INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this article is to locate Baptists in the wider body of Christians in terms of theology and ecclesiology (the study about the church). It answers the broad question: who are we in the Christian religion?

By theology we mean a body of beliefs that is also the framework and the parameters of what we believe about God. There are many Christians who believe different things. There are different classifications of Christian groupings.

 CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS AND ORTHODOX 

Christians are divided among three major groups: Roman Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox.

Catholics form one Christian grouping with a traditional worship and a hierarchical system of church government with priests, bishops, cardinals and at the very top headed by the Pope who is regarded as Christ’s representative on earth and the successor of St. Peter. The headquarters of the church is at the Vatican in the city of Rome. The church has around 891 million members.

Protestants trace their history from the protest of a Roman Catholic priest, Martin Luther who broke away from the Catholic Church in what is called the Reformation in church history in the 16th Century. One major doctrine that Luther discovered was salvation by grace alone and not by religious rites or works. The Lutheran Church, Anglican Church, Presbyterian Church and Free churches (including, Baptists, Methodists), Pentecostal churches and Charismatic Churches are part of this main branch.

The Orthodox Church is older, is less well known in this part of the world but it also forms a major grouping especially in the Mediterranean like Greece with the Greek Orthodox Church; Parts of Africa like Egypt with the Coptic Church, Ethiopia and Eritrea; and Russia with the Russian Orthodox Church just to mention a few. There are about 150 million Orthodox Christians in the world. The Eastern Orthodox has a rich liturgical life with icon based spirituality. There is a Greek Orthodox Church in Blantyre near Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, opposite City Motors on Masauko Chipembere Highway.

 EVANGELICALS, PENTECOSTALS AND CHARISMATICS 

There are basically three theological groups among the Protestants: Evangelicals, Pentecostal and Charismatics.

Baptists are Evangelicals. Evangelicals believe that the Bible alone forms the basis for doctrine and practice. Others accept tradition and experience in addition to scripture as basis for teaching and practice. Pentecostal and Charismatics are also Evangelicals. There are some differences however. To their credit Evangelicals have been strong on fighting for justice, freedom and poverty in addition to the strong emphasis of evangelisation of the world through the preaching of the gospel. The late Dr Billy Graham, most probably the greatest evangelist of the 20th Century, is was a Baptist.

Pentecostals differ from Baptists as Evangelicals in that they believe in the second work of grace following conversion namely the baptism of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues. Pentecostalism began in the Azusa Street revival in the United States of America. The Assemblies of God, United Pentecostal Church are examples.

Charismatic may be churches but reflect more as a movement because they are present in some mainline churches including Catholics. Charismatic, just like Pentecostals, are loosely classified by some as Evangelicals especially in South America. Charismatic are closely associated and sometimes confused with Pentecostals. They believe also in the baptism of the Holy Spirit but whose manifestation is not limited to speaking in tongues. Shaking; a feeling of warmth in the body; falling under the power of God or what is known as being slain in the spirit; the Toronto Blessing or what has been referred to as holy laughter have been associated with baptism of the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit in the Charismatic movement. The Word Alive Ministries International and Living Waters Church are examples.

To the credit of the Pentecostal and Charismatic’s has been a freshness and renewal that has come on the church because of the expectation of the supernatural and the operation of spiritual gifts and trusting God for His manifested presence through the move of the Holy Spirit. The age of the enlightenment had an effect on the interpretation of scripture negatively because of secularism which highlighted science with cause and effect and at the same time ridiculed anything outside the natural realm and interpreted faith in God as superstition and that miracles simply do not exist. Both the Pentecostal and especially the charismatic movement have brought freshness and a liveliness of a worship experience through music though this is not confined to them. Unfortunately both Pentecostal and charismatic movements have created erroneously but inadvertently, a kind of two level Christianity. There are those who feel that without the baptism of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues as understood by Pentecostalism are inferior or incomplete, and therefore second rate Christians as they still lack something.

 BAPTIST BODIES IN MALAWI 

There are several Baptist Conventions/Unions (mother bodies) in Malawi. Blantyre Baptist Church is under the umbrella body of Baptist Convention of Malawi which was pioneered by Southern Baptist Convention of the USA. There is the Providence Industrial Mission (P.I.M.), who are Baptists. Their work was pioneered by the National Baptist Convention of the USA. We have Evangelical Baptists. We have the Seventh Day Baptists. We have Indigenous Baptist. We have Good Samaritan Baptist and we have also Reformed Baptist. This is not an exhaustive list.

