We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are Pastors or Elders and Deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the local church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the One and Only leader is Christ; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every local church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church and that there are two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The membership consists of saved and baptized individuals. There are two offices: the Pastor and Deacons. We believe in separation of church and state.
Study it out! Here are some of the Bible verses that give us this position about the Bible: Acts 2:41-42, 6:5, 8:1-4, 37-40, 14:23, 18:9-11 20:17-21; Malachi 2:10; Jude 1:3-4; Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-4; I Timothy 3:8; I Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:1-3, 11:2, 24, 12:4, 8-11, 16:1-2; Ephesians 4:11; II Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:1-3.