Baptist Distinctives

Who are Baptists?

An excellent description of what it means to be Baptist was presented by our paster, Rev. Ramon Smith, in his sermon of March 5, 2006, "Who are Baptists." Click here for audio of this sermon.

Baptist Faith and Message

A clear statement of what many people believe it means to be a Baptist is the 1963 Statement of Baptist Faith and Message, adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention that same year. In the opinion of many moderate Baptists, the 1971 book Baptist Faith and Message, by Herschel Hobbs, is the clearest and most complete exposition of the key beliefs and practices that define Baptists. Hobbs chaired the committee that formulated the 1963 statement.

One of the more remarkable, beautiful (and Baptist) elements of this statement is specific language warning that it not be used as a mandate or creed. In true Baptist tradition, it disavows its own authority.

The 1963 statement was the last adopted before the rising conflicts between moderates and conservatives that subsequently developed.

The following link has the complete text of all four versions of the Baptist Faith and Message. The 1963 language warning that it not be used as a mandate or creed was removed in the 2000 version. Subsequent to its adoption, SBC staff and missionaries began being asked (International Missions Board) or mandated (other boards) to affirm the 2000 statement.

• Baptist Faith and Message, all versions .
• An analysis of the 2000 changes by Russell Dilday. Dr. Dilday is past president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, past Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and past President of the Southern Baptist Convention Home Mission Board.

Books

An excellent reference on Baptist distinctives is The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms, by Walter Shurden.

Our pastor, Rev. Ramon Smith, recommended the following books in the Highlights newsletter of January 18, 2006:

"There are many ... truths that define us as Baptists, and I might recommend several short books that will help you if you seek further information:

• What Baptists Believe, by Herschel H. Hobbs, 1964, Broadman;
• Baptist Beliefs, by E. Y. Mullins, 1925, Judson;
• The Baptist Faith and Message, by Herschel H. Hobbs, 1971, Convention.
• For a more exhaustive look at Baptist history, I highly recommend The Baptist Heritage, by H. Leon McBeth, 1987, Broadman."