 INTRODUCTION 

The articles of faith are concise statements about the fundamental Christian Beliefs. It is vital important that every Christian and indeed every Baptist should know them so that he/she is able to state and articulate what we believe. It is also important for the Christian to know these beliefs so that he/she has capacity to defend his/her faith.

• We believe that there is one God, Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons revealed to us as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, John 5:7).
• We believe that Jesus is God. He is very nature God(Philippians 2:6). He is eternally existent (John 1:1). He is the express image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is also the Son of God (Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16).
• We believed in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3,4). He is also referred to as the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2). He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21). Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of Judgment (John 16:8). He calls men to the Saviour and effectsregeneration (new birth) (John3:3-6).
• We believe that the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and, therefore, the Supreme standard of Christian faith and practice (II Timothy 3: 16-17).
  We believe that all men are lost sinners without Jesus Christ as personal Savior and, therefore, are under just condemnation to eternal punishment because of willful transgressions. (John 3:16-18).
• We believe that salvation is wholly of grace through the provisions that a loving and righteous God made for all men; and that repentance for one's Sin and faith in the living Christ are the means of receiving eternal life which was made possible by the shedding of His blood upon the Cross. (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16).
• We believe in the Virgin Birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:34-35).
• We believe in the priesthood of every born again child of God. We need gothrough no person or any institution for access to God. Through Jesus Christevery Christian has direct access to God (1 Peter 2:5-9).
• We believe that Christ is the Founder and Head of the Church; and that a localChurch is a congregation of baptized believers voluntarily associated in thefaith and fellowship of the gospel (Matthew 16:18).
• We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is symbolic of our death to sin and resurrection to anew life in Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper as a symbolic and memorial ordinance of the Church reminding the participant that Jesus died in order to make our redemption possible. We believe that these ordinances have no saving efficacy whatsoever (Matthew 29: 16-20), Romans 6:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
• We believe that the evangelization of men in all the world is the supreme task given to the Church by Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:16-20).
• We believe that the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, is the Lord's Day, and as the memorial of Jesus Christ's resurrection it is sacred, and should be joyfully observed by faithfully attendance at the services of the Church and by abstaining from unnecessary work and other activities contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-6).
• We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, in the resurrection of all dead, in divine judgment to determine degrees of rewards for the righteous and punishments for the wicked and in unending life beyond physical death (Matthew 25:31-46).

 COMMENT ON ARTICLE 6 

Because other Baptists (Grace, Particular or Reformed) and other theologians believe that Jesus died for some people (the elect) only and not everyone, and that we do not subscribe to such, it is necessary that I explain clearly in light of where we differ with them.

We believe that Jesus died for all mankind i.e. everyone (Isaiah 53:6, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:6, 2Corinthians 5:14, Hebrew 2:9). We believe that it is God’s will to save all people (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) and he is not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Where scripture refers to “his sheep” (John 10:11, 15), “his people” (Matthew 1:21), “his church” (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25), “the elect” (Romans 8:32-35), “us”, it does not imply and no one else (1 John 2:2). We believe that the fact that Jesus died to save everyone does not mean everyone will be saved (John 3:18). We believe that salvation is conditional (Romans 10:9) to only those who believe and receive (John 1:12). We believe that mankind has not lost the freedom or the capacity to respond to God on account of the fall. The Bible doesn’t say that. God rightly and justly holds responsible those who do not believe. The words in the Bible: all, world, sinner mean exactly that and not the elect.

Theologically this explanation is called Unlimited Atonement. It does not imply Universalism. Universalism is the believe that everyone will be saved. We believe Unlimited Atonement is both plain and unquestionably biblical and the opposite (Limited Atonement) is unbiblical.

Baptists share many areas of our faith with other Christians. However, the following principles as Baptists we make distinctive emphasis.

 THE DIRECT LORDSHIP OF THE CHRIST 

We believe in the direct lordship of Jesus Christ over every believer and over the local church. By this we understand that Christ exercises his authority over the believer and the local church directly.

 THE CHURCH 

We believe that the church is the company of those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, and born again by the Holy Spirit. The local church, being manifestation of the universal church, is a company of believers at a particular place where the Word of God is preached and observed. It is fully autonomous and remains so notwithstanding responsibilities it may accept by voluntary association.

