership of pastor(s) and deacons. Baptist church elects and ordains its deacons, who are pastor’s helpers. Pastors and deacons are co-brethren as the church members.

Cooperative Programme: The desire to strengthen cooperative bodies such as associations, conferences and conventions has led to a situation whereby local churches cooperate with larger bodies in terms of pooling funds together for mission work. This development has some benefits and some disadvantages. It is through this program that many ministries of the Convention, such as education, medical, and theological institutions, to mention a few, are being financed. Hence, every local church is expected to give 20% of its income to the Convention.

Its disadvantage is that the cooperative programme might hinder the local churches from making certain decisions on their own.

4. You should be baptized 

Read 16:16. Paul left the synagogue and started using the house of Titus Justus as his preaching station, right next to the synagogue. This gave Paul continued contact with the Jews and Gentile proselytes; and as are salt, even the chief ruler of the synagogue was converted. There were instances of an entire family turning to the Lord and being baptised (Acts 10:24, 44-48; 16:14-15, 34). Paul fulfilled the Lord’s commission given in Matthew 28:19-20. Paul came to Corinth (“Go”); he won sinners to Christ (“make18:11). He even experienced the assurance of the disciples”).

He baptised and he taught them (Acts Lord’s (“Lo, I am with thee always!”) (Acts 18:9-10). Paul’s associates baptised most of the new converts (1 Corinthians 1:11-17), just as our Lord’s disciples did when He ministered on earth (John4:1-2; Acts 10:47-48). All these showed that as people gave their lives to Jesus, and made a public confession of their faith, they baptised them without wasting time. But they did not baptise any unbeliever. It is believers’ baptism and it is baptism by immersion. The immersion is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4).

Why do you need to be baptised now?

Jesus was baptized by immersion (Mark 1:9-11): Jesus went into the water and was baptised therein. There are pieces of archaeological evidence that baptism in the early church was by immersion.

Jesus taught and commanded baptism by immersion (John 3:5 and Matthew 28:19, 20): Jesus did not only experience baptism, He taught His disciples to baptise people. Furthermore, His last command to His disciples included the order to baptise all those who believe.

The early church practised baptism by immersion (Acts 2:38, 41): The early church obeyed the instruction of the Master. It was recorded that Peter repented and was baptised.

Immersion baptism conveys the meaning of baptism (Acts 22:16): Baptism by immersion has a unique meaning. The Greek word for Baptism “means to plunge, immerse, to sink; to wash; to be immersed. Paul’s teaching on baptism indicates that believers share in Christ’s death through baptism which is pictured by being dipped into the water and raised (Colossians 2:12 and Romans 6:1-4). Another meaning that immersion offers is resurrection into a new life as a result of conversion. Behind the symbol of baptism is the substance of baptism, which is the blood of Jesus Christ removing our sinful nature. As water cleanses the outer man from soil and sweat, so the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses the inner man from the stain of sin.

How to get baptised

• Give your life to Jesus.
• Get enrolled in the Believers/Enquirers’ class in your church.
• Be punctual and regular in attendance.
• Do your assignment as expected.
• Internalise the lessons learnt.