Core Beliefs

DOCTRINE, PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES The Baptist denomination, like other denominations, is a religious organization united together as a body upon the basis of commonly shared religious perspectives, principles, interests and practices. As a Protestant denomination, the Baptist denomination was formed as a significant group that broke away from the English Church in the seventeenth century in revolt to the government’s intrusion in religious affairs. As a result, the Baptist established and continues to maintain “Religious Liberty” as a cornerstone and a fundamental element of its denomination’s religious principles.

Religious liberty refers to the rejection by Baptists and many other Protestants, of government or civil authority that is imposed, exercised, or exerted over a person’s religious opinions, right to worship or the church’s right to govern himself as a religious body.

In addition to its position on the issue of “Church and State,” the Baptist also agree in their religious perspectives concerning certain teachings (doctrines) and religious practices which are based upon their understanding of scripture. The doctrines and religious practices which are distinctions of Baptist from other denominations include: (all based on New Testament understanding and perspective)