CHURCH LIBERTY

Allowing no hierarchy over the local congregation

"For Baptists, church freedom means that a local Baptist church has the right and responsibility to run its own affairs under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. No bishop or pastor, no civil leader or magistrate, no religious body or convention of churches can dictate to the local church. To permit such dictation is to abdicate freedom and obligation"–Walter Shurden

Each local church is inspired directly by the Holy Spirit and each local church is accountable directly to God.

Baptists believe in the autonomy of the local church and the necessity for churches to be associated together in order to do mission.

The local church is the highest expression of the church.