 BELIEVER'S BAPTISM 

We believe that believer’s baptism is an act of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and a sign of personal repentance, faith the new birth; it consists of the immersion into water in the name of the father, son and the Holy Spirit.

 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT 

Each member has the privilege and responsibility to use his/her gifts and abilities to participate fully in the life of the church. Such participation includes the decisions of the calling of a pastor, the removal of a pastor, the appointment of the church’s leaders, approval of budget, acceptance of church accounts at constituted meetings. This means that someone outside the local church cannot make decisions on behalf of the church. The only situation whereby a local church’s decisions can be questioned and revoked is in situations where the local church has failed to act responsibly or has acted outside God’s will and Baptist beliefs.

 THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS 

Each Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ our High Priest. This means that each Christian does not have to go through a priest to intercede on his behalf for the forgiveness of sin, or go through Mother Mary or the saints for intercession. It also means that each Christian must serve God and can do any works of service.

 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY 

No individual should be forced by the State or by any secular, ecclesiastical or religious group in matters of faith. The right of private conscience is to be respected. For each believer this means the right to responsibly interpret the Scriptures and to act in light of his conscience (Romans 4:1-5, 1 Corinthians 1:28-29).

 SEPARATION OF THE CHURCH AND STATE 

Church and State differ in their respective natures and functions. The Church is not to be identified with the State, nor is it in faith and practice to be directed or controlled by the State. The State is responsible for administering justice, ensuring an orderly community, and promoting the welfare of its citizens. The church is responsible for preaching the gospel and for demonstrating and making known God’s will and care for all mankind. The Church has a prophetic voice to the State to make sure that it does not violate its mandate.

 INTRODUCTION 

If we asked many people who are religious why they go to church and why they are believers, most will say that they do what they do and they believe because they want to go to heaven. It also means they don’t want to go to hell. If we asked further and wanted to know from them whether they were saved or not, they will say they do not know but they hope they will be saved. A lot of people do not understand what salvation is. This includes those that are saved but they just cannot explain it. Considering that salvation is a critical issue about whether we go to heaven or not, it is important that we go through this lesson.

The Bible says: This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Given this important statement, the question is: Are you saved? The answer depends on our understanding of what salvation is.

The word salvation is a noun from the verb, save. A common understanding of being saved is being rescued. A car may roll over and other motorists may assist to get a trapped driver out of the wreckage. A house might be on fire and neighbours may come to rescue occupants out of the flames and salvage some property. A boat may capsize and the passengers will frantically try to swim to safety and a kind person who is capable may lift someone about to drown out to safety. From the scripture we see that salvation is the act of God saving people who are lost sinners in danger of going to hell.

The Bible describes the condition of man as a sinner. By sinner is meant having broken God’s law and a condition that is bent to disregarding and breaking the law of God. In other words, we are sinners by nature and by choice. This is true of all humanity without exception. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). There is a penalty to pay for sin. The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). God is love and is also just. God has offered the penalty for the consequences of our sin and has offered the gift of eternal life through Jesus our Lord. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Although God has paid the price for sin, not everyone is saved.

Salvation is by grace. For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith –and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). Grace is unmerited favour. It is as somebody said, God being nice when he should not be nice. We were born physically but we need to be born again spiritually by receiving the free gift of eternal life that God has offered. Religious activities like going to church, being baptised, partaking the Lord’s Supper (communion), serving in the church, or good deeds (works) like abstaining from alcohol, or doing works of charity etc. will not save anyone. None of these things, commendable though they are, will save anybody.

 What must we do to be saved?     We must do the following in order to be saved: 

• We need to acknowledge our condition of sin and our need for salvation. We cannot save ourselves.
• We must repent of our sin. Salvation involves repentance. Repentance is a resolve to turn our back on sin and turn toward God. This is done through confession of our sin, seeking God’s forgiveness and committing ourselves to follow Him.
• We must be born again. Salvation means becoming a child of God. The salvation experience is also referred to as being born again. No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). We were born physically but we need to be born again spiritually by receiving the free gift of eternal life that God has offered. We become children of God by inviting him into our hearts. Yet to all those who received him, to those who believed in his name he gave the power to become children of God (John 1:12).
• We must believe and confess Christ as Lord. Salvation means believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and confession that Jesus is Lord. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you shall be saved (Romans 10:9).

