Principles and Practices

 
 
 
The Baptist Church has two ordinances:
 
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (often called Communion). These are known as ordinances in as much as they are religious practices the Church is commanded by Christ to practice and keep. The Scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, burial, and risen Savior. (Romans 6:4)
 
• Baptism by immersion in water as the proper method based upon circumstantial evidence of scripture.
 
  • Baptism of a regenerate believer upon his/her own profession of faith in Christ. Infants are not  regarded as proper subjects of Baptism since they are incapable of repenting and believing by faith. Unconverted persons are also not regarded as proper subjects because they have not repented and believed by faith. Only persons who are properly baptized upon profession of their faith in Christ may become members of the Baptist Church.
 
  • Baptism is required in order to participate in the Lord’s Supper. The Scriptures teach that the Lord’s Supper is a provision of bread and wine, as symbols of Christ’s Body and Blood, partaken by the members of the church, in commemoration of the suffering of our Lord; showing forth their faith and participation in the merit of his sacrifice, and their hope of eternal life through His Resurrection from the dead.
 
  • The Baptist Church is self-governing and independent of all other churches. It is governed by God through the voting privilege given to its members as they act prayerfully, responsibly and are spiritually guided as a majority.
 
  • The Baptist Church has two scriptural officers: Pastor and Diaconate (Deacon and Deaconess).
 
  • The great mission or work of the Church is to spread the Gospel throughout the world. (Matthew 28:19-20)