By Jordan Tew, Executive Director • Baptist Publishing House
I remember one time I was leading a Bible study, and I asked the members of our church, “What makes a Baptist a Baptist?” I soon realized many could not answer that question. We had just begun a study through the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) Doctrinal Statement on Sunday nights to review what we believed as a church. As we worked through that study each week, I learned that most of our church members had some ideas about why they were members of a BMA church, but few could articulate those beliefs clearly. Thankfully, our study both strengthened and encouraged our church members, and they grew as a result.
In this article, I would like to briefly review a few doctrines we hold in the BMA. These doctrines characterize us as Missionary Baptists. I will do my best to explain them. I have cited portions of our Doctrinal Statement to make it clearer.
• Unwavering Devotion to the Word of God — We believe the Bible is true, without error, and possesses the authority to determine our beliefs and practices. We do not take a “liberal” or “critical” view of the Bible.
“The Scriptures provide the standard for the believer’s faith and practice (II Tim. 3:16-17), reveal the principles by which God will judge all (Heb. 4:12; John 12:48), and express the true basis of Christian fellowship (Gal. 1:8-9; II John 9-11)” (BMA Doctrinal Statement, Article II, B).”
• A Biblical Theology of the Local Church — We believe the church was instituted by Jesus during His earthly ministry, empowered at Pentecost and has been given Christ’s Great Commission. The church is a local, visible body of believers who have been scripturally baptized. Local churches are autonomous but have the ability and the joy to associate with one another for the glory of God and the furtherance of His gospel. True churches have existed without interruption since the time of Jesus.
“A. The Nature of the Church — A New Testament church is a local congregation (Acts 16:5; I Cor. 4:17) of baptized believers in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41) who are united by covenant in belief of what God has revealed and in obedience to what He has commanded (Acts 2:41-42).
“The Perpetuity of the Church — Instituted by Jesus during His personal ministry on earth (Matt. 16:18; Mark 3:13-19; John 1:35-51), true churches have continued to the present and will continue until Jesus returns (Matt. 16:18; 28:20)” (BMA Doctrinal Statement, Article X, A, B).
• A Biblical View of the Ordinances — We believe Christ gave the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s supper to the local church. These ordinances are to be done under the authority of a scriptural church. (I believe the pattern for a church’s beliefs and behavior, as revealed in the New Testament, are best represented in the BMA.) The ordinances are also to be done in accordance with the teachings of Scripture. Baptism must be done by immersion after repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The Lord’s Supper must be given to those who are saved and have been scripturally baptized. (I believe the Lord’s Supper should be reserved for the members of the local church (i.e., ‘closed communion). Also, the Lord’s supper should not be taken if one is harboring unrepentant sin or is under church discipline.)
“The Ordinances of the Church — Her two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer as a confession of his faith in Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4) and is prerequisite to church membership and participation in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42). The Lord’s Supper is the sacred sharing of the bread of communion and the cup of blessing by the assembled church (Acts 20:7) as a memorial to the crucified body and shed blood of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-26). Both ordinances must be administered by the authority of a New Testament church (Matt. 28:18-20; I Cor. 11:23-26)” (BMA Doctrinal Statement, Article X, D).
• A Biblical Pattern of Association — We believe all churches are equally important and precious in the Lord’s sight and possess the same authority when associating together for shared ministry efforts. While all local churches are autonomous, there is great value and a biblical example of working together with sister churches. Total isolation and independence are not helpful, nor are they biblical. Churches are encouraged and strengthened when they serve together and care for one another. When meeting together for associational work (i.e., equal representation at association meetings), all churches are equal in authority and importance, for churches of all sizes belong to the same Christ.
“The Fellowship of the Church — She is free to associate with true churches in furthering the faith (II Cor. 11:8; Phil 4:10, 15, 16) but is responsible to keep herself from those who hold doctrines or practices contrary to Holy Scripture (Gal. 1:8-9; I John 2:19). In association with other churches, each church is equal and is the sole judge of the measure and method of her cooperation (Matt. 20:25-28). In all matters of polity and practice, the will of each church is final (Matt. 18:18)” (BMA Doctrinal Statement, Article X, G).
I am thankful for these BMA distinctives, as I believe they faithfully represent what is revealed in the Bible. I have tried my best to explain these various points, although I may have missed something. I hope it has been helpful and encouraging to you!
