Ten facts about American Baptists
The following facts are representative of the tradition and practice of American Baptists.
1
American Baptists believe that...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.
2
Baptists local church...For American Baptists the local church is the fundamental unit of mission in denominational life.
3
American Baptists two ordinances...American Baptists partake of two ordinances: believers’ baptism and The Lord’s Supper.
4
Approach God directly...American Baptists believe that the committed individual Christian can and should approach God directly, and that individual gifts of ministry should be shared.
5
Call to Evangelism and missionary workAmerican Baptists take seriously the call to evangelism and missionary work.
6
Religious Freedom...American Baptists support religious freedom and respect the expressions of faith of others.
7
God’s family extends beyond our local churches...American Baptists acknowledge that God’s family extends beyond our local churches, and that God calls us to cooperative ministries.
8
Be Christ’s witnesses for justiceAmerican Baptists have been called to be Christ’s witnesses for justice and wholeness within a broken society.
9
Racial, cultural and theological diversity...American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership.
10
The biblical call to renewal...American Baptists heed the biblical call to renewal and the need for a vital witness in a new millennium.