The Only Real Baptist Distinctive

Baptists throughout history have stood for just one thing different from all other groups. All the other distinctive beliefs have resulted from that one distinctive belief. If you have followed the series, you probably already know that it is the belief that the Bible is the sole and final authority for all belief and practice.

Teachings about salvation, baptism, church leadership, the priesthood of the believer, and separation are all defined by that one doctrine. It is the doctrine that Baptists were willing to risk lives and liberty for. All the distinctives claimed by opponents to the Baptist position are the result of refusal to allow some group, whether governmental or religious, to decide what is to be believed, contrary to the Bible.

Historically, whether one is a Baptist or not depends entirely on whether one accepts the Bible as the only standard. By that standard, many who call themselves Baptists today are not, although they may believe the so called “Baptist Distinctives.” They are only Baptistic, or Baptist like, in that they believe some of the same doctrines, but not all.

This includes the Calvinist, who insists on accepting Calvin’s conclusions despite clear contradiction of scripture. It includes the pastor who insists he has the right to set the standards for his church. It includes the church which teaches some man’s writings rather than the scripture.

As a Baptist, I have frequently found it necessary to change my position from what I had been taught when I found that scripture did not support the position. I have had to take unpopular positions on many issues, because I could not demonstrate that the popular position was in fact scriptural. In some cases I have had to take opposing positions because the scripture indicated that the popular one was in fact wrong. I could not simply go along because the scripture made it very clear that I would be held personally accountable, and could not slough off the guilt on some other leader. I was personally responsible to know what God expected, and to obey it. Doctrinal conflicts are the result of a lack of study of the scriptures, and of not allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

I Corinthians 11:19 states that the controversies are necessary to identify who are acceptable to God. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” By studying God’s word, we can learn what he demands and be acceptable according to II Timothy 2:15. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” As John 16:13 promises, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:” There will no longer be any basis for argument for those who have studied and are led of the Spirit. We will be in agreement.