What is a Church & What is a Baptist Church

What is a Church?


"A church is a spiritual, not a social, economic or political organization. It is charged by the Lord to preach the Word and to worship the Lord."1 A church is "a company of believers in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, called out from the world and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, scripturally baptized, and meeting for worship, observance of the ordinances (baptism and communion), fellowship and evangelism."2 Membership is necessary to have a definite, qualified group to vote on matters coming before the church.

"Incorporation is a legal action which, in a sense, gives the organization the status of an individual before the law. It is not necessary to incorporate to be a Biblical church.3 However, incorporating allows us to purchase, lease and sell property as a church; to hold insurance and protect individual members against responsibility and personal loss in such matters as liability suits against the church; to make contracts, hold mortgages and incur liabilities; and to receive tax deductible donations. Bonnyville Baptist is incorporated in Alberta under the Societies' Act.

A "Baptist" Church?

"Fundamentally Baptists believe and seek to practice the teachings of the Bible."4 We differ little from other evangelical churches on most doctrines. Differences being on such subjects as baptism (its meaning and method); God's sovereignty; individual and sole accountability to God as a believer-priest; complete separation of church and state; full and sufficient authority of the New Testament in matters of individual and church life; and the complete independence of each local church, because of the supreme Headship of Jesus Christ and the direct administration of the Holy Spirit. (See our doctrinal statement (constitution) for details - CLICk HERE.)

Our primary organization, as a Baptist church, is patterned (as far as can be known) after the New Testament churches. In our understanding of church control, there is no such thing as an over-lording organization; there is only the local church. Each local church is self-contained electing its own officers; choosing its own pastors; disciplining, when necessary, its own members; and regulating its own internal affairs.

"Baptists have always contended that the New Testament form of church government is democratic."5 We have a congregational form of government. "...authority remains with the local church. Individuals or committees may be designated to perform certain responsibilities, but they are directly answerable to the church and to the Lord, Who is the Head of the church. ...Baptists believe in democratic procedures that permit open discussion of problems and divergent views." Chapter 15 ..."in Acts should encourage us in our churches to participate in free discussion in a prayerful effort to reach unanimous decisions. The expression of personal convictions should never be viewed as carnal controversy, unless the speakers manifest such a spirit, and this is to be avoided! Baptist churches historically have ruled by congregational vote. ...Individual participation is Biblical in both the ministry and government of a local church."6 "Neither the pastor nor the deacons can rule the church (though they are called to lead the church). ...The church has divinely provided officers and leaders, but the Lord has chosen to rest the final power in the entire group, subject to His own Headship."7

While local churches may not "federate" they do "associate", that is, they fellowship in organizations for the more effective promotion of Gospel Work. "Churches do not "join" these organizations, but merely declare themselves to be in "fellowship" with them."8 As such, we are in fellowship with The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada, and on a regional level, The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Territories (FEBCAST).

 

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