of all believers, soul competency, believer’s baptism, the symbolic nature of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, a church membership only of those who have been born again, congregational church governance, the autonomy of churches, religious freedom, and voluntary cooperation for missions and ministry. Some of these basic convictions relate in a special way to how Baptists view and interpret the Bible. For example, belief in soul competency and the priesthood of all believers leads Baptists to insist that each believer-priest is competent to read and understand the Bible and that the opportunity and responsibility of each believer priest for reading and interpreting the Bible ought not be delegated to others. Similarly, Baptists insist that no other person or group of persons ought to attempt to assume the right to dictate to others what to believe. Baptists declare that all people should have the freedom to possess, read, and interpret the Bible for themselves. Based on the life and teachings of Jesus, Baptists insist that faith cannot be coerced and no one should try to do so. Neither should a particular interpretation of the Bible be forced on another. Interpreting the Bible’s Teachings Is there danger in declaring that all believers should be free to interpret the Bible for themselves? Of course, there is danger; strange, even bizarre interpretations may result because not all persons are equally mature in their Christian growth or equally knowledgeable about principles of biblical interpretation. But the alternative is even more dangerous: believing that a few persons have the authority to determine what the Bible teaches. After all, who has the authority to place such responsibility in the hands of another person or of a group? Furthermore, Bible scholars differ widely in their interpretations of some parts of the Bible. Who is to determine which interpretations are indeed the correct ones? Does this mean that a person is free to believe anything he or she wants to about the Bible and its teachings? Baptists declare that they are free to do so, but this does not mean that every interpretation is correct. Baptists insist that a heavy responsibility accompanies this freedom to interpret the Bible. People should study the Bible prayerfully and humbly, depending on guidance from the Holy Spirit. Interpretations of the Bible should be shared with a fellowship of believers to gain insight. Sound principles of interpretation should be used. One’s interpretation should be compared to those of mature Christians past and present for possibly gaining a better understanding. Conclusion Baptists differ in many ways regarding the Bible. However, when Baptists differ on certain doctrines or practices, they use the Bible as the authority for their position, not some other source. Therefore, although Baptists may disagree about what the Bible teaches about certain doctrines and practices, we agree that the Bible is our sole ultimate written authority for faith and practice. For further information, see cbhh.dbu.edu
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx