 
Comparison of 1925, 1963 and 2000 Baptist Faith and Message
Preamble to the 1925
Baptist Faith and Message |
Preamble to the 1963
Baptist Faith and Message |
Preamble to the 2000
Baptist Faith and Message |
The report of the Committee on
Statement of Baptist Faith and
Message was presented as follows
by E. Y. Mullins, Kentucky:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
ON BAPTIST FAITH AND
MESSAGE
Your committee beg leave to report
as follows:
Your committee recognize that
they were appointed "to consider
the advisability of issuing another
statement of the Baptist Faith and
Message, and report at the next
Convention."
In pursuance of the instructions of
the Convention, and in
consideration of the general
denominational situation, your
committee have decided to
recommend the New Hampshire
Confession of Faith, revised at
certain points, and with some
additional articles growing out of
present needs, for approval by the
Convention, in the event a
statement of the Baptist faith and
message is deemed necessary at
this time.
The present occasion for a
reaffirmation of Christian
fundamentals is the prevalence of
naturalism in the modern teaching
and preaching of religion.
Christianity is supernatural in its
origin and history. We repudiate
every theory of religion which
denies the supernatural elements
in our faith.
As introductory to the doctrinal
articles, we recommend the
adoption by the Convention of the |
Committee on Baptist Faith and
Message
The 1962 session of the Southern
Baptist Convention, meeting in San Francisco, California, adopted the
following motion:
"Since the report of the Committee
on Statement of Baptist Faith and
Message was adopted in 1925,
there have been various
statements from time to time which
have been made, but no over-all
statement which might be helpful
at this time as suggested in
Section 2 of that report, or
introductory statement which might
be used as an interpretation of the
1925 Statement."
"We recommend, therefore, that
the president of this Convention be
requested to call a meeting of the
men now serving as presidents of
the various state conventions that
would quality as a member of the
Southern Baptist Convention
committee under Bylaw 18 to
present to the Convention in
Kansas City some similar
statement which shall serve as
information to the churches, and
which may serve as guidelines to
the various agencies of the
Southern Baptist Convention. It is
understood that any group or
individuals may approach this
committee to be of service. The
expenses of this committee shall
be borne by the Convention
Operating Budget."
Your committee thus constituted
begs leave to present its report as
follows:
Throughout its work your |
The 1999 session of the Southern
Baptist Convention, meeting in
Atlanta, Georgia, adopted the
following motion addressed to the
President of the Convention:
"I move that in your capacity as
Southern Baptist Convention
chairman, you appoint a blue
ribbon committee to review the
Baptist Faith and Message
statement with the responsibility to
report and bring any
recommendations to this meeting
next June in Orlando."
President Paige Patterson
appointed the committee as
follows: Max Barnett (OK), Steve
Gaines (AL), Susie Hawkins (TX),
Rudy A. Hernandez (TX), Charles
S. Kelley, Jr. (LA), Heather King
(IN), Richard D. Land (TN), Fred
Luter (LA), R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
(KY), T. C. Pinckney (VA), Nelson
Price (GA), Adrian Rogers (TN),
Roger Spradlin (CA), Simon Tsoi
(AZ), Jerry Vines (FL). Adrian
Rogers (TN) was appointed
chairman.
Your committee thus constituted
begs leave to present its report as
follows:
Baptists are a people of deep
beliefs and cherished doctrines.
Throughout our history we have
been a confessional people,
adopting statements of faith as a
witness to our beliefs and a pledge
of our faithfulness to the doctrines
revealed in Holy Scripture.
Our confessions of faith are rooted
in historical precedent, as the
church in every age has been
called upon to define and defend |
adoption by the Convention of the
following statement of the historic
Baptist conception of the nature
and function of confessions of faith
in our religious and denominational
life, believing that some such
statement will clarify the
atmosphere and remove some
causes of misunderstanding,
friction, and apprehension. Baptists
approve and circulate confessions
of faith with the following
understanding, namely:
1. That they constitute a
consensus of opinion of some
Baptist body, large or small, for the
general instruction and guidance of
our own people and others
concerning those articles of the
Christian faith which are most
surely conditions of salvation
revealed in the New Testament,
viz., repentance towards God and
faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour
and Lord.
2. That we do not regard them as
complete statements of our faith,
having any quality of finality or
infallibility. As in the past so in the
future Baptist should hold
themselves free to revise their
statements of faith as may seem to
them wise and expedient at any
time.
3. That any group of Baptists, large
or small, have the inherent right to
draw up for themselves and
publish to the world a confession of
their faith whenever they may think
it advisable to do so.
4. That the sole authority for faith
and practice among Baptists is the
Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. Confessions are only
guides in interpretation, having no
authority over the conscience.
5. That they are statements of
religious convictions, drawn from
the Scriptures, and are not to be
used to hamper freedom of thought
or investigation in other realms of
life. |
Throughout its work your
committee has been conscious of
the contribution made by the
statement of "The Southern Baptist
Faith and Message" adopted by
the Southern Baptist Convention in
1925. It quotes with approval its
affirmation that "Christianity is
supernatural in its origin and
history. We repudiate every theory
of religion which denies the
supernatural elements in our faith."
Furthermore, it concurs in the
introductory "statement of the
historic Baptist conception of the
nature and function of confessions
of faith in our religious and
denominational life . . . ." It is,
therefore, quoted in full as a part of
this report to the Convention:
"(1) That they constitute a
consensus of opinion of some
Baptist body, large or small, for the
general instruction and guidance of
our own people and others
concerning those articles of the
Christian faith which are most
surely held among us. They are
not intended to add anything to the
simple conditions of salvation
revealed in the New Testament,
viz., repentance towards God and
faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and
Lord.
"(2) That we do not regard them as
complete statements of our faith,
having any quality of finality or
infallibility. As in the past so in the
future, Baptists should hold
themselves free to revise their
statements of faith as may seem to
them wise and expedient at any
time.
"(3) That any group of Baptists,
large or small, have the inherent
right to draw up for themselves and
publish to the world a confession of
their faith whenever they may think
it advisable to do so.
"(4) That the sole authority for faith
and practice among Baptists is the
Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. Confessions are only
guides in interpretation, having no
authority over the conscience. |
called upon to define and defend
its beliefs. Each generation of
Christians bears the responsibility
of guarding the treasury of truth
that has been entrusted to us [2
Timothy 1:14]. Facing a new
century, Southern Baptists must
meet the demands and duties of
the present hour.
New challenges to faith appear in
every age. A pervasive antisupernaturalism
in the culture was
answered by Southern Baptists in
1925, when the Baptist Faith and
Message was first adopted by this
Convention. In 1963, Southern
Baptists responded to assaults
upon the authority and truthfulness
of the Bible by adopting revisions
to the Baptist Faith and Message .
The Convention added an article
on "The Family" in 1998, thus
answering cultural confusion with
the clear teachings of Scripture.
Now, faced with a culture hostile to
the very notion of truth, this
generation of Baptists must claim
anew the eternal truths of the
Christian faith.
Your committee respects and
celebrates the heritage of the
Baptist Faith and Message, and
affirms the decision of the
Convention in 1925 to adopt the
New Hampshire Confession of
Faith, "revised at certain points
and with some additional articles
growing out of certain needs . . . ."
