After penning this title I am sorely tempted to quote (out of context, of course) CS Lewis: “I believe in [the SBC] like I believe in the sun. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Now, that quote is typically attributed to Lewis and more directly answers the question, ‘Why do you believe in Jesus?’ or ‘Why are you a Christian?’ So, to apply that to the reason I can assuredly say today that I believe in the Southern Baptist Convention is a monumental statement of hyperbole. Nevertheless, I am quite happy to be a Southern Baptist and a Southern Baptist pastor.
I am a Southern Baptist, convictionally. My testimony begins as one born and raised in Southern Baptist churches. I was saved, called to ministry, and educated by the ministry of the local church and schools supported by the giving of local churches. Although I inherited an introduction to my faith through my parents and my having been raised in Southern Baptist Churches, I identify myself as a Southern Baptist, convictionally—not on convenience or any other lesser motivation. This is not to say that I have not been distracted by the pull of another denomination or para-church movement.
While in college, I was intrigued by the apparent zeal and ‘fire’ of the charismatic movement and the churches that identified themselves with it. I felt a contrast between it and the apathy and lethargy I sensed in many of the Southern Baptist churches I attended in college. God, however, used a special pastor and friends to open my eyes to the dangers inherent within the feel-good, me-first theology and consequent aberrant doctrinal assertions to be found in the charismatic movement. By digging deeper, I came to a greater appreciation for my Baptist and Southern Baptist roots. This is the reason I have a great love for my convention. This is my testimony, which leads me to two very important reasons why I believe very strongly in the SBC.
First, I believe in the SBC because of our strong reputation and the historical evidence that we are “people of The Book.” Our stance on the authority and veracity of Scripture is the foundation of hope. It is this hope that established the SBC as a convention of local churches cooperating together for the fulfillment of our Lord’s Commission and Commandment to us. On the basis of the Bible alone do we know the truth that has set us free and which we must share with others that they also may come to know Him who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” the only one through whom we can find forgiveness of our sin once we realize our need and repent.
Convictionally, we as Southern Baptists have well stated our common confession regarding 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, 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. (BF&M 2000, Article I, HYPERLINK “http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp” http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp )
We, Southern Baptists, have not arrived at this statement lightly. We began with this conviction at the founding of our convention, then lost our way through succumbing to the enticement of academic acceptance and cultural relevance, accommodating many of our cooperative entities to the liberalism of society. Thanks to the local churches and the convictions of pastors and laymen alike, a resurgence took place to re-establish, from our churches to our seminaries to our mission boards, our common conviction concerning the authority and veracity of God’s word. To this very day, we remain a people of The Book who purpose to live out and proclaim its timeless truth to all. This is not to say that we need not guard that trust. No, the “battle for the Bible” will never end, at least on this side of Christ’s return. We must be diligent to contend earnestly for the faith that has once and for all been delivered to God’s people.
Second, I believe in the Southern Baptist Convention because of the strength of the local churches. In the aforementioned reason for my belief in the SBC, I constantly referred to the importance of the local churches—which importance includes equipping me to live my life, my salvation, my commissioning, and my calling, as well as for being the “grass roots” from which the Conservative Resurgence came. Our emphasis on the importance of local, visible, New Testament churches filled with regenerate members who have been scripturally baptized is necessary for our health and continued recovery of our commitment to fulfilling our Lord’s Commission and Commandment. Once again, we have an excellent statement regarding our common conviction regarding the local 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 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. ( BF&M 2000, Article VI, HYPERLINK “http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp” http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp )
I believe in the SBC because the messengers from our churches recently have avowed a commitment to re-emphasizing the importance of regenerate church membership. I believe in the SBC because the messengers of our churches will, hopefully, be able to renew our commitment to being Great Commission churches. I say hopefully because I do not wish to see us tie in political jockeying and undue administrative considerations as part of what is meant by being a Great Commission Southern Baptist.
The people, who are our churches, are the strength of the SBC. We embody the past, present, and future of our convention.
I believe in the SBC! Are we perfect? No. Are we doing right? I believe we are. Can we improve? Always. May God grant us the grace to follow after Him, fellowship with one another in love, and declare the salvation He provides to a lost world with a great need.
