Beliefs and Structure

The notions of faith and practice among Baptists are anchored by the two disciplines of baptism and communion; one - the voluntary, symbolic expression of a person who has made the decision to become a Christian (baptism), and the other - the frequently practiced memorial meal of God's gift of redemption to humankind (communion). Baptists call these two experiences "ordinances" rather than sacraments.

A Baptist church traditionally is opposed to demanding creedal affirmations. Our doctrinal standard is that we hold the Bible, especially the New Testament, to be a sufficient guide for faith and morals. Our life together is guided by a Church Covenant that describes our reason for being a congregation and our responsibility to each other. We also hold that each person is free and capable to make peace with God and to interpret the Bible. This Baptist principle is called “Soul Liberty.”

Immanuel Church Covenant

We, the members of Immanuel Baptist Church, having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, joyfully and solemnly enter into covenant with one another.

We promise to love one another as Christ loved us: sustaining each other with Christ-like concern, remembering each other in prayer, aiding each other in sickness and distress, being slow to take offense and always ready for reconciliation.

We commit ourselves to the work of Christ's Church: upholding the worship of God and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, seeking through example and word to reveal Christ to others, contributing cheerfully to the support of the church and its mission, ministering to those whom Christ would serve, teaching the truths of Christ and striving for justice and peace among the peoples of the world.

We consent to the discipline of our faith, studying the Scriptures diligently, praying regularly, abstaining from that which is contrary to Christ's teachings, and acknowledging our time, abilities and resources as trusts from God to be used according to God's will.

Soul Liberty

Words like "crusades" and "inquisition" make Christians blush with shame. They point out what some religious zealots have done to people throughout history. Baptists, however, have tried to be consistent—from the very beginning—in standing firmly for the rights of all individuals to seek and pursue their own faith, or for each to decide to be without faith if that is the choice. They have been the recipients of religious oppression themselves, but have never sought to use the power of the State to suppress others.

Baptists take the scriptures and their symbols seriously. They tell us that God has "...broken down the dividing wall of hostility... making peace by the blood of his cross" (Eph. 3.14; Col. 1:20). The cross for Baptists has never been a weapon of coercion, (as it was in the crusades against the Muslims), nor an instrument of torture, (as in the heresy trials and inquisition.) The cross has always been the symbol that each person is not only loved by God, but also sent out to love and respect others in God's name.

This was the impetus that drove Roger Williams to Rhode Island with the express purpose of founding a community in which every individual had the right to follow his or her own conscience wherever that might lead. This is the reason that whenever and wherever a person's right of individual conscience or choice is being violated, American Baptists will be there to uphold the freedom of the individual.

There are some ideas with which American Baptists strongly disagree; there are some forms of worship that they think are disgraceful; there are some religious beliefs that they hold to be an abomination. But history has shown that however incompatible one Baptist's viewpoint is with another, they have always stood firm in support of the other party's right to disagree, without interference of law, power, or majority opinion.

The emphasis on "soul liberty" implies the need for every individual to make his or her own decision on religious matters, symbolized in the expression of believer's baptism, which a believer chooses as a public symbol of personal commitment. Baptists have at the same time stood firm, suffered loss, and been punished for this emphasis on the rights of others to be what they choose to be, which includes the right to be different.

Immanuel Baptist is proud of this past and the symbols that represent this heritage.

Baptism

In Baptist Churches baptism is referred to as “Believer’s Baptism” because of the emphasis on the personal decision and commitment of the person being baptized. Baptism is symbolic of the person’s death to one’s old life, symbolic burial into the waters of Baptism with Jesus, and resurrection into newness of life.

"Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection." (Romans 6:3ff)

Communion (The Lord’s Supper)

For Baptists, Communion is a memorial—Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” At Immanuel everyone is welcome to receive communion: believers, seekers, adults, and children. The way the elements are served often varies. The bulletin will let a worshiper know what the procedure will be. Baptism and communion are the two ordinances (disciplines Jesus taught followers to experience) celebrated by Baptists.

Creeds

The historic creeds of the Christian church include the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed was adopted officially at the Council of Constantinople in 381 C.E. Many liturgical churches, like the Roman Catholic, Episcopal (Anglican) and Lutheran among others, use the Nicene Creed in their services of worship. Baptists seldom find anything wrong with the wording of the Creed, but do not insist that those who worship make a public confession of specific, accepted beliefs. The Apostles' Creed is older than the Nicene and is thought to have been an ancient baptismal creed – that is a creed that was recited by the person being baptized. The question Baptists pose to the person being baptized is simply some form of “Do you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?”