The Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on May 9, 1963.  

The Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on June 14, 2000.  

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 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.  TOP   

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, 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.   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.  TOP   

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 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.  TOP   

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.;   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 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.  TOP   

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;  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.  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 fullness of the stature of Christ.  He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.  TOP   

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.  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 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 man possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.  TOP   

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.  

C.  Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.  TOP   

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 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.  

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.  Believes 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.  TOP   

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.  

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.  TOP   

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.  

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.  TOP   

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.  

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.  TOP   

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.  

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.  TOP   

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.  

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 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.  TOP   

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 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.  

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 efforts 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.  TOP   

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.  

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.  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 pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.  TOP 

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 pre-eminence 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.  

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 material possessions;  and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others.  According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.  TOP   

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 material possessions;  and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others.  According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer'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.  

XIV.  Cooperation.  Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of th6Xingdorn 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.  TOP   

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.  

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.  It should be realized that social change must be the result of changed hearts.  Therefore, the greatest contribution the Church can make to social betterment is to bring individual men to a heart changing encounter with Jesus Christ.  TOP   

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;  1Corinthians 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.  

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.  TOP   

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.  

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 state should be separate.  The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends.  In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others.  Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God.  The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work.  The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends.  The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind.  The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion.  A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.  TOP   

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 state should be separate.  The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others.  Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God.  The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work.  The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends.  The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind.  The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion.  A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the 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.  

     I. The Scriptures  
    II. God                    
         A. God-Father    
         B. God-Son      
         C. God-Spirit  
   III. Man            
    IV. Salvation      
     V. God's Grace 
    VI. The Church    
   VII. Baptism & Lord's Supper 
  VIII. The Lord's Day  
    IX. The Kingdom 
     X. Last Things  
    XI. Evangelism & Missions 
   XII. Education 
  XIII. Stewardship 
   XIV. Cooperation 
    XV. Christian & Social Order
    XVI. Peace and War  
  XVII. Religious Liberty 
XVIII. Family    

  TOP    

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.  Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage.  Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead 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.