Why IBN?

1) Baptists believe in association

While Baptists believe strongly in the autonomy of the local church they also believe in the need for association as an expression of belonging to a body of believers who share similar convictions and practices. Such a conviction lies at the heart of the reason for the existence of Baptist Unions, Conventions and Associations. It is commonly accepted by Unions, Conventions and Associations that they themselves cannot exist in isolation and remain separate from one another. In IBN we believe continental and global expressions of Baptist co-operation are an important and indispensible expression of the Baptist conviction of association.

2) The practice of Baptist principles

Baptists profess a strong commitment to principles such as witness and liberty. While some Unions, Conventions and Associations have the numerical and financial strength to engage in mission, social action and advocacy for those experiencing religious persecution, many do not. Bodies such as European Baptist Federation and Baptist World Alliance fulfil an essential role in providing a vehicle for small communities of Baptists in Europe and around the world to be able to engage in mission and social action. In addition, their numerical strength and global reach enables them to act as powerful advocates for Baptists and other Christians in situations of persecution. 

Engagement with the European Baptist Federation and Baptist World Alliance demonstrates a commitment to the significance of the Baptist way of being Christian in the world. It provides the opportunity to put principles of association, witness and liberty into practice without threat or requirement to compromise on Association or local distinctive or conviction. 

The Baptist World Alliance welcomed IBN as an Associate Member in 2014 and the European Baptist Federation welcomed IBN as an Affiliated Network in 2012. The kingdom relationships developed through these links have been enriching. We have been pleased to welcome brothers and sisters from both organisations to Ireland. We feel able to contribute to the shared life and witness particularly across Europe, and special links have been developed with our brothers and sisters in Lebanon and Ukraine.

3) The Baptist way of being Christian matters

There are many expressions of being Christian, from the historic churches of East and West to the contemporary ‘new expressions’ of church. The variety and diversity matters because it represents the fact that people think deeply and take seriously the challenge of being Christian within different contexts and cultures. The Baptist way of being Christian shares many things in common with Christian of all traditions but expresses some distinctive and we believe important reflections on the call to follow Jesus such as: 

• The place of scripture as the authority in faith and practice;

• The idea of the local church as a community of believers committed to mutual care and witness to Christ;

• The role and nature of baptism as an expression of faith.

These, and other views, were shaped in the historic context of the radical reformation of the 16th Century and have been continually discussed and debated within what became the Baptist tradition which emerged in 17th Century. Baptist distinctives continue to make an important contribution to the discussion on what it means to be Christian in 21st Century.