There are about 100 million Baptists who are members of their more than 220,000 congregations all over the world. This number is considered the largest of the evangelical Protestants combined, which is estimated to have 32 million members in North America alone, including the members of the churches of independent fundamental baptist.

Their origins have been traced to John Smyth and the Separatist Movement which began its roots in the year 1608 in England. The term “Baptist” originated with the Anabaptists. In history, this denomination is associated to the movements of the Separatist, English Dissenter, or Nonconformism that became known in the 16th century.

The prime distinction of a Baptist as indicated by their name is the practice of baptism for every believer. However, they believe that the baptismal rites must be done when the believer is already capable of understanding the act hence they reject infant baptism. They consider that baptism for Christians is an ordinance to be given only for believers. The act is done by immersion only and all the members of the baptist churches consider it as a symbolic act though this does not have any power in itself.

For the members of the Baptist churches, like those in the baptist churches Lexington, the act of baptism portraits what Christ has done for those who believe in His life and death, and what occurred during His burial and even his resurrection. What are being portrayed to them are the things that God performed for the believer as manifested through the new birth in baptism. This means being able to give death to the old life and allowing the newness of life to come into their lives. Baptism to them is a testimony of receiving their salvation though not actually a requisite for salvation. This is an act of obedience to Jesus Christ.

The Baptists have firm belief in what was written about the scriptures. They believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God where the prophecy is not sourced out from men themselves but from holy men who spoke as they are moved by the Holy Ghost.

In addition, Baptists believe that God is the only one, living, and true God. They regard Him as a personal, spiritual, and intelligent Being, Redeemer, Preserver, Creator, and Ruler of the universe. They are one in the belief that God is revealed as three Divine Beings with distinct attributes of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and that there is no division as to His being, essence, and nature.