Baptist Identity and Principles Series - 2. The nature of the local church. Who belongs to it and how it operates. We live in an age of church hoppers or church shoppers. We need to be united together - to be a distinctive people, called to be witnesses to God, who brings forgiveness and new life. A community of believers gathered out of the world and committed to each other. The baptists came about to be separate from the union between the state and the state church, who were hand in glove and biblical principles were not adhered to. The baptists wanted to refocus on God's Word - not to be superior, but united with other believers, To submit to one another in love and service, to a local identity and partnership. We are called by God to be His people; devoted to each other and the local community.