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The Baptists
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Baptists, like other Christians,
are defined by doctrine—some of it common to all orthodox and
evangelical groups and a portion of it importantly distinctive.
Theological reformation is urgently needed in order to promote the
spiritual effectiveness and longevity of the recent return to biblical
authority. This reformation will speak with renewed vigor and fidelity
in biblical exposition, walk circumspectly but energetically with
beautiful gospel-bearing feet, strain forward toward the heavenly goal
of Christ's transforming return, and remember the example and faith of
Baptist pilgrims of the past. Who were the people and what were the
teachings that gave Southern Baptists the bones, ligaments, muscles,
breath, and blood to endure and prosper in the intensity of the
twentieth century? Looking back to the founding fathers has the
potential to provoke spiritual renewal by helping modern believers more
clearly understand the Word of God. Such a reformation and revival among
the Southern Baptists could, under God, significantly influence the
missions, theological education, worship, and evangelism in the entire
modern evangelical world....
"This is
the name which
God gave to
the first man
who He called
and
commissioned
to do any
baptizing. He
named him
‘John the
Baptist.’
Hence, real
Baptists have
no reason to
be ashamed of
or to
apologize for
the Scriptural
name they
bear." "The
Churches of
God" Studies
in the
Scriptures
(Dec., 1927).
Page 5.—A.W.
Pink |
"Every
thinking man
has a Creed
about
polities,
religion,
and the best
manner of
conducting
the business
with which
he is most
familiar. It
may not be
printed, it
may not be
communicated
in words
except in
special
cases, but
it surely
exists in
all
intelligent
minds. And
if the
reader can
remember a
denomination
without an
avowed
Confession
of Faith, he
will find
that in that
community
there is an
understood
creed just
as real, and
as well
known by
those
familiar
with its
people and
its
teachings,
as if
everyone of
its members
carried a
printed copy
of it in his
hand.
Baptists
have always
gloried in
the fact
that the
Bible was
their creed,
and at the
same time,
for
centuries
they have
had
published
Confessions
of Faith".
The nature of
Baptist identity has come to a place of critical
importance in Baptist studies. What exactly
constitutes a Baptist? Tom Nettles seeks to answer
this fascinating question through examining the lives
of some of the most high profile and influential
Baptists in history.
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Elders in Congregational Life