Valley Missionary Baptist Church of Reseda

06/14/2026

SUNDAY SERMON
JUNE 14th, 2026

TITLE:
“THIS KIND”
Mark 9:14–29

Mar 9:14
And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

Mar 9:15
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

Mar 9:16
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Mar 9:17
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Mar 9:18
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Mar 9:19
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Mar 9:20
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Mar 9:21
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Mar 9:22
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Mar 9:23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mar 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mar 9:25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Biblical fact:

In Scripture, demons are often described by the effect they cause:

“spirit of infirmity” (Luke 13:11) — caused physical weakness

“spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16) — caused occult influence

“lying spirit” (1 Kings 22:22) — caused deception

So here:

“Deaf and mute spirit” = a demon that attacked the boy’s ability to hear and speak.

Mar 9:26
And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

Another Biblical Fact:

Jesus proves demons are real, destructive, and subject to Him

These verses destroys three modern lies:

❌ Lie 1: “Demons aren’t real.”
Jesus talked to one.

❌ Lie 2: “Demons can’t affect the physical world.”
This one threw a boy into fire and water.

❌ Lie 3: “Demons are equal to God.”
Jesus cast it out with a word.

Demons are real.

Demons are destructive.

But Demons are defeated under Christ’s authority.

The same pattern shows up today

No, not every tragedy is demonic

but the pattern is the same:

Sudden urges toward self‑harm

Destructive impulses

Attempts to isolate

Attacks on the mind

Attacks on the body

Attempts to silence prayer

Attempts to drown out the Word

Satan still pushes people toward “fire and water” —
toward things that burn them, drown them, ruin them.

But Jesus still delivers.

Mar 9:27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

Mar 9:28
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

Mar 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Beloved, Mark 9 drops us right into a scene of spiritual failure.

The disciples are surrounded.
The scribes are arguing.
The crowd is confused.
A father is desperate.
A boy is suffering.

And the disciples — the men who walked with Jesus — could not help him.

That’s a picture of what happens when God’s people try to do God’s work without God’s power.

And right in the middle of all that confusion… Jesus walks up.
And the whole atmosphere changes.

THE DISCIPLES FAILED BECAUSE THEY STOPPED DEPENDING ON JESUS

The father says, “I brought my boy to your disciples… and they could not.”

They had done this before.
They had cast out demons earlier in the Gospel.
They had the authority.
They had the experience.

But this time — they failed.

Why?

Because somewhere along the way, they started trusting themselves instead of the Lord.

Jesus calls it what it is:

“O faithless generation.”

Not lost.
Not wicked.
Just faithless.
Just prayerless.
Just powerless.

And that’s where a lot of Christians live today:

Saved, but struggling

Forgiven, but frustrated

Busy, but empty

Active, but powerless

“You can’t fight today’s battles with yesterday’s prayers.”

Yesterday’s prayer was good for yesterday, but today brings new temptations, new pressures, new spiritual attacks, and new needs

We need fresh prayer for a fresh day.

REMEMBER ISRAEL AND THE MANNA
(In Exodus 16)

God fed Israel with manna in the wilderness.
But here’s the key:

They could not live on yesterday’s manna.
If they tried to save it, it spoiled.

God told them:

Gather it daily

Trust Him daily

Depend on Him daily

Why?

Because yesterday’s manna wasn’t enough for today.

That’s the picture.

Yesterday’s prayer was manna for yesterday.
Today needs fresh manna — fresh prayer — fresh dependence.

EVEN JESUS PRAYED DAILY

Even Jesus — the Son of God — prayed every morning.

Not once a week.
Not once a month.
Not “I prayed last year.”

He prayed daily because the work of that day required fresh strength.

If Jesus needed fresh prayer…
we definitely do.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE: “Give us THIS DAY our DAILY bread”

Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread — not weekly bread, not monthly bread.

Why?

Because God wants us to depend on Him every single day.

THE FATHER’S PRAYER IS THE PRAYER GOD LOVES TO ANSWER

The father is worn out.
He’s been watching his boy suffer for years.
He’s tried everything.
Nothing has worked.

So he says to Jesus:

“If you can do anything…”

That’s not faith talking — that’s a tired man talking.

