We believe that the historical teachings of Baptists are faithful to and consistent with New Testament principles and practice; though the use of the term “Baptist” does not guarantee affirmation of these; that while no New Testament believer called himself a “Baptist,” it is clear that Baptist Distinctives were commonly held and practiced; and that the Baptist Distinctives may be summarized by the use of a simple acrostic, as follows:
Biblical Authority - The Bible is the only and sufficient authority for faith and practice (II Timothy 3:16,17).
Autonomy of the Local Church - Each local church is sovereign in and of itself and cannot be controlled by any board, hierarchical system, or another church (I Timothy 3:15; Acts 15) and has the responsibility for electing its own officers (Acts 6:1-7), sending out missionaries (Acts 13:1-4; 14:26,27) and exercising final authority in disciplinary matters (Matthew 18:15-18; I Corinthians 5:1-5; II Thessalonians 3:14,15).
Priesthood of Believers - Every “born again” believer may pray without human intercessor directly to God through our High Priest Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 1:5,6).
Two Ordinances - Believer’s Baptism - Baptism of a believer by immersion is a step of obedience which identifies him with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Acts 2:41,42; Romans 6:3,4); Lord’s Supper - This ordinance was instituted by the Lord as a memorial to His death which is to be practiced by believers until His return (Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 2:41-43; I Corinthians 11:25,26). These ordinances are not to be administered or partaken of apart from the local church.
Individual Soul Liberty - Every man has the right to interpret the Scriptures, to hold, profess, and worship as he believes the Bible teaches (John 16:12,13; I John 2:27); that these things are not to be forced upon any man and that all must give account to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 14:10-12; II Corinthians 5:10).
Saved Church Membership - The membership of a New Testament local church is to consist of only those who have openly confessed Jesus Christ as Savior, demonstrated a willingness to obey the teachings of the Bible and agree to the doctrine and standards of the local church (Acts 2:41, 47).
Two Offices - There are only two offices in the local church that are recognized and required by the Bible, pastor (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-6; Titus 1:6-9) and deacon (Acts 6:2-7; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:7-13).
Separation of Church and State - Every believer should respect, sustain and pray for civil authority (Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-6; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-17), and should obey it so long as it does not cause violation to conscience or Scriptural convictions (Acts 5:29). There should be no organic union of church and state; but the state should protect, not dominate nor interfere with the affairs of the church (Matthew 22:21).
Additionally:
Eternal Security - Every believer has been saved and will continue to be saved because of the redeeming work of Christ “Once saved, always saved!” (John 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
Separation of the Believer and Church from the world and from compromise:
We believe that the doctrine of biblical separation is crucial in order to maintain the purity and testimony of each believer and local church; that it is founded upon the very character of God whose holiness involves both majestic transcendence and moral purity (Isaiah 6:1-5; 57:15; Psalm 99:1-3); that it is continually affirmed by example throughout the Old and New Testaments; that it is two-fold, “from” the world and “unto” the Lord; that this truth applies to believers personally (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 1:4; I Peter 1:15,16) and to churches and religious institutions organizationally; and that it extends to both unbelievers - liberals, modernists, neo-orthodox, cultists, etc. (Matthew 7:15; Romans 16:17; II Corinthians 6:14, 17; I Timothy 6:5; II John 10,11) and to Christians who walk disorderly, i.e. are doctrinally careless or who are content to walk with those who deny the faith - neo-evangelicals, charismatics, etc. (II Thessalonians 3:6,14; I Timothy 1:18-20).