The United Baptist Church is an evangelical Christian denomination that adheres to Baptist theology. As a Baptist church, they believe in key doctrines such as believer’s baptism, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, and the autonomy of local churches. Some of the core beliefs of United Baptists include:
Salvation through Faith in Christ
United Baptists believe that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They believe that all people are sinners in need of salvation, which is made possible by Christ’s atoning death on the cross and victorious resurrection. When a person repents of their sins and puts their faith in Christ, they receive forgiveness, are born again by the Holy Spirit, and declared righteous before God.
Baptism of Believers by Immersion
United Baptists practice baptism by full immersion in water after a person makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. They reject infant baptism, instead baptizing those old enough to understand the Gospel and freely choose to follow Christ. Baptism does not save a person but shows outwardly what God has done inwardly in washing away sin and regenerating the believer by the Holy Spirit.
The Authority of Scripture
United Baptists believe the 66 books of the Bible are the divinely inspired Word of God and the sole authority for matters of doctrine and practice. The Scriptures are fully true, containing no errors or contradictions. Both the Old and New Testaments progressively reveal God’s redemptive plan that culminates in Christ.
The Priesthood of all Believers
United Baptists believe that all Christians are priests before God, enabled to pray directly to Him and minister to one another. The priesthood is not limited to church leaders. Every believer has equal access to God and the responsibility to live out the Gospel by sharing their faith and serving others.
Local Church Autonomy
United Baptist churches are self-governing under the lordship of Christ. There is no hierarchy beyond the local church level. Each church calls its own pastor, approves budgets, manages programs, owns property, and conducts business apart from external control and oversight.
Basic Christian Doctrines
In addition to distinct Baptist beliefs, United Baptists affirm essential Christian doctrines shared by evangelicals, including:
The Trinity
God eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three are equally and fully God, coequal and coeternal.
The Virgin Birth
Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. This affirms Christ’s full deity united with full humanity.
Christ’s Atoning Death and Bodily Resurrection
Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, and rose physically from the dead three days later. His sacrifice is the only basis for salvation.
| Doctrine | United Baptist Belief |
|---|---|
| Salvation | By grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone |
| Baptism | Full immersion of believers after conversion |
| Lord’s Supper | Symbolic remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death |
| Scripture | The Bible is the infallible Word of God |
| The Church | A local congregation of baptized believers |
Christ’s Return
Jesus Christ will visibly and bodily return to earth someday. This will complete God’s salvation plan by raising the dead in Christ to eternal life and judging the world in righteousness.
Worship Style
United Baptist worship services are focused on exalting God through singing, prayer, Biblical preaching, Scripture reading, giving tithes, and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Music is typically a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs. Services follow a basic order but there is freedom for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Preaching
United Baptist preaching centers on explaining and applying Scripture. Sermons aim to glorify God and convict, instruct, encourage, and challenge the congregation in their faith. Preaching is seen as a spiritual act empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Ordinances
United Baptists practice two ordinances or ceremonies commanded by Jesus: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is reserved for new believers while the Lord’s Supper is celebrated regularly as a memorial of Christ’s death.
Church Government
The United Baptist denomination has a congregational form of church government. Each local church is self-governing, elects its own pastors and leaders, and owns its own property. There are associations and state/regional conventions that facilitate cooperation, but they cannot impose control over local churches.
Pastors and Deacons
United Baptist churches have a pastor who provides primary leadership and regular preaching. Deacons serve under the pastor to care for practical and spiritual needs within the church. Both pastors and deacons are selected by the congregation.
Polity
Major decisions in United Baptist churches are made democratically with congregational voting, emphasizing the priesthood of all believers. Members govern the church directly or through elected representatives like deacons and trustees.
Outreach and Social Views
United Baptists place strong emphasis on missionary work, evangelism, discipleship, and ministering to those in need. They uphold biblically-informed positions on social issues but emphasize sharing the Gospel above all.
Missions
United Baptists have local, domestic, and international missions programs to spread the Gospel. Missionaries plant new churches, evangelize unreached people groups, train leaders, and provide humanitarian aid.
Social Views
United Baptists espouse conservative views on gender, sexuality, marriage, abortion and other social issues based on their interpretation of Scripture. However, many churches downplay political activism to focus on Gospel proclamation.
History
The United Baptist denomination formed through the merger of several different Baptist groups and missionary societies in the early 1900s. It grew rapidly and became one of the largest Baptist denominations in America by mid-century.
Origins
The oldest precursor to the United Baptists was founded as an association of Baptist churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1707. Other regional Baptist groups emerged and eventually coordinated missions through the Triennial Convention starting in 1814.
Unification
In 1905, four major Baptist conventions agreed to unify as the United Baptist Convention of the United States of America. More joined within a decade, establishing a national denomination by 1915. It took the name United Baptist Church in America in 1925.
Recent Decades
The United Baptist Church continued growing through evangelism and church planting in the 20th century. Growth has slowed since the 1970s but it remains one of the largest Baptist groups in the U.S. with over 2 million members.
Comparison to other Baptists
United Baptists share core beliefs and practices with other evangelical Baptist groups like the Southern Baptist Convention but have some notable differences:
| Doctrine | United Baptist | Southern Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Calvinism | Varies by church | Mostly Reformed |
| Women pastors | Permitted | Generally prohibited |
| Worship style | Blended | Mostly traditional |
| Church government | Congregational | Elder-led congregationalism |
Diversity
United Baptists exhibit more ethnic, cultural, and theological diversity compared to other Baptist groups. Churches have autonomy to contextualize ministry to their communities.
Governance
The United Baptist denomination has a less hierarchical structure than some other Baptists. Local churches are fully self-governing and the conventions provide voluntary cooperative relationships.
Conclusion
United Baptists adhere to core Baptist beliefs like salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, believer’s baptism, the priesthood of believers, and local church autonomy. They also affirm historic Christian doctrines. United Baptist worship balances traditional and contemporary elements. The denomination has an association-based structure that preserves local church self-governance. United Baptists emphasize missions and evangelism while tending to avoid political divisiveness.