Baptists are fifth largest Christian church in the world. with churches in almost every country in the world and about 40 million members worldwide.

 In Britain there are 2,150 churches belonging to the Baptist Union of Great Britain, with around 150,000 members. The name 'Baptist' comes from the Baptist practice of immersion in water.

Baptism

Baptists don't believe in infant baptism, we believe that baptism is for believers only - those who can personally declare Jesus as Lord. Some churches will re-baptise those who were baptised as infants in another Christian tradition.

Equality

In the Baptist movement we believe that everyone is equal. There is no hierarchy of bishops or priests to exercise their authority over church members. We don't believe that authority flows down from previous church leaders who can be traced back to the apostles in apostolic succession.

Baptists are congregational: each church is self-governing and self-supporting, made up of members, each with a role to play. The churches encourage those attending to become church members through baptism. This entitles them to vote at the church meeting where all decisions are made.

 Final authority doesn't rest with the minister or deacons but with the actual church members at the meeting. The Church appoints ministers, elders, deacons and others who help to lead, agree financial policy and determine mission strategy. Baptists also believe that churches should not live in isolation but be interdependent.