The Baptist religion is another popular denomination in Protestant Christianity and was named after its main belief that followers must publicly proclaim their faith in Christ through the act of baptism.
Currently, there are 50 million in the Baptist faith in the US alone, making it one of the largest groups in the Protestant faith in the country. To know what separates the Baptist religion from other Christian religions, we must first understand its origin as a denomination of Christianity.
Origin: How Did the Baptist Religion Come to Be?
Some of those in the Baptist religion believe that there has been an unbroken succession of Baptist churches from the time of John the Baptist and the Disciples of Christ. Other believers trace their beginnings to the Anabaptists, which is a 16th-century Protestant movement that started in the European continent.
However, most scholars agree that Baptists, being an English-speaking denomination, originally started within the 17th-century Puritanism.
In the early times of the Baptist church, there were two factions: the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists.
The Particular Baptist group believed in the doctrine of particular atonement, that Christ died for only an elect, while the General Baptist group believed in the doctrine of general atonement, that Christ died for all. Despite being different in churchmanship related to their points of origin, both of these groups were congregationalist.
They both share the same convictions about the nature of the church and how it should be governed. Furthermore, they also believed that church life should be ordered according to the pattern of the New Testament churches, which meant that churches should be independent bodies that are composed of only believers of the faith.
What Are the Distinct Beliefs of Baptist Church That Differ from Other Christian Groups?
Baptism is the main belief in the Baptist religion
The Baptist religion’s main belief is Baptism and how a person can only be baptized once they have recognized Christ as their Savior. The act of Baptism is a symbolism of cleansing one’s sins. Although some churches use the sprinkling of water as Baptism, most churches practice full immersion.
Their faith is centered around the Biblical doctrine
The faith of the Baptist religion is centered around the biblical doctrine, meaning the Bible is the only authority for Christian faith and practice.
They encourage evangelism and missionary work
Being called by Christ to “make disciples of all nations,” a lot of baptists encourage evangelism and missionary work as many followers of the faith have traveled around the world to spread the Good News about the coming of Christ. The Baptist churches have practiced evangelism for years and have used books, tracts, and other resources as early as 1824.
We Are Also a Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia
Calvary Road Baptist Church is a Baptist Church in Virginia that practices the beliefs and Biblical doctrines of a Baptist Church. We are a community that gathers to share the Word of God and put his teachings into practice.
If you want to learn more about our Baptist Church in Alexandria VA, feel free to visit our location today!
