New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext ) | '{{Christianity}}
A '''Baptist''' is a [[Christian]] who subscribes to a [[theology]] and may belong to a church that, among other things, is committed to [[believer's baptism]] (as opposed to [[infant baptism]]) and, with respect to [[church polity]], favors the [[Congregationalist polity|congregational]] model. The term ''Baptist'' can also describe a [[church]], [[denomination]], or other group of individuals made up of individual Baptists.
Baptists are historically characterized by individual and local church autonomy and a disavowal of [[creed]]s leading to wide diversity in beliefs and practices among individuals and groups who would call themselves Baptist. While the term ''Baptist'' has its origins with the [[Anabaptists]], and was sometimes viewed as pejorative, the denomination itself is historically linked to the [[English Dissenter]], [[Separatism#Religious|Separatist]], or [[Nonconformism]] movements of the 16th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Newman |first=Albert Henry |authorlink= |title=A History of the Baptist Churches in the United States |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wCrmT5eki7YC |year=1894 |publisher=Christian Literature |quote= This rejection of infant baptism and this insistence on believers' baptism were so distinctive of these Christians that they were stigmatized as ''Anabaptists'', ''Catabaptists'', and sometimes as simply ''Baptists''; that is to say, they were declared to be "rebaptizers", "perverters of baptism", or, as unduly magnifying baptism and making it the occasion of [[schism]], simply "baptizers". These party names they earnestly repudiated, preferring to call themselves ''Brethren'', ''Christians'', ''Disciples of Christ'', ''Believers'', etc.}}</ref>
Most Baptist churches choose to associate with denominational groups that provide support without control. The largest Baptist association, apart from the [[Baptist World Alliance]], is the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (which left the World Alliance in 2004), but there are many other [[List of Baptist sub-denominations|Baptist associations]]. There are also autonomous churches that remain independent of any denomination, organization, or association.
== Etymology ==
The term ''Baptist'' comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word {{lang|grc|βαπτιστής}} (''baptistés,'' "baptist," also used to describe [[John the baptist|John the Baptist]]), which is related to the verb {{lang|grc|βαπτίζω}} (''baptízo,'' "to baptize, wash, dip, immerse"), and the [[Latin]] ''baptista,'' and is in direct connection to "the baptizer," John the Baptist.
As a [[first name]] it has been used in [[Europe]] from the twelfth century also as Baptiste, Jan-Baptiste, Jean-Baptiste, John-Baptist; and in the Netherlands at least since the seventeenth century, often in combinations like Jan Baptist or Johannes Baptist. As a [[last name]] it has been used since the thirteenth century. Other variations also commonly used are Baptiste, Baptista, Battiste, Battista.
The [[Anabaptists]] in England were called Baptists as early as 1569.<ref>See volume one, chapter 15, pages 205-206 of John T. Christian's "History of the Baptists" published by Broadman Press. Available online: http://www.reformedreader.org/history/christian/ahob1/ahobp.htm</ref>
== Membership ==
=== Statistics ===
{{see also|List of Christian denominations by number of members}}
{{see also|List of Baptist sub-denominations}}
Baptists number over 110 million worldwide in more than 220,000 congregations and are considered the largest world communion of evangelical [[Protestant]]s with an estimated 38 million members in [[North America]].<ref>[http://www.bwanet.org/default.aspx?pid=437 Baptist World Alliance Official Statistics]</ref> Large populations of Baptists also exist in Asia, Africa and Latin America, notably in [[India]] (2.4 million), [[Nigeria]] (2.5 million), [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC) (1.9 million), and [[Brazil]] (1.7 million).<ref>[http://www.bwanet.org/default.aspx?pid=437 Baptist World Alliance statistics]</ref>
According to a poll in the 1990s, about one in five Christians in the United States claims to be a Baptist. U.S. Baptists are represented in more than fifty separate groups. Ninety-two percent of Baptists are found in five of those bodies — the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (SBC); [[National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.]] (NBC); [[National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.]]; (NBCA); [[American Baptist Churches in the USA]] (ABC); and [[Baptist Bible Fellowship International]] (BBFI).<ref>Albert W. Wardin, ''Baptists Around the World'' (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1995) p. 367</ref>
[[File:Sapsaphas Madaba.jpg|thumb|250px|Right|Part of the 6th century [[Madaba Map]] showing Aenon and Bethabara, places of baptism of St. John ({{lang|grc|Βεθαβαρά τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτίσματος}})]]
=== Qualifications ===
The primary external qualification for membership in a Baptist church is baptism<ref>{{cite book |title=Church Manual For Baptist Churches |author=Pendleton, J. M. |authorlink=James Madison Pendleton |year=1867 |publisher=The Judson Press |url=http://www.reformedreader.org/rbb/pendleton/churchmanual/bcm01.htm}}</ref> and thus only baptized members are included in the total number of Baptists. Some Baptist churches do not have an age restriction on membership, but will not accept as a member a child who is considered too young to fully understand and make a profession of faith of their own volition and comprehension. In such cases, the pastor and parents usually meet together with the child to verify the child's comprehension of the decision to follow Jesus. There are instances where persons make a profession of faith but fail to follow through with believers' baptism. In such cases they are considered saved but not church members until baptized. Most churches require you to be baptized to become a member of the church or, alternatively, to transfer membership from a church of like faith. Baptists believe that being baptized alone will not save you; it is merely an outward ceremony declaring an inner repentance and faith.
