What is a Sovereign Grace Baptist Church?   I have often been asked that question by people seeking to distinguish between the various Baptist groups.  Answering the question has enabled me to open up the great truths of Scripture to interested listeners.   In attempting to present a clear view of our position, I will deal with the words that make up the title: SOVEREIGN GRACE, BAPTIST and CHURCH.   To be SOVEREIGN GRACE             is to accept the complete authority of Scripture as the final court of appeal in all matters of faith and practice.  The traditions of men are not to be placed on an equal footing with the Word of God.  Instead they are to be tested by God’s revealed truth.   A SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH believes the great truths commonly called “Calvinism” or “The Doctrines of Grace”.   We should note that these doctrines were the predominant view of Evangelical Christianity until about the middle of the last century.   What are these doctrines that are seen as so important?   The SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.  This emphasis goes contrary to the humanistic thinking of today in both the secular and religious worlds.  In 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 we read: “Thine O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come of thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”  Here is a clear picture of God as absolute sovereign.  Thus He can and does unconditionally elect sinners to salvation.   The UTTER DEPRAVITY OF MAN. Because of sin, man is unable to do anything to save himself.  According to Paul in the Roman Epistle, there is no one righteous (3:10).   The ATONEMENT as the particular work of Christ for His people. This means essentially that God actually gives salvation (as opposed to merely making it possible) to all for whom Christ died.  The Savior put it strongly in John 6:37: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.”   The EFFECTUAL CALLING of the Holy Spirit. By this we mean the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to complete what He starts, thus, infallibly bringing sinners to faith in Christ Jesus.  This work of the Spirit is set forth by Jon 1:13 in these words:  ...which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”   The FINAL PRESERVATION AND PERSERVERANCE of all those called by God, and brought to saving faith in Christ. Those who thus come to Christ and receive life eternal are preserved by God.  Jesus Christ said:  “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”  John 10:28       We turn now to the word BAPTIST. Many would argue that SOVEREIGN GRACE and BAPTIST do not belong together.  However, a survey of Baptist History reveals that they were second to none in their preaching of the great Doctrines of Grace.   A SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH believes that in the Scriptures only those who made a credible profession of faith in Christ were baptized.   In Acts 8:26-40 we note that the Ethiopian believed in Christ first, and then he was baptized.  Not only do we believe that baptism is for the saved, but that the only Scriptural mode is immersion; that is, the dipping of the person in water so that he or she is covered.  This view is supported by some of the language of the Bible, where we read of GOING DOWN INTO, or MUCH WATER. See Acts 8:38 and John 3:23     There are three important things to consider on the question of baptism:   The Lord Jesus commanded the baptism of believers.  In Matthew 28:19 He said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost”   The Apostles practiced it:  Acts 8:38 and 16:33.     Only immersion symbolizes the burial of the believer, and hence, his rising to newness of life, as portrayed in the early verses of Romans 6.  There is just no way you can bury anyone under a few drops of earth.  So Baptism by immersion sets forth the truth of the believer’s dying to sin and rising to a new identification with Christ.     The next word confronting us is CHURCH. A CHURCH is a called out assembly of people with a particular purpose in view.   The CHURCH is not a building of bricks and mortar; it is NOT a social club; it is NOT the religious arm of the State; and certainly it is NOT just a group of people getting together for some religion.   The CHURCH in the New Testament was a community of people who made a profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, were Baptized, and sought to walk in obedience to His commands.  The people worshipped together, and witnessed to the wonder of the Gospel.  In Acts 2:42 we read:  “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  It is clear from this that there was instruction in the things of God, as well as fellowship in worship and praise.   We do not believe that the CHURCH is a gimmick or an entertainment factory; therefore, we do NOT put on a show.  Instead we seek to worship and give heed to the exposition of the Word of God.  Preaching thus plays an important part in the life of a        SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH.   The CHURCH bears testimony concerning the message of Jesus Christ and His great salvation.   A SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH therefore, is a called out assembly of people, who profess faith in Jesus Christ, have been baptized in accord with Scripture, worship God in sincerity, give attention to His Word, seek to walk in obedience to Him, and bear testimony to His Saving Grace. by Pastor James S. McDowell