All these things constitute salvation. It is important that we know we are saved and if we are not saved then we must humble ourselves and ask God to save us because we cannot save ourselves.

We believe that Baptism is a necessary experience for the Christian. The word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek word baptizw (baptizo). It means to immerse, or to submerge or to dip. It is for this reason that as a mode of baptism, we immerse people who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism can take place in a river, lake, swimming pool or baptistry.

 OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND 

Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples and baptise them. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19, 20). Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We reject claims by others such baptism is incorrect and that we should baptise in the name of Jesus because the Father Son and Holy Spirit are titles. Jesus said it: ...In the name. Because Jesus said it we must joyfully obey what he says.

 SYMBOLISM OF THE DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 

When believers are immersed in water they are buried in the water. It is a symbolism of burial. Burial signifies someone has died. It speaks of the old life dying with Christ. When they emerge from the water it is a symbolism of resurrection. The resurrection speaks of new life from death. It speaks of a new life in Christ. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4). Baptism by immersion becomes a perfect symbolism of death, burial and the resurrection of Christ which a believer participates.

 FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST 

As followers of Jesus Christ we follow his example. Jesus was baptised. He was not baptised because he was sinner who was now converted. When John the Baptist tried to persuade Jesus saying, “I need to baptised by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper to do this to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:14, 15).

 A PUBLIC AND OUTWARD TESTIMONY OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED INWARD 

In Acts 8:26-40 we read a story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. The spirit of the Lord asked Philip to join the chariot and Philip obeyed. He found the Ethiopian Eunuch reading scripture and asked him whether he understood. His response shows he needed someone to explain the scriptures to him. It seems very clear that Philip did explain as he shared the gospel and the Ethiopian confessed Christ. We know that by his question: Look, here is water.Why shouldn’t I be baptised? Before his men this man was baptised. Something significant happened inside him and he publicly and outwardly demonstrated it. Baptism is a public and outward testimony to show that we have now become followers of Jesus. We read of other examples of new believers being baptised. It was an expression of commitment publicly and a testimony that they were believers in Jesus Christ.

We do not believe in baptismal regeneration. This means that we do not believe that baptism brings about the new birth. We believe that baptism has no saving efficacy. If it did then it would mean salvation is not by grace alone but also by some rituals or works. We do not believe in infant baptism. Infants cannot be followers of Christ. Neither do we believe in adult baptism. Being an adult alone does not qualify one to be baptised. Baptism is for those that have believed, received Jesus Christ into their hearts and thus are born again, repented of their sin and want to follow Christ. It is for this reason that we believe in believer’s baptism.

 INTRODUCTION 

The Lord's Supper is a service of worship (it constitutes, prayer, thanksgiving, proclamation and a hymn), a memorial observance, a symbolic observance, a continuing observance and a church observance whereby we eat unleavened bread and wine (or their substitutes like common bread and grape juice because of convenience) to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that brought us salvation. In other churches like the CCAP this act is called Holy Communion. In the Catholic and Anglican churches this is called the Eucharist. The word Eucharist stands for thanksgiving. It is a holy meal with very small portions.

 ORIGINS 

The Lord's Supper originates from the Passover. The Passover was a feast that the Jews celebrated each year in commemoration of the release of the Jews from bondage in Egypt. The festival lasted a week, during which time the Jews were only to eat unleavened bread or bread without yeast. On the first day of the feast a lamb was sacrificed. The word Passover means passing over. On the last night the Jews were in Egypt God determined to kill all the firstborn living creatures in Egypt, because the Egyptian ruler Pharaoh refused to let the Jews go free. But first God instructed the Jews to sacrifice a lamb and put some of its blood on the door posts of their houses. Then when the destroying angel came and saw the blood, he would know not to destroy the firstborn in those homes. The Jews were commanded to observe certain feasts including the Passover. Leviticus 23:5. The Lord's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. Christians do not celebrate the Passover. They instead celebrate the death and the resurrection of Christ. The day they celebrate the death is called Good Friday. The day they celebrate the resurrection is called Easter. It was therefore no coincidence that Jesus was crucified during the time of the Passover feast.

