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Baptist
Official WebsiteBaptist
Founded 1609
Nashville, TN
41,570 churches
Baptists are one of the largest Protestant traditions in the world, tracing their roots to the Radical Reformation. They are known for believer's baptism by immersion, congregational church governance, and a strong emphasis on Scripture as the sole authority for faith and practice. The Baptist tradition encompasses a wide range of denominations, from the Southern Baptist Convention to American Baptist Churches USA.
Doctrine
What We Believe
Salvation
Grace through faith alone (sola fide); personal decision to accept Christ
Scripture
Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God; sole authority
Baptism
Believer's baptism by full immersion; no infant baptism
Communion
Memorial ordinance; symbolic remembrance of Christ's sacrifice
Worship Style
Typically traditional to contemporary; sermon-centered
Church Government
Congregational; each local church is autonomous
Women in Leadership
Varies by denomination; many restrict senior pastor role to men
LGBTQ+ Stance
Varies; many conservative Baptist bodies hold traditional marriage view
Geography
Where to Find Baptist
Texas4,379
Alabama3,247
Tennessee2,583
Georgia2,473
North Carolina1,980
South Carolina1,951
Florida1,889
41,570 Baptist churches
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Directory
Featured Baptist Churches
Frequently Asked Questions
Baptist churches emphasize the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, and believer's baptism by immersion. Most Baptists hold to the priesthood of all believers, meaning every Christian has direct access to God without a human mediator.
Baptists practice believer's baptism (immersion only, after a profession of faith), while Methodists accept infant baptism by sprinkling. Baptists also tend to have autonomous local church governance, whereas Methodist churches operate under a connectional system with bishops.
A typical Baptist service includes congregational singing (hymns or contemporary worship), prayer, Scripture reading, and a sermon that is usually the centerpiece of the service. Most Baptist churches observe the Lord's Supper monthly or quarterly rather than weekly.
You can browse thousands of Baptist churches on PewSearch by filtering the directory by denomination. Search by your city or zip code to find Baptist churches nearby, complete with service times, contact information, and directions.
Expect a welcoming atmosphere with greeters at the door. Services typically last 60 to 90 minutes. Dress codes vary by congregation — some are more formal while many are casual. Visitors are usually acknowledged but not put on the spot.
No. Baptists believe baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to follow Christ. Baptism is by full immersion and is seen as an outward expression of an inward faith, not a means of salvation.
Most Baptist churches are congregationally governed, meaning the local congregation makes decisions through democratic vote. Each church is autonomous and self-governing, though many voluntarily associate with conventions like the Southern Baptist Convention or American Baptist Churches USA.
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