FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

Although Baptist doctrines have no direct influence on the subject of chilangizo, some
beliefs and practices ofthe Baptists have a bearing on the subject of our study, and will
be discussed briefly below.
3.8 'EXCURSUS' - BAPTIST BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Authority of the Scriptures. As Evangelicals, Baptists believe that the Bible is essen­
tial in Baptist life and the life ofthe church. Matters of church polity and practice must
agree with the Scriptures. They believe that the authority of the Bible is 'derived from
God who revealed Himself finally and completely in Jesus Christ, to whom the Scrip­
tures bear witness' (Estep 1987:599). Like many other Africans, Malawians believe in
the authority of the Scriptures, especially if they can be read in the vernacular lan­
guages. This is why the chilangizo instruction is said to be a Christian instruction in
contrast to the traditional rite. However, although chilangizo is believed to be a Chris­
tian rite, yet it gives only a few Bible verses as proof-texts. The study of chilangizo in
chapter five will show that the scripture verses are quoted to support the instruction that
is given to the initiates.
Local church autonomy. The principle of local church autonomy is one of the most
cherished distinctives of ecclesiology among Baptists, especially so among Southern
Baptists. In their desire to follow the Scriptures, Baptists have always reaffirmed this
identifying mark by recognizing that the churches of the New Testament were local,
independent, self-governing, and 'operating through democratic processes' under the
Lordship ofJesus Christ (Chapman 1997:4-5).
Baptists define a local church as:
A local body ofBaptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship
of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ committed to His teachings,
exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and
seeking to extend the gospel to the ends ofthe earth.
(Turner 1987:16)
36