Baptists believe that the act of baptism is a symbolic display of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When a person who has already been saved and confessed Christ submits to scriptural baptism, they are publicly identifying with Him in His death to old self, burial of past sinful thought and action, and resurrection in newness of life, to walk with Christ the remainder of their days.
Some churches, especially in the UK, do not require members to have been baptized as a believer, so long as they have made an adult declaration of faith -- for example, been confirmed in the Anglican church, or become communicant members as Presbyterians. In these cases, believers would usually transfer their memberships from their previous churches. This allows people who have grown up in one tradition, but now feel settled in their local Baptist church, to fully take part in the day to day life of the church, voting at meetings, etc. It is also possible, but unusual, to be baptized without becoming a church member immediately.
== Baptist beliefs and principles ==
{{main|Baptist Beliefs}}
{{Baptist}}
Baptist churches do not have a central governing authority (See Autonomy in BAPTIST Acrostic Below). Therefore, beliefs are not totally consistent from one Baptist church to another, especially beliefs that may be considered minor. However, on major theological issues, [[Baptist Distinctives|Baptist distinctive beliefs]] are held in common among almost all Baptist churches.
Baptists share orthodox Christian beliefs with most other moderate or conservative Christian denominations. These would include beliefs about one God; the virgin birth; miracles; atonement through the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus; the Trinity (the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, together with God the Father); the need for salvation (through belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God, his death and resurrection, and confession of Christ as Lord); grace; the Kingdom of God; last things (Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge everyone in righteousness); and evangelism and missions. Some historically significant Baptist doctrinal documents include the [[1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith]], 1742 Philadelphia Baptist Confession, the [[1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith]], the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]'s ''[[Baptist Faith and Message]],'' and written [[church covenants]] which some individual Baptist churches adopt as a statement of their faith and beliefs.
Baptists generally believe in the literal [[Second Coming]] of Christ at which time God will sit in judgment and divide humanity between the saved and the lost (the Great White Throne judgment {{bibleref2|Revelation|20:11|}}) and Christ will sit in judgment of the believers (the Judgment Seat of Christ {{bibleref2|2Cor|5:10||2 Corinthians}}), rewarding them for things done while alive, knowing that works will not get someone to Heaven. Beliefs among Baptists regarding the "[[Christian eschatology|end times]]" include [[amillennialism]], [[dispensationalism]], and historic [[premillennialism]], with views such as [[postmillennialism]] and [[preterism]] receiving some support.
