Baptist denominations are branches of the Christian faith that emphasize baptism by immersion and the authority of the Bible. They believe in the autonomy of the local church, meaning each congregation governs itself independently. Baptists also uphold the principle of religious freedom and often advocate for the separation of church and state. There are many different Baptist denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches USA, and National Baptist Convention. Each group may have unique beliefs and practices, but they all share core Baptist principles, such as the importance of personal faith and the necessity of baptism for believers.