"It seemed good to the Holy Spirit & to us". (Acts 15:28)

So we find that in the New Testament that the Church:-
*    is to maintain unity in its thoughts & actions.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph 4:3)

*    is responsible for maintaining pure doctrine & practise

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21)

*    has the gospel ordinances committed to its keeping.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20)

*    elects its own officers.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23)

*    exercises discipline & the spirit of encouragement over its members.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector". (Matt 18:15-17spant)

"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins". (James 5:19-20)

Financial Worship:-

Much of the work cannot be carried out without money, this entails the need of the members to gave 'as the Lord has prospered them'. This means that those who have more than others will give more than others. We do not believe that it is honouring to God to take the financial needs of the Church to the wider community with begging bowl in hand. It is as though we are saying that the God who created the world and has authority over death cannot supply the needs of His people and needs mans help to do it. So we reach into our own pockets and pray for Gods help both believing, and experiencing the truth that...

"My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Cor. 12:9)

Co-Operation:-

Baptists are not isolationists. the Great Commission which the Church of God has been entrusted with is too important for us to separate ourselves from others with whom we are in partnership with as to regards this great responsibility of sharing the love of God with the world at large.
So, though the Baptists have their own denominational organization known as The Baptist Union, it is itself a member of The Baptist world Alliance which links the 30 million Baptist of the world together for fellowship, evangelism & Social Mission.
In addition many Baptist Churches (including ourselves) are members of  the Evangelical Alliance, which links Churches of all denominations together as a common voice on the issues of our day. So the truth is that when you become a member of a Baptist Church you join more than at first meets the eye.