Our Distinctives
Open Door Baptist Church is a traditional, independent Baptist church
The Baptist church was born out of adversity and persecution. Early Baptists believed that only believers were to be baptized (Acts 2:41; 8:36-38); therefore, they rejected the practice of infant baptism and required that all believers be re-baptized after conversion. Along with believers’ baptism, Baptists have held to other distinctive doctrines that we continue to hold dear.
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Biblical Authority
We believe that the Bible alone is the only sufficient authority for faith and our practice. We reject the authority of tradition and church councils(2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21).
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The Autonomy of the Local Church
We believe that the church, as a congregation, is free from all outside control; therefore, it is responsible for all decisions pertaining to the selection of leadership (Acts 6:1-5), the doctrines and positions of the church (Acts 15), all financial commitments in ministry and missions (Acts 13, 1 Cor 16), and the settling of all disputes including the discipline of our members (Matthew 18:15-17). As an autonomous church we are self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting. We are truly independent, free from the oversight of any denomination.
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The Priesthood of the Believers
We believe that every born-again believer has the right of access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) which was granted to us by the one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). We also believe that every believer as a priest represents God to man and intercedes for man to God.
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Two Ordinances
We believe that the Bible teaches two ordinances to be practiced by the church: (1) Believers’ baptism by immersion (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:36-38); and (2) the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
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Individual Soul Liberty
We believe that every believer will one day stand and give a personal account for his or her life (2 Corinthians 5:10). We also believe that we must respect the right of every believer to study the Scripture for themselves and determine how they will practice their faith in light of their liberty in Christ.
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Saved Church Membership
We believe that all members of Open Door Baptist Church must profess Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Romans 10:9-13).
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Two Offices
We believe the Bible teaches two offices that are to be respected by the congregation: pastor and deacon (1 Timothy 3; Philippians 1:1). We believe that the terms pastor, elder and bishop speak of the same office (Acts 20:17, 28-30; 1 Peter 5:1-4). The term pastor refers to the care of and relationship between the pastor and congregation (Acts 20:28-30), while the term elder speaks of the authority of and respect of the office. The term bishop is used with respect to the administrative duties, the pastor being the overseer of the church (1 Timothy 3:1). Deacons are to be men of high spiritual character who minister to the needs of men. They are called to serve under the oversight of the pastor and are elected by the congregation (Acts 6:1-7).
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Separation of Church and State
We believe that God ordained three distinct bodies to govern the affairs of men: the home, government and the church. Both the government and the church have the responsibility to support the family in their worship of God. As Baptist, we believe that there should be no organic union between the church and state. The church is to promote righteousness within the state, while the government protects and promotes our freedom of religion secured for us in the First Amendment of our Constitution. (Matt. 22:21)