''See also: [[List of Baptist Confessions|List of Baptist Confessions or Doctrinal Statements]]''
The following [[acrostic]] [[backronym]], spelling <small>BAPTIST</small>, represents a useful summary of Baptists' distinguishing beliefs:<ref>[http://www.baptistdistinctives.org/articles_list.html Articles on Baptists beliefs, polity, ministries, practices, organizations, and heritage. The information is intended to be useful for Baptists and non-Baptists alike.]</ref>
* '''B'''iblical authority ({{Bibleref2|Matthew|24:35}}; {{Bibleref2|1Pet|1:23||1 Peter 1:23}}; {{Bibleref2|2Tim|3:16–17||2 Timothy 3:16-17}})
* '''A'''utonomy of the local church ({{Bibleref2|Matt.|18:15–17}}; {{bibleref2|1Cor|6:1–3||1 Cor. 6:1-3}})
* '''P'''riesthood of all believers ({{Bibleref2|1Pet|2:5–9||1 Peter 2:5-9}}; {{bibleref2|1Tim|5||1 Timothy 5}})
* '''T'''wo ordinances (believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper) ({{Bibleref2|Acts|2:41–47}}; {{bibleref2|1Cor|11:23–32||1 Cor. 11:23-32}})
* '''I'''ndividual soul liberty ({{Bibleref2|Romans|14:5–12}})
* '''S'''eparation of Church and State ({{Bibleref2|Matthew|22:15–22}})
* '''T'''wo offices of the church (pastor-elder and deacon) ({{bibleref2|1Tim|3:1–13||1 Timothy 3:1-13}}; {{Bibleref2|Titus|1–2}})
Most Baptist traditions believe in the "Four Freedoms" articulated by Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden:<ref>Shurden, Walter B. ''The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms.'' Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 1993.</ref>
* '''Soul freedom''': the soul is competent before God, and capable of making decisions in matters of faith without coercion or compulsion by any larger religious or civil body
* '''Church freedom''': freedom of the local church from outside interference, whether government or civilian (subject only to the law where it does not interfere with the religious teachings and practices of the church)
* '''Bible freedom''': the individual is free to interpret the Bible for himself or herself, using the best tools of scholarship and biblical study available to the individual
* '''Religious freedom''': the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; [[Separation of church and state]] is often called the "civil corollary" of religious freedom
The [[polity]] of autonomy is closely related to the polity of congregational governance. Just as each Baptist priest with soul competency is equal to all other Baptists in a church, so each church is equal to every other church. No church or ecclesiastical organization has authority over a Baptist church. Churches can properly relate to each other under this polity only through voluntary cooperation, never by any sort of coercion. Furthermore, this Baptist polity calls for freedom from governmental control.<ref>Pinson, William M., Jr. "Trends in Baptist Polity." Baptist History and Heritage Society. Available online: http://www.baptisthistory.org/contissues/pinson.htm</ref>
Exceptions to this local form of local governance include a few churches that submit to the leadership of a body of [[Elder (Christianity)#Baptists|elders]], as well as the [[Episcopal Baptist]]s that have an [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal system]].
== Beliefs that vary among Baptists ==
{{Protestant}}
Because of the importance of the priesthood of every believer, the centrality of the freedom of conscience and thought in Baptist theology, and due to the congregational style of church governance, doctrine varies greatly between one Baptist church and another (and among individual Baptists) especially on the following issues:
* [[Calvinism]]/[[Arminianism]]
* [[Doctrine of separation]]
* Biblical [[Eschatology]]
* [[Hermeneutics|Hermeneutical]] method
* The translation of Scripture (See [[King-James-Only Movement]])
* The extent to which [[Mission (Christian)|missionary]] boards should be used to support missionaries
* The extent to which non-members may participate in [[Eucharist|communion]] services
* The nature of [[Gospel]]
=== The Sabbath Debate ===
A majority of Baptists worship on Sunday, in contrast with the Old Testament tradition of a Saturday Sabbath, and instead follow the New Testament tradition that the disciples met on the first day of the week. As would be expected amongst any people who hold to freedom of conscience, there have historically been a small number of Baptists who have held to some form of Sabbatarian doctrine.
There is a small group known as the [[Seventh Day Baptists]]. Some trace their origins to earlier Anabaptist or pre-Reformation sects however most acknowledge that the denomination was established in the mid-seventeenth century in England. Seventh Day Baptists may be either General or Particular Baptists but they are united in their observance of their day of worship on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Although the degree to which they observe the Sabbath varies from person to person, from congregation to congregation, there is a consensus within their circles that none should judge the spirituality of another's personal practices.
In the mid-nineteenth century a Seventh Day Baptist tract eventually led to a large portion of the [[Adventist]] movement to adopt Sabbatarian teachings, eventually forming the [[Seventh Day Adventist]] Church.
=== Theological, cultural and political controversies ===
As with all major denominational groups, Baptists have not escaped theological, cultural and political controversy. Baptists have historically been sensitive to the introduction of theological error (from their perspective) into their groups. The older Baptist associations of Europe, Canada, Australia and the northern United States have assimilated influences of different schools of thought, but not without major debate and schisms.
