Five needs for accessible Baptist education
1. There is no Baptist seminary in the tri-state (western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia) areas.
2. People of baptistic faith seek theological education that affirms the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God.
3. Life and ministry commitments often prevent students from studying in another city.
4. Local seminaries offering solid Biblical instruction do not or cannot teach Baptist faith and doctrine.
5. Instructor-led classroom learning provides a richer, more beneficial learning experience than online degree programs.
2. People of baptistic faith seek theological education that affirms the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God.
3. Life and ministry commitments often prevent students from studying in another city.
4. Local seminaries offering solid Biblical instruction do not or cannot teach Baptist faith and doctrine.
5. Instructor-led classroom learning provides a richer, more beneficial learning experience than online degree programs.
History of the Baptist Institute
In 2013, men of Baptist faith were led together in the Lord to put in place a solution to the problems listed above. We agreed that Pittsburgh has an excellent Reformed seminary within city limits, the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. But what was missing was a way to teach those subjects where Baptists and Presbyterians differ: church government, ministry of worship, and denominational church history (to name a few).
Agreeing as we do on many matters of Christian faith, we realized we could help solve the problem by offering graduate, seminary-level courses from the Baptist perspective. We would design courses that could be transferred to any seminary that will accept them, but in particular for Baptist and like-minded students at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Agreeing as we do on many matters of Christian faith, we realized we could help solve the problem by offering graduate, seminary-level courses from the Baptist perspective. We would design courses that could be transferred to any seminary that will accept them, but in particular for Baptist and like-minded students at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
About the Baptist Institute
The Baptist Institute offers graduate seminary-level courses. We are not an accredited seminary and do not confer academic degrees. We teach courses on doctrines of Baptist faith that are intended to transfer toward degree programs at other institutions as elective credit or, in some circumstances, replacement credit for required courses.
The Baptist Institute is governed by Baptist pastors who desire to build up Baptist and like-minded believers. We are independent of any church, association, or denominational body. Our faculty include members of our Board of Directors, our staff, and area pastors who are qualified by education and experience to teach at the seminary level.
The Baptist Institute is governed by Baptist pastors who desire to build up Baptist and like-minded believers. We are independent of any church, association, or denominational body. Our faculty include members of our Board of Directors, our staff, and area pastors who are qualified by education and experience to teach at the seminary level.
"Strengthening Baptists in faith, doctrine, and unity."The Baptist Institute is about more than classroom teaching. It is about building community among baptistic believers. We hold to the historic Baptist confessional standards of the London Baptist Confession of 1689, though we do not require our students to hold to the same views. We teach what we believe, understanding that not every Baptist church believes the same way. Our desire is to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Fostering Active and Engaged Church MembershipWe believe that the best--and only--place to learn how to do ministry is in the local church. Paul told Timothy, "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, give to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2 ESV). Pastors, ministers, and teachers are made by doing ministry. Where do we fit in? By providing quality training in matters of Baptist faith, doctrine, and practice. You fit in by practicing what you learn under the care of a pastor in the local church. No local church? We can help with that! In addition, we help forge internship opportunities in other churches to round out your training and experience.
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Student Support
Once you have registered with the BIP in a certificate program, you are assigned an advisor who is with you the whole time you are in seminary (not just BIP classes). Your adviser can help you make decisions about integrating BIP courses with your seminary program to ensure you get the most out of both. While we cannot modify seminary programs or requirements, we are glad to participate in conversations with your seminary adviser or registrar. And for RPTS students, our partnership provides unique opportunities for both institutions to work with you.