We also respect the important
contributions of the 1925 and 1963
editions of the Baptist Faith and
Message.
With the 1963 committee, we have
been guided in our work by the
1925 "statement of the historic
Baptist conception of the nature
and function of confessions of faith
in our religious and denominational
life . . . ." It is, therefore, quoted in
full as a part of this report to the
Convention:
(1) That they constitute a
consensus of opinion of some
Baptist body, large or small, for the
general instruction and guidance of
our own people and others |
| |
authority over the conscience.
"(5) That they are statements of
religious convictions, drawn from
the Scriptures, and are not to be
used to hamper freedom of thought
or investigation in other realms of
life."
The 1925 Statement
recommended "the New
Hampshire Confession of Faith,
revised at certain points, and with
some additional articles growing
out of certain needs . . . ." Your
present committee has adopted
the same pattern. It has sought to
build upon the structure of the
1925 Statement, keeping in mind
the "certain needs" of our
generation. At times it has
reproduced sections of that
Statement without change. In other
instances it has substituted words
for clarity or added sentences for
emphasis. At certain points it has
combined articles, with minor
changes in wording, to endeavor to
relate certain doctrines to each
other. In still others -- e.g., "God"
and "Salvation" -- it has sought to
bring together certain truths
contained throughout the 1925
Statement in order to relate them
more clearly and concisely. In no
case has it sought to delete from or
to add to the basic contents of the
1925 Statement.
Baptists are a people who profess
a living faith. This faith is rooted
and grounded in Jesus Christ who
is "the same yesterday, and today,
and forever." Therefore, the sole
authority for faith and practice
among Baptists is Jesus Christ
whose will is revealed in the Holy
Scriptures.
A living faith must experience a
growing understanding of truth and
must be continually interpreted and
related to the needs of each new
generation. Throughout their
history Baptist bodies, both large
and small, have issued statements
of faith which comprise a
consensus of their beliefs. Such
statements have never been
regarded as complete, infallible |
our own people and others
concerning those articles of the
Christian faith which are most
surely held among us. They are
not intended to add anything to the
simple conditions of salvation
revealed in the New Testament,
viz., repentance toward God and
faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour
and Lord.
(2) That we do not regard them as
complete statements of our faith,
having any quality of finality or
infallibility. As in the past so in the
future, Baptists should hold
themselves free to revise their
statements of faith as may seem to
them wise and expedient at any
time.
(3) That any group of Baptists,
large or small, have the inherent
right to draw up for themselves and
publish to the world a confession of
their faith whenever they may think
it advisable to do so.
(4) That the sole authority for faith
and practice among Baptists is the
Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. Confessions are only
guides in interpretation, having no
authority over the conscience.
(5) That they are statements of
religious convictions, drawn from
the Scriptures, and are not to be
used to hamper freedom of thought
or investigation in other realms of
life.
Baptists cherish and defend
religious liberty, and deny the right
of any secular or religious authority
to impose a confession of faith
upon a church or body of
churches. We honor the principles
of soul competency and the
priesthood of believers, affirming
together both our liberty in Christ
and our accountability to each
other under the Word of God.
Baptist churches, associations,
and general bodies have adopted
confessions of faith as a witness to
the world, and as instruments of
doctrinal accountability. We are not
embarrassed to state before the |
| |
regarded as complete, infallible
statements of faith, nor as official
creeds carrying mandatory
authority. Thus this generation of
Southern Baptists is in historic
succession of intent and purpose
as it endeavors to state for its time
and theological climate those
articles of the Christian faith which
are most surely held among us.
Baptists emphasize the soul's
competency before God, freedom
in religion, and the priesthood of
the believer. However, this
emphasis should not be interpreted
to mean that there is an absence
of certain definite doctrines that
Baptists believe, cherish, and with
which they have been and are now
closely identified.
It is the purpose of this statement
of faith and message to set forth
certain teachings which we
believe. |
embarrassed to state before the
world that these are doctrines we
hold precious and as essential to
the Baptist tradition of faith and
practice.
As a committee, we have been
charged to address the "certain
needs" of our own generation. In
an age increasingly hostile to
Christian truth, our challenge is to
express the truth as revealed in
Scripture, and to bear witness to
Jesus Christ, who is "the Way, the
Truth, and the Life."
The 1963 committee rightly sought
to identify and affirm "certain
definite doctrines that Baptists
believe, cherish, and with which
they have been and are now
closely identified." Our living faith
is established upon eternal truths.
"Thus this generation of Southern
Baptists is in historic succession of
intent and purpose as it endeavors
to state for its time and theological
climate those articles of the
Christian faith which are most
surely held among us."
It is the purpose of this statement
of faith and message to set forth
certain teachings which we
believe.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Baptist Faith and Message
Study Committee
Adrian Rogers, Chair |
1925 Baptist Faith and
Message Statement |
1963 Baptist Faith and
Message Statement with
1998 Amendment |
Current Baptist Faith and
Message Statement |
|
I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was
written by men divinely inspired,
and is a perfect treasure of
heavenly instruction; that it has
God for its author, salvation for its
end, and truth, without any mixture
of error, for its matter; that it
reveals the principles by whichworld, the true center of Christian
union, and the supreme standard
by which all human conduct,
creeds and religious opinions
should be tried.
Luke 16:29-31; 2 Tim. 3:15-17;
Eph. 2:20; Heb. 1:1; 2 Peter 1:19-
21; John 16:13-15; Matt. 22:29-31;
Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:1-8. |
I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men
divinely inspired and is the record
of God's revelation of Himself to
man. It is a perfect treasure of
divine instruction. It has God for its
author, salvation for its end, and
truth, without any mixture of error,
for its matter. It reveals the
principles by which God judges us;
and therefore is, and will remain to
the end of the world, the truethe end of the world, the true
center of Christian union, and the
supreme standard by which all
human conduct, creeds, and
religious opinions should be tried.
The criterion by which the Bible is
to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.
Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; 17:19; Josh.
8:34; Psalms 19:7-10;
119:11,89,105,140; Isa. 34:16;
40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36; Matt. 5:17-18;
22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John
5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.;
17:11; Rom. 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Tim.
3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter
1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21. |
I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men
divinely inspired and is God's
revelation of Himself to man. It is a
perfect treasure of divine
instruction. It has God for its
author, salvation for its end, and
truth, without any mixture of error,
for its matter. Therefore, all
Scripture is totally true and
trustworthy. It reveals the
principles by which God judges us,principles by which God judges us,
and therefore is, and will remain to
the end of the world, the true
center of Christian union, and the
supreme standard by which all
human conduct, creeds, and
religious opinions should be tried.
All Scripture is a testimony to
Christ, who is Himself the focus of
divine revelation.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2;
17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-
10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah
34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-
32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke
21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-
15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11;
Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy
3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1
Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21. |
II. God
There is one and only one living
and true God, an intelligent,
spiritual, and personal Being, the
Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of
the universe, infinite in holiness
and all other perfections, to whom
we owe the highest love,
reverence, and obedience. He is
revealed to us as Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, each with distinct
personal attributes, but without
division of nature, essence, or
being.
Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Deut. 6:4;
Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12; Deut. 5:7;
Ex. 3:14; Heb. 11:6; John 5:26; 1
Tim. 1:17; John 1:14-18; John
15:26; Gal. 4:6; Matt. 28:19. |
II. God
There is one and only one living
and true God. He is an intelligent,
spiritual, and personal Being, the
Creator, Redeemer, Preserver,
and Ruler of the universe. God is
infinite in holiness and all other
perfections. To him we owe the
highest love, reverence, and
obedience. The eternal God
reveals Himself to us as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct
personal attributes, but without
division of nature, essence, or
being.
1. God the Father
God as Father reigns with
providential care over His universe,
His creatures, and the flow of the
stream of human history according
to the purposes of His grace. He is
all powerful, all loving, and all wise.
God is Father in truth to those who
become children of God through
faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly
in his attitude toward all men.
Gen. 1:1; 2:7; Ex. 3:14; 6:2-3;
15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Levit. 22:2; Deut.
6:4; 32:6; 1 Chron. 29:10; Psalm
19:1-3; Isa. 43:3,15; 64:8; Jer.
10:10; 17:13; Matt. 6:9ff.; 7:11;
23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John
4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts
1:7; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal1:7; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal.
4:6; Ephes. 4:6; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim.
1:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17;
1 John 5:7.
2. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In
His incarnation as Jesus Christ He
was conceived of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus
perfectly revealed and did the will
of God, taking upon Himself the
demands and necessities of
human nature and identifying
Himself completely with mankind
yet without sin. He honored the
divine law by His personal
obedience, and in His death on the
cross He made provision for the
redemption of men from sin. He
was raised from the dead with a
glorified body and appeared to His
disciples as the person who was
with them before His crucifixion.
He ascended into heaven and is
now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One
Mediator, partaking of the nature of
God and of man, and in whose
Person is effected the
reconciliation between God and
man. He will return in power and
glory to judge the world and to
consummate His redemptive
mission. He now dwells in all
believers as the living and ever
present Lord.
Gen. 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.;
110:1ff.; Isa. 7:14; 53; Matt. 1:18-
23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33;
16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark
1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70;
24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38;
11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11;
16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-
20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56;
9:4-5,20; Rom. 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-
21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2:2;
8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Cor. 5:19-21;
8:9; Gal. 4:4-5; Ephes. 1:20; 3:11;
4:7-10; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:13-22;
2:9; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 1 Tim. 2:5-6;
3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 1:1-3;
4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28;
12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2
John 7-9; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:9-14;
12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
3. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.
He inspired holy men of old to write
the Scriptures. Through
illumination He enables men to
understand truth. He exalts Christ.
He convicts of sin, of
righteousness and of judgment. He
calls men to the Saviour, and
effects regeneration. He cultivates
Christian character, comforts
believers, and bestows the spiritual
gifts by which they serve God
through His church. He seals the
believer unto the day of final
redemption. His presence in the
Christian is the assurance of God
to bring the believer into the
fulness of the stature of Christ. He
enlightens and empowers the
believer and the church in worship,
evangelism, and service.
Gen. 1:2; Judg. 14:6; Job 26:13;
Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isa. 61:1-3;
Joel 2:28-32; Matt. 1:18; 3:16; 4:1;
12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12;
Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12;
24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26;
15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38;
4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44;
13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Rom.
8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10-
14; 3:16; 12:3-11; Gal. 4:6; Ephes.
1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:19;
1 Tim. 3:16; 4:1; 2 Tim. 1:14; 3:16;
Heb. 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John
4:13; 5:6-7; Rev. 1:10; 22:17. |
II. God
There is one and only one living
and true God. He is an intelligent,
spiritual, and personal Being, the
Creator, Redeemer, Preserver,
and Ruler of the universe. God is
infinite in holiness and all other
perfections. God is all powerful and
all knowing; and His perfect
knowledge extends to all things,
past, present, and future, including
the future decisions of His free
creatures. To Him we owe the
highest love, reverence, and
obedience. The eternal triune God
reveals Himself to us as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct
personal attributes, but without
division of nature, essence, or
being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with
providential care over His universe,
His creatures, and the flow of the
stream of human history according
to the purposes of His grace. He is
all powerful, all knowing, all loving,
and all wise. God is Father in truth
to those who become children of
God through faith in Jesus Christ.
He is fatherly in His attitude toward
all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14;
6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus
22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1
Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3;
Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah
10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11;
23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John
4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts
1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1
Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6;
Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1
Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9;
1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In
His incarnation as Jesus Christ He
was conceived of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus
perfectly revealed and did the will
of God, taking upon Himself
human nature with its demands
and necessities and identifying
Himself completely with mankind
yet without sin. He honored the
divine law by His personal
obedience, and in His
substitutionary death on the cross
He made provision for the
redemption of men from sin. He
was raised from the dead with a
glorified body and appeared to His
disciples as the person who was
with them before His crucifixion.
He ascended into heaven and is
now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One
Mediator, fully God, fully man, in
whose Person is effected the
reconciliation between God and
man. He will return in power and
glory to judge the world and to
consummate His redemptive
mission. He now dwells in all
believers as the living and ever
present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.;
110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew
1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33;
16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark
1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70;
24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38;
11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11;
16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-
20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56;
9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26;
5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1
Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-
8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21;
8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians
1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-
11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy
2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14;
Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28;
9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter
2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2;
4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9;
Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-
11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God,
fully divine. He inspired holy men
of old to write the Scriptures.
Through illumination He enables
men to understand truth. He exalts
Christ. He convicts men of sin, of
righteousness, and of judgment.
He calls men to the Saviour, and
effects regeneration. At the
moment of regeneration He
baptizes every believer into the
Body of Christ. He cultivates
Christian character, comforts
believers, and bestows the spiritual
gifts by which they serve God
through His church. He seals the
believer unto the day of final
redemption. His presence in the
Christian is the guarantee that God
will bring the believer into the
fullness of the stature of Christ. He
enlightens and empowers the
believer and the church in worship,
evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job
26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.;
Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32;
Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32;
28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35;
4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49;
John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26;
16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31;
5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2;
15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-
11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians
2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13;
Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14;
4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1
Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14;
3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter
1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7;
Revelation 1:10; 22:17. |
|
III. The Fall of Man
Man was created by the special act
of God, as recorded in Genesis.
"So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created
he him; male and female created
he them" (Gen. 1:27). "And the
Lord God formed man of the dust
of the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and
man became a living soul" (Gen.
2:7).
He was created in a state of
holiness under the law of his
Maker, but, through the temptation
of Satan, he transgressed the
command of God and fell from his
original holiness and
righteousness; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature corrupt
and in bondage to sin, are under
condemnation, and as soon as
they are capable of moral action,
become actual transgressors.
Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:7; John 1:23;
Gen. 3:4-7; Gen. 3:22-24; Rom.
5:12,14,19, 21; Rom. 7:23-25;
Rom. 11:18,22,32-33; Col. 1:21. |
III. Man
Man was created by the special act
of God, in His own image, and is
the crowning work of His creation.