Leading up to the [[American Civil War]], Baptists became embroiled in the controversy of [[slavery in the United States]]. North and South grew further apart in 1845 when the Baptist Church split into Northern and Southern organizations. The [[Southern Baptist Convention]] formed on the premise that the [[Bible]] sanctions slavery and that it was acceptable for [[Christianity|Christians]] to own slaves. In the 20th century, the Southern Baptist Convention renounced this interpretation. Northern Baptists opposed slavery. In 1844, the [[Home Mission Society]] declared that a person could not be a [[missionary]] and still keep slaves as property. Currently American Baptist numerical strength is greatest in the former slave-holding states.<ref>Department of Geography and Meteorology, [http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/baptist.gif "Baptists as a Percentage of all Residents, 2000"] [[Valparaiso University]], Valparaiso, Indiana.</ref>
In England, [[Charles Haddon Spurgeon]] fought against what he saw as challenges to his strongly conservative point of view in the [[Downgrade Controversy]].
As part of the continuing [[fundamentalist]]/[[liberal Christianity|liberal]] controversy within the [[Northern Baptist Convention]], two new associations of conservative Baptists were formed—the [[General Association of Regular Baptist Churches]] in 1932 and the [[Conservative Baptist Association of America]] in 1947.
[[Landmarkism]], with its emphasis on ecclesiastical separation and doctrinal rigidity and its cultural foundation in the South, deterred Southern Baptists from being influenced as strongly by aberrant points of view as were the Baptists in the northern United States and other countries. Old Landmarkism held to the traditional Baptist historical consciousness that traced Baptists through dissenters—[[Donatists]], [[Catharism|Cathari]] (although it is not believed that ALL Donatists, Cathari, etc.were Baptist theologically)—back to Jesus, the [[Jordan River]], and the "First Baptist Church" of Jerusalem. Popular Landmarkism contributed to a historical consciousness implicit in the idea that Baptists were an extension of the New Testament community, perpetuating the true church in every age.<ref>Leonard, Bill J. "Historical Consciousness and Baptists in the South: Owning and Disowning a Tradition." ''Proceedings of American Academy of Religion 2002 Annual Meeting.''</ref>
Beginning in the 1980s, there was a concerted effort among a determined group of theologically orthodox Southern Baptists to purge [[modernist]] theological influence from its seminaries. This highly publicized [[SBC Conservative Resurgence/Fundamentalist Takeover]] occasioned two schisms of theologically [[modernist]] Baptist churches: the [[Cooperative Baptist Fellowship]] and the [[Alliance of Baptists]].
== Origins ==
{{Denominations of Christianity}}
There are two main views about the origins of the Baptists: Baptist origins in the 16th and 17th centuries and Baptist perpetuity.
=== Baptist origins in the 16th and 17th centuries ===
Scholars see the Baptists as the descendants of the [[Puritans]groups of Christians persecuted by the Catholic Church! Baptist comes from Anabaptist and is not the reformation! We never came out of Catholicism but we reject the Catholics as Christians! Jesus started his Church 2000 years ago and the gates of Hell never prevailed against it. The first Church being in Jerusalem, the second most influencial one was in Antioch. All Churches in the Bible were independent and were not one big headquater! Satan has attacked it and 50 000 000 Christians shed their blood to keep the doctrine pure! ], See Bogomils, Roftengeister, Picards, Paterini, Separatists, Waldenziens, Albigenses, Paulicians,Catharis. The Church grew in Europe and Albi in France was a Christian stronghold since Lazarus died there preaching the Gospel! Please Google or Yahoo all the Churches I listed above and you'll see that they carried the truth in Europe Asia, North Africa and of course the middle east. Thank you!
