Sunday, August 27, 2006

Baptist Faith and Message (1)

The most recent revision to the Baptist Faith and Message was completed in 2000. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to post each section of the BF&M 2000 with the Biblical annotations. Just click the cite to read the verse.

Also, when the original charter of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the SBC's flagship seminary, was adopted in 1858 it contained the following statement which continues as a part of the fundamental laws of the seminary to this day:

"Every professor of the institution shall be a member of a regular Baptist church; and all persons accepting professorships in this seminary shall be considered, by such acceptance, as engaging to teach in accordance with, and not contrary to, the Abstract of Principles hereinafter laid down, a departure from which principles on his part shall be considered grounds for his resignation or removal by the Trustees."
Following the section from the BF&M 2000, I will post the corresponding section of the Abstract of Principles. The BF&M 2000 you can probably pick up as a little booklet at the front of the church. You can download a PDF version of the Abstract of Principles here.

Baptist Faith & Message 2000

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.

The Abstract of Principles - Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Scriptures

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.

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