What is a Baptist?
What it Means to be a Baptist
As Baptists, we believe in the basic tenets of Christianity: the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His divinity, and the concept of salvation through Him. We also believe that the essence of Christianity is love – God’s love us, and our love for one another.
I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. John 13:34
As individuals, we seek to follow this imperative in our personal lives. As a church family, we strive to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Chestnut Grove.
“Free and Faithful”
These two words capture the essence of being Baptist – we are all free, under the lordship of Jesus Christ; we all are free, within a community of the faithful.
Four basic freedoms that Baptists hold dear are:
- Bible Freedom: The Bible – under the lordship of Christ – must be central in the lives of His followers, who are both free and obligated to study and follow the Scriptures.
- Soul Freedom: Every person has the right and responsibility to relate to God directly and personally, without intervention by any other party.
- Church Freedom: Local churches are free to determine their membership and their leadership. They may ordain anyone, male or female, whom they consider gifted for ministry. Local churches are not subject to the dictates of any other state or national organization.
- Religious Freedom: We affirm the historic right to freedom of religion, freedom for religion, and freedom from religion. Caesar is not Christ, and Christ is not Caesar.
