Rev. David Holwick
Ledgewood Baptist Church
Baptist Distinctive #2:
BAPTIST DISTINCTIVE #2: THE CHURCH AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD
I. Churches are expressions of the people of God.
A. Church membership should be composed only of born-again Christians.
1) Jesus makes spiritual rebirth a requirement of salvation.
2) Salvation is required for membership in his Kingdom.
a) In the New Testament, churches are considered the "New Israel."
3) Outsiders are welcome (1 Cor 14:23) but are not part of Kingdom - yet.
B. God expects his people to be pure.
1) By baptizing those who do not claim to have faith (ie, babies) and admitting
them as members, the church opens itself to the influences of the world.
2) Even those baptized as believers have an obligation to live wholesome
Christian lives, or face expulsion from the church.
3) To be a member of a church, it is not enough to be saved. The person should
also give evidence of the fruit of God's grace in their lives.
C. To ensure the purity of the church, we have four practices:
1) Believer's baptism.
2) The candidate's personal testimony before the deacons.
3) A vote on their membership by the whole church body.
4) Continual oversight by those in the church, as our church covenant teaches.
II. The Church is universal.
A. This is the original meaning of the word "catholic."
B. Jesus Christ is the only head of the universal church. Eph 4:15
1) The Bible nowhere commands a Pope or other human head over the church. 1 Cor
1:12-13
C. All true believers, past & present & future, are members of the universal
church. Rev 7:9-17
1) Not all true Christians are Baptist, but every Baptist should be a true
Christian.
III. The Church is local.
A. Each church in the New Testament was situated in a definite location.
1) For example, the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Note the
expression: "To the church which is in...." Revelation 2:1,8,12,18
2) Wherever "two or three are gathered," Jesus is in their midst. Matt 18:20
B. Its membership is local.
1) According to our covenant, and historic Baptist practice, when members move
they should join a like-minded church in their area.
2) While "membership" as such is not mentioned on the local level, it is implied.
a) Notorious sinners must be "cast out" of the fellowship. 1 Cor 5:1-5
b) Heaven has a membership roll, so we adopt the same idea. Ps 69:28;
Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12
1> However, membership in a church does not guarantee salvation. 1 John 2:19
C. Its leadership is local.
1) No outside person or structure should tell us how to run our church.
a) No one tells our pastor how or what to preach.
b) No one tells us what we have to give for missions or denominational support.
2) In the New Testament, even "bishops" are purely local. Titus 1:6-9
a) Only apostles, a special one-time category, had a larger sphere of influence.
3) While area ministers, national executives and other positions may be
beneficial to the church, the real strength and guidance must come from local
leadership.
IV. The Church is cooperative.
A. Having independent churches does not mean they have no contact with other
churches.
1) Paul's letters in the New Testament describe how his churches helped out other
churches, like the church in Jerusalem. 2 Cor 8:1-5
2) Churches are told to welcome those who visit from other churches. Romans
16:16
B. Early Baptists grouped together in Associations. Acts 15:1-6
1) Associations had only as much power as the churches gave them.
2) Cooperation can multiply our efforts. Romans 16:4
C. For a long time Baptists have cooperated in larger efforts with other groups:
1) Evangelistic crusades.
2) Mission endeavors.
3) Social concerns.