Jesus turns it around:

“If you can believe…”

The issue is never whether Jesus can.
The issue is whether we will trust Him.

And then comes one of the most honest prayers in the whole Bible:

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

That’s the prayer of every real Christian.

Not perfect faith.
Not proud faith.
Not show‑off faith.

Just honest faith.

“Lord, I’m trying.
Lord, I’m weak.
Lord, I want to believe — help me where I’m struggling.”

The father didn’t pray a perfect prayer.
He didn’t pray a long prayer.
He didn’t pray a fancy prayer.

He prayed an honest prayer.

And Jesus answered it immediately.

Not because the man was strong…
but because the man was honest.

Jesus never rejects the prayer that comes from a broken, needy heart.

Some of the most powerful prayers in the bible are the shortest prayers in the bible

THE PUBLICAN IN THE TEMPLE
The publican prayed:

“God be merciful to me a sinner.”

That’s it.
No long speech.
No big words.

And Jesus said:

“This man went down to his house justified.”

Why?

Because God answers the prayer that comes from humility and truth.

PETER SINKING IN THE WATER

Peter prayed the shortest prayer in the Bible:

“Lord, save me.”

And the Bible says:

“Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand.”

Not later.
Not eventually.
Not “after you get stronger.”

Immediately.

Jesus answers the desperate cry.

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS

The thief prayed:

“Lord, remember me…”

And Jesus answered:

“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

A dying man prayed a one‑sentence prayer…
and Jesus answered it on the spot.

When a person comes to Jesus honestly, humbly, and helplessly — He never ignores them.
He never pushes them away.
He never leaves them hanging.
He always responds.

Not because the prayer is perfect…
but because the heart is honest.

WE SEE JESUS DOES WHAT NO ONE ELSE COULD DO

As soon as the boy is brought to Jesus, the demon throws him down again.
Foaming.
Shaking.
Convulsing.

The devil always fights hardest when he knows he’s about to lose.

Jesus speaks with authority:

“Come out of him, and enter no more into him.”

No halfway deliverance.
No temporary relief.
No “maybe.”

When Jesus sets someone free, He sets them free for good.

The boy collapses.
The crowd says, “He’s dead.”

But Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him up.

Where people saw death — Jesus brought life.
Where people saw defeat — Jesus brought victory.
Where people gave up — Jesus stepped in.

That’s the Jesus we preach.
That’s the Jesus who still works today.

THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL POWER
JESUS SAY’S IT’S
“PRAYER AND FASTING”

Later, the disciples ask Jesus privately:

“Why couldn’t we cast it out?”

Jesus answers:

“This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

“This kind.”

There are some battles in life that are not moved by:

talent

emotion

effort

personality

good intentions

There are some situations that will not budge until God’s people get serious.

Some temptations are “this kind.”
Some family problems are “this kind.”
Some spiritual strongholds are “this kind.”
Some demonic attacks are “this kind.”

And “this kind” only moves when God’s people pray and fast.

Prayer connects you to God — like plugging your phone into a charger.
No connection, no power.

Fasting disconnects you from your flesh — it quiets your wants so you can hear God’s voice.

When you pray AND fast, your heart gets clear, your pride gets low, and God’s power gets real.

A Christian who doesn’t pray is like a phone with 1% battery — it won’t last long.
A church that doesn’t pray is like a car with no gas — it might look good, but it’s not going anywhere.

NOW LET ME BREAK IT DOWN EVEN MORE

“Prayer connects you to God.”

Think of it like this:

If you don’t talk to your wife, the relationship gets cold.

If you don’t talk to your boss, you don’t know what to do.

If you don’t talk to your doctor, you don’t know what’s wrong.

Prayer is simply talking to God.
No prayer = no connection.
No connection = no power.

That’s why Jesus prayed every day

“Fasting disconnects you from your flesh.”

Most people don’t understand fasting, so here’s the simple version:

Fasting turns down the noise of your flesh so you can hear God clearly.

Your flesh is loud:

“I want this.”

“I feel this.”

“I’m upset.”

“I’m hungry.”

“I’m tired.”

Fasting quiets all that down.

It’s like turning off the TV so you can finally hear someone talking to you.

“Together, they bring clarity, humility, and power.”

When you pray, you reach up to God.
When you fast, you push down your flesh.

When both happen at the same time, something powerful happens:

Your mind clears up.

Your heart softens.

Your pride melts.

Your spirit strengthens.

Your faith rises.

That’s why Jesus said “this kind” only moves by prayer AND fasting.

Some battles do require more than a quick prayer.
Some battles require you to get serious.

“A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.”

If you don’t pray, you’re running on empty.
You’re trying to fight spiritual battles with no spiritual strength.

You can’t:

resist temptation

overcome habits

fight the devil

lead your family

serve God

…without prayer.

It’s like trying to swing a sword with spaghetti arms.

“A prayerless church is a powerless church.”
A church can have:

good music

good preaching

good programs

good buildings

…but if it doesn’t pray, it has no power.

It’s like a fire truck with no water.
It looks impressive, but it can’t put out a fire.

JESUS STILL LIFTS WHAT LOOKS DEAD
Some of you have situations that look dead.
Some of you have children who look unreachable.
Some of you have burdens that look impossible.

Bring them to Jesus.

Bring them in prayer.
Bring them with fasting.
Bring them with faith — even if it’s weak faith.

The disciples failed — but Jesus didn’t.
The father doubted — but Jesus didn’t.
The boy fell — but Jesus lifted him.

And He can lift you too.

06/13/2026

Introduction

Why So Many Kinds of Baptists?
Missionary Baptist

Southern Baptist

Free Will Baptist

Independent Baptist

Bible Baptist

Primitive Baptist

General Baptist

Regular Baptist

National Baptist

Why These Labels Matter
Because “Baptist” alone doesn’t tell you:

What they believe about church authority

Whether they accept alien immersion

Whether they practice closed or open communion

Whether they are Calvinistic or non‑Calvinistic

Whether they believe in church perpetuity

Whether they use boards, conventions, or associations

Whether they hold to Landmark Doctrine

That’s why Landmark Missionary Baptists keep the “Missionary” label — it signals a specific doctrinal and historical identity that is very different from Southern, Free Will, Independent, or Bible Baptists.

The Bible

1. The Bible Is Complete
God finished His Book.
Nothing missing. Nothing extra needed. Nothing else coming.

2. Don’t Add to the Bible
God says three times: Do not add to My Word.
So we reject new revelations, traditions, councils, or anything claiming equal authority.

3. Don’t Take Away from the Bible
God also says: Do not remove anything.
We don’t cut out doctrines, soften sin, change ordinances, or rewrite the gospel.

4. The Bible Is Enough
Scripture fully equips the believer.
No council, creed, or denomination can improve what God already perfected.

5. The Lord’s Churches Stand on Scripture Alone
The Bible alone guides doctrine, worship, church order, discipline, and ordinances.
Add to it — you drift.
Take from it — you fall.
Stand on it — you remain a true church of Christ.

2. Ordinances

1 Corinthians 11:26 — “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

1. The Lord’s Supper Is a Church Ordinance
It belongs to the assembled church, not families or individuals.
That’s why we practice closed communion.

2. The Supper Preaches Christ Without Words
The bread and cup show His death — His body broken, His blood shed.
They don’t save or give grace; they declare what Jesus already finished.

3. The Supper Looks Back and Forward
It remembers Calvary and points to His return.
A church observes it until He comes.

4. The Supper Requires a Church in Order
We examine our unity, our walk, our relationships, and our repentance.
It’s not casual — it’s a holy act of a scriptural church.

5. The Supper Marks a True Church
Right elements.
Right authority.
Right participants.
Right purpose.
Right spirit.

A church that guards the Table isn’t being proud — it’s being obedient.

3. Membership

A Lost Church Member Is a Danger, Not Just “Out of Place”
A lost member can’t understand spiritual things, can’t follow the Spirit, can’t love truth, can’t support the mission, and can’t walk in unity.
He can influence decisions, attitudes, and direction — all while thinking he’s faithful.

A church full of such people is in trouble.

A Church Filled With Unsaved Members Is in Peril
When a church receives members carelessly or values numbers over purity, it becomes a “mixed multitude.”
That kind of membership:

loses spiritual power

loses doctrinal clarity

loses unity

loses discipline

and eventually loses its identity as a true New Testament church

This is why Landmark churches guard:

regenerate membership

scriptural baptism

church authority

closed communion

careful reception of members

These aren’t traditions — they’re protections.