In the beginning man was innocent
of sin and was endowed by his
Creator with freedom of choice. By
his free choice man sinned against
God and brought sin into the
human race. Through the
temptation of Satan man
transgressed the command of
God, and fell from his original
innocence; whereby his posterity
inherit a nature and an
environment inclined toward sin,
and as soon as they are capable of
moral action become transgressors
and are under condemnation. Only
the grace of God can bring man
into His holy fellowship and enable
man to fulfil the creative purpose of
God. The sacredness of human
personality is evident in that God
created man in His own image,
and in that Christ died for man;
therefore every man possesses
dignity and is worthy of respect
and Christian love.
Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6;
Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isa.
6:5; Jer. 17:5; Matt. 16:26; Acts
17:26-31; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:10-
18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25;
8:14-18,29; 1 Cor. 1:21-31;
15:19,21-22; Eph. 2:1-22; Col.
1:21-22; 3:9-11. |
III. Man
Man is the special creation of God,
made in His own image. He
created them male and female as
the crowning work of His creation.
The gift of gender is thus part of
the goodness of God's creation. In
the beginning man was innocent of
sin and was endowed by his
Creator with freedom of choice. By
his free choice man sinned against
God and brought sin into the
human race. Through the
temptation of Satan man
transgressed the command of
God, and fell from his original
innocence whereby his posterity
inherit a nature and an
environment inclined toward sin.
Therefore, as soon as they are
capable of moral action, they
become transgressors and are
under condemnation. Only the
grace of God can bring man into
His holy fellowship and enable
man to fulfill the creative purpose
of God. The sacredness of human
personality is evident in that God
created man in His own image,
and in that Christ died for man;
therefore, every person of every
race possesses full dignity and is
worthy of respect and Christian
love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3;
9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5;
Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew
16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans
1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19;
6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1
Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22;
Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians
1:21-22; 3:9-11. |
|
IV. The Way of Salvation
The salvation of sinners is wholly
of grace, through the mediatorial
office of the Son of God, who by
the Holy Spirit was born of the
Virgin Mary and took upon him our
nature, yet without sin; honored the
divine law by his personal
obedience and made atonement
for our sins by his death. Being
risen from the dead, he is now
enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting
in his person the tenderestin his person the tenderest
sympathies with divine perfections,
he is in every way qualified to be a
compassionate and all-sufficient
Saviour.
Col. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:7-10; Gal.
2:19-20; Gal. 3:13; Rom. 1:4; Eph.
1:20-23; Matt. 1:21-25; Luke 1:35;
2:11; Rom. 3:25.
V. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and
full acquittal upon principles of
righteousness of all sinners who
believe in Christ. This blessing is
bestowed, not in consideration of
any works of righteousness which
we have done, but through the
redemption that is in and through
Jesus Christ. It brings us into a
state of most blessed peace and
favor with God, and secures every
other needed blessing.
Rom. 3:24; 4:2; 5:1-2; 8:30; Eph.
1:7; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:21.
VI. The Freeness of
Salvation
The blessings of salvation are
made free to all by the gospel. It is
the duty of all to accept them by
penitent and obedient faith.
Nothing prevents the salvation of
the greatest sinner except his own
voluntary refusal to accept Jesus
Christ as teacher, Saviour, and
Lord.
Eph. 1:5; 2:4-10; 1 Cor. 1:30-31;
Rom. 5:1-9; Rev. 22:17; John 3:16;
Mark 16:16.
VII. Regeneration
Regeneration or the new birth is a
change of heart wrought by the
Holy Spirit, whereby we become
partakers of the divine nature and
a holy disposition is given, leading
to the love and practice of
righteousness. It is a work of God's
free grace conditioned upon faith in
Christ and made manifest by the
fruit which we bring forth to thefruit which we bring forth to the
glory of God.
John 3:1-8, 1:16-18; Rom. 8:2;
Eph. 2:1,5-6,8,10; Eph. 4:30,32;
Col. 3:1-11; Titus 3:5.
VIII. Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and
faith are sacred duties, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our
souls by the regenerating Spirit of
God; whereby being deeply
convinced of our guilt, danger, and
helplessness, and of the way of
salvation by Christ, we turn to God
with unfeigned contrition,
confession, and supplication for
mercy; at the same time heartily
receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as
our Prophet, Priest, and King, and
relying on him alone as the only
and all-sufficient Saviour.
Luke 22:31-34; Mark 1:15; 1 Tim.
1:13; Rom. 3:25,27,31; Rom.
4:3,9,12,16-17; John 16:8-11.
X. Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by
which the regenerate gradually
attain to moral and spiritual
perfection through the presence
and power of the Holy Spirit
dwelling in their hearts. It continues
throughout the earthly life, and is
accomplished by the use of all the
ordinary means of grace, and
particularly by the Word of God.
Acts 20:32; John 17:17; Rom. 6:5-
6; Eph. 3:16; Rom. 4:14; Gal. 5:24;
Heb. 12:14; Rom. 7:18-25; 2 Cor.
3:18; Gal. 5:16,25-26. |
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption
of the whole man, and is offered
freely to all who accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by
His own blood obtained eternal
redemption for the believer. In its
broadest sense salvation includes
regeneration, sanctification, and
glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth,
is a work of God's grace wherebyis a work of God's grace whereby
believers become new creatures in
Christ Jesus. It is a change of
heart wrought by the Holy Spirit
through conviction of sin, to which
the sinner responds in repentance
toward God and faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are
inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning
from sin toward God. Faith is the
acceptance of Jesus Christ and
commitment of the entire
personality to Him as Lord and
Saviour. Justification is God's
gracious and full acquittal upon
principles of His righteousness of
all sinners who repent and believe
in Christ. Justification brings the
believer into a relationship of
peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience,
beginning in regeneration, by
which the believer is set apart to
God's purposes, and is enabled to
progress toward moral and spiritual
perfection through the presence
and power of the Holy Spirit
dwelling in him. Growth in grace
should continue throughout the
regenerate person's life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of
salvation and is the final blessed
and abiding state of the redeemed.
Gen. 3:15; Ex. 3:14-17; 6:2-8;
Matt. 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-
28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John
1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24;
10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts
2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-
31; 20:32; Rom. 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-
25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-
18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1
Cor. 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2
Cor. 5:17-20; Gal. 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-
25; 6:15; Ephes. 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-
16; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 1:9-22;
3:1ff.; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim.
1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 2:1-3;
5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14;
James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1
John 1:6-2:11; Rev. 3:20; 21:1-
22:5. |
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption
of the whole man, and is offered
freely to all who accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by
His own blood obtained eternal
redemption for the believer. In its
broadest sense salvation includes
regeneration, justification,
sanctification, and glorification.
There is no salvation apart from
personal faith in Jesus Christ as
Lord.
Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth,
is a work of God's grace whereby
believers become new creatures in
Christ Jesus. It is a change of
heart wrought by the Holy Spirit
through conviction of sin, to which
the sinner responds in repentance
toward God and faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith
are inseparable experiences of
grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning
from sin toward God. Faith is the
acceptance of Jesus Christ and
commitment of the entire
personality to Him as Lord and
Saviour.
