He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because God inspires the Bible and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture's inherent authority.

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."                         (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV) 

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus, the church is autonomous or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body.

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."  (Colossians 1:18)

Every born-again believer has direct access to the throne of God.  Therefore, since every child of God shares in the priesthood of the believers, all have the same right as ordained ministers to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in Christ's name.  First, this is a matter of responsibility and servanthood, not privilege and license.

“you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  (1 Peter 2:5)

We practice only believer's baptism by immersion, which is the only acceptable mode for baptism because it alone preserves the picture of saving truth. No other form pictures Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-5). We believe the Lord's Supper is a symbolic ordinance, picturing Christ's body broken for our sins and His blood shed for our redemption. It is not a saving ordinance, but it helps us remember His death and inspires us while looking forward to His coming. It is to be observed by regenerate, obedient believers. 

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NKJV)

Every individual Christian has the liberty to believe, right or wrong, as his/her conscience dictates. While we seek to persuade men to choose what is right, a person must not be forced into compliance, realizing that it is not always the larger group who holds the truth when, in fact, our heritage as Baptists has demonstrated the worth of every individual believer.

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”  (Romans 14:12 NKJV ref. also Galatians 2:11-21)

Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them"..." praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:41,47 NKJV)

The Bible mandates only two offices in the church: pastor and deacon. The three terms: "pastor," "elder," and "bishop," or "overseer" all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.

"This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work"..."For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."   (1 Timothy 3:1-13 NKJV ref. also Matthew 20: 25-28)

God established both the church and the civil government, giving each its distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church's purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence the government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” (Romans 13:1-3 NKJV)

https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/wpassets/article27_12_19_05b.pdf

https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/wpassets/article1_1204b.pdf

https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/wpassets/article4_2_21_05b.pdf

https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/wpassets/article17_8_22_05b.pdf

https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/wpassets/article23_11_07_05b.pdf