What do Baptists believe?
Maybe you grew up Baptist, or you’re visiting a Baptist church and wondering how it compares to what you’ve heard elsewhere. Here is a clear look.
Baptists are Christians. They believe in the Trinity, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, and His return. Their distinctives are baptism only for believers, by full immersion; each local church governing itself; and the priesthood of every believer. Become shares that foundation. Where we differ: many Baptists teach that a true believer can never lose salvation (“once saved, always saved”), and many teach that gifts like speaking in tongues ended with the apostles. Become teaches that salvation can be lost by walking away from Christ, and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including tongues, are for today.
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Philip baptized an official on the road
After Philip explained Jesus to the Ethiopian official, they came to some water and the official asked, “What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” They went down into the water, and Philip baptized him, and he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:36–39). He believed first, then was baptized: the order Baptists hold dear, and so do we.
Where Baptists and Become agree
The Bible is God’s Word. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. Baptism follows faith and is by immersion, a picture of dying and rising with Christ (Romans 6:4). Every believer can come to God directly through Jesus.
Where we differ
Salvation: many Baptists teach a believer can never lose salvation. We teach that no one can take you from God’s hand, but a person can deliberately walk away from Christ (John 15:6; Hebrews 3:12).
Spiritual gifts: many Baptists teach that tongues and prophecy ceased. We believe the Holy Spirit still gives all His gifts today, including tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7–11; 14:1–5; Acts 2:39).
What the Bible says
- 01
Belief, then baptism.
“As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”
Acts 8:36–38 - 02
Buried and raised.
“Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3–4 - 03
The gifts of the Spirit.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.”
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 - 04
The promise is for you.
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.””
Acts 2:38–39 - 05
Remain in Him.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
John 15:4–6 - 06
One body, one Spirit.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4–6
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
If you’ve trusted Jesus but haven’t been baptized, talk to someone this week about taking that step.
Common questions
Are Baptists Christians?
Yes. Baptists hold the core of the Christian faith.
Do Baptists speak in tongues?
Most Baptist churches don’t practice it; some individual Baptists do. Become believes the gift of tongues is for believers today.
Why do Baptists baptize by immersion?
The Greek word baptizo means to immerse, and immersion pictures dying and rising with Christ. Become baptizes believers by immersion too.
Bring your real question.
Talk is a place on Become to ask anything, in your own words and your own language, any hour. No question is too honest.