Let\u2019s dig to find out why \u201cBaptist\u201d is in our church name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a recent ecumenical gathering, a secretary rushed in shouting, \u201cThe building is on fire!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Methodists gathered in a corner and prayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Baptists cried, \u201cWhere is the water?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Disciples called a meeting to determine if the fire was scriptural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Quakers silently praise God for the blessings that fire brings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring that the fire was evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Roman Catholics passed the plate to cover the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jews posted symbols on the doors hoping that the fire would pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Congregationalists shouted, \u201cEvery person for himself\/herself!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fundamentalists proclaimed, \u201cIt\u2019s the vengeance of God!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Episcopalians formed a procession and walked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Christian Scientists concluded that there was no fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Presbyterians formed a committee and appointed a chairperson to look into the matter and submit a written report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Secretary grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the fire!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whenever it comes to defining who Baptists are, we always think about \u201cwater.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Root\u2014Baptizo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Jewish usage appears in Mosaic laws of purification (Ex. 30:17-21) to mean washing or cleansing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John, the Baptist\u2019s baptism was connected with repentance so that the Jews might be spiritually prepared to recognize and receive the Messiah (Luke 3:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus\u2019 Baptism symbolized his obedience to his Father\u2019s will (\u201cYou are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus baptized, he baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Commissioning)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christian baptism symbolizes\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n union with Christ (Gal. 3:26-27)<\/p>\n\n\n\n remission of sins (Acts 2:38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n identification with Christ in his death to sin and resurrection to new life (Rom.:6:3-5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n and becoming a member of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blessings of baptism are received by faith (Rom.6:8-11)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baptizo literally means \u201cimmerse\u201d or \u201cdip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a person is a believer, the only pattern reported in the Bible is immersion\u2014doesn\u2019t mean \u201csprinkling.\u201d Water is never said to be baptized upon a person. The person is always baptized in water. (Philip and the Ethiopian\u2014Acts 8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only is immersion the original form, but more importantly, immersion expresses the meaning of baptism\u2014buried and shared Christ\u2019s death in order that just as Christ was raised from death, we also might live a new life. Baptism dramatizes the person dies to the old way of living, all sins washed away, and is born again into the family of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baptism is not a choice; it is a command. We must be baptized or be guilty of disobedience. Baptism without faith is like a kiss without love. Faith without baptism is like the works of a clock without hands or face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not named after John the Baptist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to how Baptists are categorized, we, for sure are not Roman Catholic but we are also not \u201cProtestant\u201d in the historical sense. We never protested against the Roman Catholic Church like the Lutherans or protested against any other church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historically, we have sought the right to worship God as we wished, and granted to others the same privileged we claimed for ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one person as founder (Roman Catholics\u2014apostle Peter; Lutherans\u2014Martin Luther; Presbyterians\u2014John Calvin; Anglicans\u2014King Henry VIII; Methodists\u2014John Wesley) No one person but a \u201ccloud of witnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Critics called the early Baptist, \u201cAnabaptists\u201d meaning advocates of baptizing persons (infants) again. The Anabaptists didn\u2019t see it as re-baptism since they felt the earlier baptism wasn\u2019t true baptism. The emphasis is on \u201cbeliever\u2019s baptism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n General Baptists believed that Christ\u2019s atonement was for all people. (Arminius)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particular Baptists believed that Christ\u2019s atonement was only for those whom God had chosen, or elected. (Calvin)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early Baptist believed that every soul must have freedom to decide on religious matters himself\/herself. This belief came to the American soil and in 1631, Roger Williams, an English separatist came to MA. Banished from MA, went to RI, First Baptist Church on American soil. This led to the First Amendment to the US Constitution\u2014religious liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Missionary work\u2014overseas and in US westward\u2014FCBC in 1880.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adjectives <\/strong>(Historical studies underway with Roger Tom)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChinese Baptist Mission\u201d Home Missionary Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFirst\u201d in SF (FCBC in Sacramento is actually older.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChinese\u201d initially a mission to and later a ministry by<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBaptist\u201d initially a mission by and later a particular expression<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChurch\u201d being a Body of Christ with members<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waverly Baptist Church\u2014During a time in the 1950s when integration and inclusiveness to reflect God\u2019s family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First Chinese American Baptist Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAmerican\u201d to reflect our citizenship to the US and at the same time association with the ABCUSA<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSunset Ministry\u201d practicing the Baptist disciplines but not necessarily visibly displaying its Baptist heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *What do others think about Baptists?<\/p>\n\n\n\n SBC<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jerry Falwell<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conservative<\/p>\n\n\n\n dynamic preaching<\/p>\n\n\n\n free spirit<\/p>\n\n\n\n *How do we Baptists see ourselves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n *What do we believe in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Handouts\u2014\u201cWhat Do American Baptists Believe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlight points<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Is Being Baptist okay for today? Is it okay for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Healing Dog<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let\u2019s dig to find out why \u201cBaptist\u201d is in our church name. During a recent ecumenical gathering, a secretary rushed in shouting, \u201cThe building is on fire!\u201d The Methodists gatheredPractice<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
History<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Discussion<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Closing<\/h6>\n\n\n\n