National Association of Free Will Baptists
The Free Will Baptists trace their roots to the General Baptist tradition in England and early colonial America, organized formally in North Carolina in 1727 and restructured as the National Association of Free Will Baptists in 1935. They hold to Arminian soteriology, believer's baptism by immersion, the possibility of apostasy, and congregational polity. Distinctive practices include foot washing as a third ordinance alongside baptism and the Lord's Supper. They emphasize personal conversion, biblical authority, and evangelical mission.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Arminian salvation: grace through faith; entire sanctification possible; apostasy possible
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Penal substitutionary atonement; Christ died for all; unlimited atonement
Predestination
Nuanced
Conditional election based on foreseen faith; no double predestination; free will
Original Sin
Affirms
Inherited sinful nature; inherited guilt debated; prevenient grace restores ability
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul; conscious existence after death; bodily resurrection at Last Day
Hell
Affirms
Eternal conscious punishment; place of separation and torment for unrighteous
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life in God's presence; bodily resurrection; beatific vision
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ will return personally, bodily, and visibly to judge all humanity
Millennium
Nuanced
Premillennial common; no binding denominational position; varies by association
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Congregational polity with associational cooperation; Scripture is supreme authority
Clergy & Priesthood
Nuanced
Ordained ministers; priesthood of all believers; foot washing among ordained
Sacraments & Ordinances
Affirms
Three ordinances: believer's baptism by immersion, Lord's Supper, foot washing
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
The Logos is fully divine; eternal Word is fully God in nature and attributes
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth affirmed; Isaiah 7:14 predicts Christ's miraculous conception
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's faith as foundation; church is based on confession of Christ
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's foreknowledge and choice; human free will and responsibility are real
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith without works is dead; works are evidence and expression of genuine faith
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ is God; worthy of worship, honor, and complete devotion
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Premillennial view prominent; some diversity in millennial interpretation allowed
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
Creation ex nihilo; God created all things from nothing; Creator-creature distinction
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Affirms
Longer ending is canonical; part of Scripture for Free Will Baptist doctrine and practice
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Affirms
Passage affirmed; story exemplifies Christ's mercy and call to repentance
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Trinitarian truth affirmed; text status is complex but doctrine is essential
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; 66-book Protestant canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas is not canonical Scripture; no authority for Free Will Baptist doctrine
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday as Lord's Day; no strict Sabbatarian observance; worship focus
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
Blood transfusions permitted; no religious prohibition; medical care affirmed
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted and honored; just war tradition affirmed
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas and Easter observed; no strict liturgical mandate; cultural customs