What is a Baptist?
June 8th, 2007As the 2007 meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention kicks off, I encourage you to be praying for President Frank Page. Also pray for Dr. Hayes Wicker as he and First Baptist Naples lead out in the Pastor’s Conference. (Here at Olive, we know what that is like.)
Around this time of year, many questions come to me about being a Baptist. A few years ago as President of the Florida Baptist Convention, I preached a message entitled “What Is a Baptist?” Let me borrow from it today. Here are some indications for one to understand the important markings of a Baptist:
1. Baptists are Soul Competent. Historically it has been understood that a man is able to stand before God without the aid of any earthly mediator. A lost man certainly needs Christ to get to the Father. The emphasis here is that man stands before God individually and is competent to do so. The “priesthood of the believer” comes from this thought.
2. Baptists are Scripturally Confident. Here the idea is that we stand with confidence in the Bible. The Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God. No shadow of doubt can ever be cast over the Holy Scriptures.
3. Baptists are Structurally Cooperative. Baptist churches are independent and autonomous. No one from Baptist headquarters tells a local church congregation what it must or must not do. Fiercely independent Baptists come together in cooperation to do missions around the world. This is the strength of Southern Baptists.
4. Baptists are Sovereignly Commissioned. The last words of Jesus are first priority for us. The Great Commission commands us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. This is our mission. This is the number one reason we have Vacation Bible School. We share the Gospel. We did that this week at Olive and many boys and girls were saved.
As you look at these pictures of VBS be mindful that this is priority work for Baptists at Olive. I am grateful for every volunteer that helped get the job done this week.
Pastor Ted Traylor