A Pure Membership Is a Working Membership
When a church is made of saved, obedient, Spirit‑led, committed people, it can actually do the work Christ gave it:

evangelize

baptize

teach

disciple

send missionaries

guard doctrine

shine as a light

A regenerate membership isn’t optional — it’s essential.

4. Government

1. Even the Apostles Struggled With Pride
Three times they argued about who was greatest.
If they fell into pride, any church can.
Pride isn’t a small issue — it can split a church.

2. Christ’s Churches Are Built on Equality
Every member is equal in standing.
Different gifts, same value.
Christ is the only Head.
When equality is forgotten, pride rushes in.

3. Inequality Always Creates Trouble
“Elite” members and “power groups” plant seeds of division.
The apostles did this — comparing, competing, seeking position.
A church that tolerates inequality will reap jealousy and conflict.

4. A Church With Unequal Members Cannot Stay Unified
Unity requires humility.
When some think they’re “above” others, everything becomes political and strained.
A pride‑divided church cannot do the Lord’s work.

5. Equality Protects a Church’s Health
When every member is valued and accountable, the church stays healthy.
This is why Landmark churches emphasize congregational authority, regenerate membership, and scriptural discipline.
These aren’t traditions — they’re safeguards

Matthew 20:24–26 — Greatness in Christ’s Churches Is Measured by Service, Not Status

Mat 20:24
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Mat 20:25
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

1. The Disciples Got Angry Because They Wanted Rank
James and John asked for position, and the others got mad because they wanted the same thing.
They weren’t fighting over doctrine — they were fighting over status.
Pride always creates conflict.

2. Jesus Corrected Them With One Rule: “Not in My Churches.”
The world runs on rank, titles, and ladder‑climbing.
Christ’s churches do not.
No hierarchy. No special classes. No privileged members.
Christ is the Head, and every member stands equal under Him.

3. True Greatness Is Measured by Service, Not Status
Jesus said greatness is found in serving, not ruling.
When a church forgets this, it fills up with jealousy, competition, and wounded spirits.
When a church insists on equality and servanthood, it enjoys unity and peace.

4. Landmark Missionary Baptists Emphasize Equality Because Inequality Destroys Churches
Every member equal. Every vote equal. Every voice accountable.
But when families or “power groups” dominate, the church stops acting like a body and starts acting like a political system.
Christ didn’t build kingdoms — He built churches.
Family dominance destroys equality and breeds the same strife the apostles fell into.

5. Christ’s Churches Must Guard Against Self‑Promotion
The apostles struggled with it. Churches still struggle with it.
The cure is simple:

Serve.
Submit.
Humble yourself.
Honor others.
Follow Christ.

A church full of servants will never be a church full of strife.

06/13/2026

06/11/2026

THE BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES — PLAIN, SIMPLE, AND STRAIGHT FROM SCRIPTURE
Most churches say, “We follow the Bible.”
Most denominations claim to be “New Testament in faith and practice.”

But the Bible itself gives clear fingerprints of the kind of church Jesus built —
how it operates, what authority it has, and what doctrines it must hold.

These fingerprints are what set Baptists apart —
not because Baptists are better,
but because Baptists have historically stayed closest to the New Testament pattern.

throughout history, there were always churches that rejected Rome, rejected hierarchy, rejected infant baptism, and held to New Testament principles.

Wherever you find New Testament doctrine and New Testament practice, you find the New Testament church.

The historic Baptist position — especially in Landmark circles — is simple and bold:

The churches that held to New Testament doctrine, practice, and order have existed in every age, even if they weren’t always called “Baptists.”

Not a mystical line.
Not an unbroken chain of names.
But an unbroken chain of churches that held to:

Believer’s baptism

Local church autonomy

Congregational authority

Two offices (pastor and deacon)

Closed communion

Separation of church and state

Salvation by grace through faith

No infant baptism

No hierarchy, synods, or universal church structure

That’s the New Testament pattern — and that’s the pattern Baptists have historically guarded.

“Let’s take a look at the background scriptures and see how each one highlights a different Baptist distinctive.”

