Baptist Distinctives 2

1Baptist Distinctives

2REVIEW #1

• Other religions beside Baptists may hold to some similar .
• The first distinctive which we discussed was .

• Name 2 reasons why this distinctive is crucial to our belief system?

• The Bible is inspired and .
• : The Bible is inspired.
• : The very are from God.
• The style and vocabulary may be unique to the writer, but the are from God.
• Baptist Distinctive #2:

3SOUL LIBERTY

• 1. Soul Liberty is the right of the saved individual to and Scripture as well as the to obey it. Acts 5:29
• BACKGROUND: In early church years, the church provided all answers to everyday life.
• There was no " " to speak of.
• There was no need to " " anything.
• The had the answers.
• Example: In Jesus' day, the people went to the for answers.
• BASIS OF BELIEF: Every believer has the in them.
• The Holy Spirit does not show favoritism.
• The Holy Spirit uses each person for a specific purpose.
• Iron sharpens iron
• The hand cannot do the work of the feet, etc…
• 1 John 2:27 / Rom.14:5
• EQUALITY: In Christ, no Jew nor Greek, bond or free...
• Everyone has EQUAL Soul Liberty.
• God is no respecter of persons.
• 2. Soul Liberty does not give us a right to jam our beliefs down someone else's throat.
• TOLERANCE:Striving to live at peace with all men…
• We must abide by the of others.
• We must abide by the of the .
  • ILL: No loud speakers in the streets.
• Disturbing the .
• Exploiting the of others.
• POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN PIETY: We begin to think that if you are going to be a Christian, you must act like, talk like, and think like me!
• The Holy Spirit is my guide to everyday living.
• Talk / music / clothing / job / discipline of family / etc....
• 3. Soul Liberty does not give us a right to continually oppose doctrines, practices, or decisions of the church whole.
• You cannot be a troublemaker.
• Don't look for faults.
• Don't .
• People have a to their convictions.
• People have their own !
• RESPECT FOR ELDERS: You have a right to your own opinion, but if the majority disagrees with you, you then must subject yourself to their decision.
• (…and maybe reconsider your stand…)
• Understand their standing before God (God-appointed positions / education / etc.)
• Realize your Biblical duty of respect.
• You also have a right to .
• Your does not give you a right to violate the of others.
• Key Words:

4Responsibility & Tolerance

• CONCLUSION: Responsibility & Tolerance.
• You are responsible to God alone for your actions. (Responsibility)
• They cannot be blamed on or else.
• You are responsible to know and do the !
• Don't take someone else's word for it!
• God will hold responsible!
• Don’t expect everyone to operate like you. (Tolerance)
• distinctives
• inspiration
• need a base of rules (belief)
• the Bible claims to be inspired (if not true, a lie)
• plenary/verbally
• plenary/whole/equally
• verbally/words
• words
• read/interpret/responsibility
• man/church/thing
• science/prove
• clergy
• Pharisees

5Holy Spirit

• rights
• law of the land
• peace
• privacy
• judge
• right
• liberty
• move
• liberty/liberty
• something/someone
• truth
• you
• No , ,
• Or
• …Can act as the regenerated person’s conscience.
• “Why”

• “Why Not”?

• Do you agree with everything the Pastor says?

• Do you have to agree with everything the deacons say?

• Do you have to agree with what the majority says?

• Do you have to live with what the majority says?