B. Justification is God's gracious
and full acquittal upon principles of
His righteousness of all sinners
who repent and believe in Christ.
Justification brings the believer
unto a relationship of peace and
favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience,
beginning in regeneration, by
which the believer is set apart to
God's purposes, and is enabled to
progress toward moral and spiritual
maturity through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in
him. Growth in grace should
continue throughout the regenerate
person's life.
D. Glorification is the culmination
of salvation and is the final blessed
and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17;
6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-
26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69;
2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-
21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16;
17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11;
16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32;
Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25;
4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39;
10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1
Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20;
15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20;
Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25;
6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-
16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians
1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians
5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus
2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9;
9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-
26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-
2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5. |
|
IX. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of
God, according to which he
regenerates, sanctifies and saves
sinners. It is perfectly consistent
with the free agency of man, and
comprehends all the means in
connection with the end. It is a
most glorious display of God's
sovereign goodness, and is
infinitely wise, holy, andinfinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes
boasting and promotes humility. It
encourages the use of means in
the highest degree.
Rom. 8:30; 11:7; Eph. 1:10; Acts
26:18; Eph. 1:17-19; 2 Tim. 1:9;
Psalm 110:3; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5;
John 6:44-45,65; Rom. 10:12-15.
XI. Perseverance
All real believers endure to the
end. Their continuance in welldoing
is the mark which
distinguishes them from mere
professors. A special Providence
cares for them, and they are kept
by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
John 10:28-29; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John
2:19; 1 Cor. 11:32; Rom. 8:30;
9:11,16; Rom. 5:9-10; Matt. 26:70-
75. |
V. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of
God, according to which He
regenerates, sanctifies, and
glorifies sinners. It is consistent
with the free agency of man and
comprehends all the means in
connection with the end. It is a
glorious display of God's sovereign
goodness, and is infinitely wise,
holy, and unchangeable. Itholy, and unchangeable. It
excludes boasting and promotes
humility.
All true believers endure to the
end. Those whom God has
accepted in Christ, and sanctified
by His Spirit, will never fall away
from the state of grace, but shall
persevere to the end. Believers
may fall into sin through neglect
and temptation, whereby they
grieve the Spirit, impair their
graces and comforts, bring
reproach on the cause of Christ,
and temporal judgments on
themselves, yet they shall be kept
by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-8; 1 Sam.
8:4-7,19-22; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer.
31:31ff.; Matt. 16:18-19; 21:28-45;
24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79;
2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John
1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65;
10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18;
Acts 20:32; Rom. 5:9-10; 8:28-39;
10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Cor. 1:1-
2; 15:24-28; Ephes. 1:4-23; 2:1-10;
3:1-11; Col. 1:12-14; 2 Thess.
2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:12; 2:10,19; Heb.
11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-
10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2. |
V. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of
God, according to which He
regenerates, justifies, sanctifies,
and glorifies sinners. It is
consistent with the free agency of
man, and comprehends all the
means in connection with the end.
It is the glorious display of God's
sovereign goodness, and is
infinitely wise, holy, andinfinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the
end. Those whom God has
accepted in Christ, and sanctified
by His Spirit, will never fall away
from the state of grace, but shall
persevere to the end. Believers
may fall into sin through neglect
and temptation, whereby they
grieve the Spirit, impair their
graces and comforts, and bring
reproach on the cause of Christ
and temporal judgments on
themselves; yet they shall be kept
by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1
Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7;
Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-
19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34;
Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44;
24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24;
6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,
12, 17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans
5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-
7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2;
15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-
10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2
Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy
1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39-
12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-
5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19;
3:2. |
|
XII. The Gospel Church
A church of Christ is a
congregation of baptized believers,
associated by covenant in the faith
and fellowship of the gospel;
observing the ordinances of Christ,
governed by his laws, and
exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by his
word, and seeking to extend the
gospel to the ends of the earth. Its
Scriptural officers are bishops, or
elders, and deacons.
Matt. 16:18; Matt. 18:15-18; Rom.
1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 2:41-42; 5:13-
14; 2 Cor. 9:13; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim.
4:14; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:3,5-6;
Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 9:6,14. |
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the
Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of
baptized 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 of the earth.
This church is an autonomousofficers are pastors and deacons.
The New Testament speaks also
of the church as the body of Christ
which includes all of the redeemed
of all the ages.
Matt. 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts
2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3;
14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28;
Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5;
7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephes. 1:22-23;
2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Phil.
1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 4:14;
1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev. 2-3; 21:2-3. |
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the
Lord Jesus Christ is an
autonomous local congregation of
baptized believers, associated by
covenant in the faith and fellowship
of the gospel; observing the two
ordinances of Christ, governed by
His laws, exercising the gifts,
rights, and privileges invested in
them by His Word, and seeking to
extend the gospel to the ends of
the earth. Each congregation
operates under the Lordship of
Christ through democratic
processes. In such a congregation
each member is responsible and
accountable to Christ as Lord. Its
scriptural officers are pastors and
deacons. While both men and
women are gifted for service in thewomen are gifted for service in the
church, the office of pastor is
limited to men as qualified by
Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also
of the church as the Body of Christ
which includes all of the redeemed
of all the ages, believers from
every tribe, and tongue, and
people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts
2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3;
14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28;
Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2;
3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12;
Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-
11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1;
Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14;
3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1
Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3. |
|
XIII. Baptism and the
Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion
of a believer in water in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of
our faith in a crucified, buried and
risen Saviour. It is prerequisite to
the privileges of a church relation
and to the Lord's Supper, in which
the members of the church, by the
use of bread and wine,
commemorate the dying love of
Christ.
Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 4:1; Rom.
6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Mark 1:4; Matt.
3:16; John 3:23; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1
Cor. 10:16-17,21; Matt. 26:26-27;
Acts 8:38-39; Mark 1:9-11. |
VII. Baptism and the Lord's
Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion
of a believer in water in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. It is an act of
obedience symbolizing the
believer's faith in a crucified,
buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer's death to sin, the burial of
the old life, and the resurrection to
walk in newness of life in Christ
Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith
in the final resurrection of the
dead. Being a church ordinance, it
is prerequisite to the privileges of
church membership and to the
Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic
act of obedience whereby
members of the church, through
partaking of the bread and the fruit
of the vine, memorialize the death
of the Redeemer and anticipate
His second coming.
Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20;
Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-
22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-
42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; Acts 20;7;
Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 10:16,21;
11:23-29; Col. 2:12. |
VII. Baptism and the Lord's
Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion
of a believer in water in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. It is an act of
obedience symbolizing the
believer's faith in a crucified,
buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer's death to sin, the burial of
the old life, and the resurrection to
walk in newness of life in Christ
Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith
in the final resurrection of the
dead. Being a church ordinance, it
is prerequisite to the privileges of
church membership and to the
Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic
act of obedience whereby
members of the church, through
partaking of the bread and the fruit
of the vine, memorialize the death
of the Redeemer and anticipate
His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-
20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke
3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts
2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7;
Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians
10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians
2:12. |
|
XIV. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the
Lord's day. It is a Christian
institution for regular observance. It
commemorates the resurrection of
Christ from the dead and should be
employed in exercises of worship
and spiritual devotion, both public
and private, and by refraining from
worldly amusements, and resting
from secular employments, works
of necessity and mercy only
excepted.
