•        We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith.

•        The Local Church is the fundamental unit of mission in denominational life. American Baptists have always maintained the need for autonomous congregations to be responsible for expressing their own doctrine, style of worship and mission.

•        We share two ordinances: Believers’ baptism, baptism by immersion; and we practice open communion – the Lord’s Table is open to all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

•        We believe that individual Christians can and should approach God directly, and that individual gifts of ministry should be shared.

•        We take seriously God’s call to evangelism and missionary work!

•        American Baptists support religious freedom and respects the expression of faith of others.

•        We believe that God calls us to be Christ’s witnesses for justice and wholeness within a very broken world.

•        As American Baptists we celebrate the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership. American Baptist Churches USA today is the most racially inclusive protestant body.

•        As people of faith, American Baptists seek renewal and revitalization, seeking to bring a transforming witness to an uncharted future.