by Sandy » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:36 pm
I don't think there's ever been conclusive agreement among Baptists as to what actually constitutes "historic Baptist principles" and what doesn't. There are some confessions of faith, but those are generally heavy toward things like soul freedom, the unique connection made between professing salvation, baptism and church membership, the nature of the triune God, the spontaneity and freedom of expression in worship, and if church polity and order is a factor, it is the lack of separation between clergy and laity, and the independence and autonomy of the local church, that are uniquely "Baptist." I haven't been in a Baptist church with elders, as far as being able to observe how that works, but in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the churches are elder "led", not "ruled" and the congregation is consulted, via an annual meeting, regarding elder reports and decisions made.
If a "historic Baptist principle" is determined not to be consistent with sound Biblical interpretation, then it is subject to change, to make certain the church is Biblical in practice and teaching, which is in itself as Baptist as you can be, with an identity that rests on the statement, "No creed but the Bible."