THE MARKS OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

    The following Biblical principles were observed by the local churches found in the New Testament. We might call them the "marks" of a New Testament church. While many denominations have held to one or even several of these truths down through the ages, only those groups through which we trace our Baptist heritage have held to most or all of these truths regarding the local church.

    These churches, by their conformity to the principles set down for local churches in the Word of God, have the right to call themselves a New Testament church.

    For more than 300 years, the majority of New Testament churches having all these characteristics, have called themselves BAPTIST churches, so that in many places, the name "Baptist" has become synonymous with "the New Testament church," even to the extent that New Testament churches, which do not wish to go by the name "Baptist," still describe themselves as "baptistic."

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

The Word of God is our only authority for faith and practice (II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:20,21; See also Col. 2:8)

AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

The local church is established by the Lord Jesus Christ, and governed by its members, with Himself as the Head (Mt. 16:18; Acts 15:22; Col. 1:18).

PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

Every believer is a priest with direct access to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and has the right and responsibility to personally study and understand God's Word, guided by the Holy Spirit (I Pet. 2:5; Heb. 4:14,15; 7:24,25; John 16:13).

TWO ORDINANCES

Believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are the only ordinances which the Lord commanded His followers to observe. They are not sacraments (Mt. 28:20; Acts 2:41,42: I Cor. 11:24).

INDIVIDUAL SOUL LIBERTY

Every believer must be fully persuaded in his own mind as to Scriptural truth, since he must give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:5,10,12)

SAVED CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Only those who are born again and who are Scripturally baptized can become members of a local church (John 3:3; Acts 2:41 47; Col. 1:2).

TWO OFFICERS

Pastors (also called elders and bishops) and deacons are the only Scriptural officers of a church, and are chosen by the members (Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1,8; Acts 20:17,28).

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

The church and the state must never exercise authority over one another. Each has a distinct responsibility in the world (Mt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1; Acts 5:29).