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THE
BAPTIST
FAITH
AND MESSAGE
A Statement Adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention May
9, 1963 [Revised
by the Southern Baptist Convention June 10, 1998] Originally published by The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Nashville,
Tennessee First
Printing 1963 Database
©1997-1998
NavPress Software. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE The 1962 session of the Southern
Baptist Convention, meeting in San Francisco, California, adopted the following
motion. “Since the report of the Committee on
Statement of Baptist Faith and Message was adopted in 1925, there have been
various statements from time to time which have been made, but no overall
statement which might be helpful at this time as suggested in Section 2 of that
report, or introductory statement which might be used as an interpretation of
the 1925 Statement. “We recommend, therefore, that the
president of this Convention be requested to call a meeting of the men now
serving as presidents of the various state Conventions that would qualify as a
member of the Southern Baptist Convention committee under Bylaw 18 to present to
the Convention in Kansas City some similar statement which shall serve as
information to the churches, and which may serve as guidelines to the various
agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is understood that any group or
individuals may approach this committee to be of service. The expenses of this
committee shall be borne by the Convention Operating Budget.” Your committee thus constituted begs
leave to present its report as follows: Throughout its work your committee has
been conscious of the contribution made by the statement of “The Baptist Faith
And Message” adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1925. It quotes
with approval its affirmation that “Christianity is supernatural in its origin
and history. We repudiate every theory of religion which denies the supernatural
elements in our faith.” Furthermore, it concurs in the
introductory “statement of the historic Baptist conception of the nature and
function of confessions of faith in our religious and denominational life.” It
is, therefore, quoted in full as part of this report to the Convention. “(1) That they constitute a consensus
of opinion of some Baptist body, large or small, for the general instruction and
guidance of our own people and others concerning those articles of the Christian
faith which are most surely held among us. They are not intended to add anything
to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz.,
repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. “(2) That we do not regard them as
complete statements of our faith, having any quality of finality or
infallibility. As in the past so in the future Baptists should hold themselves
free to revise their statements of faith as may seem to them wise and expedient
at any time. “(3) That any group of Baptists,
large or small have the inherent right to draw up for themselves and publish to
the world a confession of their faith whenever they may think it advisable to do
so. “(4) That the sole authority for
faith and practice among Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority
over the conscience. “(5) That they are statements of
religious convictions, drawn from the Scriptures, and are not to be used to
hamper freedom of thought or investigation in other realms of life.” The 1925 Statement recommended “the
New Hampshire Confession of Faith, revised at certain points, and with some
additional articles growing out of certain needs . . .” Your present committee
has adopted the same pattern. It has sought to build upon the structure of the
1925 Statement, keeping in mind the “certain needs” of our generation. At
times it has reproduced sections of the Statement without change. In other
instances it has substituted words for clarity or added sentences for emphasis.
At certain points it has combined articles, with minor changes in wording, to
endeavor to relate certain doctrines to each other. In still others—e.g.,
“God” and “Salvation”—it has sought to bring together certain truths
contained throughout the 1925 Statement in order to relate them more clearly and
concisely. In no case has it sought to delete from or to add to the basic
contents of the 1925 Statement. Baptists are a people who profess a
living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is “the
same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Therefore, the sole authority for
faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the
Holy Scriptures. A living faith must experience a
growing understanding of truth and must be continually interpreted and related
to the needs of each new generation. Throughout their history Baptist bodies,
both large and small, have issued statements of faith which comprise a consensus
of their beliefs. Such statements have never been regarded as complete,
infallible statements of faith, nor as official creeds carrying mandatory
authority. 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. Baptists emphasize the soul’s
competency before God, freedom in religion, and the priesthood of the believer.
However, this emphasis should not be interpreted to mean that there is an
absence of certain definite doctrines that Baptists believe, cherish, and with
which they have been and are now closely identified. It is the purpose of this statement of
faith and message to set forth certain teachings which we believe.
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