January 29, 2001
TOGETHER:
Baptists are a mission people rooted in freedom
___In recent weeks, we have looked at the Baptist commitment to Christ, the Bible, the church and to ethical living. The goal has been to raise high the principles and convictions that mark the Baptist vision. This week, we conclude by focusing on Baptists as a mission people and a free people.
___Baptists are a mission people. Missions is woven into every fiber of Baptist life in ourtime. God has called us to be a people on mission. If you grow up in Baptist life, you learn very early the Great Commission that Jesus gave to the church: "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19).
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___In spite of Christ's clear command, some early Baptists had a dim view of missions. They believed in a limited atonement--that Jesus did not die for everyone. When William Carey announced that God was calling him to preach the gospel in India, an 18th century English pastor told him: "Sit down, young man. When God is ready to save the heathen, he will do it without your help or ours." But mission-minded Baptists grew and prospered as they sought to be open to God's Spirit and have the world on their hearts. Today, a passion for missions indelibly marks Texas Baptist life.
___Three words come to mind as I think of the way Baptists are on mission for our Lord--aggressive, biblical and cooperative. We are aggressive in moving forward into every place that needs a witness for Christ and a church established. We are biblical in our motivation and in our message. And we are cooperative in our strategy. We need one another to do this mission task.
___Baptists are a free people. We were born in a time of religious conflict. The religious establishment looked down upon Baptists, treating our spiritual forebears as a sect or a cult. Persecution was never far away. But Baptists never persecuted their tormentors. Baptists stood for religious liberty. We believed in a free church in a free state. We thought it important to teach everyone to read the Bible. We knew that in Scripture we could discover God's truth and direction for our churches and our lives. We rejected theological loyalty oaths imposed by religious leaders. The only creed Baptists acknowledged was the Bible itself.
___But our freedom was never just for independence, nor was it ever for licentiousness. Baptist freedom was for the purpose of preaching the gospel and establishing free churches. The religious authorities in Colonial Virginia put Baptists in jail for preaching without the permission or license of the government.
___Freedom is central to Baptist polity. As Baptists, we govern our churches by seeking the mind of Christ in prayer and study of Scripture. We do not yield our responsibilities for church life to the ordained or the self-appointed. In prayerful cooperation, the people of the churches seek to follow what they believe is the will of God. It is not an easy way to be a church member. It requires prayer and work on everyone's part. But we believe it is faithful to the New Testament pattern.
___These are some of the key Baptist convictions. What would you add? How can you and your church more fully claim your glorious heritage as a faithful Christian and a free Baptist?
___We are loved.
___
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
