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The Distinctiveness of Baptist: A Sketch of the Primary and Basic Insights

The Distinctiveness of Baptist: A Sketch of the Primary and Basic Insights

Andres S. TANG

This paper aims to give a sketch of the primary and basic insights of the Baptists. Against the background of identity crisis, both theological and Christian identities, in the modern world, Baptists in America and Great Britain are involved in the reflection of the distinctiveness of the Baptists among various Protestant denominations. It is true that Baptists share the understandings of Christian faith with the Protestant in broad sense. However, through a reflection of the crisis Baptists are facing, ecclesiology emerges as its unique contribution to the Protestant Church. Baptism, on the one hand, is emphasized among Baptists for its individual, personal relation with Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it is the immersion into the local church represented by the Christian's immersion in the water. These two pillars of Baptist ecclesiology are grounded in the following two confessions: Jesus Christ is the Lord and the covenant of walking together. Indeed the covenant of Jesus Christ the Lord to the Christian requires him/her to walk with the other Christian. This kind of ecclesiology helps the Baptists to face the crisis of theological uniqueness and the crisis of Christian atomic individualism in the modern secular world.

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Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...