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POSITION PAPER 1 – “WE ARE A BAPTIST CHURCH”Notes prepared by the Rev'd Albert E Yorke
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LORDSHIP
OF CHRIST |
INTRODUCTION1.
Understandably, many are disillusioned with any form of
“denominationalism” and simply
want to say, “I am a Christian, and a member of the
church”. Laudably they want to opt out of the party spirit which has
so often marred the unity of the bride of Christ. 2.
Nonetheless, no matter how regrettable, denominations are a fact
of Church history and present day church life. We can no more deny our
connection to one denomination or another than we can opt out of our own
natural family connections. Any attempt to drop out of the
denominational situation is impossible. In the eyes of the world each
new strand of church is a new denomination. 3.
Since being a true follower of Christ must involve membership of
a local church, involvement in a denomination is unavoidable. Therefore,
we can either be proud of our “denominational family” connection, or
be ashamed of it, informed about it or ignorant of it, in agreement with
it or against it. 4.
Consequently the following brief statement is aimed to explain
the characteristics of a “Baptist” Church. These characteristics to
a greater or lesser degree have cradled and nourished the more obvious
qualities which first drew you into the fellowship here.
Top WE ARE A BAPTIST CHURCH - IN MEMBERSHIP OF THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN5.
This Church is a registered member of the Baptist Union of Great
Britain and subscribes to this declaration of principle. 6.
The basis of this Union is: (a)
That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the
flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to
faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each
Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret
and administer His laws. (b)
That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the Name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost of those who have professed
repentance towards God faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who “died for
our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again the
third day”. (c)
That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelization of
the world. Top WE ARE A BAPTIST CHURCH HOLDING THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST7.
“Jesus is Lord” is the distinctive confession of faith. As
individuals and as churches, Baptists seek to make Jesus Lord of every
aspect of their lives. Consequently, we are not in charge of the church,
He is. The chief task of the members is to discern His will for both the
church and themselves in every situation and obey it. The Authority of the Bible8.
Baptists believe that the Bible shows us Christ’s will. As
radical believers, Baptists seek to root their lives in this
‘revelation’ of God’s truth. Reading, studying, understanding and
relating the Bible to the church’s and individual lifestyle and
decisions is indispensable to discovering Christ’s will. Top Believers’ Baptism9.
On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists claim that Baptism is
for believers only. Baptism is only for those who are able to declare
“Jesus is Lord”. As a symbol of Jesus’ claim on their lives,
Baptists practice Baptism by immersion; in which candidates symbolise
their desire to ‘die to self’ and to live for Christ. Top A Believer’s Church10.
Baptists understand the church as a community of believers who
gather together for worship, witness and service. Each local church is
self governing, the members themselves under the Lordship of Christ
making decisions, rather than a central denominational structure making
decisions for the local church. Top The Priesthood of All Believers11.
In the Baptist model of believers’ church every member has a
role to play, whether in teaching, faith-sharing, evangelism, social
action, pastoring, guiding, serving, prophetic insight, praying,
healing, administration or hospitality. Top The Church Meeting12.
In a Baptist church, one expression of the priesthood of all
believers’ is the church meeting. This is the occasion when members
come together to prayerfully discern Christ’s will, as revealed in the
Scriptures, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for their life
together. Christ is The final authority through the church meeting
which, for instance, appoints leaders, exercises discipline, agrees
overall guidelines, decides financial policy and determines mission
strategy. Top Association together13. Baptist churches have always come together in regional, national and international associations for support and fellowship. On the basis of the New Testament, Baptists believe that churches should not live in isolation from one another but rather be “inter-dependent”. Top The Missionary Task14. Baptists believe that each Christian has a duty to share their faith with others. William Carey was a Baptist who is known as the father of the modern missionary movement. Along with this emphasis on evangelism, however, Baptists recognise that mission includes social action and involves promoting justice, social welfare, healing, education and peace in the world. Top Religious Freedom15. Religious freedom for all has always been a keystone of the Baptist way. Baptists have always argued and worked for freedom of religion. WE ARE A BAPTIST CHURCH - ACCORDING TO OUR TRUST DEED AND IN THE USE OF BAPTIST PREMISES16. The Trustees of the Chapel premises we use are the Baptist Union Corporation Limited, and the Trust Deed we operate under constitutes us as a Baptist church stating: 17. The Trustees shall permit the premises to be used occupied and enjoyed by or under the direction or management of the Society and in accordance with the principles and usages for the time being of Protestant Dissenters of the Baptist Denomination for all or any of the following purposes namely - (a) As a place of Public Worship for the service of Almighty God (b) As a place for the instruction of children or adults or as a Church Hall or as a place for the promotion of other charitable purposes in accordance with the principles and usages aforesaid (c) As a place for maintaining and practising the doctrine and rite of the Baptism of Believers and no other Baptism 18. The Trust Deed also specifies that: “The Trustees shall permit to officiate in the Church property Ministers of the Baptist Denomination as the Society from time to time appoint holding the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and The authority of the Holy Scriptures and that interpretation of them usually called Evangelical and having been immersed on a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and maintaining and practising the doctrine and rite of the Immersion of Believers and no other Baptism and who appears on the accredited list of Baptist Ministers.” |
