10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists

 

The 1.3-million members and 5,200 congregations of American Baptist Churches USA share with more than 42 million Baptists around the world a common tradition begun in the early 17th century. That tradition has emphasized the Lordship and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, believers’ baptism, the competency of all believers to be in direct relationship with God and to interpret Scripture, the importance of the local church, the assurance of freedom in worship and opinion, and the need to be Christ’s witnesses within society.

 

 

• American Baptists believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith.

 

• For American Baptists the local church is the fundamental unit of mission in denominational life.

 

• American Baptists partake of two ordinances: believers’ baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

 

• American Baptists believe that the committed individual Christian can and should approach God directly, and that individual gifts of ministry should be shared.

 

• American Baptists take seriously the call to evangelism and missionary work.

 

• American Baptists support religious freedom and respect the expressions of faith of others.

 

• American Baptists acknowledge that God’s family extends beyond our local churches, and that God calls us to cooperative ministries.

 

• American Baptists have been called to be Christ’s witnesses for justice and wholeness within a broken society.

 

• American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership.

 

• American Baptists heed the biblical call to renewal and the need for a vital witness in a new millennium.