Why we Believe What we
Believe
The Baptist Faith and Message
(Series introduction)
Introduction: The Baptist faith and message goes back to the
1920’s where it began as a simple doctrine statement to identify the beliefs of
Southern Baptists. In 1963 it was expanded upon to include specific doctrinal
topics and their scriptural support. In 2000 the S.B.C. once again felt it was
time to expand the Baptist faith and Message to address doctrinal issues that
impact our modern culture. On June 14th, 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention
adopted a revised summary of our faith. The committee's report says in part:
"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 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."
During this study we will examine the
Southern Baptist doctrine, “Why we Believe What we Believe”, named the Baptist
Faith and Message.
2 Timothy
3:16 All Scripture
is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
(NASB)
"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
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.
19"Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20teaching them to observe
all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age."
Conclusion: I
don’t want you to confuse biblical doctrine and the doctrine of man. We are not
looking at man’s doctrine; everything we are going to study will come from the
word of God. There will be scripture to support every topic. It is not just
important to know what we believe it is necessary if we are going to serve the
Lord as He needs us to. We are told in 1 Peter
3:15 but
sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to
everyone who asks you to give an
account for the hope that is in
you, yet with gentleness and reverence;(NASB). If you and I are to give
account, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should know where that account
comes from? As we progress through this study you should become more
comfortable with your understanding of the Bible and more confident in your
ability to share that knowledge with others. The group of people who put the
Baptist faith and Message together are well respected and know for their
knowledge and scholarship of God’s word, they have proven themselves
trustworthy.