Author : Tom Rainwater
The subject of this article will likely capture the attention of many of my Baptist friends. I do not want to give the impression that I think Baptists are bad people. There are good moral people in Baptist churches who are sincere in their beliefs. Also, I don’t want to imply that everything taught by the Baptist church is wrong. Most Baptists believe that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God who died for our sins. However, when one carefully examines God’s Word, the Baptist Church is nowhere to be found. Also, many of its beliefs are contrary to plain Scripture. Therefore, in light of such error, I have an obligation to warn my Baptist friends of the danger to their souls in following something that is contrary to Christ’s will. (2Jn.9).
The Baptist Church Is Unknown To God’s WordHave you ever noticed that the Bible doesn’t mention the Baptist Church? No group exists by that name anywhere in the New Testament. We can find descriptive names like “church of God’ (Ac.20:28; 1Cor.1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2Cor.1:1; Gal.1:13; 1Tim.3:5), “churches of Christ” (Rm.16:16), “household of God” (1Tim.3:15; 1Pt.4:17), and “church of the firstborn” (Heb.12:23), that identify the same group of saved people. But we do not find a Baptist Church anywhere by name. If it was in the Bible, wouldn’t we see it? You have to wonder why people call themselves “Baptists” today when such a group did not exist by name in the New Testament.
Jesus said in Mt.16:18, “I will build My church…” We notice in the New Testament that Jesus built only one church, not many (Eph.2:16; Eph.4:4; Col.3:15). The church belongs to Jesus Christ exclusively. He is it’s Head (Eph.1:22-23; 5:23; Col.1:18). Since Jesus built His church and is Head over it, we must submit to His will in order to become a part of it. Yet many religious people today (Baptists included) make their own creed books, setting their own terms for admission into their group. They organize Conferences and Synods and Councils, then vote on what rules to follow in their own particular affiliation. Friends, that does not resemble the New Testament church at all! Baptists and others have essentially created their own religious organization rather than simply becoming a part of what Jesus died for and built.
God’s Plan of SalvationWe can see that people were added by the Lord to His church in Ac.2:47.
What did they do in order to be added to the saved? Many of the people believed the preaching of the apostle Peter concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ and “gladly received his word.” What had Peter told them to do? “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Ac.2:38). Did they obey? “Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added…” (Ac.2:41.) Notice that the people believed, repented, and were baptized before they were “added” by the Lord to the group of saved in His church. But you don’t hear that kind of preaching in any Baptist church today.
Baptist Doctrine on Salvation is Unknown to God’s WordMany Baptists say we are saved by praying to Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior — and that is all. But, in the same breath, they will deny that we’re saved through any act of obedience of our own. It’s quite a puzzling doctrine, because: (1) Why would they think that their faith was not an act of obedience? Faith
is a work of obedience to God (Jn.6:29; 1Thess.1:3; 2Thess.1:11). (2) Why would they think that acts of obedience to Jesus are not necessary for salvation? It sounds like rebellious talk to me. Heb.5:8-9 says that Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation to all who
obey Him.” (See also 2Thess.1:7-9.) Clearly, the Baptist position on salvation is not in harmony with plain Scripture.
Indeed, salvation is by faith (Jn.3:16; Ac.10:43; Eph.2:8-9), but “faith only” is not enough (Jms.2:14-26). Confessing our faith in Jesus as the Son of God is only a part of what we must do to be saved. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved..” (Mk.16:16). Baptism is directly connected with forgiveness of sin and salvation in verses like Jn.3:5, 1Pt.3:21, Gal.3:27, Rm.6:2-4, Ac.22:16, and others. When have you heard a Baptist preacher teach the truth of those passages? Why do they want to exclude baptism from their plan of salvation when Jesus has clearly made it a part of His plan? Isn’t it strange that Baptists name themselves after an act that they preach so strongly against, and consider so unnecessary to salvation?
There are other Baptist doctrines that err from the truth, but they will have to be the subject of another article.
An AppealBaptist friend, my appeal to you is to open your Bible and study these passages for yourself. Don’t just take the word of any preacher. Take the words of Jesus Christ and His apostles directly from pages of God’s Word. No one is saved by doing what they think
might save them, but by doing exactly what Jesus said
will save them. May the Lord help you in your search for the truth.