Baptists, per se, separated from the [[Church of England]] in the early 17th century.<ref name="McBeth">McBeth, Leon. “Baptist Beginnings.” Baptist History and Heritage Society. Available online: [http://www.baptisthistory.org/baptistbeginnings.htm http://www.baptisthistory.org/baptistbeginnings.htm] (Accessed 10/19/2007)</ref> [[Puritan]] separatists [[John Smyth (1570–1612)|John Smyth]] and [[Thomas Helwys]] are acknowledged by numerous historians as key founders of the modern Baptist denomination. The early Baptists were divided into [[General Baptist]]s who were [[Arminian]] in theology, and [[Particular Baptist]]s who were [[Calvinism|Calvinistic]] in theology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atheism.about.com/od/baptistssouthernbaptists/a/baptisthistory.htm|title=Baptist Christianity: Origins & Development of Baptist, Southern Baptist Beliefs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02278a.htm|title=Baptists|publisher=Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baptisthistory.org/contissues/briggs.htm|title=Baptist Origins|publisher=Baptist History and Heritage Society}}</ref>
According to Baptist historian H. Leon McBeth, Baptists, as a distinct denomination, originated in England in a time of intense religious reform. McBeth writes, “Our best historical evidence says that Baptists came into existence in England in the early seventeenth century. They apparently emerged out of the Puritan-Separatist movement in the Church of England.”<ref name="McBeth"/> However there is also documentation saying that Baptists could have been in England in the 1500's. Joan Boucher (or Joan of Kent) who was martyred for her beliefs in 1550, is reported to have mentioned that she met with Baptists as a young girl in Eythorne, Kent (more information is found at [[Eythorne Baptist Church]]).
Both [[Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]] and his compatriot in working for religious freedom, Dr. [[John Clarke (1609-1676)|John Clarke]], are variously credited as founding the earliest Baptist church in America.<ref>[http://www.redwoodlibrary.org/notables/clarke.htm Newport Notables<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1639, Williams established a Baptist church in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], and Clarke began a Baptist church in [[Newport, Rhode Island]]. According to a Baptist historian who has researched the matter extensively, "There is much debate over the centuries as to whether the Providence or Newport church deserved the place of 'first' Baptist congregation in America. Exact records for both congregations are lacking."<ref>Brackney, William H. (Baylor University, Texas). ''Baptists in North America: an historical perspective.'' Blackwell Publishing, 2006, p. 23. ISBN 1405118652</ref>
=== Baptist belief in perpetuity ===
{{main|Baptist successionism}}
The Baptist perpetuity view (also known as Baptist succession) holds that the Church founded by Christ in Jerusalem was Baptist in character and that separate, yet similar, churches have had perpetual existence from the days of Christ to the present. This view is theologically based on {{Bibleref2|Matthew|16:18}}, where Jesus is speaking to Peter, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," as well as Jesus' commission and promise to be with His followers as they carried on his ministry, "even unto the end of the world."<ref>{{cite book |author=Duncan, William Cecil |title=A Brief History of the Baptists and Their Distinctive Principles and Practices, from the "Beginning of the Gospel" to the Present Time |location=New York |publisher=Edward H. Fletcher |year=1855 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KLljCC9KXn8C |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>
The Baptist perpetuity view sees Baptists as separate from the [[Catholic Church]], and the Protestant [[religious denomination]]s and considers that the Baptist movement predates the Catholic Church and is therefore not part of the Protestant Reformation.<ref>{{cite web |author=Brong, Rosco |title=Ten Bible Proofs of Baptist Perpetuity |publisher=Word of Truth |url=http://www.landmarktruth.com/articles_view.asp?columnid=527&articleid=4440 |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>.
[[James Milton Carroll|J. M. Carroll]]'s ''[[The Trail of Blood]]'' booklet, published in 1931, has been a popular writing presenting the successionist view, pointing to groups such as the [[Montanists]], [[Novatianists]], [[Donatists]], [[Paulicians]], [[Albigensians]], [[Catharists]], [[Waldenses]], and [[Anabaptists]], as predecessors to contemporary Baptists.<ref name="Carroll">{{cite web |author=Carroll, J.M. |title=The Trail of Blood |url=http://www.landmarktruth.com/images/60657/TrailofBlood.pdf |accessdate=2007-10-19|format=PDF}}</ref>.
Baptist historian John T. Christian writes in the introduction to his ''History of the Baptists'': "I have throughout pursued the scientific method of investigation, and I have let the facts speak for themselves. I have no question in my own mind that there has been a historical succession of Baptists from the days of Christ to the present time."<ref>{{cite book |author=Christian, John T |title=A History of the Baptists |publisher=Broadman Press |year=vol.1, 1922; vol.2, 1926 |url=http://www.reformedreader.org/history/christian/ahob1/ahobp.htm}}</ref> Other Baptist historians holding the perpetuity view are Thomas Armitage, G.H. Orchard, and David Benedict.
