The document is a sermon from First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi discussing Baptist beliefs. It begins by emphasizing that the glory of God should be the top priority in all things. The sermon then reviews the book of 2 Timothy, noting that Paul encouraged Timothy to guard the gospel and preach it despite suffering. It discusses why sound doctrine is important and reviews several Baptist creeds and statements of faith. The sermon outlines the basic Baptist beliefs using the acronym BAPTIST, explaining each letter. It closes by emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. 2 Timothy 2:1-13
Focused
A Look at Baptist Beliefs.
July 21, 2019
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
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2. July Memory Verse
James 1:25 NKJV
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
References
• MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Study Bible NKJV (Nashville, Nelson
Publishing, 1997).
• NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing, 1985).
• The Baptist Faith and Message, A Statement Adopted by the Southern
Baptist Convention, June 14, 2002.
• Carter, Dr. Charles, What Baptists Believe, Sermon on 11/24/2002, First
Baptist Jackson, MS.
Introduction to 2 Timothy
• Paul is again imprisoned in Rome by Emperor Nero when writing this 2nd
letter to Timothy.
• Timothy is the Pastor of the Church in Ephesus.
• Paul’s imprisonment this time is in a cold dungeon in chains.
• Paul knows his life and work is nearly at an end.
Summary of 2 Timothy
• Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of
persecution under Nero.
• Paul admonishes Timothy to:
- Guard the gospel. (1:14)
- Persevere during the persecution. (3:12,14)
- Keep on preaching the gospel. (4:2)
- Suffer for the gospel, if necessary. (1:8; 2:3)
Focus of Lesson Today
• Read 2 Timothy 2:1-13 NKJV.
• Discuss why doctrine is important.
• Discuss Baptist Beliefs.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV
Teach Others.
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the
things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 NKJV
Stay focused like a soldier or a competitive athlete.
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one
engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may
please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in
athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:6-7 NKJV
Stay focused on the mission.
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I
say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
• “hardworking” – From a Greek verb meaning ‘to labor to the point of
exhaustion.’
2 Timothy 2:8-10 NKJV
Stay focused on eternity.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead
according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the
point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all
things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is
in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NKJV
A ‘faithful saying’ of eternal importance.
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
• Verses 11-13 are probably an early Christian Hymn that expresses that
suffering for Christ will be followed by glory.

4. Paul’s letters to Timothy continually focus on teaching sound doctrine.
• 1 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJV
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you
may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to
fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly
edification which is in faith.
• 1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing
this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Doctrine
• The Latin word is doctrina – “That which is taught.”
• In Christian usage, it refers to Christian teaching about Scripture, God,
man, Christ, salvation, church, and the end of all things.
• One of the root ideas in the word doctrine is instruction, especially in the
Old Testament.
Sound Doctrine in the New Testament.
Titus 1:9 NIV
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he
can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Doctrine in the Bible.
• The Bible was not given by God in the form of an organized manual or
playbook of doctrines.
• Man’s attempt to organize the
basic doctrines of the Bible
(Christianity) has resulted in many
“creeds” and “confessions” as
denominations aligned with
interpretations of scriptures.
• Christianity without doctrine is
impossible – we must know what
we believe and teach.
Historical Examples of Creeds and
Confessions.
• Didache (Teachings of the 12
Apostles)– 1st century.
• Apostles’ Creed – 120 - 250 AD.
• Creed of Nicaea – 325 AD.
• Chalcedonian Creed – 451 AD.
• Athanasian Creed – 500 AD.
• Etc.

5. Historical Baptist Documents – Statements of Beliefs.
• Thomas Helwys Confession of Faith. (1611)
• Baptist Confession of Faith. (1644)
• The Orthodox Creed of the General Baptists. (1678)
• The Free-will Baptist Confession. (1689)
• 15+ more Creeds from. 1868-2000
• Baptist Faith and Message. 2000
• Most Recent.
Foundational verse for discussing doctrine.
• 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Three questions to ask when comparing other religions to Christianity.
1. What do you believe about the Bible?
2. What do you believe about Jesus?
3. How are you saved from your sins?
What do Baptist Believe?
• There is no single belief that is unique only to Baptists.
• The uniqueness is our collection of beliefs.
• Not all Baptists agree.
• Non-essentials.
• No specific creeds.
• Baptist Faith & Message.
• Do not sign a statement of beliefs when you join.
• Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice.
Brief History of Baptists:
• Protestant Reformation in 16th Century.
1. What must I do to be saved?
2. Where can I find the true church?
• Many opinions about essential baptism.
• Felix Manz in Zurich rejected state church and insisted on baptism for
believers only.
1. 1st Martyr in 1527.

6. Baptist Founders:
• John Smyth and Thomas Helwys.
• Helwys founded a Baptist church in 1611 in England.
• Advocates for believer’s baptism.
• Anabaptists.
• Baptize again.
• Advocated for separation of church and state and religious liberty for all
people.
• First Edition of the King James Bible was in 1611.
Baptist Church in America – Roger Williams:
• 1638 in Providence, RI founded by Roger Williams.
• Believed in separation of church and state and was against slavery.
• Defended the rights of Indians against the English settlers.
First Southern Baptist Church:
• Charleston, SC.
• Organized in 1682 in Kittery, Maine but immigrants did not arrive until 1696.
• The Southern Baptist Convention was formed May 10, 1845 in Augusta, GA.
• The separating issue to form the SBC was the desire to appoint missionaries
who were also slave owners.
Mississippi Baptists:
• 1st recorded Baptist church was Coles Creek Baptist Church (Jefferson
County) in 1791.
- Renamed Salem Baptist Church.
• Mississippi became a state in 1817.
• Mississippi Baptist Convention was founded 1836.
• First Baptist Church Jackson was founded in 1838.

