Let’s dig to find out why “Baptist” is in our church name.
During a recent ecumenical gathering, a secretary rushed in shouting, “The building is on fire!”
The Methodists gathered in a corner and prayed.
The Baptists cried, “Where is the water?”
The Disciples called a meeting to determine if the fire was scriptural.
The Quakers silently praise God for the blessings that fire brings.
The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring that the fire was evil.
The Roman Catholics passed the plate to cover the damage.
The Jews posted symbols on the doors hoping that the fire would pass.
The Congregationalists shouted, “Every person for himself/herself!”
The fundamentalists proclaimed, “It’s the vengeance of God!”
The Episcopalians formed a procession and walked out.
The Christian Scientists concluded that there was no fire.
The Presbyterians formed a committee and appointed a chairperson to look into the matter and submit a written report.
The Secretary grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the fire!
Whenever it comes to defining who Baptists are, we always think about “water.”
Root—Baptizo
Jewish usage appears in Mosaic laws of purification (Ex. 30:17-21) to mean washing or cleansing.
John, the Baptist’s baptism was connected with repentance so that the Jews might be spiritually prepared to recognize and receive the Messiah (Luke 3:16).
Jesus’ Baptism symbolized his obedience to his Father’s will (“You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.”)
When Jesus baptized, he baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Commissioning)
Christian baptism symbolizes—
union with Christ (Gal. 3:26-27)
remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
identification with Christ in his death to sin and resurrection to new life (Rom.:6:3-5)
and becoming a member of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)
The blessings of baptism are received by faith (Rom.6:8-11)
Practice
Baptizo literally means “immerse” or “dip.”
After a person is a believer, the only pattern reported in the Bible is immersion—doesn’t mean “sprinkling.” Water is never said to be baptized upon a person. The person is always baptized in water. (Philip and the Ethiopian—Acts 8)
Not only is immersion the original form, but more importantly, immersion expresses the meaning of baptism—buried and shared Christ’s 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.
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.
History
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not named after John the Baptist.
Contrary to how Baptists are categorized, we, for sure are not Roman Catholic but we are also not “Protestant” in the historical sense. We never protested against the Roman Catholic Church like the Lutherans or protested against any other church.
Historically, we have sought the right to worship God as we wished, and granted to others the same privileged we claimed for ourselves.
No one person as founder (Roman Catholics—apostle Peter; Lutherans—Martin Luther; Presbyterians—John Calvin; Anglicans—King Henry VIII; Methodists—John Wesley) No one person but a “cloud of witnesses.”
Critics called the early Baptist, “Anabaptists” meaning advocates of baptizing persons (infants) again. The Anabaptists didn’t see it as re-baptism since they felt the earlier baptism wasn’t true baptism. The emphasis is on “believer’s baptism.”
General Baptists believed that Christ’s atonement was for all people. (Arminius)
Particular Baptists believed that Christ’s atonement was only for those whom God had chosen, or elected. (Calvin)
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—religious liberty.
Missionary work—overseas and in US westward—FCBC in 1880.
Adjectives (Historical studies underway with Roger Tom)
“Chinese Baptist Mission” Home Missionary Society
“First” in SF (FCBC in Sacramento is actually older.)
“Chinese” initially a mission to and later a ministry by
“Baptist” initially a mission by and later a particular expression
“Church” being a Body of Christ with members
Waverly Baptist Church—During a time in the 1950s when integration and inclusiveness to reflect God’s family.
First Chinese American Baptist Church
“American” to reflect our citizenship to the US and at the same time association with the ABCUSA
“Sunset Ministry” practicing the Baptist disciplines but not necessarily visibly displaying its Baptist heritage.
Discussion
*What do others think about Baptists?
SBC
Jerry Falwell
Conservative
dynamic preaching
free spirit
*How do we Baptists see ourselves?
*What do we believe in?
Handouts—“What Do American Baptists Believe?”
“10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists”
Highlight points
*Is Being Baptist okay for today? Is it okay for you?
Closing
The Healing Dog