[[Stanislaus Hosius|Cardinal Hosius]] (1504-1579), a Roman Catholic prelate of the sixteenth century has stated "For not so long ago I read the edict of the other prince who lamented the fate of the Anabaptists who, so we read, were pronounced heretics twelve hundred years ago and deserving of capital punishment. He wanted them to be heard and not taken as condemned without a hearing."<ref>{{Citation
| last=Hosius
| first= Cardinal Stanislaus
| year=1563
| editor-last=White
| editor-first=Carolinne, Ph.D
| title=Alberto Bavariae Duci
| journal=Liber Epistolarum 150
| url=http://drbentownsend.com/Documents/HosiusQuoteInBaptistExpanded.pdf}}</ref>
Those holding the perpetuity view of Baptist history can be basically divided into two categories: those who hold that there is a direct succession from one church to the next (most commonly identified with [[Landmarkism]]), and those who hold that while the Baptist practices and churches continued, they may have originated independently of any previously existing church.
== Questions of labeling ==
Some Baptists object to the application of the labels ''[[Protestant]], [[religious denomination|denomination]], [[evangelicalism|Evangelical]]'' and even ''Baptist'' to themselves or their churches, while others accept those labels.
Some who reject the label ''Baptist'' prefer to be labeled as Christians who attend Baptist churches. Also, a recent trend (most common among [[megachurches]] and those embracing the "seeker movement") is to eliminate "Baptist" from the church name, as it is perceived to be a "barrier" to reaching persons who have negative views of Baptists, whether they be of a different church background or none. These churches typically include the word "Community" or other non-religious or denominational terms in their church name.
Conversely, others accept the label ''Baptist'' because they identify with the distinctives they consider to be uniquely Baptist. They believe those who are removing the name "Baptist" from their churches are "compromising with the world" to attract more members. However, there are other church groups that hold to the beliefs listed above, that have never been known by the label ''Baptist,'' and also believe that these beliefs are not exclusive to the ''Baptist'' denomination.
The label ''[[Protestant]]'' is rejected by some Baptists (primarily those in the Landmark movement) because in their view Baptists have existed separately since the early days of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]]. Those holding this view maintain that Baptists have never been a part of the Catholic Church, and as such, Baptists are not "protesting" against Catholicism. Further, they claim that Baptists have no direct connection to any of the Reformationists like [[Martin Luther|Luther]], [[John Calvin|Calvin]], or [[Huldrych Zwingli|Zwingli]]. Other Baptists accept the ''Protestant'' label as a demographic concept that describes churches who share similar theologies of ''[[sola scriptura]], [[sola fide]],'' the [[priesthood of all believers]] and other positions that Luther, Calvin and other traditional reformers held in contrast to the Catholic Church in the 1500s.
The label ''[[religious denomination|denomination]]'' is rejected by some because of the local autonomous governance system used by Baptist churches. Being a denomination is viewed by them as having a hierarchy that substitutes for the Catholic Church. Another reason for the rejection of the label is the influence of the [[Restorationism|Restoration]] period on Baptist churches, which emphasized a tearing down of denominational barriers. Other Baptists accept the label, feeling that it does not carry a negative connotation but rather is merely a synonym for a Christian or religious group with common beliefs, organized in a cooperative manner to spread its beliefs worldwide.
The label ''[[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]]'' is rejected by some fundamentalist Baptists who consider the term to describe a theological position that in their view is not fundamentalist enough, and conversely is also rejected by some liberal Baptists who consider the term to describe a theological position that in their view is too conservative. It is accepted by moderate Baptists who identify with the revival in the United States in the 1700s known as the [[First Great Awakening]]. Conversely, some Evangelicals reject the label [[fundamentalist]], believing it to describe a theological position that they consider too extreme and legalistic. However some Baptists, such as the [[Independent Fundamental Baptist]]s, embrace it.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
== See also ==
* [[Bapticostal movement]]
* [[Baptists and bootleggers]] [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/counterproductive counterproductive] [[regulation]]
* [[List of Baptists|List of famous Baptists]]
== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}
== References ==
* Gavins; Raymond. ''The Perils and Prospects of Southern Black Leadership: Gordon Blaine Hancock, 1884–1970'' Duke University Press, 1977.