Ex. 20:3-6; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 28:19;
1 Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:16; John 4:21;
Ex. 20:8; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7;
Rev. 1:1; Matt. 12:1-13. |
VIII. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the
Lord's Day. It is a Christian
institution for regular observance. It
commemorates the resurrection of
Christ from the dead and should be
employed in exercises of worship
and spiritual devotion, both public
and private, and by refraining from
worldly amusements, and resting
from secular employments, work of
necessity and mercy only being
excepted.
Ex. 20:8-11; Matt. 12:1-12; 28:1ff.;
Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-
3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28;
Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16;
3:16; Rev. 1:10. |
VIII. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the
Lord's Day. It is a Christian
institution for regular observance. It
commemorates the resurrection of
Christ from the dead and should
include exercises of worship and
spiritual devotion, both public and
private. Activities on the Lord's Day
should be commensurate with the
Christian's conscience under the
Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12;
28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke
24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24;
20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans
14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2;
Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation
1:10. |
|
XXV. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God is the reign of
God in the heart and life of the
individual in every human
relationship, and in every form and
institution of organized human
society. The chief means for
promoting the Kingdom of God on
earth are preaching the gospel of
Christ, and teaching the principles
of righteousness contained therein.
The Kingdom of God will be
complete when every thought and
will of man shall be brought into
captivity to the will of Christ. And it is the duty of all Christ's people to pray and labor continually that his Kingdom may come and his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
Dan. 2:37-44; 7:18; Matt. 4:23;
8:12; 12:25; 13:38,43; 25:34;
26:29; Mark 11:10; Luke 12:32;
22:29; Acts 1:6; 1 Cor. 15:24; Col.
1:13; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 1:9; Luke
4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 17:20-21; John 3:3;
John 18:36; Matt. 6:10; Luke
23:42. |
IX. The Kingdom
The kingdom of God includes both
His general sovereignty over the
universe and His particular
kingship over men who willfully
acknowledge Him as King.
Particularly the kingdom is the
realm of salvation into which men
enter by trustful, childlike
commitment to Jesus Christ.
Christians ought to pray and to
labor that the kingdom may come
and God's will be done on earth.
The full consummation of the
kingdom awaits the return of Jesus
Christ and the end of this age.
Gen. 1:1; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6;
Matt. 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28;
13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark
1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2;
12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John
3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31;
Rom. 5:17; 8:19; 1 Cor. 15:24-28;
Col. 1:13; Heb. 11:10,16; 12:28; 1
Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Rev. 1:6,9;
5:10; 11:15; 21-22. |
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both
His general sovereignty over the
universe and His particular
kingship over men who willfully
acknowledge Him as King.
Particularly the Kingdom is the
realm of salvation into which men
enter by trustful, childlike
commitment to Jesus Christ.
Christians ought to pray and to
labor that the Kingdom may come
and God's will be done on earth.
The full consummation of the
Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7;
Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-
10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-
46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke
4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21;
23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7;
17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1
Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians
1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1
Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation
1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22. |
|
XV. The Righteous and the
Wicked
There is a radical and essential
difference between the righteous
and wicked. Those only who areand wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in his sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked and are under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and
everlasting awards are made to all
men.
Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36; Luke 23:43;
2 Cor. 5:1,6,8; Phil. 1:23; 1 Cor.
15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:21;
1 Cor. 6:3; Matt. 25:32-46; Rom.
9:22-23; Mark 9:48; 1 Thess. 1:7-
10; Rev. 22:20.
XVI. The Resurrection
The Scriptures clearly teach that
Jesus rose from the dead. His
grave was emptied of its contents.
He appeared to the disciples after
his resurrection in many convincing
manifestations. He now exists in
his glorified body at God's right
hand. There will be a resurrection
of the righteous and the wicked.
The bodies of the righteous will
conform to the glorious spiritual
body of Jesus.
1 Cor. 15:1-58; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; 1
Thess. 4:17; John 5:28-29; Phil.
3:21; Acts 24:15; John 20:9; Matt.
28:6.
XVII. The Return of the
Lord
The New Testament teaches in
many places the visible and
personal return of Jesus to this
earth. "This same Jesus which is
taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye
have seen him go into heaven."
The time of his coming is not
revealed. "Of that day and hour
knoweth no one, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:36). It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in goodcoming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.
Matt. 24:36; Matt. 24:42-47; Mark
13:32-37; Luke 21:27-28; Acts 1:9-
11. |
X. Last Things
God, in His own time and in His
own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will returnpromise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in heaven with the Lord.
Isa. 2:4; 11:9; Matt. 16:27; 18:8-9;
19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46;
26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke
12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37;
21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11;
17:31; Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 4:5;
15:24-28,35-58; 2 Cor. 5:10; Phil.
3:20-21; Col. 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thess.
4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thess. 1:7ff.; 2; 1
Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13;
Heb. 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter
3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14;
Rev. 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13. |
X. Last Things
God, in His own time and in His
own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will returnpromise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27;
18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44;
25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-
48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26;
17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3;
Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1
Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2
Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-
21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2
Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy
6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13;
Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2
Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude
14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-
22:13. |
|
XXIII. Evangelism and
Missions
It is the duty of every Christian
man and woman, and the duty of
every church of Christ to seek to
extend the gospel to the ends of
the earth. The new birth of man's
spirit by God's Holy Spirit means
the birth of love for others.
Missionary effort on the part of all
rests thus upon a spiritual
necessity of the regenerate life. It
is also expressly and repeatedly
commanded in the teachings of
Christ. It is the duty of every child
of God to seek constantly to win
the lost to Christ by personal effort
and by all other methods
sanctioned by the gospel of Christ.
Matt. 10:5; 13:18-23; 22:9-10;
28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 16:19-
20; Luke 24:46-53; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-
2,21,39; 8:26-40; 10:42-48;
13:2,30-33; 1 Thess. 1-8. |
XI. Evangelism and
Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every
follower of Christ and of every
church of the Lord Jesus Christ to
endeavor to make disciples of all
nations. The new birth of man's
spirit by God's Holy Spirit means
the birth of love for others.
Missionary effort on the part of all
rests thus upon a spiritual
necessity of the regenerate life,
and is expressly and repeatedly
commanded in the teachings of
Christ. It is the duty of every child
of God to seek constantly to win
the lost to Christ by personal effort
and by all other methods in
harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-6; Isa. 6:1-8;
Matt. 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-
30,37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14;
28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53;
John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15;
20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-
48; 13:2-3; Rom. 10:13-15; Ephes.
3:1-11; 1 Thess. 1:8; 2 Tim. 4:5;
Heb. 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter
2:4-10; Rev. 22:17. |
XI. Evangelism and
Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every
follower of Christ and of every
church of the Lord Jesus Christ to
endeavor to make disciples of all
nations. The new birth of man's
spirit by God's Holy Spirit means
the birth of love for others.
