Why We Are American Baptists

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National Denominational Affiliation

Because of perceptions held by many  regarding Baptists, people are surprised that we are an American Baptist Church.  People are surprised because of our liberal and open discussion of Scripture.  Many people define Baptists in a restricted manner.  Actually we are a rainbow of faithful people who seek to live out our religious convictions in a myriad of ways.  We have principles, not laws, that give us guidance.  Autonomy and soul liberty, being prime examples of our basic tenets, allow for our independence / interdependence of mind, spirit and heart.  We are free to interpret revelation of truth both for ourselves and in the midst of the faith community.

Other Important facts about American Baptist Identity

• Religious Freedom:  ABC USA strongly supports and lobbies for separation of church and state.  We are historically rooted in emphasizing religious freedom not only for ourselves but also for all people.

• Autonomy of the Local Church:  The local congregation is the basic unit of the church.  Each local church governs its affairs with the participation of all its members.  In order to be free to follow the divine leading, the congregation must by self-governing, able to select its own leadership and administer its own affairs.

• Ecumenical Commitment:  ABC USA is a member of the World Council of Churches.  Faithful to the light that has been given to us, we also at work among others who seek to follow the teachings of Christ.  This ecumenical commitment sets us apart from among other Baptist bodies in our country.   We are proud of many of our members who have contributed to ecumenical leadership, among them Edwin T. Dahlberg, Edith E. Lowery and R.H. Edwin Espy.

• Scripture:  Scripture is affirmed among us as an authoritative guide in the continuing search for a deeper knowledge of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  The identity as American Baptist Churches has been shaped over time in continuing dialogue with the Bible.  The diverse discussions continue to shape us The shaping reflects a commitment to the conscience of the individual, to liberty of the local congregation, and the need to associate discussion with a large diverse body, both nationally and globally.  Because we are a non creedal denomination the discussion is assumed and moves with an understanding that serves us well: new light can still break forth from the “inspired” text of the Scripture.

• Culturally Diverse:   ABC USA probably constitutes as diverse a denomination—racially, geographically and theologically—as any in American Protestantism.  Thanks to a dramatic increase of 43 % in ten years, the ABC can claim a nearly 40 percent racial ethnic composition.  While most of that figure includes black churches, many of which are dually aligned with black Baptist denomination, Hispanic and Asian church membership now constitutes nearly three percent of the denomination.