WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT WE ARE BAPTIST?
When some people hear the word “Baptist,” they might picture a man in a three-piece suit carrying a well-worn King James Bible under one arm, a hymnal under the other, and perhaps wondering whether the coffee in the lobby is a little too modern. While we appreciate the rich heritage and faithful believers who have gone before us, being a Baptist is not about style of dress, a preferred music style, or a particular cultural tradition.
At Grace, our Baptist identity is rooted in something much deeper: our commitment to the authority of God’s word, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the responsibility of every believer to grow and serve, the autonomy and accountability of the local church, and the mission to take the Gospel to our neighbours and nations.
The word BAPTIST has often been used as an acronym to help summarize the historic convictions that have shaped Baptist churches for centuries. While no acronym can fully explain everything we believe, it provides a helpful way to remember some of the Biblical truths that guide our church, none of which are a dress code, Bible translation, or genre of music.
B
iblical Authority
Psalm 119:89, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21
At Grace, we firmly believe the Bible is the inspired, trustworthy, and sufficient Word of God. It is our highest authority for what we believe, how we live, and how we operate as a church. Our historic reference to this is Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), which is the final rule for both faith and practice. Our leadership, our doctrine, our mission, and our practices are continually measured against the truth of Scripture because Christ governs His Church through His Word.
A
utonomy Of The Local Church
Matthew 18:17, Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Timothy 3:15
We are a church that believes that since Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, each local congregation is responsible before Him to govern its own affairs according to Scripture. While we gladly cooperate with other churches, ministries, and mission organizations for the advancement of the Gospel, we maintain our Biblical convictions and our responsibility to Christ as an autonomous local church.
P
riesthood Of The Believer
Romans 12:1, Hebrews 4:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 1:6
We believe that every follower of Jesus Christ has direct access to God through the finished work of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. This means every believer is called to know the Father personally, grow spiritually, use their gifts in ministry, and participate in the mission of the church. Here at Grace, ministry is not reserved for a few professionals; it is the joyful responsibility of every member of the body of Christ.
T
wo Ordinances
Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Grace is a church that recognizes two ordinances given to the church by Jesus. Believer’s Baptism by full immersion, and the Lord’s Supper. These ordinances do not save us, but they are visible acts of obedience that proclaim the Gospel and remind us of our identity in Christ.
I
ndividual Soul Liberty
John 14:15, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
Grace is a community of believers who understand every person is accountable to God for their own faith and conscience. No human authority can stand between a person and their responsibility to respond to God’s truth. Therefore, we value the freedom to pursue personal conviction and a sincere pursuit of obedience to Jesus according to Scripture.
S
aved & Baptized Church Membership
Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 8:36-38
At Grace, we take church membership seriously and do not rush the process. This is because membership in a local church is a meaningful commitment for those who have personally trusted Jesus Christ and publicly identified with Him through believer’s baptism. Church membership is not simply having your name on a list; it is entering a family where believers worship together, serve one another, encourage spiritual growth, and participate in Christ’s mission to make disciples.
T
wo Offices Of The Church
1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9
We believe the New Testament establishes two primary offices for the local church: Elders (also referred to as pastors) and Deacons. Elders provide the spiritual oversight, Biblical teaching, shepherding, and accountability, while the Deacons serve the practical needs of the church and support the ministry of the Gospel. We believe that these roles are not about status or power, but about humble service under the ultimate Lordship of Christ.
One Spirit.
One Body.
One Lord.
One Faith.
One Baptism.
One GOD.
At Grace, these convictions are not merely statements on a page, they shape how we worship, how we lead, how we care for one another, and how we take the message Jesus Christ to the world. We are grateful for our Baptist heritage because it continually points us back to Scripture, faithful church life, and the mission of making disciples.
For those of you wondering, “Can I attend if I am not a Baptist?” or might be thinking, “I am not a Baptist, therefore I will not attend!” Remember, Christianity is not about a particular denomination; it is about walking in Biblical conviction that points to Jesus. We invite you to come, ask questions, grow in God’s Word, and discover a church family committed to loving God and serving together.