Missionary effort on the part of all
rests thus upon a spiritual
necessity of the regenerate life,
and is expressly and repeatedly
commanded in the teachings of
Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has
commanded the preaching of the
gospel to all nations. It is the duty
of every child of God to seek
constantly to win the lost to Christ
by verbal witness undergirded by a
Christian lifestyle, and by other
methods in harmony with the
gospel of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6;
Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38;
10:5-15; 13:18- 30, 37-43; 16:19;
22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke
10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12;
15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8;
2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3;
Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-
11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy
4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1
Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17. |
|
XX. Education
Christianity is the religion of
enlightenment and intelligence. In
Jesus Christ are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and
knowledge. All sound learning is
therefore a part of our Christian
heritage. The new birth opens all
human faculties and creates a
thirst for knowledge. An adequate
system of schools is necessary to
a complete spiritual program fora complete spiritual program for
Christ's people. The cause of
education in the Kingdom of Christ
is coordinate with the causes of
missions and general
benevolence, and should receive
along with these the liberal support
of the churches.
Deut. 4:1,5,9,13-14; Deut. 6:1,7-
10; Psalm 19:7-8; Prov. 8:1-7;
Prov. 4:1-10; Matt. 28:20; Col. 2:3;
Neh. 8:1-4. |
XII. Education
The cause of education in the
kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate
with the causes of missions and
general benevolence and should
receive along with these the liberal
support of the churches. An
adequate system of Christian
schools is necessary to a complete
spiritual program for Christ's
people.people.
In Christian education there should
be a proper balance between
academic freedom and academic
responsibility. Freedom in any
orderly relationship of human life is
always limited and never absolute.
The freedom of a teacher in a
Christian school, college, or
seminary is limited by the preeminence
of Jesus Christ, by the
authoritative nature of the
Scriptures, and by the distinct
purpose for which the school
exists.
Deut. 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13;
Neh. 8:1-8; Job. 28:28; Psalms
19:7ff.; 119:11; Prov. 3:13ff.; 4:1-
10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Eccl. 7:19;
Matt. 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke
2:40; 1 Cor. 1:18-31; Eph. 4:11-16;
Phil. 4:8; Col. 2:3,8-9; 1 Tim. 1:3-7;
2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-17; Heb. 5:12-
6:3; James 1:5; 3:17. |
XII. Education
Christianity is the faith of
enlightenment and intelligence. In
Jesus Christ abide all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge. All
sound learning is, therefore, a part
of our Christian heritage. The new
birth opens all human faculties and
creates a thirst for knowledge.
Moreover, the cause of education
in the Kingdom of Christ is coordinate
with the causes ofordinate with the causes of
missions and general
benevolence, and should receive
along with these the liberal support
of the churches. An adequate
system of Christian education is
necessary to a complete spiritual
program for Christ's people.
In Christian education there should
be a proper balance between
academic freedom and academic
responsibility. Freedom in any
orderly relationship of human life is
always limited and never absolute.
The freedom of a teacher in a
Christian school, college, or
seminary is limited by the preeminence
of Jesus Christ, by the
authoritative nature of the
Scriptures, and by the distinct
purpose for which the school
exists.
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10;
31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job
28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11;
Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11;
15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew
5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1
Corinthians 1:18-31; Ephesians
4:11-16; Philippians 4:8;
Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-
7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17;
Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5;
3:17. |
|
XXIV. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings,
temporal and spiritual; all that we
have and are we owe to him. We
Luke 12:42; 16:1-8; Titus 1:7; 1
Peter 4:10; 2 Cor. 8:1-7; 2 Cor.
8:11-19; 2 Cor. 12:1-15; Matt.
25:14-30; Rom. 1:8-15; 1 Cor.
6:20; Acts 2:44-47. |
XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings,
temporal and spiritual; all that we
have and are we owe to Him.
Christians have a spiritual
debtorship to the whole world, a
holy trusteeship in the gospel, and
a binding stewardship in their
possessions. They are thereforeRedeemer's cause on earth.
Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut.
8:18; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 6:1-4,19-
21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke
12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-
47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Rom.
6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 6:19-
20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9; 12:15;
Phil. 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19. |
XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings,
temporal and spiritual; all that we
have and are we owe to Him.
Christians have a spiritual
debtorship to the whole world, a
holy trusteeship in the gospel, and
a binding stewardship in their
possessions. They are therefore
under obligation to serve Him with
their time, talents, and materialRedeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32;
Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12;
Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23;
25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-
13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25;
20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1
Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12;
16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15;
Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-
19. |
|
XXII. Co-Operation
Christ's people should, as
occasion requires, organize such
associations and conventions as
may best secure co-operation for
the great objects of the Kingdom of
God. Such organizations have no
authority over each other or over
the churches. They are voluntary
and advisory bodies designed to
elicit, combine, and direct the
energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Individual
members of New Testament
churches should co-operate with
each other, and the churches
themselves should co-operate with
each other in carrying forward the
missionary, educational, and
benevolent program for the
extension of Christ's Kingdom.
Christian unity in the New
Testament sense is spiritual
harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by
various groups of Christ's people.
It is permissable and desirable as
between the various Christian
denominations, when the end to be
attained is itself justified, and when
such co-operation involves no
violation of conscience or
compromise of loyalty to Christ and his Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Neh.
4:4-6; 8:1-4; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 10:5-
15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; Acts 1:13-14;
1:21:26; 2:1,41-47; 1 Cor. 1:10-17;
12:11-12; 13; 14:33-34,40; 16:2; 2
Cor. 9:1-15; Eph. 4:1-16; 3 John
1:5-8. |
XIV. Co-Operation
Christ's people should, as
occasion requires, organize such
associations and conventions as
may best secure co-operation for
the great objects of the kingdom of
God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over
the churches. They are voluntary
and advisory bodies designed to
elicit, combine, and direct the
energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in
carrying forward the missionary,
educational, and benevelent
ministries for the extension of
Christ's kingdom. Christian unity in
the New Testament sense is
spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by
various groups of Christ's people.
Co-operation is desirable between
the various Christian denominations, when the end to be
attained is itself justified, and when
such co-operation involves no
violation of conscience or
compromise of loyalty to Christ and his Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Ex. 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judg. 7:21;
Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Neh.
4; 8:1-5; Matt. 10:5-15; 20:1-16;
22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke
10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-
37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Cor. 1:10-
17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Cor. 8-9; Gal. 1:6-
10; Eph. 4:1-16; Phil. 1:15-18. |
XIV. Cooperation
Christ's people should, as
occasion requires, organize such
associations and conventions as
may best secure cooperation for
the great objects of the Kingdom of
God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over
the churches. They are voluntary
and advisory bodies designed to
elicit, combine, and direct the
energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should
cooperate with one another in
carrying forward the missionary,
educational, and benevolent
ministries for the extension of
Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is
spiritual harmony and voluntary
cooperation for common ends by
various groups of Christ's people.
