Have you noticed a Free Will Baptist church in your commu­nity? Maybe you have heard of “Baptists” all your life but never realized there are actually dozens of Baptist groups. But who are these Baptists with “Free Will” before their name? And how are they different from the other Baptist groups?

The Free Will Baptist denomination is a fellowship of evangeli­cal churches that adhere to the Bible as the foundation of faith and practice. The denomination began in 1727, and for nearly 300 years has contributed to the moral and spiritual fiber of the nation. Bound by common beliefs, common worship, and a common mission, nearly 300,000 individuals from 2,500 congregations across 40 states have come together voluntarily to extend their impact throughout the world.

Free Will Baptists are fundamental in doctrine, that is, they share the historic Christian Faith with all other genuine Chris­tians. They are, as the name indicates, Baptist in doctrine, teaching that immersion—not sprin­kling or pouring—is the correct method of baptism. Finally, Free Will Baptists are free will in doctrine. Some Chris­tian groups believe God predetermined who would be saved and lost, that Jesus died only for certain “elect” individuals, and the rest have no opportunity to be saved.

In contrast, Free Will Baptists believe God desires salvation for all and sent Jesus to die for everyone. Still, He has given man the freedom of choice to accept or reject Christ’s sacrifice. Those who put faith in Christ’s work are saved. 

Free Will Baptist churches are self-governing, own their own property, and call their own pastors. Yet these independent churches have chosen to work together to carry out various enterprises and programs beyond the scope of the local church. These efforts include several colleges and missions efforts both at home and abroad. The denomination supports missionaries in 20 international locations as well as the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Free Will Baptists enjoy an extensive publishing ministry headed by Randall House Publications.

The National Association of Free Will Baptists maintains an executive office building at 5233 Mt. View Road in Antioch, Tennessee. The Executive Office plays a vital role in providing direction to the denomination by correlating national ministries and ad­ministering denominational affairs.

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The Free Will Baptist Church Covenant was devised to help members with their responsibilities to Christ, to one another, and to their Christian obligations. Its purpose is to help balance a believer’s practice and faith, conduct and doctrine, actions and words. The covenant is a collection of written promises made to God before one another dealing with spiritual and moral commitments, faith and conduct, and relationships.

 

Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.

 

We promise, by His grace, to love and obey Him in all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to abstain from all sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and sale of intoxicating beverages, and to “provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

 

We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in reference to the study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

 

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the ordinances of the Gospel; nor fail to pay according to our ability for the support of the church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.

 

We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to “keep the unity of the Spirit” in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one another’s happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage the afflicted, admonish the erring, and as far as we are able, promote the success of the church and of the Gospel.

 

We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society, constantly praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational and denominational enterprises, the support of missions, the success of Sunday schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world. And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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