Six resolutions adopted by messengers at BGCT
___By Teresa Young
___For Texas Baptist Communications
___CORPUS CHRISTI--Baptist confessions of faith should not be used as "creeds carrying mandatory authority," messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas said in a resolution adopted Oct. 31.
___The resolution on confessions of faith was one of six offered by the convention's resolutions committee and affirmed by messengers gathered for the annual session in Corpus Christi.
___The resolution on confessions of faith reaffirmed language from the 1963 version of the Baptist Faith & Message that was omitted when messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando adopted a revised confession of faith in June.
___"Confessions should not be used as instruments of doctrinal accountability or to hamper freedom of thought," the resolution states. It also says "the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the Old and New Testaments, under the leadership of the Spirit."
___Jackie Justice of New Horizon Baptist Church in Lubbock spoke against the resolution, primarily opposing affirmation of the statement about Jesus being the sole criterion for interpreting the Bible.
___Quoting from the first chapter of John's gospel, Justice said, "I am inclined to believe that everyone would agree that John is speaking about Christ, and you can't separate the living word of God from the written word of God."
___No one "would have known the gospel apart from the written word of God," he asserted. Then he added, "I do not believe I am to interpret the word of God by my personal experience."
___No other discussion followed, and messengers approved the entire slate of resolutions overwhelmingly.
___Other resolutions adopted:
___ Urge Texas Baptists to vote in the upcoming general elections.
___ Call for prayer for political unrest in the Middle East, citing the biblical command to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" found in Psalm 122:6.
___ Encouraged messengers to pray for and affirm ministers' families.
___ Expressed appreciation to the convention's host city and officers.



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