Those teachings which distinguish Baptists and make us distinct from other church groups.

"B"     BIBLICAL AUTHORITY - II Timothy 3:16,17

            Baptists believe that the Bible is our final authority.

            No word of man or council of men can ever supersede the Bible.

"A"     AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH - Matthew 18:15-17

            Baptists believe that the local church is an independent body accountable to no

            one but our Lord.  There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate  

            what a local church can or should do.

"P"     PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS - l Peter 2:5-9

            Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly  

            through the Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.  There is no need for 

            any human mediator.

"T"     TWO ORDINANCES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH 

            Acts 2:41-47; l Corinthians 11:23-32

            There are only two ordinances for the local church to practice today - baptism and

            communion.

"I"      INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY - Romans 14:5-12

            Baptists believe that every individual has the liberty to believe as his conscience

            or soul dictates.  A person should not be forced to believe anything against his

            will.

"S"     SAVED, BAPTIZED, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - Acts 2:41-47

            Every person who is saved should be baptized and join a local church.

            Furthermore, only saved and baptized individuals should be allowed to become

            members of a local church.

"T"     TWO OFFICES IN THE CHURCH - l Timothy 3:1-13

            The Bible teaches that there are only two offices in the church -- pastor and

            deacon.  There is not Scriptural support for the hierarchy of offices in many

            churches today.

"S"     SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE - Matthew 22:15-22

            The church and state are two separate institutions, and the one should never control

            the other.