Salvation by grace through faith alone; personal conversion required
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 teaches that salvation involves the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification are all aspects of the one salvation accomplished by God's grace. Salvation cannot be earned by human works but is received through repentance and personal faith in Christ.
SBC theology is broadly evangelical and Arminian-leaning in popular practice, though individual churches and theologians hold varying positions on the extent of divine election and human free will. The BFM2000 affirms that election is based on God's foreknowledge and that genuine faith results in a transformed life. The issue of 'once saved, always saved' (eternal security or 'perseverance of the saints') is affirmed by the SBC.
Baptism is not considered salvific; it is an ordinance that publicly declares a prior inward conversion. The SBC has historically resisted sacramental theology and insists that only repentance and faith — not ritual acts — constitute the means of salvation.
Key Distinctions
- Justification means:
- faith alone (sola fide); personal conversion and repentance required
- Election type:
- varies — Calvinist (particular) Baptists affirm unconditional election; General Baptists affirm conditional
- Baptismal regeneration:
- baptism is an ordinance (symbolic); not regenerating
- Eternal security:
- varies — many affirm 'eternal security'; others allow falling from grace
Scripture References
Sources
- Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article IV: Salvation