Cooperation is desirable between
the various Christian denominations, when the end to be
attained is itself justified, and when
such cooperation involves no
violation of conscience or
compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges
7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15;
Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-
15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20;
Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-
14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35;
1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12;
2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-
10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians
1:15-18. |
|
XXI. Social Service
Every Christian is under obligation
to seek to make the will of Christ
regnant in his own life and in
human society to oppose in the
spirit of Christ every form of greed,
selfishness, and vice; to provide for
the orphaned, the aged, the
helpless, and the sick; to seek to
bring industry, government, and
society as a whole under the sway
of the principles of righteousness,
truth and brotherly love; to promote
these ends Christians should be
ready to work with all men of good
will in any good cause, always
being careful to act in the spirit of
love without compromising their
loyalty to Christ and his truth. All
means and methods used in social
service for the amelioration of
society and the establishment of
righteousness among men must
finally depend on the regeneration
of the individual by the saving
grace of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke 10:25-37; Ex. 22:10,14; Lev.
6:2; Deut. 20:10; Deut. 4:42; Deut.
15:2; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Ezek.
18:6; Heb. 2:15; Zech. 8:16; Ex.
20:16; James 2:8; Rom. 12-14;
Col. 3:12-17. |
XV. The Christian and the
Social Order
Every Christian is under obligation
to seek to make the will of Christ
supreme in his own life and in
human society. Means and
methods used for the improvement
of society and the establishment of
righteousness among men can be
truly and permanently helpful only
when they are rooted in the
regeneration of the individual by
the saving grace of God in Christ
Jesus. The Christian should
oppose in the spirit of Christ every
form of greed, selfishness, and
vice. He should work to provide for
the orphaned, the needy, the aged,
the helpless, and the sick. Every
Christian should seek to bring
industry, government, and society
as a whole under the sway of the
principles of righteousness, truth,
and brotherly love. In order to
promote these ends Christians
should be ready to work with all
men of good will in any good
cause, always being careful to act
in the spirit of love without
compromising their loyalty to Christ
and his truth.
Ex. 20:3-17; Lev. 6:2-5; Deut.
10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah
6:8; Zech. 8:16; Matt. 5:13-16,43-
48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34;
2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-
37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15;
Rom. 12-14; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:1-7;
7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Gal. 3:26-28;
Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:12-17; 1 Thess.
3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8. |
XV. The Christian and the
Social Order
All Christians are under obligation
to seek to make the will of Christ
supreme in our own lives and in
human society. Means and
methods used for the improvement
of society and the establishment of
righteousness among men can be
truly and permanently helpful only
when they are rooted in the
regeneration of the individual by
the saving grace of God in Jesus
Christ. In the spirit of Christ,
Christians should oppose racism,
every form of greed, selfishness,
and vice, and all forms of sexual
immorality, including adultery,
homosexuality, and pornography.
We should work to provide for the
orphaned, the needy, the abused,
the aged, the helpless, and the
sick. We should speak on behalf of
the unborn and contend for the
sanctity of all human life from
conception to natural death. Every
Christian should seek to bring
industry, government, and society
as a whole under the sway of the
principles of righteousness, truth,
and brotherly love. In order to
promote these ends Christians
should be ready to work with all
men of good will in any good
cause, always being careful to act
in the spirit of love without
compromising their loyalty to Christ
and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5;
Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm
101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16;
Matthew 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40;
25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21;
Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25;
John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12-
14; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7;
7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians
3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9;
Colossians 3:12-17; 1
Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon;
James 1:27; 2:8. |
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XIX. Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek
peace with all men on principles of
righteousness. In accordance with
the spirit and teachings of Christ the spirit and teachings of Christ
they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit
is the pure gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of his teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of his law of love.
We urge Christian people throughout the world to pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace, and to oppose everything likely to
provoke war.
Matt. 5:9,13-14,43-46; Heb. 12:14;
James 4:1; Matt. 6:33; Rom.
14:17,19. |
XVI. Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek
peace with all men on principles of
righteousness. In accordance with
the spirit and teachings of Christ the spirit and teachings of Christ
they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit
is the gospel of our Lord. The
supreme need of the world is the
acceptance of His teachings in all
the affairs of men and nations, and
the practical application of His law
of love.
Isa. 2:4; Matt. 5:9,38-48; 6:33;
26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Rom. 12:18-
19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Heb.12:14;
James 4:1-2. |
XVI. Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek
peace with all men on principles of
righteousness. In accordance with
the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit
is the gospel of our Lord. The
supreme need of the world is the
acceptance of His teachings in all
the affairs of men and nations, and
the practical application of His law
of love. Christian people
throughout the world should pray
for the reign of the Prince of
Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48;
6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38;
Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19;
Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2. |
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XVIII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the
conscience, and he has left it free
from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are
contrary to his Word or notthe civil power.
Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Tim.
2:1-2; Gal. 3:9-14; John 7:38-39;
James 4:12; Gal. 5:13; 2 Peter
2:18-21; 1 Cor. 3:5; Rom. 6:1-2;
Matt. 22:21; Mark 12:17. |
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the
conscience, and He has left it free
from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are
contrary to His Word or not
contained in it. Church and statethe civil power.
Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 6:6-7;
24:16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts
4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Gal.
5:1,13; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2;
James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-
17; 4:12-19. |
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the
conscience, and He has left it free
from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are
contrary to His Word or not
contained in it. Church and statethe civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,
24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts
4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7;
Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20;
1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1
Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
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XVIII. The Family
(1998 Amendment)
God has ordained the family as the
foundational institution of human
society. It is composed of persons
related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man
and one woman in covenant
commitment for a lifetime. It is
God's unique gift to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel for sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the meanslifestyle example and loving
discipline, to make choices based
on biblical truth. Children are to
honor and obey their parents.
Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-25; 3:1-20; Ex.
20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; 1
Sam. 1:26-28; Ps. 51:5; 78:1-8;
127; 128; 139:13-16; Prov. 1:8;
5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24;
14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-
14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Eccl.
4:9-12; 9:9; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt.
5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-
12; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-16;
Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21;
1 Tim. 5:8,14; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Titus
2:3-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7. |
XVIII. The Family
God has ordained the family as the
foundational institution of human
society. It is composed of persons
related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man
and one woman in covenant
commitment for a lifetime. It is
God's unique gift to reveal the
union between Christ and His
church and to provide for the man
and the woman in marriage the
framework for intimate
companionship, the channel of
sexual expression according to
biblical standards, and the means
for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equalead them, through consistent
lifestyle example and loving
discipline, to make choices based
on biblical truth. Children are to
honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20;
Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9;
Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28;
Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128;
139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20;
6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6;
18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3;
29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes
4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16;
Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9;
Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1
Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians
5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21;
1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5;
Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter
3:1-7. |
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Recommendation
The committee expresses appreciation to Dr. Paige Patterson and Southern Baptists for the privilege of serving in this very
significant capacity. It is pleased to commend its report to messengers of this 2000 Southern Baptist Convention and
recommend the adoption of the revised Baptist Faith and Message as proposed above.
Respectfully submitted,
Adrian Rogers, Chairman
Max Barnett
Steve Gaines
Susie Hawkins
Rudy A. Hernandez
Charles S. Kelley, Jr.
Heather King
Richard D. Land
Fred Luter
R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
T. C. Pinckney
Nelson Price
Roger Spradlin
Simon Tsoi
Jerry Vines
http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfmcomparison.asp
Copyright © 1999-2002, Southern Baptist Convention. All Rights Reserved.
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