What is a Baptist? 

      There are as many kinds of Baptists as there are varieties of apples! Fundamental, liberal, progressive, stodgy, legalistic, worldly, Biblical.  We are part of a “regular” Baptist fellowship, meaning we try to be faithful to the Bible’s concept of what God thinks a church should be.  In general, then, regular Baptists practice:

 Born-again church membership.

Once someone decides to join,  we like to hear how they received Christ as their Savior. If they have not yet, then we’re glad to show them what the Bible teaches.  Jesus made conversion a requirement of membership in His Church.

John 3:3   “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”

Autonomy of the local assembly.

Our church is both independent and affiliated with the GARB,   the General Association of Regular Baptists. We choose our own missionaries, colleges, camps, pastors, etc.  We make our own decisions on all things.

Acts 13: 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,                 “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”                  They selected and sent their own leaders.   Acts 15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church,                  to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…                  They voted as a body for their course of action.

priesthood of all believers.

Every believer is a priest; only Jesus intercedes between him and God. He can pray for himself and others. He can offer the sacrifice of praise. He can lead others to God.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…     We pray, praise, and love the Father in our own right, all of us.   Romans  12:1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. We offer ourselves to God since we are all priests, all of us saints, and all of us holy.

 Two ordinances, baptism and communion.

 They are not sacraments; they do not make you more sacred.  They are pictures of your salvation. Baptism tells you that you are clean in God’s eyes now, forever.  Communion reminds you of Jesus’ love.  Neither gets you into heaven, but both are commanded.

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Baptize in the Greek means “immerse.”   1 Corinthians 11:2 “Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.”  Traditions, not sacraments.  1 Corinthians 11:28  But let a man examine himself, & so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. Every person remembering Jesus’ love each time the meal is kept.

 

Individual soul liberty.

We affirm every person’s right to determine their own belief-system, though we reject the notion that we must approve others’ wrong doctrines.

	2 Timothy  2:24-25  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,  in humility correcting those who are in opposition.  Never dictating, but teaching. Romans 16:17-18  Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.  Never allowing error to be taught in our fellowship.

 

 

separation of church and state.

We reject the right of the government to interfere with worship, practice or doctrine. We affirm the right of all members of government to declare their religious beliefs.

Romans  13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. We submit to governmental authorities.   Acts 4:18-20  But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”   But we do not submit to anyone in matters of faith and practice commanded by the Bible.   Matthew 22:21  “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, & to God the things that are God’s.”

 

Two offices, pastor and deacon.

I Timothy 3.  They work together to lead and care for the flock. The pastor is equally a pastor (shepherd, from “poimane”), an elder (example for all, from “presbuteros”), and a bishop (overseer, from “episkopos”).  (I Peter 5:1-2)  Deacons are to lead in service (from the word “diakonos,” or table-waiter) as they help the pastor care for the flock.  (Acts 6:1-6)

	1 Peter 5:1-2  The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder… shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers… Elder, pastor, and bishop in one person.    1 Timothy 3:1  If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.  1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise deacons must be…   Only two offices are mentioned in biblical polity.

 

Sovereignty of God through His word.

His word is our sole authority. We might use other books to understand the Bible, but God owns the church. His word is our authority. We use the ancient original texts (Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament) to assist in our understanding of the modern translations we read out of.  We at First Baptist Church of Petoskey use the New King James Version in our services, but affirm the right of Christians to choose their own translations.  We do recommend, though, that Christians test their version’s viability by its faithfulness to the original texts.

	2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  Matt 28:20   “…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

    We at First Baptist also practice “congregational authority.”  Every major decision is brought before the church body for discussion and a vote by the membership.

    And, we try to do exegesis when we study the Bible.  “Exegesis” is a Greek word (the New Testament was written in Greek) that means to draw out the Bible’s meaning.  We try not to bring our own beliefs to the Bible, but ask what God directed the original author to say and mean.  It’s dishonest to foist rules, principles, or commands on others as if they were from God, but we made them up.  We try to only declare what God has said in His word.  Every sermon and lesson is an attempt to answer the question, “What has God said about this topic?”

        The “GARB”, mentioned above, is a national movement started in the 1930’s as a reaction to their association’s tolerance of members who denied the inspiration of the Bible. Today there is a broad range of churches in the GARB, but generally they are biblical, fundamental, progressive, missions-minded, teaching churches.  Fellowship takes place at local, state, and national levels. Each state has a “representative” that acts as advisor to the churches as he is requested.

       Above all, we at FBCP are committed to the study, application, preaching, understanding, and practice of the Bible. The Bible is our only rule and guide for polity and practice.  We try to follow the New Testament church in all ways that are today applicable. We are committed to the power of God’s word as the Holy Spirit’s instrument in our lives.

     So, while our heritage colors and informs our approach to the Bible, we do not focus on “Baptist” doctrines in our services, but on explaining the Bible so that all can understand it.  We like to do this in discussion groups in which everyone’s questions may be brought out and discussed by all.  We enjoy teaching people how to study their Bibles themselves through commentaries, concordances, and outlining.

     If you are looking for a church where you can grow in your knowledge of the Bible, become part of a group of friends who love God, and be part of steering your church into the future, this is a church you would like.