There are currently 33 million Baptists living in the United States. Globally, there are 45 million Baptists, with many variations of the denomination. Those with similar practices belong to “conventions.” The leading convention in the United States is the Southern Baptists.
In fact, Baptists strongly believe Baptism is for adults only. They feel Baptism is “for those who have already placed their faith or made confession of their faith in Christ.” Also, in contrast to Catholics, Baptists accept religious liberty. This being said, “God alone is the judge of conscience, not the state or the religious establishment.” Baptists do not have a formal structure like Catholicism as well. They do not have bishops, or outside authority.
American Baptist conventions consider themselves moderate and follow closely the practices of Methodism and Presbyterianism. However, Baptists conventions each have their own faith statements and do not use the creeds. A large emphasis is placed on the Bible. Baptists believe the Bible is “totally true and trustworthy.” Baptists follow the idea that faith alone allows one salvation by grace.
Baptists strongly support the idea of separation between church and state. They believe in “freedom of conscience.” This denomination does not have a single governing power nor national council, so standards and ideals vary from church to church. The structure of the Baptist church revolves around Evangelical doctrine and reformed worship. The acronym Baptists follow is: Biblical Authority, Autonomy or the local church, Priesthood of the believer, Two ordinances (Believer’s Baptism and Communion), Individual soul liberty, Separation of church and state, Two offices of the church (Pastor and Deacon).
According to Baptists, “Bible is the only authoritative source of God’s truth.” If something can’t be referred to a scripture, it is considered a human tradition rather than the Word of God. Antioch Bible Baptist Church states, “We believe the Bible is the supreme revelation of God’s will for men and constitutes the only infallible guide for faith and life. Baptists also strongly believe in salvation and accept that faith in it of itself helps one receive salvation.” They also say, “We believe God, Who is Truth, communicated through Spirit-controlled men so that the Scriptures are without error and therefore authoritative in all they teach and in all matters they touch.”