Baptist Beliefs: A Believer’s Church

What exactly is the church? The church is not the building, even though we sometimes refer to the building as “the church.”

The church is the people. But which people? The people who show up on a Sunday morning? Those who have grown up in the church and whose family attends or has attended?

In some traditions where infant baptism is practiced, a child may be considered a part of the church even if they have never attended since that ceremony.

Baptists believe in a believer’s church. This means that the church is comprised of those who call upon Jesus as Lord. This normally is followed by baptism, although a person is not saved by their baptism.

This does not mean that seekers and visitors are not welcome. Everyone is welcome to learn and to worship. All of us are on a journey together.

But we do see something special happening once a person believes. That is when they truly become a part of the church. This should be followed by believer’s baptism.