Baptist Polity

A study of the principles and practices of a Baptist church. 

About This Course

Course Name/Code: Baptist Polity, GPA 614
Description: A study of the function of a Baptist church from a Biblical and historical perspective, with special attention given to current trends in Baptist polity. The course will examine the distinctives of historic Baptist churches, the governmental structure and officers of a local church, the discipline of the membership, the responsibility of a church in society, and trends in church polity in our movement.
*Prerequisites:   Credits/Hours: 2

Instructors and Texts

Instructors Who Teach This Course: Dr. Larry Oats
Required Text(s) Students must purchase and possess the required text(s) by the first day of class. Order early:

  • Dever, Mark & Alexander, Paul. The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel. Crossway Books, 2005
    • ISBN-10: 1-58134-738-3
    • ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-738-8
  • Hiscox, Edward T. Principles and Practices for Baptist Churches. Grand Rapids:Kregel Publications, 1986.
    • ISBN-10: 0-8254-2860-2
    • ISBN-13: 978-0-8254-2860-9
  • Richard V. Clearwaters, The Local Church of the New Testament. Minneapolis: Central Baptist Seminary, 2001.

  • You can purchase your textbook from wherever you can find it cheapest (i.e. Amazon, Half Books.) or you can purchase it from MBS Direct at certain times of the year.

Course Workload Preview

The following preview of anticipated course workload is subject to instructor change.

  • Complete the required reading.
  • Participate in the online discussion.
  • Write a research paper on any area of Baptist Polity that interests you.
  • Take a final exam.
  • Submit a summary of all reading completed for the class

* = Planning to complete a Maranatha degree? Then. . .

  • Make sure you follow course prerequisites exactly.
  • Make sure you're taking courses that fulfill the Biblical Studies and General Studies Cores requirements and the requirements of your anticipated major (check catalog). Some test-out options are available for Core courses. 

 Will I be good at online learning? What technical requirements do I need?

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