What We Believe
We have much in common with other Christians. As Baptists, we have more in common with other Christians than most people imagine. In agreement with faithful Christians around the world, we believe that:
- The Bible is the written, inspired, and authoritative Word of God.
- God is the creator of the world and is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Humans have been made in the image of God, but sin has marred that image.
- Jesus Christ is the living and only Son of God, who lived, died, and rose again that we might have eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
- The Holy Spirit fills individual believers and the Body of Christ so that they can continue Christ's work upon the earth.
- Salvation is God's gift of grace to the world, which must be accepted and acted upon in simple faith.
What sets Baptists apart from other Christian denominations? It's how we understand the church. Baptists believe in the following:
Believers' Church
A New Testament church is made up of believers only. Children and grandchildren of members are precious to God and are important to their families within the church, but they cannot be members themselves until they consciously place their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Believer's Baptism
Baptism by immersion in water is the rite of initiation into the church. It is reserved for those who publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we baptize believers only, not infants.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a celebration of the presence and grace of Jesus Christ. By faith, we meet the risen Lord at his table in a unique and powerful way.
Church Offices
The two church offices in a Baptist congregation are ministers and deacons. Ministers are the spiritual leaders of the church, overseeing worship, proclamation, discipleship, and all other ministries. Deacons are the primary models of lay ministry, serving the church through family ministry, outreach, and prayerful consideration of major proposals offered by church committees and teams. Deacons are not a governing body of the church, but rather a ministering body, discerning and modeling the best ways that Brookwood can reach others with Christ's love.
Priesthood of All Believers
All Christians are priests before God. Baptists elevate the laity so that every member is a minister.
Autonomy of the Local Church
Every Baptist church receives its marching orders from Jesus Christ. No church has to gain permission from another church in order to do what it believes is the will of God. At the same time, Baptist churches have a long history of cooperating with one another to expand and further the Kingdom of God in the world.
Religious Liberty
In their earliest years, Baptists were persecuted for their convictions about religious liberty. Having suffered at the hands of those who wanted to unite church and state, Baptists have long stood for the absolute religious liberty of all people, achieved through the separation of church and state. "A free church in a free nation" is the motto of Baptists.