* Harrison, Paul M. ''Authority and Power in the Free Church Tradition: A Social Case Study of the American Baptist Convention'' Princeton University Press, 1959.
* Harvey, Paul. ''Redeeming the South: Religious Cultures and Racial Identities among Southern Baptists, 1865–1925'' University of North Carolina Press, 1997.
* Heyrman, Christine Leigh. ''Southern Cross: The Beginnings of the Bible Belt'' (1997).
* Isaac, Rhy. "Evangelical Revolt: The Nature of the Baptists' Challenge to the Traditional Order in Virginia, 1765 to 1775," ''William and Mary Quarterly,'' 3d ser., XXXI (July 1974), 345–68.
* Leonard, Bill J. ''Baptist Ways: A History'' (2003), comprehensive international history
* McBeth, H. Leon, (ed.) ''A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage'' (1990), primary sources for Baptist history.
* McGlothlin, W. J. (ed.) ''Baptist Confessions of Faith.'' Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1911.
* Pitts, Walter F. ''Old Ship of Zion: The Afro-Baptist Ritual in the African Diaspora'' Oxford University Press, 1996.
* Rawlyk, George. ''Champions of the Truth: Fundamentalism, Modernism, and the Maritime Baptists'' (1990), Canada.
* Spangler, Jewel L. "Becoming Baptists: Conversion in Colonial and Early National Virginia" ''Journal of Southern History.'' Volume: 67. Issue: 2. 2001. pp 243+
* Stringer, Phil. ''The Faithful Baptist Witness,'' Landmark Baptist Press, 1998.
* Torbet, Robert G. ''A History of the Baptists,'' Judson Press, 1950.
* Underhill, Edward B. (ed.). ''Confessions of Faith and Other Documents of the Baptist Churches of England in the 17th century.'' London: The Hanserd Knollys Society, 1854.
* Underwood, A. C. ''A History of the English Baptists.'' London: Kingsgate Press, 1947.
* Wills, Gregory A. ''Democratic Religion: Freedom, Authority, and Church Discipline in the Baptist South, 1785–1900,'' Oxford.
* Life & Practice in the Early Church: A Documentary Reader, New York University press. 2001. pp.5–7. ISBN 9780814756485.
== External links ==
* [http://www.abpnews.com/ Associated Baptist Press]
* [http://www.baptisthistory.org/ Baptist History and Heritage Society]
* [http://www.baptistmessenger.com Baptist Messenger]
* [http://www.bpnews.net/ Baptist Press]
* [http://www.centerforbaptiststudies.org/ Center for Baptist Studies]
* [http://www.baptistbecause.com/ Doctrinal and Historical Information on Baptists]
* [http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/baptist.gif Map of USA showing Percentage of Baptist Population in each county]
* [http://www.baptiststudiesonline.com/ Various resources and services, including ''The Journal of Baptist Studies,'' a peer-reviewed, electronic journal]
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[[cy:Bedyddwyr]]
[[da:Baptistkirken]]
[[de:Baptisten]]
[[et:Baptism]]
[[es:Iglesias bautistas]]
[[eo:Baptismo]]
[[fa:باپتیست]]
[[fr:Baptisme]]
[[fy:Baptisme]]
[[gd:Baisteach]]
[[hak:Chim-sin-fi]]
[[ko:침례교]]
[[hr:Baptisti]]
[[id:Gereja Baptis]]
[[ia:Baptistas]]
[[it:Battismo]]
[[he:בפטיזם]]
[[ka:ბაპტისტები]]
[[lv:Baptisti]]
[[lt:Baptistai]]
[[hu:Baptizmus]]
[[nl:Baptisme]]
[[ja:バプテスト教会]]
[[no:Baptisme]]
[[nn:Baptisme]]
[[nds:Baptisten]]
[[pl:Baptyzm]]
[[pt:Igreja Batista]]
[[ro:Bisericile baptiste]]
[[ru:Баптизм]]
[[scn:Chiesa Battista]]
[[simple:Baptist]]
[[sk:Baptizmus]]
[[sr:Баптисти]]
[[sh:Baptisti]]
[[fi:Baptismi]]
[[sv:Baptism]]
[[vi:Báp-tít]]
[[tr:Baptistler]]
[[uk:Баптизм]]
[[zh-yue:浸信會]]
[[zh:浸信会]]' |