When someone ask me, “What kind of church is Bridge Church?” I don’t immediately start talking denomination, but we affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. In many South Louisiana minds, Baptist are known for two things: They don’t drink and they don’t dance.

So recently I was asked: “Can you dance?”

My answer: “No. But that has little to do with Baptist doctrine and more about my inability to do anything in rhythm. I probably would dance if I could.”

I’m not sure where the “Baptist don’t dance” thing got started, but I know a church in our area actually had to amend their By-laws a few years back so that a wedding party could do a “first dance” at their reception.

So if someone asks you if Baptist can dance, the correct answer is: “Some can and some can’t.”

What makes a Baptist a Baptist? One thing: Authority. Baptist believe in the authority of the Bible alone for faith and practice. So that informs us on our other major distinctives. Such as, Believers Baptism – the practice of baptizing those who put their faith in Christ at the point of their decision to follow Christ and not until. And baptists are not alone in this belief, but that’s the short answer anyway.

Do you believe someone can lose their salvation? My answer: No. Some verses that inform my belief are in John 10:27-29.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

I’m reminded that salvation is God’s work, not mine. So if I can do nothing to gain it, how could I do something to lose it.

The Baptist have gotten a bad rap for this statement which I hate – “Once saved, always saved.” Thinking of John 10, I like “if saved, always saved” because “No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”

That’s me. What’s your belief?

Of course my favorite answer to questions about personal beliefs came from my Systematic Theology prof in Seminary who would always say: “This is what I believe. But if I get to heaven and it’s not that way, I’m not going to ask for a transfer.”

The main thing and the thing that is non-negotiable is – Jesus alone get you there. Do you have a relationship with him? We’ll let Him set us straight on all the other issues throughout all eternity.

And, I do believe that I’ll have rhythm in heaven. Looking forward to that!