 REASONS FOR OBSERVANCE 

We as Christians were commanded to remember to observe the Lord's Supper. There are several reasons: 1. A Memorial Observance 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, [24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [25] In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 2. A symbolic observance. 1 Corinthians 11:24,25). 3. A continuing observance. [26] For whenever (as often as) you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 4. A church observance. 1 Corinthians 11:18 NIV In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 5. A proclamation 1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 6. A celebration of deliverance. 1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

 ORDINANCE 

The Lord's Supper is one of the two church ordinances which we believe and we practice. Remember that we Baptist do not believe in sacraments. Sacraments are practices that confer grace. An ordinance is an act of something physical or ordinary but having spiritual meaning. Baptism, one of the ordinances for instance, uses the element of water. Baptismal Water does not cleanse or save. Only the blood of Jesus saves. But it stands for salvation testimony as well as the death burial and resurrection of Christ. The other ordinance which is the Lord's Supper uses bread and wine or grape juice. They are physical elements that do not save. But they have a significance.

 A SYMBOLIC OBSERVANCE 

What is true about baptism and Lord's Supper is the issue of symbolism. Bread and Wine are symbols. They stand in for the reality. We as Baptists do not believe in substantiation. What this big word stands for is the belief that the bread and the wine once prayed for, actually changes into the body and the blood of Jesus. To substantiate substantiation those who believe in it claim that Jesus said: This is my body...this is my blood. They say that this is not mere symbolism as we claim. They further claim that Jesus did not say these are the symbols of my body and my blood. It is true that truly Jesus did not say "These are symbols of my body and my blood" but he did actually say, "This is my body...this is my blood." It is however obvious that Jesus was using figurative speech. When Jesus said, "This is my body" was what he was holding a piece of his body? No! Was what was contained in the cup, Jesus's blood? Of course not. We need to remember that Jesus used a lot of figurative speech. I am the door...I am the bread of life. Besides, even in ordinary life when a person calls himself “Mtengo wa Minga”“Chitsulo cha Njanji” or “Mwala” we know that he is using the name figuratively. The bread or the wine are not the real body or real blood. These misunderstandings go back a long way in history. Some of the reasons why people did not embrace Christianity the first time it was introduced is that as they observed Christians they thought Christians were cannibals. Why? They eat the body and drink blood of a human being. Another reason is that they thought Christians practiced incest. Why? They would see a married man calling his wife sister or a married woman calling her husband brother.

 ADMINISTRATION 

The scripture commands us to partake as "often as you do" That statement can mean everyday, every Sunday, every month, every quarter. It may mean annually although that does not sound often enough. We do not observe it daily or weekly as a choice so that we do not become too familiar with it and it becomes ritualistic. We consider that a monthly observance is reasonable and practical. The importance given to the Lord's Supper matters. Sometimes putting it at the end of the service may give the impression that it is an add-on or it is tacked at the end of a service after doing the important things.

Because we do not want to be stumbling block to those who have a weakness for alcohol, we use grape juice instead of wine.

The Lord's Table is open to those who are born again regardless of denomination and to all those who are in right standing with the church. In other words, those who do not have unresolved disciplinary issues with the church.

 SELF EXAMINATION 

It is important that Christians should do a self examination to avoid partaking in an unworthy manner. We must subject ourselves to a number of tests. Nothing unconfessed and uncorrected should be allowed to proceed. A light and frivolous attitude for such an important ceremony is unworthy.

A test of attitudes. Attitudes towards the educated. Attitudes towards the uneducated. Attitudes towards other racial groups, ethnic groups. As Christians we should transcend politics of division. Prejudice toward anyone is sinful. Being condescending, rude and being disrespectful to others is sinful.

A test of motives. There are important questions we should ask ourselves with regard to motive. Why do we go to church? Why do we give to church? Why do we teach Sunday School?

A test of actions. Are we conducting ourselves as Christians at home? Are we relating well as husband and wife? Are we relating well as parents and children? Are we living an immoral life? Are we relating well as boss and junior? Are we kind, tender hearted and forgiving? Do we owe someone an apology? Do we have wrongs to make right? Are we harbouring ill will or an unforgiving spirit?

Such tests will lead us to an edifying experience and strengthening experiences and more importantly a transforming experience. Can you imagine what it would mean if we observed this instruction of self-examination? No one would be at odds with another. We would forgive each other freely. We would love one another. Strife and tension would melt away!

Failure to observe self-examination and behave in a manner like the church in Corinth may attract judgment of sickness and death.