What Have Baptist Believe…

Jude 3

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for
me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.”

~*~

The New Testament gives us many examples of statements of faith of a creedal nature.

The Confession of Nathanael John 1:49

The Confession of Peter Matt. 16:16; John 6:68
The Confession of Thomas John 20:28
The baptismal formula Matt 28:19
One God and one Lord 1 Cor. 8:6
Christ's humiliation and exaltation Phil. 2:5-11
The Mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3:16
The Elementary Articles Heb. 6:1,2
The Saving Confession Rom. 10:9, 10
The Lordship of Christ 1 Cor. 12:3

James L. Sullivan, past president of the Baptist Sunday School Board, wrote in the
Florida Witness, April 17, 1975. “Baptist doctrines are more important than most of us realize.
They not only express our experiences and beliefs, they also determine our directions. They even
shape our programs whether local or national. They are to the church essentially what the
backbone is to the human body. They give unity and stability; they provide sturdiness enabling us
to endure the bumps of opposition, even persecution.”

Having been persecuted for my biblical and Baptist beliefs I still offer them again for
consideration based on the historic fact of what millions of Baptist have believed regarding the
future for at least 318 years. These confessions have guided hundred upon thousands of Baptist
congregation worldwide for centuries.

That so many Baptist today have departed from their historic faith is no evidence the new
ideas and positions are correct. Time will prove these new ideas wrong as future generations
return to the faith of their spiritual forefathers. Many are doing just this within the Southern
Baptist Convention reflected in the Founders Movement. Guided by The Abstract of Principles,
which states a historic and gracious position in important areas.
 XVIII. Liberty of Conscience.

God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil
magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to
be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

XIX. The Resurrection.

The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God -- the
righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last
day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.

XX. The Judgment.

God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall
receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous,
into everlasting life.

~*~

What I invite individuals and congregations to do is to “contend for the faith.” What
many believe today about prophecy is a faith of the vain imaginations of men with dubious
origins c. 1830. There are many new ideas such as seeing TV’s and satellites and modern day
nations in prophecy and unbiblical antichrists and multiple resurrections and Christians
disappearing. However, all of this is merely reading into the Bible what is not there. In addition
new ideas keep changing with every political shift in the nations of the world, not to mention
every war and rumor of war. Biblical truth does not change. The modern day prophets have only
one element in common—they are 100 percent wrong 100 percent of the time in their
predictions.

It is to be noted that historically Baptist have been strong on freedom of conscience. This
means that even when God’s people disagree they can do so with liberty and without censorship
as long as no cardinal doctrine is changed. Unfortunately, many of those who follow new and
modern day sensational teachings with all of its emotionalism do not allow freedom of
conscience. By certain devotees of a religious System little if any Christian grace, tolerance or
liberty is shown. The System must be embraced as presented for no dissent is allowed. There is a
strong irrational reaction against anyone who dares to disagree or appeal to a historic faith and
more biblical faith, as has been so adequately demonstrated time and again.

Nevertheless, with a view to at least making individuals more aware of their spiritual
legacy and thus more accountable before God in the Day of Judgment, the following information
is offered for consideration.
 A Brief Historical Summary of
Baptist Beliefs Regarding the Future

THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH

With Scripture Proofs

Adopted by the Ministers and Messengers

of the general assembly which met in
London in 1689

Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment

1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ;
to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate
angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear
before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to
receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14;
Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46 )

2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the
eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate,
who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and
receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord;
but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast
aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence
of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2
Thessalonians 1:7-10 )

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both
to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so
will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be
always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may ever be
prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation
22:20 )

~*~
 Philadelphia Confession of Faith

A Confession of Faith
Put Forth by the Elders and Brethren
Of Many Congregations of Christians
(Baptized upon Profession of their Faith)
In London and the Country

Adopted by the Baptist Association Met at Philadelphia

September 25, 1742

To which are added Two Chapters, viz.

Of Laying on of Hands, and Of Singing of Psalms in Public Worship

Chapter 34
Of the Last Judgment

1. God hath appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus
Christ;1 to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day not only the
apostate angels shall be judged,2 but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth, shall
appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds,
and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.3

2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in
the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate,
who are wicked and disobedient;4 for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and
receive that fullness of joy and glory, with everlasting reward, in the presence of the Lord:
but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into
eternal torments,5 and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of His power.6

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both
to deter all men from sin,7 and for the greater consolation of the godly, in their adversity,8 so
will He have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be
always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come,9 and may ever be
prepared to say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly".10 Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Ac 17:31; Jn 5:22, 27.

2. 2. 1Co 6:3; Jude 6.
3. 2Co 5:10; Ecc 12:14; Mt 12:36; Ro 14:10,12; Mt 25:32-46.
4. Ro 9:22-23.
5. Mt 25:21,34; 2Ti 4:8.
6. Mt 25:46; Mk 9:48; 2Th 1:7-10.
7. 2Co 5:10-11.
8. 2Th 1:5-7.
9. Mk 13:35-37; Lk 12:35-40.
10. Rev 22:20.
 The New Hampshire Baptist Confession, 1833

(The New Hampshire Confession)

This Confession was drawn up by the Rev. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New
Hampshire (b. 1803, d. 1868), about 1833, and has been adopted by the New Hampshire
Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a
clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the doctrines of older confessions, but
expressed in milder form. The text is taken from the Baptist Church Manual, published by the
American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia.

18. Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; 92 that at the last day Christ will descend
from heaven,93 and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution;94 that a solemn separation
will then take place;95 that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous
to endless joy;96 and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell,
on principles of righteousness.97

92. 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40;
2 Pet. 3:3-13.
93. Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11.
94. Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2
Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42.
95. Matt. 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33.
96. Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19;
Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18.
97. Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.
20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17.
 The 1925 Baptist Faith and Message Statement

Report of a Committee
on

Baptist Faith and Message

As presented to and adopted by

The Southern Baptist Convention in Session
1925, Memphis, Tennessee

17. 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 good works to make manifest
to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.

26. 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 shall 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.

Southern Baptist Faith and Message

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.”

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.
 Conclusion

Notice what is absent in each of the Baptist Confessions. There is no mention of a

rapture, a seven year tribulation, multiple resurrections, or a thousand year reign according to
modern day Jewish Zionism or Christian Zionism concepts. Perhaps there is a reason for this.
Perhaps the reason is that students of the Bible for centuries did not see what some say they now
see in the Bible.

Would God have left His people in spiritual darkness for so long if these modern day
doctrines were true? I personally do not believe He is that kind of a God. Nor do I believe our
spiritual forefathers were less wise or less students of the Bible than this generation.

While it is true that Christian liberty allows for individuals today to believe whatever they
are convinced the Bible teaches it is also true that modern day ideas, especially in the area of
prophecy, are inconsistent with the great confessions of the Baptist not to mention the
Presbyterians and other mainstream denominations. Can so many millions of Christian for the
past 2000 years be so wrong? I do not believe most of Christendom has been wrong for all these
centuries.

There is a tremendous arrogance to all the modern day prophetic teachers which is
breathtaking in scope.

One of the main psychological weapons modern day prophetic teachers have in their
verbal arsenals is fear. They scare people. But God does not want His people to be afraid. He has
said so.

 Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow
not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet
hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind.

So come. Come back to the Bible. Come back to the simplicity of Scripture. Come back to
the Lordship of Christ. Let the church say now, “Our God reigns!” Come back to a historic
faith.