American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
Baptist, Mainline Protestant
Date Founded: 1907
Membership: 1,308,054 Number of Clergy: 6,414 Congregations: 5,000 (as of 2010)
Headquarters: 588 N Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406
Schools & Seminaries:
Core Beliefs:
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American Baptists believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith.
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For American Baptists the local church is the fundamental unit of mission in denominational life.
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American Baptists partake of two ordinances: believers’ baptism and The Lord’s Supper.
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American Baptists believe that the committed individual Christian can and should approach God directly, and that individual gifts of ministry should be shared.
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American Baptists take seriously the call to evangelism and missionary work.
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American Baptists support religious freedom and respect the expressions of faith of others.
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American Baptists acknowledge that God’s family extends beyond our local churches, and that God calls us to cooperative ministries.
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American Baptists have been called to be Christ’s witnesses for justice and wholeness within a broken society.
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American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership.
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American Baptists heed the biblical call to renewal and the need for a vital witness in a new millennium.
Short History:
The first American Baptist Association was formed in 1707. The Association split into Northern and Southern Conventions in 1845 over the issue of slavery. In 1950 the Northern Convention renamed itself the American Baptist Convention, and in 1972 became the American Baptist Churches USA. During the 20th Century the ABA lost membership as more conservative churches moved away from the group and became independent.
Local Churches close to LPTS campus:
Church Locator: https://www.abc-usa.org/find-a-church
