Baptists hold several core beliefs that distinguish them within Christianity:

• Believer’s Baptism by Immersion : Baptists practice baptism only for those who personally profess faith in Jesus Christ, rejecting infant baptism. Baptism is performed by full immersion, symbolizing the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Biblical Authority : The Bible is regarded as the ultimate and infallible authority in matters of faith and practice. Baptists emphasize that doctrines and practices must be explicitly supported by Scripture, not merely consistent with it

• Autonomy of the Local Church : Each Baptist congregation governs itself independently without external ecclesiastical authority. Churches voluntarily cooperate but maintain freedom from government control or hierarchical oversight

• Priesthood of All Believers : Every individual has direct access to God without needing a human mediator, emphasizing personal responsibility in faith and conscience

• Two Ordinances : Baptists recognize only two ordinances instituted by Christ-the believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion)-as symbolic acts of obedience rather than sacraments imparting saving grace

• Salvation by Faith Alone : Salvation is understood as a personal matter between the individual and God, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works or rituals

• Separation of Church and State : Baptists historically advocate for religious freedom and the separation of church and government to protect individual liberty of conscience

• Eschatology : Most Baptists believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, though views on the end times vary among premillennialism, amillennialism, and other interpretations

In summary, Baptists emphasize believer’s baptism by immersion, the authority of Scripture, local church autonomy, individual faith and responsibility, and religious liberty as foundational to their faith and practice