Baptists are a group of Christians who believe in the importance of baptism by immersion, which means fully submerging a person in water. They emphasize personal faith and the need for individuals to make their own decision to follow Jesus Christ. Baptists often gather in local churches and value the autonomy of each congregation, meaning they govern themselves without a central authority. Baptists also hold strong beliefs in the Bible as the ultimate guide for faith and practice. They advocate for religious freedom and the separation of church and state, believing that everyone should have the right to worship as they choose.