What Does It Mean To Be Baptist? part 1

My sermon/teaching notes for Wednesday, July 15th.  Our current Wednesday Summer Series is WHY I LOVE BELONGING TO THE CHURCH. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week please visit http://www.fbcap.net


What does it mean to be Baptist?

Things I hear today:

  • Doctrine is not important
    • What we believe is VERY IMPORTANT.  What we believe about God, Jesus, the Bible, Salvation, and etc….IS VERY IMPORTANT.
  • It does not matter where you go to church as long as you go.
    • Just because it is a church does not mean it is a REAL GOSPEL PREACHING AND BIBLE BELIEVING church.  NOT ALL CHURCHES ARE THE SAME.

Intro Remarks:

  • I am a Baptist preacher because I believe what a good Baptist church believes is biblical (right and true)
  • There are important theological truths that need to be considered when we think about different denominations and faiths.
    • Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, and etc.
  • We need to know what our church believes and why we are different from the others.  IF WE ATTEND A CHURCH WE DEFINITELY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
  • You do not have to be a Baptist to be a Christian (my family has many Methodists and Presbyterians throughout)
    • Yet, I do have issues with some of the beliefs that are held within other churches.  THAT IS WHY I AM A BAPTIST.
    • They key is having a biblical understanding of what it is that you do believe and worshiping and serving in a church that also believes that way.

These are Biblical Convictions that Baptist Hold.

The Bible is our authority   2 Timothy 3:16

  • The Bible is the infallible inspired word of God.
  • A good Baptist church is a church grounded on the Word.
  • Go to Pastorjonbeck.com  (topical studies – Scripture/Bible for more info on Scripture)

Believers baptism – Matthew 28:19-20

  • Baptism is a symbolic act of obedience that one does after their conversion experience to show everyone what they believe.
  • No saving power. Romans 10:8-10.   One is only saved through Repentance and Faith.  THE GOSPEL SAVES!
  • It demonstrates our old life being buried with Christ and our new life in Him.  Romans 6:1-8

Priesthood of believers  – 1 Peter 2:4-10

  • We do not need anyone to “get” us to God.
  • We need no mediator to obtain His knowledge, presence, provision, or forgiveness.
  • The same Holy Spirit that the New Testament Church received is there to empower us in our lives.
  • We should use the spiritual disciplines to help us grow closer to God in our daily lives. (Bible study, prayer, worship, etc.)

Salvation by grace through faith  Ephesians 2:1-10

5 Solas (pastorjonbeck.com – Topical Studies)

  1. Scripture Alone
  2. Grace Alone
  3. Faith Alone
  4. Christ Alone
  5. God’s Glory Alone
  • Our works or good deeds will never save us. It is only the forgiveness of sins through Jesus that will.
  • Not programs, personalities nothing but the Gospel message can save someone.  BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.
  • Believe it
  • Preach and teach like you believe it
  • Live like you believe it

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