Although there are differences among the many Baptist groups throughout the world, there is general agreement among them on the following points:

1. The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.
2. Baptism is for believers only. This means that one must be aware of one's faith before being baptized. The form of ceremony taken is immersion, not the pouring on or sprinkling of water.
3. The church consists of believers only. Hence, there can be no state or territorial churches comprising all the individuals living within a certain region. Members must give personal testimony to their faith.
4. Church and state must be kept separate.
5. All Christians are equal in the life of the church. Although some members may be given special responsibilities, this in no way detracts from the priesthood of all believers.
6. Each local congregation is autonomous (self governing), but the congregations manifest their unity by uniting with other Baptist churches in associations, state conventions, national denominations, and the Baptist World Alliance, for the purposes of fellowship, mutual assistance, and the support of common educational, evangelistic, and missionary goals.

Baptists have never adopted a common creed, although on occasion they have adopted confessions of faith, such as the New Hampshire Confession, and the Philadelphia Confession of 1742. More frequently, they have adhered to church covenants that are not doctrinally oriented but set forth general ethical standards by which Baptists are expected to live.