Baptist Identity: What is a Baptist and Why is that Important?

 

Purpose: To equip Baptist believers to defend the faith within our tradition and show that Baptist convictions faithfully reflect the interpretation of the Bible within the evangelical world. This seminar will also help explain the Baptist tradition to those exploring the Christian faith or those from other denominations/backgrounds. The class will highlight the similarities and differences between various denominations and Baptist thinking. As Baptists, we are called to Jesus’ mission, empowered by His Holy Spirit and driven by His Word: Make disciples and baptize them (Matt 28:18-20).

 

Description: A study of what makes a Baptist (biblically, theologically, and historically). This seminar will be part Bible lesson and part history as we explore how Baptists have been understood (and misunderstood) throughout history. This course will cultivate discussion by highlighting the practical differences between Baptists and how churches should keep their members accountable to healthy Baptist distinctives. This seminar starts with the Bible (looking at biblical history) and goes to 

 

Weekly Outline:

 

  • Week 1 (June 29)--Believer's Baptism by Immersion: Who Should Get Baptized and How? (Introduction)

 

  • Week 2 (July 6)--Regenerate Church Membership: Who Should Be a Member of the Church and How do you Keep them Accountable? (You must be born again)

 

  • Week 3 (July 13)--The Necessity of personal conversion, Evangelism, and Cruci-Centrism: What do we believe for salvation, and how are we converted? (Being an Evangelical)

 

  • Week 4 (July 20)--Confessionalism: What do we believe and how we practice our Faith? (Clearly defining our Doctrine and Practices)

 

  • Week 5--Sola Scriptura: Where do we look for our final authority in faith and practice? (We are a Bible People)

 

Books and Websites for Further Reading:

  • A History of the Baptists by Robert G. Torbet
  • A Manual of Theology by John Dagg
  • Baptists and the Bible by L. Russ Bush & Tom Nettles
  • Going Public: Why Baptism is Required for Church Membership by Bobby Jamieson
  • Polity: Biblical Arguments on How to Conduct Church Life, edited by Mark Dever
  • The Baptists, Beginnings in Britain, Beginnings in America, and The Modern Era (3 Volumes) by Tom Nettles
  • Treatise on Church Order by John Dagg
  • https://baptistcourier.com/
  • 9marks.org
  • pillarnetwork.com