1. CHRIST STARTED HIS CHURCH DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY
Matthew 16:18

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus said, “I will build my church…”

He didn’t say He would build a denomination, a movement, or an invisible idea.
He built a real, visible, assembled body of baptized believers — a church you can actually join.

During His ministry, Jesus:

Called the disciples

Assembled them

Taught them

Gave them the ordinances

Commissioned them

Promised to empower them

Pentecost didn’t create the church — it empowered the church Christ had already built.

Why this matters:
If Christ founded the church, then:

No man can be its head

No hierarchy can rule it

No denomination can redefine it

This is the foundation of Baptist identity:
A church founded by Christ, governed by Scripture, practicing His ordinances, and carrying out His Commission.

2. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS AUTONOMOUS — IT ANSWERS ONLY TO CHRIST
Matthew 18:15–18

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus laid out the discipline process and showed who holds authority on earth:
the church, not a bishop, board, or denomination.

The church — the assembled congregation — makes the final decision, and heaven recognizes it.

Why this matters:
A true New Testament church is:

Self‑governing — makes its own decisions

Self‑supporting — funds its own work

Self‑propagating — sends its own missionaries

This isn’t stubborn independence.
It’s obedience to Christ’s design.

3. THE LORD’S SUPPER BELONGS TO THE LOCAL CHURCH
Mark 14:22–25

Mar 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
Mar 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Jesus gave the Supper to His assembled disciples, not to crowds, families, or all believers everywhere.

The setting shows the authority:
The church, not individuals, controls the Table.

The Supper is:

Symbolic, not sacramental

A memorial, not a mystical ritual

A church ordinance, not a community ceremony

Why this matters:
This supports:

Closed communion — only members of that church partake

Church authority — the church admits, fences, and administers

Symbolic elements — unleavened bread and fruit of the vine

The ordinances belong to Christ’s churches alone.

4. THE CHURCH CHOOSES ITS OWN LEADERS
Acts 1:15–26

Act 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Act 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Act 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Act 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Act 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Act 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Act 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Act 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Act 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Before Pentecost, the church — about 120 disciples — gathered and replaced Judas.
Not Rome.
Not a bishop.
Not a presbytery.
The church did it.

They:

Assembled

Considered qualifications

Prayed

Made the decision together

This is congregational government in its earliest form.

Why this matters:
Christ gave His churches:

The Great Commission

The ordinances

The keys of discipline

The right to select their own officers

Baptists therefore reject outside appointment systems.
Pastors and deacons are chosen by the congregation and accountable to it.

5. BAPTISM IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY — AFTER SALVATION
Acts 2:38

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized…”
Repentance comes first — that’s salvation.
Baptism follows — that’s obedience.

Baptism:

Does not save

Identifies the believer with Christ

Is immersion

Is done under church authority

Is required before joining the church

Why this matters:
This produces regenerate church membership — a church made up of:

Saved people

Baptized people

Obedient people

Not infants.
Not the unconverted.
Not those baptized before salvation.

6. CHRIST ALONE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH
Ephesians 1:22–23

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

God “gave Him to be the head over all things to the church.”

There is no earthly head:

No pope

No patriarch

No denominational president

Each church answers directly to Christ.

Why this matters:
Because Christ is the Head:

No outside body can rule a church

The state cannot control doctrine or worship

Denominations cannot dictate practice

Baptists have suffered for this conviction — but they have held it because Christ alone rules His churches.

7. THE BIBLE IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY
2 Timothy 3:16–17

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
And it is sufficient for doctrine, correction, and instruction.

The Bible alone governs:

Doctrine

Worship

Church order

Discipline

Ordinances

Confessions may help, but Scripture stands above every human document.

Why this matters:
Every Baptist distinctive flows from this one truth:
We believe what we believe because the Bible teaches it — not because a denomination demands it.

WHAT MAKES A BAPTIST A BAPTIST — IN SIMPLE TERMS
From Scripture, we see these marks:

The Bible is the final authority

The local church is autonomous

Two ordinances: Baptism & the Lord’s Supper

Regenerate church membership

Two offices: Pastor & Deacon

Separation of church & state

Christ founded His church during His ministry

Congregational government

Closed communion & scriptural baptism

These aren’t man‑made doctrines.
They rise straight from the New Testament pattern.

Baptists are Baptists because of Scripture.