I believe in the SBC as long as the SBC remains true to the doctrines taught in the Bible. I, too, agree the battle for the Bible is not going to end on this side of glory. As long as we have SBC pastors who will invite people who deny the substitutionary attonement of Christ to preach the “gospel” in their pulpits or SBC churches with openly homosexual members who are not called to repentance it will be imperative to stand for the truth and defend it. While we can have diverse opinions on some subjects (Calvinisim, etc) we must separate from lies before we can unite in the truth.
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In the years I’ve been a Southern Baptist, I’ve known her to be for one thing above all else–Jesus Christ is Lord. And that is why I believe in the SBC.
thanks for your words. selahV
SelahVs last blog post..IMPRISONED AND SET FREE
SelahV,
Ladies first.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, indeed, Jesus Christ is Lord…and we know this to be true because God has revealed it to us through His word.
Joe B,
Yes, ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.’ I also share your concerns about the issues you have mentioned and pray that we, as Southern Baptists, have the courage to stand up for what is right and stand against that which is wrong.
Sola Gratia,
Scott
Scott A Gordons last blog post..My Guest Post at SBC Voices
Great post, Scott. Very good insight.
Glad to be a Southern Baptist,
David
Scott, yep…God has revealed it in His Word, and the SBC folks I’ve associated with in my lifetime have proclaimed it that way, too. He isn’t Lord because I say so (even though I do). He’s Lord because God says so in His Word. Takes the heat off me and my opinion. I’m grateful for that. selahV
SelahVs last blog post..IMPRISONED AND SET FREE
Having written a Master’s thesis on “The Baptists & Ministerial Qualifications: 1750-1850,” in American Social & Intellectual History as well as many papers in Baptist History, and having served as the Chairman of the Historical committee of the Sandy Creek Baptist Assn. and as Chairman of the Historical Committee of the Baptist State Convention of NC, and having descended from a few Baptists of note: Elder Hoyt Middleton (noted in Holcomb’s History of Ala. Baptists in the 1830s and from the Clan Craig (my maternal grandmother who raised me was a Craig and she named my son) and being a personal friend of one Elder Elijah Craig’s descendants (who was probably a distant cousin) and having both sides of my family be Southern Baptists, I SORT OF HAVE AN INCLINATION TOWARD THE SBC. However, that does not mean that I close my eyes to our imperfections. Even so, with imperfections, shortcomings, etc., too numerous to reference here, I want to pay tribute to all who tried to and did establish the greatest mission force in the world. Having had a very little part in the process, I am thankful for the privilege. To see my son (whose 10th anniversary message I will deliver on May 31, d.v.) continuing the effort moves me more than words can say. We owe to our Lord Jesus Christ and to all His children who have gone before us a debt for the privilege of serving as we do today. Whether this will continue much longer is questionable, but my hope is for a Third Great Awakening that shall bring us the victory. I do know there are writings which suggest a most bleak future, and the past is not encouraging. Nevertheless, as Judson said, when the cause was the darkest, “the future is as bright as the promises.” What a glory they shed on our way.
Dr. James Willinghams last blog post..The Climax of the Reformation
Would there be a difference in saying that you believe “in the SBC” vs. “in the purpose of the SBC”?
Mark | hereiblogs last blog post..Dear President Obama – No!
Mark,
Sorry not to have respond before now.
I believe that those statements are similar yet not synonymous. I believe both in who we are as Southern Baptists as well as in what I believe our Lord has called us to do as Southern Baptists.
I also do not believe that those statements can be mutually exclusive either. You cannot believe in the SBC without believing in the purpose/mission of the SBC. It’s kinda like those who want to support the troops without supporting the war effort…that kind of thinking just does not work in my book.
Sola Gratia!
Scott A Gordons last blog post..My Guest Post at SBC Voices
Thanks for the reminder about the good of our tribe. I also am an SBCer because of the priority on international missions and that priority being fueled through the local church.
While there are times I think our method can make it easier for the SBC people to have personal interaction with the SBC international missionaries, you can’t beat it for mobilization of those willing to go.
It’s a thought for another time, to be sure, but at times I would really like to see the SBC streamline and simplify some extracurriculars to channel more energy and resources toward international missions.
GUNNY HARTMANs last blog post..Failure is never quite so frightening as regret.
New to the SBC. would like Sunday School referance materil.
I teach adult sunday school in a small SBC. the membership is about 35. Thank you!
Frederick, You can get information on SBC Sunday School materials[HERE]. May God bless you richly as you teach the Gospel to folks. selahV
.-= selahV´s last blog ..DAVID PLATT AND ME OR ANYONE ELSE =-.