I AM A BAPTIST… BY DENOMINATION
There are many reasons given by the brethren why they are Baptist. I am a Baptist by denomination, not by tradition. Many use an acrostic to explain their core beliefs. I will do the same.
B– Born again by regeneration. Every believer is a new person IN Christ.
A-Autonomy of the local church. No other church or denomination has any authority over any other church.
P-Preservation of the believer. The believer is preserved and eternally secure because he is IN Christ.
T-Two ordinances: baptism in water, and the Lord’s Supper. How often these are to be observed is at the discretion of the church.
I-Inspiration of the Scriptures (KJV). We believe the KJV is the preserved Word of God for the English speaking world.
S-Separation of church and state. The Christian is to render to Caesar and to God that which they require. When these are in conflict God is to be obeyed.
T-Two future comings of Christ: Pre-Tribulation rapture and the Second Advent, or the Revelation. We believe the rapture of all Christians takes place prior to the Great Tribulation. The revelation, or Second coming of Christ is seven years later. This is followed by the Judgment of the nations and the thousand year reign of Christ on earth from Jerusalem.
(Note:) We believe it is impossible to have correct doctrine, of the church or of practical Christianity when 2 Timothy 2:15 is ignored. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.