7. What are the basic Baptist beliefs?
B – Baptism by immersion for believers.
A – Autonomy of the local church.
P – Priesthood of the believer.
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for salvation.
I – Inspiration and authority of Scripture.
S – Separation of church and state.
T – Testimony to the whole world.
Statement of Faith and Message:
• Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) – “The Baptist Faith & Message,” adopted
June 14, 2000.
• First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS (FBCJ)– “What We Believe/Mission
Statement/Core Values”, Adopted by FBCJ May 12, 2012 (God, The Bible,
Mankind, The Church, Stewardship, Family).
B – Baptism by immersion for believers.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
1. By Immersion Only – “Baptidzo” means ‘to dip or immerse.’
‐ It does not translate into sprinkling.
2. For Believers Only – Immersion baptism is appropriate after a profession of
faith in Christ.
‐ No infant baptism.
‐ No ‘regeneration baptism’ with conversion at baptism.
‐ Salvation is not dependent on baptism.
A – Autonomy of the local church.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
• Self-rule/self-government is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
• FBCJ is totally independent of other SBC churches.
• No other SBC church can dictate to FBCJ.
• FBCJ cannot dictate to any other SBC church.
• The SBC has no control over FBCJ.
• FBCJ decides own name, worship style, contributions to SBC, governance,
selection of pastor, role of women, etc.

8. P – Priesthood of the believer.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not
have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all
points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• Every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus.
• You do not have to go through a priest or other person to have access to
God.
• This is both a privilege and a responsibility.
• Every Christian has the right to read and interpret Scripture for
himself/herself.
• This direct access to God and the right to read and interpret Scripture leads
to the concept of “individual responsibility.”
• George Truett (1867-1944) quote, “Individual interpretation is the cardinal,
bedrock principle from which all our Baptist principles emerge.”
• We do not have the freedom to distort Scripture!
P – Perseverance of the Saints.
John 10:27-29 NKJV
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them
out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and
no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
• The eternal security of believers is assured by Jesus.
• “Once saved, always saved.”
• If you are truly saved, you cannot lose your salvation.
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for salvation.
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
• Solo fida.
• Justification by “faith alone” in Jesus.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

9. I – Inspiration and authority of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
• There is confusion over the application of Scripture to the terms: Inspiration,
Infallibility, Interpretation and Inerrancy.
The Inspiration of Scripture:
• Southern Baptists believe in the ‘divine inspiration’ of the Scriptures as being
‘God-breathed.’
• God chose to convey His Words through humans as instruments.
• By the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, humans wrote the words inspired
to them.
Infallible vs. Inerrant:
• Infallible – Without error; there can be no error.
- The original manuscripts, in the original language, were perfect as
the Holy Spirit directed the writers.
- We do not have the originals for comparisons.
- Translational differences do exist.
- No errors in the original texts, but transcription and translational error
can exist.
• Inerrant – All that the Bible affirms is true.
- The Bible is fully truthful, trustworthy and reliable.
- The Bible has no error in its content or in its teachings.
- The Bible is without any mixture of error.
Interpretation of Scripture:
• It is wrong to say, “My interpretation of the Bible is infallible (without error).”
• We don’t have to be identical twins to be brothers/sisters in Christ.
• We can disagree with each other over the interpretation of non-essential
points and still believe in the inspiration and authority of Scripture.
• The Holy Spirit guides each believer in personal interpretation of Scripture.
• We believe in the Priesthood of Believers and the personal accountability
to God.
• With freedom comes the responsibility not to distort!

10. S – Separation of church and state.
Matthew 22:21b NKJV
21b And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,
and to God the things that are God’s.”
• We believe in a free church in a free state.
• The state should allow freedom in the church.
• The church should allow freedom in the state.
• The state cannot declare one church as the “State Religion or State
Church.”
• We believe all people should be free to worship as they feel led by God.
T – Testimony to the whole world.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
• It is the duty of every Christian to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ.
• We believe in missions!
What are the basic Baptist beliefs?
B – Baptism by immersion for believers.
A – Autonomy of the local church.
P – Priesthood of the believer.
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for salvation.
I – Inspiration and authority of Scripture.
S – Separation of church and state.
T – Testimony to the whole world.
Closing Scripture:
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The Plan of Hope & Salvation:
John 3:16-17 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not
send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him
might be saved.”

11. John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to
pay the penalty for our sin.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the “second death” explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
• Anyone who’s lifestyle is one or more of the sins listed in Revelation 21:8,
will experience the “second death” if they do not repent.
• To Repent means to turn around, to go in the opposite direction, to turn
away from sin and to come to Jesus.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be overcomers.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

12. Do you have questions?
Would you like to know more?
Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/